… New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky.

I’ve stopped about 30 minutes outside of Louisville for the night, and will continue on into Nashville tomorrow. I think I’m about 3 hours out.

Now to jump in the pool and grab some dinner.

More later, I’m hoping to post later on tonight the first round of submissions for the Lazy Days of Summer Contest, they are amazing!

Please join me in welcoming another Guest Blogger to the Quilting Gallery. If you’re interested in being a Guest Blogger, just drop me an email to discuss.

Greetings from the hot and humid Fundy Shore of Nova Scotia. Living in such an isolated part of northeastern North America, I find the internet a very valuable and liberating source of information and networking contacts. It allows me to see and read about all the amazing things that are happening in the quilting world and has given me many new friendships I could never have had without it.

I have been a needlewoman for well over 60 years, and have been making quilts on a professional basis for about 15 years.Because most of the quilts I make are commissioned, I have gained experience in making many different types of quilts. I’ve included a couple of pictures to give you an idea of some of the quilts I’ve made.

In addition to making quilts, I have been a collector of vintage quilt kits and have decided to downsize my collection. I will be selling many Doublestencil, Paragon, Bucilla, Yours Truly and Tobin quilt kits and some matching thread kits for the cross stitch quilt kits.

Recently I’ve launched a new endeavour: I am developing a membership teaching site at Simple Quilt Making. My mission is to empower emerging and more experienced quiltmakers to move past the simple, mass-marketed patterns like Turning Twenty, Yellow Brick Road and Disappearing Nine Patch, and develop their inherent artistic vision and to learn techniques which will enable them to piece precisely and design quilts that are a reflection of their individual experience.

Members will have access to a Forum, to exchange tips, comments and support, and to post pictures, as well as providing an opportunity to try out various quilting projects and sample some thought-provoking articles. A giveaway is being held in conjunction with my membership drive, and anyone signing up between now and the end of August will be eligible for a drawing of a number of “quilty” items of the value of at least $50, to be drawn on October 1, 2008.

As always, during the summer and fall my Quilt Studio is open daily for visitors here at 641 West Hall’s Harbour Road in Kings County, Nova Scotia. If I don’t see you at my door, I’ll see you in Blogland at Quilting with Janet!

Until then - Janet

Please join me in welcoming the first Guest Blogger to the Quilting Gallery. If you’re interested in being a Guest Blogger, just drop me an email to discuss.

I am pleased to be a guest blogger for the Quilting Gallery! My name is Barb Aguiar. I have a blog, Ocean Waves Quilts. I have been a quilter for about 20 years, but sewing since I was a child. I had always loved quilts, but never even thought of making one until I went to Sturbridge Village in Mass. There I saw a hand appliqued and hand quilted queen sized quilt that I absolutely fell in love with. This was in the 80’s. I looked at the price tag, and nearly fell over in shock! It was $1,800.00! I said: “I could make that”!

Well, let me tell you, by the time I was done with that quilt, the price seemed nominal! I learned everything there was to learn by making that quilt, and made every mistake there was too! But it started me on quilting, and I have never looked back! I have tried almost every type of quilting there is, but I have a love of designing my own quilts, and I love handwork more than any technique. I still work full time, so I don’t have as much time as I would like to hand quilt. I also love to do photo quilts, they make great gifts, after all everyone likes to look at pictures!

I now have grandchildren, it is such fun to make things for them! I do a wide variety of quilting techniques, and I try to share any new techniques I learn with my fellow bloggers. I have recently designed three quilt patterns. I have always loved to do original work, so I decided to try my hand at designing some easy to use machine applique patterns. So far, they are getting great reviews. My “Tooth fairy pattern” will be for sale in Nancy’s Notions’ fall catalog.

My biggest joy in quilting though, has been the wonderful friends I have made, because of having this hobby in common. I have had a quilting group that has been together for over 20 years. We have shared our many different quilting techniques, and our many different views on life.

