God Bless America Touring Quilts

2010-05-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

You're Invited to Celebrate America in Quilts with Us

June 8-9 10-6, The Red River Quilter’s Showcase proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at the Global Event Center in the Wind Star World Casino, 1 mi North of the Texas/OK border, exit #1, Thackerville, OK, Jon Selby, 325-388-5225

June 17, 1:00 Judy Howard will present “Under the Covers with Granny Reveals Oklahoma Secrets” Quilt Trunk Show and exhibit 60 of the “Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts” at the Beaver County Pioneer Library, 201 Douglas, Beaver, OK in the OK Panhandle.

June 24-26, 9:00 am-7:30 pm and 8:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday,. The Quilting, Stitches and Craft Expos proudly presents the God Bless America Patriotic Quilt Exhibit at their Expo at the Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 East 2nd St, Reno, NV

June 24-26 The Original Creative Festival proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring quilts at the Creative Festival in Sharonville OH, Sharonville Convention Center. Visit www.cdmshows.com for details and show hours.

June 25-26th 10-5 and 27th 12-4. The Sandy Historical Society proudly displays the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their 12th annual “Quilts in Our Own Backyard” Show featuring Home of the Brave Quilt Project and Michele Byrum at the Sandy High School gymnasium, 17100 Bluff Road, Sandy, OR., $4, Kayetoo@comcast.net

June 25-26, 10-5. Stitching Memories Quilt Guild proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. $3 Nancyroop09@gmail.com
July 2-4 the VFW of Sandy, OR, proudly displays the God Bless America Touring Quilts. Details to be announced, Kayetoo@comcast.net

Largest Quilt Guild Show in Oklahoma

2010-05-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

You're Invited to Quilt Crazy

June 4-5, 2010, 10-6. The Green Country Quilt Guild proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their Quilt Crazy Show at the Tulsa Fairgrounds 4401 East 21st St, Tulsa. Author Judy Howard and quilt artists will curate and sign books. $8

Free Quilt Show & Celebration Memorial Day Week-end

2010-05-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Bring Your Family and Celebrate America in Quilts

May 29-31 10-4:15 Saturday, 1-4, Sunday, 9-1 Monday. The 45th Division Infantry Museum at 2145 N. E. 36th Street in Oklahoma City (just east of Martin Luther King Blvd) proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts.

Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at 10 am highlights include a helicopter flyover, massing of the colors, patriotic music, and distinguished guest speakers. Quilt Artists will sign Thanking Our Troops books from 9-1 on Memorial Day

Win $2500 in Prizes and Receive Free Book for Entering

2010-05-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

Hope you'll enter your 22" patriotic quilt in the 2010 Contest/Tour/Auction with all proceeds going for quilts for wounded soldiers. June 30 deadline. Free book and $2500 in Corporate prizes, ribbons and free advertising on the story label as it tours the nation 18 months. See 280 quilts already touring on HeavenlyPatchwork.com

You can enter a 22" quilt with your free advertising info on the story label which is read by 1000nds at each quilt show. You're even eligible to receive ribbons and prizes for quilts you enter.

0053

2010-05-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

Deadline Extended for 2010 Quilt Contest

2010-04-15T10:47:00.000-07:00

Yeah!! It's not too late to enter your 22x22" patriotic quilt to receive a free book and chance at $2500 in corporate prizes. See 280 touring quilt photos, calendar, entry and rental forms on www.HeavenlyPatchwork.com

Bear Creek Quilt Guild Exhibits Patriotic Quilts in Ft.Worth

2010-04-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Had a fabulous time with the Bear Creek Quilt Guild at their beautiful show at the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall in Ft. Worth April 9-11.

The Texans loved the God Bless America Touring Quilt Exhibit and the two “Centennial Stitches” Quilt Trunk Show Programs I gave. See slide show of the exhibit and some of my favorite quilts

http://picasaweb.google.com/BuckboardQuilts/BearCreekQuiltGuildSApril9112010ShowInFtWorthTX?authkey=Gv1sRgCLnegO3qsrvRDw#

Congratulations Quilt Artists

2010-04-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts won 2nd Place Non-fiction Book Award at the Heartland New Day Bookfest April 9th.

