Grati-Tuesday 29th November 2022

 

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Hope everyone has had a fantastic week.  

Wow and just like that it's the last blog for the month. It feels like I just did the first one last week. LOL

Hope everyone is getting their Christmas shopping and sewing done.  I am crazily sewing a few quilts as farewell presents for some work colleagues. 

I am then starting on turning my scrapbooking room into my sewing room. Not looking forward to all the work but can't wait to see the results and stop sewing on my kitchen table!

Enough of that.... We have another lot of great thank you's and a couple of photos so grab a cuppa, sit back, relax and enjoy! 

...

Dear Jan-Maree,

My sincerest apologies for appearing to be so tardy in replying to your letter attached to the quilt that you had made for me in June. However, I only received it yesterday after my son returned from deployment in the Middle East, as he wanted to give it to me in person. I feel humbled and honoured by the gesture from you and don’t really feel deserving of the quilt. As you well know during the 1970’s and 1980’s we were well trained and highly motivated but never deployed during that time. It was not until East Timor that my Classmates were deployed in the 1990’s, at which time they were quite senior officers, but I had already left the Army by then to pursue a career in industry.

I would very much like to thank you, Kerry B and Alison C for the gesture and beautiful workmanship on the quilt. It will now take pride of place on my bed.

My son’s quilt and laundry bag are also great and he is very pleased with of both of them. Now he has returned from a deployment in the Middle East, he will continue to serve in the Army but in a very different capacity. He is now going to take up studying medicine at ANU and become a doctor in the Defence Force. We are naturally very proud of him.

Thank you once again for such a wonderful gesture.

Kindest regards,

...

Hello Lynn K,

 

I received my laundry bag today and wanted to say thank you very much for the time and effort of making it. You absolutely nailed the colours and I love not only the horses but the koalas too!

 

I also really appreciated the hand written note and I loved hearing about your life. Thank you so much for volunteering to support us, I know the quilts and laundry bags mean a lot to all those who receive them.

 

I am currently serving on a peacekeeping mission and I have included a picture of me with my bag on our patrol base.

 

Once again, thank you.

 

Kind regards,

...

Dear Philomena,
I want to thank you so much for your contribution to the AHQ. 

I just received my quilt which was in memory of my late husband who passed in 1988. I have only been involved in making AHQ's for 3 years and I know how much work goes into them. To receive one myself was overwhelming. 

Thank you again.

...

Dear Angie T,

First of all I want to thank you for the amazing gift and letter. You absolutely nailed the laundry bag, it's perfect, thank you very much.

I really enjoyed reading your letter and it put a huge smile on my face as my theme was right up your family’s alley (fishing). I try to get out fishing as much as I can, for the sport and often for a fresh feed of fish.

Thank you for sharing the vast family Military history and I hope your son is enjoying it up in Darwin. We (HMAS ANZAC) pulled into Darwin just over a month ago exploring the beautiful waterfalls and national parks.

I joined the Navy in Jan 2018, as a chef and I’m now currently posted the HMAS Anzac. I’m currently on my third deployment with Anzac, two last year with Covid so it was a solid 200ish days at sea last year with the ‘no stepping’ rules. I’m looking forward for some respite ashore next year as I post off the ship and post into the shore galley (kitchen) establishment at HMAS Stirling (Western Australia).

I have served my whole career in Perth and absolutely love it. When I’m not working I’m usually out camping/fishing. There is an endless amount of camping in WA and I try to explore as much as I can.

I own a single cab Toyota land cruiser with all the bells and whistles and sleep up top in the rooftop tent.

Once again I want to thank you for the awesome laundry bag and letter. I also want to thank you for the support that you and many others are doing for those serving.

All the best

...

Dear Deirdre B-L, 

I write this as I've just received and opened the quilt you have so beautifully handcrafted. As I was expecting a simple quilt with my country's national flag, I'm sitting in my living room with complete shock, seeing that you've put so much effort into this quilt for me.

I'm looking at this quilt with such awe in my eyes.  I am so amazed of your efforts into doing your research of Nauru.  I love that you used all of what Nauru is known for in the design of the quilt.

