Sunday, June 4, 2023

Oh Scrap! : Orange

 I know, orange was the RSC color for May but I really did finish all of these before the end of the month.  I just didn't get a chance to write about them.



I finished my orange heart block and the color block for May.



I also sewed up 17 more switchplate blocks.  It takes a long time to cut these out because I am trying not to make any duplicates.

I really need to get this one up on a design wall so I can see how many more I need.

The good news is I have plenty of blues and greens so I don't know that I will be needing to make any RSC blocks in June.  It will be nice to have a month off.

What have you been sewing with your scraps?


BTW - I f you are looking for information on the current Compassion Quilt block drive, you can find it on 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! 

Quilting is more fun than Housework



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Compassion Quilt Color Stix Block Drive

 Just moments ago, I realized it was June 1st and I had not announced the block for the next Compassion Quilt Block Drive. Yikes!! In my defense, I have been a bit busy lately!

The next block we are using is one of my Scrap-A-Palooza designs.  I am calling it a Color Stix Block.

It is a very simple block.



To make this block, you will need:

QTY = 3        1.5" x 9.5" Solid strip
QTY = 3        2.5" x 9.5" Print strip

Sew a solid strip to a print strip (this is a great project to chain piece).  Then sew the three "Stix" together to make the block.  I find that pairing up the fabric strips first help to keep the seams a bit straighter.

The unfinished block should be 9.5" square

Note: I cut all my strips 10" or 10.5" and then squared up my block to 9.5" square.

We are making monochromatic blocks.  So whatever solid you use (yes, you need to use a solid), the prints need to be the same color.  You can make your blocks whatever color you want (except black).



The main objective of this block drive is to help me use up some of these donated backing fabrics I have.  What I envision is I should be able to grab a backing and then pick the right color blocks to go with it. As you can see, I have lots of blue, green and browns.  I also have a lot of other backings available so just use what you have - I will find a back for them!



You can make the prints all the same in your blocks like the ones above.



Or you can use three different prints (but always the same solid please) to make your blocks.

A big shout-out to Elana and Nann who got an early heads up and already sent me tons of blocks to get me started.  Nann also donated more backings for this block drive which is a huge help!



Here is a quilt I did years ago using this block.  Our quilts will look darker and richer because we will not be using light prints.  


If you have any questions or need my address to send out your blocks, feel free to email me at cynthiabdesigns at gmail dot com.  Try not to put questions/requests in the comments unless you know for sure I can reply to them.

I really do appreciate any blocks you can send.  If you can't help out this time, I certainly understand and maybe there will be more opportunities in the future.

If you are curious, these quilts will be supporting multiple programs at Sacred Heart Hospital here in Oregon.  They are called Compassion Quilts and you can read more about the program here.

Thanks so much!


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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Churn Dash Quilts #18 and #19

 I can't take much of the credit for these two finishes.  These two quilt tops were made by Gail and sent to me as a kit with backings and prepared bindings.  All I had to do was quilt it up and sew the binding!




Just when I think there really can't be too many more layouts for these blocks, Gail's quilts show up and I fall in love with how she put these tops together.  In this layout, she used the four patches to make an alternate block to the large Churn Dash.


She also used four patches to make an outer border. I love how scrappy this one is!

This quilt measures 72 x 72".


Then there is this layout - which is just the polar opposite.  Large Churn Dash blocks are sashed and bordered with the same white solid fabric.




I also have to mention that Gail sends the best backings.  I know she bought the above Smashing Atoms wide backing from Connecting Threads. It is such an amazing print and comes in a few different colorways.

This quilt measures 60 x 74'.

You will someday be seeing more of Gail's clever layouts.  She has sent in an amazing four more Churn Dash kits AND two kits made using my Two Bits pattern.  I just have to find the time to quilt them!

This Friday I have more quilt tops made by others to share.  I have one more quilt I want to feature and I hope to finish the binding tonight.

The Compassion Quilt pipeline is really flowing now!


Sunday, May 28, 2023

Oh Scrap! : Hands2Help Finish

 I was up quite late last night finishing up the binding, but I did it!  I finished my Hands2Help Donation quilt just in time!



I think I started making these blocks back in December of last year.  The initial vision for the quilt was to only use rainbow-colored prints.  For months, the making of the blocks were few and far between.  I just didn't come across much of the right fabrics.   I soon found myself adding in striped fabrics.




I think in April, I had finished less than half of the amount of blocks I needed for my quilt.  The Hands2Help Challenge was the kick in the pants I needed to get this one across the finish line.

I also dropped the striped fabric requirement and just used whatever scraps I had.



