Simply amazing...........

Majorly LARGE post coming up with LOTS'O'PICS!

The quilters new and old, who have been contributing to this Quilt of Valor block drive are simply amazing!

No, seriously......YOU ALL ARE NOTHING BUT SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

1,649 

BLOCKS RECEIVED TO DATE!!!!!!

(Ummm, that's 54 quilts folks!!!!!)

WOW!

Here is the list of AWESOME PEOPLE for this week!

Sue in Tennessee

Elaine in Florida

P of the way i sew it

Kate of The QUILTING PROFESSOR

Karen in Texas

Kathy in Wisconsin

Beverly in Maine

Kathryn in Rhode Island

Kathy in Washington

Jo Ann in Nebraska

Nancy in Idaho

Michele in Georgia

Sandy in California

Holly in Indiana

Carol of Giraffe Dreams

Esther in Florida

Nancy in Texas

Dee in Iowa

Laurie in Ohio

Caroline in North Dakota

Donna in Alabama

Julie in Iowa

Doreen in Iowa

Greta in Kansas

Cherie of QUILTED JONQUIL

Diana (Northwest Quilters) in Oregon

Beth of Love Laugh Quilt

Pat of Life in the Scrapatch

Debbie in Missouri

Dar of Dar's Patchwork Garden

Jackie in Missouri

Colleen in Missouri

Leatha in California

Katie of Snuggle Up with a Dish from Karma

Connie of Artisan at Heart

Janet in Washington

Debbie in Pennsylvania

Delilah in Texas

Terri in Texas

Lynda in Illinois

Kelli of Seriously i think it needs STITCHES

Darlene (and granddaughter Jana) of Quilting Together

Celeste in Wisconsin

Pat in Virginia

Linda in Vermont

Kaye in Nebraska

Diane in Illinois

Marianne in New York

Anita in California

Nancy in Massachusetts

Sue in Michigan

Jean in Virginia

Peggy of Sew Enjoyable

Leslie in Virginia

Jenny of Whimsical Mama's Day

Pam in Ohio

Mary Lynn in California

Linda in Texas

Prue in Maryland

And the following quilters generously donated blocks

but cannot be included in the prize drawing:

Jacqui in Australia

Maryke in The Netherlands

M in Texas

Dee in Missouri

K in Pennsylvania

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

(Thanks again for understanding that my blogging is sometimes limited to once a week!  If you haven't seen your name listed under "Awesome People" and you HAVE sent me blocks, PLEASE contact me!  Remember, there have been a few posts about the blocks being sent in, so go back a few posts if you are concerned?)

Your cards and letters are absolutely heartwarming!  I have read EVERY ONE of them!  Your kind words are SO encouraging, and you all better believe I am gonna make sure each and every one of these blocks is going to make it into a Quilt of Valor!  Why you may ask?  Well, just look at these photos.....and I think you may understand?

Here is a group of men including veterans from WWII, The Korean War, Vietnam, and a young man that just returned from Afghanistan, along with Quilts of Valor, Eastern Missouri leaders.  These quilts were awarded at our last meeting.  What a wonderful way to thank these veterans!

There are female veterans too!  Just like there are guys that quilt!

This young lady was helping out at the facility where our QOV group met.  She had no clue

she was going to receive a quilt that day, but, she was very grateful!

I am selecting three quilts from this block drive that will be part of my presentation in Cape Girardeau, and the rest of the quilts will soon be making their way into the frames of Quilts of Valor, Eastern Missouri.  I can't wait to see them being quilted! My friend Dar of  Dar's Patchwork Garden is helping me organize a sewing day to make quilt tops from the blocks that have already came in.  We are going to be able to cover SO many veterans, and again, that is what this block drive is ALL about!

Here are a few gifts that have been sent along with blocks and quilt tops!

  Wendy in Maine sent me this AWESOME mini quilt!

I LOVE IT!  Thank you so much Wendy!

I can't thank the following quilters enough for their kind contributions and gifts!

Shirl in Pennsylvania sent the star fabric on the right.

P of the way i sew it sent the Essential threads!  It's already being used P!

Greta in Kansas sent a donation for backing and batting.

Cherie of QUILTED JONQUIL sent the delicious blue backing fabrics.

Pat of Life in the Scrapatch sent the ruler.

Thank you all again and again!

I really appreciate everything everyone is doing for this block drive!  Just so you know, although gifts are absolutely 100% appreciated, they are not necessary.