Upcoming Patriotic Quilt Exhibits

2010-04-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

April 8-10, 10-5, The Amish Country Quilt Show proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their 10th annual show at the Buckeye Event Center, 624 Henry St, Dalton, OH. $7, www.amishcountryquiltshow.com, Cheryll Spirer 412-372-8130

April 8-10, April 8 & 9 from 10 am to 5 pm and April 10 from 10 am to 4 pm, Round Bobbin proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at the Round Bobbin Quilting and Sewing Expo in Springfield MO at the Springfield Exposition Center.. Classes open at www.roundbobbin.com

April 9-11, 10-5 on Friday and Saturday, 12-4 on Sunday. The Bear Creek Quilt Guild of Keller, TX proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their Remembering a Simpler TimeQuilt Show at the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall in the West Texas Room, 3400 Burnett Tandy Rd, Ft. Worth, TX, $6. Judy Howard, author of Heavenly Patchwork I & II , Centennial Stitches and Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts will curate the exhibit, autograph her books and present her historic Centennial Stitches Quilt Trunk Show Program. www.bearcreekquiltguild.org, Donna Hoffmann, Donnamarieh1@aol.com

April 10, 9-3. Judy Howard and quilt artists will sign books and display God Bless America Touring Quilts at Heartland New Day Bookfest at the Edmond First Nazarene Church, 3001 S. Boulevard, Edmond.

April 10, 2010, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Stashbuilder Quilt Guild presents the God Bless America Quilt Exhibit at their Quilts of Love Show at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 12663 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA, $1. QuiltRoomNOR@cox.net, 225-673-9847

April 17, 10am-4pm, The Senior Citizen’s Center proudly exhibit the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their Spring Quilt Show, 20257 Daugherty Rd, Long Beach, MS, Jean Tincher, 228-586-0407, $1

April 17-18, 10-5 Saturday, 11-4 Sunday, The Beachplum Quilters of the Jersey Shore presents the God Bless America Touring Quilts in their Plum Crazy Over Quilting Show at the Toms River Elk Lodge #1875, 600 Washington St, Toms River, NJ 08753, $7, children under 12 free. www.BeachPlumQuilters.org, lvSchnitzer @Comcast.net

April 20-21, 10-5 Tuesday, 7:30-1 Wednesday. Judy Howard will exhibit God Bless America Touring Quilts and sign books at the OK Library 12 State Regional Conference at the Cox Convention Center Renaissance Hotel 10 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK

April 23-24, 2010, Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Odessa Quilt Group proudly features Buckboard Quilts’ God Bless America Exhibit at their Odessa Quilt Show held in the Odessa High School Gym at 2nd Street & 4th Avenue, Odessa, WA. 509-982-2825

April 30-May 1, 2-8 pm Friday and 9:00 am-4:00 pm Saturday. The Hugs Project proudly exhibits God Bless America Touring Quilts at the PrimeTime Seniors Expo at the Centennial Building at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK

May 1, 4:00-5:00 Judy Howard will sign Heavenly Patchwork I & II , Centennial Stitches and Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts at The OWFI Conference at The Embassy Suites Hotel, 1815 S. Meridian, Oklahoma City

May 6-8, 10-5, The Home Machine Quilters Society proudly exhibits God Bless America Touring Quilts at 869 East 725 South, Centerville, UT, www.hmqs.org $10

May 15, 2010, 11 am-4 pm the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 353 proudly exhibits Buckboard Quilt's God Bless America Patriotic Quilt Exhibit at their " Armed Forces Day Celebration" which includes children's face painting, ball tournament, etc, entertainment by local bands, Seniors' Bake Sale and Silent Auction and Taco Dinner $7 or $4 for children. Boy Scouts will fold flags for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to wear near their hearts in their pockets. Mustang Town Center, Banquet Hall, 1201 N. Mustang Road, Mustang, OK, 405-376-5157

