Wednesday, May 31, 2017

I May Have A Scrap Problem...

Hi, all!

I will confess, I haven't had much time this week to work with my scraps - Hands2Help has been taking almost all my available time - but I did have a chance to finish the flying geese blocks for the Long Time Gone quilt that I had only started last week...


And see that plastic jar in the back?  It's got a bunch of bonus HSTs left over from the making of these three blocks - won't they be fun to play with?  And here's a few ideas that would be great for them....


This quilt is the creation of P., who blogs over at The Way I Sew It - I absolutely love it!  You could use any size HST for this!


And this one - so simple, but just gorgeous!  A great way to use up scraps.....

And now for some scrappy inspiration that I ran across this week...





Is this not the cutest I-Spy ever?

Hopefully by next week, I'll have carved out some time to work on my Long Time Gone quilt - I don't want to lose momentum on it!  So tell me - what are you working on to help tame your scrap monster?

Hugs!

Sarah

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Make-A-List Monday - Back to the Real World!

Hi, all!

It's Monday, and time to get back into a regular routine again!!  Hands2Help 2017 is in the books, with a new record - 127 quilters who made 267 quilts!!! There's still a little administrative work to do, but it's mostly finished.  And it will be good to get back to a regular schedule again!  So let's go back two weeks and check out that list...

1.  Finish the t-shirt quilt.
Boy this seems like a long time ago, but it's finished, and they loved it!


2.  Make the seat cushion covers.
Not finished yet, but they are all cut out and ready to be stitched up.

3.  Organize and photograph the prizes for H2H!
Done!  (Good thing, too!)

4.  Quilt at least two quilts for the quilt ministry.
I didn't get to this one.

5.  Quilt my friend's quilt.
But I did get to this one!!  


6.  Keep working on the Long Time Gone quilt.
I've been working on this - using it as a "reward" for getting something else done.  Here's the blocks I've worked on since the last MALMonday post...


7.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up!
Done!  We gave away a few quilts this week...


This one went to a woman with cancer...


...as did this one.


We also gave away 25 quilts to our high school seniors!

And I did get a few other things done in the past two weeks - this memory pillow...

front...

...and back. 
A test block for a special Heartbuilders' project...



...and I quilted two quilts in a hurry as a special favor to a fellow Nana who had grandkids coming to town!



I began packing the H2H prizes for shipping off to their "forever homes", too...

That pile's a whole lot bigger after yesterday afternoon's session!

I also started planning this project - a Hipster Cat quilt that will grace the wall of my favorite eye doctor's office! It's just in the planning stages now, but will soon be in progress - as soon as I finish those seat cushions!

Testing for size!

So that's what I did for the past two weeks!  But, as usual, no rest for the wicked - here's what I need to do this week...

1.  Finish those seat cushions!!!

2.  Finish packing, and mail, all the H2H prizes.

3.  Hem three pairs of pants for my husband.

4.  Clean the house before a quick weekend trip so the house sitter doesn't run away screaming!

5.  Keep working on the Long Time Gone quilt blocks.

6.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

It's sure going to be a busy week, and a short one - I've only got until Friday this week to work on projects - so I'll really need to hit the ground running!  But I'll just be like that little engine - "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can......"

So now, the question is - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Hands2Help - Results and Winners!!!

Hi, all!

Here we are at the end of this year's Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge!  And I am so excited to report this year's results - - - after having a record number of people sign up, we ended up with 125 people who finished quilts, and a grand total of 267 quilts made for charity!   

Do you all understand just how many lives you are touching with those quilts?  Not just the people who receive them, but their family members, their friends, the doctors and nurses who see them use those quilts - all will be touched in some way by the heartfelt gesture you have made with each of your quilts.  You've made my heart sing a symphony, too - I love hearing from each of you and knowing that it has touched your hearts too.  Thank you for making this year's Challenge such a success!!

And now for the good part!  Thanks to our many generous sponsors, I feel a little like Oprah....


...because there are prizes for EVERYONE!  Be sure to keep our sponsors in mind when you are doing your quilt-y shopping this year - they are generous to a fault and it makes me happy that everyone gets a little "thank you" for their efforts!!

So let's get to it - here's the list of prizes and winners!



Free Spirit Fabrics has joined us as a new sponsor this year, and look at all the beautiful precuts they have provided!  There will be many happy H2Hers when this is divided up!!

Two Kaffe Fassett charm packs, warm colors - Patricia E.
Two Kaffe Fassett charm packs, warm colors - Beverly S.
Two Kaffe Fassett charm packs, cool colors - Carolyn B.
Two Kaffe Fassett charm packs, cool colors - Lisa S.
Two Kaffe Fassett charm packs, shot cottons - Jean W.
Two Kaffe Fassett charm packs, shot cottons - Karen M.
Two Kaffe Fassett charm packs, shot cottons - Staci P.
Two Intermix charm packs by Erin Morris - Ida F.
Two Intermix charm packs by Erin Morris - Jodi M.
Two Intermix charm packs by Erin Morris - Pamela E.
Isabelle Design Roll by Dena Fishbein - Lynette C.
Hello Love Design Roll by Heather Bailey - Charmaine T.
Cali Mod Design Roll by Joel Dewberry - Suzanne C.
Kaffe Fassett Spring 2016 Cool Classics 6" Design Strip Roll - Anita J.
Kaffe Fassett Spring 2016 Warm Classics 10" Charm Pack - Jamie E.



