Grati-Tuesday

Tonight it is not only the gorgeous Heroes who are sharing their gratitude but also me.  

Firstly, thanks for spreading the word everyone.  

We now have 1000 followers on facebook!!!

Talk about spreading the word.  

We also have more requests coming in.  I did say that more would come and that sometimes it takes a while for the word to spread and for people to get back to me.  Not only do we have more requests for those yet to deploy but also a few more for those already over there, some with not very long to go but because we have Quilts in Waiting I have not had to say no to anyone!  Requests have been coming in steadily since yesterday and also, and most gratifyingly I am hearing from new quilters daily as well. 
Happy Dance!!!

In the next few days (that basically means when I have time) I am going to email my volunteer list with the latest developments that I won't go into on the blog.  By that I mean who is going where and when.  I try to be deliberately vague about that as I am not party to the briefings that go on abut such things (obviously) but I know from experience that some details are not shared outside family and friends as a general rule so I try to err on the side of caution where possible.

If you want to be on the Volunteer Email List please let me know.  I have a new policy though - you need to have actually made something for us, or be in the process of making something for us to be added to the list.  Also if I haven't heard from you for several months you may find yourself removed from the list just to control the spread of information.

And my last thank you of the day goes to these wonderful people and their colleagues who for one reason or another could not be there.  This group are all from one particular camp, and I don't mention places on the blog, but a lot of you who have sent quilts and/or laundry bags to this location will have already received a thank you card, especially printed with this wonderful photo on it.   This gorgeous group, lead by one special ringleader, who shall remain nameless for the usual reasons, banded together to raise funds to keep Aussie Heroes going.  I don't like to mention the amount donated as I am not sure that is appropriate however let's just say they have made a very generous contribution to the funds that I will use to buy the batting needed to keep the volunteer quilters busy with all the quilt tops that I receive!  

Thank you so much guys!  You are the best!

You also might like to know that this photo is my screen saver and makes me smile every time I look at it!
Thank you!

Now it is time for some thank you messages from others.

First up for Caroline from HMAS Toowoomba.

Dear Caroline

I send this email thanking you for your kind gesture in creating quilts for sailors and soldiers currently on their tour of duty. 

Trust me when I say your quilt is being well used. It is the little things you forget that make a big difference. The Bright colours of the blanket really do brighten my day.  I thank you again for your kind words, I can ensure you we are all remaining safe whilst hoping to do Australia proud.

Receiving parcels like yours can really change the spirit of the crew and is much appreciated

Thank you again.

Hi Rita (M)!

I recently received the amazing quilt, laundry bag and pillow case you made for me and was blown away by the quality of them and the thought and time that went into making them!

It has been bitterly cold here and your quilt definitely made a difference in keeping me warm and comfy in the little down time I get!

I can't believe you actually saw my Xmas message (One of the messages home from the troops), amazing coincidence! I will be home in a few months and can't wait to see my dog and be able to enjoy some sunshine!

Well, thank you so much again for your efforts! I, along with every soldier, sailor and airman who receive quilts from you lovely people are forever thankful and brim with pride to know that folks back home are thinking of us and appreciate our efforts!

Caz and I collaborated on this quilt - I am afraid I did the easy part, the applique, and Caroline did all the rest!  The word we had passed back is that he loves his quilt and will be passing it on to his son when he comes home.

Good evening Jill (S),

I would like to say a massive thank you for the package you sent. I

received it in the mail yesterday and can say it was a fantastic surprise

to receive it. Very much appreciate all the work put into this. It looks

amazing and brings that feeling of home here whilst in being in the middle

of the desert, so again a big thank you.

I haven't heard of Aussie Hero Quilts until now and sounds like a great

organization. I've heard a few people receive packages over here and it's a

great feeling knowing work we do over here is appreciated in some way.

You certainly do a lot for the community by the sounds of it with all your

hard work. I thank you for that, it's people like you that make our jobs

that bit easier.

I am curious how Aussie hero quilts work. Do they have lists of personnel

over here?

Oh this gift brought plenty of cheer and fun that is assured. Thanks.

Well, that's all folks.

