2017 Finishes - Thimbleberries Paint Box Stars - #29

If you have been following me on my blog for any length of time you know I am a part of Quilt of Valor program.  I have a neighbor that I am best friends with and her husband, as it turns out, is a retired captain form the marines.  So I had been working on a quilt that would be perfect to give him under this program.   

Meet Captain Jack Carter, Ret. USMC holding up the quilt I gave him under the program.  He is 81 at the time I gave him the quilt.

His wife, my friend, took this picture of he and I with he quilt for their memory picture book and family.

Below is the presentation letter you give with the quilt.

I made a label, something that I don't do very often (hang my head), but I wanted him and his family to know about the quilt and where it came from and how it was presented.  

He and his wife was very touched by receiving this quilt, and it made my heart swell as well.  Wonderful program to be a part of and a participant.

Warmest...

Scrap Quilt of Valor Blocks

I have been working on the quilt "Vintage Sampler" for the last few months.  Always, when working on BOM programs, there is plenty of fabric left over from cutting out the pieces for the blocks.  Since the colors for this quilt were red, white, blue and a little black, what was a girl to do, except make Quilt of Valor blocks!!

I found the pattern for this block on the fabric collections manufacturing page, Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.  You can find the pattern here if interested in making something for yourself.

This is my scrappy version of the block, and it's perfect that they turn out to be 12" finished.  Perfect for the Quilt of Valor program.  I am going to be able to get 9 blocks out of the scraps.  Well almost, I did have to add some of my own red to get the 9 blocks.

Then I had a lot of small scraps left over, so I made some very scrappy filler blocks as well.  

I was again laid up for another couple of weeks, recovering from eye surgery on the same eye that they put the gold into the eyelid back in April.  The gold made my eyelid too heavy, and I had a slight allergic reaction, so they had to go back in and remove the gold.  The biggest drawback from the surgery, is I can't lift more than 10 pounds, or bend over for almost two weeks. I have much yard work, kitchen cabinets to be finished refinishing, canning fall harvests, laundry, and my list could go on and on.  I am getting antsy.  

Warmest...

Quilt of Valor Blocks

The Quilt of Valor group that I belong to through FaceBook has had another block drive for the next few months.  I made a few blocks to send their way, and I am working on a another batch.

They gave out two patterns for the block drive.

This one is called Martha Washington's Star.  Not a fan, and would not want to make them for myself, but it gave me practice on the pinwheel block that is in the middle.

This stars is called Starflower.  Much better to block to make, so I made more of these than the other one.

The group is also asking for as many of these Rail Fence blocks that they can get.  I just made these, until I ran out of the flag material.  I only had a small scrap.  These blocks measure 6" finished, so they must be wanting them to be used as filler blocks for the normal 12" finished blocks.

Interesting side note about these blocks.  I posted this picture on the group's FaceBook site and some one commented about being careful about the layout looks like a swastika symbol, and that would look bad for our group.  I had to look hard at the picture to see such a symbol, but I doubt they will  e laying out the blocks in this manner.   I went back to look at the post, and the admin for the group, had removed this picture and all the comments.  Interesting how things get perceived, even in quilting.  Personally, I don't really see that symbol, but the commentator must have and hit a nerve somehow.  Oh, well, I really don't care, as I am just making the blocks, and happen to lay them out this way for a picture.  

These blocks were sent off last week, so that the other volunteers will be putting them together.

Warmest...

2017 Quilt of Valor Stars - June Block - Ohio Star

I am moving right along in getting the monthly blocks done for the Quilt of Valor Stars program.  This is the block for June, the Ohio Star.  

Again, I made a block of colors each in opposite color placement.  Notice the background fabric this time, stars!  How cool is that, when making star blocks and using star white on white background.

Warmest...

2017 Quilt of Valor Stars - April Block -Brasstown Star

I am working on getting caught up on my Quilt of Valor Star Blocks.  They have posted the block patterns through July, so I am going to get them done so I don't get behind.  I much rather be ahead then behind.

April's block is called Brasstown Star.  I am doing two blocks with each block have the colors in opposite placement.  Here is the one color way that I got done this evening.  I will try to come back to this post with the other color placement when I get it done. I came back and posted the opposite placement of color block.

Warmest...

Quilt of Valor Stars 2017 Project - March Blocks - Army Block

I am a little behind the eight ball in getting blocks done timely.  But last night I finished the blocks for March.  This is called the "Army Block".  I struggled with making it because I cut out the fabric a couple of days after my eye surgery.  Bad idea.  I believe in brain fog from the anesthesia was the cause, because either didn't cut enough of one piece or other pieces were not the right size.  Note to self, wait a week to do any cutting, figuring, or stitching after any anesthesia.  Hopefully it will be a long time before I will need one again.

Anyways, here are my block for March.  What is interesting is they are the same pattern, but different use of color.

Warmest...

New BOM

I really need my head examined.  Really!  Sign up for a new BOM??  Aw, what the heck, it's just one this year.  I used to do several (that's why I have so many UFO's, but that's been a whole 'nother story)

This BOM is called "Vintage Sampler".  I took this picture at one of my favorite quilt shops, Something to Crow About in Springfield, Oregon.  We stopped there on our way to a trade show this weekend, and when I saw it in person, I swooned.  First of all I really like shirtings, and that is the basis of this fabric line.  Not to mention it is in Red, white, and blue colors.  And, I like doing samplers.

Vintage Sampler Block of the Month Quilt

Filled with American appeal and a rustic feel, this 82" x 89" full-sized sampler quilt is pieced and fusible appliqued over the period of 12 months. Each month you'll receive Barbara Eikmeier's pattern with directions and fabrics for a section of the quilt top from her Vintage Shirting & Dress Prints 1880-1910 line for Paintbrush Studio. 

So there you have it, another BOM on the list that never ends.  Sigh!!

Warmest...