Quilt of Valor #6

I just finished quilting my 6th Quilt of Valor for the month of January.  These are the ones that I had planned to do in December before I got pneumonia. 
I used a little more ragged version of meandering on this quilt.  I had just talked to someone who what recovering from some major health problems and heard over and over again that recovery is not a smooth road.  That thought stuck with me and became my focus as I quilted.
The last two quilts have black batting.  It seemed to work about the same as any other batting I have used, but I think it kept from having any batting|"fuzz" show on the solid navy-blue back of #5. 
To finish off this month's effort, I am going to bind #5 tonight.  I have one more QOV waiting for me to finish, so I am going to try and get it done tomorrow before I deliver all of them to their next destination where someone else will attach the binding.

Quilt of Valor #5

This Quilt of Valor was a little more challenging to quilt because the borders were a little wavy.  It also had a different kind of batting - the black that you see.  I did not do anything fancy on this because of the wavy borders, but once the binding is on, this will make an nice quilt for one of our wounded service members.

Another Quilt of Valor Quilted

I finished another Quilt of Valor this afternoon.  I chose to use stars and loops.  I actually like how this turned out and plan to use it on another QOV.  I have 2 more to finish before Jan. 31.  I plan to do these on Friday-Sunday.

A Couple More Quilting Tasks Finished

I finished binding the "Einstein" baby quilt while traveling to Chicago this week.  It does not have an owner yet, but I think it would be a fun one for some sweet little baby.  The other quilt is for Quilts of Valor.  It is one that I received to quilt last month but did not finish as planned.  I only have 3 more of those late quilts to finish, and have one in the process of loading even as I type.  My plan is to have those three finished by Jan. 31st and then pick up a few more for Feb.  I also have several other projects that are calling to me, so I will be staying close to home during this next round of cold weather.

I forgot to share the blue and white snowperson quilt that Dad and I made while he was visiting.  He does the embroidering and I turn the squares into quilts.  This one is going to be used all winter.  With each set of blocks, Dad's skills and techniques are improving.  He is always learning more color names and trying to sort out what one of his spools is the closest match.  The snowpeople designs suggest colors but do not give any specific thread brands and numbers.  It can be a little challenging for him, but it gives him something else to do to keep his mind active.  Since finishing these blocks he has made several other sets and said he was on the last one of another fun set.  He seems to really enjoy having a new hobby that "Keeps him busy out of trouble."

A Couple of Random Thoughts

In December, I had great intentions of quilting 6 Quilts of Valor, but after getting pneumonia and then working on all the fun projects with Dad H, I just didn't follow through.  This week I have decided to complete three of the quilts and then do the others next week.  I have two finished and also did a fun baby quilt so I would have binding to do while I travel.  I will show you the baby quilt some time next week, but I have shown the top before.

 I also had store sample to complete.  It is a yo-yo monkey by Indigo Junction.  It was fun to make, but I thought the making of the head was somewhat of a challenge.  If I had never sewn clothes it would have been even harder.  Used Clover's yo-yo makers and lots of my brown fabric scraps to make the body.  Worked slick -- If you have stash scraps this would be a fun way to use them  Indigo Junction has lots of different yo-yo toys.

Meltdown Averted

I took my Christmas BOM top to share at guild, last night.  I received lots of positive feedback.  Then I got home and discovered that I had lost it.  I panicked and searched the garage and car several times thinking that if it was not there I had actually left it at the center, but it was closing time when I left.  I sent out an urgent email to guild members, and called the guild chair.  Bedtime came and I still knew nothing so I expected a restless night of tossing, turning, and probably loud conversation when and if I was able to sleep.  I claim that material things are not that important to me, but this quilt top represented far more than pieces of fabric: fabric gathered over more than 15 years by me  and from my family and friends; my new found skills --- hours and hours of applique and piecing; and the knowledge that although I could make the top, again, and probably do a more professional job of it, it would not be as wonderful or have the same memories attached.  I was a wreck.
Then as we were headed to bed, Beth called and told me she had my precious quilt top.  Guess I really am a material girl!