Looking at Laundry Bags

I hope everyone has had a good weekend.  If you live in parts of NSW including Sydney, you may well have had a very wet weekend.  Good sewing weather if you ask me.  Bad weather it appears for mobile phone towers as my phone (and those of others) currently has no coverage at home due to the malfunction of one or more towers!  Bad weather also for getting the washing done!  LOL  

Which is kind of a good segway into the need for 

a good laundry bag.

  

If you are new to Aussie Heroes you may think that the quilts are the primary focus of what we do and the laundry bags are the secondary.   That could not be further from the truth.  In most cases every quilt that is requested is either accompanied by a laundry bag, or a laundry bag is arranged and sent separately.  The quilts seem to be the thing that goes straight to the heart but the laundry bag is what makes everyday life that much easier.   All the serving members are issued with the same laundry bags.  Now I don't know if the RAAFies get the same as those in the Army or Navy for example but either way, without our laundry bags there would be LOADS of laundry bags that all look the same or similar through which you have to search to find the one that has your initials on it.  

Can you imagine how frustrating that is at the end of a long day?

When we sent over the very first laundry bag, way back when, I received a thank you email from one of the recipients saying "I have been clothesless twice, but that is now a thing of the past".

Have a look at the photos above.  There is a yellow laundry bag with green initials and a grey coloured one with initials on it.  They are two of ours.  But look at some of the others.  I can even see a plastic bag!  One fellow we heard from was carrying his laundry to and from in his arms!

A friend of mine, Gordon, recently visited an old student of his and his parents.  I will call the student Thomas.  Gordon was telling Thomas and his parents about Aussie Heroes and explained how we make quilts and laundry bags.  Unwittingly Gordon had glossed over the laundry bags and was focusing on the quilts.  Thomas all but took him to task and was at pains to point out the value of your own individual laundry bag.  Gordon was quite taken aback at the seriousness with which Thomas spoke.  He said "You don't understand just how essential it is to have your own easily identifiable laundry bag".  Days later when Gordon related the story to me he was still surprised at Thomas' reaction but he said he finally "got it" with regard to how valued the laundry bags are.  Incidentally, Thomas and one of his colleagues are deploying in a couple of months and will be taking with them a couple of shiny new laundry bags that Gordon collected from me on Thursday!  Quilts will follow.

I know a few of you are intimidated or nervous about making laundry bags but there really is no need.  There is a very clear, printable set of instructions available here and if you have any questions you are welcome to email me though it is probably better if you call me or ask me to call you as it is much easier to talk you through it that way.  

Recently we had a laundry bag challenge for Australia Day.    The challenge was to make a laundry bag and send me a photo but there had to be something Australian on it.  I didn't give much notice but we ended up with around 90 entries and eventually some lovely people in Tarin Kowt made the hard choices and came up with three winners.  I have sent off prizes and am waiting to hear that they have been received before I show you what they all were.  I can show you the first place prize though as Gail collected it yesterday.  She received these gorgeous little hand made shoes (only about 6 inches long) and a really pretty pashmina, donated by one of the judges.

I think all of the laundry bags from the challenge have been sent off now and as they have arrived they have been snapped up quick time because of their Aussie flavour.

Recently I started sending Aussie flavoured laundry bags along with each Wounded Warrior Quilt.  I figure if nothing else it gives them something to brighten their hospital room and something to carry their quilt home in.  These three made by Judith were used for that purpose. 

So, a little about making the laundry bags.  You have more choice of fabric when making laundry bags than you do when making quilts.  Sturdier heavy weight fabric than that you use for quilts is acceptable, even desirable but ordinary patchwork fabric is fine too.  All our laundry bags are lined so that no raw edges are showing and that makes them double thickness so the patchwork fabric is perfectly acceptable.   If you have any doubts as to how colour fast your fabric is please prewash it.  If you are making multiple laundry bags from the one fabric please remember that our bags are supposed to be distinctive so maybe you could vary the fabric you use for the cord channel in each one or put a different coloured patch on each.

Feel free to have some fun with the laundry bags.  I have sent some made from robot fabric, curly fries, puppies, you name it.  There is a good mix of zany and outrageous as well as more toned down bags for the more sedate tastes.  Every laundry bag seems to find itself a home.

