Congratulations to the Winners of the People’s Choice for 

2019 QOV  Summer Mystery

Every Quilt of Valor top that was submitted is a winner in the eyes of the service members and veterans who will be awarded their QOV.

The People’s Choice resulted in the following tops as the winners—the most liked by over 2,000 people who voted.

Congratulations to:

            First Prize:* Ingrid Bennett, Spokane, WA  
            Second Prize*: Terry Burtchell, Port Orange, FL   
            Third Prize*:  Team of Monte Ruble, Janice Sheavly & Carolyn Spight, Anderson, SC

* Prizes from an anonymous donor.

Click to view the QOV Summer Mystery winners and all the tops submitted

Questions?  Contact  SummerMystery@QOVF.org

Dear QOVF Members,

QOVF members shared their thoughts about the Vision Statement and we listened; now we need your help again. 

In August the Board of Directors approved a revised Vision Statement—the Mission Statement remains the same.

Revised QOVF Vision Statement Creating Awarding Quilts of Valor as tangible expressions of gratitude for every service members and veterans touched by war (added).

QOVF Mission Statement: To cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

The major theme that emerged from the feedback was that there was more clarity needed on what “Touched by War” means.  Here is the Touched by War presentation from Conference 2019.

Here is where we need your help. We are asking our members to share their thoughts with the working group using the on-line questionnaire.  

Last day to complete questionnaire:  October 22, 2019.

The Board approved a working group to address the phrase “touched by war” and how to incorporate this into the nomination-award process. The working group will have a core group of members with differing perspectives, including veterans/service members, to gain further understanding and general consensus on the phrase and how incorporate the examples/guidelines into the nomination-request process and nomination-request form (nationally and locally).

No names or email addresses are needed to provide feedback; however, if you wish to contact us, or have us contact you, please either add your contact information to the questionnaire or send an email to touchedbywar@qovf.org

Thank you for your dedication to the mission to bring comfort and healing to our service members and veterans touched by war through Quilts of Valor.

Take care,
The Touched by War Working Group

Voting is Open for the Summer Mystery QOV 
People’s Choice

The Summer Mystery is solved! 

Voting for the PEOPLE’S CHOICE contest is open! It’s your choice.  EVERYONE can now vote for their favorite QOV top!  Spread the word to family and friends!

How does the “People’s Choice” work?
1.  Click on the VOTE HERE button below to view the QOV tops entered in the contest.

2.  Vote for the one QOV top you like the best by making a note of the number below the picture corresponding to your favorite top, scroll down and select that number in the voting box, then “Submit” your vote.

Only one vote per person please.

Voting ends October 1, 2019 at 11:45pm Eastern.

Thank you to QOVF volunteer Sandy Berg who created the 2019 QOV Summer Mystery—the latest of at least eight QOV mystery quilts with free patterns.  We appreciate her talent, time, and dedication to our mission.

Good luck to all 80 who entered.

VOTE HERE !!

The free Summer Mystery QOV pattern is available here:
https://qovmystery2019.weebly.com/qov-summer-mystery.html


Questions?  Contact  SummerMystery@QOVF.org

Enter the People’s Choice! The 2019 QOV  Summer Mystery is solved!


Although the mystery is solved, there is still time for everyone to make the mystery QOV and enter the People’s Choice!

First, make the mystery quilt. QOVF member Sandy Berg’s QOV Mystery quilt free pattern is available here.

Second, submit a picture of your QOV TOP for the “PEOPLE’S CHOICE.”

• Send a picture attached (e.g., JPG file) to an email to SummerMystery@QOVF.org
• Please note pictures within the body of an email will be returned and not accepted
• Your top will be posted with just a number, no name
• Deadline for submission is September 15, 2019  (11:45pm Eastern)

Third, voting! Everyone may who visits QOVF website may vote on-line for their favorite version of the mystery QOV. Tell your family and friends! Only one vote per person, please.

     -  There are prizes* for the makers of the three quilts with the most votes:

·          First Prize: $100 gift certificate

·          Second Prize $75 gift certificate

·          Third Prize:  $50 gift certificate

     - Voting begins September 16, 2019 and ends October 1, 2019 (11:45pm Eastern)

* Prizes were donated by an anonymous donor.

Stay tuned for the opening of VOTING !!

