Stash Report - 2/26/17

Still working away at finishing up more of the QOV tops from the Block Drive that needed borders, bindings and pillowcases to go with them before being quilted.  I cut and attached borders, made bindings and pillowcases for Nos.# 14 & 15. When possible, I tried to match the fabrics used for bindings or part of the pillowcases with the border if there was enough fabric left. I find that using only what is available from stash has made it a bit more challenging. Since the blocks are so scrappy, I wanted to have some consistency, if possible to pull it all together.  I hope the recipients won't be too critical of the color combinations.  Everyone that has worked on these has done so voluntarily and from their hearts.

2nd top pieced by Kim & Kevin

Pillowcase edge matches border

                               

Pillowcase edge, binding and border match
This top was pieced by Lou C.

I also added borders to two Honor Flight quilts, made a couple of blocks for our Scrap Club project and blocks for my block exchange group.  Pictures on those later.  When I needed a break from sewing, I cut pieces for more "scrappy snake blocks" for our next meeting of the Cave Quilters.  It's a good feeling to get things accomplished and all from my stash.

Hope you all had a good week playing in your fabrics, I sure did.  It helped me see that I need some more organizing of my stash, that's for sure.! lol

Stash Report -2/26/17

Fabric Added this week - none

YTD Added - 0.25

Fabric Used this week -  5.75 yards  - borders, bindings and pillowcases

YTD Used in 2017  - 34.87 yards

Linking up to Judy's. Stash Report.

QOV Sew Day

Monday I was invited to the Perky Piecers Quilt Guild in Troy, MO.  They volunteered to help put together some of the blocks from the QOV Eastern MO Block Drive into tops.  I was thrilled with their offering to help me. I am getting closer to using all the blocks that I received.


We set up and organized by working in teams with sewers and pressers and before too long, there were 6 finished quilts!  I'm thrilled they accomplished so much.   Now I have the task of adding borders and making pillowcases for each of these from my stash and donated fabrics so they can be turned in at one our next QOV quilting days in Feb or March.

Here are my super helpers and their quilt tops.

Helen and her teammates finish the 1st top of the day

Kim and Kevin finished the 2nd one of the day

# 2 from Kim and Kevin's team. They were over achievers!

Ann of Attic Threads & Quilts showing off her beautiful finish 

The quilters are hard at work.  

Susan and teammates show off another finish

There was another top almost finished (needed a row or two added), so I'll post that next time. 

We brought our lunches so we would have more sewing time. I brought dessert in the form of a cake decorated like our original QOV layout to show my appreciation for all the help this group has given me. There was a slight accident with handling the cake, but it was still delicious but no one minded the little crack.  Thank you Perky Piecers!!

Winners of the QOV Eastern Missouri Block Drive

I know, I'm a day late in announcing the winners from the QOV Block Drive. So sorry. I hope you will forgive me.  My only excuse is I was under the weather a day or two and just couldn't get my mojo moving to write out all the names on the slips of paper for the drawing and taking pictures of the prizes. I really think it was because my body was frozen from the cold temperatures we have been experiencing the last few days. Just can't get used to single digits. Hurry up Spring.

OK, I've written out 135 separate names on little slips of papers and the drawings are done.  Here are the winners.

$50 Gift Certificate - The Stencil Company 

Brenda K - MO

 Glide Thread -  Donated by Ann @ Attic Threads and Quilts  

   If you contact me quickly you can have your choice of color.    

