Time to link and mail - Hands to Help charity quilt challenge

Happy Sunday!  If you joined the Hands 2 Help charity quilt drive over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, today is the first day to link up your finished quilts for the drive.

I've been participating in the drive for 2 years now, and I always get such a good feeling from seeing all the quilts linked up and from mailing mine off to be used.

This year I am donating 2 quilts.  This quilt is headed off to Quilts of Compassion, a charity that gives quilts to all kinds of people, but tends to mobilize during times of national disaster, like the Oklahoma tornadoes, etc.

I am also donating my finished OBW QAL quilt to Happy Chemo.  Emily at Em's Scrapbag has challenged herself to donate 1500 quilts to Happy Chemo and this quilt will get her one quilt closer to her goal.  She has already donated over 600!

Starry Night One Block Wonder Quilt

Happy Chemo provides all kinds of services to those undergoing chemotherapy including providing quilts.  I think just about everyone has known someone who has had to be treated with chemotherapy.  I started donating a quilt a year to Happy Chemo when my niece was diagnosed with AML Leukemia.  I made her a quilt during her hospital stay and I think it helped having something homey in her room.  My mother also underwent chemo several years ago, and I just wish I could have sent her a quilt during her treatment, especially since I couldn't be there myself.  By donating each year, I know that one less person will go quilt-less during their treatment.

If you have any finished quilts hanging around without a home, consider donating to one of these charities or one near you.  It is truly a wonderful feeling.

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Hands 2 Help finish - a finish Friday-ish

I have a quick finish to share with you today.  It has actually been done for a few days.  I was waiting for Friday to link up with all the finish Friday links, but got so busy on Friday that I never had time to sit down and write this post.  That's just the way it goes around here.  Oy vey!

A couple of months ago, I visited the Glendale Annual Quilt Show in Pasadena, CA.  It was a lovely small show, complete with a ton of raffles and door prizes.  I actually won one of the door prizes and it included this quilt kit.

Now, these fabrics weren't exactly "my style", which I find funny because I am still trying to figure out what my style is!  But, at this point, I find it easier to identify what ISN'T my style, and these fabric weren't.  Since I still needed to make a quilt for the Hands 2 Help charity quilt challenge, it seemed fortuitous that this quilt kit become one of the quilts for the drive.

I even tried using the pattern that came with the kit, but ran into some little execution problems.  First, the kit didn't quite follow the supply list for the pattern.  Also, if you look at the fabrics included, there are a lot of lights, one medium (the yellow) and one bold color (the red).  It didn't seem like this pattern was going to look right with that imbalance.  So, I looked through my stash and added a dark blue to the mix.  Another execution problem came with the piecing.  Despite reading the pattern a couple times before I started, my brain did not take notice of one of the steps.  And as many of you know, once fabric is cut, it is a little hard to make it bigger again.  I made the mistake of cutting all of my pieced strips into units, and I was supposed to leave a few of them long.  DOH!  So I had to improvise a little and arrange the units in a different configuration.  I think it still looks alright...

For the quilting, I just did some organic chevrons with my walking foot.

And I was able to use that one big cut of the yellow fabric as the back.  It was a tight squeeze, but it worked.

Have you ever won anything that wasn't your style?  What did you do with it?  Give it to a friend?  Put it away in case your style changes one day?

Thanks for reading today,

Jen


Linking up with:

I'm in! - Hands 2 Help charity quilt drive

I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that the Hands 2 Help charity quilt drive is going on right now!

You can read all about it HERE at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  If you are interested in making a quilt this year for one of the 3 charities listed, you can sign up HERE.  There is a little giveaway going on if you sign up before Saturday, March 22nd!  And don't worry, you have until the end of May to make your quilt and send it off.

donated to Happy Chemo via the Hands 2 Help charity drive in 2013

I've participated in Hands 2 Help for the past two years and it feels great to make something for someone in need.

donated to Happy Chemo via the Hands 2 Help charity drive in 2013

In the past, I have sent my quilts to Happy Chemo, but there are 3 different charities to choose from this year.

Won't you join me?

