Weekly Dispatches 5 Feb

Another week down and more awesome quilts and laundry bags heading off to their recipients.

Before I get to the Show and Tell don't forget to pop in to the Casula Powerhouse on Sunday from 10 am say hello.   You will be able to find us easily as we have our new BANNER.  At last people will know who we are and will be able to find us when we go to shows etc.

Big thanks to Glo-Anne D'Souza for the artwork.  :-)

Also, in last night's post I published the wrong address for the blocks of the month - doh!  Must have been having a blonde moment (cause I am waaaay too young for a senior moment!).

Here is the proper address....

Caroline Gunn 

PO Box 3079

St Marys South NSW 2760

And now enjoy the show and tell of this week's dispatches...

So far for 2016 we have sent off 241 laundry bags 

which brings us to a total of  8058 since we started...

and...

We have also sent 120 quilts 

bringing our total since we started to over 5383 quilts. 

Sue N 

Alicia

Ann

Anna N 

Bev M 

Bonnie O 

Carmel P 

Clare D 

Denise H 

Di R 

Di T

Diana McI

The next two were quilt tops that was sent to me... did you make them? Please let me know if you recognise them so that I can give you credit and let you know who they have gone to.

Helen S

Irene

Janelle S

Janet H 

Joan 

Judith W

Judy G 

Julie Ann

Kay W 

Kaye G 

Kim A and quilted by Lisa N 

and yes there are two the same.... :-)

Leanne W 

Lisa B 

 Lisa N 

Lyn K 

Mae

Melissa G, this lovely quilt is a special one going to hang in a quiet room - a place where the chaplain can take people to chat to them or perhaps, pass on bad news.  

Melissa T

Rita M 

Robyn W

Sandy A

Su J 

And if you can't see your photo for some reason by all means check with me as I do sometimes forget to upload some for one reason or another, but also, if it is distinctive I will try to wait til the recipient has received it!

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

Jan-Maree xx

BOM February 2016.....

Our Block of the Month is a little late coming but here it is.   Before I go any further though I want to say a very big thank you to Sandy C who has kindly agreed to put the BOMs together for us each month.   Caroline has been doing it up to now but she really has not had the time to do it with her new job and the travel that has involved.  This is a really HUGE helps so BIG BIG THANK YOU to Sandy!

I also want to say thank you to those that provided me feedback on the Aussie Heroes Facebook page. I asked if people preferred to do scrappy blocks or if they preferred me to nominate a colourway.  I think it was pretty well unanimous that I should set the colour combinations and that is awesome and it will lead to some great unified quilts which will get great for all sorts of things... not the least of which will be football themed quilts!  YAY!

I apologise for the layout of tonight's post... blogger was playing up A LOT today.

AHQ Block of the Month Project – February 2016

COLOURWAY - Black, White and Red.

Please make two blocks with a red centre.  One block should be black fabric with a red centre and the other block should be white fabric with a red centre.  The red fabric should be the same in each of the two blocks.

The black fabric should have some white print on it but be predominantly black.

The white fabric should have some black print on it but be predominantly white.

The red fabric should be plain or tone-on-tone or predominantly red.

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS - for each of the two blocks using white for one of the blocks 

Apoligies for the next set of pics, for some reason I can not make them bigger so if you can't read the writing I apologise but the instructions are pretty self explanatory if you follow the diagrams.

Please note, when using red, it might be worth considering pre-washing your fabric as red is the worst colour for running in the wash.

Please send your blocks in at this stage to Caroline at the following address.

Caroline Gunn

PO Box 3079 St Marys Sth  NSW  2760

Please do not trim them. 

Note to the quilter joining the blocks together.

Block layout is 4 x 7 blocks requiring 28 blocks.  Finished Quilt top will be 42 x 73.5 inches.

The instructions should make a block that is 12.25 inches square.  The blocks should be trimmed back

to 11 x 11 inch making them 10.5 x 10.5 inch when sewn together.

Some possible block layout plans but I’m sure there are more.  Sorry the colours are not black, white and red…Sandy's Quilting program wasn’t co-operating ;-)

You can get a PDF version of the BOM by clicking HERE.

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

Jan-Maree xx

Come say hi at Casula Power House....

Defence Community Organisation is hosting a family day and expo to welcome Defence families to the Sydney and Liverpool areas this Sunday at the Casula Powerhouse and Aussie Heroes will be there.  Why not come along and say hello to Gail and I at our Aussie Hero Table.  

