Block of the Month Quilts Happy Mail 31st January 2018

These quilts have been made for our Aussie Heroes using 

Blocks of the Month 

contributed by volunteers all over Australia.

Quilt top made by Jo H and quilted by Lynne V

The beautiful machine embroidered panels by volunteers whose names I don't know

Quilt top made by Di G and designed by Sandy C

Quilted by Mary M

Quilt top by Sandy C and quilted by Lynne V

Until next time,

Sandy Corry

Happy Mail 31st January 2018

These are some of the beautiful Blocks of the Month that have arrived in my 

mail box over the last month.

THANK YOU

to all the wonderful contributors who make the blocks for quilts for our Aussie Heroes.

Check out my other post this week that shows some of the quilts that 

have been made by the Coffs Harbour Sewing Team using these blocks.

Anne S

Anne S

Carol W

Carol W

Fiona W

G Stevens

Jan A

Jenny D

Joan S

Judy D

June A

June A

June A

Margaret W

Liz J

Until next week,

happy sewing.

Sandy Corry

HAPPY MAIL - 24 January Quilts - again sharing belatedly

In the coastal town of Coffs Harbour NSW, there is a group of girls who sew
quilts, using the Blocks of the Month, for our Aussie Heroes.  

Some quilts are taken as a solo project by just one person, but many are made by the Sewing Team with one or two members making the quilt top, another may do the
appliqué and then the quilting and binding are done by others.  

Each person works on the type of work they prefer.
We have two girls who specialise in appliqué sewing.
We have four girls who quilt on professional machines.

It's a very happy group, all wanting to be a part of this wonderful 

organisation making quilts for our Aussie Heroes.

Here's a few of the quilts made by the Coffs Harbour Sewing Team recently

Solo Quilt by Jennifer W



Quilt top by Cheryl D
Quilting by Anne M

Solo Quilt by Beth H

Quilt by Annette H

Quilting by Lynne V

Happy Mail 24th January - sharing belatedly

I hope you're all feeling rested after the Christmas and January holiday time.  

I love the change of pace this time offers but I'm also ready to get back into the normal routine and get back into creative activities.  

So many happy memories of the Christmas celebrations and family time linger on for me, reminding me that many of our Aussie Heroes have had to sacrifice this wonderful time with their families.  I'm sure they did what they could, where ever they were serving, and still had celebrations 

but family time is just the best time.  

For me, it is a privilege to be able to make Quilts for our Aussie Heroes, in a small way saying "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE" 

and reminding them that many Aussies at 

home know they are serving our Country and sacrificing much for us.

At the beginning of the year, let's also thank Jan-Maree for the amazing work she does in 

heading up this great movement.  Her energy is boundless.  Her commitment is unfailing.  

Within this framework, so many of us can each do what we love doing eg. making a few BOM or a huge number of BOM, making Quilts alone or within small groups or making Laundry Bags.  Everyone can do something rewarding. 

Her organisational skills connect us with our Heroes so that we can personalise 

Quilts and Laundry Bags for them and meet their requests.  Their thank you letters 

constantly tell us just how much this means to them as they serve.

What a unique and special group we are all a part of...

Thank you Jan-Maree.

Our first Block of the Month Tutorial for 2018 will be available next week

if you would like to make a block or two...or more.

Enjoy the following Blocks of the Month, Aussie Diamonds, sent in by our wonderful volunteers.

Thank you to everyone who found gorgeous prints of Australiana for these blocks.

Tracy F

Tamsin O

Susan P

Sharon P

Ann W

Bobbie S

Cathie J

D. Prime

Linda L

Sally R

Lee W

So many other beautiful blocks have arrived during December and January...more next week.

Until then, happy creating.

Sandy

Grati-Tuesday 30 Jan 18

On the weekend in Canberra I had the absolute pleasure of presenting two quilts.  

This quilt was for this recipient who was kind enough to invite my husband and I to meet his family.  He did not actually get time to submit a request but was delighted when I offered him a quilt.  It meant that he could not receive his quilt whilst deployed which lead to me presenting it to him.  I made the quilt and it was quilted by Keryn. 