I also have met so many wonderful people in the blogging world. I have learned so much from my fellow bloggers! It is amazing to “talk” to a quilter on the other side of the world! I look forward to meeting many more new friends through the Quilting Gallery, thank you Michele!

Barb

I’m participating in the Doll Quilt Swap 4 this summer. Here’s a picture of what Alison sent me. I love the colours and I found the perfect spot for it, on my side table in the living room. Thanks Alison, it’s beautiful.

My contribution is done, I just need to throw it in the wash to remove the glue and fluff it up and I’ll get it in the mail this week. I’ve really enjoyed this swap. I’ll post a picture of my finished piece once my partner receives it… don’t want to spoil the surprise.

Submitted by: Lezley Zwaal

Describe your organization or group.

Quilts of Valour - Canada has a mission: To ensure that our wounded Canadian soldiers are recognized for their bravery and commitment of their true patriotism to our country. We give this support through the presentation of quilts of comfort made for our military service people.

QOV Canada quilts are whatever you want to make - although a recommended size is roughly 50” X 60”. People have discussed a smaller lap quilt for those confined to wheelchairs. Long arm quilters are also willing to quilt. It is up to the quilter and the quilt topper to determine who will provide the backing, the batting and the binding.

The QOV Canada is also encouraging making a “pillow” or tote for the quilt. It has been suggested to make the tote with handles so that it could be used with the wheelchair too. It is not mandatory, merely a suggestion.

As for distribution, we are relying on the various chaplains, padres and the Land Forces Base West to come to our assistance for getting quilts to our wounded. It is up to the quilter to get the quilts to these bases – their addresses can be forwarded when there is a quilt ready!

Did any one person or event inspire the creation of the charity quilt group/organization?

Yes, Lezley Zwaal, Quilter

Back in January 2006 when three Canadian soldiers were injured I watched the news cast interview with another soldier recovering from a prior incident and noticed no quilt for comfort in sight. My first reaction - “Where are the quilts for Canadian soldiers?”

I thought about it, stewed about it and knowing about an American based comfort quilt project I finally made a decision to act on my query and contacted the coordinator of an American organization called Quilts of Valor Foundation (QoVF), a woman named Catherine Roberts.

Five quilts later - three from Diane in Calgary, two from my own studio, several e-mails and one phone call later with Catherine Roberts - the Canadian version: QoV - Quilts of Valour – Canada was underway!

We are in the process of becoming a registered society within Alberta – and then a charitable society within Canada.

Geographic location of your organization or group.

ALL of Canada.

If applicable, how many chapters are there world-wide or country-wide?

None – however, Quilts of Valor Foundation (U.S) is the society after which we are patterned. We are not an official chapter.

If applicable, how many charity quilts have been donated?

Between 200 and 300.

Are there any special yearly events, such as a quilt-a-thon?

No – not yet!

How many volunteers are involved?

Hundreds of quilters. There are 40 names on the registry of those who have contacted me. Most of those represent a guild or bee and have sent anywhere from one to 30 quilts to be delivered to wounded soldiers. There are 6 military contacts across Canada for quilt distribution.

How can one volunteer, donate or get involved?

If you or your guild wishes to quilts for wounded soldiers via Quilts of Valour – Canada – think Canadian patriotic – think Canadianna – moose / mountains / maple leaves / inukshuk / prairies / fishing / forests …. QOV Canada quilts are whatever you want to make - although a recommended size is roughly 50" X 60". People have discussed a smaller lap quilt for those confined to wheelchairs. Long arm quilters are also willing to quilt. Contact Lezley for a long-armer close to you. It is up to the quilter and the quilt topper to determine who will provide the backing, the batting and the binding. The QOV Canada is also encouraging making a "pillow" or tote for the quilt. It has been suggested to make the tote with handles so that it could be used with the wheelchair too. It is not mandatory, merely a suggestion.

