Oh Scrap! : Strings

I hope all of you survived the holiday.  Arthur is back to his cheeky self and we just spent Christmas goofing off.  It was quiet and relaxing.  Just what I needed!

I am spending the end of December cleaning, organizing and planning for the new year.  

So not a lot of sewing right now.

But I did want to share a bunch of fun string quilts that made it across the finish line.  I think Elana sent us these blocks a long time ago.  I handed them off to our new board member Karen with some black fabric sent in by Wendy.  Once the top was finished, I sent it off along with a backing donated by Cindy to Marcia.  Marcia is not only a local longarm quilter but she also joined our board this month.  (She will be introducing herself soon though the newsletter.)  Marcia quilted in some feathery swirls in a variegated thread.  This quilt just glows!

Marcia also quilted up this lovely string quilt made from blocks sent in by Marci.  I finally found some time to get more of Marci's blocks into kits to be handed out for assembly.  We should be seeing more of her blocks soon.  The lovely backing was sent in by Cindy.

Everyone who has seen this quilt top and backing sent in by Julie, has been trying to steal it.  All of the bright fabrics she used in her string all have a touch of black.  I think it a brilliant way to use all those black scraps that don't always fit into other scrap quilts.  I really want to make one myself!

I should mention that local longarm quilter Terry finished this one up for us.  

I love all these string quilts!  I have been itching to play with strings lately.  I have a big bag of RWB strips and some maroon/tan/navy scraps that are ready to be sewn into blocks.  

I just need to find some time to do it!

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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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! : Progress

My boy Arthur has been feeling under the weather the last few days, so I have been doing a lot of cutting and sewing at my dining room table.  He likes to lay at my feet while I work - under the table is his safe place.  So for a change, I have been staying right by his side.  

He has an appointment at the vet Monday morning so hopefully we can figure out what is wrong with him.  I don't like seeing him in pain.

Not only did I get all of the pink flannel cut, but it is all sewn into blocks.  I have enough blocks for three, maybe four quilts.  I decided to make the first quilt out of all the very pale blocks.  (It looks much better in daylight.)  Next, I will make a top out of all the darkest pinks.  That way I have all the middle shades for the next quilt tops.  We shall see how many I end up making!

I have almost completed cutting all the blue flannel too.  I think I will have enough for a top with navy and gray, one with mostly dog prints and finally one or two in slate blues.  I need to go back to Mount Flannel and see if I missed any other blues before I move on. It is finally getting a little easier to dig through - I think I am making progress!

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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

 Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

 

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

 Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

 

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