Don't assume that when they come home the laundry bags sits in the corner alone and unloved.   Just recently we received word that this laundry bag now gets used back here in Oz for PT gear and still brings a smile to the owners's face.  One curly fries bag I made travelled to NZ with the family to collect their dirty laundry over there.  Another fellow told me that he had not thought to pack a laundry bag but was so delighted to receive it and now that he is back in Oz with more deployments coming up it will be one of the first things he packs.

So, can I encourage you to please consider making a few if you haven't already.  Or make one to send with your next quilt.  I have various addresses in Dubai, Kandahar and Tarin Kowt for people who are happy to receive boxes of laundry bags to pass on to others.  Every now and then I get a request for a box of laundry bags and just last week I sent four boxes off to two addresses for guys and girls who requested some especially as they had seen one a mate had received and were really envious.  I even received a thank you phone call from TK after an earlier box arrived!

Now for a change of pace, more lovely thank you messages arrived over the weekend.  I am really pleased to say that more of our quilts have arrived on Toowoomba to rapturous responses.  If you sent your quilt early on and haven't heard back just send me an email and I will chase it up for you.  You probably need to allow about three to four weeks for it to have arrived though some of these made it in less time.

Dear Gail

Wow, you have blown me away with your wonderful Quilt and Laundry bag.

It is already pride of place on my bunk (nautical word for bed, lol).

I am at a loss for words to say how much I appreciate you taking the time to make this for me.  I will/do treasure it. And yes 'My name in flags is so cool'.

My cabin mates are envious of me.

Sydney is without doubt the best harbour in the world, to sail in those heads whether after a lengthy deployment or just fishing on the weekend is amazing. That is saying something as I am a Perth boy through and through.

My wife is a Sydney girl and we have spent considerable part of my/our Navy life 'now coming up to its thirtieth year in Sydney. So I appreciate your love of the harbour and the joy of sailing there.

Thank you again,

This is the front of Gail's quilt which you have seen

and this is part of the back.  Can't show you the whole name but part of it should be okay.

The following message is for a quilt that Lousie made

Thank you for my awesome quilt it looks great and I will get a lot of use out of it and its really great just to get some mail up here.   So its my 3rd time up here I have  been in the navy for 9 and a half years.   I do love my job.  I am a cook on board.  I run the galley.  I love cooking but it is a full on job we get very busy as our work can't wait, we still have meal times to follow so it can get quite interesting at times, anyway betta let you go thank you very much for the quilt and the lollies also it is all greatly appreciated, everyone gets very excited when mail comes to see if there quilt is there thanx again.

This message was left on facebook  and it relates to a quilt that Karen B sent.

Today my husband received his quilt and laundry bag and he is stoked and so happy. Thank you for making him feel special. Keep up the amazing work.

I'm currently on HMAS Toowoomba, I have received my quilt and I love it. Thank you so

 very very much I really appreciate it and all the support you and your team provide.

And just before I go - the next Penrith Sewing Day details are as follows

Sunday, 17 March 

Penrith Patchwork
97b Henry Street Penrith
Plenty of parking at the rear.
10am to 2pm.
BYO machine, mug (if you want tea or coffee, lunch and snacks.  I provide all the material required and will try and bake if I have time.  You just need to being thread, scissors etc.  
We will be making laundry bags galore!

I should add that Geoff from Penrith Patchwork has been extremely generous, donating the rooms for the sewing days and bolts of fabric!
Thanks Geoff, You are the best!

Till next time..................keep sewing and happy stitching!

Grati-tuesday

What a lovely lot of thank you messages we have received of late but this is probably a good time to remind you that we actually don't hear back from the bulk of the items we send.  I am sure this is more a product of the work load and environment that our recipients are dealing with than a lack of appreciation.  Quite frankly, those of us with young men in the house hold (and some of the not so young men) know how notoriously bad they are at communicating unless there is a girlfriend/wife involved and I am sure that accounts for some of it too.  But please don't be discouraged as all the feedback we are receiving from those that do respond is that what we are doing is very much appreciated by all.

How is this for a gorgeous cheery photo to start the ball rolling.

