Compassion Quilt Tops by Others

 I have been busily sewing together the Color Stix blocks into quilt tops.  But before I load them on my longarm, I wanted to squeeze in a few quilt tops donated by others.

This is another top sent in by Becky.  I really like this quilt design.  

It measures 52 x 66.

I had a hard time finding a backing for it in my stash but my friend had an older stripe that worked perfectly.  I was able to use the leftovers for the binding so there was no waste!

This sweet little quilt was sent in by Karen.  I think it was one of her Hands2Help contributions.  It is unfortunate I couldn't get a good photo.

She also sent in this sweet pink heart fabric.  It was a little small for my machine but I made it work.  I quilted in some fun daisies.  This one will be going to the pediatric center.

This Friday I hope to share some quilts made from the current block drive.  

 They are turning out so great!

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Oh Scrap! : Playing With Solids

 Whaa should a girl do when she already has too much on her plate?

Start another project!

I am swimming in solid scraps right now.  In fact, months ago, I started pulling solid scraps from my scrap bins to put into their own separate bag so my scraps aren't quite so overflowing!

I decided to start some new improv blocks using some of them.  I am actually using them as a leader/ender project.  They are 8.5" square.

Not sure how many blocks I will make.  I am working on more blue ones right now and I think I am going to move on to purple then.

Why not :)

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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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Color Stix Quilt Finish #1

 Time to share the first quilt for the newest Compassion Quilt block drive.

A big thanks to both Nann and Elana who help start fill the pipeline by making and sending blocks early so I could get started putting quilt tops together right away. 

Nann sent both blocks and backings and Elana sent blocks and some orphan blocks she had kicking around her sewing room.

 

One of the orphan blocks she sent me was this bright-colored 16" house block - I was instantly inspired and framed it with a dark blue and bright colored batik I was gifted.

 

 

 

Then, from Nann's and Elana's blocks, I chose a bunch in the colors that matched the house.  I really love how this first Color Stix quilt turned out.

 

 

On the back, I used some roses and some wallpaper inspired striped fabric.  I am not sure who gifted me this backing fabric (it might have been Nann) but I sure like it on this quilt.  It gives a nice calming effect to the vibrant colors on the front.

Once I had the idea to use an orphan block as inspiration for a quilt, I dug through my over-flowing box for a few more.  You might just see a few of them in some future quilts!

The Color Stix blocks are arriving regularly and I have been busy putting together some quilt tops.  I am finding that each one is very unique.  I look forward to sharing another with you soon!

 

 

 

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Churn Dash 2023 Roundup

 Now that we are well into our summer Compassion Quilt block drive, it is time for me to give you an overview on how we did in the Churn Dash drive that we did over the spring.

The block drive consisted of three different blocks this time.  You could make whatever combination of blocks you wanted.  It was fun to see what each package contained.

I received blocks from 52 quilters in two countries (thank you Canada!). A total of 1504 blocks were made.  (I didn't keep track of which size or configuration was received.)

The blocks made a whopping 26 quilts!

And that number is not counting any of the additional RWB quilts that were made from the scraps or donated by generous quilters.  Add those in and we made over 30 quilts for Veterans.

There were not very many repeated designs in these quilts.  You could use the three blocks in lots of combinations, so each quilt looked unique.

Sometimes, additional fabrics were added for sashing or alternate blocks - it seemed like the variations for layout were infinite.

This one was one of my favorites - I adore that scrappy sashing (which is really just those four patches sewn together).

I had a few blocks leftover from the drive.  They were stored away in a tub, along with all the leftover bindings and backing fabrics so that they can be brought out next year when we do this block drive again.

I also have quite a few string blocks made from the scraps.  I want to put every bit of fabric to good use, and making string blocks worked perfectly!

I will continue to make more of these next year and will hopefully end up with enough to make an entire quilt or two.

If you want to read more about my Compassion Quilt project, you can follow this link.

If you want to contribute blocks or fabric to the current block drive, you can go to this post.

I am already starting to receive packages in the mail....Thanks so much!

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Another way you can help out - if you make a purchase at any of these companies, use my affiliate links on my blog.  The money I make in commissions goes right back into buying backings and batting for the Compassion Quilts project.  Thanks so much!

Oh Scrap! : Yellow Stix Blocks

 I feel like I haven't gotten any scraps out in weeks.

Friday, I did get out my yellow scrap bin and make a few Stix blocks.  I needed 5 yellow blocks to finish up a Compassion Quilt top.  I knew if I waited for them to arrive in the mail, they would never come.

These blocks really do go together quickly.  If you want to read more about how these blocks are going to be used, you can read this post.

I quilted up the first quilt for this block drive.  I just need to sew on the binding and I hope to share it soon.  I am really pleased with how it turned out!

I look forward to seeing what you made with your scraps this week.

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

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

Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

The Final Churn Dash Quilts #25 and #26

 Here they are...the last two Churn Dash quilts of 2023!

