I heard stories about soldiers not having basic necessities.  I heard stories that there are many who have no one at home, receive no letters or care packages, and it struck me this is Christmas and how alone I would feel in a strange place in the middle so much tension. I simply had to sign up to adopt a soldier!

Oh, I did debate whether or not I could actually commit to sending care packages and letters.  Not really could I, but would I?

I took the step, signed up really late on a Tuesday night, and waited for the email on my assigned soldier.  The website said it could be three days before they would make a match. I was most concerned that I wouldn’t get the information until it was too late to get packages to him/her by Christmas.  On Thursday morning, I woke up with the information sitting in my email.  I was so excited, I was giddy!

My soldier is in Afghanistan. His name is Miguel. He’s in a new compound with no access to purchase necessities except through the local shops. He asked for personal hygiene items and snacks, but most of all some distractions for when they are off duty… for his squad of 15 men.

I’m lucky.  He has intermittent access to email and it is his preferred means of communication. I hear from him every few days, a quick sentence or paragraph. I feel like half the time I just blither on about my day, my cats and dog, the weather. I don’t think it matters. But I know how much it brightens up my day to see a message from him in the in-box.  He begins or ends almost every email with a thank-you, but I wonder if he understands that I should be thanking him.  He’s in a foreign country, away from his family, fighting for me and my freedom. He’s there to make a difference. He gives me the chance to feel like I’m doing something too.

I do not know what he does, where he goes, what he sees, who he interacts with, or if he is in any danger.  I do know that he cares a great deal about the men in his unit, he calls them his friends, and he lets me know if there is something special they’d like.  I’ve only been in the program for 10 days.

The Adopt a US Soldier program needs people.  The website gives a lot of good information and very realistic expectations for its sponsors.  It offers a way to communicate with others, a place to ask questions, and to get answers from someone who has experienced the same concerns. It offers support on subjects I hadn’t even thought about before I signed up from people that have firsthand knowledge. It offers tips and examples of things to send and how to fill out the shipping forms.  It’s been operating for about 5 years, and hopes to continue until there’s no longer need.  They are a 501c3 organization and they could use your support, because right now, they have more soldier requests than they have sponsors.  www.adoptaussoldier.org (See picture below of Tricia’s adopted soldier.)

Miguel

*****

Thanks for listening -

Kathy

Face (Ryan on Far Right)

Face is headquartered in Boulder (see their website, www.facevocalband.com) and performs both locally and nationally.  Face is a nationally recognized all-vocal rock band bringing a new edge and attitude to the human voice. Using just five singers and a vocal drummer or “beat-boxer,” Face creates a rock-music phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed. No other instruments or special effects – just six guys.

The Sing-off will be premiering tonight on NBC, December 14, 2009 at 8:00/7:00 central time. Join us in supporting Ryan and enjoy some fabulous a cappella entertainment. Congratulations, Ryan!

Sherri is an amazing quilter, and the author of Layer, Baste, Quilt in McCall’s Quilting magazine. Her column always has great tips on machine quilting. Don’t miss it!

We put the ribbon for her quilt next to her name tag. You will note that she has a guard flamino. The flamingo was a recent addition that she brought in for the pictures for Coral Beach Christmas in the current issue of McCall’s Quick Quilts. Somehow, they’ve become a permanent addition to her cube!

Sherri and Sonoran Stars

Sonoran Stars

Three little hourglass blocks!

The beginnings of a sweet border.

The quilt is slated for our May issue and I’ve already started on the small hourglass blocks (above) for one of the borders. I can’t wait to see the entire quilt done!

It was a strange day last week when the staff of Quick Quilts gathered in our heavy coats and scarves, draped ourselves in winter quilts and stomped out in the 85 degree sunshine to get our holiday picture taken.  Yes, that’s right – 85 degrees!

That is one of the strange things about working 4 – 6 months ahead of time.  Sometimes, you just aren’t dressed right for the weather!

I won’t spoil your fun and show you any of the pictures (you’ll have to take a look at the January issue for that), but I wanted to share another picture with you.  In this picture, photographer, Melissa is behind the camera, and art director, Ellie, is helping her with the shot.  Editor-in-chief, Beth Hayes, is just on the left side of the frame.  Now, when you see the picture in the magazine, you’ll know what it’s like from the other side!

Catch you later,

Kathy

How the other half lives!

My name is Kathy Hannah and you’ll no doubt see my name around on the website, answering questions and posting information to the blogs.  I’ve been quilting now for over ten years and sewing for more than twenty.  My 18-year-old daughter claims responsibility for starting my quilting career because she wanted a quilt for her bed when she was 8-years-old.  It makes no difference that I remember it differently, she would still claim responsibility for it!  At this point, it doesn’t matter because I started with that simple quilt of squares and rectangles and never looked back!  Since then, my extended family jokes that you aren’t a member of the family until you’ve received a Kathy Hannah original because of my habit of giving quilts for Christmas, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, (well, you get the idea…. basically, I just need an excuse to make a quilt!)

This position at Quick Quilts is something of a dream job since quilting has been my one of my passions for the last decade.  Up until July, I had a much less fascinating career as a medical office manager and specialist in electronic medical records.  I will really miss the patients, but you can only imagine how much fun it was with all of the recent upheaval in healthcare and the general joy to be found in middle management.  However, I was pretty much convinced that I had to work here as soon as I walked through the door.  How could I not!  There were quilts hanging everywhere!  It was hard to talk to the people because I couldn’t tear my eyes away from all of the quilts!

Although it may have been a little hard to focus on the people the first time I met them, I have since learned that they are all warm and kind, and amazingly knowledgeable about quilting.  From the latest fabric line to a question about machine quilting, there is always somebody with the answer.  I feel like a child who is soaking up knowledge like a sponge!  (And loving every minute of it!)

The other members of my family include my husband of twenty years, my 18-year-old daughter, my 15-year-old son, and my 24-year-old horse (see picture below).  You will note that the only picture I am sharing is of my horse.  You are welcome to read meaning into that.  But really, when I asked my son for a picture, he said, “Dude, no way!”  When I asked my daughter, she said, “You’ve got to be kidding, right?”  When I asked my husband, he said, “Is this really necessary?”  But when I asked my horse, he was blissfully silent.  Now you know why I have a horse 

Catch you later,

Kathy

Pride and Kathy

Current Issue: McCall's Quick Quilts August/September 2009

Stock up on your favorite magazines, books, patterns, and special issues, now! And don’t forget about any recent issues you may have missed . . . (click on the images in this blog for a peek at magazine’s content) . . .

McCall's Quick Quilts June/July 2009

McCall's Quick Quilts April/May 2009

McCall's Quick Quilts February/March 2009

In addition to recent issues, take advantage of our past issues for projects you can make now for the upcoming holidays!

You will receive free shipping on your order. This offer applies to domestic online orders, only, when using the offer code: FREE-SHIP-OFFR.  Offer ends August 19, 2009.

Gran's Cherry Pie quilt, by Lynn Lister

We added Lynn’s design as a queen size Web Bonus.  Click on the photo to get the pattern, now!

Nature's Bounty Potholder, July 2004 Quick Quilts Web Bonus Pattern

Do you have family visiting soon? Update your guest room with new pillowcases, using our Sand & Sun Pillowcase pattern! Using a solid and two accent fabrics, this pattern is sure to freshen up your guest bedding. Instead of the stripe, use a polkadot or mini-print with a coordinating solid and novelty fabric. Your options are endless!

Sand & Sun Pillowcase Pattern, July 2008 Quick Quilts Web Bonus Pattern

Are you working on a fast summer project, using one of our quick patterns? Please tell us about it here!