H2H Grand Finale

The minutes are counting down until the official end of this year's H2H Challenge.  I've been looking at all of the quilts that are completed for donation over at Sarah's blog Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  The number of quilts donated this year is nothing short of amazing and the colors and patterns are dazzling.
In my last post, I showed this Rainbow Rail Fence top I sent to Brenda at Songbird Designs.  Brenda is an accomplished longarm quilter and our joint effort will be donated to the Carolina Hurricane Quilt Project.

 A few years ago, Covered In Love, headed by Kat who blogs at Kat & Cat Quilts was one of the charities selected to participate in the H2H Challenge.  After learning about Covered In Love's mission to provide quilts to hospitalized patients, it became my favorite destination to send quilt tops.  The two quilt tops below are in transit to Texas (home of Covered in Love) along with backings and bindings.

After making three tops for the challenge, I finally buckled down and accomplished some actual quilting. Eighteen months ago, I took a class to make a lovely baby quilt.  Since then, I've made attempts to work on the quilt, but could never really motivate myself to finish it. Having Jack's Basket as one of the H2H charities this year provided the motivation.  The pictures are very washed out.  The colors are much prettier in person.

I made a second quilt to donate, but after quilting it, I noticed two of the bunny squares look scorched.  I will wash it and if the brownish look disappears, it will also be sent to Jack's Basket, if not, our new baby granddaughter (we just found out yesterday), will have a Peter Rabbit quilt.

 The back of the quilt is a cozy flannel  print featuring Hunca Munca (a mouse from the Beatrix Potter stories).

Congratulations and thank you to Sarah for motivating so many quilters to use a skill they love to enrich the lives of people who need a little comfort.  Visit Confessions of a Fabric Addict to see the final link up of quilts.  They are really a joy to behold.

Hands 2 Help Quilt Ready To Go

My least favorite thing about making quilts is what takes place after the top is done.  Layering the top, batting, and backing and then basting them together is a drag.  Quilting them together is like staying after school and writing, "I will not talk in class," 500 times.  For those of you who were well behaved in school, you have no idea how annoying that is.
Luckily, The Carolina Quilt Project  is one of the charities participating in the 2019 Hands 2 Help Challenge organized by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.    Carole, who blogs at My Carolina Home is helping to provide victims of  Hurricanes Michael and Florence with quilts through the Carolina Hurricane Quilt Project.  If you're like me and love to make tops, but dread the thought of quilting them, Carole can pair you with a longarm quilter who will finish your quilt. 

 I made these blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge hosted by Angela at So Scrappy.  I loved making the blocks, but 72 x 88 is too large for a someone with quiltphobia to handle.  Brenda who blogs at Songbird Designs  is the quilting angel who will turn my quilt top and the pretty blue backing shown below into a quilt to comfort someone who faced losses during the hurricanes.

It's not too late to join this year's Hands 2 Help Challenge.  Just clink the link at the left and fill out your info.  Sarah has arranged for some lovely prizes.  I am donating this Star Light, Star Bright, lap sized quilt kit.

Stop over at Sarah's and join in.  Your quilt needs to be finished for the final link up by May 24th.

Finally Making Progress

As someone who does not make many quilts, I am always amazed at the inordinate amount of scraps I accumulate.  I became interested in the Jewel Box style of string piecing after seeing a quilt on Debbie's Stitchin' Therapy blog.  All of her quilts are amazing, but with lots of scraps and unloved fabric, string pieced blocks really fill a need.  I copied her idea of drawing a layout plan and coloring it in to keep my colors on track.

I planned on taking pictures of the quilts out by our beautiful Star Magnolia tree, but it is raining and the wind is sending the petals to the ground like snow.  The 2 tops will be going to Kat, who blogs at Kat and Cat Quilts.  She accepts quilts and quilt tops through her group Covered in Love to distribute to patients receiving end of life care.  Not only is it a worthwhile cause, but I can send her tops to be quilted by volunteer long arm quilters.  Although I love to make blocks, I do not enjoy the quilting aspect.  Luckily, there are quilters who do and they are ready to help out.

If you haven't already signed up to participate in the 2019 Hands 2 Help Challenge, it's not too late.

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict is hosting the first link up for quilts in progress this week, but your quilt does not have to be completed until May 19th.  There are five wonderful charities waiting to receive your quilt.  It's a great way to motivate yourself to finish up a UFO or three.

I'm currently working on a quilt for Jack's Basket.  They need baby quilts that finish at 36 inches.  Even I'm willing to quilt something that tiny.  Unfortunately, the photo was taken inside so the colors look washed out.  I'm working on the backing today.

I'm linking up with Sarah's Hands 2 Help  Check In.  Stop by, there are lots of great quilts to see.