Sunday, December 7, 2025

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?


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

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




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



 Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

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!


 Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

Sunday, November 30, 2025

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! 

Quilting is more fun than Housework



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly


Saturday, November 29, 2025

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.)




Tuesday, November 25, 2025

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!




 

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Oh Scrap! : Still Cutting Pink

A huge thanks to all of you who wished me well.  I am pretty much back to my old self.  I still have pain in my ear but at least I can move my head without falling over.




I am still working away at Mount Flannel when I have a chance.  I have been focusing on the pink scraps and anything new that needs attention.  I am not to add anything to my mountain of scraps!

Once I have all the rectangles I need for a block, I am just stacking them in a box to sew at a later date.  I tend to use these as leaders/enders.  They will eventually get sewn.



I have to share this client scrap quilt that is currently on my frame.  It is huge.  It has blocks in all the rainbow colors and hues.  And in the center of each block is a skeleton.  I think it is the best scrap quilt I have seen in a very long time.  But I had to laugh when she dropped it off - all these blocks didn't make a dent in her scrap bins.  We all know how that feels!


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

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

 Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

 

Sunday, November 16, 2025

Oh Scrap! : Flannel Progress

Colds and Covid have hit our area hard.  Almost everyone I know has some sort of bug they are fighting.  I myself caught a head cold - which led to an ear infection and burst eardrum - which led to vertigo.  I am not a happy camper right now.  Every time I try to get something done, dizziness makes it impossible and back to bed I go

.  Hopefully the pills do their thing soon and I am back to my regular self!



I did get a few more flannel scraps cut and some scrappy blocks made.  I have two patterns I am making using flannel leftovers.  These windmill blocks require lights and darks.  The other block has eight prints and one partial solid frame.  I will have to make a few of those to show you.

I hope all of you are well!


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

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

 Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

 

01 09 10