Hands 2 Help 2023

This is the final week for the 2023 Hands 2 Help Challenge, which means it is time for everyone to share photos of their finished quilts!

Hands 2 Help is a comfort quilt challenge that was started by Sarah, who blogs at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. Quilters from all over the U.S. and other countries make and donate comfort quilts, either to the organizations chosen for the challenge or they can donate locally. 2023 was the thirteenth year of the Hands 2 Help Challenge, and several thousand quilts have been donated through the years. My first year to join the challenge was 2013, although I haven't participated every year.

My H2H quilt for this year is one that I call "Pretty in Purple." It is my first-ever reversible quilt, with a nine-patch and half-square triangle design on one side. The other side features purple four-patches.

The finished size of this quilt was 36" x 48" before washing. The quilt has been donated to the local Department of Family and Children Services through our quilt guild. I am certain there will be a child who is crazy about purple and will love this quilt.

Linking up with:

Hands 2 Help Challenge at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

Stash Report & Stitching Time 5/28/2023

It's hard to believe that it is almost the end of May already. This month has absolutely flown by! For me I guess that's mostly because my schedule has been so much busier since I've been working a few days a week. I'm about ready to get back to full-time retirement!

I did manage to get a fair amount of quilting done this week, despite the work schedule. Most of my recent projects were shared in yesterday's post. There was one more addition later yesterday, a placemat that had been pieced many years ago. I found more of the veggie fabric for the back and got it quilted up.

The total yardage used for the week added up to 2.125 yards. That includes all of the projects in yesterday's post, plus the placemat shown above. No new fabric was added to the stash this week.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                       2.125 yards

Used year to date:                 46.625 yards

Added last week:                         0.0 yards

Added year to date:                49.625 yards

Net stashed in 2023                  3.0 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. I've been more deliberate about having projects ready to go when I have some time available, and that has made it possible to get in some stitching time every day this week.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

5/21 - 5/27           7 of 7 days

2023 Total      138 of 147 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Scrappy Orange Projects

This turned out to be a good week for getting caught up on my projects for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. The first thing I did was make three orange Jabberwocky blocks.

Jabberwocky, blocks finish at 10.25"

pattern by Judy Martin in The Block Book

After those were done, I added the rest of the colors to the design wall. I like how they look together, but they definitely need some sashing to separate the blocks a bit.

The next RSC project to be completed was the Rail Fence blocks. Each month, these start out as my leader/ender project, but late in the month I power through whatever is left in order to get them done. I ended up with 48 orange blocks this month.

After that, I concentrated on the RSC/ABC Table Scraps Challenge. I have been making at least one placemat every month for this challenge. My scrappy orange version started with a stack of extra pieces from the Rail Fence blocks. They were joined into a panel, then additional strips were added to each side until it was big enough for a placemat, about 13" x 18".

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday, and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. I'm also linking up with the ABC Table Scraps Challenge at The Joyful Quilter.

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

To-Do Tuesday 5/23/2023

I'm continuing to squeeze in quilting time between working a few days this week. It's making me really appreciate retirement and the freedom to quilt as much as I wish. Here are the results from my last to-do list, plus a new list for the week ahead. The To-Do Tuesday link-up is hosted by Carol at Quilt Schmilt: For the Love of Fabric.

Having a short list for the past week worked out well, with all three items getting finished.

To-Do List for 5/16 - 5/22/2023

1. Ring Around the Stars--finish hanging sleeve and label for exhibit   ✔done

This has been finished and the quilt delivered to the exhibit location.

2. Prep for wallet class at quilt guild  ✔done

We had a great class on Thursday, and I was able to finish my Diva wallet by the end of the class. I'm planning to make a few more to be sold at the guild's Christmas market.

3. Rainbow Scrap Challenge--make 1st set of orange blocks  ✔done

I finished two orange 16-Patch Stars blocks, shown here with the purple blocks from April.

Once again, the list is a short one to fit with my busy week. I'm looking forward to a three-day holiday weekend!

