Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Onto February's Plate

 It is looking like most of the rail fence blocks for my Compassion quilts have arrived.  There haven't been any in the post for quite a few days.    Soon I will assemble the last quilt top using the rest of the blocks.  So What am I going to do in February?



I contacted Kat and let her know I had some time in February to finish up some of her Covered in Love blocks.  Just because I was making my Compassion quilts for my local hospital didn't mean I can't still help her out occasionally.

So she sent me enough of these geese blocks (from September 2022) to make three quilts.



She also sent me enough Tall Nine blocks (from Sept 2021) to make four quilts.
I already have one top done so stay tuned for some finished quilts soon.

My next block drive will be announced in early March.  I am not sure when Kat will start her block drives this year.  She has been taking a well-deserved vacation and obviously has a big stock of blocks to work through. 

I am happy to help :)





Linking Up:

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Oh Scrap! : Old and New Projects

 I was able to actually dig through my scrap bins this week!





I pulled some more blue scraps and made more of my switchplate blocks.



These are made with a total of five 1.5" x 3.5" strips. Super easy to make and I think they will be really fun to play with.



I now have 42 blue blocks to play with.  I just need to make a few hundred more in other colors.



I also cut a bunch of 3.5" squares from my low volume scraps.  I have a new project in mind and I am ready to execute.  Some red scraps are required too.

I can't wait to get started on this one.  I hope to share more soon!


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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! 

Quilting is more fun than Housework

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter






Connecting Threads is having a finishing sale.  You can save big on battings and backings!



Friday, January 27, 2023

Rail Fence Finish 6 and 7

 Slowly getting the bindings sewn onto the Compassion quilts.  

I have two more to share with you today!


In my attempt to try and make these look a little different, I sewed some blocks into fours and then added some sashing and cornerstones.


I think most of the blocks in this quilt came from one person.  They had a lot of very similar blocks so I was able to join those together.  I then had to select other blocks to finish out the quilt. I chose blocks with a light fabric on the edge so there was nice contrast to the sashing.

The sashing was some leftover backing I had.  There was just enough to complete the sashing but not enough to put some on the outer edge of the quilt.

This quilt measures 55 x 65".


I used a blue and brown fabric I had just picked up from Connecting Threads for the backing.

I am glad I planned ahead and was able to pick it up at a great price.




The second quilt is just alternated blocks.  So many pretty prints go into all these blocks.



I think I need 168 blocks to complete this layout.  Do you see your blocks?



This layout measures 60 x 70".


My backing selection is starting to get a bit sparce, so I am starting to piece together fabrics to have enough.  I do have some blue backing but I am trying to save those for a future block drive.

My dream was to receive enough blocks for 6-8 quilts.  Thanks to many of you, I will be completing quite a few more than that.

I am also starting on some quilts that are not made from these rail fence blocks. I hope to share some of those in the next few days. So stay tuned for more!




Connecting Threads is still having a sale on Batting and Backings.  I am hoping to place an order to finish out this block drive and get ready for the next!



Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Adorable Donations

 I continue to be blown away by how generous quilters can be.

When Amanda saw that I had shared some smaller sized kids quilt I had made for my Compassion Quilt project, she asked if she could send a few she had finished.

She ended up sending four and they are so adorable, I have to share them with you.  They have me thinking about block designs for September - which will be all about kids.


Love this little log cabin sweetie.




I giggled out loud when I saw the monkey and banana fabrics.  On the back was this sweet jungle animal flannel.




I also loved this garden themed patchwork beauty.




The colors are so cheery and the vegetable themed flannel on the back just makes this an amazing little quilt.  Really adorable.




I love the colors in this one!  Lots of fun fruit fabrics.



The rainbow flannel is the perfect backing.



The design of this little quilt I found quite intriguing.  I don't think I have seen this pattern before.  The fabrics are very gender neutral and have some great alphabet prints.



More of that fun rainbow flannel on the back.


These four lovely quilts along with 17 others were delivered to the hospital yesterday.  As we were unloading the quilts onto carts at the hospital entrance, an older couple came up and asked if we were selling quilts.  They were there visiting their very sick great grandson and thought a little quilt would bring him comfort.  

They were the sweetest couple and immediately had photos to share and stories to tell. So I was able to gift them with the little monkey quilt and the story of how it traveled the US to find its way to their great grandson.  They couldn't believe that something so beautiful was given so freely.