To be honest, I do feel a bit guilty at times, when I have the pleasure of presenting quilts made by someone else, even though it is not practical for all the quilters to be there when the occasion presents itself but on this occasion, it was really lovely to present one that I had made. I do get a lot of pleasure making these quilts, as do all our quilters. 

Some of you who have attended our dinners might recognise the fellow on the right here. He is one of our wonderful Chaplains and he is holding up the quilt that I made for him in 2012... yep, a while ago.   His wife is holding up the ANZAC themed laundry bag that the chaplain was absolutely chuffed to win in the auctions at the dinner last year.   

The quilt recipient this time is their son and to say that he (and his father) were chuffed with the quilt is an understatement. Well done Bridget.  You nailed it. 

.....

This letter is a bit special.  We presented 10 laundry bags to the British Invictus team and 10 quilts and laundry bags to the Aussie Invictus team who raced in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.. this letter is from one of the British competitors. 
....

Dear Jan-Maree and Robyn Wo,

Thank you both for the wonderful laundry bag I received from you, the enclosed letters from AHQ and MPQ (Maitland Patchwork and Quilters) were lovely.

I was one of the UK Invictus team racing the Sydney-Hobart yacht race as an injured UK armed forces veteran. We had a brilliant time competing against our fellow Aussie Invictus team.

Its the little things that make a lasting difference, and this show of warmness and generosity with your work was very touching. Both myself and the rest of the UK crew are very appreciative.

In the UK we have a similar group called Q4IS (quilts for injured soldiers) and I was fortunate to have received one in 2016 before I was medically discharged in Jul 17. Q4IS, like AHQ is much loved and I thank you once again for your generosity in sharing your gift with a bunch of foreign vets sailing the Aussie seas.

Kind regards

......

G'day Ellen,

Thank you so much for the quilt and laundry bag. I can honestly say it was a fantastic moment when I opened the parcel and saw what you had made.

Your generosity, and that of those around you, is truly moving. I love 'your take' on Australian landscapes and wildlife and the embroidered words throughout are very clever.

I can relate to your desire to travel Australia. It is something I do as often as possible and as you say there is nothing better than finding a nice quiet spot beside a river where you can just relax and unwind.  

I'd also like to pass on my thanks, appreciation and respect to your family members who have served within the ADF and to you and all your family members who supported them whilst they were deployed.

In closing I'd just want to say again thank you for the gift and the thought behind it - it made what is a relatively bland place so much brighter when I opened it. 

Enjoy retirement and safe travels.

.....

G'day Sally

I have just received my Aussie hero laundry bag today! I absolutley love it! I will definately be using it. I have sent a christmas card to you, so hopefully that doesn't take too long for it to arrive. I would like to say a massive thank you sally for putting so much love and energy into the laundry bag you sent. I cannot believe you managed to capture all my favorite things into one masterpiece.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to Jan-Maree, your volunteer work has been amazing! I appreciate all you do for all of us deployed service men and women.

I hope you both have had great holidays.

Kind Regards,

.....

Good afternoon Ruth,

Just thought I would send a quick email to inform you my laundry bag arrived this morning.

Thank you so much, it looks amazing and really brightened my day! I can't believe you managed to source some Gold Coast Titans material!

I see you are in SA, I am from SA as well!

What you guys do really helps us over here and lifts our spirits at a time we really start missing home. I have a few months left here and your laundry bag came at a perfect time!

Thank you once again.

Have an amazing day.

.....

Sue N,

Apologies for the tardy response; however, I wanted to ensure that I got this email to you prior to my departure.

Thank you very much for the work that you and the team of Aussie Heroes do. I brings a huge smile to the faces of our Airmen and women every time they receive one of your quilts or laundry bags.

It can be difficult for members, especially those on their first deployment, to adapt to the operational tempo, living conditions and not to mention the food and being away from family and friends. The service you provide, gives them that something extra to remind them of home and make time away that touch more comfortable.

.....

Dear Sue,

Thank you so much for my lovely laundry bag!