These quilts are forwarded to the military connections and are then given to our wounded soldiers. We, as quilters, do not know who is going to receive the quilts. The identity of the wounded soldiers is not given out. There are seldom presentations. The soldiers may contact the quilters to thank them if the quilter’s contact information is included with the quilt. We are relying on the various chaplains, padres and the Land Forces Base West to come to our assistance for getting quilts to our wounded. It is up to you to get the quilts to these bases – their addresses can be forwarded when you have a quilt ready! The various Military Family Resource Centers look after our soldier’s families who remain at home while their enlisted are posted overseas. Although they have assisted getting the initial quilts to our wounded, they focus on supporting the families.

To send a quilt to our wounded Canadian soldiers, please contact Lezley when you have a quilt ready to go and a destination close to your will be forwarded. If you have any questions about the quilt or any of the projects, please feel free to email.

Detailed information on submitting a quilt is provided in this PDF document: Information Document.

Contact information:

Lezley Zwaal at (780) 983-3210,
Email: QoV@AutomatedQuill.com
Yahoo Chat Group: QuiltsOfValour

QOV Canada does not currently have web site; however Laurie Hawn, a Canadian Member of Parliament has a feature on his site, Laurie supports Quilts of Valour - Canada.

Other information:

Our support is for our soldier, wounded during their duties overseas. The quilts are given to them as they recover at home – sometimes in a hospital or care facility, sometimes the quilts are delivered once the soldier has returned to his home.

We are not providing quilts to the families of our fallen soldiers. There are two other organizations looking after them – through the direction of Department of National Defence. Operation Peace and Comfort (OPC) - Jan Wasalyshyn; and Canadian Comfort and Remembrance Project (CCRP) - Jane Guthrie.

Submitted by: Clare Worthy - Dordogne Quilter

What gave you the idea to raise money for Leukaemia research via quilting?

I am a Moderator of two France Yahoo Groups. Amongst those groups are some fellow crafters – knitters, card makers, scrap-bookers, quilters, cross-stitchers, etc. We started chatting about our creations and the men (some of them engineers) started getting bored. One of my fellow Moderators and I decided to set up a Yahoo Group specially for expatriate crafters. Between us we surfed the net for like minded people and the membership list is slowly but surely growing. It is through this that I first came across Tonya’s blog.

It was during this that I hit upon the idea of making quilts for Leukaemia Research in the hope that they could auction them off to raise funds. I only had one taker – a fellow Francophile living in the Limousin. I then started my blog and asked the question again. No takers. A few months went by and I came up with the idea that if all these quilters didn’t want to make a quilt, then why not a block for a quilt. A fellow blogger took up the challenge and mentioned it on her blog, Life’s a Quilt. The offers then came flooding in. There has also been a bit of bribery – "make me a block and I’ll send you a French recyclable carrier bag".

I have even inspired a fellow Moderator on one of my Yahoo groups. He is a retired engineer living in the Lot et Garonne, has got his mother’s old sewing machine out and is on the way to making his first ever quilt block. Because he is an engineer, no doubt his block measurements will be exact!

In September 2004 my sister’s then boyfriend, Matt Julians (aka Floyd London, guitarist for The Almighty, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

To quote Sophie:

“His type of AML was quite rare (1:70,000) and he was treated with 4 courses of aggressive chemotherapy. Unfortunately a bone marrow biopsy was out of the question as the procedure alone carried a 40% mortality rate. Floyd’s chances of successfully beating the cancer are 50/50 but he still made it to remission after the first course of chemo, and he’s still there now!!! We have another 4 years to get through before we can say he made it! Floyd is a tough wee lad and we know he’s going to beat this leukaemia.”

Floyd went into remission and they got married a couple of years ago. He has still got a long way to go before he is in the clear.

Sophie and Floyd are working their hearts out for this very worthwhile cause. They visit hospitals nearly every weekend, mostly the childrens’ wards. They raised about £25,000 through 2 charity concerts in 2005/6 and have just finished a second bout of fund raising.

