A Big Littles Show

I have finally found a bit of time to sit down and write a blog post.  Sorry it has been so long since I have shared some finishes.  It is going to be all about small quilts today.

This project came from a local estate sale.  In amongst some fabrics were some whole and some partial blocks.  I couldn't toss them so I made this little quilt top.  It was kind of small so I added a dark blue border.  I also added this dark blue backing fabric that Dorothy sent. 

It has the words Sweet Dreams on it.

Local quilter Chris made this sweet quilt from some flying geese.  This is more of that really pale fabric that we had that really stumped me.  I knew she would be able to find the perfect way to use it.  We used the same fabric for the backing as we did for the border. 

 

This top has been hanging around here for a bit.  Mari sent in this top when we did the Hapy Block Drive.  I think it got stuck on the bottom of the stack of quilts in my studio.  It has a wonderful music theme.  It will get delivered to a kid's organization tomorrow so it can start bringing comfort soon.

We still have some pre-cut flannel squares that were sent to us MANY moons ago that we are still working through. This cute flannel back came from an estate sale.  Love that we are able to turn all these bits into quilts!

Aaarg!! This adorable pirate quilt top and backing came from Kristin.  I sent it off to local quilter Cindy who finished it up beautifully.  I love the colors!

 

This quilt was also made from some leftovers.  We received a kit that used charm squares probably a year ago.  The quilt it made is long gone.  But we had quite a few of the charm squares left.  I turned them into this nice small lap quilt.  We used some of the autumn fabric sent in my Stephanie for the backing.  Cindy also quilted this ne up for us.

It is starting to turn colder here so we are using a lot of flannel.  This all flannel top and backing came from Kristin.  Local quilter Cindy quilted some paw prints on it.

Janet had an eye surgery - that is why she has on the huge sunglasses.  

She ended up with quite the black eye that is still healing!

And finally, this fun little house quilt top came from Elana.  There is a surprise occupant in every window.  I always love the bright colors she uses in her quilts.  We backed this one with a rich teal flannel fabric.

We are busy making the last of our deliveries for the year.  I am hoping to find a home for every quilt that gets finished before Christmas.  I will let you know how many quilts we ended up delivering for the year soon.

BTW - The next block drive for Many Hands and Many Hearts has been released.  You can read more about it in this post.

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Oh Scrap! Mixing Scraps with Panels

I just finished sewing the binding on this fun scrappy quilt. 

It is so cute, I had to share it today.

I had a panel that had some fun animals printed on it. They were small but all different sizes. Local quilter Chris used that panel with a bunch of her scraps to create this fun little quilt.  No pattern - just adding in bits and bobs of color until a quilt was born.

We put a colorful flannel covered in bugs on the back (thanks Nann) and Laura quilted it up for us.  We have a big delivery of kid quilts going out next week so we are completing as many as we can.  

I am still cutting and sewing flannel scraps.  I am getting bored with it but I feel like I am making progress so I will keep going.  It will feel really good to have the huge pile of flannel scraps gone.  I am probably about one third of the way done.  Hurray for me!

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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! : Flannel Blocks

 I have been busy all week cutting flannel scraps into 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.  I think all of the pink scraps are done and I have moved onto blue.

As I cut them, I am stacking them in a box so they are ready to sew.  I don't often get a chance to sit and sew but I did find time to make enough soft blocks for a quilt top.

I have 42 of these 8" blocks ready to be turned into a top. I have also cut more than enough rectangles to make the same size quilt in dark pinks and one that will be a mix of both.  It is amazing how much pink flannel was hiding away in the scrap pile.

I started pulling out all the blue scraps.  I don't think there are as many - but some of the chunks are quite large.  I figure I can get everything at least cut and blocks can be sewn when I find the time.  I have committed to cutting any flannel scraps as they are made so I don't create this abundance problem again. I should be able to keep that commitment!

How are you using your scraps?

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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

The next block drive for many Hands and Many Hearts has been released.  You can read more about it in this post.

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Black & White Framed - New Block Drive

I almost forgot that we release a new block drive the end of November.  Lucky for me I had already planned in my mind what the new block was going to be so I just needed to make some samples and whip out the instructions.  

This block is super easy and is great for using up some of your scraps.  We have never done a drive that used black & white fabrics - so that is what we are going to do.

This block is basically a Happy Block with a 4-patch in the center.  For this block, you will need:

2.5" square of print fabric     QTY = 4

2.5" x 4.5" rectangle  B/W fabric     QTY = 2

2.5" x 8.5" rectangle B/W fabric     QTY = 2

Your block should measure 8.5" square when completed.

First you need to make your 4-patches using the 2.5" squares.  The fabrics in the center should either be all cool colors (blue, green, purple) or all warm colors (red, pink, yellow, orange).  Please don't mix them within a block.  These blocks are going to be used for adults so make sure any novelty fabrics you use are more adult themed.  And please don't put a lot of novelty in a single block.

The outside frame can me black with white or white with black.  Our hope is that we will be able to alternate the mostly black and mostly white frames to make our quilts.  We also might add some colorful sashing between blocks on some quilts.  

It might be tempting to make these blocks super fun with really playful fabrics but remember they are going to adults.  We want them bright but not too juvenile.

Here are some more samples I made.  Note the panda fabric has a small bit of other colors.  I am going to say that is okay but make sure it isn't dominating the block.  