May 29- 10-4:15 Saturday, 1-4, Sunday, 9-1 Monday. The 45th Division Infantry Museum at 2145 N. E. 36th Street in Oklahoma City (just east of Martin Luther King Blvd) proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts. Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at 10 am highlights include a helicopter flyover, massing of the colors, patriotic music, and distinguished guest speakers. Quilt Artists will sign Thanking Our Troops books from 9-1 on Memorial Day

June 8-9 10-6, The Red River Quilter’s Showcase proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at the Global Event Center in the Wind Star World Casino, 1 mi North of the Texas/OK border, exit #1, Thackerville, OK, Jon Selby, 325-388-5225

June 24-26, 9:00 am-7:30 pm and 8:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday,. The Quilting, Stitches and Craft Expos proudly presents the God Bless America Patriotic Quilt Exhibit at their Expo at the Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 East 2nd St, Reno, NV

June 24-26 The Original Creative Festival proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring quilts at the Creative Festival in Sharonville OH, Sharonville Convention Center. Visit www.cdmshows.com for details and show hours.

June 25-26th 10-5 and 27th 12-4. The Sandy Historical Society proudly displays the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their 12th annual “Quilts in Our Own Backyard” Show featuring Home of the Brave Quilt Project and Michele Byrum at the Sandy High School gymnasium, 17100 Bluff Road, Sandy, OR., $4, Kayetoo@comcast.net

June 25-26, 10-5. Stitching Memories Quilt Guild proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. $3 Nancyroop09@gmail.com

July 2-4 the VFW of Sandy, OR, proudly displays the God Bless America Touring Quilts. Details to be announced, Kayetoo@comcast.net

August 21-25, Judy Howard and The Hugs Project will display God Bless America Touring Quilts and sign books at the VFW Convention in Indianapolis, IN. Details to be announced. VFW.org.

September 9-11, 9:00 a.m.-7:30 pm, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday. The Quilting, Stitches and Craft Expos proudly presents the God Bless America Patriotic Quilt Exhibit at their Expo at the Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Rd, Cincinnati, OH

September 25-26, 2010, 9-5 Saturday and 9-4 Sunday, The Country Patchwork Quilt Guild proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts during their 23rd annual Quilt Show, at YMCA, 740 East Yerby, Marshall, MO. www.CountryPatchworkQuilters.com, Donna@CountryPatchworkQuilters.com

October 2-3, 10-5. The Belknap Mill Quilter’s Guild proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at it’s Harvest of Quilts Show at the Conference Center at Lake Opechee in Laconia, NH. $5 Linda Sarette 603-524-9996

October 9-10, 10 am-6 pm Saturday, 10 am-5 pm Sunday, The Red River Quilt Guild proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their “Quilting in the Falls” Show at the MPEC in Wichita Falls, TX,. $5 www.RRQG.net, LesliePenrose@hotmail.com, 740-782-3340

November 11-13, Veterans Day Fort Bragg/Pope AFB Ann Flaherty Fayetteville, NC

November 11 45th Infantry Museum, Oklahoma City

November 12-14, VFW & TiaDaghton Quilt Guild sponsors the gba at Williamsport, PA

Award Winning Book

2010-04-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts won 2nd Place Non-fiction Book Award at the regional Heartland New Day Bookfest April 9th.

Congratulations to all the quilt artists who contributed. We're still taking entries through June 20 for a free book and a chance at $2500 in corporate prizes.

