Quilts of the Week 25 Jan

80 quilts and 198 laundry bags for 2013 

and 1026 quilts and 1565 laundry bags over all.

Please excuse minimal words tonight.  My new laptop has died :-( and I am making do with the old one which is missing the "A" key!   Not happy Jan(Maree)!!

This is Liz B's second version of this gorgeous quilt.

The next two are also more of Liz B's work.

Belinda sent off another kangaroo quilted lovely!

Carolynne

Evelyn

 Joan has sent off her first AHQ!

 Maddy 

Michelle

Rita C

Liz 

Peggy made this from blocks that Sue N sent her. 

Mary completed this quilt top and Tess quilted it.

Kitty

And how about a few thank you messages for tonight as well  :-)

The following thank you is for Lesley L

Sorry for the late reply, I have been on leave.
I was very glad when I returned to have received you packages. The quilt and the laundry bag are wonderful, so was the rest of the little extras placed into the box. Thank you so much to you and to the rest of the ladies for doing this for me, I am really grateful.
The letter has not arrived as yet, but mail can be all over the place. Feel free to pass on my contact details if she would rather email me.
Thanks so much again for the ongoing support from yourself and your organisation. 

And one for Gail's Southern Cross Quilt and my laundry bag and for the Team's quilts from Nancy

Hi Jan,
Yes, I have received my monogrammed washbag and southern cross quilt. They are fantastic. Thank you.  All of my soldiers have received theirs approximately a week before I did. They are all really happy, and most importantly were all surprised when they arrived (all on the same day amazingly). 

And another one for Gail

"Today I received my Aussie Hero Quilt. It really warmed my heart to

receive such a wonderful gift. My friend organised it for me

as a surprise when I commented on his quilt. The horses are a wonderful

touch and I imagine would have been quite a difficult pattern to get. It

is going to make a wonderful memento of my time here in Afghanistan. 

Thank you so much for donating your time to do something for the

soldiers. I love walking into the laundry to see all the variety of

colourful laundry bags. It is the considerate and generous people like

yourself that make me love Australia and proud and willing to defend it.

Thank you again,

Warm regards,

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

Farewell 2012 and Welcome 2013

Well, first and foremost let me say a very big 
Happy New Year!
I cannot believe where we have come in the last 12 months.
To see how far we have come in one year go this is the post from 1 Jan 2012 and have a laugh!!!   As many people have said to me, from little things big things come!

Tess from South Australia made the suggestion that I do some historical posts - i.e. look back over what we have done in the past and given that we have a lot of members who have joined in recent months that is probably a good idea.  So, standby to receive.  

2013 is going to be a big, big year.  
I feel it in my bones, though that could just be my arthritis!
I have lots of plans but I know that lots will happen that I am not planning for as well.  

A New Frontier
I wasn't planning to expand into another operation but I received an email just over a month ago from a Warrant Officer who had seen these, saw what we were doing and asked if it were possible for the contingent he was part of to be included.  Once I learned more about the conditions under which this wonderful group of around 20 people lived and worked I knew I had to say yes.

Watch this space as I have received a wealth of information and photos from this group and  am in the process of putting a post together for you that will leave you in no doubt also that we should be supporting them.

From ANZAC to TOOWOOMBA
Continuing on in the theme of what is to come this year I met with the Chaplain for the ship that is currently on its way to take over from HMAS ANZAC chasing pirates and keeping the seas free in the Middle East.  We will do things slightly differently with HMAS TOOWOOMBA.  This time we will take requests for laundry bags and there will be no quota for quilts.  We will start a waiting list and just work out way through it.  I never made a big thing of it on the blog but in the end we sent over 75 quilts and well over a 100 laundry bag to HMAS ANZAC without a struggle and without having to say no to anyone else anywhere on Op Slipper and I expect we can do the same.  I expect to hear from the chaplain in the next few days or so, and we will start the ball rolling.

Penrith Sewing Day
Penrith Sewing Days are back starting at 10am on Sunday the 13th.  Please let me know if you are planning to come so I can keep an eye on the numbers.  We do not have unlimited space so I need to make sure that everyone can fit and I need to bring enough to keep you all occupied!  And I will!  I have plans!  

