I do love a good scrap quilt

This little charmer is made of small flannel scraps. Each brick is the same size, 1 1/2" x 2 1/2". I can't seem to throw them away. I put flannel on the back and think that at approximately 32" x 40" this will make a nice cozy wheelchair quilt. I don't think it is too long.
My intervention is over and I am left with a dozen quilts needing binding and a husband who now knows how to piece batting and how to pin quilts for quilting. He wants to learn how to use my machine. So I guess that's what happens next.
For my "August intervention" I could use a little help taming the scraps. So if we can find a time that is what is on our agenda.
Last week my sister and I had a wee little vacation and part of it involved a trip down memory lane. We went to Sudbury, Ontario and visited Science North and Dynamic Earth. Sudbury's Big Nickel is found at Dynamic Earth and we think it was about 55 years ago that our Mom and Dad took us on a car trip to Sudbury. It was fun sharing the memories.
Piecefully, Joanne


Linking with Cynthia at Quiltingismorefunthanhousework (here) and with Lorna at Sew Fresh quilts (here)

Hands to Help finale, some more scrap quilts ready to donate

Both Hands to Hands quilt tops finished, washed and ready to donate. With the ridiculously high postage rates, especially to the US, these two quilts will be donated to the Scrap Bag Quilters of Saugeen Shores for local distribution as needed. It was nice to have two holders so the quilts could go up beside each other. Each quilt is made from the same pattern and totally made from scraps, except for the backings. It is a pattern I called 9 patch bricks but as you look at it you can see many other possible organizers for the scraps. I stitched two bricks together along the long side and generally pressed towards the darker of the two bricks. Then I made 9 patch blocks using a pair of bricks as one of the patches. I altered the orientation of the bricks within the block and also rotated every other block when organizing the top. I find that making the smaller units and building to a larger unit helps me scatter the colours throughout the top more easily.
I have been trying to make more finishes rather than tops, but I am like a kid in a candy shop when I see new ideas, I just need to try it. Piecefully, Joanne

Linking up with Cynthia at Oh Scrap! (here) and Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict (here) for the finale of this year's Hands to Help challenge. J

New day, new things to do

Yesterday was a tough one but looking on the bright side I did finish my Book so I can go to Book Club and discuss it. I started the day with an email that my best friend had suffered a stroke and finished it with an email that my 100 year old Aunt had passed.
On to quilty things. I taught a Scrap Quilt workshop for my guild on Wednesday afternoon. Not sure I like an afternoon workshop but they were trying it this year. The workshop was just getting underway at nap time. Over the course of this year I have shown a different quilt that uses the brick shape at each monthly meeting. So the workshop was yet another brick friendly quilt. I had a table set up with one of each sample so participants could review the year's collection. And in my handout I provided a link to the source and some places for further exploration. Apparently the concept was popular and next year they would like me to do the same thing but with 5" squares (charms or nickels).
Today is a day for tidying up some scraps and stitching some bindings in place. Piecefully, Joanne

Linking with Cynthia at Oh Scrap! (here)

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!

A finish is a finish no matter how small

In January the Scrapbag Quilters were working with flannel. I dug into my scraps and cut up quite a bit for the workday. When I got down to these little bits they were so pretty I couldn't bare to throw them out. So I cut some of my favourite 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" inch bricks and made my "go to" simple bricks block. This is what I had so this is what I used. The finished doll quilt is 16" by 20". We donate doll quilts to the toy drive at Christmas so I have one done already. I aim for about a dozen over the course of the year. Piecefully, Joanne
Linking with Cynthia at Oh Scrap! (here)

I am a guest blogger today

Be sure to visit Sarah's Blog (here)  for my guest post for the Hands to Help Quilt Challenge. I talked about my favourite "go to" quilt block for charity quilts. Piecefully, Joanne

Turning Scraps into Quilts one Leader and Ender at a time

Pictured are 25 quilt blocks made from my Scrap Salad box. I thought the box was full but after making 25 blocks the box is still full. Perhaps is it just a little aerated now. I like to keep these beside my machine when I am doing some piecing and before you know it you have a block assembled. With this particular one I sew the two centre pieces together on the long side. Then add a piece across the top and  the bottom. Next step is to join pairs of scraps on the short side and then add them to the sides. These pieces are 1 1/2" by 2 1/2". this design however will work with 2 1/2" by 4 1/2" pieces, and 3 1/2" by 6 1/2" pieces. I forget the 2" by? size as I don't use 2" strips very often. Once you have a good collection of little blocks made join them together alternating the direction of the centre pairs. No seams to match. another win-win block and project. This pile is enough to make a lap quilt or a baby quilt. Piecefully, Joanne
Linking with A Quilting Chick for her Leader and Ender challenge and later this week with Quilting is More Fun than Housework

If a picture is worth a thousand words.....