To-Do List for 5/23 - 5/29/2023

1. Rainbow Scrap Challenge--make orange Jabberwocky blocks

2. Rainbow Scrap Challenge--finish orange Rail Fence blocks

3. ABC Table Scraps Challenge--make orange placemat

4. Wash new fabrics

That will be enough to keep me busy for the week ahead. I'll report on my progress next Tuesday, and post a new set of goals too. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Quilt Schmilt.

 

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA 

Keeping Busy

It was another very busy week, including three days spent working at the Alliance costume shop, plus a guild meeting and workshop one other day. Thank goodness for my guy's support and willingness to take care of things like grocery shopping while I've been away. I'm combining my usual Saturday and Sunday blog posts into this single post today.

Yesterday I was able to do a little catching up on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilts. I finished cutting the pieces needed for my Rail Fence blocks, which have become my current leader/ender project. I also put together two 16-Patch Stars blocks in orange, our color for May.

Before putting them away in the bin with the previous blocks, I pulled out the two purple blocks from April to get a combined shot. My blocks are being made with 3.5" squares and will finish at 12".

The guild workshop was a fun one where we learned how to make the Diva wallet. It's hard to get good photos of mine with all the black fabrics, plus I keep getting reflections of light off the metal frame at the ends. The wallet has six card pockets on the left, two full-width open pockets, plus a zipper pocket. The hardest part of making this was putting in those teensy little screws to hold the metal frame on the wallet. 

The most important project of the week was stitching the hanging sleeve and label on my Ring Around the Stars quilt before turning it in for an exhibit. That was another errand my sweet husband took care of while I was working, dropping off my quilt. If you are in the Atlanta area, you can see all the quilts from the East Cobb Quilt Guild's "Ruby, Ruby" challenge at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center from May 25th to July 1st.

The stash report for the week shows just over a yard total used for my various projects and no new fabric added.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                       1.125 yards

Used year to date:                   44.50 yards

Added last week:                         0.0 yards

Added year to date:                49.625 yards

Net stashed in 2023             5.125 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. I've made it a point to do some hand stitching during the morning train commute on the days that I've been working in order to keep up with my daily quilting time.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

5/14 - 5/20           7 of 7 days

2023 Total      131 of 140 days

You can see many more wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday, and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

To-Do Tuesday 5/16/2023

The past week has included cataract surgery for my guy, plus I have been working several days. All of these things have really cut into my quilting time, and the results on the to-do list reflect that. Here are the results from my last to-do list, plus a new list for the week ahead. The To-Do Tuesday link-up is hosted by Carol at Quilt Schmilt: For the Love of Fabric.

I finished three of the items on my last list, made progress on one more, and didn't touch the other. I'm down to wire on a couple of these now.

To-Do List for 5/9 - 5/15/23

1. Ring Around the Stars--add hanging sleeve and label for exhibit  3/4 done

2. Purple placemats--quilt/finish    ✔done

The two placemats are finished and ready to be donated to Meals on Wheels.

3. National Quilt Museum BOM--make 1st block   ✔done

I had a great time making this block!

4. Prep for wallet class at quilt guild   not done

5. Rainbow Scrap Challenge--start 1st set of orange blocks  ✔done

I pulled out orange squares and strips for my 16-Patch Stars blocks, but haven't stitched anything yet.

I am keeping the to-do list for the next week very short because I expect to continue working several days in the coming week. The first two items both need to get done today, and after that I can relax a bit more.

To-Do List for 5/16 - 5/22/2023

1. Ring Around the Stars--finish hanging sleeve and label for exhibit

2. Prep for wallet class at quilt guild

3. Rainbow Scrap Challenge--make 1st set of orange blocks

That will be enough to keep me busy for the week ahead. I'll report on my progress next Tuesday, and post a new set of goals too. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Quilt Schmilt.

 

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA 

Design Wall Monday 5/15/2023

After finishing up a Hawaiian applique block a few days ago, I went on a hunt for the rest of the Hawaiian blocks that were hiding away in my sewing room. Here are all of the finished blocks up on the design wall together.

There's also one more block that is cut out and basted to the background, but the stitching is barely started. I added that to the wall and tried out an on-point setting. I like the balance of colors in this version, but it means I would have to finish that last block!