Questions?  Contact  SummerMystery@QOVF.org

Summer Sewing?! Yes, it’s the 2019 QOV  Summer Mystery!

Too hot to be outside? Try a Quilts of Valor ^® Summer Mystery while cooling off indoors!

QOVF member Sandy Berg has hosted a QOV Mystery quilt with a free pattern for the past seven years. Now she brings a “sizzling summer” mystery with yet another free pattern.

The 5-week QOV summer mystery starts the week of July 15 and ends the week of August 12, but you get the free pattern to make a QOV afterward too.  For information CLICK HERE
Choose your fabrics now and get ready - first clue announced July 15

But wait, there’s more…the “People’s Choice.”

Visitors to the website will vote on-line for the QOV top they like.  The QOV top with the most votes is the “People’s Choice.”

How does this work?
- After you complete your top, send a picture attached to an email to SummerMystery@QOVF.org
   Your top will be posted with just a number, no name. 
   Please note pictures within the body of an email will not be accepted.
- Deadline for submission is September 6, 2019
- “People’s Choice” voting ends September 20, 2019

Have a safe sewing summer!
Questions?  Contact  SummerMystery@QOVF.org

Don’t miss the 2019 QOVF Annual Conference!

Only 7 days left to register for the 2019 QOVF annual conference!

Come to learn, come to laugh, and most of all come to share your dedication to comforting and healing service members and veterans touched by war with your Quilts of Valor.

Don’t miss the registration deadline: July 18^th at 11:45pm Eastern

Registration:

Members $115

Non-members $135

The limited edition conference pin is available only to conference registrants—add to your pin collection!


Complete conference registration and pin information is available on our website here.
If your travel brings you in on Sunday, be sure to consider the open seating classes on Sunday afternoon.

Check out places to eat and things to do in Grand Rapids in your free time.

See you in Grand Rapids, MI in August!

Questions or to request a change to your schedule if you are already registered Email Conference2019@QOVF.org

Don’t miss the 2019 QOVF Annual Conference!

This is your conference—a time to gather, a time to share, a time to come together and work toward the mission of covering service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.


Don’t miss the registration deadline: July 18^th at 11:45pm Eastern

Registration:

Members $115

Non-members $135

The limited edition conference pin is available only to conference registrants—add to your pin collection!

Complete conference registration and pin information is available on our website here.

If your travel brings you in on Sunday, be sure to consider the open seating classes on Sunday afternoon.

Check out places to eat and things to do in Grand Rapids in your free time.

See you in Grand Rapids, MI in August!

Questions or to request a change to your schedule if you are already registered Email Conference2019@QOVF.org

All work and no play? Not in Michigan! Be part of the conference journey and take a journey through Michigan! 

• Work: Part of the conference experience is making it happen! The conference committee has been working since last August to bring the conference to you. Now, volunteers are needed during conference days, so “Be a Part of the Journey!”

Would you like to help with registration, be a classroom assistant, general "go-for" help in some other way?   Send an email to Conference2019@qovf.org

• Play: You know what that means! Come enjoy the beautiful lakeshores of Michigan. Best part is—no  sharks!

          Take a journey through “living history:”

·           Coast Guard City USA, Grand Haven, MI 

·           USS LST 393, Muskegon, MI 

·           USS Silversides Submarine Museum, Muskegon, MI 

Check out places to eat and things to do in Grand Rapids in your free time.

Stay tuned for additional class offerings and sessions.

Complete conference registration information is here. There is no on-site registration.

Registration Closes:  July 18, 2019 (11:45pm Eastern)

Members $115

Non-members $135

During registration, be sure to choose the option to add the Conference 2019 lapel pin, you won't want to miss getting one.

See you in Grand Rapids, MI in August!

Questions? Email Conference2019@QOVF.org

Get MORE in Michigan!  More for your money and more for your time!  And, more for the mission of covering our service members and veterans touched by war with Quilts of Valor!

• MORE quilting techniques and tips!

        “Quilt As You Go!” features alternative methods for machine quilting a QOV yourself.

       “Scrappy Quilts” showcases stash-busting ideas for creating QOVs from those always-accumulating scraps.

• MORE in your Conference Bag!  Merchandise from our generous conference supporters and other surprises from fellow volunteers—valued at more than the conference fee itself.

