Where it all Happens

Not too long ago, I converted my office to be the storage space for all the inventory of Many Hands and Many Hearts.  It is a room that a lot of the volunteers go in and out of to get various items.  I thought I would let you see  it for yourself.

There are two big bookshelves that the print fabric is all organized on.  This one gets loosely organized around block drives.  As a block drive is decided upon, we start stacking the fabrics on a shelf that correspond with that block drive.  The second bookshelf holds a lot of minky, flannel, low volumes and some fabric that doesn't fall into any of the planned block drives. There is also a full shelf full of small chunks of fabrics that are used as scraps. It might all look like a lot of fabric, but 30 quilts a month require about a hundred yards of fabric.

There is a separate small bookcase that stores the solid fabrics.  I cut up a lot of these for bindings. On the top, I tend to stack items that need to get organized into the bigger bookcases.  My friend Janet usually organizes all the fabric.  She is not a quilter so she feels she can help out in this way and free me up to do the sewing and quilting.

There is a fourth bookcase that has all the pre-cuts and bindings.  I also stack all the panels I receive so I can go through them regularly to see if any inspire me.  The bottom shelf is where all the miscellaneous bags of UFOs, kits, or stacks of blocks that need verified that they are complete before I send them out to volunteers to sew. This is one of the fun jobs I get to do.

Here are the stacks that make me smile.  These are all finished quilts that are ready to be delivered.  The adult and Veteran quilts are on the top.  Any quilt with flannel or minky are stacked to the back.  Below are the kids' quilts.  Infant/Toddler, Elementary and then Tween/Teen.  I can easily look and see where we need to focus next.

Here is the President of the organization.  He supervises everything!

There are lots of corners and tops of bookcases where things are stored.  These areas are usually a mess and we are working on finding some better containers for storage.  The room is quite small and we are trying to stuff a lot in here.  But so far it is working!

I think I have a pretty big stack of finished quilts to share the end of this week.  I just need to photograph them and write the post.

Just know I appreciate all the support from you that is helping to make this venture a success!

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Oh Scrap! : Rows Complete

 This week, I had to spend a lot of time putting together kits for longarm quilters. It is a slow process because it usually means I have to prepare a backing too. But I made sure I found some time to advance my scrap quilt project.

I was able to get all the rows sewn on my scrappy HSTs quilt. Now I just need to press all the seams before I can sew the rows together. I am really happy with how this is turning out and am very motivated to finish it.

Maybe I will have a completed quilt top to share next week!

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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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It Takes a Village

I can't thank enough for all the quilt tops we have received here at Many Hands and Many Hearts.  It has been a bit of a challenge to get them all quilted in a timely manner. 

 But we continue to work away at them!

This quilt top was sent in by Mina.  I think she sent in a total of three in this design.  It is definitely a design I want to try.

This turquoise fabric sent in by Karen wasn't quite big enough, but I just added in a chunky scrap I had to make it work.

I think these quilts measure 63 x 72".

Deana rescued some blocks and strips sets from an estate sell.  I think it was probably some version of a wedding ring UFO.  With a little creativity, I was able to turn all the blocks into this fun quilt.

We had a hard time finding a backing so we used this reddish brown mottled fabric that Pat sent in.  I am glad we used a solid-ish print because local quilter Laura really did some lovely quilting that shows so well!

This quilt measures 48" x 64".

Joni sent in this lovely scrappy quilt top a while ago.  The rose fabric really frames it off so nicely.  Laura also quilted this one for us.

Dorothy sent us this beautiful rose fabric a while ago too.  They have just been waiting to be sent out to a quilter.  Laura also sews on the binding for us!

I think this one is about 75" square.

Here is one more quilt top sent in by Mina.  I wish the lighting was better because the houses are so much fun to look at.  You know I love scrappy quilts!

Local quilter Terry quilted up this one.  It is a big size so I am happy she loves to do the large quilts.

A fun green backing and a scrappy binding finishes this one off.

This one measures about 70 x 80.

Some of my local friends are purging some of their completed but unused quilts and donating them.  Here is lovely quilt made from Asian fabrics.

Check out this backing. This quilt really is lovely and much appreciated!

It measures about 55 x 65".

I am sure some of you are wondering when you will see your donated quilt top.  It is hard for me to predict.  Most of the donated quilt tops get sent out to quilters - I tend to work on mainly the block drive quilts.  I have a handful of quilters and they all like certain sized quilts.  Plus they all work at different speeds.  So I might send out a quilt and not see it for many months.

Often, we get just quilt tops so we have to find that perfect print that is just the right size.  That can take some time.  I also admit that when I find myself with some time to work on these quilts, I tend to grab what I can get done the easiest.