See photos of all 280 quilts now touring, calendar and entry and rental forms on www.HeavenlyPatchwork.com

Bear Creek Quilt Guild Ft Worth Show April 9-11

2010-04-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

Had a fabulous time with the Bear Creek Quilt Guild at their beautiful show at the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall in Ft. Worth. The Texans loved the God Bless America Touring Quilt Exhibit and the two “Centennial Stitches” Quilt Trunk Show Programs I gave. See slide show of the exhibit and some of my favorite quilts and Mary and Colby I stayed with on http://picasaweb.google.com/BuckboardQuilts/BearCreekQuiltGuildSApril9112010ShowInFtWorthTX?authkey=Gv1sRgCLnegO3qsrvRDw#

2010 Calendar of God Bless America Patriotic Touring Quilts

2010-01-11T13:04:00.000-08:00

2010 Calendar of Patriotic Quilt Exhibits

January 8 & 9, 2010, 9 AM to 5 PM, the Southwest Florida Quilters Guild proudly features the God Bless America Quilt Exhibit in their show FLORIDA CELEBRATES QUILTS 2010 "QUILTING: THE ORIGINAL GREEN" at the LEE CIVIC CENTER, 11831 BAYSHORE ROAD
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA. $7.00 www.swfqg.com Nancy Jones sarahobbs@aol.com

January 14-16, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 pm, . The Quilting, Stitches and Craft Expos proudly presents the God Bless America Patriotic Quilt Exhibit at their QSC Expo at the Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City, OK. Quilt artists and Judy Howard, author of “Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts” will curate the exhibt and sign books.www.qscexpos.com

January 22-24, 2010,The Quilts Limited Gallery and Arts Center proudly present the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their Patriotic Quilt Show/Freedom Festival at the Quilts Limited Gallery at 7 Camino Otero, Tubac, AZ, 520-398-9001, Trish Ambrose

February 10 Lexington Hi School hosts Judy Howard in two programs, “Under the Covers with Granny Reveals Oklahoma Secrets and God Bless America Touring Quilts.
March 4-6 Indiana Heritage Quilts Show, Bloomington, IND

March 4, 7:00-9:00 p.m., The Spinning Spools Quilt Guild proudly exhibits the "Thanking Our Troops--God Bless America Touring Quilts" and a special quilt trunk show program titled "Centennial Stitches--Oklahoma History in Quilts" by Judy Howard, owner of BuckboardQuilts.com and author of four award-winning books available on www.HeavenlyPatchwork.com. The free quilt show and program will be at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1451 East 45th St, Shawnee, OK.

March 10, noon, Judy Howard will present her “Under the Cover with Granny” quilt trunk show program, and exhibit the God Bless America Touring Quilts at the Checotah Public Library, 626 W. Gentry, Checotah, OK

March 13-14, 2010, The Pride of Prairie Quilt Guild proudly features the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their Quilt Show. Plainfield, ILL, dolly_co@yahoo.com

March 18-21, 2010, 9:00-5:00 Thursday-Saturday and 10:00-4:00 on Sunday. The Once Upon a Quilt Guild proudly features Buckboard Quilts’ God Bless America Quilt Exhibit during their Quilt Show by the Sea at the War Memorial Auditorium, 800 NE 8th St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Lisa Stevens, ovaq@bellsouth.net, www.onceuponaquilt.com

April 8-10 The VDTA proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts. Details to be announced.

April 10, 9-3. Judy Howard and quilt artists will sign books and display God Bless America Touring Quilts at Heartland New Day Bookfest at the Edmond First Nazarene Church, 3001 S. Boulevard, Edmond.

April 10, 2010, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Stashbuilder Quilt Guild presents the God Bless America Quilt Exhibit at their Quilts of Love Show at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 12663 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA, $1. QuiltRoomNOR@cox.net, 225-673-9847

April 17, 10am-4pm, The Senior Citizen’s Center proudly exhibit the God Bless America Touring Quilts at their Spring Quilt Show, 20257 Daugherty Rd, Long Beach, MS, Jean Tincher, 228-586-0407, $1

April 17-18, 10-5 Saturday, 11-4 Sunday, The Beachplum Quilters of the Jersey Shore presents the God Bless America Touring Quilts in their Plum Crazy Over Quilting Show at the Toms River Elk Lodge #1875, 600 Washington St, Toms River, NJ 08753, $7, children under 12 free. www.BeachPlumQuilters.org, lvSchnitzer @Comcast.net

April 23-24, 2010, Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Odessa Quilt Group proudly features Buckboard Quilts’ God Bless America Exhibit at their Odessa Quilt Show held in the Odessa High School Gym at 2nd Street & 4th Avenue, Odessa, WA. 509-982-2825