• MORE ‘flare’!  Add a limited edition Conference Pin to your collection. Available only to conference registrants. 

• AND MORE …

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION is required for all quilting demonstrations. Seating space is limited. Click here for details on the quilting demonstrations.

Complete conference registration information is here. There is no on-site registration.

Regular Registration

April 21, 2019 to July 18, 2019 (11:45pm Eastern)

Members $115

Non-members $135

See you in Grand Rapids, MI in August!

Questions? Email Conference2019@QOVF.org

Spring into Action...Register for a Quilting Class at the QOVF Conference

Spring into action and register now for a Quilting Class at the QOVF conference!




Two well-known instructors, Nancy McNally and Pam Heller, will teach quilting classes featuring their newly-designed patterns just for QOVF Conference using Northcott Silks Cotton fabrics.

The Monday and Tuesday quilting classes include the following as part of the conference fee:
     - Sewing machines for use in the classes on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are provided courtesy of Janome
     - Patterns for all classes are provided courtesy of the instructors
     - Pre-cut Kits for the quilt tops for Monday and Tuesday classes only are provided courtesy of Northcott Silks from their brand new patriotic collection for QOVF

Please note:

• You must provide your own basic sewing supplies (e.g. pins, scissors, neutral thread, and travel iron, if you have one, etc.)
• Information on the fabric needed for the Sunday's quilting class is forthcoming
• You can take your quilt tops home with you

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION is required for all quilting classes and seating space is limited. Click here for details on the quilting classes.
Complete conference registration information is here.  There is no on-site registration

After registering for the conference, or if you have already registered, please check your registration confirmation email to verify you are registered  for the sessions, and especially the quilting class you want to take.  Email Conference2019@qovf.org if you have questions.

Conference fee schedule: 

Early Bird Special

Ends April 20, 2019 (11:45pm Eastern)

Members: $110

Non-members $130

Regular Registration

April 21, 2019 to July 18, 2019 (11:45pm Eastern)

Members $115

Non-members $135

See you in Grand Rapids, MI in August!

Questions? Email Conference2019@QOVF.org

FINAL Summary for QOVF 2019 National Sew Day

FINAL Summary of QOVF 2019 National Sew Day in in!

The final summary is in! We are well on our way toward 300,000 service members and veterans being awarded a Quilt of Valor—one quilt and one recipient at a time—thanks to YOU!

You also ‘counted what counts’ and here is the final summary

• Over 4,100 of you—more than double of last year—volunteered to sew, quilt (longarm or machine quilt), cut, press, and beyond!
• About 3,000 represent almost one-third of the current QOVF membership
• About 1,000 represent first-time volunteers

• You represented the entire United States as well as Australia and Canada
• The final ‘counts’ reported as of  February 19:
• Tops: 617.5
• Quilts: 276
• QOVF Block Drive Blocks (Floating Ohio Star): 3,853
• Other Blocks: 4,179

In just one day, you created about 1,297 comforting and healing Quilts of Valor for America’s finest service members and veterans.

Click Here for inspiring and fun comments from NSD participants; the list of prize winners; and our sew day supporters that provided almost $5,000.00 in prizes.

You will not want to miss participating in next year’s National Sew Day on February 1, 2020!

Contact Special Events Coordinator at events@QOVF.org for more information.

Registration is OPEN for the 2019 QOVF Annual Conference!

Registration is OPEN!

Join us to learn more, meet fellow quilters, reconnect with friends, and get inspired as the journey continues...

Conference information is here:

• First, are you ready?  View this video to take a fast-paced, visual tour of the 2019 QOVF Conference.
• Next, review the Conference Agenda - latest version of Agenda 28 Feb   More details coming, (Agenda subject to change.)
• Then, review and print the Registration Quick Start Guide - latest version of Quick Start Guide 28 Feb, to make your registration go smoothly.

Registration closes July 18, 2019.

Conference Fee Schedule:  

Early Bird Special

Ends April 20, 2019 (11:45pm Eastern)

Members: $110

Non-members $130

Regular Registration

April 21, 2019 to July 18, 2019 (11:45pm Eastern)

Members $115

Non-members $135

Questions? Email Conference2019@QOVF.org

Are you ready? Preview the Conference Agenda. Registration opens March 1st!

