New Block Drive - Mini Square in Square

 March is coming so it is time to release the new block drive.  We are calling this one a Mini Square in Square block.  I was inspired by a quilt sent in by Elizabeth.

For each block, you will need two fabrics.  Here are the fabric cutting sizes:

Outer Block 

4.5" x 8.5" Rectangle     QTY = 1

2.5" x 8.5" Rectangle     QTY = 1

2.5" x 4.5" Rectangle     QTY = 1

2.5" Square                    QTY = 1

Mini Square

2.5" Square                   QTY = 1

Here is how each block is configured.  Start by sewing the middle row together first.  Then add the strip to the top and the bottom.  

The block should measure 8.5" square when sewn.

For fabrics, I would like batiks.  I like the blender effect they have.  You can use light fabrics too.  Just make sure the mini square has good contrast. 

I know not all of you have a lot of batiks hanging around your stash so feel free to use blender fabrics. Please don't use solid fabrics - save those for a future block drive. The center brown block above is made from print fabric.

Just keep in mind how the blocks made from prints will look with all the batiks.  The completed quilt at the top of this post is a great example of the look I want for the quilts.

This block drive will continue until the end of May.

If you have any questions or need an address for where you can send your blocks, just email me at cynthiabddesigns at gmail dot com or manyhandsandmanyhearts at gmail dot com.

Thanks so much for your support!

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Oh Scrap! : More RWB Strips

 Sorry I did not get a post of some finishes up for you this week.  I actually had quite a mess on my hands.  I started going through our shelves of fabric.  My plan was to just go through the RWB shelf but I was knee deep in fabric for quite a few days as I went through and organized all the fabric we have.

That was a project!

I did find some time to cut more 2.5" x 11" strips.  I now have just about a tub full.  We will be using these at our next Fundraising Sew Day - which is actually scheduled for Saturday Aprill 11th at the Community Grange in Coburg Oregon.  I will share more information as the event gets closer.

If anyone wants to include some RWB strips in with your next block drive package, that would be wonderful.  I will probably release the new block next week. 

Or if you live close, we would love to see you there!

I still have lots more to cut!

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It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

• This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
• You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
• If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
• If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
• This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
• Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Oh Scrap! : Hearts

 Happy Valentine's Day...

So, I am a day late - but I still wanted to share some heart quilts made from a previous block drive.

       This is the sixth quilt we have finished from the Low Volume block drive.  Marcia, a board member, quilted this one up for us.  She quilted it with heart lockets and ribbons.  So Cute!  I am not sure who sent the backing fabric, but I love it on this quilt.  I think I projected that we would make 10-12 quilts from the blocks received.  We are over halfway finished!

Our friend Audrey went to the library last week and sent us this photo posing by the quilt we have on display there.  It will hang for 3 months and then get distributed.  Just one of the ways we try to get the word out about our organization.

I really didn't get a chance to work on any of my scrappy projects this week.  I messed around and cut some scraps into various sizes, but it wasn't enough to shout about.

It is supposed to be really cold out next week so maybe I can stay in and play more!

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It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

• This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
• You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
• If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
• If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
• This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
• Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Friday Finishes

It is time to share a few more Many Hands and Many Hearts quilt finishes.  

The pipeline is full so quilts march past the finish line daily.

Snowball and 9-Patch blocks - so simple but really makes a fantastic quilt. I also really like the scrappy border treatment.  So clever!  Thanks, Jean, for sending in the top.  On the back we put a nice cuddly flannel.

This fun dinosaur quilt is made from a top and backing sent in by Kristin.  Being a Stranger Things fan, I think the backing looks like demogorgons.  Once you see it you can't unsee it!

This quilt top sent in by Kristin has some of the prettiest indigo fabrics.  And the two blue plaid fabrics on the back made this perfect for a young man.  This one was actually sent out at the end of last year, but I missed sharing it.

Carol sent in this sweet woodland quilt top. We decided to back it with this soft flannel gray plaid to keep with the peaceful feel it has.