I really like this charming layout.  It is made from just the smaller 6" churn dash blocks and some 4 patches.  This is another kit sent in from Gail.  All I had to do was quilt it - she made the top and included the backing and binding.

I am really impressed with the depth of her fabric/scrap collection.

Another great wide backing on this quilt. 

Quilt #25 measures 66 x 78.

So let's finish off this drive with a spectacular layout design.  Quilt #26 is made with these framed little churn dash blocks.  Aren't they adorable?  This one is another kit sent in by Gail.

I found the way she framed them really clever.  She used 6 fabrics to frame each block.  It is a great way to use up the tiniest of scraps!

This quilt measures 64 x 72.

One of my favorite wide fabrics from Connecting Threads is on the back of this one. (They have three different colorways.)

I never would have thought I would be quilting up 26 Churn Dash quilts for this block drive.  

That is amazing....

Blocks have started arriving for the new block drive and I have already put together a couple quilt tops.  I hope to start sharing those soon.  

It will be fun to see how many quilts we will end up with for that one!

I am hoping to have all the statistics on the Churn Dash block drive posted up next week!

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Churn Dash Quilts #23 and #24

 I have a couple special quilts to share today.  

They are special because all I had to do was quilt them!  

Gail is so generous and not only makes a ton of blocks but she also sews them into tops and then sends them to me with backings and prepared bindings.  I love seeing how she puts her blocks together.

 

 

How awesome is this layout!  I love how she used he 4 patches for sashing.  It gives this quilt such a scrappy feel.  And you know I love scrappy! 

 

 

On the back, is a mottled RWB fabric.  She always sends extra wide backing - they are so easy for me to quilt up.  This quilt measures 60 x 78".

 

 

 

Speaking of scrappy - check out this layout.  All 4 patches with a giant 18" Churn Dash block - with a fun 6" block in the center.

 

 

This kit came with a fun red fabric for the backing.  It really shows off the quilting.

This quilt measures 60 x 72. 

Thanks so much Gail!

 

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Oh Scrap! : Prepping Scraps

 I took some time this weekend to prep and organize all the scraps from the Churn Dash block drive and box them up for next year.

First thing that went in the box are all of the leftover blocks. There are both white based and cream based blocks and I don't have enough of either to make a full quilt.  These will be used to get me started next March.

I also used any large chunks (like trimmings from backs of quilts) to make some bindings for next year's quilts.  They will be nice to have on hand as things start ramping up.

This block drive really lends itself to scrappy bindings.  So any scrap that I could get a 2.5" string from it just gets added to this continuous binding.  I never seem to get down to that red center!

I also cut some large scraps into 5" squares.  I use those to make simple patchwork quilts like this one.

(Spoiler alert:  Once I did all the cutting, I realized I had enough for a quilt.  So I also sewed up a top this weekend.)

That left me with two more bags.  One holds all the leftover scraps and the other has the string blocks I made.  There are probably enough scraps to finish making blocks for an entire quilt but that is not going to happen this weekend.  But it would make a great sew-day project so maybe I will get it out later this year.

Lastly in the box went the leftover fabric.  There are a few pieces large enough for backings to get me started but that is about it.  I used just about everything that was sent to me.

I am also busy putting together all the stats on this block drive.  But that will be another post.

But I will tell you that the blocks received and the quilts made far exceeded my expectations...by a lot!

Thanks so much!

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

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

Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

Churn Dash Quilts #20, 21 And 22

 Can you believe we are already sharing quilt #22 for the Churn Dash block drive?!

The quilts for this drive are finally winding down and I am cleaning up the fabric and leftover blocks to use next year.  But I still have a few more quilts to finish up!

Most of the quilts being delivered this month are for adults so when I saw that some of the Churn Dash blocks I received had some fun novelty fabric in them, I saved them to make this fun quilt.  It has lots of dogs, sock monkeys, baseballs and other playful prints.  I made it a bit smaller than usual and marked it for the pediatric center.

I try to keep a balance on the type of quilts I make each month.

I still had some of that bright blue batik for the backing.  I had to piece it quite a bit but the white thread I used distracts the eye from all the seams.

This quilt measures 48 x 60".

Towards the end of the drive, I had a whole bunch of large and small Churn Dash blocks so I didn't use any of the 4-patches in this layout. I really like it!

I also made this quilt a bit smaller.  It is also just 48 x 60".

I am now having to use some of the smaller cuts of fabric for the backings.

I decided to use some of the string blocks I have been making with all the leftovers.  I still had a lot of the 12" Churn Dash blocks so I used them as the outside border.

The string blocks are 10" and the Churn Dash are 12" so I needed to use an inner border to get me the correct fit.  I received that fabulous blue fabric with a shipment of blocks.

Five chunks of fabric were needed for this backing. It can sometimes be a puzzle to get these pieces to come together in a backing!

This quilt measures 60 x 72"

I still have lots of string blocks but not quite enough to make a quilt.  

So I will save those for next year too.

All of the remaining quilt tops are finished and just waiting for me to quilt them.  

Yep, there are still more coming!

A big thanks to all who helped me make all these quilts happen.

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