We couldn’t hit upon a way of auctioning the quilts off, except through a certain Internet auction site and Sophie and I didn’t quite like that idea.

So we changed the position of the goal posts halfway through and now these blocks (well over 100 at the last count) are made up into quilts and sent to children worldwide.

What gave me the idea?

Watching Floyd and Sophie go to hell and back and wanting to do something to help them help others.

The contributors are mainly from the States (bien sur), but I have contributors from Finland, Germany, Australia, Japan, Turkey, Italy, France naturally, UAE, South Africa and the UK. This is truly "wrapped around the world" One or two people have made "cot quilts".

People send me a "block" which is 8 1/2 inches "unfinished". This block is made up of red and white material, representing the blood cells in any design the contributor likes – basic quilt block design, free piecing, anything. Some of them are stunning!

Allowing for a 1/4 inch seam (and my non-straight seams LOL), the blocks will finish up as 8 inches square. I will then stitch them together, make up the "sandwich" and then quilt.

Number of quilts completed so far is 8 with one on the wall. Quilts have been sent to Germany, the UK, the US and New Zealand.

Contact information:
Web Site: Quilts 4 Leukaemia
Clare Worthy: Email | Clare’s Blog: Dordogne Quilter

Submitted by: Jean Kester - Quilting 911 - Quilting Ranny

I would love to be included in your list of charity quilt makers. I make quilts specifically for police/fire dispatchers in need, because as a police dispatcher for over 12 years, I know how they are forgotten during and after a tragedy or catastrophe.

Describe your organization or group.

My organization is just me, making quilts for dispatchers and their families in need.

Did any one person or event inspire the creation of the charity quilt group/organization?

Hurricane Katrina inspired me to get involved with a group called 911 Cares, it was through them, that I began making quilts for police dispatchers in need.

Geographic location of your organization or group.

I personally live in Aberdeen, Washington, but I reach out to dispatchers all over the United States.

How many charity quilts have been donated?

I have sent out my own 22 quilts to those in need. Quilts to people who lost all during Hurricane Katrina, the floods of Broome County, the tragedy at Virginia Tech abd lastly a quilt for a homeless teen in my area.

Are there any special yearly events, such as a quilt-a-thon?

No, I quilt on my own, as often as I can.

How many volunteers are involved?

Just 1 quilter, me.

How can one volunteer, donate or get involved?

I am always in need of donations for batting from crib size to king size and thread in all colors. Right now, I have plenty of fabric and patterns.

Contact Information:
Web Site: http://quilting911.blogspot.com/
Jean Kester - compassionatequilter@rocketmail.com
Jean’s Blog - Quilting Ranny Blog

Photo Notes:

The black and white one was donated to the woman who works at my childrens day care, she is in her 70’s, works everday and is always cold and shivering. The Chinese coin quilt was donated to a family in need. The two baby quilts were sold to buy more batting for charity quilts.

Michele Bilyeu is a life-long volunteer who currently lives in Salem, Oregon. Having learned to sew at age 12 on her Alaskan grandmother’s old treadle sewing machine, she quickly developed a love of not only sewing but sewing for others.

In September of 2005, she was one of 200 women gathered at the Salem Convention Center in to create "200 quilts in two days" for survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Members of the Salem community donated fabric, thread, batting and quilting items as their part in contributing to the disaster relief movement. The goal was reached. 200 quilts were created in just two days by 200 women. They were hand-delivered by members of the Salem community to Hurricane Katrina survivors by Christmas.

A dozen members of that original group continue to sew every Monday and to make and donate quilts for a variety of charitable causes.

