Although we've been having terrible thunder storms and Kelly is constantly trying to hide, I did make it to Sisters to join the Hero Quilters again yesterday. I turned in the quilt I helped finish and we have seven ready to mail to Madigan Army Hospital. These outings still tire me so quickly. I came home and slept for nearly 4 hours, was up for about two and slept all night for another eight. Wonder when I'm going to get my stamina back?
Just to let you know, when Kelly hides I usually try to get her up on the bed with me under a blanket where I cuddle and croon to her until she calms down or the storm goes away. (Sometimes I think she plays me like a fiddle!)
Kathy from the bbinteractive yahoo group is having a Super Giveaway to commemerate her birthday and the three month birthday of her gorgeous new pup, Rory. What a beauty he is! Man did she get a haul of stitching goodies for her b'day! I'm so jealous! I can't wait to see if I win. Please, please, please let it be me!

Hero Quilts

Hero Quilts is an off-shoot of Quilts Of Valor. It's a group that meets at Jan Sims' in Sisters, Oregon every Thursday. The quilts they make go specifically to Madigan Army Hospital at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. I had heard mention of them before and attended their group last week. What an inspiration! This is very near & dear to my heart as our son, Patrick, was based at Fort Lewis. Jim was based at McChord AFB which is adjacent to Fort Lewis. Anyways, I walked away from the meeting with a quilt to bind and a bag of fabric. I've been cutting strips all week to make a string quilt!
Here is the first quilt I've helped with. In this group often many hands make a quilt. The blocks were donated by ladies in Prineville, Oregon. Sandy pieced the top together. Tracy did the quilting. And I did the binding and sewed on the label!
One amazing thing I found while doing the binding was that each lady signed her block. One of the blocks was made by my friend and fellow QOVer, Kathy, who also is how I found out about this group. Coincidence? I think not...

Quilting GTG

I had such an inspiring day yesterday! I attended a gathering of quilters from the Portland, Oregon area. I had met one of the ladies, Kathy, on-line and she invited me to join them for the afternoon. Twice yearly they have a four day retreat at Jan Sims' place in Sisters (which is only an hour from me). Jan is a very experienced long-arm quilter and it was exciting to watch her work. Her home and workshop are so amazing. Her home is a log cabin type with an open upstairs with quilts hanging over the railings. Even the shower curtains are quilted! The ladies each were working on quilting projects of their own and such beautiful quilts I've never seen. Such a wonderful, amazing group of women! I'm so inspired!

Oh, by the way, both Jan & Kathy are involved in making quilts for our wounded soldiers! Another project I really want to become involved with.