High Ground - The Movie

When High Ground - the Movie premiered in Boulder some QOV'ers were invited to attend - check out this you tube video... the second man you see is the husband of our Boulder Area QOV Star!!!




http://youtu.be/dJuhmuVBMG4

Machine Quilting Exposition

Quilts of Valor booth at Machine Quilters Expo (MQX) in Providence, Rhode
Island - the show is next week: Thursday thru Saturday, April 12, 13 & 14.
We will be in booth 632 & 634.

If you are available to help in the booth, please contact Ellen at
ellenr@qovf.org or by phone at 607/329-9678 (cell).

Be sure to bring in your tops and finished quilts - we can get your tops
quilted and can save you shipping costs for your finished quilts.

We look forward to seeing you at MQX.

International Quilt Museum

We had a wonderful National Quilting Day at the International Quilt Study Center at UNL in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Quilts of Valor was one of the featured programs.  We hung about  30 QOVs and displayed dozens of others via story boards.  Guests were invited to sign blocks that will eventually be integrated into several QOVs.  In addition, we had an information table and had a number of volunteers sitting in the area binding quilts all day long.  Finally, Julia (Nebraska co-coordinator for QOVF) did double duty, first quilting two QOVs during the day using  the Handi Quilter Avante Pro-Stitcher and second, serving as a QOV Ambassador.  


We had wonderful support from the Handi Quilter folks who, in addition to providing a long-arm for Julia to operate and two other long-arms for demo purposes,  also handed out QOV block kits to guests.


The event was co-sponsored by the Lincoln Quilters Guild, the Nebraska State Quilt Guild and the IQSC with support from Handi Quilter, Country Traditions Quilt Shop (Fremont, NE) and Sew Creative (Lincoln, NE).  Visitors received free museum admission, demonstrations, lectures and tours of the museum's quilt exhibitions.  Lectures covered various topics, such as "inspired by fabric" and a physical therapist's advice on pain-free quilting.  In addition to QOV, demonstrations included surface design techniques, hand-piecing techniques and "let's learn how to piece a quilt" where participants made blocks for Quilts of Valor. 


In addition to the display of Quilts of Valor, the Museum also had an exhibition of "Modern" quilts, the first such exhibit in Nebraska.  Finally, the museum's galleries were open to the public;  What's in a Name? Inscribed Quilts  and  Jean Ray Laury: Getting it all Together, Tribute to Ardis James.

Submitted by Sara and Julia NE Co-Coordinators

Support from HMQS

You won’t want to miss this inspiring and patriotic quilt display created by one of countries finest. HMQS 2012 is proud to showcase this special exhibit of Quilts of Valor in memoriam of Mr. Al Lind of Quincy, Washington, who was a WWII veteran and a former prisoner of war. 


In just under four years Al created and donated over 400 quilts on his Singer machine for Quilts of Valor to honor and comfort service members returning from duty overseas who were touched by war. Al Lind was lovingly referred to as a “QOV Poster Boy” and more. But this veteran told it like it was... Mr. Lind, who quilted for other vets, heartily admonished other vets to "get off their duffs" and quilt! Mr. Lind was bit by the quilting bug late in life at the age of 89. He was a true testament that it’s never too late to give back to the troops. 

See video feed at HMQS 2012 of Al Lind’s piecing methods and his call to all veterans to give their support to the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Catch his enthusiasm for this worthy quilting project. The Quilts of Valor website is www.qovf.org. Thank you to Floyd & Lizzie’s and Singer Sewing Machines for sponsoring this special exhibit.





challenges both support QOV


http://www.hmqs.org/quilting_challenge.html





QOV quilt off


http://www.hmqs.org/pdfs/2012_PDF/HMQS%202012%20Sponsors_Quilt-off.pdf

Lewis-Clark QOV

Lewis-Clark Quilts of Valor, Lewiston, Idaho, has just been notified by the
Lewiston Tribune and the Lewiston Parks and Recreation Department that we
are the recipients of the 34th Annual Seaport River Run, held April 28.
Kelly McKeehan, one of our founding LCQOV members, saw an article in the
local newspaper last fall.  She said she was sending a letter of request
for our group.  We knew it would not be announced until Feb. and we also
knew there would be many requests for the proceeds.