May 15, 2010, 11 am-4 pm the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 353 proudly exhibits Buckboard Quilt's God Bless America Patriotic Quilt Exhibit at their " Armed Forces Day Celebration" which includes children's face painting, ball tournament, etc, entertainment by local bands, Seniors' Bake Sale and Silent Auction and Taco Dinner $7 or $4 for children. Boy Scouts will fold flags for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to wear near their hearts in their pockets. Mustang Town Center, Banquet Hall, 1201 N. Mustang Road, Mustang, OK, 405-376-5157

May 29- 10-4:15 Saturday, 1-4, Sunday, 9-1 Monday. The 45th Division Infantry Museum at 2145 N. E. 36th Street in Oklahoma City (just east of Martin Luther King Blvd) proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts. Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at 10 am highlights include a helicopter flyover, massing of the colors, patriotic music, and distinguished guest speakers. Quilt Artists will sign Thanking Our Troops books from 9-1 on Memorial Day

June 24-26, 9:00 am-7:30 pm and 8:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday,. The Quilting, Stitches and Craft Expos proudly presents the God Bless America Patriotic Quilt Exhibit at their Expo at the Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 East 2nd St, Reno, NV

June 24-26 The VDTA proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts. Details to be announced.

August 21-25, Judy Howard and The Hugs Project will display God Bless America Touring Quilts and sign books at the VFW Convention in Indianapolis, IN. Details to be announced. VFW.org.

September 9-11, 9:00 a.m.-7:30 pm, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday. The Quilting, Stitches and Craft Expos proudly presents the God Bless America Patriotic Quilt Exhibit at their Expo at the Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Rd, Cincinnati, OH

September 25-26, 2010, 9-5 Saturday and 9-4 Sunday, The Country Patchwork Quilt Guild proudly exhibits the God Bless America Touring Quilts during their 23rd annual Quilt Show, at YMCA, 740 East Yerby, Marshall, MO. www.CountryPatchworkQuilters.com, Donna@CountryPatchworkQuilters.com

November 11-13, Veterans Day Fort Bragg/Pope AFB Ann Flaherty Fayetteville, NC

New Patriotic Quilt Contest

2010-01-11T13:02:00.000-08:00

2010 Patriotic Quilt Contest to Benefit Soldiers

Judy Howard of Buckboard Quilts announces the 2010 Patriotic Quilt Contest with deadline of March 31. These 22” quilts will tour for 18 months with the other 220 “God Bless America Touring Quilts” and then be auctioned.

All profits from Judy’s book, Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts, $100 exhibit rental fees (free to military and veteran groups) and auction proceeds will go to non-profits who make quilts for wounded soldiers and families of the fallen. Corporate prizes will be announced. Artists receive a free copy of Thanking our Troops for entering.

Quilt photos and quilt artists’ names will be posted on blogs, websites and http://heavenlypatchwork.com/patriotic_quilt_exhibits_and_programs.htm , along with entry and rental forms, corporate prize winners, calendar of exhibits and book-ordering information.

Theme of quilts is patriotic, stars and stripes, “Thanking our Troops” or Biblically inspired to promote love of God and Country. No Entry Fees.

Finished quilt size is 22” x 22” with a 4” sleeve or 4” loops sewn along the upper back for displaying on rod, plus four tabs along the upper edge for pinning onto draped racks to protect quilt.

Please also attach securely along the bottom of quilt (that can be folded back) an 18”wide by 5”high story label that includes the quilt title, artist’s name, contact info if desired, Artist’s Statement with heart-warming story of what inspired him/her to make the quilt. Label can be typed or photo transferred onto fabric, quilted and coordinated as part of quilt art, or just typed on thick paper and laminated or put in plastic covering and attached. Story label can be a free advertising billboard as it tours to sell artist’s quilts, patterns, services or to promote charity quilting group, soliciting volunteers or donations.