Thanks for reading,

Jen

Bee Happy quilt donated to Happy Chemo via Hands 2 Help 2012

Jacob's Ladder - a Friday Finish

Hooray, hooray!  I have actually finished something!

This little quilt is about 48 inches square.  I used a layer cake of Deb Strain's "Spa" fabric, plus a few squares of solids to round it out.  I quilted it quite simply - just SID and then 1/4 inch on either side of each seam.  I am sending this quilt off to Happy Chemo as my contribution for the Hands2Help 2013 charity quilt drive.

I also spent quite a bit of time this week putting together a display of the art work that Ashley's class created as part of the school's Open House event.  At the beginning of the school year, we are told which art project to hold onto for Open House.  I was disappointed that our class had to display this project, but only because it was a difficult project to complete and the students did some fabulous art in other projects throughout the year.  Here is the display:

The project entailed scraping a black paper (with some sort of clay surface) with engraving tools so that the white surface showed through.  It was supposed to be a night scene, but the docents got fair warning ahead of time that the supplies chosen for the project weren't easy to work with, so we allowed the kids to basically draw what they wanted.  The engraving tools were difficult to work with.  You had to scrape at a special angle to get any of the black off and then if they scraped too hard, the paper would end up with holes in it.  I teach 1st graders.  Like I said, it was a tough project.

I am so happy that this part of my volunteer job is over.  I stress so much about the display even though it was only for ONE hour.  Some of the docents really go all out, spending hundreds of dollars on supplies for their displays.  I had to remind myself several times not to get too caught up in the competition.  Still, the kids deserve to have their creations exhibited.

I have one more project to teach - a Picasso inspired painting!

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Linking up with:

Hands 2 Help 2013

Just a quick note to let you know that sign ups for this year's Hands 2 Help charity quilt drive start today over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  There are two charities to choose from.


I participated last year and sent a quilt to the Happy Chemo charity which gives quilts to those undergoing chemotherapy, and I must say, it felt darn good!  I'm all signed up to do another quilt this year, and I hope you will join me.

Thanks for reading,

Jen

Channeling my inner Jenny - finish Friday

OK, so you already saw this quilt, but I was able to get some better pictures of it in the morning light after dropping the kids off at school.

As you can see, I was really trying to channel my inner Jenny Pedigo (from Sew Kind of Wonderful).  She does the most amazing things with little squiggles, and pebbles.  I love to see what she quilts each week.

Honestly though, when I looked at my little flimsy and began to ponder quilting it  All I could see was that white space.  I couldn't get it out of my head, so instead of quilting an all over design, I went with my first thoughts.  None of the colored fabric is quilted (at least not intentionally, I do still wiggle a bit on the seam lines).

And look!  I even tried some more of the dreaded feathers!  I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I wouldn't have even attempted to do them if it hadn't been for Patsy Thompson's lesson as part of the December Free Motion Challenge at Sew Cal Gal.  Most of the links for the tutorials are still active.  If improving your FMQ is on your "to do" list for 2013, those tutorials are a perfect place to start (and FREE!).

The How Far Will You Go? QAL was such a great experience.  I really want to thank Jess and Jess.  They  really did a fabulous job putting it together.  I really enjoyed the variety of blocks - unlike the endless HST blocks in the "other" QAL I was doing simultaneously.  And I thought the whole thing was very well run - a block every week, plenty of time in the end to get it together (even a procrastinator like me).  I know I will be revisiting some of their block tutorials in the future.

I also really appreciated that they allowed for multiple sized projects to participate at the end.  That is really thoughtful!  Last year was my first on the quilting web and I participated in a few other QALs and some were all or nothing at the end.  I could have made a set of coasters from the 5 inch blocks I had left over, and could have linked them up!  That is nice, and goes a long way to take the pressure off participating.  This is after all, supposed to be about having fun, right?

On a different note, it has been so crazy around here that I'm not sure I even mentioned Road to California is next week!  Last year I was literally counting down the days for this little "Mom-cation" of mine.  While I am super excited about it, this year I've almost let the whole thing sneak up on me because my focus has been elsewhere.  Now that I am in the final stretch, I really can't wait.

