Thursday, November 19, 2009

Sew & Tell Friday: Quilts with Love

Hard to believe a whole week has passed since my last post, and it's time again for Sew & Tell Friday. I did have a few days off this week, and though I evidently didn't have any time for blogging, Facebook, or anything else online, I did manage to accomplish a few other things...

One of the quilting charities I've enjoyed sewing for over the past few years is Quilts with Love, an organization that sends quilts to our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. To date, QWL has supplied almost 2,000 homemade quilts to U.S. service men and women -- an incredible number for a small group of volunteers! If you'd like information on submitting a soldier's name, or helping out with donations, just click on the link above to visit the Quilts with Love web site.

I've written here before about QWL, and have shared some of the quilts and quilt tops I've donated in the past...


... and here is a picture of my brother-in-law, taken back in May, when he returned from a year-long deployment to Iraq. While serving there, he received this Quilts with Love quilt, made by another volunteer...


...but it's been a few months now since I've made a donation, and this week something inspired me to dig into my box of pre-cut 4-1/2" squares (cut from a big box of fabric samples I had stashed away for too long) and put together a top for Quilts with Love. This time, I decided to really "go green."


I hope to finish one more top before I mail this one off -- more pre-cut squares, in reds, whites and blues -- and hopefully the "holiday rush" won't hold me back.

Speaking of which, all the secret keeping this time of year could make showing and telling a little bit tricky. There are those things you can "tell" but not "show," (like the four Christmas gifts I finished this week -- yay!) and those things you can "show" but not "tell," like this fall quilt block...


...and that's all I can say about that. ;o)

To see what others can or cannot Sew & Tell, stop over at Amylouwho's. I'm leaving for work soon, but I do plan to check it out this weekend. Sew & Tell is too inspiring to miss!

11 comments:

Lesly said...

A great-looking quilt top for a great cause. Thanks for sharing!

Dee said...

So far, you win my award I secretly give out in my head for most inspirational Friday Finish! Thank you, thank you for all you've done for the troops...and I love the fall quilt block!

Great Friday finishes!

Blessings!

QuiltyBee said...

Great work--a great idea, too, to pre-cut a bunch of squares--your own charm stash! (Sorry for that awkward sentence.) What an inspiration.

Sara said...

Nice quilt. I am sure some wonderful soldier will love it...

Chris H said...

What a lovely idea.
Love your quilts.

Carla said...

It's wonderful that you are showing your support. I'll have to look into helping out. Like the quilt :o)

Pokey said...

How generous you are, Heather! Way cool, too, that your brother received one; it's like proof the gifts really are appreciated and used.
I'm like you again, not able to show all, but still motoring along!
Keep up the good work!

Nina... said...

Such lovely quilts! Thanks for sharing!

amylouwhosews said...

What a great cause to quilt for. I'm sure the families appreciate it as much as the soldiers do.

You can share all of your gift finishes in January for the secrets revealed! sew & tell.

Rene' said...

Beautiful quilts of valor quilt. So great that you contribute to that worthy cause. Love your fall block too. Thanks for sharing.

Kimberly Tripp said...

Beautiful! Thank you so much!! I was in Afghanistan in '04 and lemmie tell you, it is COLD over there! Not to mention a little lonely, and I'm sure a quilt made with love will be cherished by any of our Soldiers who receives one! Keep up the great work!