Thanks Amanda - and thanks to all who donated blocks.  Stories like this happen all the time.  Quilts just have a way of finding their perfect home.




Linking Up:



Accuquilt Dynamic Promo


Sunday, January 22, 2023

Oh Scrap! : Switchplates

 Most of this week was spent sewing Compassion Quilt blocks together.  But I did remember that I still have my Switchplate blocks to sew for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this year.



I dug deep into the mess I call a sewing room and found all the blocks I have made so far.  I pulled out all of the blue ones (I am trying not to duplicate fabrics) so I could start cutting some blue scraps.  I am hoping to get a nice stack ready to sew Sunday evening.

I might even cut a few more squares so I can make a couple more of my other Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.  It will be fun to get back to sewing these cute little blocks.

Happy Sunday!

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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! 

Quilting is more fun than Housework

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter



I am working on a future newsletter - I am still working the bugs out so be patient.  But if you want to get on the mailing list and receive the first issue, you can sign up below.  Sorry it is not very preprofessional - this is one of the bugs I am working on.  Always having to learn something new!


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Friday, January 20, 2023

Another Chunky Finish

 I have one more fun quilt to share made from my Chunky pattern.



I think this was actually the first quilt I made when I was writing the pattern.  
And it is probably my favorite quilt.




It was super easy to put together.  I had just finished two projects (one that had turquoise and the other the soft green) so I had a bunch of leftover fabric.  This block was perfect for using up the fabric and I just love how the two colors look together.





The quilting was a lot of fun to do and I added some big stitch in the black just for something different.



I loved this quilt so much, I even used one of my favorite Kaffe Fassett fabrics on the back and the binding.



It is hard to believe how many different looking quilts one can make from such a simple block.  But there are actually quite a few layouts/designs within the pattern.

All of my Scrap Mixology patterns show great ways to use your scraps and create some really lovely quilts.  No one will know they were made from leftovers!

You can find the Chunky pattern (along with all of my Scrap Mixology patterns) in my Etsy store.  Thanks for the support!







BTW - If you are a fan of Kaffe Fassett, the Fat Quarter Shop has a great selection of his prints and precuts available right now.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Compassion Quilts Block Drive Schedule

 Quite a few of you have asked me if I will be doing more block drives for the Compassion Quilts I am currently working on.

The answer is YES!

My plan is to do four block drives a year.  They will be announced in March, June, September and December.   Each March will be the month that we will be making quilts for our veterans.  And once a year we will focus on blocks for kids - I am thinking that will be in September.



The current block drive is these cute blue/brown rail fence blocks made from 1.5" wide strips. I know there are still some blocks on their way but to date, I have received over 1200 blocks, lots of yardage (to use as backings, bindings and backgrounds) and 5 finished quilts!  Amazing!!

(If you want to learn more, you can read this older post.)

 

I hope to have the majority of these blocks by the end of January.  That will give me the month of February to finish up these quilts and to rest a bit before the next block comes along.  I also need time to prepare and rustle up backings, batting and backgrounds for the new block drive.

I so appreciate all the support I have received - it can be a bit overwhelming at times but it will be so rewarding when I get to deliver our (yes, OUR!) quilts.  I couldn't do it without you. 

I think right now I have a stack of over 20!

For those of you who would like to help but don't have the scraps or the funds for the shipping, you can still help!  I decided to use all the affiliate commissions I make on my blog to buy backings, backgrounds and battings.  So if you make any future purchases through any of the below companies, click through my site (buttons on the left) just before you make the purchase and I will make a commission.



Shop Fabric at Fat Quarter Shop

Fat Quarter Shop


Connecting Threads


AccuQuilt


I have also been working on the structure of my (soon to be) newsletter.  If you want to get signed up for it so you get the first one, you can fill in the form below.



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Sunday, January 15, 2023

Oh Scrap! : January RSC

 It felt so nice to find some time this week to cut up some scraps.

I worked on my first Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks for 2023.

The color for January is blue.


I am only making two different blocks this year.  The first are these 36 patch blocks made from 2.5" squares.  I am really trying to keep things simple this year.



The second block are these hearts, also made from 2.5" squares.




My plan is to make 3-5 blocks of each color and then make two or three donation quilts with them.  I made the blocks the same size so that I could somehow use them in the same quilt if I want to.

Guess I need to keep cutting blue squares!

Have you picked out your RSC blocks for this year?


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

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! 

Quilting is more fun than Housework


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter




Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)



Shop Fabric at Fat Quarter Shop

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