MSP Quilting Angels' Blog

In Memoriam – Al Lind, September 10, 2010

mspquiltingangels — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 10:05:29 +0000

In memoriam – Al Lind, 92, September 10, 2010, created and donated over 400 Quilts of Valor to Honor and Comfort service members returning from duty overseas who were touch by war.

Mr. Lind was lovingly referred to as a QOV Poster Boy and more, but this veteran told it like it was…

Mr. Lind was a WWII veteran and a former prisoner of war who quilted for other vets and handily admonished other vets to “get off their duffs” and quilt! Through the Quilts of Valor program, he assisted with the creation of nearly 400 quilts.
Mr. Lind, was presented a plaque at the U.S. Army Yakima Training Center in central Washington by Brig. Gen. Frank Cipolla, Deputy Commanding General of the 88th Regional Support Command at Fort McCoy.

mspquiltingangels — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:14:34 +0000

Baltimore Maryland – The MSP Quilting Angels of Germantown, Maryland are busy working to complete 100 Quilts of Valor to be distributed at the VA Hospital in Baltimore Maryland.

The MSP Quilting Angels of Germantown, Maryland, founded in 2004, are a talented and diverse ecumenical group of women whose works serve great causes – Candlelighters – Childhood Cancer Foundation, Quilts For Kids and Quilts of Valor . The custom heirloom quilts created by the MSP Quilting Angels are Blessed during a special Mass at Mother Seton Parish under the direction of Reverend Carlos Benitez before distribution to children with pediatric cancer or wounded warriors. The MSP Quilting Angels have numerous out-reach programs and seek joint partnerships with other organizations to support these worthy causes.

Want to JOIN in the Fun?

Get started LEARN MORE or Write to me KATHY

Fons & Porter July August Issue – Quilts of Valor

mspquiltingangels — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:15:37 +0000

Fons & Porter Love of Quilting July/August 2010

In the Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting magazine July/August issue, Marianne Fons has created a beautiful Quilt of Valor published with the pattern in this issue.

The name of the pattern is Valiant Eagle and it is absolutely a show stopper. Marianne Fons uses Variable Star, Pin Wheels, and an applique Eagle in the center of the 64″ x 80″ QOV.

The Eagle pattern has been taken from the collection of the International Quilt Study Center & Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska Flying Eagles. I found I could also make a QOV from the Banner Day pattern in the front of the magazine when I made two and moving the one border to the outside.

It is a great pattern to show off quilting, add applique you love, or use that special fabric that you can not cut.

When you see the quilt you can add what you think.

If you don’t have your copy yet…or are not a subscriber…there is still hope!

Follow the link below and get going!

http://www.fonsandporter.com/aspx/fonsandporter/fp/ourmagazine/currentissue.aspx

Quilt on!

Quilts of Valor

mspquiltingangels — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 13:58:39 +0000

The mission of the QOV Foundation is to cover ALL those servicemembers and veterans touched by war with Wartime Quilts called Quilts of Valor (QOVs). This Foundation is not about politics. It is about people. The MSP Quilting Angels of Germantown, MD support this mission by making Quilts of Valor and delivering them to the VA Hospital in Baltimore, MD.

You can help provide Honor and Comfort to our Wounded Warriors by making a Block of the Month (http://www.mspquiltingangels.org/bom) and send them to us to be included in Quilts of Valor.

To see the full days events, please visit us at:

http://www.mspquiltingangels.org/today

It’s In The Stars – April Block of the Month

mspquiltingangels — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 02:55:28 +0000

It’s in the Stars

April Block of the Month.

April Block of the Month - It's In The Stars

This month we’re doing a new star. It’s fun and fast and will be the largest block we’ve made so far. The finished size with be 16 1/4”. And it’s entirely made up with squares, with a little bit of a twist.

Cut 1 square 8 ½” This is the center square of the star.

Cut 8 4 1/2” background squares.

Cut 4 4 ½´ squares for the star rays.

Cut 4 4 ½” corner squares.

Full Details are available HERE

Nobel Prize Awarded (in words) in California

mspquiltingangels — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:48:41 +0000

Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden.

Marlborough School, in Los Angeles, California, provides a learning environment where young women develop self-confidence, creativity, a sense of responsibility, and moral decisiveness.

Marlborough School emphasizes the process of personal growth, encourage cooperation, and foster close association among members of the community to promote emotional, intellectual, and physical well-being.

Modesty in recognition for performing an act of kindness for someone you will never meet is an extraordinary quality. Being recognized by your granddaughter as a caring person and one who should receive the Nobel Prize puts you on top of the world.

Marlborough School honored with National Merit Award

This notoriety is the foundation of Marlborough School – makers of Peace.

Ladies – Join us again this New Year – Make a Block for a Kid with Cancer, whom you may never meet, yet she too will know You Should receive the Nobel Prize for Love and Peace.

Mackenzie, picture below, is the third daughter of 4 and her family have been friends of ours since they moved into their home. Mackenzie should be your idol as she is ours too. At age 8, her first brain tumor was discovered, the size of an egg. Last week, at age 11, Mackenzie had her third brain tumor removed.

Join Us! in celebrating Kids with Cancer, the power of their energy and the lesson they teach US every day.

Three Brain tumors in 4 years

Design your own or choose one of our blocks. You will Make A Difference.

Design your own block of Choose one of ours HERE

What do you do when the President Calls?

mspquiltingangels — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:58:17 +0000

Likely, there are many people in your life you have wanted to have a conversation with, but never had the opportunity.

What happens when YOU get THAT call?

Today, the call did not come from The President of the United States. Instead, the call came from the Executive Director of the Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF.org), Catherine Roberts!