AHQ 2012 Challenge Block
Now that Christmas is over and the New Year is almost apon us I thought I would remind those of you who attended the dinner in Sydney about your Challenge Blocks!  I have received blocks from three of you.  No photos till the Reveal Day on 4 February.  Please have all blocks to me by 1 Feb.  Anyone else who wants to join in Caroline is all ready to go with fabric to send out - please send her a stamped self addressed envelope so she can forward the fabric and instructions to you ASAP - email me or Caroline  carolinejgunn@gmail.com for her address.

The last for the Year
Can't finish off the year without showing you the last of the quilts and laundry bags to hit the road for 2012

YAY!  I am loving having more sewing time.  This gorgeous selection of fabrics was a bunch of samples donated by XLN - thanks guys!  Love those colours!  And what do you do when you put one kangaroo on sideways?  Simple - add three more and noone will know -well, now you know, but you aren't going to tell anyone are you?

Just had to show you the backing - out of my stash and couldn't have been more perfect. Can't wait till this one arrives!

Melissa managed to squeeze in just a few more laundry bags!

And Beth sent of this gorgeous pink quilt

Julie Ann managed a couple more laundry bags and I was amazed to see that I had sent her two names with the same initials - at first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me!

Rita managed one more quilt and laundry bag too.

Hopefully this shot is good enough for you to see that all the navy blocks feature embroideries!

And a laundry bag to match of course

Roberta send off this gorgeous quilt.  I really love the wavy quilting.  So perfect for this theme. 

Terry brings up the rear with a great quilt - might have to copy this pattern and 

a bunch of laundry bags.

including one featuring Pigs!   Wonder who this is going to!

Change that - Liz scraped in with five more laundry bags!  Just had to have the last word!  LOL

957 quilts and 1379 laundry bags to Year's end!! 

And now to some reason to really celebrate this year   - the thank you messages that we all love to read.  These two young ladies made a pact to keep their parcels from Nancy till Christmas Day - such will power!

Good evening Jan-Maree, I opened my quilt on Christmas day and it was beautiful. Thank you so much. I immediately put it on my bed as it is quite cold here now. Much appreciated.   Hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. Kind regards 

Good Morning Jan-Maree, I would just like to thank you and your organisation for such a precious gift. I will treasure it always. It was great to open it up on Christmas Day. Everyone remarked about the quilt.

Carolynne waited ages till we could get the address for this fellow so that she could send her red and green quilt to a Rabbitoes fan (NSW football team if you don't know).  Finally the address was passed and the quilt received.  This is the message and photo received by the lady who finally got us the address.

now i know why you wanted my address! Thanks for that mate, it's even the right colours!!!!

Hi Caroline,

I just wanted to thank you for the lovely surprise package from you!

I received your laundry bag just before xmas and it has been bringing joy to my washing days ever since.

Thank you so much for taking the time to make it and put the package together.

I hope you had a great xmas and I wish you all the best for the new year.

Please pass on some cuddles for Hunni too : )

Kind regards,

For Julie Ann.

Please accept my sincere thanks for the time, effort and care that you have obviously placed in making the ‘Hero Laundry Bag’ I received recently.

                It is already in use and its distinctive look will mean no more lost items of clothing. The snacks and goodies you also provided were most welcome and are

                occupying a place on my office work station….diminishing as the hours pass.

                I have e-mailed a photograph of the laundry bag (and extras) to my wife and our three teenage daughters in Brisbane to show her the support the troops receive

from ‘strangers’ across Australia. It has reaffirmed in my mind that ‘ Home is People… Not Just a Place’.

                My sincere thanks and the best wishes to you and your family over the festive season and for the best of health and happiness for 2013.

Hello Julie Ann,

I would like to thank u so much for making me a laundry bag, I actually needed one, all of the other boys are jealous of it, it looks great!

 I am a high risk searcher, which means me and my team search with metal detector for bombs in the road, which funnily enough I enjoy. This is my second tour to Afghanistan doing the same job.

I have attached a few photos for you, one of me and my team. 

