Spring Delivery Time

We are preparing for our trip to SC for Easter -and I've been busy trying to finish up quilts to deliver them while we are down there.  So far of the 7 that have been delivered, 5 were driven down, and 2 were combined in Christmas shipping packages, so I have managed to keep my delivery costs to a minimum.

The latest 5 were finished up this morning and came out of the dryer just in time for the sun to break through the clouds a bit for a photo session.  We've been pretty snowy still, but we had a bit of a thaw today so there are patches of - um - brown showing through the white.  There are some peeks of growth where the tulips and daffodils are - and Mom always said it couldn't be spring until it snowed on the blooming daffodils, so it is not far off.

Made from donated patches -and the first quilt to be dedicated in honor of someone.

One of my favorite fabrics in this quilt (and nearly overall from the donated blocks) - makes me think of Japan.

The back of the dedicated quilt - the two blocks in this backing strip were made by the person who sponsored the quilt.

One of mine - I saw this pattern free online and couldn't get it out of my head, so I made it with some donated fabric.   It is a little busy in person - but photographed really nicely.

Another one of mine - made with leftover bits from a bargello I made as a gift.  The chevron is not as noticeable in this photo as the light fabrics disappeared a bit, but this is very light and springy.

Black and purple donated blocks - I didn't have enough of either color to do a full 14 strips.  This one is more masculine feeling overall.

Another one of mine inspired by a free pattern online.  This one was a good example of the importance of consistent seam allowances... my strips ended up off by quite a bit at the end (hidden by the wind) but it still made a cheery and cozy quilt.

Some of the blocks in the quilt were made by tiny 4 patches - measuring 2.5" - using up lots of little bits in every project.

More to come -just not for this trip.  I am working on sock monkeys now as gifts for family members - so a completely different kind of sewing.

Texas Teamwork

Earlier this month I received a lovely box in the mail from the American Sewing Guild Quilting Group in and around Wichita Falls, TX. 

Vivian and her lovely friends worked together to send me a box of 105 blocks, and checks totaling $84 for the American Cancer Society.  I loved how each quilter carefully gathered her blocks together with a little note telling me who made them, and how many were in the bundle (which was VERY appreciated!!!!!!) - some were even tied with bits of string or thread, making lovely little "presents" of blocks. (I wanted to post a picture of one but am having trouble blurring out the info on the address... will try again later and perhaps add it in).

Nine quilters creating a box full of sunshine - and nearly 2/3 of a 4Patches4Hope quilt.

Thank you all for sending a bit of Texas sunshine to cloudy and cold western NY!  I will take good care and pass these bits of sunshine along to where they can make a difference.

Happy New Year!!!

Thanks to everyone for their support of 4Patches4Hope so far - we are now at over 2600 blocks.  I am working on a 12x16 block layout for the quilts, so at 192 per quilt we now have enough for 13 - and counting!

The sew-in at Chestnut Bay Quilting earlier in December was well attended - 3 quilters plus Patty the owner were busy sewing away when I arrived, and as those 3 left, 2 more joined us.  It was a wonderfully relaxing time and the combined quilting experience helped me think through the next steps of assembly and layouts - plus it was a great way to meet some new faces.  We are doing it again on January 18 between 10AM and 5 PM, so if you are local to western NY and want to join us, please contact Chestnut Bay at (585) 538-4420 so we can be sure we have enough room for everyone.

Here are a few pictures of the blocks as I sorted them by color - and then as they started up on the design wall.

Sorting blocks.  This was kind of a good way to ease into the day - and the first time I had sorted these out of the packets they were sent in.

Loving all these deep jewel tones.

I thought the majority of the blocks would be pink -but there are twice as many blue as anything else.

First attempts at a blue/orange layout.  It looks better in this photo than it did closer up - so I changed directions midstream.

Over half way done on our bright colored "rainbow" layout.  Going to add some more oranges and blues to the other side of the green before this one is all done.