It is a fun, bright, and happy quilt.  Perfect for donating to someone who needs a quilty hug. I was able to find a fun geometric print for the backing in my stash.  I usually send my H2H quilts to Mercyful Quilts or to Quilty Hugs, but this year I will just be adding this one to my stack of Compassion Quilts - where it will be bringing a smile to someone at the local hospital.




A HUGE thanks to Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for hosting this event.  I have been participating for almost a decade.  If you want to see what quilts others are donating, check out her final link up which I think starts today!



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

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






Connecting Threads is having a Sitewide Sale right now.  Time to stock up on backings, batting, thread, and background fabrics.


Friday, May 26, 2023

Churn Dash Quilts #15, #16 and #17

 Can you believe there are already 17 Churn Dash quilts completed?!

And I still have more blocks to sew together!!



At one point, I found myself swimming in 6" churn blocks and 6" four-patches.  So I decided to use them up in quilt #15 - I love the alternating red and blue chains.
.


There is a fun surprise on the back of this one.  I was sent this kitschy tablecloth that is a map of the US by Kathy.   This quilt measures 54 x 66".




There really is hundreds of layout options for these blocks.  I think all of the small churn dash blocks for quilt #16 came from one person.  I was able to alternate fabrics and the red/blue design for the center.



I had to use three cuts of fabric for the back on this one and I kept the binding scrappy. (These scrappy bindings are sure helping to use up leftover fabric.)

This quilt measure 60 x 72".


Karen inspired quilt #17.  She sent me this great panel that I was able to frame to the size I needed to use all the churn dash blocks in the outer border,



Karen also sent me this star fabric - there was enough there for the whole back!

This quilt measures 54 x 66".

I will soon be boxing up all the patriotic fabric and any unused blocks soon.  I will get them out again next year. It is hard to believe that it is almost the end of May already.  The next Compassion Quilt block drive will be starting up in June. Yikes!!




Connecting Threads is having a Sitewide Sale right now.  Time to stock up on backings, batting, thread, and background fabrics.


Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Donated Quilt Tops from Others

 I have a very large backlog of quilt tops that just need quilting.  Generous quilters from all over the US have sent hem to me to become a Compassion Quilt.  Some are sent as complete kits (with backings and bindings) while some are just the top and need a backing.

With all of the Churn Dash quilts I have been making, I just haven't had the time to get to any of these quilts.  So in May, I blocked out a few weeks and focused on getting some of these done!



This jelly roll quilt is another top sent in by Becky.  She sent a total of ten tops and I have been slowly working through them.  It sometimes takes me a bit to find the right backing.

This quilt had some nice autumn colors with a burgundy border.  I struggled to find a backing in a nice fall color but I did have a blue one with burgundy flowers.  I couldn't put my finger on why I liked it but I am glad I went with it.  Becky had sent in a brown binding for this one.  I switched it out for a green I had in my stash.  I will use the brown one on another quilt.

I quilted some big leaves on this quilt. It measures 62 x 74".


This lovely quilt top was sent in by Joni.  In fact, she sent in the top, backing and binding.  I think this was a kit that came from Craftsy. She really did a lovely job on it.


I knew the quilting was really going to show on this backing so I quilted in some feathers.

This quilt measures 56 x 68".


I also received some tops on the smaller size so I was able to squeeze them in too.  This kit came from Kristi.  She sent in the top and the backing.  I was able to squeak out the binding from some of the leftover scraps.


This quilt measures 39 x 49".  It is such a happy little thing - I love that cherry fabric.


This fun bear quilt is also from Kristi. (Sorry, it is upside down.) The cream colored fabric is actually flannel.  So the top is super soft.



This one needed a backing and because the top had flannel, I decided to look in my flannel stash.  I found this striped fabric that had the turquoise and the gold found in the top.  Kristi also sent me some of the bear fabric.  I was able to use it for the binding - I didn't have quite enough but I just added in a cream-colored fabric I had in my stash.

This quilt measures 50" square.


Last week one of my friends helped me pull fabric for another 6-8 donated tops.  The fabric came from both her and my stash.  It was such a help.  Now I just need to find the time to get them on my longarm.


Friday, I have three more Churn Dash Compassion quilts to share. We are getting close the end of that block drive.  The next block drive will be announced around the 30th of this month.


Hope you are all having a great week. Mine was going great until I received an envelope from the Circuit Court of Oregon.  I don't have time to be on a jury!


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Monday, May 22, 2023

Sitewide Sale

 I am just popping in to let all of you know that Connecting Threads is having one of their Sitewide Sales.



Just use the Promo Code SEWSAVE25 to get 25% off your cart.  This includes fabric, notions, batting - even clearance items!

This is a great time to stock up!


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