Although I was born in Australia, I spent time on the island as a child where I learnt the language as my father is Australian and mother is Nauruan.  The majority of my family live in Nauru.

I will most definitely enjoy this quilt so much and you have made my day.

Thank you and regards,

Below is the quilt made by Deirdre B-L.  I was so intrigued after reading the recipients letter that I found the picture from the weekly dispatches. Thought others might be curious too!

...

Hi Sheena B,

 

Thank you very much for my quilt, I love it! Please pass on my thanks to Bev F and all those involved in making it, I really appreciate it. And thank you for the lollies!

This is my first deployment and to be honest I wasn’t really set on requesting a quilt from Aussie Hero Quilts as I didn’t want to make a fuss. However, one of my colleagues convinced me to request one and I’m so glad that I did. It’s added a nice personalised touch to my room and it will be an amazing memory to keep for the rest of my life.

 

Thank you for your letter and for sharing some information about your family. That is very impressive that your son is establishing his own winery, I hope he invites you to all his tastings. My wife and I spent a long weekend in the Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills prior to me deploying, it is a lovely part of the world and the wine is amazing. It would be an awesome experience seeing the country in your AVan camper.

 

You are very fortunate to experience the wildlife whilst still being able to live in a city. It sounds like you have quite the family of animals living around you. Oh and congratulations on winning your golf championship! I have recently started playing golf with my mate, however I am far from championship winning material. He bought me golf lessons for my birthday earlier this year so I’m looking forward to doing them when I get home.

 

Again thank you very much for your time and dedication in making my quilt. I genuinely appreciate it as do all the other guys who receive quilts.

 

All the best for your future travelling adventures and golf championships.

 

Cheers,

 

...

Good evening Bridget R,

Firstly, thank you so so much for the laundry bag and quilt. I absolutely love them both. My favourite is the quilt and is much more than I could have hoped for. I love vibrant colours.

Apologies for not writing sooner, it is pretty busy here and best intentions are not always realised. This gift that you and the others give is wonderful and very much appreciated by all. 

Thank you so much for your work on the quilt and laundry bag. They are gifts I'll keep and cherish always. I'm almost at the end of my deployment, and should be home just in time for Christmas. What a year!

Sincere regards,

...

Good morning Jo H,

 

I received your quilt and can say I certainly has made a great addition to my accommodation when on the ship.

 

I want to thank you for the awesome work you do for the sailors out there as it does make a difference.

Receiving things like this do add to moral, especially on a long trip or when we have  been sent away on a humanitarian aid operation with no return date at the time.

 

Thank you and keep being awesome.

 

 Regards, 

...

Good Morning Sheena B,

Firstly, I apologise for the delayed response. I went overseas and only got home a few days ago so I have just opened and seen the amazing quilt that you have created.

To say you have done a spectacular job is an absolute understatement. I couldn’t be happier with how it came up and you have honestly don’t such an amazing job.

 

What you do for Aussie Heroes is such a selfless thing and I appreciate it more than you can believe. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your caravanning and your family. My Dad just bought a caravan which is delivered in Feb next year so maybe you will end up crossing paths one day at a park. That would be quite funny.

Your house sounds amazing. I am originally the area, whilst not amongst the trees, we have quite a lot of butcher birds visiting us every day which we/my parents hand feed every day.

I wish you and your beautiful family all the best over the Christmas and hope you have some well earned rest.

Again, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the amazing job you did with the quilt. I am absolutely wrapped with it. It couldn’t be any better.

Regards,

...

Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in.  

Tuesday's would be so totally boring without them!

🌟 🌟 🌟

28 November 22 Request List

Greetings all,

Less than a month till Christmas. Time is flying. This was the Christmas decorating weekend in our house and it is so lovely to see the trees up and the tinsel everywhere.

Here are the requests for this week.

 

POST BY DATE

The post by date for all Requests on this list is 2 January 2023 please, or earlier if you can manage this.  If you cannot make that date, please let me know. Do reach out if you have any timing issues and we’ll resolve one way or the other. 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, thank you.    

