The Drought May Finally Be Over

 After having a productive few weeks, I feel like a field sprinkled with rain after a drought.  It wasn't a soaking rain, but it did produce a few signs of life. 

Melva, who blogs at Melva Loves Scraps, is hosting a quilt along called Pieces of the Santa Fe Trail.  It's a bit unusual, in that, the inspiration for the blocks is based on the memoirs of Marian Russell who traveled the Santa Fe Trail.  I really enjoy reading the snippets of Marian's book that Melva posts with each block.  If you are a history buff or you just enjoy quilt alongs and sampler style quilts, you should visit her blog.

After I chose my fabrics, I realized that one of them was directional.  I was determined to keep the fabric facing in the correct direction in each part of the block.  I managed to be consistent while sewing the Kit in the Korner block, but I didn't notice that the fabric was oriented incorrectly in the block itself.

The block above shows my flowers/artichoke shapes facing up.  The block below shows the flower print upside down, but in the correction orientation in the block.  My block will just have to be Kit in the Opposite Korner.

I promised two of my favorite little girls that I would make doll quilts and matching pillows for them.  Four of the quilts are finished.  Three of the matching pillows are stuffed and waiting to be hand stitched closed.  I'll post the fourth quilt when its matching pillow is finished.  All of the doll quilts are made from scraps.

The Joyful Quilter created a Table Scraps challenge in January.  The challenge is using the colors issued for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge at So Scrappy.  Any quilted table covering can be made for the challenge.  The covering can be a table runner, topper, placemats, candle mat, or mug rug. I didn't have a need for a table topper/runner in the colors being used for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this year so I have started making quilted toppers for various surfaces using a rainbow of scraps.  I started making bow tie blocks for a doll quilt and enjoyed it so much, I made a topper for my clothes dryer and one for my laundry room hamper.  The topper for the laundry hamper is made with 2.5 inch squares.

The topper for the clothes dryer is made using 3 inch squares.

The color for May is red.  I would love to have a table topper or runner for Valentine's Day so this month, I'll be using the  Rainbow Scrap Challenge color.

Like many quilters, I enjoy reading blogs, seeing pictures of quilts, and being inspired.  Since I rarely finish anything, I don't feel compelled to post the projects I work on that will probably never be finished.  My lax attitude has kept me from acknowledging the lovely things that other bloggers have done for me.

 I enjoy reading Pat's blog over at Life in the Scrapatch.  Once upon a time, in the not so distant past (November, 2019) Pat celebrated the 10th anniversary of her blog by giving away a Riley Blake magnetic pin catcher.  I was lucky enough to be the recipient and I use it every day.  Pat has some wonderful free patterns and tutorials on her blog that you should definitely take a look at.  She has a free pattern from the Disney Mandalorian series that features the baby Yoda eating bone broth.  If you have a Star Wars fan in your life, this is a MUST.

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For the first time this year, I actually have something to Whoop about.  I'm linking up at Sarah's Confessions of a Fabric Addict to whoop along with all of the other fabulous quilters.  I've also linked up for Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework.

 I Quilt, Therefore I Am.  

If I don't blog, does that mean I don't have anything to say or show.  I haven't been able to motivate myself to post since the finale of 2020's H2H (Hands 2 Help) Challenge hosted by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict last June. The Hands 2 Help Challenge for 2021 has started and Sarah has posted the lovely prizes that will be awarded to participants.  It's not too late to participate,  The sign up form and information about the charities requesting quilts and the sizes needed are at Sarah's blog, Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  Last year, one hundred seventeen quilters took part in the challenge,  With your help, this year, the numbers will be higher.

Like most quilters, I spent a lot of 2020 making masks for our extended family.  Unlike many prolific quilters, my quilt production slowed down dramatically.  I only pieced one "Fishy" baby top. I'll be quilting it for the Hands 2 Help Challenge.

My creative juices started flowing again at Christmas.  A three and a half year old girl at our church needed a present and I was happy to provide it.  

I found a sweet baby doll at Target, but the outfit she was dressed in was ugly and poorly made.  She deserved better.