Are you ready?   Preview the Conference agenda!    Countdown to registration opening on  March 1, 2019.

Join us to learn more, meet fellow quilters, reconnect with friends, and get inspired as the journey continues...

Conference information is here:

• First, are you ready? View this video to take a fast-paced, visual tour of the 2019 QOVF Conference
• Next,  review the Conference agenda 
• Then, review the Registration Quick Start Guide  to get ready for registration opening March 1^st

Conference fee schedule: 

Early Bird Special

Ends April 20, 2019 (11:45pm Eastern)

Members: $110

Non-members $130

Regular Registration

April 21, 2019 to July 18, 2019 (11:45pm Eastern)

Members $115

Non-members $135

Questions? Email Conference2019@QOVF.org

QOVF Celebrates 2018 Accomplishments!

QOVF volunteers wrapped 30,745 veterans and service members touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor in 2018 and over 209,110 since 2003.

As one recipient said, “Receiving it, I was not prepared for the emotions that coursed through me from wonder to tears. I am not sure what it means to have total strangers care for you in this way!”

Thank you for your dedication, your time, and your talent—QOVF appreciates all you do.

Wow! What a great National Sew day!

Thanks to YOU we are on our way toward 300,000 service members and veterans being covered with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor!

You ‘counted what counts!’ 

• Over 4,100 of you volunteered to sew, quilt (longram or machine quilt), cut, press, and more!
• You represented the entire United States as well as Australia and Canada
• The ‘counts’ from 103 entries at of the end of Sew day:
• Tops: 229
• Quilts: 164
• QOVF Block Drive Blocks (12” Floating Ohio Star): 1,799
• Enough for almost 90 quilts
• Other Blocks: 2,282 (various sizes)
• Enough for almost 114 quilts

Stay tuned for  updates as more information comes in.

You can still share your creation totals. The on-line form includes a "brag box"—tell us about your day! 

Please also share your thoughts and ideas about National Sew Day.  Just click here to complete a short questionnaire that will help plan next year’s event. No names or email addresses are needed; there is no link to you.  

     Please share by Tuesday, February 19.

Along with sewing, you won prizes!  Congratulations to all the prize winners and thank you to our National Sew Day supporters who donated prizes.  Check out the prizes and winners list.  

Contact Special Events Coordinator at events@QOVF.org for more information.

Hurry! Registration ends TODAY for QOVF National Sew Day!

Hurry!  Registration ends TODAY, February 1^st at 11:45pm  (Eastern).



Whether you are sewing, longarming, hand sewing, helping with any part of creating a QOV….

Whether you are at home, in your studio, or with a group…

Each person participating in National Sew Day must be registered to be eligible to win a prize. Membership in QOVF is not required to participate in National Sew Day.

Learn more here on the National Sew Day webpage.

Contact Special Events Coordinator at events@QOVF.org for more information.

Only 3 days to go!  QOVF National Sew Day, February 2, 2019


Whether you are sewing, longarming, hand sewing, helping with any part of creating a QOV, are YOU ready?

Whether you are at home, in your studio, or with a group, are YOU ready?

Did you register?   Each person participating in National Sew Day must be registered to be eligible to win a prize.  Membership in QOVF is not required to participate in National Sew Day.

Registration closes Friday, February 1 at 11:45 PM EST.

Are you ready to ‘count what counts’? 

First, YOU count! Thank you in advance for all your work to prepare for sew day and make it a success!

Second, count your creations—blocks, tops, quilts!
To help everyone count :

1. A 'paper copy' that you can print and use to keep track of your creations during sew day, and
2. A link to the on-line form to share your creation totals at the end of the day.  Includes a "brag box" to share a special part of the day.

Last, but not least, will YOU win a prize?

Stand by your phone for a call from      Thee Leatherneck Kilted Quilter,       Les P. of Not Forgotten QOV in Virginia.      Les is a Marine Vietnam combat Vet turned longarmer.      Check the webpage for the updated prize list      The first prize award is at 12 noon (eastern)

Remember the MISSION.
Engage others in QOVF
Make QOVs with love
Empathy and understanding
Make QOVs with gratitude
Be thankful
Ego has no place in QOVF
Remember who comes first -- SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS!

Contact Special Events Coordinator at events@QOVF.org for more information.