Sue in Tennessee sent me this BEAUTIFUL quilt to donate to Quilts of Valor, Eastern Missouri! She is the mother of an Air Force veteran, and pieced this intricate pattern to "pass the time" while visiting out in the rural West.  Thank you so much for your generous donation Sue!

Our QOV, Eastern Missouri members were in AWE of your work Sue!  Here are some "Vanna Whites" parading the quilt around.  As you can see, I had to revive my friend "Cupcake" with smelling salts after viewing your donation quilt!

My simply amazing quilting friend Ann of Attic Threads & Quilts has generously donated yet another prize!

The 4th place winner will receive this "A New Leaf" jelly roll by Benartex!

There are some really wonderful colors and prints in this collection!

Photo from The Missouri Star Quilt Company.

THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH ANN!!!!!!!!

(Ann and I will be travelling to Wichita, Kansas next week to view our collaborative quilt at 

the Machine Quilters Showcase!!!!!! Hopefully, I will be sharing some good news!!!!!!  I wonder if any of the teaser photos in previous blog posts refer to this??? HMMMMMM????)

I am preparing a full post of all of the prizes so everyone can refer to it and their wonderful sponsors!

To each and every person who has donated prizes, I just can't thank you ENOUGH!

Nor can I thank all of you who are donating blocks!!!!!

And this is what we are making here folks!  Feast your eyes upon these!

My QOV friend, Colleen, donated solid blocks, and then was inspired to make this simply amazing take on the "Pathway of Valor" pattern!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!  Way to go Colleen!

Peggy of Sew Enjoyable sent in this beautiful version of "Pathway of Valor!"

Wonderful fabric selections, and placement Peggy!  Oh yeah!!!!!

Janet in Washington sent in this dynamic version of "Pathway of Valor!"

My beautiful sister and beautiful Momma are displaying Janet's quilt.

I LOVE the various shades of blue in this one, and that yellow just POPS!  

WOOT!  WOOT!  WOOT!

Kinda blurry (blame the photographer, ahem me), but, this is Kelly of O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop's first quilt!  She gave me the blocks, and I pieced them into this top!  SO FUN!

And, another quilt from Kelly of O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop that her customer Lynn pieced together!

I love this variation!  Kind of like "Streak of Lightening!"  Too cool!!!!!

Displayed by my handsome nephew and gorgeous niece!

The next three tops were pieced by me and my good ole' pal Mike!

He's getting good at a 1/4" seam!!!!

Way to go Mike!

There are some AWESOME fabrics in this one!

Displayed by my handsome nephew, and debonair Dad!

I really like the way this one turned out too!

My gorgeous niece and beautiful Momma display this version.

A "Pathway of Valor" in blue, you say?  Comin' right up!

An abundance of blue blocks made this striking quilt top!

I am guessing you know who it is being displayed by, by now?

(The bottom row is not fully displayed here.)

And Judy of Quilt Paradigm blogged about the AMAZEBALLS "Pathway of Valor" top she made here!

I neglected to give her, her DUE shout out last week!

Sorry Judy!

Again, I am NOT overwhelmed......SIMPLY AMAZED and OVERJOYED!

Thanks again for all of your encouragement!

Together, we are covering SO MANY veterans!

Kevin the Quilter

NOT overwhelmed......OVERJOYED!!!........

The largeness of quilters hearts......

WOW!

Thank you all for understanding I can't blog about the beautiful blocks I have received, when they are sitting at the post office while I am flying a gazillion miles away on a jet plane for work!  WELCOME to my newest blog followers!  I try to blog about my quilt adventures at least once a week.

All of these packages were waiting for me to open them when I returned from flying this week!

I am simply speechless at the kindness you all are bestowing upon veterans of the U.S. of A.!  I have read every note, card, and letter you have sent.  I have laughed, cried, and have felt SO good about what we are doing here for Quilts of Valor.  It truly is ALL about the veterans in our joint endeavor!  Simply by taking some time out of your personal sewing time, and devoting it to making some blocks, together we are making some BEAUTIFUL quilts!  Just wait and see!

