Wednesday - Happy Mail - Happy Travels.

Hi All,
I hope you have all had a fantastic day yesterday for the cup. Did anyone pick any winners?

I did remember Cup Day was coming up sometime on Monday but forgot all about it yesterday.  In fact when the cup was on I was sitting chatting to this fellow who came to collect his quilt.  His request had come in a little too late so we arranged that he would receive it once at home.   Esther made his quilt and, whilst you can't see it in the photos, it not only incorporates Batman fabric but is also quilted in a Batman design.  His response on receiving it was words to the effect that he was "blown away by it" and won't the others be jealous!  LOL

Well done Esther!

I did promise you that I would share some information about my upcoming trip with you.   You all know that I am heading up to Brisbane for the dinner on the 30th but now it is time for me to fill you in on the rest of my plans.

I am heading up to Murwillumbah for a few days before Brisbane.  I fly up Tuesday afternoon and Sue F will collect me from the airport and take me to her home to stay for Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  Sue is not only an Aussie Hero Friend but she is also an Army mum and Lynn, Belinda and I made her son's quilt.  On the Wednesday I will go to Sue's sewing group with her and I am really looking forward to meeting the ladies.

You will never guess who Sue and I are going to go and visit on the Thursday!  Angela from Brisbane is going to join us and we are heading off to meet the Old Bags and the Dag for morning tea.  I am so looking forward to meeting them and sitting and having a chat.  I promise to take lots of photos to share with you all too.

After morning tea Angela and I will head off back to Brisbane where I will once again lay claim to the Chook Shed, Angela's sewing room, and we will start to prepare for the dinner. I am sure we will fit in a trip to East Coast Fabrics and then the Saturday is the big night! Woo Hoo.

On the Sunday we are planning a Brunch at a local cafe for anyone in Brisbane who cannot make the Saturday night or anyone, like Michele, who has traveled to Brisbane and wishes to meet up again.  Finally on Monday I return to Sydney.  That will not be the end of my travels as a couple of days later I have to head off in the car for the 8 hour drive to collect my son from Boarding school.  

I am planning a few posts in advance to cover some of the time while I am away and will keep up with emails and other issues as much as I can.  This will be the longest time I have been away from home since starting AHQ so thank goodness for technology and wifi!

Normally today I would share photos of things that have arrived in the mail but we missed out on the thank you messages so here they are tonight.
.....

This first one is for Margaret and the Old Bags and the Dags.

Hi Margaret,

I just wanted to say thank you for my beautiful quilt, laundry bag and goodies. It was a wonderful surprise to come back to my room after a long day here to find something from home. It truly meant a lot to know that someone back home took the time not only to send me something, but having something created just for me by a talent group of people was really touching.  

The laundry bag has definitely come in handy that is for sure! The food was shared around with everyone and was gone within the day haha and the quilt has made my room feel just that little bit more like home.

I apologies for the delay in my response, please pass on my thanks to everyone there. I think what you are doing is amazing :)

.....

Hi Joan & Robin,

I just wanted to say thank you for my laundry bag which I received a few days ago.

It has certainly brightened up my corner of the room, very handy, and of course it's always exciting when we get mail!!

Your time and effort is very much appreciated over here. There are a lot of people getting around with lovely Quilts and Laundry Bags - it's a bit of a morale boost and nice to know we're being thought of back home :)

So thank you again. Look forward to coming back to our very beautiful, kind and generous country!
.....

Good Morning Joan and Robin,

Thank you very much for my laundry bag. I received the pattern of apples and it nicely brightens up my living area.

I have been away from home for only a month, so still have a few to go. The laundry bag will definitely come in handy with all the washing trips to come.

Thank you again. 
.....

Good evening Joan and Robin,

I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to make the very bright and lovely laundry bags that you have sent over to the middle east.

I have been deployed for five months now and am due home just before Christmas, so my family are happy about that.

The weather is turning cold especially in the mornings and evenings. It sounds like the weather in Sydney is beautiful (less the fires I have been hearing about on the news).

This is my third deployment. I am enjoying myself, learning a lot, doing a job I have trained for, making new friends and catching up with some old friends. The food is great (Australian meals) and we also have access to a gym. I am in a logistics role (warehousing, transport, medical, maintenance etc).

Thank you again for taking the time. We really appreciate the support we are receiving from back home.