Request Information

When selecting a request, remember, you do not have to include everything they have asked for. Footy quilts do not need to have the logo or even the team’s name. Using the team colours is all that is required. Simple is perfectly acceptable.  A number of these requests have given you favourite colours as well as footy teams or other hobbies and interests. It is fine to make a quilt using their favourite colours and include only one of their interests.  It is fine to keep it simple. 

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. 

Any queries you might have, please don’t hesitate to contact via the AHQ email as per usual with any queries and we will assist you from there.  We may not know the answer, but it will be our pleasure to research and get back to you.   

A reminder, when you are ready to post the quilt or laundry bag you’ve created, please use the PMKEYS number given you in any correspondence with the admin team.  This helps the volunteer admin team keep a track of what’s been sent etc.  The PMKEYS number is included in the address details we supply for your recipient e.g.  the 7-digit number in bold below. 

CPL Wanda Quilt 8765432 

TG 3456 

AFPO XX 

ADF 

Sydney NSW 2890

Also, please use the Aussie Heroes PO Box address on your parcel in the event the parcel is Returned to Sender -  the PO Box is a safe place in the event of  any mishaps with postage. 

Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags) 

PO Box 248,

Cherrybrook, NSW 2126 

Don’t forget to take a photo of your completed quilt or laundry bag to email to AHQ with the name and PMKEYS of the recipient and we can include in the Weekly Dispatches blog and add to the tally of quilts and laundry bags sent off to the troops.  I personally love viewing the photos of those projects dispatched – so inspiring. 

If you are using a AHQ supplied prepaid satchel please kindly use the AHQ address for the return address– also for your own packaging – if a parcel is Returned to Sender it is likely we can expedite its journey to the recipient from Sydney.

Please also please hold on to the Tracking number (the pink sticker that you should remove before posting – we’ve experienced mail delays lately (haven’t we all?) and having the Tracking number is very reassuring to keep an eye on the parcel’s progress in arriving at its destination. 

Don’t forget, if you look at today’s Request List and need help choosing, please feel free to get in touch to discuss, we will be ready to reply and offer guidance by email. Our goal is to help you find a request that you will be comfortable with doing. If you need a crest etc we may be able to post embroideries / printed fabric images or email some of these to you. 

Helpful info may be gleaned here  http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com/2019/07/information-post-for-those-that-sew-for.html    I look forward to seeing the photos of completed quilts and LBs when they are ready to post off. 

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 above.  

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 

Please let the Admin crew know if you have any other questions....Just email friendsofahq@gmail.com  

Looking forward to seeing what you want to make this week. Happy stitching! 

Cheers, 

Jan-Maree

P.P.S.  Don't forget to check out AHQ on the Blog, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter 

