Happy New Year!

Wishing you and your families the best of 2018!

Quilts of Valor National Sew Day February 3rd

 

 

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Quilts of Valor®
National Sew Day!
February 3, 2018

The Quilts of Valor® Foundation has chosen February 3, 2018, as National QOV Sew Day.  Quilters from all over America will be asked to gather together and sew for our service members and veterans touched by war.  It is time to start thinking about your local sew day.  You may want to decide on what blocks you want to make, the patterns you will want to use and friends that will come together to make more quilts in one day than ever before!  There will be prizes, sewing and companiionship as you participate in this event!  Plan your Sew Day event now! 

 Event Registration is open now at www.QVF.org."Visit QOVF.org and fill out the easy to use form to complete your registration information.  The information WILL NOT be shared with any businesses, companies, etc. -- guaranteed.If  you  are a QOVF member  - please sign-in  first  and then choose  "Current  Events" from the drop down "What would you like to do?" menu, scroll down and click on  National Sew Day 2018, click on register and follow the instructions.  Very easy and quick!

 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Invite your friends and non-members to participate by going to www.qovf.org, scroll down to “EVENTS and CALENDAR”, and then follow the screen prompts.
Who can register:
1.          If you sew as an individual, register yourself
2.         If you sew with a group, register the group name, plus the names of everyone
individually within the group.

PRIZES ALL DAY
 
Each person registered will be assigned a random number and throughout the day, numbers will  be randomly selected and that  person,  group or shop will  be called with news of  their winning prize from one of our generous Marketing Partners. 
Please take pictures and post them too.......... Facebook.com/groups/QuiltsofValor/
Please share any plans you already have for National Sew Day, favorite patterns, fun activities, favorite foods – we would like to hear about it all.
We want this day to be fun for everyone, but productive. When a QUILT TOP is finished, register each top by sending an email to nationalsewday@QOVF.org so that we can track how many potential quilts were made during the day. Please include the following information:
1. Your Name, Address, City, State & Zip
2. Telephone number
3. Who are you sewing with today, yourself, a Group or a Shop?
4. Name of the Quilt(s)
If you have any questions, please send them to nationalsewday@qovf.org.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance to any of you. I know there will be SEW DAY EVENT hosted by SEW ORCHID in NORWAY on this date. But if you or your wants to do something please let me know.

Donna Brookings,

Quilts of Valor

State of Maine Coordinator

Quilts of Valor® Foundation

T: 207-523-9322

donna.brookings@QOVF.org

www.QOVF.org
https://www.facebook.com/MEQUILTSOFVALOR

The Quilts of Valor® Foundation is a non-profit organization established and operated in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Change in Time For PTQG January 27th Member's Meeting

Please note a change in time for the future meetings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Quick GIft Ideas-Week 6

This will be the last in our series of holiday posts. I hope you found some ideas to use for your own Christmas gift giving and decorating.

Let's start with a pattern for an insulated beverage holder. Makes a great stocking stuffer.

TUTORIAL



These DYI Tile Photo Coasters are a nice way to share your family photos with friends. Thanks to Popsugar.com for the tutorial.

TUTORIAL

This table runner from Sister Of the Divide is going to be your favorite gifting pattern!

TUTORIAL

Most of us have made or received a gift in a jar. Check out the tutorial on Cul-de-sac Cool for cookies, bars and bread recipes. They also have the printable labels if you wish.

TUTORIAL

 Another gift in a jar is the Gingerbread Sugar Scrub from Mommy Musing.

TUTORIAL


For the teens on your gift list, why not do a spa jar? Hit the dollar store for sample size lotions, creams, nail items, etc. to fill a mason jar.

Speaking of the dollar store, pick up some Christmas oven mitts, wooden spoons, cookie cutters and cookie mix for a gift less than $5.00!

This stocking stuffer will be well-received. Thanks to Giraffes Can Sew for the tutorial.

TUTORIAL


Another nice gift is a sunbathing towel bag, The sun worshiper in your family will love it. Use those bright towels for added pop! Thanks to Smart School House for the tutorial.

TUTORIAL

For the teen boy on your list, money is a safe gift. Roll up those dollar bills and package.Thanks to izzyanderson.com for this idea.

 TUTORIAL

Santa Claus gets all the credit this time of year, but this next section is all about the reindeer!

Need to bring a beverage to your holiday party? Decorate the bottles-reindeer style! Thanks to Yellow Bliss Road for the great idea.

 TUTORIAL

 Creative Homemaking shares this cinnamon stick reindeer ornament.

 TUTORIAL

Another good idea for a gift using items from the dollar store. This candy cane reindeer is perfect for kids of all ages. Thanks to happygolucky blog for this tute.

 TUTORIAL


And last, but not least, a candy cane reindeer tree ornament from One Little Project: 

 

TUTORIAL 

Got an old Scrabble game in your attic? If not, check out your local thrift store for one and use the tiles to make personalized tree ornaments. 

 

No pattern or tutorial--pretty self-explanatory from the photos.

For the kitchen, why not make this "dirty-clean" dishwasher magnet? Thanks to Aunty Nubby's Kitchen for the idea.

Now for the sweet treats!

From Frugal Living NW comes the candy train. Isn't it adorable? Hit the dollar store for all your ingredients.

TUTORIAL

An old-fashion favorite is rock candy. Why not try a hand of making it yourself? The kids will love checking out the daily rock growth. Thanks for sharing this idea with us, Paging Fun Mums.

TUTORIAL

Thanks to ThriftyFun for the Candy Bouquet tutorial. Keep scrolling down the page for full instructions. Save this tutorial for future reference as you can use this candy bouquet for a birthday, get-well, retirement, etc. gifts.

