Penny's Postcard Posse Greetings for the Troops

Imagine Turning Bits and Pieces of Fabric
into the Most Amazing Gift on Earth

Here's How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact on Hundreds, Maybe Thousands, of Lives 7,342 Miles Away

Soldiers in Mud Huts in Afghanistan	Troops in the Snow

Penny's Postcard Posse sent more than 18,760 miniature quilts to soldiers abroad.

During the time Penny's Postcard Posse was active, more than 19,000 little fabric postcards were sent to troops in the Middle East.

Diane Malaznik, a dedicated Red Cross Volunteer, donated thousands of hours gathering, sorting and boxing up the postcards for shipment overseas.

Through her contacts, soldiers who normally didn't get much mail, received the gift of a hand made fabric postcard showing the support of the folks "back home."

Often school children made fabric postcards for the holidays and sent them to Diane to package up and send to the troops.

Diane counted on several equally dedicated volunteers to make the postcards.

My many and heartfelt thanks to those who contributed so much to this worthy project.

And, Welcome Home to the Troops!

Miramar Marines Thank Penny's Postcard Posse for Halloween 2007 Cards

Penny with Postcards for Marines that were collected during the Halloween 2007 Penny's Postcard Posse Roundup	from left to right Sgt. Maj. Louis M. Espinal, Penny Halgren, Capt. Ed Rush, Pilot

Get FREE Patterns for the Fabric Postcards shown below - and many, many more at:

www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

Don't Know How to Quilt?

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Also - if you are a teacher or first time quilter, here are instructions for sewing a simple fabric postcard.

Watch the video to see how to make a fabric postcard using a traditional quilt block:

P.S. If you have any questions, please email me at: info@how-to-quilt.com

       

Postcards ready to ship to Iraq for Christmas 2008 This beautiful poem was sent in by Charmaine Huffman from Texas. A Poem for Christmas ‘Twas the night before Christmas, He lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of Plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney With presents to give, And to see just who In this home did live. I looked all about, A strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, Not even a tree. No stocking by mantle, Just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures Of far distant lands. With medals and badges, Awards of all kinds, A sober thought Came through my mind. For this house was different, It was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, Once I could see clearly. The soldier lay sleeping, Silent, alone, Curled up on the floor In this one bedroom home. The face was so gentle, The room in such disorder, Not how I pictured A United States soldier. Was this the Hero Of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, The floor for a bed? I realized the families That I saw this night, Owed their lives to these soldiers Who were willing to fight. Soon round the world, The children would play, And grownups would celebrate A bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom Each month of the year, Because of the soldiers, Like the one lying here. I couldn't help wonder How many lay alone, On a cold Christmas eve In a land far from home. The very thought Brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees And started to cry. The soldier awakened And I heard a rough voice, “Santa don't cry, This life is my choice; I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more, My life is my god, My Country, my Corps.” The soldier rolled over And drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, So silent and still And we both shivered From the cold night's chill. I didn't want to leave On that cold, dark, night, This guardian of honor So willing to fight. Then the soldier rolled over, With a voice soft and pure, Whispered, “Carry on Santa, It's Christmas day, all is secure.” One look at my watch, And I knew he was right. “Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.”   This poem was written by a Marine. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable..... Please. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.