Mail quilts with signed entry forms to 12101 N. MacArthur #137 Oklahoma City, OK 73162.
Thanks for quilting for this worthwhile cause—raising money for quilts for wounded warriors and families of the fallen—those most in need of the touch of God’s love and comfort quilts represent. Reserve this $100 exhibit for your next show by contacting Judy Howard, 405-751-3885, BuckboardQuilts@cox.net.

Links to website, blogs, photo albums, TV & radio

2010-01-11T13:01:00.000-08:00

Links to Website, Blogs, photo albums, TV & radio interviews

Album GBA
http://picasaweb.google.com/BuckboardQuilts/GodBlessAmericaQuiltExhibits?authkey=cj1iToKbu9c

youtube TOT debut August 19, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYVqYIzdPBM
Link to Show Page in Big Blend Magazine - http://blendradioandtv.com/Champagne-Sundays/Oct-25-09.htm click on arrow at bottom of page by photo to hear Judy’s interview
http://heavenlypatchwork.com/patriotic_quilt_exhibits_and_programs.htm
http://thankingourtroops.blogspot.com/

http://www.heavenlypatchwork.com/thanking_our_troops.htm
http://www.quilterscrossroads.com/blogs/buckboardquilts/

2010 Quilt Contest Entry Form

2010-01-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

2010 Patriotic Quilt Contest to Benefit Soldiers

Theme: Patriotic, Stars and Stripes, Support our Troops or Biblically Inspired. See 220 quilt photos already touring on http://heavenlypatchwork.com/patriotic_quilt_exhibits_and_programs.htm. Schedule this ongoing $100 exhibit for your next show or patriotic event. BuckboardQuilts@cox.net.
Deadline: March 31. Quilts will tour 18 months. Judged for prizes & Auctioned in Oct/Nov 2011.
No Entry Fees 100% auction & rental profits go to non-profits who make quilts for wounded soldiers.

Mail quilts with signed entry forms to 12101 N. MacArthur #137 Oklahoma City, OK 73162.

Finished quilt size is 22” x 22” with a 4” sleeve or 4” loops sewn along the upper back for displaying on rod, plus four tabs along the upper edge for pinning onto draped racks to protect quilt.

Please also attach securely along the bottom of your quilt (that can be folded back) an 18”wide by 5”high story label that includes the quilt title, your name, contact info if desired, Artist’s Statement with heart-warming story of what inspired you to make the quilt. You can type or photo transfer onto fabric, quilt it and coordinate it as part of your quilt art, or just type on thick paper and laminate or put in plastic covering and attach. Your story label can be a free advertising billboard for your quilt business, project or charity quilting group, soliciting business, volunteers or donations for your charity.

Please also email your Artist’s Statement/heart-warming story to BuckboardQuilts@cox.net.

Categories for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons: Most Original, Best Handwork. Best Machine work, Best Contemporary, Best Traditional, Best Pictorial, Best Youth under 18, Best Youth under 12, Judges choice. Judges reserve right to switch categories. Prizes by corporate sponsors to be announced.

Entry Form (Please Print Legibly)

Name____________________________Address___________________________________________

City____________________State__Zip_______Email______________________________________

Phone_____________Quilt Title______________________________________Category___________

I understand Judy Howard will take every precaution in the care and handling of my quilt. I will not hold Judy or her associates responsible for any damage or loss due to unforeseen events. Quilts will be insured. Entry into the competition automatically grants copyright permission for the image of the quilt and/or all or part of the Artist’s Statement about the quilt to be used in articles, ads, promotions, catalogs, books, posters, cards, websites, CDs, event news coverage, television productions and/or multimedia productions for and about the God Bless America Touring Quilts. The quilt artist retains copyright to his/her quilt design. I consent that Judy Howard and/or media may edit my statement.

Winners, press releases, photos, calendar of exhibits, auction results, updates will be posted on www.HeavenlyPatchwork.com, blogs, etc. Quilts will be auctioned with a $50 minimum bid in October/November 2011 with all profits from tours, books and auctions going to groups who make quilts for wounded soldiers and families of the fallen. I agree to donate my quilt for this purpose. One free Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts book will be mailed for each quilt entered as our thanks to you for entering. Please include $5 shipping if you’re not donating quilt.
This is my original design (or attach permission to use pattern) and I will abide by above rules.

