Today is Flag Day!

PamBuda2016It’s June 14 already?  Here in the US we celebrate June 14 as Flag Day, so who better to check in with than Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts!  Here’s a peek at her recent blog post – I thought this photo in particular captures the spirit of the day.  Read more about Pam’s work-in-progress, Lady Liberty…

StarSpangledBothStacked…and be sure to make plans for Pam’s newest BOM, STAR SPANGLED LIBERTY! You’ll love her two options for the center row and her distinctive vertical “quilter’s flag” down the left side.  Pam also includes American anecdotal history about our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance, Old Glory flag facts, and about Betsy Ross, who played an epic role in the birth of the new nation.

The 9-month program begins in September!  Quilt size: 74-1/2″ x 78″

Learn more about Flag Day!

As Memorial Day Approaches…

Here in the US, we’ll celebrate Memorial Day this coming Monday, May 25.  Yesterday, I came across a Facebook post (in the Quilting group) by Tiffany Pellizzari, and am sharing one of the photos with her permission.  She lovingly recreated our LOVE & GLORY quilt for her father who was fighting cancer, and who passed on just five days after it was draped over him. It was also used at his memorial service, shown here.

Tiffany PellizzariQUILT“I hadn’t known how important it is to quilt with love until you know the person receiving it feels the love when they use it. My step mother asked to use the quilt at his memorial as you see here. It ended up being a great representation of his personality — eagles and patriotic colors on the front and vintage planes on the back (he was a pilot). Thanks for letting me share and helping me to learn something I am forever going to cherish being able to do.”

Tiffany, we are sorry for your loss, but are sure he found comfort in your beautiful quilt.   This weekend and always, we join all of our quilting friends in honoring those who have served, and continue to serve our country.

Learn 8 Things You May Not Know about Memorial Day

Fabric by Faye Burgos  /  Quilt by Heidi Pridemore

My Love & Glory Project…

LoveGloryFinishedLisaRecently I met someone who heads up an organization called the Foundation for Military Families, based in South Jersey. Long story short, I offered to see if we had a patriotic quilt available to send to him as a door prize for an upcoming event.  We didn’t, so I decided to whip one up, using Faye Burgos’ beautiful (and convenient) LOVE & GLORY panel and some coordinates.  Just a few hours later, this is the result, along with a few SxS pix.  The fabric really does all of the work, all you have to do is decide on a few borders.  Here I used an ivory ground print and Faye’s Strip-It design.LoveGloryInProgress  I pieced the back from three sections, arranging them from light to dark blue. After some light quilting and trimming, I turned the backing to create a faux binding, secured with zigzag stitching along the edge of the quilt.

The wall hanging will be shown at two of the group’s upcoming events, then finally it will be presented as a gift to a military family.

Patriotic prints aren’t my usual first choice of quilt fabrics, but as it turns out, this was the ultimate quilt project — simple, fun and greatly appreciated by the recipient organization!  The LOVE & GLORY collection is perfect for Flag Day and July 4th celebrations…       —  lisa s