  Lou C. - Troy, MO

Jennifer N. - IN

Cherie M. - IL


Kit w/pattern, beads and fabric - from Patch Abilities Inc.
Debbie T - MO

Two patterns from Kathy Schmitz - "Be Mine" and "Little Acorns"

Pat H. - FL

Fons and Porter Ergonomic Seam Ripper

SUE  B - MO

"Learn to Quilt" Kit includes a Friendship Star pattern, Easy Angle Ruler and Quilter's pins

Suzanne M - MO

6 Spools of Madeira Machine Embroidery Threads
Rose Marie C - MO

 Fabric Doll Kit with Accessories
Jeanne C - MO

Clover 45mm Yo Yo Maker 

Carol P - MO

 Connecting Threads - 1,200 yds/spool

Each of the following will receive a spool of  CT thread
Katie B , Jerry W, Coleen S, Barb S, Rita B 

I will be contacting those who have won a prize. Those that are local, I will call you and make arrangements to get your prize to you.  If you are out of state, please send me your address (if I don't already have it) and I will get these in the mail to you next week.

THANK YOU all again for the sewing up a storm with these blocks and for making this such a success.  Thank you again to Jan of thecolorfulfabriholic for the block design. Also, a SPECIAL THANK YOU goes out to the Perky Piecers in Troy, MO for the huge numbers of blocks they produced.  I have a special prize in mind for your group to be presented at one of your meetings. This is something that can't be sent through the mail. 

The real winners of this Block Drive are the Veterans who receive the quilts made from these blocks. We will now begin the task of putting together the tops and getting them quilted.  I've already finished one complete quilt with binding on it, so we are off to a good start. I feel it's a privilege to be able to honor our veterans in this way and I hope you feel the same. Many blessings to you and your family.

QOV Block Drive Results

First off, I want to thank everyone who participated in the QOV Eastern Missouri Block Drive in any fashion - making blocks, donating prizes, sending fabrics to be used for backings and more blocks, and money to help purchase other supplies as needed.  I am so thrilled with the number of blocks we received and you don't know how thankful I am to you.  What a great way to start out 2017.

I bet you are wondering what the total numbers are, right? Well, I'll get to that in a minute, but I want to recognize a few more quilters who sent packages. The week between Christmas and New Years' Day there were still packages being delivered.

Jennifer of Quilting Mom's Blog sent in these great looking blocks.

from Jennifer, IN

Jennifer, you really do get a Gold star for taking time from your busy schedule right before Christmas to make and send these. Your efforts are much appreciated and they will add a little sunshine in our quilts. Thank you so much!!

A day later, I received these lovelies from Judy B.  She said she used her red and blue scraps, but after all was said and done, "couldn't see a dent at all in her stash". Thanks Judy, these will work with any of the quilt tops we will be putting together.

Judy B - MO

Then another surprise came from Karen of kaholly.blog in the form of a monetary donation for "whatever is needed to complete the quilts" she said. This was so thoughtful and much appreciated.It will come in handy for backings and batting. Thank you so much Karen.

Karen - TX

Suzanne, a good friend came by expectantly and dropped off these 12 blocks. Don't they look nice on the design wall? Sort of like diamonds in the rough. Thank you Suzanne for the 'special delivery'. 

So, if you've stuck with me this long, you are probably waiting to know the final number of blocks that were made and received.  

Well.......  drum roll please.............

There were 751 half square log cabin blocks, plus 65 HST blocks put together to make 12 1/2" blocks in the diamond pattern.  That makes a total of  816 blocks.

If my calculations are correct, we should have about 17 quilt tops when all the blocks are assembled.

THANK YOU all very much!

Now if you really wanted to get technical, those 65 - (12.5") blocks were made up of 4 HST per block. Individually that would make 260 HST blocks. Add that number to the 751 and you get an amazing 1,011 blocks!!!  lol - there's always more than one way to look at something, right??

Now the fun really begins. I'm putting all the names in a paper bag (after I get them all written on slips of paper) and on Friday, January 6th I'll post the winners of the prizes. 

I hope you had fun making these blocks. Thanks again to Jan of The Colorful Fabriholic for the easy, and great looking block and for offering it to us for the block drive.  This was definitely a successful block drive for QOV Eastern Missouri..

On The Needles and More QOV Blocks

I'm still working on the first sock of a Frankensock scrappy pair. Just rounded the heel and working on the foot.  There is just so much that needs to be done for getting ready for the Christmas holidays that I haven't taken time to sit and knit much.  I can't wait for some down time after the first of the year.

