Finally … Recognition

Today, March 29^th, is Vietnam Veterans Day

A movement that was founded by a Veteran finally has been endorsed by both Houses of Congress with Bills having been introduced that will authorize the President to annually issue a proclamation to designate this date as a patriotic and national observance and encourage the public and communities to establish appropriate ceremonies and activities to Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans.

It was thought that a law enacted to establish a Vietnam Veterans Day would be an appropriate way to honor those members of the US Armed Forces who served in South Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war.

The Senate Bill (S. 409) specifically notes that “…the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue among the people of the United States and a conflict that caused a generation of veterans to wait too long for the United States public to acknowledge and honor the efforts and services of such veterans; …”

It was Vietnam Vets that were the driving force behind the respect now afforded to today’s returning veterans, therefore, we in turn will honor and respect the contributions of those veterans who served in Vietnam during war and peace.

Final Recap from the March Meetings

More lovely quilts were finished and/or turned in at the Monday meeting.  Here's the show:

Linda's winning entry at the Plant City, FL, Strawberry Festival

Barbara's jelly roll quilt - her daughter Sharon finished up the binding after it was expertly quilted by Pat B

Pat's quilt-as-you-go serger method quilt with the cute backing detail

Virginia did some exquisite quilting on this quilt that I think was made by Debbie (forgive me if I got that wrong!)

And here are the ladies busy as ever ...  Thank you to all of our Volunteers!!

Please join us at the meetings scheduled in April if you are in town:

Friday, April 18th

Monday, April 21st

Thought you'd all be interested in this

copy of a post from Quilts of Valor's Facebook site;

posted by our FL QOV Regional Coordinator

and quilt made by CT Quilter, Ginger M

Linda Fentriss

March 19 at 3:55pm 

A special quilt was delivered to Robert R. of Lutz, Fl. The quilt was not only special to Rob who served in the Navy and was in Viet Nam, but this quilt was made by the wife of an Army person who lost his life to cancer from Agent Orange in December 2013. His wife Ginger is making a quilt of valor each month this year in memory of her husband and the men who served in Viet Nam. This is what Roger wanted. Robert was the first to receive this commerative quilt. The picture shows Rob with his wife Grace, his daughter and 3 of his grandchildren. Thank you Rob. Welcome home!

Recap of Quilts from Friday’s Meeting

Some great quilt tops and quilts were turned in at March’s Friday meeting of our Quilts of Valor group.  Enjoy the following show!

First the tops:

Sharon’s top using Northcott Fabric’s Star’s and Stripes panel:

Diana and Maria each made row quilt tops from kits that Debbie had put together.  Each has the US Air Force logo on it:

Diana also made a jelly roll quilt top:

Janice had three tops – one she called “retro” for its WWII fabric, one using an eagle panel, and one with curvy squares:

detail of above

Pam made two from a Fons & Porter pattern – don’t they look very different depending on the fabrics she used?!  Just plain gorgeous.

Kathy made the QOV Mystery – this pattern is Persimmon Quilts’ #16:

detail of above

 And Ginger made this wonderful quilt top as March’s tribute to Roger.  I'll try to get a closeup of the star blocks after it is quilted - they are intricate!

Second, we have the quilted items:

Pat B did a beautiful job with these - check out that detail photo below!

detail of Pat's quilting

Hope you enjoyed the show … maybe we’ll get to see you on Monday if you couldn’t be with us today!  Meeting at Crafty Threads from 10 - 4:00, Monday, March 24th ................... hope to see you then.

Meeting Reminder - Fri, Mar 21st AND Monday, Mar 24th

Just a Reminder …

Our Quilts of Valor Group will be meeting TOMORROW,

Friday, Mar 21^st AND Monday, Mar 24^th

From 10:00 – 4:00

At the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop!

The agenda for both March meetings includes:

Sewing together quilt tops using

the new design and making more kits; plus

some possible hand sewing of bindings and labels.

Come join us and pick the project YOU want to work on …

Bring a lunch/snack or visit a local restaurant.

 

Worldwide Quilting Day

Let's Celebrate!!

Are you looking for a pattern that is quick to work up for Quilts of Valor, but looks like it took forever to make?  This pattern called “Red Hot Flash” is just right for you:

No - it really is quick to work up!  It uses strip sets (you can use a jelly roll or cut your own) and the result is fabulous.  The free pattern from Blank Quilting is located at: http://tinyurl.com/kne2t6u

 

Or maybe you love stars and are looking for a new design.  Then it’s “Sweet Liberty” that might appeal to you.

This free pattern is also from Blank Quilting: http://tinyurl.com/lm36gxo

A special “thank you” goes out to Blank Quilting for sponsoring these free patterns.  We really appreciate it!

No matter which pattern you’re

working on, have a great time quilting

on Worldwide Quilting Day!

March Meeting Notice

March Meeting Dates –

Friday, Mar 21^st and Monday, Mar 24^th

You are welcome to attend one or both of our Quilts of Valor

group meetings and stay the entire time or join us

for as long as you can between 10 – 4:00 on meeting days.

We meet at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop

12330 Racetrack Rd, Tampa

From 10:00 – 4:00

You do not need to sign up to attend!

The agenda for both March meetings includes:

Sewing together quilt tops using

the new design and making more kits; plus

some possible hand sewing of bindings and labels.

 No sewing skills are required –

You may choose to bring your sewing machine, rotary cutter/mat,

or hand sewing needles and thread (red/white/blue).

 We will also need ironers at these meetings. 

Mark Your Calendar

March Meeting Dates –

Friday, Mar 21^st and Monday, Mar 24^th

My Country, 'Tis of Thee

The lyrics to this beautiful patriotic song were written by Samuel Francis Smith, a Baptist minister and given to Lowell Mason who published it in 1832.  Smith wrote over 150 hymns and assisted in compiling a hymnal, while Mason was a prolific composer of over 1600 tunes.  Mason was also considered the father of music education in the US, having introduced music programs into American public schools.

“My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” (originally titled "America" by Smith) was actually first performed at a Fourth of July celebration in 1931.  When the famous professor and author Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr recommended Smith for an honorary doctorate of letters to Harvard University he noted that “his song will be sung centuries from now, when most of us and our pipings are forgotten.”

AMERICA
My country, 'tis of Thee Lyrics
by Samuel F. Smith - 1832

 

My country, 'tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills,
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet Freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With Freedom's holy light,
Protect us by thy might
Great God, our King.

Our glorious Land to-day,
'Neath Education's sway,
Soars upward still.
Its hills of learning fair,
Whose bounties all may share,
behold them everywhere
On vale and hill!

Thy safeguard, Liberty,
The school shall ever be,
Our Nation's pride!
No tyrant hand shall smite,
While with encircling might
All here are taught the Right
With Truth allied.

Beneath Heaven's gracious will
The stars of progress still
Our course do sway;
In unity sublime
To broader heights we climb,
Triumphant over Time,
God speeds our way!

Grand birthright of our sires,
Our altars and our fires
Keep we still pure!
Our starry flag unfurled,
The hope of all the world,
In peace and light impearled,
God hold secure!

Recap of Feb Meetings – Part 3

Debbie brought in a paper-piecing template that her friend had made and a few blocks to show and the group flocked to the idea!  Barb, owner of the Crafty Threads quilt shop where we meet, graciously gave a demo of paper-piecing for those who had never done any but wanted to try.  Won’t these blocks make a great Quilt of Valor?!

And these are the photos of the ladies hard at work at each of our meetings.  No grass grows under their feet!

Friday meeting:

Monday meeting:

Our March meetings will be on

Friday the 21^st and Monday the 24^th. 

Please plan to join us!