Gorgeous BOMs

Now I don't normally cover things on the blog that are not fairly well AHQ related.  This is an exception as we have lots of people in the States who read the blog.   I just wanted to wish all those on the East Coast all the best as you batten down the hatches and hold on whilst Hurricane Sandy heads your way.  Stay safe guys.

Just so happens that my own husband is in Baltimore, Washington, at the moment but thankfully he tells me that he is safe and sound in the hotel and not going anywhere - of course his track record is not good as in the past he has flown from Hong Kong to Taiwan in the middle of a Hurricane, telling me it will be no problem, only to get within 150ft of the runway and find that the wind was too strong so that had to divert - that is not fine!

Look what turned up in my mail box - these four quilt tops have arrived from Janet who pieced them out out of the BOM blocks I sent her.  I just love them.  I am always saying how much I love scrap quilts but as one recipient said recently "to call it a scrap quilt does not do it justice"!

LOVE that stripey border!  

And I would never have though of putting the light blocks together in the middle like this but I love it. 

And this quilt has a different feel altogether!  

Thanks for helping out Janet and for doing such a great job.  These are just four of the quilts that are heading off to the quilter this afternoon.  I managed to get all the backings pieced last night and today we have five more battings to piece -we ran out of batting tape - and I am hoping to get the binding made for at least some of the quilts before Terry gets here to help me.

Stephanie, Jenny and Susan and Aileen received two very appreciative thank you messages from HMAS ANZAC overnight. Enjoy! 

Stephanie,

Today I received a very special gift from yourself. I am lost for words apart from saying Thank You for the time and effort you have taken to make the quilt and laundry bag for a complete stranger. It means so much to know that apart from our family and friends back at home, other people will take the time out of their lives to do something special for a serviceman or woman deployed overseas. It also just so happens that it was my birthday recently so receiving this gift in the mail 6 days after makes my birthday away from my family even more special and again I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment to making quilts for Aussie Hero Quilts. Attached is a photo of the quilt and laundry bag on my rack taking pride and place with the pics of my wife and daughter. 

Kind Regards

To Joanne, XXXXXX, and XXXXXX and everybody else at Aussie hero quilts

I would just like to say a big thank you for the time and effort you have spent making this wonderful quilt and laundry bag for me. It is so good knowing that there are groups like this supporting us back home. It makes me appreciate that we are not getting forgotten about and the work we are doing is getting recognized  When I found out that I had been chosen as one of the lucky people on board to receive a quilt I felt very honored  And when I was informed it was in the post I could not wait to receive it. Today was that day. We had a lot of mail delivered today and I believe there were a fair few people that received their quilts. 

It is difficult to explain to a lot of people how hard it is being away. I have my fiancé and 8 month old baby boy waiting for me at home and receiving things like this and hearing about your group makes it just that bit easier being away. So once again I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I will try to get a photo in the next day or two

I would just like to start and say thank you for making me this very great quilt and laundry bag i can see alot of time and effort has been put into its creation, it is making a great cover for my little bunk that I have on the ship. It is a great that people at home appreciate the work we do overseas for our country and understand the sacrifices of family and love ones that we make.
 

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

Busy, Busy, Busy

Posts might be a little short this week.  Today I had a new Aussie Hero helper come to help me join batting! I was so glad of the help as it would be pretty tedious otherwise.  No photos - we were too busy working.  LOL 

Tomorrow I have another helper coming to help me piece more batting and we may even have to piece some backings.  I have a twelve quilt tops and backs all just waiting for the backs to be pieced,  the battings to be pieced and then they can be divided up between the quilters.  That is my focus for the next couple of days. 

12 quilts just waiting for me to piece the backings -which are all cut and ready to go - and piece the backings!  I am feeling so organised! 

Wednesday I have two appointments, not related to AHQ - I know amazing - I do have a life outside AHQ!  LOL But on Thursday I will be back into it with a presentation at the Baulkham Hills Uniting Church in the morning.  Friday is another working day with Caroline!

Yep, a busy week that is for sure. 

A couple o f friends to keep in your thoughts...

We have become a nice community of quilters and stitchers and friends and I thought it appropriate to share some news with you.

Chris from South Australia has let me know that she has to scale back her involvement with AHQ due to ill health.

Jill from Queensland has also hit a bump in the road in the last week or so.  Jill's mother-in-law, Nanny Jill,  suffered a severe stroke about ten days ago and is now in hospital and will eventually head to re-hab.  She will need lots of love and care in the following months as will Jill's family.  They are a very close unit and I know that together they can cope with anything.

I know you will all join with me in wishing Chris a speedy recovery and Nanny Jill all the love and care that she needs as she adjusts to her new life.  Send prayers, good wishes and kind thoughts, whatever you are comfortable with as I know they will be much appreciated.

Guest posts

At the beginning of December (5th and 6th I think) I have to head up to collect my son from his boarding school again and those would be good days for some guest posts.  I am wondering if there are any volunteers.  One subject that I think a tutorial would be helpful for is applique, as in using fusible wedding and not needle turn of course.  If anyone is interested in writing a tutorial for that please let me know.   Some of you may wish to write a tutorial on a particular pattern you have come up with for Aussie Heroes.   You may have something else in mind.  A bit of military history might be interesting too. Whatever floats your boat as they say.  If you are interested in writing a post just send me an email with your ideas and we will go from there.   

A tour of Tarin Kot

Caroline, aka Deputy Nut put me on to an SBS video which she found on another facebook page and it is basically a tour of some of the amenities on the base at Tarin Kot, including their accommodation and recreational centre.  Well worth watching - you will find it here

Just another reminder
Update on the Sydney AHQ dinner.

WOW!!!  I am so delighted by the number of you who are keen to attend, especially from interstate!    We are looking at Saturday 8 December.  

Email Caroline (aka Deputy Nut) if you can make it.  

carolinejgunn@gmail.com

Michelle received a lovely thank you on her facebook page today and this is just a snippet of what was a lovely long, but personal message of appreciation.

Hi Michele I received the most wonderful gift from you during the week and I love it thank you so much .  When I opened the box I saw the quilt I couldn't believe some one back home had gone to so much trouble to make something like that for me.  I love it as it was a true heart felt gift and thank you .
The patterns and colour is me all over - I mean the the snowy gums and the poem.

Jenny also received this thank you message for her quilt and laundry bag

Hi Jenny,
I received my quilt and laundry bag yesterday and would like to say thank you very much.
It has brightened up my bed space no end. All the guys are envious of such a funky laundry bag too. Sure beats a plain green or calico one.
It makes for a little bit of comfort in an otherwise bleak and hostile environment.
It's obvious that you have put a lot of work into it and I really appreciate it.
Again, thanks a lot. 

And then I received this email of appreciation - he hasn't received anything but I will offer to send him a quilt and laundry bag.

Hi,

I'm currently deployed on OP Slipper and saw a poster up for the great service you are doing for our troops. Bless you for making such an effort for our soldiers, sailors and airmen. I know it really hits home when the guys feel appreciated and receive one of your packages.

Again, from someone currently deployed, what your doing is making a big difference.

God bless

What a nice way to end tonight's post.

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