Do you remember the game in grade school, “Phone Tree”"or “Telegraph”? Everyone gets in a line, the teacher tells the first person something and down the line the story gets retold. “Little Janie has a pretty dress, a lovely hat and shiny shoes” the teacher says. By the time the story gets to the end of the line, “Little Janie” is an astronaut, has flown 12 missions and tamed Congress.

Our photographer, web guru and gabby person was having one of his moments (bragging about the MSP Quilting Angels) and chatting with the Co-Chair of the North Central Washington Quilt Guild in Wenatchee, WA via Yahoo QOV Chat about some “ideas” he has spinning in his head.

Well…as they say, the rest is history.

Catherine Roberts - Executive Director, Quilts of Valor Foundation

“Hello. This is Catherine Roberts, from Quilts of Valor”, “”Is Jeff Thorne available?”

“Oh Hi!”"No, he isn’t here, can I help?” I replied.

“I was talking to Lori Kutch and understand Jeff is a longarmer”!

My JAW dropped, then I laughed! “No, he isn’t a longarmer” (I’m thinking …long yarner (story teller), long yawner (too many nights falling asleep at his computer). He doesn’t even like getting shots! I would not disparage the good works of our ladies longarmers.

We proceeded to discuss the MSP Quilting Angels efforts, our mutual trials and tribulations (shared experiences) and what we are all doing for soldiers. Catherine was particularly, interested in the fact all our quilts are blessed before they are distributed, which we discussed at length.

So, yes there are mutual hopes and directions for all of us…but that dream (nightmare) of Jeff being a longarmer…well that is one for the phone tree. Maybe when the story gets to the end of the line, he’ll be a mild mannered husband, dutifully taking care of chores around the house and will come running when called.

Come to think of it, maybe the longarm thing is not so far-fetched.

Quilt on!

Kathy

Al Lind – An American Hero in Stitches

mspquiltingangels — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:58:01 +0000

Today, and frankly any day, you must admire someone putting action with their kind words.

Example, Al Lind – He has been called a QOV Poster Boy and more, but this veteran tells it like it is.

You see, Al is a 91 year old WWII veteran and a former prisoner of war who QUILTS for other vets and handily admonishes other vets to “get off your duff” and quilt! Through the Quilts of Valor program, he has assisted with the creation of nearly 200 quilts.

Today, Al Lind, 91, was presented a plaque at the U.S. Army Yakima Training Center in central Washington by Brig. Gen. Frank Cipolla, Deputy Commanding General of the 88th Regional Support Command at Fort McCoy.

To Join in watching an American Hero, tell is like it is

CLICK on the YouTube LINK HERE-

Hey Neighbor! Welcome!!

mspquiltingangels — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:24:18 +0000

Hey Neighbor! Welcome!!

These days it seems all to frequently in our area, when we get home – we disappear into our homes.

We turn on electronic devices and connect to the world or the world comes to look at what we are doing.

How would you greet your neighbor if you saw them or knew what they did for fun (quilting right?!).

Last month we had visitors, 414 + 5…give or take. Whew!

From around the world and across the United States, neighbors came to see, read and understand what fun we were having and what good deed we were doing!

People of all walks of life came from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Poland, Japan, Norway, France, Netherlands, Romania, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Ireland, Taiwan, Mexico, Pakistan, Finland, South Korea, Philippines, Hungary, Spain, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Serbia, Argentina, Israel and that was just last month, Whew!

So What’s the Point?

Someone or so MANY are interested in the good works we are doing! From the United States (34 STATES !) one neighbor in particular was so interested she JOINED IN by making the Block Of The Month!

Welcome Neighbor! Welcome Deb Tiefenthather from Columbus Ohio!

Deb recognized the MSP Quilting Angels, because her daughter and husband attended Mother Seton Parish (our benefactor and home) while they lived in Germantown in recent years. Oh how good deeds get noticed!

Deb says, she has made 2 Quilts of Valor and is working on two more! Way to go! QOV Rocks!

So, our new neighbor has sent us beautiful Patriotic Blocks using our Block Of The Month selections.

Deb, and all our new neighbors, you can’t imagine what will happen next!!

So, the bottom line is this, listen, invite, join up, but JOIN IN!

Your life and the lives of those we serve will be forever changed, I guaranteed it!

Coming up, read about another Al you have not met, but wish you could!

Pssst! Want a peak in and see what great deeds Deb was performing? Look HERE.

What is your family saying about you?

mspquiltingangels — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:30:51 +0000

: Carolina’s Fabric Collection

You know, as hard as we work, as much as we give…you tend to wonder, does anyone notice?

YES!

It was one recent night at a local restaurant. While exchanging chit chat, the question came up ” So, what about your family?” Not being shy and being a former County Commander for the American Legion in Illinois (thank you for your service!), Al, a never shy or retiring person, told listeners about Sandy, her awesome quilting and the MSP Quilting Angels!

Not certain of the entire conversation, we are certain of the results of the conversation.

Carolina (Car-O-LENA) a listener to the conversation mentioned her mother. Carolina went on to say that her mother had quilted previously (apparently extensively) and now, while living in California she crochets. Carolina’s mother amassed an extensive collection of batiks and prints.

This new collection will provide the MSP Quilting Angels a stronger foundation toward meeting our 2009 goals of 100 Quilts for Kids and 100 Quilts of Valor.

Carolina (and Mom!), you have forever changed our lives and those of countless children with pediatric cancer and wounded vets.

Al, Thank YOU for speaking up and speaking out about your wonderful wife and the awesome heirloom quilts she makes with all the MSP Quilting Angels. To you also we are deeply indebted. Keep on speaking up!

To see the new collection of fabrics, please VISIT HERE.

Quilt on!