Happy Mail 31st July 2019

Blocks of the Month

Another month is drawing to a close and great Black Churndash blocks
have been arriving in the mail daily.
Thank you to all the following BOM Squad contributors for their efforts.

It's not too late...if you would still like to make some of these blocks, please go
HERE
for all you'll need to know to do just that.

Jan A


Sue G #1


Sue G #2


Sue G #3


Linda L


Deb N


June A


Robin M

Jo M

Sally R

Until next time,

Sandy

Just had to share this with you... never doubt our quilts continue serve back home......

I received this email last night just before I went to bed - I missed out on putting it on the blog for tonight so you get it as an extra.  

.....

Hi,

In 2016 my daughters were gifted a quilt from AHQ and every time I pull it out, I always think to the generosity of time, resource and spirit that went into creating it.

The quilt we were gifted is personalized and very creative and It’s so very much appreciated.  I believe my husband wrote a thank you at the time of receipt - I just thought I would reiterate it as it so very much loved.

Warm regards,

I wrote to the author to tell her that I would forward her email to Philomena who made the quilt ad then I asked her permission to share her message and the photo anonymously on the blog and Facebook page.... and this is her reply

.....

Many many thanks to the beautiful Philomena for putting it together for us.  It’s so unique and a much loved item for the girls and any visiting friends.  I am delighted for you to share the words - they are but a token in comparison to the hard work and generosity of spirit demonstrated by the quilting team, organisers and support staff.

With Frozen 2 coming out soon, I am sure that it will be draped around the house with pride as a backdrop whilst the girls sing the new songs from the film!

Grati-Tuesday 30 Jul 19

G'day everyone... 

Here is your weekly dose of happy... doesn't everyone need a little happy in their lives. 

Enjoy these messages.

.....

Irene,

I received my quilt today and I am overwhelmed by how good it is. I can tell you have put in a lot of effort and time and I appreciate everything you have added to it. I will cherish the quilt and take good care of it. This is my second deployment and I always kicked myself for not requesting a quilt on the first one, but it was worth it to receive this masterpeice 😁. 

Thank you very much for your kind words in your letter - it is always good to hear that people care about what we do. You will be glad to hear that you nailed the bombs, where some may not be in our inventory I still recognise them.

It is also great to receive a quilt from someone so close to home. I was born in Inglewood and grew up in Texas so I know the region well. I moved to Nerang at the Gold Coast to finish high school where I joined the Military in 2007. I now live in the Sydney region with my beautiful wife and 3 children of which I can't wait to show the quilt.

Once again thank you so much. You have made my week.

.....

Dear Pennie,

I have just returned from my mid deployment leave feeling very sad about leaving my family. However...... the first package I opened was my beautiful quilt and laundry bag from you. It is simply beautiful and I cannot express how much it means to me to receive it along with your lovely handwritten note and photo.

The time and service you give to the Aussie Hero Quilts is a terrific example of the Australian spirit, your efforts make a huge difference and I am sure anyone who has received one of your beautiful quilts would feel the same way I do right now.

I will send you a photo - can you please confirm your home mailing address?

Warmest Regards,
......

Hi Pennie

I have to say from the outset, thank you very much for the lovely quilt. It's obvious you put a lot of pride in your work as the end product is quite amazing. It certainly will add some colour to my living space as you suggested. 

As to your question, I am a native Sth Australian, but posted to Brisbane for a few years. My wife and I live in the Adelaide Hills  and have one daughter
.
Kind Regards 
......

Hi Marilyn

Thanks for your beautiful laundry bag that arrived here in South Sudan recently. It is a wonderful gift, and I (like my colleagues) am humbled by the support you offer us.

I joined the Army in 2008, through RMC in Canberra and have spent most of my career as a logistics Officer. Here in South Sudan (UNMISS) I am working in a Human Resources planning role and enjoying the job, if not the time away from my family. My family lives in Canberra and we have two beautiful boys.

Whilst in the Australian Army, I grew up across the ditch in New Zealand, and will always be an All Blacks supporter which upsets my wife at times!

Thanks again for your gift – it will be well treasured. 

......

Dear Shirley,

I am a soldier in the Australian Regular Army, currently serving in Afghanistan as part of Australia’s contribution to NATO’s  Resolute Support Mission.

I would like to take this opportunity to personal thank you for your kind and thoughtful gift. The quilt is now on my bed. It is always nice to receive mail from Australia  and also to know that members of the public are proudly supporting their deployed personnel. It is always a boost to a soldier’s morale to receive mail especially from generous members of the public like you. Although it is difficult to be away from home in  a hostile country I am personally very proud to be serving my nation.