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

Happy Mail Wedensday

Welcome to Happy Mail Wednesday.  
WOW!  I think lots of you are back from holidays by the look of what is turning up in the PO Box.  My husband was with me today when I went to post off a quilt and laundry bag  and two 3 kg satchels (Karen B and Sue they are on their way) and so I got him to check the PO Box while I got served. He came back saying there was a parcel to pick and that was an understatement!  There were about 6 or 7!
Time to show you the lovely goodies that have arrived in the mail this week.  

First up some December Block of the Month Blocks from Linda.  I think these look good enough to keep together and make into one quilt all by themselves.  

Liz J from SA made these cool blocks - love that stripey fabric.

Alison from WA sent over this cool fabric as it may be a good backing for the 80s quilt.

Talking of the 80s quilt - here is the first block that I have received  - this one is from Terry who came over on Monday and helped me finish up several jobs, like trimming blocks to make up quilt kits.

Janine sent these down! 

Rhonda was the first to jump on the 80's block making band wagon and did a great job.

Jill S from Vic made these - oh this is going to be a fun quilt to go together.  There is still time to make some if anyone wants to have a bit of fun.  You just can't go wrong with these.

Sue N outdid herself this week sending me a huge pile of the BOM for January - Disappearing 9 Patches.  There were way too many for me to arrange all of them on the wall so i just put up the first 9.  Thanks Sue!

Leonie sent me this great binding that she has made.  I love the colors in the top fabric and you can't beat the navy and white spot which will be so useful - red white and blue flag quilts come to mind immediately.

And the Happy Mail Achiever of the week award goes to Lynn who sent in eight - yes 8!  - quilt tops.

 There were two of these - not identical but very similar

And also two very similar ones like these. 

What a great selection of quilt tops!

And now for the icing on our cake - some thank you messages!

Dear Amy,

I just wanted to let you know how lovely it was to receive the laundry bag you made for me/ I can see why you have become an honorary member of the "Chatting Chooks", I myself loved to sew at your age but I was never as good as you seem to be.

You sound like an amazing young lady making quilts for premature babies and now for Defence members away from their families and homes. Please know you are also appreciated for the smiles you bring. 

I hope you had a great Christmas with your Mum, Dad and Brother.

Kind Regards

Hi Jan-Maree,

                Happy New, sorry for the late reply, I have only just returned back to theatre from a awesome week back home for Christmas leave.  On my return back I noticed that my quilt had arrived whilst I was away.

Thank you so much, its funny to see everyone over here wrapped in there Aussie quilts (being that it is so cold over here, not quit snowing yet) made for them, from you wonderful people back home.

For Nancy

Good morning, I am please to inform you that I received my quilt just prior to Christmas. It looks fantastic and definitely helps keep me warm at night during the current cooler nights that we are experiencing. Thank you once again.

Beth,

Hello from sunny (but extremely cold) XXXXX (somewhere in Afghanistan).   My name is XXXXX and I have just received the quilt you kindly made for me. Please find attached a photo of me holding up your quilt.

 Thank you very much for going to the effort for me - I was absolutely wrapped to receive it and it is a very nice gesture on your part. It will be a lasting memory of the support from back home and of my time in Afghanistan. I was especially happy to learn that you are a Western Australian - I was born in Perth myself (but my family are currently living and working in XXXXXx).

I am coming to the end of my tour and will be home with my family next month. To say I am looking forward to that is an understatement.

From all the soldiers and officers over here, we thank you and all Australians who are supporting our efforts over here. Thanks again and kind regards:

I have a new member of our group called Janelle and she is wondering if there are any Aussie Hero Friends in the Maitland/Newcastle Area?  Please give me a shout out if you are interested in meeting up with Janelle afterall it it is always fun to have a sewing buddy or six!

For all the new members - I run a volunteer list which is a consolidated list of email addresses.  I don't automatically assume that you want to be on the list so if you want to be included just let me know.  I use the email list to send out information on the requests we have that are currently waiting to be allocated to a quilter and also to disseminate information that I do not think I should share on the blog for whatever reason.
Just let me know if you want to go on the list.

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