Hands To Help Quilt Challenge Completed

 I participated in the 2022 Hands to Help Quilt Challenge. These are the three quilts I made and sent. It's the first year where I branched out and gave quilts to two projects which were not officially part of the project.

The one went to Tree of Life Agency at Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.

This one went to Jeremiah Project which sent it on to Ukraine.

This one went to one of the official projects: Quilty Hugs.

See other H2H quilts at the final linky party here.

H2H: This Year's Quilts

 Every year Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict organizes a charity quilt give-away. She encourages quilters to think of the world community or the local community and give quilts to those in need. She picks various programs we can choose to support, or even encourages us to donate to a program of our own choosing. I have participated every year since I found out about it (ten+ years?) and always enjoy it a lot.

This is what I created in 2021. This one went to Victoria's Quilts in Canada. She wants them to be 50" x 70" and tops only. That helps with the extra expense of postage to Canada. Victoria and her crew finish the quilts and then give them to people who have cancer. This was made from a huge pile of floral fabrics I received free from a friend. Florals don't seem particularly great for kid quilts, so I thought they might be suitable for some adults who are undergoing cancer treatments. Not a big fan of florals myself, I was still pretty happy with how this one turned out. It's even pretty!

The next one is photographed twice. It is also made from the floral fabrics, and went to Quilty Hugs which gives the quilts to people in the U.S. who have cancer. Again, it seemed appropriate for an adult. I assume that's who it will be given to. My cousin, Beth, quilted this for me on her long-arm.

At the last minute I also decided to participate in the Hometown Heroes quilt gifting. Because it was a last-minute decision, it has not yet been quilted and not yet been given away. But this is the top which I made from a kit and will be finished soon, I hope. Pattern is Magic Carpet by Vanilla Latte Quilts. (This quilt is high-lighted in my previous post from May 26.)

To see other gorgeous quilts given out by generous quilters, click here and be inspired.

H2H: Front Line Workers

 I have a quilt I am going to give to the pastor at my church, but it has not yet been quilted. You get to see the uncompleted top. (And I hope she doesn't read this; I think I'm safe there. She won't see my secret plan.)

Hands2Help has encouraged us to give away a quilt to a front line worker, aka Hometown Heroes. They have all worked so hard and been so dedicated; they need some thanks for all they have done. My pastor has worked very hard and has met with some backlash. Surprisingly, some people complained to her about the fact that we were not having in-person worship during the pandemic! The staff all worked together to provide meaningful on-line worship. I know it was difficult for them to make the transition, but they made it great for the rest of us. Her job was made even harder by the fact that one of her staff members was on maternity leave, so the work load on her and the remaining staff had increased.

I found out that she gets criticized just for any old thing: the sermon topic, the hymns that were chosen, you name it. I didn't know people could be so.... petty. I know she has worked very hard and has put her heart and soul into doing the right thing. 

Anyway, I appreciate her hard work, her dedication, and her unflagging optimistic attitude, so she will be getting this quilt some time in the next couple of months. Pattern is "Magic Carpet" by I-can't-remember-who. This was a kit.

Click here to see other quilts gifted to front line workers.

My H2H Challenge Quilts

This year I made two quilts for the Hands2Help Challenge. This first one went to Quilts of Compassion:

Another option was their idea to send a quilt to a local caregiver. I decided to give one to my friend who works in the mental health field. I'm sure it is quite a challenging job, and I'm betting that her patience and quiet approach are helpful to her clients and to herself. Still, no matter how well suited she is to the task, I'm sure it sometimes gets to be difficult. So I sent this one in the mail, and I will post her response below the pictures.

From my friend:
"Thank you so much for the wonderful gift that arrived today! You will never know how much that means to me. After a challenging week at work, this made my day. The quilt is so perfect in every way. I love that the animal print came from Panama."

The give-one-locally idea was fun as I got to experience her reaction. I'm very pleased that it was a hit.

My H2H Quilts

I finished four quilts for the Hands2Help Comfort Quilts Challenge and got them mailed before the deadline. Yippee! I had one I had hoped to finish but didn't. Never fear, it will get finished one of these days and maybe saved for H2H next year.

This one went to Quilty Hugs for Happy Chemo.

This went to the Carolina Hurricane Project.

The last two went to Jack's Basket.

Click here to see other beautiful quilts being donated through the H2H Challenge. Read the whole blog post and at the bottom, see the links to lots more. I love this annual outpouring of warm cuddles.

H2H Check-in

I posted these two quilts separately, not long ago, but I am posting them again, this time together. It'll be easier for the H2H Challenge quilters to come see my progress so far. These two were already sent to Jack's Basket.

This one is in progress.. I hope to do something to it to make it useable. I made this top a couple years ago, from the gift I received from H2H, so it feels good to turn it around and gift it back to H2H. I just hope I get it done in time, whatever it is I end up doing with it. Pattern is Gemini, I think from Villa Rosa.

Check the progress of other quilters here.

Still Cleaning with Bouts of Sewing

I'm still working on cleaning my sewing room, but with lots less enthusiasm. Once I got it back to semi-useable, and I had found previous unfinished projects, I got enthused to work on them and started sewing again. I finished these two quilt tops.