Generosity is abundant in the following AWESOME people I have received blocks from:

Carol in New Hampshire

Diane in Tennessee

Radz in Massachusetts

Marsha in Pennsylvania

Pam in Alabama

Jan in Georgia

Barbara in NY

Sharon in Connecticut

Tanya in Missouri

Valerie in California

Janet in Michigan

Miriam in Texas

Debbie in Texas

Harriett of The Brick Sidewalk

Victoria in New Hampshire

Dotti in Connecticut

Roberta in Ohio

Jane in Illinois

Donna in Connecticut

Deborah in North Carolina

Ann in Alaska

Wendy in Maine

Laura in Arkansas

Veronica in Missouri

Nancy in Missouri

Marcie in Missouri

Katie in Pennsylvania

Dale in Pennsylvania

Sheila in North Carolina

Patricia in Maryland

Jo of Jo's Country Junction

Trina in Washington

Katie in Wisconsin

Carol of Just Let Me Quilt

Margaret in Ohio

Donna in Michigan

Diane in New York

Inella in Idaho

Cheryl of Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting

Marilyn in Illinois

Vicki in Wisconsin

Shirley in Tennessee

C.J. in Michigan

Karon in Oregon

Polly in Texas

Dee in California

Mary Lou in Illinois

Pam of Sewing Wilde

Marti in Texas

Vera in Missouri

Karen in Michigan

Barb in Ohio

Judy in Arizona

Shirley in California

Lois in Kansas

Bonnie in Mississippi

Kathleen in New York

Tama in Kansas

Gwen in Massachusetts

Linda of Roscoe's Ma

Sabina in North Carolina

And the following quilters generously donated blocks

to be included in future QOVs, but, cannot be included in this prize drawing:

Denise in Canada

Marsha in Alabama

Helen in Virginia

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

(NOTICE:  Once again, if you are from Utah and you sent me 5 blocks, but, your name has not been published on the blog, please contact me with your information?  I have 5 blocks from someone in the Salt Lake City area that did not send any return info?)

824 BLOCKS RECEIVED THUS FAR!!!!!!

Keep'em a comin'!!!!

Let's see how many veterans we can cover!?!?!?!?!

I have said it before, and I will say it again I am sure......I am NOT overwhelmed by the amount of blocks coming in, but, I am OVERJOYED!

MANY thanks to ALL who have helped spread the word about this block drive via social media, blogs, and word of mouth!

Look at what we are making here folks!!!!!

 My friend and partner in crime, Bev, pieced these blocks together.  She then quilted our FIRST quilt

from this block drive!

The quilting couldn't be more perfect!  Great motion throughout!

The pantograph is called "Seaweed" by Lorien Quilting.

THANK YOU BEV!!!!!

Judy in Arizona sent her blocks in this beautifully pieced top!

Her color placement is wonderful!  Thank you Judy!

Gracie Lu HAD to pose with the quilt top!

I have been asked many times about pre-washing fabrics.  All QOVs MUST be washed before being presented to the recipient, so it doesn't really matter to me if the fabrics in the blocks have been washed or not.  MANY color catchers will be used when washing these quilts for those of you who are concerned. LOL  I have also received several e-mails referring to piecing tops and sending them in.  This is my answer:  If you feel so inclined, and have the time to piece together the quilt top, go right ahead!  My only request is that you keep the integrity of the original "Pathway of Valor" pattern if at all possible?  30 blocks will enter you 6 times into the prize drawings!  

Speaking of prize drawings.........

Look what just got added courtesy of Kim of Pokeytown Kim!!!!!

There will now be a 3rd place prize!

The 3rd place winner will receive a copy of one of my most favorite quilting books!

Bonnie Hunter's String Fling!

WOW!  What a WONDERFUL BOOK and what a wonderful prize!

I know you don't want me saying it Kim, but, THANK YOU!

To review a list of the 1st and 2nd place prizes, please look here.

And many thanks again to our fabulous 1st and 2nd place prize donors, Vicki Welsh and Susan in Washington who blogs at The Farm Quilter.

Kelly at O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop continues to cut kits for her block drive being held in conjunction

with mine.  She has received her first 30 blocks, and is receiving more each day.  Again, if you are in the metro St. Louis area, don't miss an opportunity to win a $100 gift certificate to her shop by submitting 5 blocks to her.  You are allowed to enter both her drive and mine, but, remember, you have to submit 5 blocks to her AND 5 DIFFERENT blocks to me by June 1st.

I have to share with you some items I have been receiving along with the blocks:

Jane of Jane's Fabric and Quilts sent in this LOVELY backing fabric!

This is going to make a WONDERFUL backing for one of our block drive quilts!

THANK YOU JANE!

