Goodbye, my friend.

This is my friend Elva. Elva and I are members of the BBQ City Quilters' Guild. Elva is a quiet person, she likes yellow roses and pastel colors in her quilts. She's been working on a Quilt of Valor made of bright red, and blue, and a white-white. It's a departure from her favorite color scheme. She's been piecing since summer, every meeting we chat and she shares her work on the quilt, she's a careful quilter and I was really looking forward to the chance to quilt her QOV. Elva died last Tuesday. Two weeks ago she told me her legs were really hurting but the doctor was going to fix her up before the holiday. And she just died in the hospital. Just like that. Elva was married for 49 years, she has three grown children and ten grandchildren and one great-grandkid. She's the same age as my mom. I miss you, Elva. I miss your little laugh and the funny self-deprecating things you say, and your heart, always wanting to help others. I miss you friend.

Quilts of Valor

The BBQ City Quilters' Guild chose to become a sponsor of the Quilts of Valor program. First two quilts were completed and shared at the Guild meeting this week. Ann Whitaker made a lovely quilt of rail fence blocks and squares. Denise James made a lovely quilt of half square triangles. They are just beautiful. And both these talented ladies asked me to quilt them! And I did, and now they are on their way to Ft. Bragg for the "82 for the 82nd" Airborne quilt jump! It was an awesome responsibility to quilt these special quilts and I think they were pleased with the result.

Here's Ann telling the story of why she wanted to hurry and make a quilt especially for the 82nd Airborne soldiers. Her baby brother Pete, a career soldier, was a member of the 82nd during the Vietnam Conflict. He is her closest sibling and she wanted to honor his service by serving those who are now members. Well done, Ann!

Here's Denise when I delivered her quilt to her! She is a new and dynamic and bold quilter.

It was a priviledge to work on their quilts.