I know some of you might not have many B/W fabrics.  That is why I chose this block for this quarter.  Usually over the holidays, we don't get as much participation so we may not get as many blocks as we usually do.  But then again, you guys do love your Happy Blocks!

This block drive will run until the end of February.  If you have any questions or need my address for shipping, send me an email at cynthiabdesigns at gmail dot com.  If you are still working on the Color Block Star Blocks from the last drive, there is still time to get them to us.

The quilts made from all these blocks will be distributed as donation quilts.  If you want to know more about Many Hands and Many Hearts, you can read more here.  

All of us at Many Hands and Many Hearts whole heartedly appreciate the generosity of so many of you.  We are able to donate large quantities of quilts each month to Children, Veterans and Adults in crisis.

Thank you so very much!

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Oh Scrap! : Not my Work

I have been working on my flannel blocks this past week but I haven't taken any photos.  I realized today that not only do I need to get the newsletter out, but I also need to write up the instructions and release the next block drive. So, I am taking an easy way out and sharing someone else's scrappy quilt.

Pam is currently our board secretary.  She made a bunch of Tula Pink quilts for her granddaughters. All those quilts generated a lot of scraps.  She has been using them to make quilts for Many Hands and Many Hearts. This one is made from log cabin blocks. We had a pretty lavender plaid fabric on the shelf for the backing, and I sent it off to local quilter Terry to finish it up.  She filled all that negative space with some lovely feathers.

Hopefully next week, I will have a flannel scrappy top to share.  I think I already have enough blocks, I just need to decide on a layout and sew them together.

Now you can share your scrappy projects!

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

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 Quilts Keep Coming!

I hope all of you who celebrate, had a nice Thanksgiving.  Arthur and I enjoyed a quiet day snuggling on the sofa streaming Stranger Things from the beginning.  

It was nice to relax....

Still looking through my older photos finding pictures of quilts I haven't shared yet.  This fabulous RWB quilt top came from Joni.  I think she also sent in the backing.  We have been scouring all the quilt tops we have to get all the patriotic ones done so we can start putting together tops from our RWB block drive. I have volunteers sorting them into color so they are easier to manage.

Hey look, it is a quilt made from the Wiggle Time pattern.  We were sent a small stack of six batik fat quarters and we needed five for this pattern.  The background batik and the one used on the backing came from a local estate sale.  We don't have a lot of batik fabric so it is nice when we can put together a quilt.

This orange and turquoise quilt is all about Hot Wheels. The pattern looks really familiar and I think either charm packs or a layercake was used.  Maybe the free pattern Charm Pack Cherry from Fat Quarter shop? Kristin sent in this quilt top and backing.

Here is another estate sale find.  The blocks were finished; I just put them together into some quilt tops.  I shared a RWB one some months back.  I like the vintage vibe it gives off.  We backed in a red flannel so it would bring lots of warmth.

This top has been completed for some time.  I had some fat quarters that looked like they might work together and sent them off to Barb.  For the back, we used a print sent in from Kare.  We didn't have quite enough but we were able t use some other coordinating scraps we had.

Cheryl sent in this quilt top. This pattern looks like a great way to use up some chunky scraps.  We put a warm flannel on the back of this one too.  I think Kat sent us a whole bolt of this purple plaid.  It is favorite of mine.

We have been making a lot of larger quilts with flannel backing for deliveries to older kids.  We have a big stack of them to go out early December.

I think that is it for older photos.  Janet gets back from visiting family soon so we will have some more photos soon.  Even through the holidays, the quilts keep coming!

(BTW - I am a little late with the newsletter.  The holiday and the illness really messed with my workload.  Thanks for being patient.)

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Linking Up:

  

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)

Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

Finally, Some Finishes

Janet and I have both been sick so we haven't had too many chances to take photos.  I scoured all my photos and records and discovered some quilts that missed getting posted to the blog.

Time to share a few!

Here is a fun one for the dog lovers.  Kristin sent in the quilt top, the backing and the binding.  Local quilter Cindy quilted it with loops and little paw prints.  If I remember correctly, the backing fabric is flannel, so it is extra cuddly.

Kristin sent in this little cutie also.  My guess it is one of those little tops that you make to use up the last of some squares.  It is all flannel and super soft.

  

Here is a little quilt made from ne of our block drives.  This one has Paw Patrol and Thomas the Train split 4-patch blocks.  Charlene sent us the soft flannel fabric for the backing and Cindy quilted this one.

Chris is a local quilter who sometimes "shops" at our "warehouse" and then creates lovely quilts from what she takes home.  I should clarify that Chris is someone I can hand some fabric to that is not igniting my creativity and she rummages through our stash and hers to make something wonderful.  We had received a small collection of some very pastel prints and I could not come up with a way to use them.  She made two quilt tops.  This is the second one she made from leftovers.  I still need to share the first one.  Nann provided the bright yellow backing - I think it might be flannel.  

Here is another quilt top, backing and binding sent in by Kristin.  I love the idea of making a bunch of scrappy simple blocks and putting them all in one quilt.  In this case she used all pastel-colored scraps.  It is so soft and peaceful.

I am sure you have figured out; Kristin makes a LOT of quilt tops for us.  This lovely dusty pink and mint green one is one of my favorites.  The fabrics are just lovely together.  This quilt was delivered to the hospital this afternoon to bring comfort to someone. They were so happy to have some to give out over the holiday weekend.

As always, we are grateful for all of our donors and cheerleaders.  All of us at Many hands and Many Hearts wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving!

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Linking Up:

  

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)

Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)