Thank you to Gina in Missouri for the Doily for Miss Bev!  Just in time for her Easter Bonnet!

Thank you to Shirl in Pennsylvania for the Teas and the star fabric (pic coming soon of fabric!)

And, thank you to Vicki in Wisconsin for this beautiful dishcloth!  How did you know my kitchen is gold?? LOL

I would also like to thank Marcie in Missouri for my AWESOME Kevin the Quilter purse, I mean

shopping bag, I mean pin cushion!  I LOVE IT!

And, one last shout out to one of the most talented long arm quilters I have ever met!

My friend Ann of Attic Threads recently received 1st Place at the "Fanfare of Quilts" Quilt Show in St. Louis.  She won best hand guided long arm quilt, and let me tell you, it IS fabulous!

And so are you Ann!

I have never been so happy to be a part of something philanthropic, such as this QOV Block Drive!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you ALL for your kindness!

Keep them cards and letters comin' in!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!
Kevin the Quilter

HOLY COW....and......The Hallelujah Chorus...........RSC2014

Are any of you all baseball fans?

Well, being from the St. Louis area, you can probably guess I am a BIG-TIME St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan?  And with spring training in full swing, I can hardly wait for opening day!  When I was a kid, I would particularly like watching the Cards play the Chicago Cubs when the famous Harry Carey would announce the game and would throw in a "HOLY COW!!!!" every now and then!

I was repeatedly saying, "HOLY COW!!!!!!" every time I went to the post office this week!  You all are AMAZING and VERY generous!  I feel as though this QOV block drive has already been a great success just by "meeting" some of you through blogging and the kind notes you have sent along with some BEAUTIFUL BLOCKS!

307 blocks to date!

Please realize, when I started this block drive, I was very modest in my estimation as to how many quilters would participate?  I am BEYOND PLEASED with the turn out, and let's keep the ball rolling so we can make as many quilts of valor as we can!  Rest assured....I am NOT overwhelmed, nor will I be!  After all, this block drive is ALL ABOUT THE VETERANS!  ALL, and  I do mean ALL blocks received WILL be turned into Quilts of Valor and distributed to veterans by Quilts of Valor, Eastern Missouri.  (I have even been receiving offers to help me from some quilting elves!)  I will be keeping a running total of blocks received during the block drive, and I will post photos of all quilts made from them.  This is my passion, and I want to make you all proud to be a part of it!

Cue the "Hallelujah Chorus" please.........

Here is a list of the AWESOME people I have received blocks from this week:

Debra of Feathers In My Nest 

Sandy in Texas

Adele in Louisiana

Jane of Janes Fabric and Quilts 

Sharon of Vroomans Quilts 

Andee of The Modern Diary

Connie of Freemotion by the River

JoAnne of The Patriotic Quilter

Peggy in Illinois

Megan in Washington

Jeanne of Loving Retirement

Wanda of Exuberant Color

Brenda in Kentucky

Gina in Missouri

Susan in Wisconsin

Pat in Wisconsin

Wanda in Texas

Donna in Wisconsin

Paula in Nebraska

Karen of Moose Bay Muses

Shirl in Pennsylvania

Pat in Washington

Paula in Michigan

Lynn in Missouri

Beverly in Kansas

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU! 

THANK YOU!

(If you sent me 5 blocks and your name is not listed and you are from the Salt Lake City, Utah area, PLEASE contact me!  I received 5 blocks from someone who did not give me any return info?)

I can't thank Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville and Kim of Pokeytown Kim for believing in this block drive, and thrusting it to so many quilters attention!

A few things to remember:

- Quilt blocks should measure 12.5" (12 1/2") UNFINISHED.

-I realize computer monitors are different, and the colors on the sample quilt and blocks may look darker, but, please mix and match colors in the following families so we may remain consistent:

Blues from Navy to Light Blue.....please stay away from blue greens and turquoise.

Reds from Arrest me Red to deep rich reds, try to stay away from pink- reds or burgundy.

Neutrals from whites to tans, no browns please.

Golds from bright yellow gold to darker ocher gold.

- Patterned fabric is different than printed fabric, here are a few examples of patterned (tone on tone) fabrics that are perfectly acceptable to use:

All of these fabrics will read as a solid when placed in the quilts.

Please click on the photos to view them larger.

Please refer to the following link if you have any questions about anything concerning this block drive:

QOV Block Drive and Tutorial

You may also contact me by commenting, or e-mailing me from the top right corner of the blog.