One of Liz's happy customers

This is one of my quilts that I didn't show on the blog originally as it is quite personal to the fellow it went to and I wanted to wait till he came home.  I have just had a lovely thank you letter from his last week once he had time to settle back in to his life.  I might add that he was then part of the flood relief in Queensland, so home from Operation Slipper and shortly afterward serving us again in such an essential manner.

Thank you so much for my quilt and laundry bag.  I think all the quilts you and the other ladies produce are amazing but to have one personalised with my dog, ute etc was very special.  After receiving it I certainly did look into your organisation. I also gave a lot of recommendations to Mum of guys over there that would love one..  Everyone who had received a quilt thinks they are just the best thing ever and are in complete admiration of all the skill and time they take to produce.

I think receiving something like that and realising that people that don't actually know you have gone to such an effort and actually care about us while we are away is that is so very special.   I think what you are doing with your team is a great thing and it will always be greatly appreciated. There is not one person serving overseas that wouldn't appreciate such a special gift.

Hi Jan-Maree,

My quilt arrived last night and it's AWESOME!! I love it, my boyfriend loves it (I sent him photos, he's also into scooters), and my mum has just revealed that she's known about it for a week and knew I'd love it!

I put it on my bed last night and it really brightens my room. You really did get it perfectly right. Thank you so much! Thanks also for the laundry bag and Tim Tams. And I'm not concerned at all about there not being any other 'goodies'. The quilt and laundry bag mean so much to me. Whilst Tim Tams are always welcome, the effort you and your quilters go to is way more than enough. 

Thanks again

We had a great Australia Day and I hope you did as well. Now for the best news of the weekend.....when I arrived on Friday I helped unpack the recent delivery of mail from Australia and found a parcel marked for me from you. Thankyou Jan-Maree, the quilt and laundry bag look fantastic. I am extremely grateful that you could take the time to make these wonderful gifts for me. The design and detail that has gone into the quilt is amazing. The quilt has pride of place on my bunk and it will remind me of home and your remarkable kindness whenever I see it. The whole contingent here is South Sudan also greatly appreciate the efforts of you and your team that go into co-ordinating these gifts for us and for other personnel deployed on Operations around the world. The work you and your team are doing has a positive impact on our morale and reminds us of all the support from home. 

For Fran T

Fran thank you for the wonderful quilt and laundry bag.  Finding it on my desk this morning meant a lot to me. As always it is perfect and the care in which you make them is just wonderful, I think this one will be great on the wall in XXXX's room.”

By way of explanation Fran made a quilt for two of this fellow's children who were born in the last 18 months, which is what the “as always” refers to. XXXX is their four year old son.

HI Christine (WA)
Today I received the wonderful quilt and laundry bag you made for me.   XXXXX is generally a dry, extremely dusty and often smoke filled place in Afghanistan. Your quilt and laundry bag have introduced a fantastic reminder that there is colour in the world outside of this place and I thank you sincerely for the time and effort you have put into making them.

The weather here is cold at the moment though and it has just started to rain so we expect it to turn into a muddy quagmire within hours. I live in a camp which is small but it has the only patch of grass in the entire base, a birdcage with budgerigars and a couple of gum trees planted when we first got here a decade or so ago. It certainly has the visiting foreign forces jealous (especially the Americans).

Again, thank you for the gift. I can assure you that it will be well used and will become an heirloom; a reminder of my time here in Afghanistan.  

One for Liz B

I was very fortunate yesterday to receive a parcel containing a number of very welcomed items: 

An Aussie Quilt; 
An Aussie Laundry Bag; and 
A few special nibbles. 

As well as a lovely letter providing me with details on who you both are. I must admit I was unsure of where (Liz's hometown) actually was and must admit, will still need a good map to find out exactly. Having so much land and sharing it with our native animals is very much like some of the land in South Sudan. Unfortunately due to the many years of conflict, the wildlife is yet to fully return to this country. I can however say there is evidence (I have provided you with a photo) of some wildlife on the border between Uganda and South Sudan. It is hoped that over the next few years the wildlife will return to their natural feeding grounds. 