Motor racing, Cars, specifically WRX STI (has included two pictures that I can print on fabic for inclusion.)	M	B	1
Brisbane Bronco's	M	Q	2
NSW Blues theme	M	Q	3
RAAF crest, Air Force, Rugby League, Brisbane Broncos, Nature, Camping, Green, Blue, Orange. (we can provide the RAAF crest)	M	Q	4
RAEME and Rising Sun , (I can send badges), Blue Yellow Red,  Electrical Instruments/tools.	M	LB	5
Blue and Green Air Force, Family, Running, Travel, Camping and Golf Pet Dog that is a Spoode named Bear. RAAF crest (we can provide the RAAF crest)	M	Q	6
Parramatta eels. Navy Themed with RAN crest (We can provide the crest). Please include letters "MCT1"	M	Q	7
Rugby League (Canberra Raiders and QLD Marroons)	M	Q	8
Green / Miniature dachshunds  + submariners dolphins (We can supply the dolphins)	M	Q	9
blue, green, yellow, AFL and camping	M	Q	10
Forrest green Hobbies: Plants, art, music, beach/outdoors	F	Q	11
World Map, Crests for HMAS Darwin, Newcastle, Hobart, Food, Narwhals (we can provide the crests for the ships mentioned.)	M	Q	12
Red and Black, lifting weights, playing video games, drinking beers.	M	Q	13
Marvel/Avengers, Frozen, Dragon Ball Z	M	Q	14
Fav colours are Green, Blue, Yellow. Liverpool Football Club, Fav sports to play included Golf, Volleyball and Soccer	M	Q	15
Beaches, Mountains, Forests, Sea side cliffs	M	Q	16
The Simpsons	M	Q	17
RAN crest, black and Red Fish Aquariums, playing chess	M	Q	18
RAN crest, Black and Yellow Richmond Tigers (AFL)	M	Q	19
RAN crest, Green / Blue Basketball, Running,  New York Knicks (basketball), Western Bulldogs (Aussie Rules), Arsenal (Soccer), NY Yankees (baseball)	M		20
Cronulla Sharks, Miniature Daschunds, Beach	F	B	21
Batman Joker, Darth Vader Luke Skywalker	M	Q	22
original Ben 10 or NBA LA clippers themed	M	Q	23
Motorbikes, Sports Cars, Japan	M	Q	24
Tiger/Whale Sharks, XXXX Gold beer, labradors	F	Q	25
Red, Green, Black, Propellors, Engines.	M	Q	26
dogs (cavaliers) green, roses, sunflowers, one piece (anime)	F	Q	27
tall ships, anchors,old ships wheel, pirates, black and white	M	Q	28
black, rick and morty	M	B	29
Rhinos, Surfing (pastel blue or pastel pink)	M	Q	30
Australian Wallabies (Rugby Union) & Victoria Bitter Stubbies	M	Q	31
Scuba diving, ocean themed	M	Q	32
Red, Adventure Dirt Motorcycles, 4WD Adventure, Dakar Rally	M	Q	33
Ships, Wakeboarding, Scuba Diving, Ocean Themed	M	Q	34
Star Wars, Rick and Morty, Black Labradors, Black Mini Schnauzer	M	Q	35
One Piece TV Show, St George, Metal Music, Text "FFG 06"	M	B	36
Anime, Traditonal Japananese art, Disney.	M	B	37
NRL Cowboys, Red cattle dog, Rick and Morty, Adventure time, Katana (Sword). F1	106	B	38
My Little Pony, MotoGP, Heavy Metal music- Favorite band is "In This Moment"	M	Q	39
Black and white. Japanese Oni mask and floral themed. Name  in red.	M	B	40
Legend of Zelda, The Avengers	M	B	41
NRL Melbourne Storm, Gym, Chef	M	Q	42
Blue, black, white, NRL Sharks, motorcross, fishing	M	Q	43
NRL Sydney Roosters, travel, sunflowers	F	Q	43
Rotweillers, surfing, VBs	M	B	44
camping, farming, sailor jerry, even some beach themes.	F	Q	45
Surfing, Kitesurfing, Yacht, Blue/Grey	M	Q	46
Brisbane Broncos Rugby League	M	LB	47
Western Bulldogs (AFL)/ Golden Retrievers	F	Q	48
South Sydney Rabbitohs, Batman, Las Vegas Raiders	M	B	49
Blues, green, yellow, Travel and Family	M	Q	50
Blue / Red / White, sharks, submarines (perhaps a silhouette), black labradors	F	Q	51
HMAS Hobart (silhouette of ship), Side number DDG 39, Asia themed and beers. Suggestions... Asian Themed could be a map of south east Asia and some Japanese themes like Mt Fuji, traditional Japanese girls and Temples, beer bottles/cans with Asahi  (we can provide the silhouette for applique, and a map of SE Asia)	M	LB	52
QLD Maroons colours - with silhouettes of Hobart, F-18s and tanks	M	LB	53