I always get comments on how wonderful it is, at the communal laundry.

It's nice to be able to use something that has come from home, and even better to be able to show it off!

I loved your comments about having 2 spoilt cats, because I have spoilt bunnies.Sending you many warm wishes, a big thank you for all your time, effort and skill

Lots of love

.....

Till next time... keep spreading the word and happy stitching!
Jan-Maree xx

Aussie Hero Requests 29 January 2018

Hi all

Ok so trying something different this week as I know that lots of you do not read the preamble as you think it does not change…. So

IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE REQUEST LIST.. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST FOR HELPFUL INFO… ESSENTIAL IF YOU ARE NOT USED TO SEWING FOR US.

SELVEDGES

Something a little different… one of our recipients is currently serving on Submarines and in her spare time she likes to sew. She is wondering if any of you have any spare selvedges she can have… must have words or dots on them, not be blanks. That is what she needs for a project she is working on. If you can help her please email me for her postal address.  Thank you.

Laundry Bags

For those of you who like to make random laundry bags it is time to look at sending some more the Malaysia and we got lots of promises last week but I still need more pretty please. I normally send about 12-140 to our Rifle Company at RMAF Base Butterworth every three months.   I have to get a bit ahead of myself this time as I will be moving house in three months time. So if you would like to make some random, gender neutral laundry bags to go to Malaysia please let me know. It is important that you understand that to do this you will need to cover the cost of postage to from your location to Sydney and you will need to complete a large customs form.  Your postie will be able to tell you how much that is depending on how any bags you want to send. Alternately if you are in Sydney you can drop them in to me and I can send them from here. If you are interested please let me know.

Priority items

No’s 2-13 are all required to be in the mail no later than then end of February.  Let’s see what we can do.

Post by Date

The post by date for ALL items on this request list is 5 March please.

PLEASE note the date and let me know if you have any problems getting your quilt/LB away on time. In fact, if you are going to be late posting it please let me know BEFORE you post it.  Also, if this time frame is too tight for you, there are options, just email me to discuss.

If there is more than one request on this list that you would be happy to do I suggest that you send me a list of requests and tell me how many you want to be allocated…. ie one of the following please….  There are always a few requests that everyone wants to do (and I can never pick them) so if the first one you ask for is taken then I can allocate another from your list if I have a list.

  

If you don’t understand what people are asking for or where to get some of the bits and pieces then please ask me but the following might also be helpful.

Australian National Flag - you can buy panels at Spotlight – ask for them if you can’t find them.

Rising Sun, RAAF Crest, Navy Crest, Coat of Arms, HMAS Warramunga crest and other badges – ask me about them, I can often send you some to include if your request needs them.

If they want some text and it is too much for you to applique I can get it embroidered and sent to you to be sewn on the quilt or sewn into it.

I can help you with football colours and logos of teams etc. Just ask me. Most of the logos are simple or you can just add team names if you want to … team colours are enough also.

Please think about what the request involves before you take it on. Google, ask questions, email me, make sure you can complete it to your satisfaction before you commit to it if possible please.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