The classes I selected this year aren't particularly awe-inspiring, but I know I will learn something and I know  it will be lots of fun.  I get to hang out with one of my quilty friends and I'm even meeting up with Esther from Threads on the Floor.  I know we will have a great time.  I also hope to get loads of pictures for Inspirational Sunday posts, so you can feel like you got to go to the show too.

Thanks for reading,

Jen

Linking up with TGIFF and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?

Giving Hearts

I'm not sure I have ever met a group as wonderful as the quilters of the world.  It seems like everyone who quilts has a giving heart, and shares the warmth and love a quilt provides.  So, today I wanted to share two ways you can help others with your quilty goodness.

First, Jess from the Elven Garden is asking for quilty donations for those affected by the Tasmanian Wildfires.  Here is her post - I couldn't have said it better, so I hope she doesn't mind that I copied her post and put it below.  We have a lot of fires here in Southern California, and the effects are devastating, both physically and emotionally.  If you can help in some way, please do!


Tassie Bush Fire Quilt Appeal

As some of you may be aware, my home state of Tasmania has been devastated by some huge bushfires in the last week. Many, many homes have been completely destroyed and families have lost everything. The latest report is that about 200 homes have been either destroyed or severely damaged in the bushfires.

According to the Tasmanian Government, the best way to help is to donate money at either

St Vincent de Paul - 131 812 or www.vinnies.org.au, or
Red Cross - 1800 811 700 or www.redcross.org.au

If you're local, donations of the following are being accepted:

• Toilet packs 
• Essential new clothing 
• Necessities for children and babies 
• Batteries (including 9V) 
• Torches 
• Lanterns 
• First Aid supplies 
• Sunscreen 
• Aeroguard 
• Blankets and bedding 

My heart goes out to all the people and families affected by the fires. What I've decided to do is ask for donations of baby's and kids quilts to pass on to the families who have lost so much in the fires. If you can help out with this, please let me know and I'll give you details of where to send them.

If you have quilt tops that just need backing and quilting, I'd be happy to accept these too and quilt them up myself to give to the families who've been affected.

UPDATE: There is a register being set up of children who have been affected by the fires - all the donated quilts will be matched to a recipient via the register (based on gender and age), and delivered directly to the families in need. This will be an ongoing effort, so there is not really an accurate time frame I can give.

There is also a handmade auction being hosted by The Handmade Library - if you are interested in donating anything for the auction, you can find the Facebook group here.

Thanks so much,

Jess



Also, there is a online auction of handmade items going on via Facebook.  The auction benefits the Newton Parent Connection of Sandy Hook, CT.

You can read more about it at the Imagine Gnats Blog or go directly to the auction on Facebook here.  There may even be more time to donate an item for the auction if you hurry!


Thanks for reading!  I'm off to check on the bidding and see if there is a quilt top somewhere I can donate to Jess.

Jen

Goal setting - the Finish Along quarterly report

Bear with me as I reveal one more list to start the New Year.  The 2013 Finish Along at She Can Quilt. is a quarterly to-do list, so here is what I hope to accomplish in the next 3 months:

• I've already designated the first UFO that I am going to tackle in January as the Blue One Block Wonder quilt.  
• 
• Also this quarter, I hope to finish up my Beginner QAL quilt and How Far Will You Go? quilt (obviously, I didn't get as far as I hoped on this one).
• Time to use up all those clothing fabric scraps I've been saving and make quilts for the girls.  These scraps are taking up important "new fabric" space, so they have to go!  This is the NewFO, I planned to start in January; however, I was reminded that I need to make....
• 2 baby quilts for friends who are expecting soon.  Like really soon.  So I better get working on them too.
• I have 4 Star of Africa Blocks to do already, plus another 2 from later in the quarter.
• I'll have 3 Skill Builder BOM blocks to do
• 4 Lucky Star BOM blocks to do
• 2 blocks each month, for a total of 6 blocks for the We Be Learning Bee - I've already started on January's blocks.
• 2 blocks each month, for a total of 4 blocks for the Simply Solids Bee (it starts in February)
• 2 blocks each month, for a total of 6 blocks for the Make it Modern Bee
• Winter Mug Rug for a Swap I signed up for - this one is already in progress as it is due soon.

