Annual String Fling + Giveaway!!

Keep reading to the bottom of the post for details on the GIVEAWAY!

Third time's the charm? Well in this case the first two times were pretty great.  We've done foundation pieced string blocks for a Covered in Love block drive for the past two years and everyone seems to really enjoy it, so I thought I'd make it a tradition! I did nudge it from October to the Jan/Feb slot so it would be opposite our other staple, the summer red/white/blue stars drive, but now it's here to stay.

These string blocks are 10.5" unfinished and super easy to make.  It's a great way to burn up some scraps.  You can find the step-by-step tutorial HERE.  This block drive is a color/theme free-for-all. Anything goes for these fun scrap quilts. In 2015 we made 8 of these quilts and in 2016 we made 8 more, so 16 total so far. This drive will run from now until the end of February.

Feel free to jump right into the block drive, whether you're new or have done a lot before.  Every 2 months I host a block drive to benefit Covered in Love.  We make quilts for grieving families in the hospital.  You can make as many or as few blocks as you like and sewing in this block drive doesn't commit you future drives, you can pick and chose the ones you like or have time for.  Just leave a comment or email CoveredinLoveTx@gmail.com for a mailing address.

Covered in Love began in April 2015 and to date we've given out over 260 quilts to mourning families in the hospital.  I meant to do a giveaway for the 200-quilt milestone but it got past me so instead we're having a joint (almost) "3 Year Anniversary/300 Quilts" celebration giveaway!

(Christmas on top, Spring on the bottom)

This giveaway is open to anyone, you don't have to have participated with CiL before.  For everyone who sends in blocks to the Jan/Feb block drive you'll receive one entry per block and at the end I'll draw two winners.

Christmas jelly roll

Spring jelly roll

I've got two jelly rolls to giveaway, one is Christmas themed and one in Spring-y fabrics.  In the top-down photo you can see the colors. Click the photos to see them larger.  I know Christmas just happened but let's be honest, it takes most of us at least a year to make a quilt.

These CiL milestones and this giveaway are a celebration of YOU the volunteers.  Thank you soooooo much, I literally couldn't have done it without all of your help!

Wrapping up the String Quilts

Finally I am finished with the quilts from October's block drive!  If you remember, we made string blocks.  I showed the first 3 quilts back in January and now the final 5 are done.  A total of 8 string quilts from the blocks sent in October!

The majority of these are 50"x70", there is one 60" square.  I thought the blooming clover made a pretty place to take pictures, even though I did have to re-wash the quilts after.

These quilts will be added to the Covered in Love stash at the hospital. Thank you to soo many quilters who made this possible.

Thanks to Christy, Mina, Louise, Jan, Jeanine, Susan, Nancy K., Joy, Elana, Patricia, Amanda, Irene, Summer, Brenda, Molly, Diann, Barbara W., Margo, Linda, Nancy G., Ann, Audrey, Johanna, Valerie, Nancy R., Marilyn and more.

Those 3 lighter blocks are a trick of the sun!

Last one. I'm trying to post a clear shot of the front of all of them so everyone can look for their block(s) :)

Sometimes people apologize for sending in blocks with unusual novelty fabrics.  To be honest I've gotten a few raised eyebrows from the Chaplains, too. But I have to tell you, don't apologize! Because it never fails that we bring that quilt into a family and they say, "How did you know? Grandma was obsessed with ____!" French fries or birds or Paris or whatever it is.   I don't know how it works out that way, but it does.  People are looking for something to connect to and something to make them laugh at times like these.  In that vein, here's a too-cute cat fabric Amanda sent in for backing.

Covered in Love makes quilts of comfort.  The latest CiL block drive just started and will run through April. If you want to help make blocks for grieving families jump on board here!

Linking to Crazy Mom Quilts, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Oh Scrap!

Listening to... uplifting music.

Finally, Some Finishes!

 Happy Friday everybody! Some of the first string quilts from October's Covered in Love block drive are ready to be revealed!

the Blue Quilt

I put together several of these quilts by literally drawing blocks randomly from the pile and sewing them together. Others I tried to theme a bit more, just to do something different.

the Brown Quilt

This week I have for you the Blue Quilt, the Brown Quilt, and the Red Quilt.  These each measure 50"x70" and will bring comfort to grieving families through Covered in Love.

the Red Quilt

 Thank you to all the volunteers who donated blocks to the October block drive!  I know I still have a few more coming it and it looks like we'll get something like 9 quilts from this drive!  You guys make it all possible.

check out that cute candy fabric right on top, next to the snakes ;)

Speaking of folks who sew for CiL, I am going to try something new.  Sew Some Love, a mid-week linkup for anything you're sewing for charity.  Ever since WIP Wednesday went away I haven't found a good replacement and it seems kind of "duh" that I should host a link up so that all the people so sew for CiL can actually get to know each other!  Of course this linky won't just for people sewing for Covered in Love, please link up any post about sewing you're doing for any charity or a good cause!