This one I purchased. Someone made it and then didn't want it. Isn't it cute? All I had to do was finish it. I donated it to my church for the baptism blankets they offer to parents.

This little one was so easy to finish. It is going to Jack's Basket which is for babies who have Down's Syndrome (giving through the Hands 2 Help Challenge). This one went so quickly that I am going to make a second little one and send two to Jack's Basket.

Meanwhile I continue plugging away at cleaning up my sewing room. There is still more "stuff" to sort through. Maybe I'll find more treasures to inspire me to sew. (When it rains it pours. Either I'm in a sewing slump and can't do a thing, or I'm so eager to sew and there are SO many possibilities that I have to give it all my waking hours. Anyone else have this problem?)

H2H Challenge Quilts 2018

The Hands to Help challenge has come to an end, and I can't believe it. Time went so fast, I didn't even get myself organized enough to make more than just one for this year, and the one I made was just accidentally made at the right size. I didn't manage to really plan-fully make ANY for this year's challenge. Bummer. But... I am turning in two quilts. How, you make ask?

Well, I did finish the one top just as the challenge was announced, and it was the perfect size. And I got to mail it without quilting it. Yay! Even then it took me at least a month to get organized enough to mail it off. This one went to Victoria's Quilts in Canada, for someone who has cancer.

Then I was wishing I could quickly churn out another one at the very end of the challenge, but that's impossible.. so I am donating this one which a friend made. She made it and gave it to me to donate where I wish. I plan to send this one to Little Lambs for a foster child. (Thanks, Karen.) I will get it in Monday's mail!

Man, working at this rate, I better start organizing myself for next year. Starting now may mean I will get something done just barely in time for the end of next year's challenge! Anyway, it's fun. I always enjoy participating in the H2H challenge and plan to again next year. Will you join us? There are even prizes!

To see other beautiful quilts donated to H2H this year, click here.

Hands 2 Help Challenge is Back!

It's time once again for the Hands 2 Help challenge. Sign-ups begin on March 11. Click on the H2H button in my sidebar, and it will take you to the explanation of the charity challenge. There are three different charities you can send quilts to. You can choose one, two or all three of them to donate quilts! It's always so much fun to learn about the different charities and to see all the gorgeous quilts that people send in. Quilters are so generous! I love that about us.

One of the charities is taking tops (not finished quilts) and the size must be 50" x 70". Guess what. Just today I finished a top that is exactly that size. So I am already 1/3 of the way completed with this year's challenge. How serendipitous! This is the top I just finished:

Can you help donate a quilt(s) this year? Just follow the link and start sewing!

Two Quilts for Hands2Help

This year I sent two quilts to Hands2Help charities. The first one, green, went to Happy Chemo. I made and quilted this myself, except for two of the bird blocks which were made by friends, B and K. We did a bird block exchange, which was quite fun. I quilted this one in sections, using a Quilt As You Go method, and I rather liked it and plan to do it again.

The yellow quilt went to the Stash Builder Box project, to Camp Hobe or whichever initiative is current when my quilt arrived. This was made by me and quilted by Nanette S.

I wish I could have sent more. Unfortunately, sewing and quilting are not 24-hour/day activities. (Actually, I guess that is fortunate.)

Looking forward to seeing all the quilts on the Linky page! See them here.

Hands2Help Challenge Completed!

I contributed four quilts for this year's challenge. Let's take a look:

These first two went to the program in Canada for women and kids. (Will go, I should say. They have been boxed up and ready to ship for a while, and I just keep putting off going to the post office.) The first one was a guild project - blocks made by several people and put together by Sally, then was quilted at Missouri Star Quilt company. The second one was also put together by my local guild. I assembled it, and a guild member, Nancy B., quilted it for us.

This one is going to Emily for cancer patients. I actually bought this top on ebay. I had it quilted at Missouri Star Quilt Company. All I did was bind it! I thought it was so pretty and considered keeping it, but I decided someone battling cancer needs it more desperately than I do.

And this one, the only one I have actually put in the mail so far, went to the Texas program for bereaved families. I made it from blocks I purchased at my guild's "store" which we host during our show, and then displayed it as part of our challenge to "make something from items you purchased from our store." It was quilted by local quilter-extraordinaire, Diane S.

Check the link here to see more beautiful quilts donated by people with big hearts! If you have never made a charity quilt, I challenge you to make at least one in your lifetime. It's fun!

Hands2Help

I've been wondering when the Hands2Help Challenge would show up... little did I know, it started a while ago, and I'm a little late to the game! This year they have three nice programs that participants can choose to support with the gift of a quilt. I usually try to do one for all three programs. We'll see what I can manage this year.

Want to join us? Click on the Hands2Help badge I have in my sidebar. It'll take you to the right place to get all the info you need.

It's always fun to see the beautiful quilts that people donate. Time to start sewing something beautiful and warm! Join the fun, if you can.

This is a quilt that I donated a couple of years ago. I named it "Minnesota Nice."


P.S. I hope you had a Happy Easter.