Whew!  I am tired just typing about it.

Jen

FO challenges, HO!

If I could sum up my New Years Resolutions into a few words, they would be "Just keep it up"!

When making my quilty resolutions for 2013, they seemed to fall into 3 different categories: general intentions, UFO busting, and NewFO's I want to make.

The general category:

• get your scrap organized! - I am pretty comfortable about how I have my yardage organized, but my scraps are literally stuffed into a couple brown paper grocery bags.  Terrible, I know!  They really need to be organized by quality (I plan to use the low quality fabric for Ashley to practice on), size, color, etc.
• Continue practicing Free Motion Quilting - there is ample opportunity for this as I hope to do at least 2 Quilt As You Go projects!
• Continue having fun in blogland - I have committed myself heavily for the first few months, but then things ease up a bit.
• Actually attend a LA Modern Quilt Guild meeting - the group meets on Monday nights about an hour away and it is pretty difficult to tear myself away from the carpool, but I think I should do it at least once to see what I've been missing.

UFO Busting:

• I've made a new page of the "Master List" of UFO's for me to work from.  These are projects are in some state of "started", and I want to return to.  I've given away several and even trashed a few from prior lists.
• The first UFO from the list that I am going to tackle is the Blue One Block Wonder quilt.  The top is done.  It needs to be backed and quilted with a simple design.  I plan on donating it when done.  Yes, I am totally taking an easy one for the first month!
• Also this quarter, I hope to finish up my Beginner QAL quilt and How Far Will You Go? quilt (obviously, I didn't get as far as I hoped on this one).

NewFO's:

• Time to use up all those fabric scraps I've been saving and make quilts for the girls.  These scraps are taking up important "new fabric" space, so they have to go!  This is the NewFO, I plan on working on this month.
• Swoon quilt - I bought the pattern a year ago, and probably enough fabric to make 10 of them.  I just have to begin.
• 2 baby quilts for friends who are expecting soon
• A quilt for my own (king sized) bed.  Now that I have a few little things for myself, it is time I have a quilt for my own bed!  I have the pattern picked out, and some fabrics purchased.  Time to begin!
• Weekender bag - this one looks tough!  But I bought the pattern, so..??
• Then there are the bees and BOM's I've joined: the Make it Modern Bee, Simply Solids Bee, We Be Learning Bee, the Skill Builder BOM, and the Lucky Star BOM.  I am also continuing with the Star of Africa Bee, because I love those ladies so much!
• More to come, no doubt!

So then, how do I plan on accomplishing these items?  With the help of blogland, of course!

For my UFO busting, I plan on linking up monthly with the Lovely Year of Finishes group at Sew Bittersweet Designs, the Project UFO 2.0 Group at Cut to Pieces, and quarterly with the 2013 Finish Along at She Can Quilt.

For the NewFO's, I might as well join along with Cat Patches' New FO Challenge, and see how it goes.

A kind soul asked, "why link up with these "parties" at all"?  Well, if you are new to blogging, they are an excellent way to increase the traffic to your blog and show off your work to others in the net-community.  Now, I have stopped being concerned with "traffic" per se, but I love meeting new friends!  And I've been lucky enough to meet some great ones by them finding me via linky parties.  Who knows who I will meet next, right?

Jen

Hurricane Sandy Blocks - Building Blocks Tuesday

This week's post is a little early, because I want to tell you about an opportunity to do some good, and now!  One of our fellow bloggers, Jennifer from Knotted-Thread, is collecting blocks to make quilts to send to her home town in New Jersey which was heavily affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Jennifer is a total sweetheart!  She set up a Flickr group for anyone wanting to pledge to make some of these simple blocks.

Here are the four I made, and really, they were so ridiculously easy, I think I am going to make a few more.  I joined up under the "Scrappy Block" group, so I just had to pair any fabric in my stash with a white background.  The way these blocks are cut and pieced leaves NO waste, and I doubt it took me 20 minutes to cut, press and piece all four of these together.