Much regards,

Hi Julie Ann,

Thanks so much for your amazing laundry bag.  It is so beautiful and my initials make it even better.  Thanks for the goodies also.  I had already received my quilt from Kalgoorlie.  They really do help us here, it is very cold and they are lovely and snuggly.  There is snow on all the mountains around us and it should be snowing on the ground here by Christmas.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Chrissy and New Year and holidays.

Many thanks for your hard work.

For Kylie from her recipient's partner

I had contact with XXXX on Christmas day and he said he was thrilled to receive the quilt :) 
He said he loved it and it was amazing!Thank you so much! I hope to get a picture of XXXX with the quilt :)

Judy C

'I would just like to thank you for the laundry bag, not only is it pretty and practical, it shows your support to the troops and I thank you deeply for that.'...

Good Morning Stephanie,

Letting you know that the fabulous quilt and laundry bag you sewed for me have arrived! 

Spending so much time creating something so beautiful for someone you don't know is really appreciated!  One thing I am hoping to do when I return from deployment is to buy a sewing machine and learn how to sew properly.  I don't think I will be able to come up with anything as elaborate as a quilt to start with, but I will see how I go!

It is getting very very cold here, the puddles are starting to freeze, and hopefully we will get some snow soon!  I spend most of my time working outside, and yesterday was the coldest day we have had yet, despite wearing a balaclava and my jacket pulled up over my face, I couldn't feel my face.

I hope you and your family had a great Christmas, we had a good Aussie Christmas lunch at the mess, and I even got some pavlova - a bit of a must have in my family for Christmas and Boxing Day lunches!

Thanks again,

And now this is a special one.  Earlier this year we sent around 30 quilts to the Special Ops Task Group without knowing who they were going to specifically.   We are not able to do that any more though I would in a heart beat if I had a contact (HINT HINT!!!)  We never heard who most of the quilts ended up with but I was told that they went to those that were doing a good job or those that were injured.

That was until I received this email late last night - and it just made my week!!!

My fiancée is currently serving in Afghanistan.. About 2 months ago, he was injured and shrapnel ended up in his knee.. It was only a minor injury but it scared me to death when I got the  call! It's a 7 month deployment and he was able to come last month for a 10 day holiday. During this time, he showed me the quilt which was given to him when he was injured..

I just wanted to send this email to thank you kind people for this.. It's so easy to forget just how much everyone else is also affected by our boys serving overseas. It's one of the most treasured pieces in our house as it comes with such a story.. As I wait the final weeks for his return, I sleep with the quilt in our bed - just a reminder of how appreciative others are for what our boys do..

If you could kindly pass our thanks on to everyone involved in your organisation.

Thank you again:)

With love,

I wrote back and asked if it would be possible to see a pic of the quilt so that I could track down the quilter and pass on the message specifically to her. Here is the response

Oh of course I can! Attached is a photo of the quilt :) you kind ladies are exactly the reason why our boys love our country so much that they go away and fight for it.. And that's exactly the conversation XXXXX and I had when he showed me the quilt..

He said this is why he's a soldier, to protect a country that is full of such good people.. I can't wait till we have children and I bet there is a fight over who has "daddy's special quilt" on their beds!

Thanks again for giving us something to treasure..

Yep, it made my eyes go watery!  and yep,, I was able to work out that this is one of Hilary's quilts.  Some days you just know you are doing something matters!

A sweet way to end the very last post for our very first year of being!  Happy New Year everyone.  No matter what you are planning for tonight please be safe and make sure you are fit and well to come back and join us in the fun next year!  We need all of you - those here who sew, those who support those that we sew for and OF COURSE our wonderful Aussie Heroes!
I am sure that 2013 is going to be a great year!

See you in the New Year!

Till next year.............keep spreading the word and Happy New Year

Please and thank you :-)

Take a break from the frantic preparations for Christmas and enjoy some of the messages that have come back to us over the weekend.  

Enjoy!

First a couple of "pleases"

Hi Aussie Hero Quilts!