Attached also is a photo of me with your magnificent quilt, which has now taken pride of place on my bed. It will always remind me of my time in South Sudan and the hard work you have taken in making both the quilt and the laundry bag. I can assure you the laundry bag will also be put to great use while I continue to serve in the Army and well beyond. 

All my team who have received an Aussie Quilt are extremely impressed by the efforts of those, like yourself, who have taken the time to make them. 

Thank you very much.

Dear Melissa,

Thank you very much for the laundry bag you made and sent to me. 

It is so nice to know that people like yourself care about the deployed troops, your efforts are greatly appreciated, when I received your parcel it really made my day. Thank you for caring about us and I hope you have a great year at school

Dear Stephanie 
Thank you  for taking the time out to write me I appreciate it, and thanks a lot  for the gifts. I actually needed a laundry bag so it came at a great  time, plus no one here has a laundry bag like it so its awesome :) .   M&M's were nice too, they didn't last long... A bit late but I hope ya 
had a good Xmas/holiday, I would have emailed sooner but we've had Internet difficulties here.

Good Afternoon,

I would just like to say a quick thankyou for the quilt and laundry bag I received whilst on deployment with the Australian Army.  A special thank you to Carolyn S ( may you pass my thanks on.)  Your letter and package brought a smile to my face.

The items are very much appreciated, I love them!

The boys I work with loved them also, so if possible, may we ask for 3- 4 more laundry bags?

The work you do is very much appreciated and although you may not always receive our thanks, troops everywhere are extremely grateful for these little bundles, they bring a bit of brightness where it's much needed.

Many thanks again, 

Now time for a couple of requests and reminders.

Don't forget the next Penrith Sewing Day is coming up on Sunday 17th of February at Penrith Patchwork.
10am to 2pm
BYO lunch, sewing machine and required tools.
I will provide all the materials required.
If you are planning to come it would be great if you could let me know so I can make sure there is enough for all to do - but if you decide to come at the last minute I am sure you won't be bored!

Quilt Tops

I love receiving quilt tops but can you please do me a favour.  Can you please make sure all seams are firmly pressed flat with a steam iron before you send them.  If the tops have been sewn together without pressing (which is often how I sew myself) it can take me 20 minutes or more to press all the seams flat on the back and then again on the front to make sure there are no folds.  If I have to do that with multiple quilts tops it can take a lot of my time.  I won't give quilts to volunteer quilters til they have been pressed properly as I can't expect them to do it, especially when they are donating their time and effort.  If you can help me out with this I would really appreciate it.

Please don't forget pics etc

Please don't forget to send me a picture of your quilts and laundry bags - everyone loves to see them on the blog and families and friends of those they are going to love to pick them out too.  Also, and very important, please don't forget to let me know when you have actually posted your parcel.  I let whoever requested the quilt know that the parcel is on the way and it also stops me from checking up on your progress.  I also really need that postal date so that I can follow the quilt up and see if it has arrived.

Adding Borders

Finally, a quick word on adding borders.  If you are a seamstress and take up quilting or just a novice sewer you usually don't have too much trouble putting blocks together and getting them to sit flat.  Borders can be a little trickier.   I know some of you are cutting your border fabrics and not necessarily checking the length before sewing it on  -  just starting at one end with a long piece of fabric, not pinning but sewing till you get the end of the quilt and then cutting off the extra.  Why do I know this?  Because I used to do it myself.  This may look okay on the ironing board but this method can be a little dicey as it is easy to stretch the fabric (the border or the quilt top) and then the borders won't be flat.  I have actually had to unpick borders, yours and mine) and re-do them so that they sit flat otherwise there will be puckers when they are quilted.  This is not something that can be quilted out of it always.  Best to learn to do borders properly to save yourself (and me) some time.

There are a couple of different tutorials here that you might find handy and if you have any questions just ask.  This is probably something that is easier for me to explain over the phone so if you want some extra help you might find it easier to send me your number and I will call you.

How to Measure and Sew Butted Boaders to a Quilt

Quiltville Boarder Hints


Now, I am off to sew.....

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

Happy Mail 30 January

Hi All,

This will be a fairly short post tonight as I just arrived back home, still have to unpack and get ready for my other son to start school tomorrow.  

