Sunday, November 13, 2016

remember

by British artist and aviator Harold H Piffard - a thin line of red poppies separates war from peace

As so many do at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, at memorials, in schools and workplaces all over the country, we stop to remember the sacrifice of those who serve and give their lives in the pursuit of freedom.

Although I'm sure it never feels quite so noble an action when you are being shelled, bombed, strafed or shot at.

This artwork brings to mind my grandmother, who married her Canadian Officer sweetheart in August 1918 only to lose him in October the same year - just three weeks before the war's end.

Just one sad story among far too many.

Aussie Hero Quilts was started by a lady who heard a story about an Australian solider serving in Germany, receiving a quilt from an American organisation. She felt ashamed that Australians didn't have a similar organisation and so set about righting that wrong.

She encourages the making of quilts and laundry bags, posted with gifts and treats to Australian Defence Personnel serving overseas.

I heard about Aussie Hero Quilts through my long arm quilter - Kim Mariani. Kim makes and quilts donated tops for this group. It seemed a small thing to make a quilt and laundry bag so here is my contribution.


I bought the charm squares from Spotlight (a bit like JoAnn's) on special ages ago and had them sitting there with no particular idea in mind. The strong colours grabbed my attention and turned out to be a good choice for this project. 

The quilts have to be a special size to fit the cots they sleep on which just happens to be 42 inches wide.  I think this might be a Moda Bakeshop pattern.


I plan to use that wavy quilting on this project. I'd love to quilt rain drops on the baby quilt but I don't trust my skill level. 

Lest We Forget