 My name is XXXXX and I am a private in 7RAR out of Adelaide. I am in the Mortar section here in Afghanistan. A fellow member of the section recently received one of your quilts and he tells the rest of us about it everyday! It looks very warm and I would love one if it is not too much trouble. Not only will it be very warm and comfortable for the approaching winter (the snow is getting closer everyday) I believe that it would be a wonderful souvenir for the years after my deployment.

Just from being here I can see that your quilts are very popular and the laundry is always full of your bags, so if you are a bit overloaded with requests at the moment then please don't worry about it!

Thanks very much!

My name is XXX currently serving in Afghanistan.  A couple of our fellow soldiers have been receiving the most amazing quilts and bags from you and we are all a bit jealous of them.  We would all like to say that if it wasn't for loving people like you guys at home it would make the time over here so much slower than what it already is.  Getting the mail is the one thing that most guys in my platoon look forward to most and every time one of the soldiers receives a quilt it brightens their whole day and the next week or so.  What I'm trying to ask is if at all possible I would love to receive one of these quilts and laundry bags and I think I speak for a couple of the other boys in my section as well.  it would be a great privilege to receive and pass on the great work you do for all serving members.  Thank you all so much for the work that you all do for us and I can't wait to hear from you.

And now for several Thank you messages.

For Rita M

I received my beautiful quilt today thank you so much for it has made my day! 

Its because of amazing women like yourself that my boys over here and I love doing our job!!

stay safe and have a merry xmas,

Amy,

Thank you very much for making me this Laundry Bag you have created.  It

will be very useful for me here during my time here on my deployment.

It's good to hear that you have a passion for something you love doing.

Keep up this great work, & hope you have a great Christmas & New Year.

Regards,

Thanks for a quilt from Nancy

I received my quilt and laundry bag yesterday.  Thank you so much for taking the time and effort for me.  It has lifted my morale and my room is no longer boring.  It means a lot to Defence personnel knowing people are thinking of us and give up their own time to make us feel so loved.  Have a wonderful day and please pass on my many thanks for the beautiful quilt I received.   

Have a Merry Christmas. 

Hello

My name is XXXX. I am currently deployed overseas. I have just received a quilt from Peggy of  QLD and I wanted to let her know that I have received the beautiful quilt and thank her for all that she has done.

For Wendy H.

  Dear Wendy, 

I'm writing to you this afternoon as I've just had the most wonderful surprise in the mail! The box of laundry bags, lollies, socks and other items was not at all expected but very welcome indeed. I have been in touch with Jan-Maree for a few weeks now but I really didn't expect anything on quite this scale. Your laundry bags are fantastic and will be of great use. I've given three out to colleagues who work alongside me here in Task Group HQ and I've also forwarded your details, to allow them to drop you a line.  I'm afraid I couldn't give the last one away but have kept it for myself!  Our laundry here is probably one of the busiest places in Tarin Kot and the local Afghan who works in it seems to be flat out 6 days a week, keeping up with demand.  Your bags will help brighten up his life as well as ours.  I've taken a couple of photos a day or two ago which I haven't yet sent to Jan-Maree but will do so this evening.  For many serving here at the moment, the bags and quilts will be a lasting reminder of their time in Afghanistan - and I would expect that many will travel to different parts of the world on future deployments.  The news about Aussie Hero Quilts is obviously spreading among the troops here, as I have noticed an increasing number of your laundry bags being carried around the place. I will also make sure that all the edible treats are shared among everyone who works here - although I may hang on to a couple of the coffee sachets! 

Your kind gifts have arrived at just the right time. The weather here is rapidly getting colder and overnight there was some significant snowfall on many of the mountains that surround us. In fact, I saw a weather forecast just an hour or two ago that suggested the temperature on Christmas Day will not rise above 3 degrees and could drop to as low as -10. One of the problems I am wrestling with at the moment is to find a suitable venue where we can have our Christmas beer ration, without being frozen in the process. 

I have been in the Australian Army for over seven years now, having served in the British Army beforehand. One of the really tremendous things I have always noticed about being an Australian soldier is the support provided by the Australian public. Whether it is local people who line The Strand in Townsville for a welcome home parade or people such as you who make such an effort at a busy time of year, your support is wonderful and very much appreciated. I see from your letter that members of your family have also served, so you have a good idea of what it is like to be away from home over Christmas. Support from folk such as you make the separation an awful lot easier. 

