Patriotic Table Runner

Two weeks ago, the Frankfort Girls met at Jan's house. That put us right at the big weekend of the 250th celebration in America. Jan, known for her themed gatherings, had a grand table set for us. 

 A bonus table favor at each place setting was tucked inside the navy and red striped kit. The pattern and necessary yardage for a table runner! All our stuff is covering it, but the table runner that Jan made is running down the center of her table. We all could make our own thanks to Jan's generosity and thoughtfulness!

When we left Jan's that morning, we all - sorta' jokingly - challenged each other to have them made and ready for show and tell at our next gathering at Becky's. Well, I took that challenge seriously! I got busy this week and had my table runner done just in time for our brunch. I stitched the binding at Becky's yesterday. 

I'm going to use mine on our island. It is where we keep the salt and pepper shakers, the napkins, the sugar bowl and toothpicks. Centrally located and easy to grab. Don't you love how it sparkles on the island!?

In another week, we will be hosting my husband's family reunion and I am using red, white, and blue as my color scheme - an obvious decision, right? - so my interest in making this table runner was doubly important to me. I have several other patriotic pieces sprinkled throughout the house.

 

I quilted the table runner on my little Bernina with a walking foot. I opted to just stitch in the ditch along each stripe and around each star block. Making the stars was a bit fussy, as the points are made with really small pieces, but I only had to make 9 stars, so I knew I could power through all the fussing with small bits. Not too overwhelming, actually.

I have one more really fast and small-ish project under my needle currently. My friend Sharon gifted me with a fun panel of Psalms verses, which are cut and sewn into a wall hanging. I am about half way finished with it. So stay tuned!

It's really satisfying to see some finishes taking place. It boosts both my motivation and enthusiasm to get going on some other projects - big and small, old and new.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne 

Ready For the Fourth

 It's a rare day indeed that ol' Jayne the quilter has a leg up on July 4th decorating. Long before I was Jayne the quilter, I was Jayne the procrastinator. But by gosh, this year I am so ready.

I have red geraniums on the front porch with American flags blowing in the breeze.

Also on the front porch is my new Ohio Star barn quilt in red, white and blue.

On the inside of the house, I have my little Market Day table topper quilted and bound. I wrote it about in this post a few days ago. 

And now it has it is joined by its big sister, the larger table topper, also quilted and bound. 

I have a couple of older patriotic pieces out also. The Patriotic Spring Dreams from last year's sew along is draped over a chair in the front room. The photos below were taken last year before it had been quilted, but it is done now, for sure. It is made with a lot of my grandmother's patriotic scraps. She was well known for her love of red-white-and-blue items.

Another item I made last year was this pillow cover. I'd really like to go ahead and make a matching one so that I'd have a set. Maybe soon.

We are doing a slow-and-lazy type of celebrating this year. We attended a picnic and fireworks party at some friends' on Saturday night. Tomorrow we are making homemade ice cream for immediate family. Maybe someone will bring some sparklers. Low key, for sure.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

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!

Freshening Up

Never in the nearly 38 years of house-keeping have I been accused of being a fussy decorator. My style is more in line with getting something together that works and then leaving it for a time - like maybe 20 years?

Well, with big stuff, yes, maybe. But as for smaller decorating touches, I do like to occasionally freshen up the decor and change out some of my little quilts to reflect the current season. Since we are quickly coming up on the Fourth, it seemed a good time to retire some quilts to storage while bringing out those reflective of summer and patriotism.

The door exiting our main living area into the garage is metal, so I have two magnetic clips there for hanging little quilts to fill the space. This red, white and blue star is one I made at quilt camp in 2012 and perfectly suits this space on the door. It also perfectly suits me in that it is not fussy, is quite understated and subdued. I enjoy putting it out each year. The pattern is by Thimbleberries, although I think I modified it somewhat.

For our kitchen table, (which is in the same room as the door, above) I have placed Pink Lemonade, a little quilt also made in 2012, with one of Lori's little quilt alongs. (I have searched my archives for this quilt, but have found few informative posts; perhaps you can search Lori's.)

This is such a happy little quilt. I like it so much that I have even considered making another one in some different colors. This pink and cheddar one is aptly named Pink Lemonade, and it perfectly exemplifies summertime.

I need to get busy! Many things remain on my to-do list!

Happy Quilting, Friends!