It was the furthest thing from my mind when I received the call.  In order
to receive the proceeds, we need to furnish 50 volunteers for the day of
the race.  


We also will work on stuffing T-shirts into bags and sitting at
pre-registration tables during the week prior to the run.  It is also our task to promote the run.....the more runners/walkers the more money we will receive.  The event has never hit the 1,400 entry mark.   We want to set the record!


Submitted by Sharon L 
Idaho QOV Coordinator

Beach Lovin Grannies

The Beach Lovin Grannies of South Carolina
send all their quilts to Liz and Mac  at one of the military hospitals in Germany.

QOV News from Germany



The QOV Ceremony today was really wonderful. Thirty-three Soldiers were
presented with your beautiful quilts. The Garrison Commander, Deputy
Garrison Commander and several other "big wigs" came to honor our war
heroes. The ladies from the Chapel brought cakes, pies and other goodies
for a reception afterwards. 


The Soldiers were in disbelief that y'all made the quilts for them. At least 10 of them came up to me at the reception and asked me to send their thanks. All of the Soldiers who talked to me asked how y'all made the quilts and I explained how quilts are made. I think they were all overwhelmed at how beautiful the quilts were. The Garrison Commander said that his mother used to quilt but she never made anything as beautiful as y'all made.


I can't thank you all enough for all of the beautiful quilts you've sent
for our Soldiers. Every single one of your quilts has been presented to
the most deserving Soldiers. My husband, Mac, had a smaller QOV Ceremony
about a month ago. All of the Soldiers who received those quilts have mild
to severe traumatic brain injuries. Mac's team of doctors, physical
therapists, etc. work hard to help rehabilitate each Soldier. Mac has seen
tremendous breakthroughs with each of those Soldiers after they received
their QOVs. So again, thank you so much for all you do for the Soldiers in
Bamberg.


I'll talk to you again soon,
Liz 

The Beach Loving Grannies

submitted by Susan

Returning Warrior Weekend

Saturday night I had the opportunity and the honor to participate in
an awesome experience along with quilters Sue W, Rebecca K,
Betsy P and Tiffany W.


We were observers at the Banquet of Honor for the Returning Warriors
Weekend in Augusta, Georgia, sponsored by the U.S. Navy for Navy & Marine
personnel returning from a war zone.  The weekend offered sessions for
service members and family members as all explored and discovered
effective methods of dealing with the *new normal* that was life after
a combat deployment.


    The Banquet of Honor began as the doors to the banquet hall opened. 
Captain Greg S announced to the warriors and their guests
assembled in the in the atrium, that as individual Augmentees, they
often missed the welcome home experienced by larger companies and
reserve forces as they returned from deployment in a war zone. 


Tonight is your Welcome Home Celebration, and then he led them
into a beautifully decorated ballroom to rousing music, and the cheers
and applause of those of us who'd been allowed in earlier.  It was
loud and welcoming.  (my first tear filled moment)


    As I entered the banquet hall I noticed a table set for dinner on the
stage with an MIA logo draped over the chair.  Before dinner was
served, the group observed a ceremony that often precedes a formal
military dinner: the POW/MIA Ceremony (my second tear filled moment),
ending with taps.  As each part of the ceremony was explained, the Captain would say REMEMBER and a naval bell would toll once.  It was heartwarming
moment as the daughter of a former POW to know that POW's and
MIA's are never forgotten.


    After dinner Captain S called Sue W and me to the stage and
told the group about Quilts of Valor: the how and why Catherine
Roberts had started the Foundation, and that our mission was to cover
all those combat service members and veterans who had been touched by
war with Quilts of Valor.  


He told them your quilts were for healing and for saying thank you for their service.  At this moment Butler High School MCROTC members delivered your quilts to Facilitators at each table.  The Facilitators in turn presented each warrior at their table with one of your gorgeous, patriotic quilts.  


