Quilts for Orlando

By now, most people are keenly aware that a terrorist brazenly attacked the peaceful and innocent patrons of Pulse, a club in Orlando, Florida last weekend.  I really don’t feel that I have anything unique to add to the conversation that has naturally arisen online and in the media concerning this event.

I do feel that the best course of action is to sit politics aside (we probably should do this more often, but I digress…) and focus, instead, on our shared humanity and whatever compassionate response that each of us can offer.

The moderator of a quilt group that I am involved in, offered a unique way to be of service to others and also show compassion to those affected in a very tangible way.  I have known for many years that quilters and other crafters are some of the most caring and generous people around.  This project is a great way to give a tangible “hug” to those who need it most right now.

The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild is calling for quilt block and finished quilt submissions to be given to the survivors of the Orlando attack, the families of those who perished, and the police, ambulance, and hospital staffs who helped injured survivors.  For the complete blog post and specifics, click here.

As they are requesting both single blocks (10 inch square)  and finished quilts (48 x 60 inches up to twin size) it is possible for most quilters to be able to participate without an undue drain on time or finances.  The requested theme is Rainbow Hearts and they ask that each quilt and/or individual block have at least one heart motif in it.  I’d bet most of us quilters have enough scrap fabrics to applique a quick heart block (or 12) without having to dig through even a fraction of our scraps and stash.  Mix a hodge podge of those blocks together with lots of riotous prints and colors and you will have a rainbow of sorts.  With beauty coming from the combination of many different elements.

Kind of like the good ol’ U.S. of A.

What are YOU quilting lately?

Till next time,

 

 

 

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Quick Quilt Finish

What do you get when you have a piece of cuddly fleece, some matching crochet thread, and a quilt top that was packed away in storage?  Hopefully, you end up with a lovely quilt gift or charity quilt for someone near and dear to your heart.

Something like this, perhaps.  This is how it all turned out.  The tutorial has been submitted to Molly Green Magazine, and I will link to it here as soon as it becomes available, just in case someone would like to see it.

Have you been crafting lately?

Till next time,

 

Blast From the Past: Quilts Completed

A short time ago, in a blogosphere far, far away, a little red headed blogger got in WAY over her head with a self hosted blog and one day–POOF–it refused to publish or save any more posts.  Even her techno savvy friends and family members (hi, Dad!) couldn’t save her beloved blog.  Sadly, the girl (who loves to write, but is only minimally techno savvy, by the way) restarted her blog on WordPress (but not the self hosted kind).  But, hating to lose her previous 800+ posts that wouldn’t be seen, she came up with a brilliant idea (!) to institute a feature to bring back some of her older posts that she wanted to keep or thought were good.  Hence the new feature:  Blast From The Past!

So, if you have followed my blog in that other, sadder blogosphere, you have probably already seen this one.  But, you might like it even more now…  Hey, you never know!

So, from September 29th, 2011….

Here is a little update on two projects that are completed. One is for a dear friend of mine from my Jewelry business. She has been such a blessing to me and has been instrumental in training me for the business. She recently loss her mother and her father has been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and is having a very hard time with the loss of his wife.

This quilt was completely machine pieced and quilted. I used a serpentine stitch to quilt it and it added a nice soft effect to the quilt. This is the first machine quilting that I have done on my new machine (or at all in a few years) and I have to admit that it turned out far nicer than I expected it to. And it was wonderful working with the pieced backing. While everything in this quilt came from my stash (sans batting), it was such fun to see that the back was as pretty as the front. Love that!

Here is a shot of the second completed quilt. This one was a collaboration between Mom and me. I pieced and she finished and bound the edges. I think it looks just perfect on the porch of her and Dad’s log cabin.

That’s the quilting view from where I sit. I have a Scrappy Bargello in process that is from the Quiltville site. Love that Bonnie’s quilts! I will also have to start on Mom and Dad’s quilt soon. Shhh! Don’t rat me out, m’kay?

What projects do YOU have underway?

Till next time,

Blast from the Past: Quilts for Kids

A short time ago, in a blogosphere far, far away, a little red headed blogger got in WAY over her head with a self hosted blog and one day–POOF–it refused to publish or save any more posts.  Even her techno savvy friends and family members (hi, Dad!) couldn’t save her beloved blog.  Sadly, the girl (who loves to write, but is only minimally techno savvy, by the way) restarted her blog on WordPress (but not the self hosted kind).  But, hating to lose her previous 800+ posts that wouldn’t be seen, she came up with a brilliant idea (!) to institute a feature to bring back some of her older posts that she wanted to keep or thought were good.  Hence the new feature:  Blast From The Past!

So, if you have followed my blog in that other, sadder blogosphere, you have probably already seen this one.  But, you might like it even more now…  Hey, you never know!

So, from September 14th, 2011….

Quilt Kit Provided by Quilts for Kids

Quilts for Kids is a wonderful organization.  They are a charity that makes and donates sturdy quilts to hospitalized children.  Often these kids aren’t able to bring anything from  home like a doll or toy or other familiar item.  For very ill children, these items are difficult to keep clean and sterile and for some children, especially cancer patients, their future depends upon controlling the environment and the items that they will come into contact with.

These children can receive a soft, cuddy quilt made to very specific guidelines so that they have something of their own that is cheerful, age appropriate and easily cleaned in the hospital laundry.  How cool is that?

Mom and I learned of this organization and that they would send out quilt kits to volunteers to complete according to instructions and return within 4-6 weeks that would go to a child in need.  So, we each ordered a quilt kit.  They kits came to us in a couple of weeks and the fabrics were adorable and terribly cheerful!

The photo above is of one of the quilts.  I encourage everyone to make at least one quilt for Quilts for Kids.  The sizes that they need are small, they are quick to complete and the fabrics that they supply will make you smile.  Of course, if you make one from stash fabrics or purchase your own fabrics, you help to stretch the donation money of this organization.

Personally, I find it a nice break to make a small project and send it off.  It boosts my spirits to complete a quilt and see it finished and I know if it will boost a child’s spirits when it is donated.

What charities do YOU support?