Thanks again and I hope you and your family have a great Christmas and a peaceful 2013. 

With very best wishes, 

What you ladies do is very much appreciated over here. Quilts keep us warm and make us think of home when we climb into bed at night (or morning, depending on our shifts). Have a great Christmas and wonderful new year. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing as it is truly appreciated by all.


Hi Jan-Maree, 

Hopefully you've seen the email I've just sent to Wendy, thanking her for the quilts and goodies I've just received. Thank you also for your letter and your part in forwarding all the items. 

As I mentioned in my email to Wendy, news is certainly spreading about AHQ. I don't think it will be too long before your laundry bags outnumber the plain mesh one with which we are issued. 

We really consider ourselves very fortunate to have people such as you supporting us at home. I have another family friend who recently was involved in packaging up 3,500 care parcels; one for every soldier serving overseas. From my desk, I watch people passing with the big blue bags of mail as they arrive from the base post office and then carried out to the sub-units. There is always a noticeable lift in mood as the mail arrives and your packages just add to that. 

Please pass on our thanks to all who are involved in Aussie Hero Quilts - you are all doing a great job! 

Kind regards, 

Gidday Jan -Maree, 

        I received my quilt and laundry bag yesterday afternoon which was a surprise of how quickly they got here, could you please pass onto Carolynne D my thanks and gratitude for such an authentic Aussie theme. She must have spent a great deal of time and care in the development of both items which I'm very thankful for. I'm also enjoying the chocolates and very much appreciate the Aussie Christmas Songs CD which I enjoy listening to this time of year when I get a spare 5 minutes. 

        Again thank you all for your support and thoughts as it does make a difference over here. Wishing you all a Very Happy and Safe Christmas / New Year. 

Hi Jan-maree,

Just letting you know one of the boxes with laundry bags have arrived and Everyone says thank you very much for them.

We got some good laughs out of the green and pink tartan bag. It would have only been a week ago one of the girls here had made up a little poem on my white board at work joking about me wearing green and pink tartan (there's not too many words that come to mind when trying to rhyme with my name). Naturally she asked for the green and tartan bag.

Thank you or the little chocolate treats as well. One of the guys had been talking about missing crunchies so he got that one and a couple of us split the cherry ripe. it was delicious. Thank you.

The mail system has been a little slow lately/ had some problems with weather along the way so hopefully the other will turn up in the next day or two.

It's already very cold at night, it's reasonable during the day, but it's getting colder.

we are meant to have snow down here in the next couple days.... i kind of hope we don't  it's been raining, which is usually what happens just before the snow starts up.

No no special request, you are doing enough for us with the LB and quits.

Dear Jan-Maree, 

I have received in the mail today a beautiful quilt based on "Australiana" from Kaye in Werribee. The colours and scenes remind me of home and the detail on the quilt is lovely. The quilt has added some unique colour to my room and brings a tear to my eye when I think of home. The extra warmth from the quilt is needed as we are actually having cooler nights here at the moment and it rained quite heavily today which was unexpected. 

I would like to thank you and your quilters (I am sure there are some men out there quilting away as well) for all the time and effort that is being put into providing these quilts for us so far away from home, we really do appreciate all that is being done. 

Many thanks, 

I have received the quilt and have just now receive the Laundry Bag also. 

Thank you very much for these; they are fantastic. They will both come in very handy and are really appreciated. 

I have passed on your details to my troops.

Hi Jan-Maree,

 Just wanted to let you know that XXXXX has received his quilt and he loves it!!

I have attached a photo that James sent me and could you please pass on the following message to Anne H.

Anne,  thank you so much for all the time and effort you have put into this beautiful quilt!!  James loves it and appreciates all you've done to make it for him, also he said it was very warm and with weather in single digits over there that is real plus!!  We both wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!!

Don't know about you but it all just makes me want to sew more!

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

Quilts of the Week 14 Dec

924 quilts and 1270 laundry bags to date!