Some facilitators took each quilt from it's case and draped each person in his or her Quilt of Valor; others formally handed off your quilt in it's case
and the warriors quickly separated their new quilt from its case to
admire your work and embrace the quilt and all it represents.  (my
third tear filled moment)


    To look out from the stage at 78 warriors (14 of whom were women),
wrapped in Quilts of Valor was an experience I don't think I will ever
forget.  But the best experience for the quilters who were present was
when these young men and women began to seek us out to hug us and to
thank us for your awesome gifts.  One told me it was the most
wonderful gift he has ever received.  Another told me he had been a
medic in Kandahar and has draped these beautiful quilts around his
charges as he helped load them on transports to be sent home.  He
never expected to receive one of his own.


    As often as we could, we told them stories about you as we checked the
labels to see who had made each quilt.  Many asked about you and how
to contact you to thank you personally.  I hope if you do receive a
personal note you will share their messages with the rest of us.


    You are a blessing to these young warriors who are working to
re-construct their lives and relationships stateside.  They were
touched by your talent, your generosity, and your loving support.  I
am so proud of you all and to be a small part of this great outpouring
of love to our military.

Submitted by Susan G

Iowa Public TV, Catherine and QOV's

I am writing a few things that you can do with as you wish. It's early Saturday am and I've already downed my first cup of coffee. Marianne is working on hers to.

Scrabble is playing around with her chew toy. The morning is clear and cold. I think we leave for Iowa Public Television around 1pm. The pledge special starts at 2pm. Marianne says that it will be fun. 

Mark, her husband, asked if I was nervous.I replied 'no' as I have been shadowing Julie who does post editing at IPTV all week. In fact, everyone at IPTV have been very gracious and welcoming to me.

Ande Coyle, co-producer of the Pledge Special showed me the last segment. It shows the awarding of the three QOVs that the rookies made. 

Mary Lou's QOV was awarded to a WWII veteran. Heather's was awarded to a fellow comrade of her husband's from one of his deployments to Afghanistan. Dan Gable, who won the Gold medal olympic wrestling in ??? (don't know the year) was the third rookie. 

He awarded his QOV to a young combat veteran who was wounded in Afghanistan. I had watched the whole show and had various emotions ranging from 'how playful and entertaining the coaches and rookies were to I can't stand to see myself to I want to make THAT QOV too'. 

But when it came to Dan Gables awarding his QOV to that young combat warrior, I fell apart. Why? Because I saw the look in his eyes. He was no longer 'here' but 'THERE'. He was back in Afghanistan. That is what got to me. That faraway look that speaks volumes about having served in harm's way. I saw it recently when a Vietnam vet awarded a QOV to a WWII veteran and then here at the end of this documentary.

You can see this video Here

 THAT is why we do what we do. We make these QOVs to honor & comfort those who have been touched by war. Those fibers that are woven together contain the essential elements for healing. 

 
So my wish for this documentary is that those who see it will say "I want to get involved". This is a way to perform national service irrespective of politics, race or creed. It's all about giving back to those who have given so much.
 
 Now I have to quell my anticipatory nerves about being 'on camera'. It's not about me. It's about those men and women who have served our nation.

Submitted from Catherine - in Iowa!!

Veterans sewing for Veterans

Had the most amazing sew day yesterday. Veterans sewing for Veterans. Several of the
Veterans that received QOVs at the December 7th presentation came together today
to pay it forward. They had never sewed a stitch but with a bit of coaxing
and guidance they made enough string blocks (120 in about 5 hours) to make 4
QOVs. They were so proud and pleased their efforts would make it possible for
others to feel the honor and comfort of a QOV.
Lori Kutch
Wenatchee, WA

Quick Action Needed

Attention all members of the QOVF community in OR, CA and NV!

Catherine Roberts and I are planning a road trip beginning February 15. I surely hope that folks register as local group or individuals so that we can contact you. There is only 1 group registered in OR.