Kind regards,
.....

Good evening Aussie quilts. 

I just received my quilt and it AMAZING, thank you so so much.

My colleague as just arrived and after seeing it his eyes lite up. Could I please put in a request for one for him as a surprise?

Of course I wrote back and said that was fine but I needed some more info and this was the next email in part.

I just came back to my block and was commenting on my quilt when one of the girls mentioned she got one too, she was sooo happy.  Thanks again, you are truly are special women.

.....

Jan-Maree,

I was so impressed with the quilt and laundry bag and I sent Jenny G a letter and photo (attached) of me with the quilt but in the process forgot all about you. (he is forgiven of course!)

So yes, it has arrived. It arrived the day before I left for leave to Australia for a couple of weeks. I decided to take it with me to show my wife in person how good it is. Jenny managed to pretty much include all my interests on the one quilt. As you can see, the main feature was the Maronite cross – but the whole lot was so well made, and soooo spot on – I had the biggest smile on my face that day and everyone that sees the quilt in my room is really impressed to.

So thank you to you and to Jenny and all the beautiful people at Aussie Hero Quilts for helping keep us happy over here.

Again, I want to emphasise that I am really grateful – the quilt is amazing and I deeply appreciate the effort that went into it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

God bless you, 

Dear Liz and Rob
Many thanks for the wonderful quilt and letter you sent to me which I received a couple of weeks ago it was a very nice surprise. I apologise for not contacting you sooner as things can get quite busy here at times. The other members of my unit have also recerived quits from AHQ and everybody remarks on how well they are made and wonder how long they take to make as they are very detailed. It is certainly nice to know that people at home are thinking of us while we are away as alot of what we do goes unreported.

I am a carpenter and I am here with several other tradesman and plant operators to help deconstruct parts of the base as Australia draws down its involvement in Afghanistan.  I joined the army in 2007 because I wanted to use my trade skills as a carpenter to help people so I thought the army would be a good way to do that and so far it has been great. While I have been in the army I have been lucky enough to travel to remote parts of Australia to help local Aboriginal communities and to some Pacific Islands helping with various building projects.
Once again thankyou for your gift and kind words, I will be showing the quilt and letter to my family when I get home in a few weeks.

Regards

.....

Hi Julie-Ann

Firstly let me say a big thank you for the fantastic laundry bag that you made for me, I love it and I especially love that you put my initials on it. The treats were also greatly appreciated.

I am pleased that you got the opportunity to make something girly as there aren't that many of us over here in comparison to the males.

I am hoping to me home for xmas but honestly I am not really sure at this stage.

I hope you have a lovely xmas and new year with your family and thankyou once again for the laundry bag.

Good Evening Joan (& Robin),

I am currently on deployment in the Middle East.  Recently I received a laundry bag from Joan so I wanted to personally thank you for it.  I love it!  It is an awesome colour and the perfect size.  It will prove to be very useful and I will treasure it for many years to come.  I attached a photo of me holding it so I hope you are able to share it with others.  There are many people, along with myself that really appreciate the work your organisation does.  So once again thank you for my laundry bag and keep up the good work.

Cheers

.....

Julie-Ann,
        many thanks for the laundry bag that you personalised for me, I have been showing it off with pride among my crew mates.  I know too that XXXXX was also impressed by his as well.  We took some photos yesterday of those on board who have received either laundry bags or quilts to send to Jan-Maree.

      Many thanks again, when the photos become available I will send a copy to you.
.....

Julie-Ann,

I'm writing to express my sincere thanks for your efforts in sewing the laundry bag which I just received when we pulled in to XXXXX. It was a very nice surprise to get in the mail and definitely made my day. I think it amazing what you and AHQ do for deployed personnel and it's acts of recognition which make long deployments like this that little bit more bearable. I know a number of other people on board who also received laundry bags and quilts and they all feel the same as I do. I will send a proper thank you letter and a token of my appreciation when we pull in to our next port however with mail delays and time at sea it may take a while to arrive to you.

Thanks again for your amazing gift!

Regards,

Christine C received this awesome photo of her quilt.    Don't the bright colours stand out in the surroundings!

Good Morning Joan and Robin,

I am currently deployed on my first deployment and I received one of your laundry bags yesterday. Its bright with bright stripes, I love it!
Just want to say thank you so much for making these for us it really does boost morale and puts smiles on peoples faces and they do brighten up our living spaces.

