Quilt of Valor {Three Tours of Duty}

Quilt of Valor "Three Tours of Duty"

The pattern is available through Fons and Poter's Love of Quilting magazine here: https://www.quiltingcompany.com/store/three-tours-digital-pattern

When I began this Quilt of Valor I was so excited about it I had to share with my friends what I was working on. But, I didn't want the recipient or his wife to know that they would soon be the ones receiving it. So, both here on my blog and on Facebook I crafted cryptic messages, that left most thinking that it was my sweet and well deserving hubby who would be receiving this gift. I had way too much fun fooling everyone.  You can read my previous posts about this Quilt of Valor here, here and here.

On a side note; I will be making a Quilt of Valor for my sweet hubby, sadly for him there are several quilts in line ahead of his.


The actual recipient was my cousin Duston, who has just returned from his third tour of duty {Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa} all with the Army National Guard.  Since I live over a thousand miles from my cousin and the rest of my extended family, my mom had the privilege and honor of delivering the quilt for me. Hopefully I'll soon be receiving some pictures of the presentation, that I'll be able to share here.

Of all the quilts I've made so far, this is by far my favorite!

I greatly enjoyed making it as well as staging it in different settings and finding the perfect light to show off its beauty and details.

Closeup of the micro-stippling around the stars.

Quilt Label

The quilt label reads, "Our family is proud of you and your faithful service at home and overseas. This quilt is a small token of our appreciation and love."

I always LOVE how the back turns out.
A work of art all by itself!

At the very top of the quilt you can just barely see the hanging sleeve I added to give it the versatility to be used however Duston and Michelle choose, whether that's hanging it on a wall, laying it on a bed or even using it as a throw to wrap up in.

Back of outlined and shadowed star.

My youngest (Michael) was the only one in the family tall enough to hold the quilt up high enough to keep it off the ground for this picture. He was amazingly cooperative and patient during our session. It was breezy the day we took these and we had to keep waiting for the wind to die down so that the quilt to lay flat for a nice picture.  We worked hard to keep his fingers and toes out of the pictures, but seeing his toes peeking out from under the quilt in this picture just makes me smile.

My prayer is that this quilt will be a blessing to both Duston and Michelle for many years to come. 


Blessings & Hugs,

Stars & Strips

Edited to add:

The pattern is available through Fons and Poter's Love of Quilting magazine here: https://www.quiltingcompany.com/store/three-tours-digital-pattern

Surrounded by stars and strips  - good progress is being made on the Quilt of Valor.  

I've set myself an almost unreasonable deadline to have this completely finished, by Thursday.  Seeing some late nights and early mornings in store for me this week! 

Lots of Chocolate Fresh Veggies and Cherry Coke Crystal Light Lemonade will be needed.

Blessings!
Marcia the Little Pink Rose

Aches & Pain

Oh, I had such grand plans for today..... I'd start off by whipping through the cutting of the Quilt of Valor before lunch and dive right into piecing, with the hopes of having a good portion of the piecing completed by suppertime. Sadly this was not at all how the day proceeded.

I went to bed last night with painful lymph nodes and a general achy-nes. This morning I drug myself out of bed feeling even worse. So far there's no fever or coughing, just feeling like I've been hit be a Mac truck. Uck!

Being so achy and generally feeling horrible has really slowed me down, though I did manage to get all 680 pieces cut out.

680 pieces cut and ready to be sewn together.

I'm a little disappointed that I wasn't able to accomplish more, but at the same time I am thankful that I was able to finish the cutting portion, I wasn't sure even that much was going to be finished today.  Tomorrow is a new day, praying the aches and pains are gone by then! I can hope!

Blessings,
Marcia the Little Pink Rose

Quilt of Valor

Edited to add:

The pattern is available through Fons and Poter's Love of Quilting magazine here: https://www.quiltingcompany.com/store/three-tours-digital-pattern

For several months now I've been seeing different Quilts of Valor and have been intrigued by the idea of making quilts to honor our service men and women.  I've discovered that all (or at least most) of the Quilts of Valor have been inspired by the Quilt of Valor Foundation, created with the purpose of honoring our men and women who have been touched by war. 

Opening up the latest issue of Fons & Porter's "Love of Quilting" (March/April 2012) I discovered a quilt named, "Three Tours," designed by a man in honor of his nephew who had served three tours of duty (two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan).  Seeing this quilt I went from just being intrigued to being inspired.

Quilt of Valor Inspiration Pattern

Have you ever been so inspired by something that it's almost all that fills your mind and you know you have to follow through and act upon that inspiration? This is that kind of inspiration for me.  Since being inspired I've had to force myself to work on other obligations (home and sewing) before diving into this quilt. I'm so excited about this project that I'm sure it will consume me once I start and I may not leave my studio until it's finished.  If you don't hear from me for a few days, send in some chocolate and cherry coke zero.

Quilt of Valor Fabric selection

So, today I begin a Quilt of Valor for a soldier who is dear to my heart and I hope will be honored by it.

Blessings,
Marcia the Little Pink Rose