Love is sharing...

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched but are felt in the heart.

You are all sharing so much in our many projects. I hope you are feeling the love coming back from those whom we are helping. The quilts you create for others are beautiful and feel so wonderful to touch, but their true beauty lies in the love you have carefully stitched and tied throughout each one.

Thank you for all you share. From the bottom of my heart,

~Margaret

To Margi for handling the Armed Services Quilts and being there for Debi and the Toy & Doll Show.

Quilts for Comforting Our Soldiers
Let Them Know We Think of Them

    Lots of news in this section. First of all, a continued thank you for all of you who have so generously given such beautiful works. I know for a fact that they are greatly appreciated. Our Guild has now decided to extend our giving. We recently received a letter from the Chaplain at Camp Pendleton Hospital in California, he has asked if we would also make quilts for the wives of soldiers who are expecting a child and their husband have been deplored to Iraq, and also newborn baby quilts. Our Guild has graciously said yes, so I will now be collecting quilts for soldiers, moms-to-be quilts, newborn baby quilts.
    Jan and Nela have stepped up and offered their wonderful services to quilt the small baby and wives quilts... THANK YOU!!! (Remember when taking part of this generous offer of services, consider including their names on the label) Also just as a reminder, back when we first began this project Jan and Nela generously offered to donate batting to anyone making a soldier quilt. Just call them and let them know what you need, she will have you come by the house with the quilt top and cut you a piece of batting...AGAIN THANK YOU.
    When we first began, the quilt size for the soldiers were not too fixed, well now on the website, it states the minimum size as 50 x 60. I am supposing that we have been pretty darn close because we have received no complaints. I have heard that they are very strict on this, but you just continue to follow your hearts.
    I have shared the thank you notes with you and everyone is quite pleased. Just a few points taken from the Newsletter from Quilts for Soldiers:

They are asking the quilt makers to think outside of the typical red, white and blue quilts. Although they are loved, they are considered about the soldier/marine who has returned from duty injured, young and full of confusing thoughts, perhaps they are not full of warm fuzzy's for the army, the war or whatever. Please use the red, white, and blue but just remember these boys when you make your next quilt.

Please wash your quilts. These quilts should be as clean as possible, Free of pet dander and dust and the like. Remember these kids are in hospitals and their defenses are low. As well we would feel hurt to see one of the quilts bleed because it had not been pre-washed.

Please take time to document your making of the wartime quilt. Write your thoughts, your prayers, your best wishes. Please do not dismiss these thoughts, pass your wisdom on to our younger generation of warriors. (A very cute idea I read about was making a small envelope like pocket on the back of the quilt next to your label and insert your letter there.

    Ladies, this is a wonderful project and we need to remember how important these quilts are. Gratefully, Margi Duffy

Round robins will be starting with the February meeting 2-24-05. I will have all the groups formed by that meeting. If anyone wants to join and hasn’t signed the sign-up sheet please let me know (Debi Earls) so I can include you in the group of your choice. As always subgroups will be chosen by lottery with 6-8 people per group.

The three types of round robins:

Traditional -You start with a block and pass it around-your friends put the borders on.

Pizza Box - You request the theme of your blocks-your friends make theme blocks for you.

Around the Block - You make a theme block; this block is then pinned or basted to a piece of fabric or a sheet, which has been marked with a 4” grid. Your friends make the required number of 4” (finished) squares or combination of squares.

Round Robin Guidelines

The golden rule of round robin quilts: Work on another person’s project, as you want them to work on yours!

Time limit of 1 month. IOU’s are ok but you may not keep someone’s project more than your turn (1 month). Stated differently you place your IOU in your comrade’s box and pass it the next month on time. If you give an IOU please fulfill your obligation to finish.

The center block should be small 12-18” because it will easily get very big and could be expensive. PLEASE, PLEASE respect the owners request re: color, size, etc. Group consensus is that a large quilt (queen sized or so) is asking too much of your comrades and they don’t want to do that. If you want a large quilt just add your own borders after your quilt top is returned to you. If you’re doing the traditional round robin (adding borders) the number of borders added is your choice i.e. 1 border, 2 borders, 3 borders or all 4.