My role is as a mentor to key staff and instructors at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy. The Academy is producing committed and well-motivated junior officers  to lead the next generation of the country’s Defence and Security Forces.

In closing my sincere thanks for your support of Australian Defence force personnel, and good golfing.

......
To Ruth S for one of her laundry bags....

I would just like to give my massive gratitude to you. It looks amazing!

It put a massive smile on my face.

Power supporter. We can still be friends after your team crushed us earlier this year. 

Thanks again Ruth and very much appreciated. 

.....

Hi Ruth,

You made my day and everyday when I see this wonderfully crafted laundry bag, it is so beautiful, I loved it so much. Thank you for taking your time to make this laundry bag.

I’m very delighted, thanking you once again. 
.....

Hi Sue, 

You made me my laundry bag. It is excellent and exactly what I wanted! It's always so nice to get something from home, and to see that someone has put so much work and care into making this for me is really something. 

It is hot and dusty at the moment. Plenty of wind and the air is making it hard to breathe in the outdoor gym sometimes, so I'm looking forward to getting home soon to breathe some fresh air. 

I am deployed as one of the Force Protection Section Commanders. Upon my return home I am getting married to my high school sweetheart - she appreciates the gesture you've made just as much as I do. 

Thankyou for YOUR service, and the work you do in continuing to support us. It makes a big difference, I promise. 

Have a lovely day,
.....

Toni

I have received your beautiful laundry bag and I am quite overwhelmed and I really appreciate your time, efforts, hardwork and personal thoughts/values put in to this while making such a wonderful present for me. 

Once again, I really appreciate and thank you so much for such an amazing present. I assure you, it it going to live with me now forever.

......

Till next time... keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Jan-Maree

Aussie Hero Quilts Requests 29 July 19

Hi all,

Please, please, please read this preamble each week as the info does change. I am receiving a lot of questions from people who have not read this info so you would make it easier for me too if you took a few minutes to read it.

Priority Requests

Quilt numbers 2-7 are priority requests this week  They must be in the mail no later than 30 August.

Please email me if you can help with one of these.

The post by date for ALL other items on this list is 2 September 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.

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…  

Decoding The Columns

The first column is the theme or preferences requested.

The second column indicates the gender of the recipient.

The third column is as follows.

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

The last column with the number is a simple registration number for me to use… it is only relevant for this week only and will change if the request is still on the list next week. Once you have received the recipient’s details you will need to use those to refer to the recipient from then on if need be.

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…. i.e. 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.

There are lots of requests in this list that call for badges, crests, logos and international flags. In just about all cases I can either print the required for you, can send you an embroidered version to piece in or whatever is needed is easy to applique.  Please don’t be intimidated by those requests… just ask if you are unsure. See the info below which will expand on some of the requirements.

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

Afghanistan flag – I can send you one.

Rising Sun, RAAF Crest, Navy Crest, Coat of Arms, RAEME 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 may be able to get it embroidered and sent to you to be sewn on the quilt or sewn into it.  Just let me know what words you want, what colour fabric and what colour thread… keep it simple please.   Also include your address in the email to save me time please.

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.