My Hands2Help Challenge Quilts

I'm finally getting back to my real life after Australia, New Zealand, and then a 4-day conference in another town here in Minnesota. Whew!

It's time to post pictures of the quilts I'm sending to Hands2Help for their annual challenge. Thank goodness I was busy sewing before May, because I haven't had any time to sew since late April. And these quilts are the result of many hands, not just mine. I couldn't have done these without help from my local guild. Thanks to all of them!!

This one is going to Layers of Hope: Quilting 911 which gives quilts to 911 Dispatchers who experience vicarious trauma during tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina, natural disasters, and traumatic emergencies.

The next charity, Happy Chemo, is getting two quilts. These go to people undergoing cancer treatments.

The last one is going to a charity in Canada, Because You Matter. Quilts are given to any person who is having a hard time. Most of them go to children in foster care. Of all these quilts, this is the one that I worked on the most, and I love the colors; I also have a tender heart toward kids in foster care, so I'm glad this one is going to that cause.

I hope ALL these quilts will provide some comforting cuddles to whoever receives them. Thanks, Sarah, for organizing this fun annual quilt drive.

P.S. Almost forgot... go HERE to see all the gorgeous quilts others are donating to the H2H Challenge.

Hands2Help Challenge. Join Us?

Today is the beginning of sign-up days for the Hands2Help Challenge. You can sign up any time you want, but if you join by March 21 (or is it 22?) you are eligible for a nice "sign-up" prize.

H2H has run every spring for three years now. This is the fourth. This year they have chosen three charities. You can send a quilt to one of them, two, or all three. It has been fun to participate and learn about different comfort quilt programs around the world. It is inspirational to see so many people involved and to see all the gorgeous quilts they make.

Follow the button in my sidebar. When you get to the website, go up to the top left and click on "Home" to find the post at which you should sign up.

Join us? It's fun!

The Hands2Help Challenge is a-Comin'

I was just thinking that I might want to start planning for the Hands2Help challenge, when I saw that the announcement is up! Wow, time flies! Even though I was thinking about it, I thought there was still plenty of time! And actually, there IS plenty of time.

Sign-ups to participate in this year's Hands2Help Challenge will begin on March 15. If you forget, just keep visiting my blog and check out the Hands2Help button in the sidebar. (Or grab the button to post on your own blog!) It takes you to the information page. There are three great charities we can support this year.. any one or two or all three of them, as you choose! And there are great prizes.

Last year I donated two quilts. Here they are:


Also last year I won a pack of batik charms. I pulled out the stack and sewed them together in the order they were. I didn't even look at them first. I wanted to see how they would be just as presented. Here is the quilt I made from them:

It's always so much fun seeing the beautiful quilts that people donate to the charity(ies) of their choice. Won't you join us this year??

Hands2Help Challenge Quilts

The 2014 challenge has come to an end, and I am ready to show you my completed quilts! This first one was sent to (and already received by) Quilts of Compassion and will go to a survivor of a devastating tornado.

The second one is completed just in time. This quilt is going to Happy Chemo, to a cancer patient. A friend offered to machine quilt it for me, for free! She herself is a cancer survivor and said this would be her gift to another person struggling through cancer. I love how this one turned out. It was an unknown when I started. The block is one I made up and named "Minnesota Nice." I had never made a whole quilt out of it, so it was fun to see how the pattern played with itself. It'll soon be on its way to Happy Chemo.

And that's the end of the 2014 Hands2Help Challenge. I look forward to it again in the spring of 2015. Go here to see other blog posts with pictures of their lovely, completed challenge quilts.

I Love Quilts!

Newsflash: I love quilts! Surprised?

These first two are my Hands2Help Challenge donations this year. I have decided that this first one, which is completed, will go to Quilts of Compassion. It is 39" x 54".

This next quilt, which is not yet completed, will go to Happy Chemo. It is about 56" x 80". This quilt is made from a block I made up. I call it Minnesota Nice. I don't know if it really is a new block design; it's very similar to existing blocks, and is made of traditional block pieces, but I like to pretend it's my own invention. I got borders on it today, and a friend has volunteered to machine quilt it for me. (She herself is a cancer survivor so felt moved to do this as a donation to Happy Chemo.) It won't be done until close to the deadline, June 1st. (I'll definitely post it again when it is done.)

Here are more quilts!

It looks fancy, but it's a pre-printed panel. I just added the checkerboard top and bottom borders.

This is a doll quilt made in the Quilt As You Go method, which I did not enjoy enough to repeat.

...a doll blankie that I knit, and another doll quilt, front and back.

... not a quilt, but it was a fun idea I learned from another Carol. It's "get well soon prayer flags." I sent this to a former co-worker who is in the hospital with two brain aneurysms! I sent it in that home-made envelope.

This is a quilt I made for my newest great-niece, now 2.5 months old. I'm hoping to get a picture of her with this quilt.

I made a pie from scratch, using my new book, Ms. American Pie by Beth Howard. This pie is delish!

Go here and scroll down past the tutorial to see more quilts (in progress and/or finished) being made for the H2H Challenge.