I'm going to go make some more.   Click on the link for the Flickr group above if you want to join the cause by making blocks.  OR, I am certain that Jennifer will accept other forms of donations (batting, completed quilts, offers to put quilts together, etc.).  I've already stuffed as much batting as I can into a flat rate box!

As always, you can link up whatever blocks you've been working on this week!

Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  And, don't forget, you have all week to add them if you like.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please consider grabbing my button and posting it in your blog post
4) Visit other linky participants!


Thanks for reading today!

Jen

the List - UFO Sunday

If you feel overwhelmed by reading other people's to do lists, avert your eyes, this one is a doozie!  Like when you open a closet door at a friends house expecting to hang up your coat, but the darn thing is so stuffed with junk it falls out all over you -- that kind of doozie!

A few weeks ago, Leah Day over at Free Motion Quilting Project, started a new weekly link up called UFO Sunday.  One of the things I like best about Leah's blog is that it is deeply introspective.  She really probes into the emotions and thoughts behind why we do what we do with our projects and our lives.  She makes me think (heaven forbid)!  This new link up was sparked by a bunch of feelings - the need to practice on real quilts, the desire to feel less oppressed by the pile of UFOs lying around and the hope that getting some things done might make one feel, well, happy.

Now, I know I have been participating somewhat sporadically in Patchwork Times UFO Challenge.  But unlike that challenge that assumes you will finish a UFO each month, Leah's premise was rather simple.  Just work on a languishing UFO for one day, even if it was only for 15 minutes.  Progress is progress.

She also explored some thoughts on why some UFOs end up languishing in the first place.  I can totally relate to some of the reasons.  Like the quilts for my mom that took forever because I didn't really enjoy the fabrics.  At the moment, I feel like I have too many other pressing projects that need my time and attention more.  Leah suggests making a list and really determining which projects deserve your time and which should be trashed.  Yes, trashed.  "Time is a precious resource", it shouldn't be wasted!

So, here is my list of languishing UFO's:

The Handstitched projects:

• the stitched headband - actually I wanted to make a band for a hat I have.  Still want to do this.
• Sashiko coasters - the bases are actually made.  I need to transfer a few more designs and get stitching.  I still want to do this.
• the Hexagon tote bag - I have my hexies all basted.  I have the linen to make the bag.  I have someone I would like to give it to.  But I am hesitant.  This one needs to go into a different category, a wait until you are jazzed about getting stuff done and then finish this one category.
• The star blossom wall art - I have everything I need for this one, but I am having trouble choosing fabrics.  I am just having a hard time imagining those little pieces working together.  Plus, EPP just seems to take forever!  I need another trip to Hawaii to get it started and done.
• The flower applique pillow - this is adorable, but I don't know that I really need a pillow right now, nor do the kids.  I mean shouldn't we actually have quilts for our beds first?  Maybe not, but at the moment, I am leaning toward trash.  Thankfully, I didn't get very far on this project before setting it down, so only 4 scraps of fabric would be trashed.
• The Medallion quilt top - I love this quilt, but the last step put a bit of a funk on it.  I need to rip out all the seams for the last border and redo them.  Seam ripping is not much fun even when it is only a few inches.  I probably have about 250 inches to rip out.  Not fun.  I need to just do it one day, then back and sandwich it.  The hand quilting will take a while, no doubt.  Perhaps this will be my holiday project while the kids are home and I can't sneak off to my sewing "studio".

Other projects:

