Another Round of Cuddle Quilts

With the price of fuel for heating, I anticipate that this year the need for some cozy quilts for the children we serve in our supervisory union will far excced those that were donated last year. Many of our students have moved on and we have a new batch of kiddos coming our way. While we certainly have famililies who have the means of providing for themselves, many are from lower socio-economic and/or limited educational backgrounds. My goal is to provide these children with a) something to keep them warm and b) something of their own made especially for them.
Anyone willing to help? Last year we received over 45 cuddle quilts, afghans, and fleece throws. The only parameters are that they be something warm that a child will love. I can be contacted here or through the about.com quilting forum.
Happy quilting!

Faith Ringgold Inspiration Quilt

My daughter's one room schoolhouse (yes, one room, no I don't live in a little house on the prairie) just did a study on slavery and part of that included an author's study of Faith Ringgold - http://www.faithringgold.com/ . In honor of her work the students created a "quilt" incorporating her theme of flying. Each child first designed themselves out of fabric and then on paper, painted a background of where they would fly to. After they affixed themselves to the paper, they added a fabric border. This photo show the completed quilt.

Row Robin 08

I haven't had much time to post as this latest row robin has been happening (doing the workload of 2 the last month had me slowed down quite a bit), but here is Deb's row (well, 1/2 a row is all I got in the photo, but you can visualize the rest). I had a lot of fun experimenting with fabric discharge on these blocks. I'm pleased with the shadow effect that was achieved.

Those Poker Playin' Dogs

I bought this panel quite some time ago, quilted it up and there its sat. Sam was bugging me about finishing it so he can hang it in his room. Well, finally put a binding and sleeve on it, so its ready to hang! Not my finest work, but a cute, quick little wallhanging none the less.

March Block Lotto

Here's a few blocks for this month's lotto-pretty little 6" shoo flys.

Crazy Quilt Row

Well, Jeanne's row arrived on Wednesday, & I got started on it right away. I must have been in a groove because I finished 2 blocks Wednesday, 3 yesterday, and the last one this morning. I love the willy nilly way of piecing these. It really speaks to my chaotic and disorganized personality, yet is all nicely put together in the end. Seems to me that I am a crazy quilt!
My biggest challenge was finding different fabrics and textures (since I work pretty much only with quilters cotton). Last night, laying in bed I suddenly thought of a dress that my daughter received in a bag of hand-me-downs. It was a HORRIBLE black velvet with pink satin and lace number. I hated it (even though she loved it) and while I am quite generous in allowing Faye to develop her own style, this one got hidden way in the back of my closet. i guess there was a reason I didn't throw it out. I am passing along a bit of the velvet and lace in case it might be helpful to any of the ladies that will be working on this one in the future.

Jeanne's row is on top, mine is below.

Row Robin '08

The new row robin on the about forum has begun. I finished my first row (batik stars on Venetian Glass) and its ready to mail. I also recieved my first row-black & white crazy quilt and got started on it yesterday. It's a new style for me, but so far so good...

Halfway There...

A new Row Robin has been posted on the about.com quilting forum. I figured if I was going to join this year I should at least complete the top from last year (Now quilting it, well that will happen when it happens. I'm start to think that I am not a quilt maker, but rather a quilt top maker.) I also completed the top from the scrappy bear paws swap, so I thought I'd post some photos of the work thus far.

4-Patch Folded Coasters- Tutorial

I received a set of 4 coasters as part of a “Secret Santa” gift this holiday and loved them. Faye and I turned them inside out so we could figure out how to make them. I decided to write up the process as a tutorial to share and this is my effort.
I do not believe that I am infringing on any copyright, however, if you feel that I am, please contact me.

For each coater: (3) 4 ½” squares fabric A
(3) 4 ½” squares fabric B

Step 1: Fold 2 squares of each fabric in half. Press.










Step 2: Place remaining 2 squares on top of each other, wrong sides together, lining up the edges. The color that is placed on top will be the bottom of your coaster. The color that is placed on bottom will not be seen.









Step 3: Place a green folded strip on the bottom of your square, folded edge inward, lining up raw edges. (Be careful to place the folded edge inward or you will be ripping out stitches.) You may choose to pin in place.

Step 4: Place a blue folded strip along the left side of your square, folded edge inward, lining up raw edges. You may choose to pin in place.

Step 5: Take next green strip, lining it up in the same manner along the top of your squares.









Step 6: Take the last blue strip, lining it up in the same manner along the right side of your squares. Lift the corner of the green rectangle in the bottom right corner and weave the blue strip beneath it, making your 4 patch. (Like folding in the top flaps of a cardboard box)

Step 7: Stitch around all edges with a ¼” seam allowance, then clip off the corners, taking care not to snip your stitch line.

Step 8: Turn your coaster right side out. You may want to push out the corners with a small blunt tool (knitting needle, etc. will work). Press.

• One fat quarter will give you (16) 4 ½” squares. Two fat ¼’s (1 of each color) will be enough to make a set of 5 coasters.
• One ¼ yard cut of fabric (42” in width) will yield 18 squares. Two ¼ cuts (1 of each color will be enough to make a set of 6 coasters.

The Numbers Are In!

Assuming that there are no more on the way (I don't think there are), we received a grand total of 45 quilts or blankets! Ever child that we hoped to give a quilt to has or will be receiving one...as well as all siblings. This was so much more than I could have hoped for. Our thanks and tears of happiness go out to all who helped or even thought of us through this endeavor. Christmas will be happy and warm thanks to everyone's kindness!

The Quilts Have Been Pouring In!

Okay, so I haven't updated in quite a while, but wow have we been blessed. Thanks go out to so many people. We received a donation of over a dozen infant quilts from Project Linus, 2 I Spy quilts from Sophie and Colene and the About.com quilting forum, fleece throws and scarves from Anna in Illinois, 2 beautiful whole cloth quilts from Chanda in Montana, 5 quilts from Julie in IL (sock Monkeys garden girls, rubber duckies, Mickey Mouse and hermit crabs), a beautiful 30s repro cat quilt from Pat in NM and 3 quilt tops from AnneMarie (2 of which I have completed)

We've started ditributing them, much to the joy and surprise of our families!

Cuddle Quilt Update

8 quilts so far and counting...
Thanks to all who have contributed as well as those with works in progress!We have quilts from Anne in VT, Annie in Maine,Lea from Oregon,Charlene in NJ and a couple from me.

Holiday Cuddle Project

Every year we try to spread some holiday joy to the children and families that we work with. With generous donations from the Marine Corps Toys for Kids program and donations from our supervisory union employees we are able assist many needy families in creating a holiday that their children will happily remember. Last year we were able to provide gifts for many of the children in our program as well as younger and older siblings.

This year I am working on "cuddle quilts" for our little ones. My 7 -year- old is assisting with the quilt making and has even chosen a particular child that she wishes to create for. I have also posted on the about.com quilting forum asking for donations. Well, wouldn't you know, within just a few hours I had my first offer of a quilt to donate. I am so excited to be doing this because I know what joy it will bring to these children.
I hope to soon have photos of some of the quilts I am working on and maybe even photos of the quilts that are being sent to me for these wonderful children!