New and existing Defence families are invited to come along and meet the DCO Sydney and Liverpool team and join in a day full of excitement and fun for all ages. A wide range of activities including a rock wall to climb, gymbus, face painters, fire engine and lots more for children, teenagers and adults. 

There will also be displays on Vietnam, World War 1, Light Horse, Military Police Museum and Casula Powerhouse Museum as well as information and craft stalls. 

Local community and sporting groups will be assisting in making this an eventful and exciting day out. 

The event will also be supported by the amazing local Army Band, so get your singing voices and dancing shoes on. 

The café will provide a range of food and beverages for purchase. 

WHERE: Casula Powerhouse Museum, 1 Powerhouse Rd, Casula (near Casula train station) 

WHEN: Sunday 07 February 2016 from 10 am to 1 pm 

RSVP: No requirement to RSVP. 

 LIKE Defence Community Organisation on Facebook to receive updates and event info in your newsfeed. 

Hope to see you there.

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

Jan-Maree xx

Happy Mail 3 Feb .....

So many parcels flooded in to the Post Office Box this week.  Thanks so much one and all.

Here goes.....

Donna P 2

June A 

Jill M (NSW)

Jenny S 

Katie L 

Sonya L 

Great job everyone. Look out for our new Block of the Month coming out tomorrow... get those black, white and red fabrics ready to go.

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

Jan-Maree xx

The Request List.

Hi All

I decided to share the request list on the blog as well as putting it out via email yesterday as these 25 quilts need to be in the mail by the end of this month if we are going to ensure these people receive their quilts before they come home.    I really don't like leaving it till this close to the wire but a heavy load before Christmas and the holidays it means that we have a bit to catch up on.  

I hope you can help.

Post By Date for all these requests is 29 February.    This date is really crucial as there is not much leeway if you post late.

Please make a note of the relevant date for your request in order to remember your deadline. 

Where flags have been requested mostly they are easy to piece. If you are not sure about the flags just email me.  I have some patches that can be added to the quilts for more difficult flagsand will get more if required.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE copy the ENTIRE line if you wish to nominate for a quilt or laundry bag.  This is really important to make sure that neither you nor I copy the wrong number which could lead to me giving you the wrong details for specific request.

B=both quilt and laundry bag (feel free to nominate to JUST do the laundry bag if you wish)

Q= just a quilt

LB = just a laundry bag

Requests in pink are for girls.

If you have a quilt or a laundry bag underway that does not match any of these requests please let me know. I have options for you.

Remember, you do not have to include everything they have asked for.    Footy quilts do not need to have the logo or even the team name. Using the team colours is all that is required. Simple is perfectly acceptable.  A number of these requests have given you favourite colours as well as footy teams or other hobbies and interests.    It is fine to make a quilt using their favourite colours and nothing else.  It is fine to keep it simple.

If there is more than one request on this list that you would be happy to do I suggest that you send me a list of requests and tell me how many you want to be allocated…. Ie one of the following please….  There are always a few requests that everyone wants to do (and I can never pick them) so if the first one you ask for is taken then I can allocate another from your list if I have a list.

If you would like to make one of these quilts please just email me... friendsofAHQ@gmail,com

Please note, I will not hand out the recipient's names and details until I have the quilter's full name, address and phone number.  Hope you understand,

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Cheers and happy stitching!

Jan-Maree

Liverpool FC(soccer), Nice old school and modern cars, Fast Jets	Q	4
Yellow, would love a French provincial/ country cottage inspired (blues, creams etc)	Q only	5
Blue, Black - Paramatta Eels, Guns	B	6
Red, Aqua - HT/HG Monaros & North QLD Cowboys	Q	7
Blue, Green, NRL, Soccer, Motorbikes....anything is fine	Q	8
Red/Blue - Air Power, Classic FA18's	Q	9
Dark Blue - Cricket, AFL	Q	10
Air Force Blue - FA18s	Q	11
Blue, Black - FA18's	Q	12
Navy Blue, Red - Acoustic Guitar, AFL Footy	Q	13
Red, White - Sydney Swans AFL Team	Q	14
Red, Maroon - Broncos, Scuba Diving	Q	16
Any Colours - 4x4	Q	18
" Blue, Green, Red Sport ( Athletics, Rugby League )"	B	19
Red & White - Sydney Swans	Q	21
Blue, White - North QLD Cowboys 2015	B	22
Blue - Beach , Moutains	B	24
Dark Blue - Bicycles, 4x4	B	25
Purple, Gold - Melbourne Storm, Rugby League	Q	27
desert themed quilt that includes camels with an Aussie, USA, UK, Danish, French and UAE flags	B	28
Townsville Cowboys Colours - Blue and white	B	29
Avengers themed quilt please with an Aussie flag and a UAE flag with “MER 2015/16”	Q	32
Middle East Region 2015/16 and the Aus/USA/UAE Flag- I can send you the flags.	LB	33
Coffee Soccer and (if possible) Kanye West	B	38
soccer and basketball, favourite teams are everton fc and Chicago bulls	B	31

All sorts of business

G'day all...

