A Call to Action

Hello Everyone!!

First, I wanted to give a big thank you to everyone that has been working hard to keep us moving forward. Freedom Quilters has been able to make 2 back-to-back presentations, and have made a tentative date for another presentation day for mid March. Although, should another presentation need to be made, we'll do it whenever needed. 

Secondly, based on the recent national TV coverage on the Quilts of Valor Foundation, the requests have been coming in heavy. 

We are sending out a call to action to try and keep up with the newly increased demand. 

That being said - we are having a block drive. Some of you know that there will be a QoV retreat in January (BTW - it is full) and Susan has sent out a new block for us to get busy on. We will be using these at the retreat, spreading them among 80 quilters, so we need a bunch.

This is the perfect opportunity to get involved should you wish. 

Here's what you can do:

1. Make blocks - get pattern here. 

2. Get the blocks to me - you can either save them and give them to me at the guild meetings or if you should be going to Stitch'n Quilt - leave them there. Or if you really want, mail them to Susan at the address she lists on the directions.

3. Make a donation. That can be in the way of either fabric, batting, thread or you may even consider giving a cash donation. Every little bit helps us.

I know we can all agree, how good it makes us feel to be able help where we can.

Thanks for all your doing

Remember - freedom is never free

~Renee

July happenings...

Have you had enough rain yet? I think it's safe to say my weeds are super happy - I am not a gardener by any stretch and the flowers I planted are looking for some weed relief, add weeding to my to-do list. YUCK!!

Well, we had a GREAT turn out for our July Freedom Quilter's meeting. There are 3 missing from this picture, the machines were humming - it was fun. Won't you put it on your calendar to join us next month?

Since finishing the Bear Paw quilt (final pictures to come), I have been doing some mindless string blocks. I did decide to make them blue with gold centers. Someday I will break out in full on scrappy, but for now I am wading in slowly! 

The beauty of this setting is you get 2 out of 1 string block. Adding a solid on the top and essentially making a 1/2 square triangle out of it. I really like the way it is coming together. Half the fun was laying it out - I did have one pattern down, adding the white sashing, but this is not it. When I picked up the block for assembly I got them out of order! We collectively went back to the drawing board and this was the result. 

Obviously this is not complete, but still stunning (in my humble opinion). I need to grow it, trying to make it around 60 x 80 (the new size QOVF likes to have). I will try my hand at embroidery in the red - white stars would be cool! Stay tuned for the final quilt.

The July QOVF Newsletter was posted today and you can find it here. Take a minute to read it. So much goes on with the Foundation that we don't know about. These group of volunteers do a GREAT job of keeping us organized. Hats off to them.

That about wraps it up for now - stay dry my friends!

Remember - freedom is never free.

~Renee

It's a presentation!!!

I had one of the most rewarding presentations last weekend.

A WWII Army veteran that served in Okinawa was honored with a beautiful QOV.

I read a letter...

And then wrapped him in love...

He had many family members there that were also either in the military or veterans. It was a great group. They had laid out some pictures for us to see - they are on the table - from when Don was in the service. He comes from a big family and most of his brothers and even his twin sister enlisted.

I have a special soft spot for the WWII generation. This is the second time I have been involved with them and I doubt I will ever tire of being around them!

There were 2 other Freedom Quilters with me that afternoon, and they both agreed that is was special.

Well off to make another quilt!

Remember - freedom is never free.

~Renee

May Wrap Up

I am stunned every time I look at the calendar. I just cannot believe it is almost June. I hope all of you had a great Memorial Day. For those of us involved with the QOV, Memorial Day is everyday, but it is great to be able to take time to honor those who have served and who are serving our great country.

I recently read the May newsletter for the Quilts of Valor Foundation. There are a few things worth noting here, but please take a moment to read it when you can.

Recently there was a unanimous decision to increase the recommended size of the quilts to 60 x 80.  Don't panic if you have tops or finished quilts made under the old size guidelines, let's get those finished up or sent off when we can, so moving forward, we can work on the larger size. 

If your a longarmer for QOV - make sure you read about how Pellon is supporting us. This is something worth taking a look at. 

Freedom Quilters is thrilled to announce another presentation. I have a good friend who's son was in the Air Force, Jay - he spent a couple tours in Iraq. He lives in Utah, so I contacted the coordinator there. Her name is Diane Jaeger - what a GREAT gal. I sent out a quilt and she presented it to him. Ironically, they work only 2 buildings from one another. They made a great connection and she is hoping to get him involved in QOV, presenting with her. I so hope he will do it.

Take a look at this picture - loved seeing him wrapped in his quilt! He was very moved by the quilt and thanked us profusely.