    Provide some or all of your own materials (optional). You may want to send a label along for everyone to sign. It’s much easier to do this in the beginning rather than when completed-people move, etc. The quilt owner may request that you sign your work in a visible spot. Use a permanent marker.
    Accuracy is extremely important. The owner may decide not to include inaccurate or distorted blocks (this is their choice)..
    Treat each growing quilt with great respect. Keep the quilt in a clean, dry place. Protect the quilt from direct sunlight, coffee, tea or any other stain producing items.
    Remember if you want help don’t be afraid to ask anyone-it’s ok to bring any project to the guild meetings and ask for suggestions-there’s infinite knowledge available at these meetings.Questions specific to the project: ask the owner of the quilt you are working on. Round robin questions in general-ask Debi Earls or anyone who has done this for awhile.

Ladies, when considering if you are going to make a baby soldier quilt I would like to extend an offer to you. I have a friend, Jennifer on EBAY who sells top quality 100% quilting fabrics. When I shared with her that we are involved with the Quilts for Soldiers Project she wanted to be a part of it too. She has offered to make up kits for baby's quilts and then sell them to us for her cost. Her only requirement is that we remember that it is strictly for this project and must be used for this project.

Are you all aware of the wonderful fabric on the market called Minkee. If you know it then you know how wonderfully soft it is, and also that is costs around $16 a yard. Jennifer would be making up kits for the pattern Yellow Brick Road, I am sure most of you have seen this pattern, very cute and very simple. The kit would make up a quilt that is 48X57 (you could almost get 2 small baby quilts out of that), that would be 6 fat quarters, and 1-1/2 yard of Minkee background. Her cost is $25.50 per kit and whatever shipping costs, I think this is a wonderful offer. Think about it and let me know if you are interested in purchasing a kit. I will be telling her about the order number in a couple of weeks. Margi Duffy

• Visit this link to view "must see" slideshow that shows the real life in Iraq. It takes quite a while to load but worth the wait. Turn up your volume. http://www.clermontyellow.acc
• .com/flash/UntilThen.swf
• Heart block due at Day Lilies February meeting.
• Ridgecrest Quilt Show, March 3 - 6, we will be putting together a caravan to the show, more info at Feb meeting.
• Glendale Quilt Show, March 11 -13, Burbank Ca.
• Pahrump, NV Arts Council Fiber Arts Show, Feb 18-20.

Borders, Bindings and Sleeves - Nela Dunaway

Supply List:

• 12 inch square "sandwich" (top, batting and backing) to practice binding. You can use muslin for top and back.
• A small quilt needing borders applied or an orphan block you can put borders on. Don't forget the fabric to make the border.
• Sewing machine and basic sewing and cutting tools.

Sewing Tool Travel Case - Barbara Stuhaan

Fabric requirements are 2/3 yard or 3 fat quarters:
7 ½ " x 17" for back/flap
7 ½ " x 17" for lining
7 ½" x 16" back pocket/lining
7 ½" x 13" middle pocket/lining
7 ½" x 10" front pocket/lining
7 ½"x 17" thin batting
7 ½" x 5" thin batting
1" x 3 ½" piece Velcro

If you want to embroider a design on the front, you should do that first, or you can fussy cut a piece of material and sew it on before you start. This is not necessary, but makes it look great. This actually could be done during the class.

If you are embroidering a design on by hand or machine, it goes on the first piece which is the back and the flap - goes on the flap so it would need to be positioned on the front of the back/flap material close to one end. It looks great without any design if you use fun material.

It is fun to add crystals to add sparkle, but that can be done at any time and they don't sell the crystals in town. I could order some for later if people want to add crystals.

They are easy to make so don't worry, you can always make another one after you get the hang of it. Lets have fun!!