I'm still accepting blocks for the QOV of Eastern MO block drive.  This is what came in during the week mixed in among the Christmas cards.  I always open the squishy packages before the cards. Wouldn't you??

These great blocks came from Cherie, of Quilted Jonquil.  Cherie, I love all the different reds and blues you used.  Thanks a bunch Cherie for taking time to send these to me.

The next four red blocks are from Ginny, a sweetheart of a lady who quilts with us during the year at monthly meetings.

Many thanks Ginny.  I hope to see you in 2017 at our first quilt day.  You will be seeing a lot of these blocks when they come through as tops for quilting.

I'm linking up with Judy's OTN post.  Stop by and see what others are kniting these days.

Design Wall and QOV Update

More leaf blocks were added to the #2 Design Wall this past week along with the other piecing projects I mentioned on my post yesterday. Soon I'll have enough blocks to start putting them in rows. There are more blocks in back of the ones with little tags on them. The design wall was not big enough to hold them all.

My focus this week will be to organize and update the QOV Block Drive blocks that have come in recently. The postman has been extra special this past week and here's what he brought. Seeing these packages in the mail makes me happy, happy and it feels like Christmas.

First the postman left a squishy package from Jan of The Colorful Fabriholic who made bunches of QOV blocks for the Block Drive.  She sent in almost enough for a full quilt top!  Thank you so much Jan. They look so crisp and bright and will make a beautiful quilt top.  I'll be on the lookout for an appropriate backing for these fresh, modern blocks.  

A few days later, I received another big package from the group in Troy, MO. Kevin of  Kevin the Quilter was the surprise postman delivering these.  No, he did not take on another job for the holidays, he was in the area to help me with a non-quilting project. You know when you have a large, heavy box to move, it always helps to have a big, strong young man around to help.  He was kind enough to oblige.

Four HST blocks were sewed together to make a bigger block and get this design. 

Another fun arrangement of the block.

Check out Lady Liberty in this block. Isn't that cool?

THANK YOU Kevin and the Troy Ladies for the big bag of blocks.  We are going to have lots of fun assembling them into quilts when our sew days resume after the first of the year.  

AND THEN, as if that wasn't enough excitement for the week, I got another box on the weekend from Libby the Hillside Quilter with some wonderful fabrics for more QOVquilts. They were all packaged and folded so neatly, you would swear they had come directly from the fabric companies.  There are some beautiful Civil War repros here that will be used for quilts for our veterans. 

THANK YOU so much Libby for your generosity.  These fabrics will be put to good use right after we assemble the Block Drive quilts.   

The QOV Block drive is still going until the end of the year.  We have received another prize to add to the list.  For every 4 blocks you send, your name will be put in the drawing for the prizes.  Santa is most likely going to bring some gifts in his sack to add to the pot.  Wonder what he will bring next?

Here's one that came in this week.

6 Spools of Madeira Machine Embroidery Threads

Madeira Machine Embroidery Threads

Comes with an 8 page thread guide with useful tips, ideas and accessory suggestions. You can check out some of the other prizes HERE.

Hope everyone is keeping busy with projects and preparations for Christmas.  I know I am.  Now I'd better get busy if I want to get that big quilt bound anytime soon. Still do not have my house decorated either.

Linking up to Design Wall Monday.  If you have time, check out some wonderful eye candy on other design walls.

Happy Stitching this week.  

Dar

Design Wall, QOV and A Knitty Finish

My design wall has a few more leaf blocks and a couple zigzag blocks made with the leader/ender process between sewing QOV blocks and making my little knitting bag.

Batik Maple Leaf blocks

Zig Zag Scrappy blocks

Some news on the Quilts of Valor Block Drive.    Last week  The Perky Piecers in Troy, MO had a sew day.   Thanks to Kevin and Marcia for the pictures of the group.