Sarah is holding a link up for your favourite tutorial, or recipe to use while stitching or technique. The photo above is a simple attempt to explain my absolute favourite go to block for a community out reach quilt. The block is made using bricks. The ones in the photo are 1 1/2" by 2 1/2" but you can use any size brick...2 1/2" by 4 1/2", or 3 1/2" by 6 1/2". Some of the reasons I like this block for community outreach sewing is that it is relatively easy to organize a kit. All pieces are cut to the same size. As you are sewing it is self correcting. When the blocks are assembled into rows they are set so that the centre pair is vertical then horizontal and the repeat. this means there are very few places where seams have to meet. a bonus for some stitchers.
Steps for the block:
1 Sew two bricks together along the long edge of the brick.
2 Add a brick to the top and the bottom of previous piece.
3 Sew two sets of bricks together on their short ends.
4. Add these pieces to the sides of your step 2 piece.
I like to start with a big pile of bricks and then I can scatter the colours through out the quilt. This one will be a wild a crazy one but they can be made in just about any colour arrangement you could imagine.The quilt below was made with 2 1/2" by 4 1/2" bricks.

Brown bricks

This one is for Cathy

Here is the bottom corner of the Peter Rabbit quilt. I was able to make one that was 36" by 44" from the scraps you gave me. I combined tiny bricks and cut the yardage into 4 1/2" squares. It is a very pastel quilt, certainly not my normal. It will go to the Scrapbag group in January as we begin to build our inventory for 2014. Piecefully, Joanne

Brown can be beautiful

In February this year I cut up just over 2000 brown and gold bricks for my turn at Scrapbag Quilters. I finally got my project completed from that day. There was a lot of grumbling about the brown but I was trying for guy quilts that were larger. And in that aspect I made my target. My quilt is just a lap size quilt but it should keep someone warm. Our Scrapbag group meets next week and we will be tying a few quilts that day and celebrating the season at lunch time. Piecefully, Joanne

A bucket of bricks

So I am wondering how many bricks a bucket can hold. I feel like I have been cutting for weeks although it is only a couple of days. I now need organize these into piles of approximately 400 per baggie for my turn at Scrap Bag quilters next week. We are going to try for some slightly larger guyish quilts. Piecefully, Joanne

Resolutions, Goals, UFO Challenges, oh my

The photo shows a reasonably close view of the "tiny blocks". These were done with the 1 1/2" BY 2 1/2" bricks. My sister wanted a wheel chair quilt for a friend of hers so the over all quilt is 36" by 44". I have not made a quilt for that specific purpose before so I have requested feedback. I also added ties near the top.
As the year winds down I tend to look back before looking forward. I have accomplished a lot but there is always more to do. For two years now I have managed to make the 50 quilts from stash challenge. I think after looking things over I will try for what the sports fans call a threepeat. I am certain there is no such word. There are a couple of interesting looking BOM's and quiltalongs coming up. I am considering them but do not want to create more UFO's. I will add the buttons to my side bar once I have firmly joined in.
We went to see Lincoln last night. We both thought it was a terrific movie. Although having not been brought up in the US we did not know how factual the story was. The acting was great. Wishing one and all a peaceful or should I say pieceful new year.  Joanne

Another set of bricks

This simple brick quilt has been waiting for a while to get quilted. I managed to get several quilts quilted this week and this one got its binding sewn down too. The Canadian Quilters Association is having a fun challenge and it started on September 1st. Members keep track of how many inches of binding they are able to sew and once a month report in to the director at large. Guilds are being encouraged to take on the challenge so the director at large will not have a mailbox crash on reporting day. We are going to see how far across the TransCanada Trail we can stitch. I have completed the binding on two small quilts and this one for a total so far of 368". Imagine how far we can go if all the members particpate!
It is going to be a quilty week. Kincardine Sunset Quilt Guild starts up this week and then I have a few days away with some friends for some quality sewing time and some laughs and good food thrown in too. Piecefully yours, Joanne

Double Blue for brother Bill

This little quilt, or should I say quiltlet is for my brother Bill to hang on the door at the facility he lives in now. I used some scraps from the blue quilt I made for him and some other bits of blue that I had in my scrap bag. Hopefully when it get hung on his door it will help him recognize his door from amongst the many choices. The border and backing are Canadian hockey fabric that too is something he would know. Piecefully, Joanne

Another quilt with feet

This little quilt is not quilted yet but is another scrappy one. I was reading the Quilty Pleasures blog and one of the contributors suggested making these blocks as Leaders and Enders. Well that got me started. The block components are 1 1/2" by 2 1/2" bricks. There are four of each colour. I have no repeats but there are some fabric duplicates. Once quilted it will be a Project Linus donation quilt for the Kincardine Sunset Guild. Someone gave me a milk bag full of scraps and many of them found their way into this quilt.
There have been very few finishes this summer as we have been busy one way and another with family. When the weather changes and the fall routines get started we expect to have more "free" time on our hands.
Piecefully, Joanne

Can you find the purple?

Well if not, then how about the blue or the green or the orange or the yellow or the wild pink? This is yet another of my tiny bricks quilts. This one is just over 36" square and I think will make a happy baby quilt. The print that is scattered throughout is the funky sheep fabric that I used for my sister's quilt. I think life is going to start settling down and I can look at perhaps finishing a couple of quilts. Piecefully, Joanne