REMINDER:  If you are a no-reply blogger and you do not leave your e-mail address, I CAN'T reply to you.  I would love to be able to reply to everyone that asks a question. 

Please refer to the following link to view the prize packages:

PRIZES!

Thanks again to Vicki Welsh and Susan in Washington that blogs at The Farm Quilter

for donating to the prize packages!

And remember, if you are in the metro St. Louis area, Kelly at O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop has some great kits that are ready to be made into blocks!

Make 5 and enter O'Sewpersonal's block drive!

And, other things going on in my world......

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge color this month is:

AQUA/TEAL

Soul Searching block

Crumby Maverick Stars

Linking up with Scraphappy Saturday.

TEASER ALERT!

TEASER ALERT!

TEASER ALERT!

I wonder what these three photos are of and what they are for?

Where is it's/their destination?

Is it all of the same quilt, or three different quilts????

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM????????

I WONDER??????????

Thanks again for your continued encouragement!

I look forward to showing you many more blocks and quilts next week!

I am very thankful for having met IN PERSON some fellow bloggers this week!

Kevin the Quilter

Sweetening the pot.........

May I just say how BLOWN away I am by most quilters generous nature?

This has been one of the best weeks of my life!

I have heard from so many of you.  Some of you I know via my blog, and some I have never met!  But all, so KIND!

When I toyed with the idea of starting a block drive for Quilts of Valor, I wasn't sure what kind of a response I would get, but, after this first week of our little block drive, I can definitely say, you all ROCK!

I HAVE to thank the many fellow bloggers who have helped get the word out via their blogs and their personal Facebook accounts!  There are MANY of you, and I don't want to leave anyone out, so, if you have helped spread the word through either avenue.....

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

I also want to send a huge THANK YOU and shout out to my fellow blogger Joanie of Joanie's Trendy Quilts who selflessly volunteered her time and took it upon herself to make the official badge of this block drive!

March 2-June1

I LOVE IT!

Joanie and I both would LOVE for you to take the badge and utilize it on your blog to continue spreading the word!  If you wouldn't mind, link the badge back to:  http://kevinthequilter.blogspot.com/2014/03/kevin-quilters-big-announcement.html  No passwords are required.

I would be remiss if I didn't give a big ole' shout out to my new found friend Kelly at O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop!  Kelly has worked tirelessly to get her block drive underway at her shop.  If you are in the O'Fallon, Missouri area, or driving to or from St. Louis on I-70 (west of St. Louis), please do NOT miss seeing her new fabric shop.  If you enter the block drive contest at Kelly's store, you may win a $100 gift certificate to O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop!  She is also having some great drawings throughout the drive!  For those local residents who are interested, you are welcome to enter both block drives.  Just realize, you have to send 5 blocks to O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop AND 5 blocks to me.  Thank you so much for your hard work Kelly.  I KNOW that TOGETHER, we will cover MANY veterans with the quilts we will make from our group effort!

Kelly has already started receiving blocks from her block drive!

Speaking of receiving blocks!!!  I have received blocks from the following awesome people:

Veronica in Missouri

Mary of Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

Dee of Dee Dee's Quilts

Christina in Florida

and

Sabina in North Carolina

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

Please send blocks to:

Kevin the Quilter

P.O. Box 494

Winfield, Missouri 63389

Remember to please provide me your return mail address or
a way to contact you in case you win!

I would like to answer a few questions that have been posed to me.........

-May I use printed fabric for the blocks?

I would like to remain consistent and stick with the solid fabrics or fabrics that read as solid in the following colors: Blues: Navy to Light Blue, Reds: Bright Reds to Deep Rich Reds, Neutrals: Whites to Tans, and Golds: Bright Yellow Gold to Deep Harvest Gold.  If you have any further questions, please refer to : The Big Announcement.

-What is a fabric that reads as a solid?

These fabrics include tone on tones, blenders (one color), marbled fabrics, and hand dyed fabrics as long as it is one color (not tie dyed.)

-I keep cutting the wrong side of the larger piece of fabric for the strip?

My suggestion is to place a pin on the 11" side of fabric,(NOT WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO CUT FOR THE STRIP- rotary cutters don't like pins!!!) that way you will know which side to cut for the strip.

And through the gracious outpouring of support from various individuals, I am going to be able to offer even more incentive to those interested in making blocks and sweeten the pot for the winners of this drive!  