Here is the unfinished block alone. Only a very small portion at the upper left has been appliqued.

An even closer view of that block gives a better look at how the Hawaiian applique is done. The blue fabric was folded into 1/8's and cut out, similar to the way you cut paper snowflakes. Then it was unfolded and basted down to the background fabric. All of the cut edges get turned under approximately 1/8" and stitched down to the background. 

Check out what other quilters are working on this week at Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and at Monday Musings at Songbird Designs. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

Stash Report and Stitching Time 5/14/2023

First and foremost, Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I'm so thankful that I was able to spend several days with my mother just recently. Love you, Mom!

It has been a busy week filled with appointments and getting our lives back in order after our recent travels, plus I worked two days at the end of the week. The Alliance Theatre, my former employer, is producing a new musical based on the book Water for Elephants. That means all sorts of fancy circus costumes, and I was happy to be back there helping out. 

Check out the flame designs on the sleeves, shoulders and bottom edges of the jacket in the photo above. I'm in the process of hand stitching gold trim next to the all of the flames like in the photo below. That's how I spent my Saturday afternoon, and it will continue for a couple more days.

There was a little bit of movement in the stash, despite the limited time for quilting. I used 1/2 yard to finish the two purple placemats, shared HERE, 1/2 yard for the first block in a new BOM (read more HERE), and 1/2 yard for a finished Hawaiian applique block, shared in the same post as the BOM. Total used 1.5 yards, and no new fabric added to the stash.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last two weeks:                 1.50 yards

Used year to date:                 43.375 yards

Added last two weeks:                 0.0 yards

Added year to date:                49.625 yards

Net stashed in 2023               6.25 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. It has been tough getting back to my regular routine of quilting, and my sewing room is an absolute disaster area. I did manage to get in some stitching time on 6 out of 7 days this week.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

5/7 - 5/13           6 of 7 days

2023 Total      124 of 133 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Projects Old and New

My quilting time this week was spent on one very old project, plus I started one new project. Here's the old project first. I pulled out an unfinished Hawaiian applique block in April, our month for purple at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and now the block is done! It will join three previously finished blocks. According to my UFO list, the first block of the set was started in 2001. I wonder where those other blocks are hiding?

Hawaiian Applique block, 20" square

The new project that I started this week is a block of the month by the National Quilt Museum in Paducah. Several members of our quilt guild are making their own versions as a group challenge. I had planned to use 30's fabrics for my block, then totally changed direction and went with a gradation of fall colors. This block is also appliqued, but I did this one by machine, straight stitching close to the turned-under edges on all of the hexagons.

NQM BOM Block #1, 12.5" x 24.5"

This block of the month just started at the beginning of May and will last until the end of 2023. You can find more info at the National Quilt Museum website HERE or on their Facebook page HERE (but you have to join their Facebook group to access it there.) Did I mention that the patterns are free?!

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday, and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. I'm also linking up my applique for Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts and Favorite Finishes at Meadow Mist Designs.

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

To-Do Tuesday 5/9/2023

My last Tuesday to-do list was posted three weeks ago, although I would have guessed that it was only two. Time flies! We have been traveling, including going to the big quilt show in Paducah, which is always a treat. Now I just need to get back into the routine here at home. Here are the results from my last to-do list, plus a new list for the week ahead. The To-Do Tuesday link-up is hosted by Carol at Quilt Schmilt: For the Love of Fabric.

I finished three of the items on my last list, plus made progress on the fourth. I've also worked on some other projects during the extra weeks.

To-Do List for 4/18 - 4/24/2023

1. Flannel baby quilt--quilt and finish   ✔done

I finished this baby quilt, but forgot to get a photo before turning it in at our guild meeting.

2. Pretty in Purple--add larger borders to 4-patch side, prep for quilting  ✔done

This quilt is completely finished, and you can read about it and see more photos HERE.

Pretty in Purple, 35" x 47"

3. Rainbow Scrap Challenge--make a set of purple blocks  ✔done

I finished two sets of blocks for the RSC--Rail Fence and Jabberwocky.

