How is your fall going? That was a glorious reprieve of warm weather last week. I managed to get out for a couple of long bike rides to enjoy the last of the warmth before we settle in for the long freeze. (I have a firm rule against biking when there is frozen stuff on the ground.) Despite my gallivanting in the garden and along bike paths, I did manage to stay busy in the quilt room, sorting fabric for the stitchers who volunteered to build kits (thank you), and even doing some stitching of my own.
I had the opportunity to meet and present a quilt of valour to Capt (Ret’d) Daniel Kendrick, who served 35+ years in the RCN, including serving during the Korean War. He was the sailor who was the first sent down into the engine room after the HMCS Huron ran aground in enemy waters — you are not supposed to see rocks intruding into the interior of ships! You can read more about it here. He received his quilt with his wife, three of his children, their spouses and children present either physically or virtually. Mr Kendrick is a quiet man, but he is proud of his service and his family is proud of him. It really was an honour to meet him. That lovely quilt was made by Susan Jensen and has a very cozy flannel backing.
We now have five quilters who have stepped up to do the 11 x 11 challenge in the Ottawa area — that’s quilting one quilt per day for the first eleven days of November. What a wonderful way to show their support of our injured military! They do need our help. They need tops to quilt — 55 quilt tops. Some of you have been bringing in the tops in the past couple of weeks (thank-you) and we are up to about 40 tops on hand. We need another 15 or so. If you have a top ready to return, please drop me a line. This week is looking flexible so I might be able to drive around to do some pick-ups.
We are also gearing up for the Drop Swap and Sew (Saturday November 6, 10 – 3). I promised you a registration form, but the technology is hiding from me. Could you drop me a line (nancy.arbogast@quiltsofvalour.ca) and provide answers to the following questions? (You may want to cut and paste the questions, and then answer beside them — a low-tech solution may work.) Please note that if you will be staying for the sew-along you will need to be double-vaxxed.
- Would you like to stay for a sew-along at the Orleans United Church ? __________
- Would you like kits to pick up from Orleans? _______ Kanata? ______ Ottawa South? _____ Centretown? _______
- Will you be dropping off tops or incomplete kits? __________
The Orleans United Church has been a generous support of QOVC Ottawa over many years, providing us with space for sew-days and quilt bees, without charging us for space. The Orleans United Church Christmas Market is going online for the second year, running from November 1 to December 6. It is a great opportunity for stocking up on edible treats, decorations and gifts for your loved ones and for yourself.
I’d also like to put in a plug for another charity that keeps me busy. TEMBO provides educational support for girls and microfinance for women in a remote corner of Tanzania. TEMBO is holding its annual auction online again this year, with travel passes, artwork, food, decorating, and services all up for bids. I hope you’ll check it out. If you’d like to learn more about what TEMBO does, they are hosting a virtual interactive information session on October 23. The session is free, but registration is required.
Happy Stitching
Nancy
Longarmers for hire:
Christine: GREELYQUILTER@GMAIL.COM
Heather: heather.ann.derksen@gmail.com/www.redwillowquilts.ca
Ottawa Region: Quilts of Valour - Canada 