Cheers

Jan-Maree

I am deployed to ADAB (OP Accordion), and in the past to Afghanistan [OP Slipper 2007 and 2008/09] and [OP Catalyst 2005]. I would really like a border of poppies, the RAAF crest, and my last name and Pmkeys number. I would like to leave the rest to the artistic nature of the person making them (note this is what they asked for on their Quilt, feel free to pare it down for the LB)	M	LB	1
Either earth tones (Reds, Oranges, Browns, Yellows etc.) OR Assorted pink tones I do love dachshunds	F	LB	1
Skye blue background with one big pineapple	M	LB	1
Australian flag	M	LB	1
Armoured Corps badge, 2/14 Light Horse Regiment badge, tanks, red and blue, Aussie flag	M	LB	1
Rising Sun and Aussie theme	M	LB	1
Australian Flag, Australian White Ensign, Afghan Flag, TG AFG Logo. Thankyou for your time, effort and ongoing support.	M	LB	1
Infantry and Artillery Badge, thank you :)	M	LB	1
Poppy and Australian themed laundry bag please.	F	LB	1
Could I please have Melbourne Storm or poppy or both on my LB	F	LB	1
I am a fan of Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Dragon Ball Z just to give you an idea of some favourites.	M	Q	2
Australia, outdoors, beaches, mountains, landscapes Colours - Red, Blue, Green Thank you!	F	B	3
If possible I’d like my surname and pmkeys, the RAAF crest, some Aircraft silhouettes and blue colours. I’m a Star Wars fan too so if that’s something that’s able to be incorporated in, I would be appreciative.	M	Q	4
Rugby league	M	Q	5
go nuts with a inions/despicable me theme? with Gru riding a Velociraptor shooting 2 of the weapons he has in any of the movies?	M	Q	6
either Brisbane Broncos - NRL team or Houston Rockets - NBA team.	M	B	7
Australian Flag, the South Sudan, the UN Flag	F	B	8
I love my sailing both on yachts and dinghies. The sunsets, sunrises and moonlight following the yacht when at sea. The sea life like dolphins, whales, sea birds. Nautical theme would be great.	F	Q	9
Blue.  RAAF Roundel, C130 and C-17 silhouette and something to remind me of the desert such as camels.  "OP ACCORDION 2019"	M	Q	10
Road Bicycles, Brisbane Broncos, Beaches	M	Q	11
AFL, Rugby, Shooting, Camping.  Green/Blue.	M	Q	12
Snowy Mountains, Navy Blue,  with Text "NAME TGT IX Iraq 2019"	F	Q	13
Anything Dungeons and Dragons (board game) related.	M	Q	14
Hi quilters, thankyou so much for your work. It means so much to me and us! Quilt please for my 3yo Daughter. She loves Disney (Esp Frozen/Moana/Little Mermaid) and she also loves rockets/spaceships (She's eclectic so feel free to go nuts) Take care	M	Q	15
Aussie English theme, pink	F	Q	16
Infantry and Artillery Badge, thank you :)	M	Q	17
Royal Australian Engineer Badge and colours (red and blue)	M	B	18
Tan quilt with Task Group Taji Logo and Australian Flag	M	B	19
Dragon Ball Super (TV Show) + Task Group Taji Logo	M	B	20
Avengers End Game theme	M	B	21
Rifle green quilt with 3 Royal Australian Regiment Infantry Corps Badge and Old Faithful in words please	M	B	22
Black quilt with Royal Australian Armoured Corps Badge and pictures of Tanks (I can give you silhouettes to work with)	M	B	23
Multicam colours with a pineapple and crossed 50 cal. Machine guns and Task Group Taji symbol	M	B	24
Khaki, Royal Australian Regiment Badge, and 6 RAR written on the bottom right corner	M	B	25
Doctor Zeus Lorac with sunflower field background	M	Q	26
Samurai/For Honour (game) themed	M	B	27
Sniper rifles and moustaches	M	Q	28
Rifle green, Royal Australian Infantry Corps Badge, 3 RAR (Para), Old Faithful written underneath Corps badge, 5 RAR logo (tiger)	M	B	29
1st Armoured Regiment Badge and its colour patch (easy to applique), Task Group Taji Logo, Australian Flag	M	B	30
2/14 Light Horse Regiment Badge (Emu), Australian Flag and Task Group Taji Logo	M	B	31
Australian flag, Iraqi Flag, Solomon Island Flag, Timor Leste Flag	M	B	32
Australian flag, Royal Australian Infantry Badge, Iraqi Flag	M	B	33
black, Star Wars and is from New Zealand.	M	Q	34
Halo (video game)	M	B	35
Batman	M	B	36
Game of Thrones	M	B	37
Melbourne Storm	M	B	38
Ocean / Surfing	M	B	39
1 SIG REGT unit logo	M	B	40
Freedom! Country Music! Big Trucks! Guns! Eagles! Etc	M	B	41
Cool Australian Army theme (suitable for child after deployment) No name on my laundry bag please	M	B	42
Melbourne Storm	F	Q	43
QLD Maroons - maroon and white	M	Q	44
St George Dragons (red and white) NSW Blues (sky blue and royal blue)	M	Q	45
Richmond Tigers (yellow and black), St George Dragons (red and white), Cricket Australia	M	Q	46
Brisbane Heat (teal and black) , Nth Qld Cowboys (Yellow, Royal blue and white), Geelong Cats (Navy and white).	M	Q	47
Spider Man themed please, thank you so much!	M	Q	48
RAAF roundel; 2019; blue and brown; "OP ACCORDION" please include wife, son and daughter's names; sky and desert; symbols/patterns of the Middle East. A quilt to help me remember my time on deployment, yet dedicated to my family.	M	Q	49
A single grizzly bear, a rising sun, and a RASIGS badge with poppies if possible.	F	Q	50
a patchwork pattern of  poppies, wattles etc.  I love purples, dark reds, dark colours and maybe a surprise with something unique thats australian.	F	B	51