Printed Name______________________________Signed__________________________Date______

Hugs for Our Heroes

2009-12-12T19:44:00.000-08:00

“Like a mother's loving arms, this quilt is our hug for our hero—a gift of thanks for protecting America. It expresses our gratitude, love, respect, and honor to forever hold and comfort you."

This is the greeting sewn on the back of the quilt that Staff Sergeant Logan Ballew received upon arriving at the Bethesda Military Hospital in August of 2006.

Disarming a roadside bomb in Iraq, Logan received the impact of the bomb when it exploded. The local military hospital personnel feared Logan might die. They waited three days to notify Logan’s parents, not knowing whether they would be sending him back home in a body bag or to a hospital.

Logan arrived two days later in Bethesda where a quilt made by a Quilts of Valor volunteer welcomed him. Arnold and Joan Ballew flew from Edmond, Oklahoma to Bethesda to keep bedside vigil.

Marine Mom Joan had made many quilts through Quilts for Injured Soldiers. “We created these quilts as ‘Hugs for Our Heroes’ to give them hope and peace for their road ahead. A little piece of me goes out with each quilt I make,” Joan explained. Joan’s reward for her many hours of volunteer work comes from the Thank Yous received from wounded soldiers like this one: “When I get scared with the memories of war, I curl up in my quilt and the nightmares go away. It makes me proud to be a soldier, knowing Americans really care. There’s so much love and a prayer in every stitch.”

One of the first questions Joan asked Logan was if he had received a quilt. When Joan asked what he thought of the gift, Logan expressed how humbled, honored, and encouraged he felt to receive such a treasure. “ It was a source of strength and comfort that lifted my spirits and warmed my heart. I knew my service was appreciated and not in vain.”

Joan excitedly unfolded Logan’s bright quilt and caressed the stitches of comfort some volunteer quilter had lovingly taken. When Joan emailed the quilt guild to thank them, she instantly bonded with the woman who made Logan’s quilt. “She became my new buddy when I most needed a friend to share my feelings of loneliness and fear while sitting at my son’s bedside.”

After fourteen months of painful physical therapy, progressing from wheel chair to walker to cane, Logan now walks with a slight limp with the help of a concealed leg brace. Permanent nerve damage in his leg shattered Logan’s career dreams of spending his life in the Marines. When he gets discouraged, Logan finds comfort and hope for his future by snuggling up in his quilted hug. Logan is now adjusting well to civilian life with his part-time job in cabinetry in Norman, Oklahoma.

Joan’s 22” portrait quilt of her marine son using the zipper, fabric and buttons from his uniform, won a blue ribbon in Buckboard Quilts' God Bless America Quilt Exhibit which is touring the U.S. for four years with all profits going to provide more of these healing quilts for soldiers. ###

As the nation celebrated Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran’s Day with bands and parades, modern day Betsy Rosses were busy creating quilts for wounded troops. Quilts of Valor has awarded over 16,000 quilts stitched with love and gratitude to soldiers at the Walter Reed and seventy other Hospitals. See www.QOVF.org for details and to find a chapter near you.

All profits from the God Bless America Quilt Exhibits and book "Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts" go to groups like Quilts of Valor, Home of the Brave Quilt Project, Marine Quilts, Operation Kid Comfort, and local guilds and churches that provide quilts for wounded troops and families of the fallen. Judy Howard is challenging children and adults to express their patriotism by creating 22” quilts for the exhibits that are touring the U.S. for four years. “With your help, we can blanket America with love of God and Country to help mend our torn nation and thank our troops,” Judy said.