Thanks again :)

Kind Regards,
.....

Dear Caroline,

Firstly I hope I have the right email address as I was not sure.

I just received a lovely parcel from you and it was very humbling to open. I cannot thank you enough for the beautiful laundry bag you have made me as I will keep it for ever. I also want to thank you for the wonderful letter you wrote me and photo of your beautiful dog as it reminded me of my dog at home. 

I also want to thank you for the tea and coffee which I have already drunk. Food over here is pretty average so I am loosing plenty of weight.  I have made many friends with the Afghani people as most of them are just like you and I. They love their family and will do everything to protect the and provide for them under extremely difficult circumstances.

Thank you so much Caroline  for what you have done for me as I will always appreciate it.

Yours Sincerely 
.....

Hello JM,
I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for my Quilt as it has arrived.  I hve already emailed Liz to thank her and her husband as well and I must say I have received many compliments most from NZ personnel saying wow that's cool we have nothing like this for us.  I also received a very warm beanie that due to the very low temp here has been on my head every night.  Once again a big hug and thanks for all the efforts of you and your friends showing me and other troops deployed that great people at home care and understand what we go through so far from home and loved ones.
.....

Dear Liz and Brian,

Thank you so much for the lovely care package. The blanket and laundry bag were even better than I expected.   I adore the colours and the little westie (west highland terrier) was an immense morale boost. he looks just like my Macvito.

The additional goodies were a delightful surprise. It was a nice reminder of home. Your time and thoughtfulness means so much to me.

Again thank you so very much for your time and wonderful gifts, your kindness is truly appreciated.

Kind regards, 

p.s. Mr Liz thank you for your service, it's the traditions and values forged by members such as yourself and my parents that I aspire to honour.

Till next time...............keep spreading the word and happy stitching!  JMxx  :-)

Tuesday - Dinner Updates and Request List

G'day all,

Time for an update on the status of the dinner venue.  Thanks to those who bought tickets over the weekend we now have the required numbers to keep the dinner at the planned venue, the United Service Club, 183 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, Brisbane.  I am so looking forward to meeting those who are attending, both quilters and recipients.  
To put some faces to the names I regularly type into my laptop will be wonderful!  

For those of you who have not yet bought tickets it is not too late now that we have the venue secured.  Details are as follows-

Aussie Hero’s Brisbane Dinner

Date – 30th November 2013

Commencing – 6:30pm

Venue - United Service Club  

183 Wickham Terrace

Spring Hill, Brisbane

Ticket Price $45.00 per person

This includes a cocktail style food service, ticket in the lucky door prize 
and 1 ticket in the raffle. 

Please make your payment via direct deposit (EFT)

Bank Account Name – Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags) 
Westpac Dural Branch   
BSB 032376 
ACCOUNT NUMBER 301860

A copy of the deposit (EFT) receipt needs to be sent to Angela George to confirm your reservation.

ang.george1@optusnet.com.au

TICKET SALES CLOSE 6 PM MONDAY 25^TH NOVEMBER

A little something extra!

Just before I put up the request list I just had to share a couple of photos a thoughtful past recipient sent me.  A few years ago, oh well alright, around twenty years ago, I was a LEUT serving at HMAS Cerberus.  When the time came for me to post out of Cerberus I had to think about what I would present to the Wardroom (the Officer's Mess) as my farewell gift.  I had several "traditional" items to choose from - a pewter goblet for example - that would sit in the glass cabinet in the Mess in display ...........  sorry not my style. I wanted to leave a more personal gift.  Back in those days my craft of choice was cross stitch.

I designed a stitchery of the Naval Hymn, had it framed with a little brass plaque and on my last day in the Mess I presented it to the Exectutive Officer (the President of the Mess).  I went back to Cerberus some time later whilst I was still in the Navy and was delighted to see where it was hung.  I am even more delighted to know that 21 years later (where did those years go???) it is still hanging there on the right as you walk into the dining room.  

If you would like to read the words but can't manage it here you can check them out here 

                    And a very big thank you, my friend, for sending me the photos.  :-D


Requests for this week.

About the requests in general.  