So, please come back Wednesday to linkup to Sew Some Love and see what everyone else is sewing!

Linking to CrazyMomQuilts and Oh Scrap!

Listening to this week...  the Harry Potter Musicals :)

(turn on the subtitles)

Not-Quite-Finished Friday

It's snowing in Texas and everyone is losing their minds :)  I can tell my internal thermostat was calibrated by being in Illinois because it honestly doesn't feel very cold to me.  The snow is beautiful and fine and will melt by tomorrow. They're saying that by Tuesday it should be in the 70s. That's Texas for you. 

Rory is skeptical of this white stuff falling from the sky

Before I forget I wanted to let you know I am giving Instagram a try, so if you want to follow me there's a link here or up on the menu bar ^^

I started quilting string quilts this week. Rory scared me to death the other night when I didn't know she was asleep under this quilt pile and it suddenly started to move! (As I type this she and Rey are playing a vigorous game of hide-and-pounce over, under, and around the pile.)  Four down, but they aren't bound yet.  I still have loose blocks as well, and know I have a few more still to come. Probably we'll end up with 9 string quilts, I think!

The Bonnie Lass crumbs are still on the wall and slowly growing.  Playing it fast and loose with the math this time worked out and I ended up only needing to make 8 more four-patches to make it work out perfectly!  There are 3 diagonal rows left (I think... or possibly 5) to go in the gap remaining.

It's a good day to put dinner in the crock pot and stay inside and sew! If you're looking for something to sew the CiL January/February block drive is HERE. I worked yesterday and I know there was a patient that passed away in CV ICU who got one of our quilts.  You guys who contribute to CiL are blessing people every day :)

Finally, I've been listening to music by and Irish group, Byrne and Kelly, lately. Here's one of their songs on YouTube I thought you might like :)  (Click to picture above)  It starts with them talking about the song. Skip to 2:27 if you want to start at the music.

Stay warm everybody!

Linking to Finished or Not Friday and Oh Scrap!

Assembling Strings

I have a confession to make dear blog readers... much of what you've seen here in the past month or so actually took place in September and October. In fact, except for a brief visit at Thanksgiving (when I got to meet my new toy, made stockings, and took the chaplains a resupply of quilts) I haven't been home since before Halloween.  I know! Time seems to have flown by.

got to enjoy GORGEOUS fall leaves, something we don't really get in Texas

Normally when I go out of town I have enough content scheduled to cover me until I get back but this trip was unexpectedly extended by a baby who decided she was much more cozy where she was and saw no need to exit mom's tummy. What have I been up to, you may ask?

My kitchen assistants

Well, I've been in Illinois, aka The Frozen North, working for some friends to help run their boarding house.  I've been foster parent, cook, and chauffeur for 8 high schoolers and one young adult with Down Syndrome (and 10 chickens and 2 dogs). 

Shortly after I got here in October.  I got to carry the baby!!!

I've also been visiting with my college buddy and fellow quilter Libby and her precious new baby (not the same slow-poking baby I mentioned before). Recently it has gotten downright freezing cold and it's snowing some days. Fortunately I came back prepared for the cold after Thanksgiving with a proper coat, scarf, and gloves. Snow is still novel and magical. Hopefully that won't wear off before I go home!

winning the award for Cutest Baby in a Bear Snow-suit

Since Libby obviously isn't doing much sewing lately what with the new baby and all she loaned me her sewing machine.  At Thanksgiving I brought back all 300+ October block drive string blocks with me and have been busy assembling them.

So far I have 6 tops done of an estimated 8.  My room up here has begun to look suspiciously like my room at home!

Covered in Love continues, where ever I am at :)   Remember, the "hot and cold corners" block drive is still going on through Christmas.  My mail is being taken in and sorted at home, so if you want to sew along and send in blocks please do!  I'll be home right about Christmas and get caught up on everything.  Thank you for all your support this year, Merry Christmas!

Linking to Oh Scrap!