Navy Blue/Green, HMAS Hobart themed, Missile silhouettes, space, pirates, Beers. (we can provide the silhouette for the Missile)	M	B	54
Lime Green/Navy Blue, HMAS Hobart, missiles, torpedos, and a 50 Calibre Machine Gun. NAVY SEAL TEAM, UFC Logo. (I can print the seal team logo, the HMAS Hobart crest, the 50CL gun- UFC logo, missiles and torpedoes easy to applique)	M	Q	55
Map of Australia with South East Asia / or HMAS Hobart Green Ghost theme, Ships, RAN etc	M	Q	56
Purple, Grey, Black. DDG silhouette (that is a silhouette of a ship, we can supply the silhouette to work from for applique)	F	Q	57
Blue/Orange colour scheme, Destroyers, Motorsport, Fast Jets (All sillhouettes)	M	Q	58
Brumbies Rugby Union, Submarines, Ships, Navy theme, Whiskey, RAN crest, Submariners Dolphins (we can provide the RAN crest and a silhouette of a submarine)	M	B	59
South East Asia / or HMAS Hobart Green Ghost theme, Ships, RAN crest, Australia, blue colours (We can supply the RAN Crest)	F	B	60
Southeast Asia / Northeast Asia theme, missiles, destroyers, AEGIS logo (we can provide the logo)	M	Q	61
HMAS Hobart "GREEN GHOST" theme, Missiles, Electrical, propeller  (We can provide the badges and silhouettes)	M	Q	62
Yellow, Blue and Grey, Aegis Shield, Naval Missiles, Destroyers (We can provide the Aegis Shield)	M	LB	63
Naan bread, HMAS Hobart "GREEN GHOST" theme, Missiles, Dive Helmet, Helicopters	M	LB	64
HMAS Hobart "GREEN GHOST" theme, Missiles, Dive Helmet, Helicopters	M	B	65
silhouette of a Submarine and if possible a Torpedo, Beer, Cats	M	B	66
Diver, ships, ocean, surfing, emu export	M	LB	67
red panda, 4wding, blue & green	M	LB	68
James Bond "007" theme.                                              (Some favourites: Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, Omega watches, Aston Martin DB5, Ana de Armas, Eva Green)	M	B	69
Rainbow, Dungeons and Dragons/Fantasy Monsters	M	B	70
Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with green and red and white to go with the colours and the rabbit logo on the front	M	B	71
HMAS Hobart, Star wars LEGO (We can supply HMAS Hobart crest)	M	Q	72
Chicago Bulls (NBA), Michael Jordan, West End draught	M	B	73
Indo Mie Mi Goreng noodles, matcha, pour-over coffee, ramen, sushi, Kanye West, surname in comic sans font	M	B	74
Dragons, wolves, purple and blue, Lord of the Rings/Fantasy vibe.	F	Q	75
Surf, Palm Trees	M	Q	77
Blue/green/red, Surf/Beach, wine, electronics, Naval weapons (missile silhouettes)	M	B	78
simpsons, black	M	B	79
Black, colourful  tropical flowers, Island Vibes	F	B	80
Star Wars, Chewbacca is my favourite character	M	B	81
Melbourne Storm, 2 names on it	M	B	82
XXXX (beer) Naruto Shippudon, Ice cube(rapper), easy e(rapper), tupac (rapper), Biggie smalls(rapper),	M	B	83
Star wars, japanese themed and name	F	B	84
adventure time cartoon,rick and morty cartoon	M	B	85
Dark purple and Dark green, japanese culture, weight lifting, beach, anime, pokemon, fire	M	B	86
Yellow and Black, Cyberpunk 2077 theme	M	B	87
Ducks, Dinosaurs & Penguins	M	B	88
music, dogs, family, beach	F	Q	89
Blue, Rugby Union, Wallabies, Star Wars, Tattoos	M	LB	90
Open to any interpretation. RAN Crest - (we can provide the crest)	F	B	91
Medical theme for ship sick bay. HMAS Anzac crest (We can supply the crest)	Neutral	Q	92
"Medical theme for ship sick bay. HMAS Anzac crest (We can supply the crest)"	Neutral	Q	93
"Medical theme for ship sick bay. HMAS Anzac crest (We can supply the crest)"	Neutral	Q	94
"Medical theme for ship sick bay. HMAS Anzac crest (We can supply the crest)"	Neutral	Q	95
Star Wars.	M	LB	96
Blue butterflies. Rainforest.	F	LB	97
Butterflies or dragonflies. Purple colour.	F	LB	98
Cats. Dark blue colour. Water theme. White flowers.	F	LB	99
Unicorns. Teddy Bears. Princesses. Rainbows.	M	LB	100