Greetings all,
Da dah, my 600th post, welcome. It's a dedication post.
No, i don't know how to screen dump, after 600 posts!!
I may have spent the weekend at Blogopolis learning about blog 'opportunities', yet that was never my intention when i started, my blog was merely a personal touch to compliment my design business. It soon grew beyond the children & craft, to my adventures & opinions, so my heavily-deployed-soldier-husband could keep in touch from war zones. Along the way, it has become a fantastic connection with like minded mums, crafters, designers, clients, fundraisers around the world + engage beautiful supportive folks. I had no idea it would lead to life long friendships & amazing collaborations.
In the past 12 months - with surgery on both hands & a husband away at war . . . i have barely sewn a stitch!! So last year when a new follower named Jan-Maree from Cherry Red Quilter with her heart of gold, read that my husband was deployed, a light bulb lit up & she asked if my husband or his soldiers needed anything. Why yes, there was something . . . personalised laundry bags.
My husband's original laundry bag (left) complete with sergeant chevrons & the new Aussie Heroes version (right).
The first time my husband went to Afghanistan in 2006 he took a handmade laundry bag with appliqué initials, to stand out with the 100s of white, navy & green bags. His embarrassing bag soon became the envy of his soldiers (each deployment) as his uniforms NEVER WENT MISSING!! With this information, Jan-Maree swung into action, asked for all the initials of my husband's troops & gathered her sewing troupe for laundry bag duty. Of course, people with hearts of gold can't stop at one gesture, they think big, like military operation big. Jan-Maree surprised me by saying "the soldiers will receive a laundry bag & a patchwork quilt for Christmas 2011" + each box was jam packed with treats from home . . . Aussie Hero Quilts was born. The morale boost was incredible, even if you don't support the war, we care about the soldiers. Even at the Army wedding we went to last month, the first thing the bride & groom said was how much they loved & appreciated the quilt!!
Finally, after a whole lot of blogging, phone calls & emails, we met Jan-Maree for a delicious homemade morning tea which lasted almost 6 hours. I cried when she presented my husband with this folksy quilt, which she created for our future homestead, so thoughtful.
What an incredible surprise & such an honour, beautiful Jan-Maree (a mother of teenage twins) has always created charity quilts & was looking for a new cause . . . i can't believe it started with my handsome soldier & this little blog. I blocked out my husband's name, he's just known as 'The Warrant Officer' to the sewing ladies. In the past 10 months they have sent over 300 quilts to Australian soldiers around the world + gazillions of laundry bags!!
Jan-Maree's house is filled with stunning quilts, i am completely inspired to finish a hexagon quilt now, i can see myself hand stitching in a chair adorned like this!!
I believe - with blogging - you can gain so much, posting from your heart & soul. I am truly blessed to have kind readers & huge-hearted-can-do gals in my world. To say thank you, there is a giveaway celebrating 600 posts here. There is no community like blogging, it spans around the world & it's free!! Incredible right??
Of course Aussie Hero Quilts is always after ladies willing to sew, especially in Sydney (quilts come in from all over Australia - it's simply amazing how many ladies out there who love quilting, also have Army connections - a grandfather/ father/ husband/ son or daughter who has served in war zones.) All details are on the Aussie Hero Quilts blog, including how to donate fabric & cash for sewing supplies. Spread the word, what a fantastic project for your sewing group, school class or friends, to piece together a quilt for a soldier, especially the Wounded Warriors who are flown to Germany - breaks my heart - along with the sad news we lost another Special Forces soldier this week. Jan-Maree gladly accepts quilt tops too & all skill levels are welcome!! Heart & soul blogging, that is what it's all about!! Love Posie
32 comments:
oh my gosh! what a wonderful gift these ladies have put together with your initial inspiration! that is awesome!!! thank you for telling us about this great, sharing world we live in.
It's amazing what blogging can bring about. This is a link to my take on The Sisterhood - a New Zealand initiative of women helping others.
As I can't sew, I send coffee and chocolate :D
http://www.lattejunkie.com/2012/07/joining-sisterhood.html
I am so proud to be part of it and love how it's growing.
Loved reading your post.
Only too pleased to stitch for our soldiers...
Hmm I must get my hexagons stitched together too.
Have a great day
Such a great cause. One of my quilt friends here in Bris is a part. And hexagon quilts rock. I sleep under mine!:)
WHat a great idea - the quilts that is. Thanks for the effort you have put into maintaining your blog, I enjoy being part of your readership.
Meeting you guys and your gorgeous children was such a joy and getting to know you both has been such a gift. Aussie Heroes could not have gone anywhere without you and the handsome soldier trusting me in the first place. I agree about blogging - you can gain so much when you give from your heart and soul and that is something you always do Posie and you have such a big heart. MWAH.
This bought such a smile to my face today Posie. Thanks for sharing the story and for your 600th Post! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!
The social network can at times be very social after all! What a lovely cause. What an amazing outcome. And very inspiring. Well done on 600 too! xx
I've made one quilt and sent it off with some goodies, another quilt is partially made waiting for me to get back to it, haven't had a try at laundry bags yet. I've found that bloggers are among the most generous people around.
Amazing Post - Jan-Maree is amazing what she has done!
Oh wow! I had no idea *your* WO was THE WO. Nice to put it all together :)
My laundry bag was tie died!
Congratulations on 600 posts Jennie!!
This truly is what blogging is all about -
such caring, like minded individuals!XX
Ah, I am all teary now...a beautiful post and a wonderful support network.
xx
Jan-Maree has such a heart and yes, this blogging caper brings the most wonderful people out of the woodwork.
I have to say Jennie, knowing you and reading your blog has made very real for me the hardships the families of soldiers face on a daily basis. I've never had a real need to think about them before, but when I hear the terrible news of another soldier lost I think about you and then really feel for their grieving families. Thank you for that :)
x
Such a wonderful Lady to have started a huge project like that!!
It's so sad to hear of any casualties or deaths. My future SIL is over 'there' at the moment. I don't know how you controlled the worry Jenny for so many years!
What an amazing lady and story - blogging connects people - I love that!
Wonderful, I'll have to gather a stash and send it on.
That was an amazing 600th post to have written...very inspiring and so so so ecouraging to continue to hear great heart string stories around our amazing community. xx
Lovely post!
Oh wow, what a treasure! What a great thought and such a good way to help keep spirits up. Good on you Posie for letting us know about this wonderful lady and her inspiring project.
Thats amazing.....warms the heart, to hear the good thats out there....
What a beautiful idea and to think it all started because of your blog. Such a lovely story x
I love working with Jan-Maree and while I have not met her in person we are on the same wave length.
Making the quilts and laundry bags is great and I love it.
My son inlaw has received one too and does use it, thank you Liz.
I am currently working on another two. Enjoy your blog very much.
As I site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling wonderful, appreciate it for your efforts.
What a tremendously beautiful thing to do (the quilts/laundry bags). I too have met some incredible people through blogging. It can be a lovely network. Congrats on your 600th post! I'm still in the 300's!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
Thankyou for helping out, wonderful info.:)
This will lead to a sad and unfulfilling life.
Was that even a real comment, anonymous?? Love Posie
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You were capable to strike the nail on the head plus spelled out the entire thing with out complication.
I am gonna watch out for brussels.
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