First up the date for the next Penrith Sewing Day  is Sunday 17^th February.  All you need to bring is your sewing machine and bits and pieces.  All other materials and what nots will be provided by  me.  It is wise to BYO lunch and a drink as I don't think there are many options for buying anything.  It would be great if you could let me know if you are planning to come so that i can make sure there is enough for everyone to do.

We will be at Penrith Patchwork from 10 am till 2pm - email me if you have any questions.

We only have one photo for happy mail today - I suspect you were all busy making Australia Day Laundry Bags!  LOL  These blocks and a whole bunch more - a total of 80 blocks were send in by Dorothy!  Enough for two quilts!  Well done!!!

We do have some other happy mail though - how about some thank you messages. 

To Dear Liz, and AHQ;

I just received your beautifully hand crafted quilt in the mail!! I am writing to you to thank you for this beautiful gesture! The detail and patterns are gorgeous, and I already treasure it as a beautiful reminder of home, and of the kind hearted and generous people that support us over here. 

I have just reached the half way mark of my trip last week. There is a group of us over here from our Regiment in Adelaide; and we are all starting to count down to our return home!! The weather here is quite the opposite, as you said - particularly the heat and also the rain. Winter has been kind (so far) only getting down to -5*C. Today was quite a warm 10*C as well! Certainly no floods or fires! 

Thankyou once again for your beautiful quilt. I really do treasure it, as do other recipients over here. Something hand made so lovingly from home by people such as your self is a wonderful gift and one that puts a smile on all of our faces!!

 

The following relates to a quilt that Paul and Paula quilted with Aircraft!  Of course I sent it to a RAAFie!

Hi Jan-Maree,

I received the quilt and absolutely love it. What a great idea to stitch in the silhouettes of aircraft. I spent a cold xmas with my guys in Afghanistan huddled around a 44 gallon drum waiting for aircraft to come and go but enjoyed the experience. Soon most of us will have returned from leave and have to knuckle down to ride out the remaining weeks to ensure everything is shipshape for the new guys coming in. Take care and thank you very much and all the rest of your team that do this just out of good will. It does make a difference.

Hi Stephanie,

You kindly made me a personalised laundry bag with my initials and a horse print on the outside.   My friend wrote to the Aussie Heroes Quilt organisation when I raved on about his blanket. It was a lovely surprise to receive a personalised bag and blanket. I think they are a wonderful idea as they are not only useful while deployee, they are a wonderful memento of my time spent here. I get much enjoyment from seeing all the boys carrying their very colourful laundry bags around. 

I have a horse, hence my friend's suggestion as a theme for my bag. I haven't yet thought of a use for it when I get home, but I'm sure it will come in handy storing or protecting some of my horse gear without getting it too dirty or damaged. 

I am at the end of my trip and I am very much looking forward to going home. I have immensely enjoyed this deployment and have met some incredible people, but there is no place like home. 

Thank you very much for dedicating your time and energy to making my bag. It is a wonderful idea and I greatly appreciate the thought and effort that generous people like yourself donate to bring us something special while we are away. The thought is not lost on me and merely revitalizes my love of Australia. 

Hello Janelle

Have received your box of Laundry Bags, they are great, some nice colours and patterns. I will pass them along to my counterparts in another location for them to hand out. You all do a wonderful job with your patchwork and quilting and rest assured that your efforts are very much appreciated. They bring just that little piece of Australia into some harsh environments that some of us are enduring.

Once again Thank You for your work

Jan-Maree, Thank you very much for the quilt and laundry bag they're beautiful, I really appreciate all the hard work that went into making it - so thank you very much. 
Can't wait to take it home and show my family. Thanks again

A very special post is coming up tomorrow night.  Tess from SA suggested that I do some "historical" posts - i.e. go over some of the things that brought Aussie Heroes to where we are now.  I thought that was a great idea but as I know the story so well and as I can always use a little bit of help I asked Janine C from QLD if she would be interested in doing it for me.  Luckily she said yes.  So, at the end of every month now we will have a post that goes over what we were doing this time last year. 

I hope you will enjoy it.

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

oh and I just have to tell you - I have been signing off with the above messages since almost the very first post - and I only just found out last night that Deputy Nut, a.k.a. Caroline, had never ever noticed!  Good to see she is paying attention!  LOL

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