First, I made her a dress and some diapers.  Next, she needed a place to sleep and a quilt to keep her warm.  It was only a week before Christmas and I wasn't able to order a doll bed that would arrive in time.  I found a basket and made a mattress, quilt, and pillow so she would be comfy.

Finally, she was ready to travel to her new home.  I had enough fabric strips left over to make 2 more doll quilts and matching pillows.  One for my granddaughter and the other for a niece.  It was a great way to get motivated and get back to quilting.  My motivation now will be to complete some quilts for the 2021 H2H Challenge.

Hands 2 Help Finale

As the minutes tick down, the end of the Hands 2 Help Challenge for 2020 is nearing it's close.  As usual, I had high hopes and good intentions, but only one of the nine quilt tops I made is quilted and bound.  The blue and green framed squares quilt was a UFO that sat for years until it was quilted last week.  Both quilts will be going to Little Lambs Foundation for Kids.  The quilts will be given to young children being placed in foster homes.  At 36 inches square, they are the perfect size to be packed into a bag to send along with a toddler.

 The pink, yellow and light green four patches were made as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge a few years ago.  I love the Eeyore and Winnie the Pooh fabric on the back.

 You can't might not be able to see from the picture, but the backing print is of construction cones and stop signs.

I had a partial right knee replacement in February and it is taking much longer to heal than I expected.  I can't manage to sit at the sewing machine for more than 20 minutes at a time.   I have been alternating between cutting, ironing, and piecing, but I find it hard to be consistent if I only quilt for 20 minutes.  The schedule works fine for piecing tops, so that's what I managed to do.

This teal four patch was started as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge a few years ago.  It's currently layered and under the needle waiting for the 20 minute segments that will finish it tonight.

 This is the backing for the star quilt above.

 I have decided that this summer will be devoted to quilting the remaining tops.  They will be divided between Little Lambs and Jack's Basket.  Hopefully, I will be strong enough to spend more than 20 minutes at a time quilting or it will be a VERY slow project.

Visit Sarah's blog, Confessions of a Fabric Addict to see the rest of the incredible quilts made for the Hands 2 Help Challenge for 2020.

Hands 2 Help Comfort Quilt Challenge 2020

In a world of uncertainty, there is one constant we can all count on.  Sarah Craig, at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, has opened the sign-up for her annual Hands 2 Help Challenge.    2020 is the tenth year of this charity quilt challenge and it could not have arrived at a better time.  With millions of people hunkered down at home (especially those of us of a certain age group), the Hands 2 Help Challenge is the perfect way for quilters to reach out and help someone who needs a quilty hug, without leaving the comforts of home.

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This year, Sarah has chosen six deserving charities to receive your quilty hugs.  The wonderful thing about the participating charities is the variety of choices of quilt sizes they are requesting.  Two of the charities request quilts in all sizes from children to adults and two are only asking for adult size quilts.  If you love to make small quilts, one of the charities is specifically asking for infant quilts and another is asking for sizes from infants through teens.

The charities also vary in the missions they serve.  There are groups requesting quilts for cancer patients (children and adults), for communities going through disaster recovery, caregivers, end of life patients, and for babies going into foster care.  I'm sure at least one of these causes will touch your heart and inspire you to donate a quilt or two, or maybe even three.

The initial signups for the challenge will be Sunday, March 22nd through Saturday, March 28th,  You can signup after the initial period, but prize winners will be chosen from those who signup during the opening week.  Quilts must be mailed to the appropriate charities by Friday, June 12th.  If you live outside of North America, you can choose to mail your quilt to a local charity.

Stop by Sarah's blog, Confessions of a Fabric Addict to sign up for the Hands 2 Help Comfort Quilt Challenge 2020.  You can click on either of the two links in this paragraph or use the button on the right side of my blog.  She has lots of surprises for quilters partipating in the challenge.   I'm already surprised by the challenge.  This is the first time in the nine months since the 2019 H2H Challenge ended that I have posted a blog entry.  It's that important to me and I hope it will be to you.

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.