We ask the troops to give us their favourite colours, their hobbies and interests.  They may not always go together.  For example the fellow whose favourite colours are green and blue and yet his favourite team is the Sydney Roosters and he loves V8's.  If you can make him a green and blue quilt that is great.  OR you might choose the Sydney Roosters theme (with a green/blue backing perhaps).  Don’t feel you have to include everything that is listed.  They will be grateful whatever you choose.

If you would rather just make a quilt and a request includes a laundry bag please let me know.  I will allocate the laundry bag to someone else.

Q and LB stand for Quilt and Laundry bag and that indicates if they would like one or both.

If you wish to take on a request please give me all the information on the line INCLUDING the number at the end so that I can match them up on the request list master.

red and black  OR  fishing and car racing. Q LB	13
Green and blue, sydney roosters, V8's. Q LB	14
Red and White, St George Dragons. Q LB	15
Blue, Fishing, AFL, Cars, Beer, Outback Australia Q LB	16
Scuba Diving OR Surfing  OR Rugby Union (she plays for the army) Blue and green Q LB	40
Black - Gold Coast Titans OR Metallica Q LB	17
Red and black Skulls OR flowers OR animals Q LB	20
Cars, motor bikes, trucks, boys stuff Q LB	22
Colour- Blue, hobbies/interests- Motorcycles Q LB	39
Blue red Newcastle Knights Children’s names provided if requd Q LB	24
Chess (chess board pattern?) Q LB	25
Manly sea eagles - Maroon and white Q LB	26
YOUR CHOICE LB only	28
Paragliding paramotoring  “Ned” LB Only	29
Motorcycles cars Q LB	31
Deputy dog Q LB	32
Water sports retro Q LB	33
Brisbane Broncos  Nickname ASH Q LB	34
Deep blues and greens Q LB	35
purple as in the LA Lakers Broncos, Maroons OR Lamborgini Other info Valiant chargers, red bull racing (V8 supercar team), HRT (V8 supercar team), Q LB	35
RAAFie Q LB	37
soccer, the Broncos OR cricket Q LB	38

These are not the only requests on the list but they are the only ones with preferences so if you wish to make your own preference I can find homes for them.

I hope you can find something that looks interesting to work on.

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

The Deployed Quilter and BOM News

Hi all,

I know it is the 4th of November and still no BOM (Block of the Month) has been released but time has been at a premium and with me planning to take a trip, albeit for Aussie Heroes (more details about my trip on Wednesday) I am having to be very careful with my time management etc.  For the months of November and December there will be no new BOMs - oh I hear your cries of disappointment.  Don't be too disheartened.  I have plans for a special block to come next week for a special occasion - wait and see AND if you really want to sew some blocks for us then please go wild sewing some Wonky Crosses.  The tutorial can be found here  and you can use any colours.

And whilst there are no BOMs for the next two months I am running with Mystery Quilts. The next one is for a girly Aussie Quilt so if anyone wants to take part in that please send in a stamped self addressed envelope for your swatch of fabric and instructions.

Post to Aussie Heroes (Aussie Girl)

PO Box 248 C

Cherrybrook, NSW  2126

It is time to show you another Mystery Quilt that has had to be shrouded in secrecy for fear of spoiling the surprise.  What seems like ages ago I called for blocks, via email, for another Mystery Quilt.  This time it was for a very special person, special because she is a quilter!  I knew what she liked - animals, sea creatures and minions!  Yep,  those funny little yellow fellows who feature so cutely in "Despicable Me".  As someone who really is trying very hard not to grow up completely that appealed to me for a start. LOL  So to make a quilt for a quilter!  LOL

NO PRESSURE!

So I called for blue blocks for a Mystery Quilt. I told them about Minions and sea creatures and the colour was to be predominantly Mid Blue.  Everyone had free reign to make whatever sort of block they wanted and then the blocks started to come in.

Once the blocks started rolling in it was time to put the quilt top together.  What fun!  I selfishly reserved this privilege for myself.  Everyone had sent in such wonderfully diverse blocks and I loved every minute of putting the quilt together.  I thought it was a really fun quilt and incorporated everything that Our Deployed Quilter had said she liked.

Lynn pieced the backing.  Someone had donated a panel of quilters expressions and Lynn pieced them into a panel to go on the back of the quilt.  I personalized her label a little so can't show you all of it as it has the normal words but also has her name on it.  The crest is that of her Corps which she told me in a previous email she really likes and as she is Pay Corps I added the coins around it.