If you want us to meet with you and or your group, or if you know of a great Quilt shop that needs to learn about "Under Our Wings", let me know ASAP because I'm working on the itinerary.

We plan to travel by car from North Bend, WA to San Diego, CA and back. (Not necessarily the same route both ways.)

I hope to hear from you very soon.
June Moore
Director
QOVF
june@QOVF.org

Happy New Year!

Babies come in all shapes and sizes. As a retired nurse-midwife, the baby our QOVF team delivered today is different from any other I have delivered. The baby I am talking about is our new program named "Under Our Wings (UOW)".

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION:
TAKE SOMEONE UNDER YOUR WING
I can't think of a more perfect day to make a resolution than January 1. Near the top of my list for this year is to serve my nation by taking 10 Rookies under my wings in the Under My Wings program.

No matter what your skills are, you can be a part of this fabulous program. The concept is simple and does two things: makes more Quilts of Valor (QOVs) for our wounded = serving our nation; and two, brings non-sewers into our quilting world using American Valor fabrics for their QOVs = supporting local quilt shops and American fabric companies.

Our team has worked very hard putting our new Under Our Wings section together. We want you to visit. We want Quilt shops to register to be an Official Under Our Wings Shop (OS); we want the rest of you to be a Rookie or Fan = serving our nation.

Join us and make a new year's resolution to serve our nation.

We here at the QOV Foundation wish you all a very happy New Year. May peace and joy fill your lives.

Quilting to Honor & Comfort our Wounded,

Catherine Roberts
Founder, Executive Director QOV Foundation
cath@QOVF.org; (202) 525-7683
QOVF=nonprofit 501(c)(3)

A Big Thank You from Milwaukee.

Hi!

Thanks to you and quilters around the country we have met and surpassed our goal for quilts for the November 9th presentation at Milwaukee County Courthouse!!! Dick will be picking up the last load of quilts at Quilter's Rule in Waterford tomorrow (which I've counted in our total, even though I don't yet have them in hand). It was a challenge, especially since the # of quilts needed kept changing, but we did it!!! :-)

We're tagging & bagging at my house this Thursday -- 11 a.m., 411 East Bradley Road, Fox Point. We'll have a pot of chili or one of Dick's soups to fortify anyone attending. Right now I know of five who are joining us - please give me a heads-up if you can make it too. (email or 414-351-2325).

We could use one or two more pairs of hands for the presentation at the Milwaukee County Courthouse (downtown) on the 9th. Please let me know if you can join us.

Thank you!!!!

Tink

Very Exciting things are in the works!

Can you find something new on our homepage????
Follow the link for a hint of things to come.

More QOV in OK 10.23.2010

Here are some additional shots from

the "Autumn Leaves" Quilt Show, hosted by Country Fare Quilters Guild in Claremore Oklahoma. The pattern and directions for the banner displayed on the table can be found in the files section of QOVFChat.

Belated Happy Birthday to Le Ann, and congratulations to your group for your work and for a great looking booth!

Showing Our Colors in OK!

L-R: Delores, Mary Beth, Mary Anne, Pat, Linda, Norlene.

Hi June,

Here's some info on our group's activity this weekend:

Seven members of the NE Oklahoma Quilts of Valor group sewed blocks, put top kits together, and finished one quilt top, while working in a booth at the "Autumn Leaves" Quilt Show, hosted by Country Fare Quilters Guild in Claremore Oklahoma.

Along with all the sewing, our group collected several hundred signature blocks, and helped spread the word about Quilts of Valor.

It was even extra special for me, because I was celebrating my 50th birthday surrounded by my quilting friends and beautiful quilts!

(I am attaching a picture of some of the ladies, holding the completed quilt top. L-R: Delores, Mary Beth, Mary Anne, Pat, Linda, Norlene. More pictures to follow in other emails )

Le Ann Weaver
Persimmon Quilts
www.persimmonquilts.com
Look for my new book, "More Loose Change" in bookstores now!

Director - NE Oklahoma Quilts of Valor