Quilts for Vets of Wayne County, TN - part 4

Just a reminder that our small group of quilters (7 total and 4 are new to quilting) are making 50 quilts for the Korean Vets in our county to be given out on Veterans Day in November 2017.

When we started this my friend Anne was positive that she could get her quilt guild to participate plus other sewers she knew. Neither of those groups wanted to join us. I put an ad in the paper and 4 ladies who have never sewn before answered the call. Between Anne and myself we came up with enough machines for them to use. I made a bunch of kits for them to make, but for some reason I'm struggling with teaching them the basics. Not sure if it is my teaching or what. I am pretty patient. After the first two sew days when I brought home their blocks that had to be unstitched and re-sewn, we started making string blocks which they excelled at. They can now mark and sew on the lines for 1/2 sq triangles. Another gal joined our group and she quilts and has offered to do the bindings. I am so grateful that she came along. 

All our quilts are simple and quick to make. We are putting on the binding by machine.

This one is the 20th quilt that we have 100% finished .  The offset squares are fun.

#21 finished - I am sure that this pattern has a name but I have no idea what it is. It is made with 2.5 inch squares and strips. The white center is 4.5 inches sq. A good use of scraps.

This turtle just missed getting squished by a logging truck. I hope she likes her new home.

These turtles that I rescue are Eastern Box Turtles. They are the state reptile of Tennessee. The bottom of their shells are hinged so they are able to completely close their front and rear openings. They can live up to 60+ years ( if they don't get squished or eaten by skunks, raccoons, mink). They are about 6-7 inches in length when fully grown. The bottom of the shell is flat on the females and concave on the males. They only mate when they accidentally run into each other. You are suppose to be able to count the rings on their shells to determine their age - just like a tree. I've never taken the time to do that. Maybe with the next one.