Purple Jabberwocky blocks, pattern in "The Block Book" by Judy Martin

4. Continue working on clearing off cutting table  progress

The cutting table was looking better before our trip, but is back to being a disaster area since.

I've been jotting down possibilities for my next to-do list, but ended up with way too many things to finish in a week. Here is the shorter version.

To-Do List for 5/9 - 5/15/23

1. Ring Around the Stars--add hanging sleeve and label for exhibit

2. Purple placemats--quilt/finish

3. National Quilt Museum BOM--make 1st block

4. Prep for wallet class at quilt guild

5. Rainbow Scrap Challenge--start 1st set of orange blocks

That's will be more than enough to keep me busy for the week ahead. I'll report on my progress next Tuesday, and post a new set of goals too. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Quilt Schmilt.

 

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA 

Stash Report and Stitching Time 5/7/2023

I missed filing a stash report last week while we were traveling from Paducah to Wisconsin for a family visit. My stash report shows plenty of additions made during that time, most of them from our time in Paducah and at the quilt show. It was a great trip filled with family, fabric and fun!

I was able to make two visits to Hancock's of Paducah, one during the week of the quilt show (crazy busy!) and again on the trip home. There were some areas of the store that had empty shelves after the quilt show crowds, but they still had plenty of fabric to choose from. I also got to visit one favorite quilt shop in Wisconsin, Mill House Quilts, which has moved from Waunakee to Sun Prairie. Here are my purchases.

The first group of fabrics are some possible options if I decide to enlarge the Star Cluster BOM that I've been making along with other quilt guild members.

The next fabrics are intended for future Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects. The scale of the prints is very large, which will make them tricky to use, but borders or a quilt back would be an option.

The rest of my additions are mostly meant for specific projects. The grey at the bottom is Kaufman's Essex linen/cotton blend, which will be combined with the cream plaid next to it for some pillows. The turquoise and lime stripe is planned for a binding. The dark teal print at the top is one of those "just because I love it" purchases!

My stash additions for the past two weeks total 13-1/8 yards. Stash usage during that time came to 7/8 yard for the purple Rail Fence blocks and for the two purple placemats. It's time to concentrate on using up some of these fabrics and not buying any more for awhile.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last two weeks:                 .875 yards

Used year to date:                 41.875 yards

Added last two weeks:            13.125 yards

Added year to date:                49.625 yards

Net stashed in 2023               7.75 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. I missed several days of quilting time over the past two weeks because of our trip to Paducah and Wisconsin, but I did get plenty of quilting inspiration from the AQS show, plus lots of fun fabric shopping!

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

4/23 - 5/6           9 of 14 days

2023 Total      118 of 126 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Finishing Up the Purple Pieces

Most of the participants in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge have moved on to orange, our color of the month for May, but I still have a couple of purple projects to finish. I had some extra 9-patch and HST blocks left over from the Pretty in Purple quilt, shared in last Saturday's post. Instead of putting those extra blocks away in a box, I turned them into two placemat tops. After finishing, they will get donated to Meals on Wheels through our quilt guild.

Most of my quilting projects have ground to a halt over the last week, but it was for a very good reason--we went to Paducah! It is always so inspiring to attend a major show and see all of the amazing quilts on display. I haven't had much time to go through my photos yet, but I pulled out a couple to share with the RSC quilters.

Since the quilt show was in April, I will start with a fantastic purple quilt. This is "Heat Lightning" by Amy Pabst, the 1st place winner in Small Wall Quilts--Stationary Machine Quilted. The finished size of this quilt is only 39" x 45", and I believe the blocks measure 3" each, with those tiny little logs finishing at 1/8" wide. Unbelievable!

The next quilt is one of my favorites featuring orange, our color for May. This is "Sunset Over Catalina Island" by Nancy Eisenhauer. The colors in this quilt really spoke to me!

This was my favorite rainbow quilt from the show. It was in one of the special exhibits featuring primarily Kaffe Fassett fabrics. The quilt is "Jack's Chain", hand pieced by Ann Zemke and quilted by Lori Allison. I made a version of this same pattern a few years ago, my Ring Cycles quilt, which is still waiting to be quilted.

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday, and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday.

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA