From: Therese Thomas Subject: WWB quilts July 2010
To: Theresetax@sbcglobal.net
Date: Thursday, August 5, 2010, 11:01 AM

Boxes arrived from more wonderful quilters!! I made a trip to deliver them and saw how **many** new faces there are at the Battalion. Resident numbers – IN the barracks – are over 100 and I did not inquire how many might be in ancillary housing with their families. The place is bustling, but still as friendly to visitors as they have always been. It is hard to imagine just what was done in support of injured Marine before they had this setup in place. Thank goodness the need was recognized and addressed in such a classy manner.

A large box of books and toys were delivered to the Family Readiness Officer from Terri G from Solon Ohio. Super nice children’s books and she found some checkers and a set of jacks!! I had this almost overwhelming urge to rip open the package, plunk down on the driveway and see if I could still remember how to play jacks…….memories of long hours of childhood play were resurrected and I sincerely hope these toys and books provide even a modicum of that sort of pleasure I had, whiling away hours in the summertime!

Now back to quilts….and with the increased numbers of residents – well you get the drift. More Marines mean more quilts needed. There is a good supply, thanks to the uber generous folks from Bridgeport, but eventually those will while away and this delivery was very much appreciated. I wish I could somehow bottle up the feel of the fabric and the fragrance of these quilts and attached those sensory tidbits with the words and photos – I get the BEST part of this deal, thanks to all you folks.

Ruth Arthur (no sense in blocking last name when it’s here in front of you) from Webster, New York sent this beautiful fall color quilt.

If only my own handwriting were so neat!! Ellen H from Bremerton, WA sent this next beautiful quilt.

Love those corner flourishes.

Patriotic colors without being overwhelming – good job!!

Then we get to the Santa Rosa Quilt Guild….

Did you notice the beautiful embroidery on the bottom band??

And more on the top band….the Marines LOVED this!

The “extra” effort in these quilts are very much noticed and appreciated by the recipients. These are the sort of things that give you a feel that the quilter is reaching out and wrapping the Marines in their arms. Just gives me goose bumps.

So colorful yet subtle!!

Almost monochrome and very soothing!

I’ve yet to make a quilt of this pattern, sticking with my beloved log cabin, but when I see these, I get the urge to whip one (or more) up. They are so effective in use of a variety of fabrics!!

This one had a note attached for the recipient in a manner that is would surely not be lost!! Good job.

This quilt was made of entirely flannel material – it will surely be uber warm!! Saving all the plaid flannel fabrics until there was enough for a quilt – there must be a LOT of men’s work shirts out there somewhere, eh?

I can just hear the hamster wheels turning: I have all these little pictures that shouldn’t be cut up – so how will I incorporate them into a quilt – and Voila!

Someone could use all these quilt patterns for a grand idea book for quilt patterns. What a great idea for use of big block without a zillion worrisome points, yet a strikingly pretty end result in the quilt.

I can just hear my husband whisper from the grave – Why did you cut up material just to sew the parts together again – and when I see a quilt like this, I can say SEE – this is why!!

The the count is – opps – haven’t finished that project, though I really did start adding to the count again on my database. It’s just that there are too many daylight hours now and I get so easily distracted with other projects. So Ruth sent one, Ellen did too and the Santa Rose quilt guild sent TEN quilts!! All were beautiful. All were grand sizes. Such a generous distribution of time, talent and your treasure. And please don’t forget the box of books and goodies from Terri to share with tiny Marines (since she doesn’t sew).

Now that school is nigh and Christmas projects have reared their heads to remind us of deadlines, I want to wish all of you healthy and happy times. Enjoy the warm while it lasts as too soon we will be huddling under our own quilts during Jack Frost’s time. Take care of yourself and your families and friends.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 6th, 2010 at 8:23 am and is filed under Wounded Warriors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.