• Hawaiian applique pillow - from the class I took 2 years ago!  The darn applique is nearly finished.  I think I have 2 more small circles to go.  But, I don't need a green and yellow pillow.  Although, now that I know how to make these things into wall art, that could be an option.  Undecided which category this goes in.
• The fusible rose project - this one is partially "pieced".  I need to add it to the background fabric and then thread paint it.  The thread painting aspect is why I took a class last January.  I'm not sure I know enough to make it look nice enough.  It WOULD be an excellent practice piece though!  Leaning toward Trash, but perhaps it makes more sense for it to languish a little more.
• The thread painting wall art - this was what we worked on in class.  I only have a few more steps until it is done.  I had hoped to finish it up and give it to my grandmother for a gift.  But, my excitement level for this project is null.  Trash.
• The Batik Tile quilt - fabric is cut, some blocks put together, basically "piecing in progress".  The problem is that I am just not in love with these fabrics anymore.  I really appreciated the picture of the pattern and thought it was beautiful, but once I got into making one myself, my interest dwindled.  It is quite possible, I am just not a Batik person.  A shame really, considering I have a whole box of them. I am leaning toward Trash.
• Blue and White One Block Wonder top - I actually like this one.  I think it would make a great charity quilt.  I was hoping to send one more this year to the woman collecting for Happy Chemo.  She said in a post that she is always looking for more "manly" quilts for the patients.  This would be a good one for that.  If I allowed myself to just quilt it with a simple all-over design, it could even be done relatively quickly.
• Brown and Blue Land of Lincoln Quilt - I like this one too.  It is a little too dark for our home here, but I think it would be a perfect addition to our family's vacation home up in the mountains.  It needs the final border added and then quilted.  The drawback - it is BIG.  Yes, I have a new machine that should make this easier with its large throat space, but it is BIG.  I think I am balking at finishing it just because of the size.  Solution: send it out.  I don't know why I am so hesitant to do that.  I really want to finish my own projects!  But it really boils down to this one sitting in a box for another 6-9 months or getting done by someone else.
• Star Circles (a New York Beauty quilt) - piecing in progress.  I love the look of this quilt and when I am in the mood to paper piece, I try to do a few more blocks here and there.  I think this one will get done, eventually.
• Olivia's applique quilt (the copy of my niece's quilt from last Christmas) - The darn blocks are all done, applique and all.  I literally just need to put the top together and quilt it!  Olivia is just getting to the age too, where she might want a special blankie of her own.  This Christmas?
• The Batik Stripe Quilt - it is one of my FAVORITES, why can't I get this done???  It is sandwiched and ready.  Why don't I just start it?  Fear.  I am at the point where the quilting happens, and I want it to stand out and be seen, but I am terrified that I will mess it up.  And, I am having difficulty choosing a thread, but that is really just a secondary excuse.  This one needs to be done, like yesterday!
• Paper-pieced block pillows - I have several paper-pieced blocks with no homes.  I can't really see them going into a quilt, but they would make pretty pillows.  Did I mention, I don't really need any pillows.  These may need to just be trashed or given away to unsuspecting bee mates.

My New-FO's (these really haven't been languishing, YET):

• The Beginner Quilt Along Top - I don't have a lot of emotions invested in this one and plan to give it to my guild to either auction off or give to their charity causes.
• The Vintage Holiday Quilt Along top - I love this one and want to keep it for myself.  Excitement level is still high on this one, an excellent time to keep going and get it done.
• The How Far Will You Go Quilt Along - the top is not yet completed and the quilt along is still going. I have had to put this one aside for a while to finish up some other items, like bee blocks, which puts it in the danger zone of being forgotten.  The design is lovely, and the quilt along has been a great experience, but I have no plans yet for the quilt itself.
• The Totally Groovy Quilt Along top - I would really like to give this one as a gift to someone special.  I need to get it done.

Seems like I don't have many for the Trash category.  I guess I need to get to work then!

I am not actually linking up this post at Leah's blog today, because I haven't actually worked on any of these projects.  I just feel writing them down was the first step and publishing it might help me be more accountable.  Baby steps, people, baby steps.  I'm leaving town tomorrow and will have a whole week to decide which of these projects to spend some time on first.  Also, I plan on trimming down this list to fit with Kelsey Sews 100 Day Hustle, which I will post in a few days.

What do you have languishing around that spending 15 minutes on might make you feel better?

Jen

Beginner's Quilt Along - Trial and Error Tuesday

The fine folks over at Quilting Gallery are hosting a Beginner's Quilt-Along.  Since this blog is supposed to be for beginners, I thought I would pass along the info.  And after last week's quilt related "issues", I figured I could use a refresher myself.  Join me, won't you?