Hard at work making QOV blocks all day!!  

My friend, Kevin the Quilter called and said he had a surprise for me and this is what he brought.  

Isn't this is AMAZING!!??  There are enough blocks here for 4 whole quilt tops and more.

*edited to correct #of quilt tops.

 THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!

You all outdid yourselves.  I can't wait to start assembling them into quilts for our veterans.  

I am still accepting QOV Blocks through the end of December if you want to send any.  There are still more prizes to be added to the drawing which will be the first week in January.

And among all this sewing and quilty things, I did manage to finally finish the other short sock with the Magic Loop.  Bring on the cold weather.:)

Linking up with Judy's Design Wall Monday.

QOV Block Drive Update

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to tell you that I've got lots of wonderful blocks coming in from some very generous people for our QOV Eastern MO Block Drive.  But before I show you the latest arrivals, I think it's time to show you some of the prizes that are being donated for the drawing.

Two (2) spools of Glide Thread- from my friend Ann of Attic Threads and Quilts  

A $50 gift certificate - from The Stencil Company

Two (2) kits with fabric - from Patch Abilities Inc.

Two (2) patterns from Kathy Schmitz - "Be Mine" and "Little Acorns"

Fons and Porter Ergonomic Seam Ripper - from an anonymous donor

 

A "Learn to Quilt" Kit includes a Friendship Star Quilt pattern, Easy Angle Ruler & Quilter's pins

Several fat quarter bundles, threads from Connecting Threads and more to come later.

Now for the blocks.  This last week I received these.

On the Left -from Katy VW- MO;  On the Right - from Lee B - MO

12 from Rita B - MO plus another 12 HST 

12 blocks from Pat H - Florida 

These were the other HST from Rita. I added the red and blue strips to the darker side since she made the light blocks and we are not getting as many of the darker blocks.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GREAT BLOCKS WE HAVE GOTTEN SO FAR.

We are doing well with the block drive.  Remember we are accepting blocks until the end of the year, so you still have time to make a few and get them in the mail before Santa comes.   

A step by step tutorial is HERE.   You can send blocks to me at the address below.  

Thank you so much. I know the veterans appreciate receiving these wonderful quilts from all of us.

QOV Eastern MO BLOCK DRIVE 
2627 Bates Road
O'Fallon, MO 63368  

Design Wall and QOV Blocks

My design wall is going to be empty after today.  Finished piecing the dark colorway of the HST QOV quilt and it's waiting for a border.  I wasn't going to put a border on this one, but the size is a bit small in the width. A small red border will make it wider and finish it off nicely, I think.

3rd QOV for HST Log Blocks

Check out more design walls at Patchwork Times.

While on the subject of QOV,  I'd like to show more blocks that have come in for the block drive. I'm accepting blocks until the end of December, so you still have plenty of time to make a few.  Later this week I'll post pictures and show some of the prizes that have been donated for the block drive. They include Glide threads, patterns, kits, $50 gift certificate and more.

From Jeanne C. - MO

From STL Modern Quilt Guild - MO

Check out the fun fabrics in the modern blocks -  newsprint in the neutrals and great textured fabrics.  Can't you just see a veteran trying to read these on his quilt while it's wrapped around him watching TV on a cold afternoon?  I imagine most veterans have not been to a fabric store, so have no idea of the types of fabrics available to us quilters these days. 

Linda A. - MO

Thank you all for participating in the QOV-Eastern Missouri Block Drive.  These are great scrap busting blocks and so easy to do. We hope to make a bunch of quilts from these blocks to thank our veterans and let them know we appreciate all they have done for us.  

You can read the original post HERE and thanks to Jan of The Colorful Fabricholic and Alycia of Alycia Quilts, for asking me participate in the block drive.  A step by step tutorial is HERE.   You can send blocks to me at the address below.  

Thank you.

QOV-Eastern MO BLOCK DRIVE 
2627 Bates Rd.
O'Fallon, MO 63368.