Request list 

Busy day here so a brief post with a few points of business.  The request list is out and on it are 32 quilts that need to be in the mail no later than end of February if they are to get to their recipient before they come home.   I hate having rush ones that need doing but with Christmas just behind us and a very busy lead up to Christmas itself we are not as ahead of the game as I like to be. 

If you would like to see the request list please let me know.   Email me at friendsofAHQ@gmail.com.


State Specific Mailing Lists

It is time to update the mailing lists pertaining to the States and Territories. For example I have some information to share with South Australian quilters but I know the mailing list is out of date as we have quite a few new people. 

I have lists for 

WA, SA, Vic, NSW, Sydney, QLD, NT and ACT.

I also have a mailing list for people who would like to take part in making blocks for Mystery Quilts.  For these quilts I nominate a block, frequently a star block as that seems to be the most popular, and people register to make one or more.   The blocks are used for a specific quilt so if you cannot make a whole quilt this gives you the chance to make a special block and be part of a particular quilt.

If you would like to go on that mailing list please let me know.

Special Forces Quilts 

This is a new one. Periodically I put together a batch of quilts for a group of Special Forces troops. Their quilts are no different from anyone else's, except that we will probably add their regimental badge (just like we do with the Rising Sun and Skippy Badge when required to other quilts).   

The difference is that these quilts need to be posted to me.  I maintain the privacy of these guys and girls- they have protected identity - so the quilts need to be sent to me so that I can arrange to have them sent off.  Sometimes that means that I drive the quilts to Holsworthy Barracks and hand them over to be posted off and other times I have a contact "in country" and can post them quilts direct and they will disseminate them.   

If you are happy to make one of these quilts and post it to me for on-forwarding please let me know. I will add you to the mailing list. 

Sydney Sewing Days 

Every two or three weeks I run sewing days in my home. The day of the week varies according to my commitments and those who regularly come. On these days you need to BYO lunch and sewing machine and I provide the projects. It could be something as simple as putting blocks together, making a laundry bag or piecing backings.  It all depends on what is needed to be done on that day.  Whatever we do the days are usually busy but fun.  

If you are interested in coming along on these days (I live in the Hills District of Sydney) please let me know and I will add you to the Sydney Mailing List. 

Block of the Month 

The new block of the Month will come out on Thursday this week. A little late as I normally do it on the 1st but needs must. A huge thank you to Sandy C who is now arranging all the BOMs for me each month.  A big help and great for Caroline who used to do them as she really does not have time with her work commitments.   Much appreciated Sandy.

Also thanks to everyone who gave me feedback on the Facebook page last night. I asked if everyone would rather make scrappy blocks or if it was better if I nominate a colour scheme. I was thrilled to see that you all wanted me to nominate the colour schemes as that makes life so much easier for me and the blocks so much more useful. Thank you. 

This month's will be black and white with red.  Standby to see what the colours will be throughout the rest of the year!

Running Late 

Finally should you find that you are running late with a quilt please let me know. Life so often gets in the way of our best laid plans and sometimes there is just nothing you can do about it.  If, for whatever  reason, you find yourself running late on posting a quilt just email me.   A couple of days here or there will not make much difference, usually but a week, two weeks, could be the difference between someone receiving their parcel on deployment or having it following them home.   

If I know about it in advance I can often give the troops a heads up and maybe make arrangements for the quilt to be posted to a home address. Maybe they have been extended and I can ease the pressure on you by removing some of the urgency to complete the task.  Most importantly, I need to make sure that I am able to contact them once they leave the Middle East and so might need to secure a second email address. I can do all these things if I know what the situation is. 

Finally, our good Rita M or Granny Smith as she is also known was interviewed recently by the Herald Newspaper in South Australia.  Way to go Rita. You can check it out here if you wish.

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

Jan-Maree