This year, InspiredLED has is back again, and is donating TEN of their awesome sewing machine lighting kits!!  I have these on both my domestic machine and my long arm machine and they are mah-ve-lous, darling!!!  They also have other great LED lighting and the best prices I've seen around - you should check out their site!  

Winners of the sewing machine lighting kits:

Bonnie S.
Beth T.
Selina K.
Carole C.
Kate S.
Joanne H.
Mari H.
Darlene H.
Barbara H.
Maria S.


Amy Smart, who blogs at Diary of a Quilter, has sent a huge bundle of giveaway items.  Amy's blog is always a delight to me - she makes such pretty quilts (and photographs them well, too!)

Mug Rug Kit and other goodies - Cindy B.
Two Olive's Flower Market charm packs - Diane P.
The Jolly Bar Book, Vol. 1 and a Jolly Bar of Sundrops by Corey Yoder - Sherry B.
Fabulous Fast Quilts by Amy Smart (book) - Charlotta N.
An Apple a Day by The Quilted Fish (book) - Sue B.
For Keeps by Amy Gibson (book) - Anita S.
Soft & Cozy Keepsakes by Margo Yang (book) - Linda D.
Simply Fat Quarters (book) - Kathleen R.
Two bright Fat Quarter bundles - Joan D.
Pattern bundle - Cindy P.
Pattern bundle - Liz H.
Pattern bundle - Kathy S.
Pattern bundle - Laura V.
Pattern bundle - Marsha H.
Pattern Bundle - Wilma S.


The folks over at Fat Quarter Shop are back again this year, offering two $25 gift certificates!  Have you been to Fat Quarter Shop?  They have a great selection of fabrics, and they feature wonderful tutorials for easy quilts using pre-cuts.  Lots of fun things going on there!

Winners of the gift certificates:

Tina J.
Mary D.



Christina Cameli, from A Few Scraps, is donating her own book, Step-By-Step Free Motion Quilting, and a copy of The Quilting Manual.  

Step-by-Step Free Motion Quilting (book) - Julie L.
The Quilting Manual (book) - Ilana J.

Christa Watson, who blogs over at Christa Quilts, is donating two of her PDF quilt patterns.  Yes, before she was an author, she designed patterns (some of which I had the honor and pleasure of testing for her!) and they are fabulous!

Winner of Christa's 2 PDF patterns - Pam P.


Annie Toy, well known for Annie's Ruby Slipperz, is donating some quilt-y goodies and books!  She's a long-time champion of the Challenge and I'm so grateful for her support!!

Wanderlust Quilts by Amanda Leins (book) - Joanne H.
Wanderlust Quilts by Amanda Leins (book) - Sharon P.
Quilt Talk by Sam Hunter (book) - Sandra W.
Quilt Talk by Sam Hunter (book) - Shruti V.
A Month of Sundays by Cheryl Arkison (book) - Moira M.
A Month of Sundays by Cheryl Arkison (book) - Kristi B.
Quilted Celebrations by Amanda Murphy (book) - Lisa E.
Quilted Celebrations by Amanda Murphy (book) - Carol E.
Fast, Fun & Gifty (book) - Karen G.
Fast, Fun & Gifty (book) - Nita C.
Fast, Fun & Gifty (book) - Susan R.


Fabricworm has come through with some of their beautiful Birch organic fabrics - four fat quarter bundles!  I've seen these fabrics personally - they are so soft and gorgeous - and I'm already jealous of the people who will take these home!!

Winners of the Fabricworm bundles:

Susan M.
Linda M.
Marian S.
Maxine S.

Stash Builder Box provides a monthly quilting box full of fabric, patterns and fun, and for every box they sell, they take a portion of their own stash and turn it into charity quilts to give to children in need through various organizations.  A great cause, and a great way to build up your own stash for a very reasonable cost!  They are celebrating their first anniversary this month, too!  You can also find her on Instagram as @stashbuilderbox - show her some love, H2Hers!!!  Amanda has signed up to provide three of her monthly boxes as prizes - awesome!!!

Winners of one Stash Builder Box:
Myra B.
Karen G.
Beth R.


You may be most familiar with Classic Metal Company as the creators of those fabulous metal barn quilts - but Mark has been branching out, and this year he is donating four sets of these beautiful coasters as prizes for Hands2Help!  Be sure to check out his website to see all the beautiful things he creates just for quilters!!

Winners of the coaster sets:
Linda S.
Julie K.
Carla H..
Loris M.


You know I've talked about how much I love my Hera marker - and Clover is donating Hera markers and some of their other fabulous notions for some of our participants!

