Hands to Help number 1

This is scrap quilt number one for this year's version of Hands to Help. Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict (here) runs this challenge annually to encourage quilters from anywhere to make and donate a quilt or more to charity. There are three designated charities on her blog but if postage costs make them prohibitive then you are encouraged to donate closer to home. I am planning to make two of these quilts. The block is a 9 patch with each patch consisting of two parallel  2 1/2" x 4 1/2" bricks. I have found that making the separate blocks and then assembling them into the larger quilt is more manageable for me. It also allows me to mix up the fabrics for a somewhat more blended scrappy look. Grandson number two (in need of a hair cut) is holding this quilt top. Piecefully, Joanne

Linking with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
and Cynthia at Oh Scrap!

Playing with some black and white strings

I really love the impact you can get with Black and White. I have also noted that if I am somewhat organized with my scraps I can make headway in getting them used up. So this one was on the design floor yesterday to check for "sames" beside each other. I think we are good to go and the blocks are now bagged up and ready for my mini retreat after Easter. I have also discovered over the years that sewing at a retreat for me needs to be somewhat free of decision making. I get too distracted by all the goings on around me. So I have this one and a couple of others all organized to the point of sewing the blocks and then the rows.
Piecefully, Joanne

Linking up with Cynthia at Oh Scrap! (here)

A new idea for a scrap block, thank you stash bandit quilting

Once again playing in my scraps. this block is going to multiply into my Hands 2 Help charity quilt for 2017. I saw the original block on Diane Harris' Facebook page. She also has a new page called Stash Bandit quilting. Diane is a former/retired editor from Quiltmaker magazine. I "met" her when I started testing for the 100 blocks magazine. Looking after that publication was part of her job description. She has more ideas for the windmill block than I could possibly imagine. She had one similar to this shown yesterday and the minute I saw it I knew this one was for me. I have a container with blue/green/purple bricks that are 1 1/2" x 2 1/2", I shorted through the container and pulled out some very light bricks. I needed 4 per block. The rest of the block is scrappy and I was ready to roll.
I have been doing a lot of pattern testing over the last couple of months and most of that is secret sewing. I have also discovered Instagram and it is so good for my just do this now and it is done mentality. I need to sit down and write more. Piecefully, Joanne
Linking up with Cynthia at Oh Scrap! (here)