Drop and Swap is tomorrow!

Remember that this Saturday is our spring Drop and Swap! I am so looking forward to seeing all the tops that you have been working on this winter. Our quilters are looking forward to loading those tops on to the machines and turning them into finished works of art to honour our wounded/ill soldiers and sailors. There is a long list of recipients waiting to receive those finished quilts! A quick call/email to the location of your choice to confirm that you are coming would be appreciated just so that we can manage the traffic flow.

Drop and Swap Locations:

• Brigid: 78 Porcupine Trail, Dunrobin, brigid94@gmail.com
• Nancy at 672 Gilmour St (Centretown), 613 680 4030, nancy.arbogast@quiltsofvalour.com
• Robbie at 420 Tanager Bay (Orleans)
• Marylin at 1750 Lafrance Dr (Orleans), 613 824 7205, mshquilter@gmail.com
• Debbie at 1441 Palmerston Dr. Unit 320 (Ogilvie and Aviation), 613-290-6844, felinehappy1@gmail.com
• Marian at 133 Mangrove Crescent (Findlay Creek), rickeyem@rogers.com

Just to let you know, I have had the honour of several wonderful conversations with veterans over the past week. As I was talking to one of our recipients about his service, his daughter commented with amazement to Jacquie that this was the most animated she had seen her father in months! He was certainly warmed by his quilt! I like to watch how the recipient holds the quilt — it can be very telling. Even when they look calm and relaxed, there is a certain possessive clutch as they hold the quilt, as if they have been given a precious life-line. That is what you are stitching!

Happy Stitching!

Nancy

An Additional Drop and Swap Location

With the Drop and Swap coming up for next Saturday, June 19 from 10:00 to 3:00, we have added one more location and changed one location. Brigid will be waiting to provide kits for those of you who would like a short drive into the country to the quiet town of Dunrobin. Marylin will be stepping in for Robbie to sign out kits in Orleans.

Drop and Swap Locations:

• Brigid: 78 Porcupine Trail, Dunrobin, brigid94@gmail.com
• Nancy at 672 Gilmour St (Centretown), 613 680 4030, nancy.arbogast@quiltsofvalour.com
• Robbie at 420 Tanager Bay (Orleans)
• Marylin at 1750 Lafrance Dr (Orleans), 613 824 7205, mshquilter@gmail.com
• Debbie at 1441 Palmerston Dr. Unit 320 (Ogilvie and Aviation), 613-290-6844, felinehappy1@gmail.com
• Marian at 133 Mangrove Crescent (Findlay Creek), rickeyem@rogers.com

To avoid traffic jams, please consider sending an email in advance to identify what time you would like to come by. Remember to leave your phone number please, in case we need to contact you.

With the easing of restrictions, we are finally returning to presentations starting this coming week. There is a long list of recipients awaiting quilts and a good supply of quilts to get us started. I am looking forward to meeting our military members and thanking them for their service to our country, and introducing them to the quilts that you have made. As I set up appointments, I am warmed by the excitement that I hear in the voices of the recipients and nominators: “Me? Someone nominated me?” Recipients have been nominated by sons and daughters who express how proud they are of their parent’s contribution. Some have been nominated by sisters-in-arms or bothers-in-arms with expressions of admiration and gratitude. Some have been nominated by spouses who watched first-hand the struggles to complete a task that is so close to the heart and so demanding.

Thank you for making this possible!

Happy Stitching,

Nancy

Kits at the Ready

Are you ready for a new kit or two? Remember that June 19 is the scheduled Drop and Swap Day from 10:00 to 3:00. Ontario is planning to ease restrictions as of June 14 and the Ontario/Quebec border is supposed to open on June 16. So we should be all systems go for porch-front exchanges!

Some of you might remember the “old days” when Kathleen and her team would prepare the kits with all the pieces carefully precut and accurately counted. (We miss Kathleen!) But, with the help of Karine, we have a whole new collection of carefully precut kits waiting for your sewing machine (thank-you Karine). Look at that box of kits — it’s like a box of kittens; you know you want to start working on a new top! The side pictures are two of the kits available (Falling Charms on the left, Gridlock on the right).

We have even added two additional locations:

• Nancy at 672 Gilmour St (Centretown)
• Robbie at 420 Tanager Bay (Orleans)
• Debbie at 1441 Palmerston Dr. Unit 320 (Ogilvie and Aviation)
• Marian at 133 Mangrove Crescent (Riverside South)

I hope you are enjoying our summer weather. My garden is growing enthusiastically and even though I am in the city, I am getting a few wild visitors, including these two baby raccoons who spent the late afternoon and early evening exploring our patio and garden, totally unfussed by the paparazzi and two cats following them. (My cats were curious, but maintained a cautious distance at all times.)

We look forward to seeing you on June 19 at the Drop and Swap (have you marked your calendar?). Remember the contests that are still running (Hug Blocks and Finished Quilts), and if you know of someone who likes to write, or to organize, QOVC is lookiing for a “few good people” to help behind the scenes.

Happy Stitching,

Nancy