I have often thought about using this design for a block drive.  Kristin sent in this quilt top and backing.  It makes for a great scrap quilt.  I think we have one in cool colors which is waiting in the queue for quilting. Kristin also always sends in binding strips with all of her quilt tops.  We really appreciate that too.

I picked up eight quilts from longarm quilters yesterday so today I will be busy getting them ready for binding and labeling.  I love that our volunteers keep me really busy!

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Oh Scrap! : Binding

 I decided to spend this week going through the scrap bin and grabbing fabric that was appropriate for bindings.  Most of these scraps came from the trimmings of backing after quilting.  

I set to work cutting all the cotton scraps into 2.5" wide and the flannel into 3" wide strips.  I also went ahead and sewed the strips all together.  I know this pile might not look that big but I could easily hide a small child underneath it.

I divided them up into 7 grocery bags - there are about 10 bindings in each bag.  I am hoping I can find a few volunteers to press and roll these for us.  I have a few volunteers that are not sewers and they love to help out with projects like this.  I kept about a dozen that I can use for some upcoming quilts.  

I would love to say the scrap pile is gone but I am guessing I still have enough to put together about 6 more bags.  And every day with we end up with more!

If you are local and want to grab a bag or two, just let me know!

*********************************************

It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

• This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
• You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
• If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
• If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
• This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
• Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Only a few more weeks and we will be announcing the next block drive.  If you want to join in on the fun, you can read more about it in this post.  You guys seem to be enjoying this blocks - my porch is full of packages every day!

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Friday Finishes

It's Friday!  Time to share more finishes for Many hands and Many Hearts.

 

This lovely finish is made from some of the low volume blocks sent in last year.  We are slowly starting to assemble and quilt these heart quilts.  Pam assembled these blocks for us and I quilted it up.  I love the red fabric on the back.  Thanks for the donation, Elizabeth!

This quilt might look very familiar to you.  We shared one a few months back.  This is a second one sent in by Kristin.    She also sent in the fun carrot fabric on the back.  Local quilter Terry finished this one up for us.  Love the floral quilting she did on it.  Shows up great in the white spots.

Local volunteer Chris made this fun tumbler quilt.    She has been making quite a few for us lately.  This one came from her stash.  Such cute fabric!  One the back we used two different greens.  I think both of these fabrics were used before and we just used the leftovers on the back of this quilt.  

Mina sent in this lovely quilt top.  I am sure it was made from a jelly roll.  I think both of these backing fabrics were picked up by our local fabric picker Deana.  She is always finding us fabric at garage sales, thrift stores and estate sales.  The fabrics on the aback are a really thick flannel.  

This quilt is super cozy!

Here is the little flannel quilt that inspired me to cut up all my scrap flannels into 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.  I love how Kristin used a darker background fabric to create a border.  She is so clever!  

A nice warm flannel for the back too.  And thanks to local quilter Laura for quilting this one up for us.  She even sews on the binding.

Our first big shipment to the hospital happened this week.  We are back up to full production!

Thanks to all f you who help make this happen!

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Finishes from Way Back!

I have been cleaning out the quilt photos from my phone and found a few I don't think I ever shared.  

And they are definitely worth seeing!

I always forget how awesome a simple 4-Patch alternated with a fun novelty print can look.  This quilt is all about different sports.  Kristin made this one easy to finish - she sent in the top, backing and the binding!

Who doesn't want a dinosaur quilt!  This top, pieced backing and prepared binding was made by Kristin.  The dinosaurs on the back even glow in the dark!

This fun ocean themed quilt has already been delivered to a kids' organization.  It is quite big and perfect for an older teen.  This is another kit that was sent in by Kristin.

Not only does Kristin make a lot of fun novelty themed quilts, but she also sends in some really pretty tops for adults.  The star prints in this one are some pastel Kaffe Fassett prints.  It ids such a soft and soothing quilt.

Kristin is a very generous donor.  Fortunately, she lives here in the PNW and has a friend that travels to Eugene so she doesn't have to pay shipping.  We sure appreciate all she makes for us!

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