Winners of notions bundles:
Ann S.
Barbara H.
Irene V.
Anja C.
Pat P.
Debbie H.
Doris M.
Amanda R.
Denise F.
Joanna P.
Paulette H.
Duffy M.
Ursula Y.
Tonia C.
Cynthia B.
Juli M.
Mina K.
Meredith A.
Kathy D.
Louise H.
Jeanna G.

If you're anything like me, you're already familiar with The Warm Company, creator of Warm & Natural batting.  The Warm Company has sent us a quilt batt to be given away to one lucky H2Her!

The Winner of the quilt batt is:  Erica T.



And many of you not only give it forward with your quilts, but you also help encourage the people who participate in the Challenge by donating giveaway items!  (Quilters are THE BEST!!!)  So here's what your fellow participants have donated!

Winner:  Lisa H.

Winner:  Shannon W.

Sharon Vrooman, who blogs at Vroomans Quilts, is donating these two beautiful fat quarter bundles of Good Neighbors fabric!  Sharon is an amazing scrap quilter - if you've never visited her blog before, you really should - you WILL be inspired!!

Winner:  Lisa H.

Lara Bucella, who blogs at BuzzinBumble, a copy of her  book, Crafted Appliqué - New Possibilities!  I have read her book and LOVE the technique she uses for appliqué - definitely new and a perfect solution for a lot of the problems people have with appliqué!

Winner of Terri's FQ bundle:  Sarah S.

Terri Johnson, who blogs at QuiltNCards, is donating a bundle of five fat quarters in bright, lovely colors!!  Terri does the most amazing paper piecing - you should see some of her creations!


Winner:  Jenifer F.

Joanne Hubbard, who blogs at Everyone Deserves a Quilt, noticed how many precuts we've received as prizes, so she thought that a book about using precuts would be useful - so she's donating a copy of "I Love Precut Quilts" for one lucky winner!

Winner:  Heide D.


Kathleen Gansert, a/k/a KatieQ, who blogs at Katie's Salt Marsh Path, will be bringing us some goodies, too!  How about eight fat quarters of Arizona by April Rhodes?  Awesome!!  Such gorgeous fabrics - I love that southwest vibe...

Winner:  Mona R.

Selina K., who blogs at Selina Quilts, has found a great prize to donate - an OttLite!  These things are awesome - just great for adding a little extra light just where you need it...

Susan McAdams is donating a $20 gift certificate to Intrepid Thread... ooh I sense a shopping spree coming on!  The winner is Joyce M.


Norece E. is donating these four V & Co. books, each one paired with a matching spool of thread and fat quarter!  These books are so much fun - I have all of them and they are chock full of great ideas and lessons about color.  

The winners of the V&Co. books are:
Jennifer M.
Susan S.
Adele D.
Barbara N.

Winner:  Neena B.

Winner:  Marsha P.

She's also got a Let's Twist book with large and small twister templates for a lucky winner, and a Primitive Gatherings wool pin-keep kit for another!


Myra at Busy Hands Quilts is donating two of her PDF patterns...
And the winner is Margaret C.!

Karen Goad at Quilts...Etc. is providing a fun flannel fat quarter bundle for one lucky winner... The winner is Marilyn H.!

Amanda Ranck has donated some pretties, too!

Cotton + Steel FQ Bundle - Susan N.
Two Hello Darling charm packs - Sharon Tucker
Two Meadowbloom charm packs - Pam S.



We've also got some great prizes - fabric, books, notions, and other quilt-y goodness - from some donors who wish to remain anonymous.  We'll call them the Quilt Fairies, I think!  Here's just a few of those fabulous prizes...

Winner:  Sherry V.

A set of Connecting Threads Essentials...

Winner:  Val R.

A fat quarter bundle of From Bump to Baby by Gina Martin...

The four winners are:  Sara M., Jeanine C., Vicki S., and Janis A.

Four winners will receive a Kona Printed Color Chart fabric panel, all 303 colors on a 24x44 panel by Robert Kaufman...

Winner:  Sharon V.

Frivol Tin #4, Moda Windermere by Brenda Riddle...

Winner:  Cathy L.

An Owl Pillow Kit - Who, What and Where by Sewing Sue in Yosemite Park Flannels...

Winners:  Kim A., Pat C., Sue B., and Beryl R.



And four 12-fat quarter bundles of fabrics (The Owl and The Pussycat) from some favorite designers!

Winner:  Danice G.

BasiX X-Blocks Template from Amy Smart and 
a Graph Paper Design journal from one of our fairies!

Winner:  Jan O.

A Classic Metal Company LED Table Light!

Three winners:  Tanya F., Debbie B., and Terri J.

Three Fons & Porter design walls!

And I'm going to tuck these cute little mini charms from Kate Spain into the packages I mail out, just for fun!


Whew!  I think I've got everyone listed, but if you made a quilt and don't see your name, just let me know!  I'll be getting the packages out in the mail hopefully this week, and also notifying the folks who will be mailing their items directly with e-mail and mailing addresses for the winners, so they can contact you directly if needed.

*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Once again, thank you so so so much for participating in Hands2Help 2017!  This is truly a joint effort, and I couldn't do it without each and every one of you.  I hope you'll be back next year when we do it all over again!!

Hugs!

Sarah