Remember, in order to qualify for the drawings and win, you MUST send in 5 (quantity 5) blocks.  For each 5 (quantity 5) blocks you send you will be entered for the drawing.  For example: 5 blocks = 1 entry, 10 blocks = 2 entries, 100 blocks = 20 entries, and so on.  

On top of the $100 gift certificate to the Missouri Star Quilt Company, the grand prize winner will receive:

A Vicki Welsh Color Wheel Stash Pack and a package of Mistyfuse compliments of Vicki Welsh!!!!!!!

Please visit both Vicki Welsh's Blog and Vicki Welsh's Hand Dyed Fabric Shop to thank her for this most generous prize!  By the way, Vicki Welsh's hand dyed fabrics would work beautifully in our block drive colors!  Just sayin'!  ;-)  VICKI WELSH FOLKS!  I am a little star struck and very smitten!

A second place winner will be drawn and will receive:  A Vicki Welsh Color Wheel Stash Pack.  Also the second place winner will receive free quilting on a quilt measuring up to 60"x80" by Susan in Washington that blogs at Farm Quilter. All the second place winner has to do is provide the top and backing, and Susan will quilt it with quilting of HER choice.  She will even ship it back to you!  Please visit her blog with the link I provided to look at some of her wonderful quilting! 

I cannot thank these two ladies enough for reaching out to me so that I may reach out to you all!  Through our efforts, I KNOW we will be able to cover MANY veterans!  And, that my friends, is what THIS block drive is all about! Yes, I will be sharing at my presentation about the origins of this block drive, but, it is all about making Quilts of Valor for veterans.

And, on a final note, I have to send you to Libby's blog!  She has started a comfort quilt using the "Pathway of Valor" quilt block pattern!  Way to go Libby!!!!!

If you all have any questions concerning anything about the block drive, don't hesitate to contact me via  comment or e-mail!

Keep those blocks coming in!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!
Kevin the Quilter

  

Kevin the Quilter's BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!..........

I can't believe the day is finally here so I can make my

BIG

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Insert booming voice that echoes!)

As many of my faithful blog readers know, I am gearing up for a presentation I am making for the River Heritage Quilt Guild in Cape Girardeau, Missouri this July.  I am making great progress on how I am going to share my personal quilting story, and quilts that I have made that I want to share.  But, I want this presentation to include YOU ALL!  You have provided me with constant encouragement, and have given me some great feedback in response to the questions I have posed.  However, I want to allow ALL of us to be involved in a way that will really be special!  

Can you guess what I may be proposing to you all?????

Of course this presentation will include my work with Quilts of Valor, and I am working closely with the guild so that I can make some quilt presentations to some very deserving veterans.

Any guesses as to what may be up my sleeve yet????

OK, OK, OK!!!!!!

I am hosting a block drive here on my blog!    

These blocks will be made into Quilts of Valor for presentations at my talk in July!

This is going to be SIMPLE, SIMPLE, SIMPLE!!!!!  If you can't participate by making blocks, would you mind helping me spread the word?  Pretty please with sugar and a cherry on top???  Here are a few questions you may have?

Who will be making the quilt?

-You all will be making the blocks, and me and a few of my QOV friends will be turning those blocks into quilt tops, and quilting them.  Backings, bindings, batting, and thread will be taken care of by me.

How many quilts will be made?

- This will entirely depend upon how many blocks are received.  But, I hope to get enough blocks to make at least 3 quilt presentations or more (30 blocks per quilt).  If more blocks are received (WHICH WOULD BE AWESOME!) the remaining blocks will be made into quilts and donated to Quilts of Valor Eastern Missouri and distributed by QOV Eastern Missouri.  I will keep a log on my blog of the quilts made, and show photographs of each quilt made by this block drive.

How long will the block drive run?

- The block drive starts from the posting of this blog entry 3/2/14 until 6/1/14.

Do I have to have a blog to send blocks in and win?

- Not at all.....this is open to anyone reading my blog.  Just make sure I can contact you, especially if you are a no-reply blog reader.   

Is there a prize?

- OF COURSE!!!!!!  For every 5 (quantity 5) blocks you send in, your name will be placed in a drawing for......drum-roll please..........a $100.00 gift card from the Missouri Star Quilt Company.  This will be provided by me.  I am in no way directly affiliated with the Missouri Star Quilt Company, I just love their online shop and want to be able to offer incentive to you all.  So, if you send in 10 blocks, your name will be entered twice for the drawing and so on.  The more blocks you make, the more chances you have to win!  In order to be placed in the drawing, I must have your blocks IN MY HANDS by 6/1/14.  In order to qualify for the prize, you must submit 5 blocks.