We still need masculine or gender neutral laundry bags to be sent to our troops in Malaysia.  I am working ahead as I am due to move home when the next lot of bags are due so I would like to get the bags over there sooner than later as I will not have time to coordinate closer to time.  If you would like to post to Malaysia that would be great. You need to pay the cost of postage from your location to Sydney and your parcel needs a customs form on it.  If you are interested please let me know.  Cheers Jan-Maree	LB		1
Selvedges with words - if you have some you can spare please email JMB for the address to send them to.			1
3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron crest (JMB will print and send to you) , a C130 and a blackhawk (JMB can provide you with silhouettes)	F	LB	1
Australian flora with words "OP ACCORDION" please, and thank you!	F	LB	1
"2nd Cavalry Regiment badge (from JMB)	M	LB	1
Simpsons  and in corner: "Op OKRA - Iraq 2017/18"	M	LB	1
MANLY SEA EAGLES, SOCCEROOS	M	LB	1
SAN ANTONIO SPURS BASKETBALL RELATED THEME	M	LB	1
North Queensland Cowboys, Queensland Maroons	M	Q	2
Essendon FC OR red and black	M	Q	3
Broncos -  maroon and gold	M	Q	4
North Queensland cowboys, with the team colours - blue, yellow and white	M	Q	5
Navy Blue, Gold and White (RAN Colours). Nautical themed to reflect my 24.5 years of Navy service.	M	Q	6
Australian Flag, Poppies, Aircraft	Female	Q	7
Green and gold with Australian Coat of Arms (from JMB)	M	Q	8
Outback 4x4 exploring/camping in my Landcruiser and mountain bike riding in the blue mountains	M	Q	9
scenic designes/colours for Australian east coast beaches and ocean.	F	Q	10
I have 2 daughters and a very patient husband. I am a proud Mover having completed four deployments -East Timor in 2002 and the  Middle East 2003, 2015 and again in 2017. I would love a quilt that captured my deployment history, a movement wagon wheel (easy to applique) and the unit name JMCO MER and ties in my favourites colours of black and red and red poppies.	F	Q	11
yellow/gold coloured quilt, with a green outline of a Wallaby...like on the Australian Rugby logo	M	B	12
HKIA ROLE 2 MEDICAL TEAM AFGHANISTAN,  ANY RAAF LOGO (crest of Roundel), AUSTRALIAN FLAG, AIRCRAFT, RED CROSS, POPPIES, BRIGHT/MULTICOLOURS	F	Q	12
3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, a C130 and a blackhawk with "OP HIGHROAD"  and "WE NEVER STAND TALLER THAN WHEN WE KNEEL TO TREAT THE WOUNDED"	F	Q	13
Fav colour is Purple, love unicorns. Would like the Aust and Afg flags, with Oct 17- Apr 18. Thank you to all the quilt makers, it is greatly appreciated.	F	B	14
large F-18F and R34 skyline, 1sqn patch (from JMB)	M	Q	15
My favourite colours are blue and pink, my nickname is princess and I like our aircraft (KC30) and Disney princess (little mermaid).	M	Q	16
ROT 66, skull & crossbones motorcycles (Both dirtbike and Road) Ships Crest/motto, Fav Colours are Kawasaki racing green & black	M	Q	17
Coat of Arms,  "Courage in Difficulties"  152 a route 66 sign (I think I have Route 66 fabric I could send you) , the name "Brooklyn" mentioned, Canberra Raiders, Star wars stuff, Empire strikes back if possible	M	Q	18
mandala style with blues and / or Greenish colours to if possible.	F	Q	19
Middle Eastern atlas map / world map atlas style quit & Laundry bag	M	B	20
Jurassic Park	M	Q	21
Skye, from Paw Patrol, With some paw prints across. Pink and purple with brown paw prints if possible.	M	Q	22
Collingwood Magpies design	M	Q	23
Sydney Swans and DC Super Heroes	M	B	24
Chuck Norris theme with my initials B N	M	Q	25
Aviation	M	Q	26
Small prints of cartoon snowboarders in various locations.  With a small notation of operation Manitou Rotation 66	M	B	27
Boston Red Sox's, Boston Celtics OR New England Patriots	M	Q	28
I would like to have a traditional Dive helmet with anchors.  (I am one of the ships divers)	M	Q	29
Aussie Flag / Southern Cross / Eureka stockade flag with 'Boxing Kangaroo' and/or Air Force 'red kangaroo' roundel / Eagle with Iraq and Afghanistan maps	M	Q	30
avengers/superheroes	M	Q	31
CAPT America and Iron Man with "Mason" on it please	M	Q	32