But rest assured that they will all get finished and donated as soon as we are able to get to them.  I am always looking for more local quilters to help out.  When I can, you will find me at various sewing groups with a trunkful of kits to hand out!

I am surprised they keep inviting me back!

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Linking Up:

  

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)

Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

Oh Scrap! : Assembly Begins

I spent most of the week assembling quilt tops and sewing backings for flimsies for Many Hands and Many Hearts.  Now I have a nice queue built up to go on a longarm.

 

Really the only scrap quilting I did this week was to start to sew the blocks together on my scrappy HST quilt.  So far I just have the bottom two rows completed.  Hopefully next week I will be able to complete the top.

I have had a new distraction this weekend.  Meet Estelle.  Arthur and I went to meet her Friday and Saturday she came to our house for an extended sleep over.  So far things are going good but they both love to wrestle so separation happens often right now!

I hope they become the best of friends!

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

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

Sue's Quilts

Today's quilts were all donated by Sue.  She has a friend who just happens to have kids who live here in Eugene so her quilts hitch a ride and get delivered right to my living room.  It sure saves her a lot of freight charges and she is able to send completed quilts.  All I have to do is attached a label.

This one is so bright and happy.  I put it in the teen pile.  I have always loved this pattern - it is a great one for jelly rolls.  Sorry, I don't know that name of it.  Maybe someone will leave it in the comments.

This fabric in a wonderful shade of spring green is on the back.  

All of Sue's quilts are wonderfully quilted.

Who is ready for a day at the beach!

The center inset really shows the quilting.  There are crabs, starfish, an octopus or two and just about any other sea creature.

This one is my favorite of the bunch.  I love the colors and the pattern. It looks like a fairly easy block but I love that is creates a kind of pinwheel effect.

Another fabulous backing!

A pretty floral print framed in blue and pink.

More florals are found on the back.

I think this one might be another jelly roll design.  But I do spy a necessary partial seam.

Looks like some of the leftovers were used up on the backing.  And there is more pretty quilting showing up in the solid red.

And finally, this pretty black and neutral beauty.

It is even pretty from the back.

Thanks so very much Sue.  I just made the July shipments so these will be going out in August.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

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The Fat Quarter Shop is having their Summer Stash Builder Sale.   Remember to use my affiliate link when you make a purchase so the commissions can help buy product for Many Hands and Many Hearts.  Thanks!

Linking Up:

  

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)

Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

Back to Happy Block Quilts

 There are still a number of Happy Blocks to assemble into quilts so I spent some time one afternoon to make some quilt tops from them.

First up is this cute infant or toddler quilt made from baby-ish prints.

This one measures 40 x 40".

I had this adorable backing that fit the quilt nicely.  It has a very fun vintage feel.  

This is Happy Quilt #79.

Quilt #80 is this cute cowboy/cowgirl themed quilt.

Wendy sent in this adorable cowboy boot print.  This quilt is also 40" square.

For Quilt #81, I used some precut squares I received as alternate blocks.. The fireman and emergency vehicle themed print worked perfectly on this quilt.

This red emergency vehicle back from Debby was an easy choice. Then local quilter Cindy did a great job finishing this cute quilt up.

Next up is a butterfly themed quilt. Quilt #82 is a bit larger measuring 48 x 56".

It is hard to see but this is a purple and white woven fabric (sent in by Karen) that has tiny purple butterflies on it.  I had to add a tiny bit to the top to make the piece big enough.

If you are wondering if we are getting to the bottom of the Happy Blocks - Nope!

I projected we would make about 103 quilts so there are many more to go!

I will have more finishes to share this Friday.  We are now finishing slightly over 1 quilt per day!

I appreciate all the support I am getting in this project 💖

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The Fat Quarter Shop is having their Summer Stash Builder Sale.   Remember to use my affiliate link when you make a purchase so the commissions can help buy product for Many hands and Many Hearts.  Thanks!

Linking Up:

  

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)

Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

Oh Scrap! : Quick Finish

 Last Sunday, I shared my process for starting a new scrappy strip quilt out of some leftover fabrics.

Today, I am ready to share the finished quilt!

I am really pleased with how it turned out.  I hope that it finds its way to some young teen.

This quilt measures about 55 x 70.

There are some great inspirational saying on some of the fabrics.

I used this fabulous striped fabric that Nann sent me long ago.  I love this fabric so I have been holding onto it until the perfect quilt came along.  I think I still have enough for another quilt.

Now that I finished this project, I am going to have to find some more scrappy bits that inspire my next donation quilt.  Not sure yet what that will be....

Maybe it is time to get out some orphan blocks!

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

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