If nothing else, you will have a lovely quilt sampler at the end.  I am sure that you know someone who might like one, or you can give it to charity!  While the Hands2Help challenge is officially over, see the quilts donated here, I am sure that quilts are accepted anytime for next year's drive.  I know for sure that Happy Chemo would take them, and Emily mentioned in one of her last posts that she is in particular need of manly colored quilts!

So what do ya say?  Quilt Along with me?

Jen

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back - Finally Finished Friday, uh Saturday

Here it is, my Bee Happy Quilt, finally finished.

Yesterday, I spent the majority of the day doing: Sew 10 inches, Rip out 3 inches, re-thread everything, repeat.  Little by little, I got it done.

Wow, what a process this has been.  When I signed up to complete this quilt, I actually got started right away.  At the time, I had plenty of time to complete, but I didn't want to wait until the last minute (like I usually do). I was actually hoping to be the first one done!  I had my pattern in mind when I signed up, it promised to be an easy one.  I prepared my applique pieces, got everything cut, and the whole top pieced together rather quickly.  I stalled a little when it came to the back, waiting for some additional fabric, but it too came together quickly.  The quilting pattern suggested was easy enough too - a meandering loopy bee trail.  I sandwiched my quilt and got ready to get down to it.  That's when "easy" ended.

I am not sure if I have been quite so frustrated in a long time.  The machine issues, which I am sure you are tired of hearing about and I am tired of thinking about, really threw me for a loop.  I don't really understand how a machine can be fine quilting one thing, but then completely stink at doing another.  My best guess was that it had to do with the needle flex that occurred when sewing through the applique parts with their fusible web.  I is the only thing that makes some sense to me.  So, I pulled out my notes from my long arm class with Dawn Cavanaugh.  She talked a bit about needle flex and I tried out her suggestions.  I switched to a bigger needle, with only some improvement.  I sewed slowly, no improvement.  If I hadn't already quilted half the quilt, I would have changed thread.  In the end, I just had to battle it out.

I certainly wish I had done things a little differently from the start.  I felt confident with the machine quilting, so I choose a pretty, shiny, variegated thread for the quilting.  Unfortunately, it just shows off all the issues I had quilting!  And perhaps, putting appliques on the back wasn't such a good idea.  I haven't had any problems in the past sewing through them, so I didn't really think it would be a problem this time either.

It is not my best work, but it is done.  And, I learned some things about myself.

This quilt is destined for Happy Chemo, part of the Hands2Help Challenge at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, which gives quilts to people going through chemotherapy.  While I have never been through chemo myself, I imagine that I encountered some of the same emotions going through making this quilt - obviously, less intense as I was not fighting for my life!  At times I cried, I was angry, frustrated, and even wanted to give up.  And I was just making a quilt!  Heaven help me if I have to go through anything as major as chemotherapy.




Jen

Hands2Help

As Karen pointed out the other day, sometimes doing something EXTRA is nice during Lent (or other holidays, heck, shouldn't it be any day).  So in that spirit, I have decided to join Sarah's Hands2Help Challenge.  I know I need another challenge like I need a hole in the head, but this one strikes a cord in my heart.  I know I have mentioned my niece that has been having an extended stay at the hospital.  Well, the truth is that she has AML Leukemia and despite just finishing her last round of chemo, has been having a rather rough week.  So she is on my mind almost constantly.  It made the decision to join this challenge rather easy.

Sarah has chosen two different charities that you can make quilts for.  One charity is the NOLA project, which sends quilts to St. Bernard Parish in New Orleans, which despite the time elapsed, is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Katrina.  I know the people in that area could use a little comfort - like the comfort of a quilt wrapped around them.

The second charity is called Happy Chemo, which provides quilts for chemo patients.  I have committed myself to make a quilt for this second charity because I know how much comfort a quilt can be to someone going through chemo, or even a family member watching someone going through chemotherapy.  If I am able, I will also try to make a quilt for the NOLA project as well.

If you have ever thought to yourself, "Hey, I'd like to make a charity quilt, but I don't know who to give it to", or even if you have a few finished quilts lying around that don't have homes....I invite you all to visit Sarah's Blog Confessions of a Fabric Addict to learn more about the Hands2Help Challenge.

Quilt on!