NRL, North Queensland cowboys and love good quality craft beer. I’m an avid home brewer.	M	Q	33
Love animals, especially dogs and birds. Please can you include my husband and son' names and the years 2017-2018	F	Q	34
Camo patterns with orange grey blue	M	Q	35
prefers spearfishing and free diving	M	Q	36
fast jet pilot and a keen cyclist, cycling	M	B	37
Bright colours, flowers, Australian desserts and lollies (aka tim tams, iced vovos), Harry Potter. Request 'EAOU-2' to be written on quilt.	F	Q	38
Bright Colours, Blue, references to RAAF (JMB can send crest) , Planes	M	Q	39
I like olympic weightlifting, colors is red,black,yellow,white,blue. Any other colors that would suit.	M	B	40
NSW Flag	M	Q	41
Military Working Dog Theme -  Belgian Malinios breed  - on Patrol or Malinios Sillioett/ Sunrise/ Sunset	M	B	42
Deadpool and Krav Maga (Israeli mixed martial art).	F	Q	43
beach, hockey, purple, flowers, sausage dogs - I have a mini sausage dog.	F	Q	44
If I could request the words ‘EAOU-2’ ‘AIR LOAD TEAM’ ‘Op Accordion 17-18’ and ‘TJ’ that would be awesome. My favourite colour is purple. I would love a Aussie flag also, maybe a camel and an C130 too. Doesn’t bother me too much haha I also like soccer.	F	Q	45
Air Advisor with TAAC-AIR Patch (from JMB) with deployment dates on Red/Black and Green Background	M	Q	46
shades of purple - lillies / orchids / hibiscus flowers	M	Q	47
Superheroes Dark Blue	M	Q	48
Aussie Flag / Southern Cross / Eureka stockade flag with 'Boxing Kangaroo' and/or Air Force roundel / Eagle with Iraq and Afghanistan maps	M	Q	49
RAEME corp flag which is Royal blue on top third, yellow middle third and red bottom third. RAEME Corp badge in the middle - JMB can send you the RAEME Badge	M	Q	50
blue, Ricky and Morty OR  Superheroes, Marvel (Wolverine Fan)	M	Q	51
I'd love a Royal Australian Engineers themed quilt. (red and blue horizontal stripes). Would like the RAE hat badge (JMB can send you) and/or the collar "bomb"/ubique badge (can be appliqued) on it, plus something to do with Iraq, ie the Iraqi flag or country outline.	M	Q	52
Essendon Bombers	M	Q	53
seattle seahawks colours - white, silver, blue and bright green	M	B	54
Manly Sea Eaglels - Maroon and white	M	B	55
The number 66 with Camo Pattern ( I can send you a little)	M	Q	56
Brisbane Broncos with the Number 66	F	Q	57
Op Manitou, ROT 66, Boarding Party Ships Diver (Possibly a dive helmet or similiar) Fleur-de-lis,   A spartan / gladiator helmet	M	Q	58
"MOANA" themed	M	Q	59
Sunset / Beach theme with nickname written on it	F	Q	60
Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong in the Jungle.	M	Q	61
bears (not cutesy ones)	M	Q	62
Sailing, surfing,spearfishing theme with a Koala spearfishing, kangaroo surfing and a single man sailin in a yacht and Warramunga's side number 152	M	Q	63
Thomas the tank engine, planes (Jets), wording saying "Oh the places you'll go" with the son's name  on it with wording "Love Dad"	M	Q	64
Poppies and Australia Flag with Camo OR White Ensign (RAN)	F	Q	65
Poppies, Rising Sun and Australia Flag and camo	F	Q	66
Royal Australian Corps of Transport emblem. Corps Motto is Par Oneri which in english is 'Equal to the Task'. Corps colours and flag  are Red, White and Blue.	Q	Q	67

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR NEW PEOPLE

NOTE – if you are checking the request list from the blog and if you receive the blog via email DO NOT try to reply to me via that email.  It will not work. You need to use friendsofAHQ@gmail.com

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE copy the ENTIRE line if you wish to nominate for a quilt or laundry bag.  

For example….

Marvel Theme. Ironman

M

LB

1

This is really important to make sure that neither you nor I copy the wrong number which could lead to me giving you the wrong details for specific request.  If you find it hard to copy and paste please copy the line out as follows…   Marvel Theme. Ironman  M  LB  1

Decoding The Columns

B=both quilt and laundry bag (feel free to nominate to JUST do the laundry bag if you wish)

Q= just a quilt

LB = just a laundry bag

F= female

M= male