These quilts are sent out on various missions all over the United States, as well as to other charitable groups and causes. They are continually sent to the survivors of the hurricane damaged areas of the U.S. for both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to Habitat for Humanity homes, to members of Inter-Faith Ministries, to the Red Cross, the Union Gospel Mission for the homeless, to neo-natal units and for use by hospice. We have also sent quilts to AIDS babies in Africa, to forest fire victims in California, and to wounded soldiers from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Michele is one of the group members who continues to sew three days a week at home for the charitable causes. She likes to create "sew and go" quilts. When group members travel, they will carry a few of their quilts along and drop off at quilt shops to donate to various causes. Our patriotic "quilts of valor" have been hand-delivered to the "Veterans’ Outreach Center" in Salem, Oregon and to the Madigan Army Medical Center Hospital, located at Fort Lewis, in Tacoma, Washington. There, they are immediately given to wounded soldiers as they arrive at the hospital.

Michele’s current project is combining her love of quilting with her love of sewing. She is involved with sewing and giving away "morsbags"….free, reusable cloth shopping and carrying bags. Her last two quilts were made in honor of one of the quilting group’s members who passed away two weeks ago. She made two brightly colored, scrappy children’s quilts and sent them off in two little "morsbags" for children in the "Family Building Blocks" program in Salem in honor of the quilter who had died. This not only honored that quilter’s love of sewing, children and animals but went to the group in which she had served as a dedicated volunteer…helping children and their families break the cycle of child abuse.

All of these quilts and bags are made simply, using donated, even recycled materials, (the bags below used to be curtains) all are lovingly labeled, and then sent out on their missions of creating heartstrings between our Salem Community Quilters and members of our larger community, everywhere!

Check out Michele’s blog: With Heart and Hands: A Quilted Journey

Last weekend, I finally got around to picking my fabric and pattern for the Doll Quilt Swap. I’ve been wanting to do a paper-pieced project for a while, so I could put to use the mini iron my folks bought me at Christmas and also to try out the paper made specifically for paper piecing.

I chose a geometric pattern from Carol Doak’s Easy Paper-Pieced Keepsake Quilts book. I picked four coordinating fat quarters that I purchased from Connecting Threads a couple of months ago. I decided on the stars fabric pictured below. I love the fabric I purchased from there, the quality is great and it washed up very nicely. Needs a higher than normal iron setting, but that’s not a big deal. I purchased a bunch of threads from them too that I can’t wait to use in upcoming projects.

The next picture shows the progress I’ve made and my set-up next to the sewing machine, which is to the right of the photo. It’s very comfortable and I can easily roll from one side of the table to the other. The mini iron is fabulous to work with. Thanks Mom and Dad for the great gift. I use the 1/4″ masking-like tape to hold the pieces to the paper while sewing instead of pins as I find pins distort too much. I’m loving the special paper too, it’s very easy to sew and ironing doesn’t make it wobbly (you’ll know what I mean if you’ve ever used every-day paper).

So far, I have 9 of the 12, 4″ blocks completed. I’ll probably do a 1″ sashing between each block and finish off with a 2″ border.

I’m hoping to wrap the project up this weekend, but we’ll see how nice or not the weather is.

Comforting People with Cancer
Réconforter les personnes avec le cancer

Victoria’s Quilts Canada was established in 2000 by Betty Giffin. VQC is a non-profit charitable organization, committed to providing comfort, both spiritually and physically, to individuals diagnosed with cancer. It is staffed entirely by volunteers who make quilts and distribute them to people diagnosed with cancer in Canada.

Victoria’s Quilts Canada was modeled on an organization in the United States, Victoria’s Quilts, which was established by Deborah Rogers in honour of Victoria Ann Morrison, a wife, mother, grandmother, and Deborah’s best friend. Victoria was also a cancer patient who often commented about being cold during her chemotherapy. Victoria was also a quilter who took the fear out of quilting by reassuring others that “since people are not perfect – quilts don’t have to be either.” Out of this grew Victoria’s Quilts.

In August of 1998, Betty Giffin learned about this effort and brought the idea to Canada. She started slowly with a handful of friends. In the first year, 16 quilts were distributed to adult cancer patients in the Ottawa area.