Then the quilt was sent up to Kym in Bundaberg for quilting and she went to town on it with a fabulous pattern that was all sea creatures and seaweed.    Just awesome.  I wish I could have seen the finished quilt but to save time and postage Kym quilted it, bound it and sent it off.  Thanks Kym!

"At last it arrived.  First I got a message on Facebook.

I got my quilt and it is beautiful!  I love it.  The quilting is amazing, it starts at the top with clouds, then works down towards sand then it is underwater spectacular.  The quilt squares are stunning, the rattlesnake (Laurel's block) is just incredible.  I had not seen it before. Plus the colours it is so me.  This quilt is me, thank you, thank you, thank you.  I am excited about it, I can't stop looking at it.  Thank you."  

That Facebook message was followed up with an email that covered a number of topics but principally the quilt.

"thankyou for the most wonderful quilt ever made.  One in a minion - now that just makes me smile. (Well done Nicky!)  It is a work of art and I can testify that is a beauty to sleep under too.  I slept like a log last night and I reckon it was the quilt.  Perfect.  I keep looking at it and finding more and more details to examine.  I can not get over how lucky I am.  I am truly spoilt.  I really cannot thank you enough."

I am so glad that I can finally share it with you now that it has been received. 

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

Sunday's Sewing in Penrith.

Hi all
It has been a busy day today and so this is going to be an unusually short post.  I headed out to Penrith with my suitcase packed with quilts to bind and label.  I am not sure how many I took. I didn't count them but just kept folding them and packing them in the suitcase.  Those of you who follow Facebook will have seen this picture but here it is again for the non-facebook ladies.  I must have had about 8 or ten quilts in there, all needing binding and labels.
.   

We had six of us there. Kiwi Karen, Katherine, Chelly, Lisa and Nicole.   Chelly worked hard on her knights themed quilt and got it layered and quilted but the rest of us got stuck into binding.......and bindin.......and binding. 

Christine dropped in and had been going to call in and collect up to six quilts to take with her but in the end there was only one for her to take away.  Nicole took a couple home to finish off and I brought the rest home.  There are a couple more labels to sew on  and then they will be ready to send off.  Job well done ladies!  I am so grateful for your help.   Most people don't enjoy doing to bindings, especially by machine, so I really appreciate you being good sports about it 

Thanks muchly ladies.

The next sewing day is on Wednesday at my home. If you are able to come please let me know that I can  be prepared for it.  Either PM me on facebook or email me (friendsofAHQ@gmail.com) for the details.

Sorry this is so brief but I have to unpack and sort out from today and get a few domestics done, plus answer some emails.  

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

Weekly Dispatches 1 November

12 quilts this week and 69 laundry bags.  

1169 quilts and 2184 laundry bags for 2013.  

2177 quilts and 3550 laundry bags in total. 

Hi all.

We are starting the show off with a special quilt this week.  I can't remember if I have shown this quilt before.  I have been waiting till I knew it had been received so I don't think I have.  This fellow wanted a quilt with all sorts different waves on it plus a flag.   Had me stumped for a while but then I thought of a past recipient called Terry who is now back in Oz and happily enjoying his hobby of photography!  I am Facebook friends with him which is great as I get to see all the awesome photos he takes as well as keep in touch.  When I was thinking about this quilt I realised that lots of the photos Terry takes are of waves as he spends alot of time at the beach (lucky thing).  I asked Terry for permission to use some of his photos and he response was "use any photos you want for AHQ, especially for a digger!"  Thanks Terry.

I printed out a heap of photos, snatched up a flag panel and some toning fabrics and headed off to a sewing day.  I knew what I had in mind but had no time to sew it myself so I was very grateful to be able to hand the project over the the wonderful Evelyn who took to concept and ran with it. She cut and sewed and pieced all day and then took the quilt top home to complete the quilt!  I think the end result is really lovely!   

Keep taking those photos Terry, you just don't know what request I will get next!

Angela

Me!

Another one by me!

Judith 

Judy C - using her own hand dyed fabrics!

Julie Ann

Karen B

Keryn

Maree - can you believe that this quilt made it to Dubai in THREE DAYS?  A new AHQ record I am sure!

Nancy

Noeleen

Su

Sue N

Don't forget the sewing day on Sunday in Penrith but please let me know if you are planning to come so I can be prepared for you!

:-)

Have a great weekend everyone!

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