For those who are located in the greater St. Louis metro area, I am teaming up with

 O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop in O'Fallon, Missouri for a Quilt of Valor block drive located in their store.  O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop will be making the rules for the block drive that will be held in their store.  Please visit the shop for more details.......those of you who are local WON'T want to miss out on this fun opportunity! And, yes, you CAN enter both block drives if you are local! 

Where do I send the blocks?

- Please send completed blocks to:

Kevin the Quilter

P.O. Box 494

Winfield, Missouri 63389

(And, make SURE I have your return address......just in case you win!!!!!)

This will be open to U.S. residents only.  (Sorry to my international blogging friends!)

Let's make this as fun as possible!  I sincerely want these presentation quilts to be a group effort from all of my wonderful blogging friends, and readers!  If you would like, I will include your name on the quilt label, but, that is up to you.  Just let me know when you send your blocks in by placing a note in with the blocks.  Otherwise, the label will simply state "Made by Blog Readers of Kevin the Quilter."

Sooooooooooooooo..................................what are we making????

I decided to choose this very generic block for it's ease, and graphic quality.  A beginner can easily make it, and an experienced quilter can whip 5 of these babies out in literally an hour or less.......SERIOUSLY!

TA-DAH!!!!

Please mix and match the following colors that are solid, or read as solid:

Blues from Navy to Light Blue.....please stay away from blue greens and turquoise.

Reds from Arrest me Red to deep rich reds, try to stay away from pink reds or burgundy.

Neutrals from whites to tans, no browns please.

Golds from bright yellow gold to darker ocher gold.

Please remember to use only 100% cotton fabric and no shiny metallic fabrics so we can stay in accordance with what Quilts of Valor requests of their quilts.

Here is the color palette I used for my sample quilt.

Fabrics from O'Sewpersonal Fabric Shop.......delicious!

PLEASE follow the link to their website!

AND

"Pathway of Valor"

By

Kevin the Quilter

Here's the quilt top!

See???? EASY, EASY, EASY!

Visually interesting, graphic, and JOYFUL!

Here are the block particulars and a brief tutorial:

The block measures 12.5" unfinished, and each quilt will be set in a 5x6 block setting making the finished quilt approximately 60"x72".  This is a great size for a QOV.

To make a block you will need:

1: 2.5"x12.5" strip

and

1: 11"x12.5" piece of contrasting fabric.

next:

Find the spot where you want to place the strip.  This can be ANYWHERE!  It's up to you!  In the above photo I have the ruler placed in the center of the 11"x12.5" piece of fabric on the 11" side which is 5.5". As you could tell by looking at the sample quilt, however, I placed the strips in various locations.  I will take anything as long as it is straight, and cut vertically on that 11" side.......ask me how I know NOT to cut the 12.5" side!!!!!  Let's try to make as many variations as possible?

This is what the sample block looked like before sewing together.

Again, this strip could be placed ANYWHERE along this side!

Sew strip to one side using 1/4" seam allowance

(See the red strings...that red strip is under there somewhere!)

Set the seam.

(Yes, I use steam! LOL)

    And press away from the strip.

Sew the other piece to the other side of the strip in the same manner, and press away from the strip.

Trim to 12.5" square.  There shouldn't be much trimming needed to be honest.

And that's it!

Make 5, send them to me, we will put them in our group Quilt of Valor effort

and, you COULD win a $100.00 gift card to the Missouri Star Quilt Company!

And, just to cover another potential question, contrasting fabrics in the same color family may be used.  See the gold block in the middle on the bottom row above?

Are you all willing to help me out, and donate about an hour of your time to a really great cause?  If you all have ANY questions about anything at all, don't hesitate to contact me in the comment section or by e-mail in the upper right portion of the blog.  Again, I will be accepting blocks from now 3/2/14 until 6/1/14.  I will keep you all posted on everything.  Hopefully, I can let you all know how many blocks are coming in......and not how many crickets I am listening to? LOL

I can't thank you all enough for all of the encouragement you have provided!

Let's do this together!

Who would have thought I am having a block drive on my blog???? COOL!

Kevin the Quilter