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!

WWQ Update and Dog Tag Clad Heroes

Update on our Wounded Warrior

I was delighted and felt very privileged  to receive this update on one of our special Wounded Warriors this weekend.

Hi Jan-Maree, I know you don't expect photos of all your quilts' locations but I took this picture of the quilt at a different hospital where my husband has gone for surgery.  We had a new bunch of nurses that we could explain its origins and the stuff that "Aussie Hero Quilts" does.

I was telling his physiotherapist about you guys and she said her mother, who is part of a group - rotary or something else - but she said that someone came to speak at her group about sending quilts and laundry bags.  A small world.

Small world indeed - that must have been the talk I gave to the Rotary Club recently.  You just never know who are you are going to reach when you talk about Aussie Heroes!

They are right.  I do not expect photos of where ever the quilts go, but I LOVE getting them.  I am so pleased that the size seems to be just right for what it is needed for.  It is just so good to see that the quilt is serving its purpose, not only to cover and warm, but also to raise the spirits.   I never thought about our Wounded Warriors spreading the word, but I am so touched that they do.  I know, once again, I can say that all of the Aussie Hero Friends will be sending prayers or good wishes their way.

Proof that Aussie Heroes don't wear capes they wear dog tags

This fellow will blush (I know this as he tells me I have already made him blush!) when I say this but this email is one of my favourite thank you messages so far.  This relates to a quilt that Liz H from WA sent over.

The quilt arrived today. What a fantastic quilt, I am speechless to the quality, to call it a scrap quilt just does not do it justice.

I hope you don't mind but I gave it to one of my soldiers that is just about to go out to one of the patrol bases and he has only a summer weight sleeping bag. He certainly needs it more than I at the moment, night temperatures are getting down to 5 deg and below now.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart, what you ladies are doing is fantastic. Please pass on my gratitude to them all.

Keep safe and bless you all

What a gorgeous, selfless man.  Could we not do with more like him in this county! 
Before you ask, I headed to the post office yesterday morning with a second quilt for this Hero.  There is just enough time to get one to him.

Seriously - who would head over to winter in Afghanistan with only a summer weight sleeping bag and why are we not issuing these blokes with appropriate gear - why do they have to provide it?

Finally, speaking as a MUM, guys if you are heading over in the near future please ask around and find out what you need and take the right gear!  Our quilts are good but they are no match for the snow and the cold that you will experience over there!

Only a very few items of the loads that we have sent to HMAS ANZAC have made it through so far.  Karen B received a thoughtful hand written thank you letter from this young man and I have type up part to share with you.

I would like to thank you for taking time to make a laundry bag and pillowcase that I received after our last port visit.  You probably do not realize but to receive gifts like this lifts morale and makes one feel appreciated in the past that we are doing under hazardous conditions.
Once again, thank you 

Did you know it is actually easier to get mail to those in Afghanistan that it is to those on HMAS ANZAC?  A very small mail delivery made it in mid October, another was due around ten days later and it was supposed to be a big one, but it didn't happen, probably because they were too busy keeping the shipping lanes free!  Now they have to wait till mid to late November!  I guess they are used to it but I am not sure I would be so patient!
Please be encouraged, if you are working on an ANZAC quilt to get it in the mail sooner rather than later (if you can) so that it makes it to the ship.  I want to send the Chaplains quilt off in the next week or so and even though it is late October there is no way to know if it will make it in time for Christmas!

I have three more lovely thank you messages for tonight!  

First up these ladies combined to send a fabulous quilt (Liz), Eagles laundry bag (Marg) and care package to this lucky but very deserving fellow.

Hi Liz and Marg,

WOW.   I just received my quilt, laundry bag and care package just when I thought my day couldn't get any better.   It is such an awesome thing to receive not one, but two, items like that, especially when one has the West Coast Eagles' emblem beautifully embroidered.  They are truly sensational and I can't thank you both enough. The winter months are rapidly approaching and the quilt will be sure to get some serious use and laundry will now be high on the agenda.

What a shame (but lucky for me) that this is the last of the production. ( he is referring to Marg's FINAL Eagles laundry bag)  XXXXXXX (his mate who requested the laundry bag for him) looked after me well with the timing of this order that's for sure.

Thanks again guys, I really, really, really appreciate it.

Yours gratefully

The next two messages were posted on Facebook but I am sharing it here so that all you non-FB ladies can enjoy it too!  This first one relates to quilt that Nancy sent off from Kalgoorlie.

I just want to say thankyou,I received my quilt last week and so appreciate it.The difference you guys make to us over here means a lot. Keep up the good work and again thankyou.

This one relates to a quilt that Tracey sent off.

HI, Just letting you know that the quilt that you sent off for my Nans friends son was recieved. He is greatly appreciative and says a HUGE THANKYOU!!!!!! 
He will be taking a picture so I can post it on here.

:-)

Update on the Sydney AHQ dinner.
WOW!!!  I am so delighted by the number of you who are keen to attend, especially from interstate!   The date is set for Saturday the 8th of December.   
Email Caroline (aka Deputy Nut) if you can make it.  
carolinejgunn@gmail.com

BOMs
The end of the month is coming up.  I am dying to see what new BOM blocks have arrived at Naomi's this week - only another few days to go till the new November BOM block is released.  I think you are going to like it and Kylie has already picked the December BOM and I am sure you are going to like that one too!

Great work this last week everyone.   
Hope you have all had a great weekend.

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