These 22” quilts honor our American Heroes and Troops, depicting “Liberty and Justice for All” and expressing flag-waving loyalty to our “One Nation Under God.”
It’s not too late to enter. Mail to 12101 N. MacArthur, #137, Oklahoma City, OK 73162. Rent these patriotic quilts for $100/week-end for your next quilt show or patriotic event today by emailing BuckboardQuilts@cox.net. See www.HeavenlyPatchwork.com for quilt photos, entry and rental forms, sample stories and to order books at the publisher's discount of $14.95.

Quilt Artists Cheer Troops in Baghdad

2009-12-12T19:38:00.000-08:00

Quilt Artists Cheer Troops in Baghdad for Thanksgiving

Thousands of troops passing daily through Camp Striker Stables in Baghdad, Iraq will be cheered this Thanksgiving and Christmas by the thirty-three quilts shipped November 14th to thank them for their service.
These quilts are part of the 218 quilts made by children and adults across America that are touring the US for four years with all profits from the books and $100 exhibit rental fees (free to military and veteran groups) going to non-profit groups who make quilts for wounded troops and the families of the fallen. Thanking Our Troop—God Bless America Touring Quilts contains the heart-warming stories and photos of these patriotic 22” and larger quilts.
This quilted tribute to the troops boosted their morale and their spirits last December through February when they were forced to spend Christmas thousands of miles from home. “The soldiers spent hours admiring the quilts and reading the stories that thanked them for their service,” Larry (Gunny) Sizemore, Supervisor of the largest “ hotel” in the world said. As they stood talking, many soldiers shared their own foxhole tales, or the heroic acts of fathers and grandfathers in previous wars. Several soldiers shed tears as the quilts evoked memories of home, family and fellow comrades killed in action.

Major Mick Kerr, Camp Striker Mayor said, ”Looking at the quilts, it’s evident that ‘freedom is not free,’ but no sacrifice is too enormous to keep our nation free. Thanks for bringing a little touch of home to us.”

SFC James Hine, Ashland, Kentucky, commented: “Coming from the hills of Kentucky where Grandma’s quilts meant comfort and love, a quote came to mind: ‘The love in your heart was not put there to stay, love is not love until you give it away.’ Your quilts are just that—from your heart to ours. Thank you for caring.”

When Gunny returned the God Bless America Quilt Exhibit to author Judy Howard, he included a surprise—a United States flag that was flown in her honor over Camp Striker in Baghdad February 12, 2009. “I’ve never felt so humbled,” Judy said. “Tears streamed as I touched the precious flag that had flown over Baghdad, flown over the face of the enemy.”

These quilts will return each year to Baghdad to cheer troops during the holidays. Yours could be one of them. See photos, sample stories, book ordering information, entry and rentals forms and calendar of exhibits on www.HeavenlyPatchwork.com. You can support this worthwhile project by entering your 22” quilt and ordering books for Christmas gifts. With your help, we can blanket America with love of God and country and hugs for our heroes (healing quilted comforters).

Thanking Our Troops--God Bless America Touring Quilts

2009-12-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

Modern Day Betsy Rosses Help Heal Wounded Troops

“How do I love America? Let me quilt the ways” is the theme of Buckboard Quilts’ “God Bless America” 22x22”Quilt Contest for children and adults.

These pictorial or traditional quilts capture the essence of “America the Beautiful” by paying tribute to our American Heroes, Troops, Presidents and depicting “Liberty and Justice for All,” or expressing flag-waving loyalty to our “One Nation Under God.”

All profits from the $100/week-end rental fee go to provide quilts for wounded troops and families of the fallen— those most in need of the touch of love that quilts represent.

Please enter your 22” quilt and mail it to 12101 N. MacArthur, #137, Oklahoma City, OK 73162 ASAP Reserve an exhibit for your quilt show, church, library, school or civic event today by emailing BuckboardQuilts@cox.net

"Thanking Our Troops—God Bless America Touring Quilts" book contains the heart-warming stories of these 220 patriotic quilts that are touring the nation for four years.
See www.HeavenlyPatchwork.com for quilt photos, entry and rental forms sample stories and to order your books for gifts. They appeal to all military families, patriots, quilters and quilt-lovers alike and are available at a special publisher’s discounted price of $14.95.