Independence Day!

 How extra-special it is to wake up this morning as a FREE U.S. CITIZEN! 

This might seem like an odd proclamation, but after enjoying a very special picnic and fireworks party at friends' last night, I am feeling mighty grateful for the freedom I so often take for granted. We had special guests in attendance who were celebrating their very first American Independence Day. 

We'll start with a bit of background.

It's strange how life comes full circle sometimes, but former CHS students of mine, Matt and Olivia, are now good friends with my friend's son, Matthew. Matt and Matthew met and served together in the army; Matt was a groomsman in Matthew's wedding; Matt and Olivia, consequently, have been attending the fireworks picnic for several years now. Who would have ever guessed that so many years later we would be socializing with these two former students?

Matt introduced Fawad and his family with a brief telling of the story.

 

That background helps to understand how we happened to have these special guests with us last night. Matt served in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, as an Army Captain in 2011-12. His interpreter was Fawad, one of many Afghan citizens aiding US servicemen in that 20-year-long war. The interpreters were essential to U.S. soldiers and were instrumental in whatever successes America gained while deployed there.

When the U.S. suddenly began pulling out of Afghanistan last August, citizens who aided America in any way were in extreme jeopardy of torture and death by the Taliban. They and their families were targeted by the Taliban for assisting US soldiers. It was a dire situation for Fawad, his wife and 1-year-old son. When Matt heard about the plight of these interpreters, including his personal friend Fawad, he went to work, diving headlong into a vast network of efforts to save American allies. Through his extensive network of military contacts, volunteers, and humanitarian aid programs, Matt spent the next 2 weeks doing all he could to secure spots for Fawad and his family on one of the last planes out of the Afghan airport.

Fawad and his little boy.

Matt has written an account of the harrowing 2-week endeavor, and his almost impossible goal of securing Fawad's safety from halfway around the globe. He succeeded in his herculean effort, but he's quick to add that he didn't do it alone; it took tremendous efforts by many to make it happen.

Here's an excerpt from Matt's account, written just after last August's military exit from Afghanistan. The story details events between August 17 - September 5, but it must have seemed like an eternity to Fawad and his family. I admit to choking up and wiping tears as I read.

"We also tried to keep things in perspective, and remember what THEY must be going though, on the ground in Afghanistan. At least we were safe in the U.S., even if we were getting worn down by the difficulty of the situation and the long hours. I have never had so many prayers answered in such a short time as I have in these last few weeks."

You know, we see and hear the news, and it all seems so remote, so distant and foreign to us. This up close and personal story of a race to secure freedom has left me with newfound admiration for what our military - both active and retired - can do. They are heroes! 

I enjoyed talking to Fawad and his wife Halima. During our introduction, Fawad told me that "Matt saved my life." Even ten months later, the sincere and pure emotion with which Fawad said this was evident in his voice and in his eyes. After reading the story, I believe Matt truly DID save his life!

Halima described arriving in DC with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing. They left everything they had in Afghanistan, and have no hope of ever recovering any of it. She said that she has liked every American she's met - everyone has been friendly and welcoming to her. (I was happy to hear that!) They are currently living in Columbus not far from OSU. Fawad has a job and Halima has just started working at a daycare where her son can be with her. Donations to the fund mentioned in Matt's account have provided them with a car. 

I am so proud to share this incredible Independence Day story. What a privilege to be living in 'the land of the free and the home of the brave.' What a privilege, indeed.

God Bless the USA!

Quilting content will return tomorrow! *wink*

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Applique Completion!

Happy Sunday Greetings to everyone! Here we are winding down the celebrations of America's Independence Day and I thought it would be nice to share a little patriotic project I finished up on Friday.

Several weeks ago I learned of a new (to me) method of applique called the back-basting method. At about the same time I came across this little quilt pattern in my sewing room. Seemed like a good way to test out the method with a little project that would be quick to finish. The actual pattern showed that the appliqued pieces were to be handled differently (buttonhole stitched), but changing the method would still result in a pretty little patriotic accessory for my home. So I went for it.

In a nutshell, the method involves tracing the design onto the back of the fabric, then basting  the two layers of fabric on the outline of the shape. In my picture above, the faint letter "a" is basted with off-white thread. The letter "c" is finished - those red stitches are the applique stitches holding the red fabric to the background fabric. The next picture shows the front.

Applique is a quilting technique that I have long held a reluctance to master. I have tried it a few times, but each try was quite dissatisfying, so I would abandon it. I am forcing myself to face this, finally, as the big 10-year quilt project, Lake Effect, involves a significant amount of applique. This back-basting experiment has been my baby-step into at last tackling the applique portion of Lake Effect.

Friday morning the Frankfort Girls were here for sewing. My project looked like this - still the flag to do (it forms the "r" in America). Don't inspect too closely - especially those odd-shaped stars. They are quite a mess, and since this project falls into the "primitive" category, I will just leave them as is - "primitive"covers so many imperfections!!

 Friday night, I layered the parts, spray-basted, quilted and attached the binding. Ta-day! All done. Not in time for the 4th, as I had hoped, but close enough.

I learned a good deal through this little experimental process. If I do decide to go with this method on Lake Effect, I will get along just fine, as those designs are not nearly as small as the ones in this project. I must make a decision soon, as I am nearly ready to begin attaching the applique sections to the EPP sections.

The link above is just one of many Lake Effect posts I've written over the last couple of years. This particular post just happens to show a good picture of one of the appliqued panels as well as a picture of the quilt from the pattern front.

I am linking up with Kathy' Quilts and her weekly feature Slow Sunday Stitching. Hop on over to check it out!

Post script: I have to add this as it should have been included from the get-go - I credit my quilting friend Becky of the Frankfort Girls and an Instagram friend, @jeanakimball - they introduced me to back-basting, and Jeana even has recently had a lovely series of step-by-step tutorials on IG that were tremendously helpful. 

Quilters helping quilters - such a great benefit of this community of makers!

Have a great Sunday!
Happy Quilting, Friends!