Don't forget our monthly meetings at the Stitch'n Quilt - every 3rd Saturday of the month. We start sewing at 10. If you plan on attending, please bring your sewing machine. We have been working on the anniversary blocks and hope to have a ton made by next month's meeting. If you are not a part of the Silver Comet Quilt Guild, you should try and come to the next month's meeting. Our very own Susan Gordon (she is our regional coordinator) will be doing our program. I know this will be a real treat, having been in Susan's company on several occasions - she is a real dynamo! Can't wait to see her again. If you need information about the guild you can find it here.

Come back soon for an update on the Bear Paw quilt I started last October - I have the top pieced and will be quilting it soon. So you want to see the finished quilt, right?

Take care!

Remember - freedom is never free.

~Renee

March madness...

Hello fellow quilters!!

It seems like forever since I have seen most of you. I do hope you have survived the cold weather.

I personally could take spring any day now - although I am dreading the upcoming time change! Aghh, I am so tired getting out of be now as it is, Monday will be near impossible!

I do need to let you know that this month's FQQOV meeting will be canceled due to the shop hop. I personally will not be hopping, but click here for a link to the shop hop website. I encourage you to go out and support your favorite shops if you can.

Can you believe that the Quilt of Valor program is celebrating 10 years! I just looked at the website and see the total quilts awarded is (drum roll please!!) - 82,813!! Sad that they were needed but great that they could be awarded. Way to go volunteers!! You guys rock!!

I was thinking that if each quilt used an average of 8 yards of material that would equal 662,504 total yards used. WOW that is a huge number. Wrap your head around that one. How much thread would that be? OK, OK I think it's time to get back to work and stop rambling! 

One last thing - click here a PDF for the 10th anniversary block. I do hope you would consider making it - heck, make several or even an entire quilt from it, and feel free to share the pattern with your quilting friends! 

Look forward to seeing you all in April!

Remember - Freedom is never free.

~ Renee

Almost there...

WOW - super excited that the top that was started on our last sew day is just about complete.

I am going to add a small border to make it a wee bit bigger and then on to the long arm.

I will be making up some "kits" for those of you that can work from home. Just let me know if your interested. Also, if you want to make fabric donations to the Freedom Quilters - we would be happy to have it. I am especially in the need of white or gold for the kitting - I cut up over 100 yards of various blues and reds this past weekend while cleaning out my sewing room. I will keep some for backings but the rest is destined for tops.

I did spend most of Saturday and part of Sunday cleaning out my space. I don't know about you, but just having things in order makes me want to sew. I had stuff everywhere!! OH and the dust (I would pay someone to dust my house, I hate doing it that much!) - I have shipped off all the dust bunnies to live elsewhere. Here is a pic of Fritz helping me out!

He is such a hard worker - and completely bummed that the batting went to the trash!!

Signing off for now!

Remember - Freedom is never free!

~ Renee

2013's First Meeting

Hey All!!

We had a great sewing day at the Stitch'n Quilt on Saturday. The gals really got moving on a great quilt pattern called Patriotic Star. I am sorry for the memory laps, but I don't remember where the pattern came from. It is super simple - the majority is a rail fence - made in red, white and blue, and then there are 5 gold stars on the top. Bea West was busy sewing the strip sets together and Deb Hall was a champ cutting all the strips down. Ann Smith stopped in a took home some materials to help the process along. I cannot wait to see this one finished! 

If you are unable to work with us on our sewing days, let me know and I can make arrangements for you to have material to work at home - no problem!

Facebooker's - if you have not had the chance to look at the Quilts of Valor page, here is a link.

There are so many great stories and inspirational quilts to look at - I think it is worth a few minutes of browsing. Also, our Region 8 QOV has a page, found here. It is fun to see what others in our area are doing. The Susan Gordon is such a great motivator! 

Stay tuned - I will be posting pictures of the works in progress.

Remember - freedom is never free

~ Renee

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year All!!

It sure went by fast didn't it! I don't know about you, but I am in denial about it being 2013!! I hope I can come to terms with this soon - I hate scribbling the date on my stuff LOL!!

I have decided to move the Freedom Quilters group to another location. Cotton Tail Quilts has been so accommodating in hosting us last year and I cannot thank them enough for all the support they gave us. Our new location will be at at Stitch'n Quilt in Mabelton. Pat and the gang are equally as committed to fostering the QOV cause and I am excited to be engaged with everyone there. Spread the wealth I say!

Here is the address:

Stitch'n Quilt

5590 Mableton Parkway, SW

Suite 114

Mableton, GA 30126

770-944-3356

Meeting time: 3rd Saturday of the month - 

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

First meeting of the new year - 

Saturday - January 19th

Thanks for all you do and have done to help further this great cause!

~Renee