One note on making these bouquets--don't be stingy with the tape on the back of the candy bar. I made one and used a small amount of tape on each pick and they ended up coming apart.

 

TUTORIAL 

 Here are a few more photos of candy bouquets using the same idea:

This one is for the rocker in your family. Thanks to the 11 Best for sharing.

TUTORIAL


The Payday Peanut Squares recipe from Today's Creative Life will be a family favorite.

TUTORIAL

Looking for a project for the entire family to participate? How about an old-fashion taffy pull?
Vanilla & Lace shares their salt water taffy recipe with us.

 TUTORIAL


For the last hurrah, you must try these copycat Doubletree Chocolate Chip cookies. I've had the pleasure of staying at the Doubletree Hotel and having this rich, chocolate goodness waiting for me on my pillow. The secret is in the oatmeal! Thanks to Crazy For Crust for the recipe.

 RECIPE

Quick Gift Ideas-Week 5

Ho-ho-ho! Santa is almost on his way, so time to get to work on those last-minute gifts!

This Portable Pillowcase Pillow Bed is a great idea when the little ones come to visit or need a TV pillow at home. No pattern is needed--just sew the pillowcases in a row and add pillows!

 

Here is another pattern for the pillow beds from Creative Lady of the House:

 TUTORIAL

Here is an adorable drawstring backpack from Alice & Lois:

 TUTORIAL


This infinity scarf can be made in lots of fabric, but very quickly. Once you start making them, you will find it hard to stop! I made mine in fake sable fur for winter gifts. Thanks to Sewwoodsy.com for the tutorial.

TUTORIAL

Here is a novel way to cover your kindle...

TUTORIAL


Keeping those ears warm is so important this time of year. This fleece hat with ear flaps fits the bill. Thanks to Fun Fleece for the tutorial. Note: The pattern is at the end of the post.

TUTORIAL

And Fun Fleece also has a pattern for the little ones in your family.

TUTORIAL


I just realized that I haven't posted any patterns for Christmas decorations. Silly me, but I will rectify that now. The first one is for a folded fabric star ornament by Felicity Quilts. A pop-up to sign up for her blog may come up, but just scroll down the page to continue viewing the post. Of course, this will be more festive when made up in holiday prints.

TUTORIAL


These three yo-yo patterns are courtesy of Connecting Threads.

 

TUTORIAL 

Got Christmas fabric scraps? If so, I have a pattern for you! Thanks to Quilted Trees for the tutorial.

TUTORIAL

Life After Laundry shares with us a folded fabric tree ornament tutorial.

 

TUTORIAL 

Have a friend or family member who do not want a large Christmas tree or maybe in the hospital or nursing home for the holidays? Why not make a fabric Christmas tree. Sew little bells or beads on the branch tips for some extra pizzas. It will brighten their day for sure.

TUTORIAL

Time for some goody recipes! First one is so clever I can't stand it. Fill with your homemade treats and wrap for gift-giving. Thanks to Pinky Princess Girl for the tutorial.

 TUTORIAL


And here is a link for a Peppermint Platter by I Gotta Create! There is also a link for a scalloped border.

 TUTORIAL


Love Ferrero Roche Truffles? Here is a copycat recipe from Foodal you can make at home.

RECIPE


I can't end this section of candy without a homemade turtle candy recipe. This one is from Lil Luna.

 TUTORIAL


To end this post, we need something good to eat for supper! How about Million Dollar spaghetti (it won't cost that much to make!) from Gonnawantseconds.com

 RECIPE

Quick Gift Ideas-Week 4

Snow is on the way for Maine tonight, so enjoy the time inside by working on your gift projects. Here are some more ideas to peruse....

Smittens are sweater mittens! Thanks to therenegadeseamstress.com for the patterns and tutorial. Check out your local Salvation Army and Goodwill stores for your materials.

TUTORIAL


What better hostess gift than a casserole AND a casserole carrier! This pattern is thanks to Little Bit Funky.

 PATTERN

Here is another pattern option from sew4home:

 
PATTERN

Have a walker on your gift list? Why not make them a water bottle carrier? Thanks to ilovefabric for the pattern.

 

PATTERN 

This gift idea is PERFECT for anyone on your gift list. These pocket warmers are made with charm squares (5") and flannel. And don't forget to make a bunch for your family and friends! Note: These can also be put in the freezer for use as a cold pack.

 TUTORIAL


This tablet stand is outstanding! I made one and used a couple of stacked yo-yos instead of the fabric flower. Thanks to Sewn Up for the tutorial.

TUTORIAL


 Enough sewing...let's get cooking! This easy ranch snack mix is something you can make with the kids. Thanks to lifewiththecrustoff for the recipe.

 RECIPE

 Here is another recipe your might want to try for a sweet and salty treat. Thanks to knoxvillecitymomsblog for the recipe.

RECIPE

Now for some sweet treats!

 These Chubby Hubby Clusters are so yummy and use the microwave to make the recipe easy and quick to make. Thanks to sixsisterstuff for the recipe.

RECIPE


How about a recipe for an old-time favorite candy bar? Make your own copycat Milky Way bars.

 RECIPE

This recipe for copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf will fill your home with the smell of the holidays! Thank you to the Country Cook for sharing this recipe.

RECIPE

Last, but not least, here is a recipe for a savory meal that is a real time saver as you can make the meatballs in advance. This is a copycat recipe for the world famous Ikea Swedish Meatballs from the Damn Delicious blog.

 RECIPE