Another great week!

Just to round off the statistics 58 quilt requests are underway.

Caroline and I put this quilt top together.  The centre is actually two pieced panels that were donated by my friend, Del.  Caroline and I used material donated by the Original Aussie Hero's wife, Jenny to border it and back it and then Caroline quilted it on her new Sweet 16 (the teenager she calls it) and bound it.

And Caroline made the cute laundry bag to go with it.

Caroline made the four patches for this one and then we pieced the top together.  We took the quilt to Kim for quilting -

Don't you love the quilting.  For once I chose a backing that would show off the quilting.

When Kim found out that the recipient loves Dr Seuss she donated this piece of Xmas fabric so what else would you do with it but make a santa sack laundry bag to send along with the bag!

Made by Carolynne, no prizes for guessing what team this guy supports!

Fran T made this for a dog lover - can you tell?

Julie Ann

wine corks - don't you love it!

Lynn F made the top and it was awesomely quilted by Paul and Paula with aircraft and yes, it has gone to a RAAFie!

Margaret H

Rita M a.k.a Granny Smith!

spot the obvious error!

Oops!

Must be sailing Down Under!

Too Cute!

Beth

Dasha

more cuteness

Keryn

Liz B

Liz

Lynne M

Marg from WA

Nancy

SNEAK PEAK ALERT!

Liz  - can't show you any more as we just don't want to spoil the surprise!

Ruth

Stephanie

Tess from SA has been sewing laundry bags to send to her handsome husband to hand out to his mates

but this week she received something in return!

A gorgeous picture of three very happy looking recipients!

Great job Tess!

Dear Jan-Maree

I recently received a surprise parcel from you which I am very appreciative of!  I was not expecting any parcels at that time which made it all the better! As it gets cold here (we had snow on the mountains last night) the quilt has pride of place on my bed and I use my laundry bag everyday.  I'm one of the very few RAAFies attached to XXXX so it is even better to have a blue themed bag!

Both myself and wife are also in the RAAF so it is great to hear that you and your husband were both in the military. We are in XXXX at the moment and really enjoy it there (when I am home!!)

I am also writing to ask a favour. One of my good friends over here saw my quilt and is very jealous of me!

I was wondering if it would be possible to order her a quilt and laundry bag. Her name is XXXXX and she also 'borrows' mine if we get a night off to watch a movie or something!

 I am not sure what patterns or material you have but anything with horse's would be great!

It is a great thing that you have started up it is always exciting to get mail especially when you are not expecting it.  Do you accept donations? I would like to help out and with my knitting skills I would be no good at any hands on work!,

 I hope you and your family have a great Christmas,

So, anyone want to do a horse themed quilt for a girl?
EDIT - just found out she is coming home fairly early so a quilt would need to be in the mail by Christmas.  That is a big ask so please only put your hand up if you are sure you can make the deadline.

Hi Jan-Maree
Sorry that I have not got back to you sooner. I have been travelling and when I returned I was welcomed with the package from your foundation.
Please pass on my sincere thanks to Leonie and the other ladies who sowed their magic into such a beautiful  quilt. The Kangaroo is a lovely touch too.  The laundry bag is so nice that I don't want to put my dirty smelly clothes inside -  I am currently using it as a pillow!
Thank you for your generosity, this is an amazing foundation.    

This next thank you message refers a quilt and laundry bag that Keryn made.

My quilt and laundry bag have arrived and it the best thing I've been given in a long time, I absolutely LOVE IT!
Thank you for the time effort in creating these things it is greatly appreciated.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas an a great new year.
Thank you so much.

And just before I go  - here is a sample of the emails that make this such a great job to be doing.  I just received this request yesterday.

I have seen lots of soldiers around with your quilts. They are absolutely fantastic!!  My boss is XXXXXXX and he is very jealous of his room mates quilts. He urged me to write to you and kindly ask if we could both have one? I am constantly blown away by the kindness of groups such as yours, who without doubt bring a great deal of morale to the soldiers here. These quilts are treasured by even the toughest soldiers! 

I love that bit about the toughest soldiers!  Just makes my day!

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