Second verse: Same as the first

Happy Fall, stitchers! Break out the pumpkin spice everything and play the holiday music.  I for one can't wait for the weather to get the memo and catch up to the date on the calendar.  You all were gracious enough to let me take September off from out block drives to play some catch up.  Now we're ready to hit the ground running again!

For October we're going to be doing the very same block as we did last October.  These were very popular and several people asked for a reprisal. They make fabulous quilts, so why not?! You can find the original post and tutorial HERE.  These are 10.5" foundation pieced string blocks. No theme and no color scheme, just plain old scrap busters. Everything goes!

Last year you all sent in enough blocks to make 8 beautiful scrappy quilts to comfort families losing a loved one.  I can't wait to see what happens this year!

In case you're new around here, Covered in Love is a charity that donates quilts to families losing a loved one in the hospital.  There is a fairly in depth update on the program here.  Many of the quilts we donate are generated through monthly block drives where folks all around the quilt-y internet send in blocks which are combined into quilts. Anyone who wants to participate is more than welcome and you can make as many or as few blocks as you like.

The link to this month's tutorial is HERE. If you would like to participate or have questions please leave a comment (make sure I can contact you) or email CoveredinLoveTx@gmail.com

The Last of the String Quilts

Way back in October over 20 volunteers sent in nearly 300 foundation pieced string blocks to make quilts for Covered in Love and at long last they're all done!  8 quilts ready to go.

A million thanks to everyone who sent in blocks and a big thank you to Annie McHugs who volunteers her time, skill, and her batting to do some long arm quilting for me.

I quilted 4 of these and Annie did the other 4 on her long arm.  Mine are stippled, but each of hers is different and has some awesome FMQ designs.

I love these leaves she did.  The overall structure is like big feathers, but with leaves instead.  And then she did some butterflies on this really bright one.

It takes an army to make these quilts, and I so admire you guys who keep pitching in when you don't get to see the results personally.  Rest assured that these quilts are a powerful gift and that they mean a lot to the families who get them.

Thanks to everyone who offered opinions on the string diamonds design wall the other day, and also wished me well. I think I finally turned the point in my cold yesterday.  Covered in Love monthly blocks drives will resume in February after I dig myself out from under November and December's blocks!

Linking to Crazy Mom Quilts.

October's String Quilts: The First of Many

Happy Friday! I have more Covered in Love block drive quilts to show off!  Back in October I asked for 10" foundation pieced string blocks and you responded in force!  These four are the first of eight quilts (yes, 8!) to come from those blocks.

Most of these quilts are 50"x70", perfect size for a hospital bed or a couch (the one with yellow centers is bigger). The blocks were made by more than 20 quilters! I quilted two of these, one with a zig-zag going against the grain of the strings, the second got a big stipple.  The other two were long-arm quilted by the wonderful Annie McHugs!

So many fun fabrics, so much variety, so much to look at!  Below is a quilt top that came to me already completed, with yellow middle strings to pull the whole thing together.  A few of the tops I sorted by color or tone, but the first few I made were just a complete mishmash.

Thank you to Nancy, Teri, Rhonda, Dee Dee, Summer, Tish, Valerie, Susan, Melanie, Kati, Dhia, Johanna, Margaret, Mina, Ann, Amanda, Barbara W., Barbara A, Jeanice, Tricia and the ladies of the Tyler Modern Guild, and I know there are a few more I missed!

The December block drive post is up now if you want to participate this month! Remember, these quilts, over 30 so far, go to the families of patients who pass away in the hospital. These comfort quilts really do mean a lot to families on one of the worst days of their lives.

Linking to Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it Friday.

WIP Wednesday: Scrapping Away

 Happy Wednesday! Thanks to everyone who left encouraging comments on my last post about my crumb project.  I made pretty good progress on Sunday. I just have a little left to fill in and piece the whole thing together.  There will have to be some partial seams to tackle.
 

I'm going to keep working on that top today, and in between there are these string blocks sent in for the monthly block drive. Three tops worth here ready to be assembled :)  FYI, the post announcing November's block drive will be up sometime tomorrow.

Remember, this week is the beginning of the Bloggers' Quilt Festival!  You can see my entries here and here.

Linking to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Slowly Sewing Strings

I was in the mood for some easy, mindless sewing the past few days. Fortunately folks have been sending me lots of strings blocks for Covered in Love.

These are so quick to run through the machine and put together.

I wasn't the only one feeling lazy ;)

Linking up (late) to Design Wall Monday