Over the past eight years, the organization has seen immense growth, and now includes some 800 volunteers in 20 groups in Ottawa and 18 communities across Canada. This growth enabled VQC to deliver its 10,000th quilt during January 2008, and it distributes an average of 250 quilts each month.

However, with the number of people stricken with cancer continually rising, VQC has also seen an increase in the demand for quilts. Although the organization has, to date, been able to meet all the requests, it is concerned that quilt production will soon not be able to keep up with the demand. Victoria’s Quilts Canada is actively looking for new people interested in sewing or quilting, or any of the non-sewing positions that need to be filled.

Victoria’s Quilts Canada also appreciates the support it has received from corporate sponsors, including many of the local quilt shops and Fabricland Distributors. But the major source of its funds is donations from private individuals, often the recipients of our quilts, and their families and friends. Victoria’s Quilts Canada also raises funds through raffles and direct solicitation, and through some innovative ideas, such as President Betty Giffin’s head-shaving in April 2008.

In addition, Victoria’s Quilts Canada holds an annual Quilt-a-Thon, in October, where about 100 quilters converge to make more than 100 quilts during the day. And besides the quilters, the volunteers include the administrative organizers, floor managers, food caterers, and clean up staff. A whole lot of people work towards making the day the successful endeavour that it is.

In addition, we hold an annual raffle of three major prizes. This year, the three prizes are two queen-size bed quilts and a lap quilt.

As well, anyone who wishes to get involved with Victoria’s Quilts Canada can contact us. No quilting experience is necessary, as there are many jobs that need to be filled, from administrative, to quilt delivery and counselling, to public relations. If a person is willing, we’ll find a job for them to do!

Here are some photos of the many quilts that have been sent to people over the last few months.

Contact Victoria Quilts:
http://victoriasquiltscanada.com/
By phone: (613) 843-9212
By fax: (613) 843-9131

Mishka’s Notes: I am a volunteer for Victoria Quilts meeting once a month to help baste quilts done by other members of my group. I would like to volunteer more, but don’t seem to have time right now. A friend and I participated in the Quilt-a-thon last year. It was a blast, I highly recommend others to get involved. I have raffle tickets, if anyone wants them, drop me an email and we’ll make arrangements.

Reminder: I’m putting together a blog post of links to other quilter’s posts about their charity efforts. If you would like to write something this month, or already have a post, please send it to me for inclusion.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most over the past month is reviewing all of the wonderful submissions to the Quilting Bloggers directory. I only wish I had more time to read each and every one of them.

One day last week, I came across these gorgeous Circles that Kristi was working on for a Circle Quilt. Kristi’s son even did a video of her showing how to sew the circles perfectly round, with no fuss. It’s very well done.

Check out this beautiful postcard made by fellow Quilting Blogger, Julia.

Julia wrote… “We have this 2005 Chevy Venture van that has served us well for our needs and getting us around. So here is my latest postcard quilt “Venturing Out”.

Several years ago I participated in a Christmas paper-piecing exchange. Each person was responsible for completing 12 blocks, 11 of which were then sent to a coordinator, who in turn sent you back 11 blocks that others completed. I assembled the blocks into this small wall hanging. My block is the Christmas ornament, third row down in the middle.

I hope to do more exhanges like this as they are so much fun. If you know of any that will accept Canadian participants, please let me know.

I took this photo at the Upper Canada Village 2007 Quilt Show.

I started this quilt several years ago, but wasn’t happy with the results, so I put it away, out of sight. In the meantime, I purchased a new sewing machine, Janome, to replace my Singer that would eat my fabric, and make nothing but a mess. I dug this project out last summer and after several hours, finished it. It’s certainly not perfect, but I love it.

It hangs in my living room above the TV area and makes me smile every time I look at it, because while it took me several years, I finally finished it!