Tales From The Scrap Yard: Some Really Cool Bear Paws

Bear Paws Quilt Top

in cool colors

42  x 56

Made of 14 inch (finished) Bear Paw blocks.

Back on March 24 I received several bags of scraps and I decided to document  with "Tales From The Scrap Yard" how many donation quilts I could make from those scraps. I've been trying to make the quilts all different.  I sorted the scraps into different bins and boxes and this is the first and probably only quilt I'll be able to make from the cool scraps although there are some cool scraps left that will be made into a few other blocks to be shared in quilts in a rainbow of different colors.  The neutral backgrounds came from my scraps. 

This is quilt top #8 made from those March 24 scraps. When finished it will probably be donated to

 Quilts Beyond Borders.   

Last year 3372 quilts were donated through Quilts Beyond Borders to a variety of initiatives that serve needy people and children. A summary of those initiatives and the number of quilts received may be found on the Quilts Beyond Borders April 30, 2021 blog post. 

Finished or Not Finished Friday at Alycia Quilts

Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More

 

Four Finishes

 Three string quilts.

All are 40 x 60

These will be donated to Wrap-A-Smile, a partner of Rotaplast, and Quilts Beyond Borders.  Rotaplast International, Inc. is committed to helping children and families worldwide by eliminating the burden of cleft lip and/or palate, burn scarring, and other deformities.  Quilts Beyond Borders is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which reaches out to under-served children, mainly orphans, across the world to provide a handmade quilt and spread love and hope. 

The Sunshine Online Quilt Guild supports both of these projects if you care to join us and learn more about the various ways you can support these projects as well as others. 

 The first one is made of pink and brown strings. I used a paper foundation and made 10 inch finished blocks. 

 I used a pink center string, then added brown strings to each side, then added pink strings to each side and then finished off the block with brown strings.  I made this set of blocks back in December. They are nice mindless sewing for hectic times - no decisions about fabric, no pieces to cut. 

 Most of these strings came from quilt back trimmings.  I trimmed the blocks and removed the papers and assembled the top in January. 

 I quilted it on my DSM with three petaled flowers. I used a big polka dot for the backing. The pink binding strips came in a box of quilty goodness from a friend. 

 Quilt #2 is also a string quilt.  I think I started making these 10 inch finished blocks way back in 2017 as a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project. 

 I worked on these off and on since 2017. I didn't always have enough string scraps for an entire block in the color of the month so would just sew together what I did have and then wait until the following year to complete the rest of the block if I could. 

 I used a consistent 2 inch black polka dot print in each block. 

I quilted it on my DSM with swirls. I used the same fabric for backing and binding. 

 The third quilt is another string quilt made the same way and at the same time as the pink and brown one. 

 In this one I used black strings in the center and brights on each side. 

 This one was also quilted on my DSM with swirls. 

 It got a bright backing and a bright scrappy binding. 

Quilt #4 is an I Spy quilt that measures 40 x 60. This one is for my nephew and wife who are expecting a baby this month.  

 The quilt consists of little Happy Blocks with 2.5 inch centers and 1.5 inch sides. The blocks finish at four inches. 

 The quilt consists of 150 little blocks for lots of I Spy fun.  I have made these blocks off and on over the years when I felt like it and I've been throwing them into the 4.5 inch Parts Department bin. 

Back in December I blogged about that bin and how I hoped to empty it in 2020 by making quilts. When I sorted the parts in the bin I was really surprised there were more than enough little Happy Blocks to make a quilt.  This is quilt #2 from the bin and the first to be finished.  

 Again, it was quilted on my DSM. This time I just quilted it with vertical and horizontal lines evenly spaced on both sides of the seam lines. 

I spy some ABCs in the backing and binding.  This binding was sewn down by hand since it is a gift. I prefer to sew down binding by hand; however, the places I donate the quilts requests that the binding by sewn down by machine.  Getting this to the finish line was my OMG (One Monthly Goal).

One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts

Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More

Finished or Not Finished Friday at Alycia Quilts

A Fat Quarter Challenge

A quilt for Quilts Beyond Borders Fat Quarter Challenge.

Happy Blocks

40 x 60 

I found a fat quarter with some wild dogs in it to use for the challenge. 

 I made 10 inch (finished) Happy Blocks and along with the wild dogs I used some other dog related fabrics for the centers. 

 I thought I had enough of the green polka dot and the orange/yellow stripe to use for the block borders but didn't so made do with some other stripes and polka dots from stash for the rest of the block borders. 

I quilted it on my DSM with spirals. 

Quilts Beyond Borders Fat Quarter Challenge. 

This was my goal #14
for
Q4 Finish-Along

Left Holding the Bag

 Left Holding the Bag

58 x 58

This is quilt #3 of 3 I recently finished for the Quilts Beyond Borders latest initiative to deliver quilts to teens and elders of the Navajo Nation in time for the cold winter weather. 

This is another real oldie that's been around as a top since 2011. It started as one of those gallon bag challenges where you exchange a bag of scraps with a partner and have a few months to add in some of your own scraps and make a lap sized quilt top. This was an online challenge with a block exchange group and I was assigned a partner that was new to the group.   She sent me a bag with mostly that blue and orange plaid, some small pieces of some stiff old lady florals and a piece of blue John Deere fabric.  My first thought was ewwww...this is definitely a challenge. 

 I had a bunch of 2.5 inch square scraps so picked through them for mostly blues and reds (because I didn't have many oranges ) to coordinate with that ewwwww plaid fabric. That plaid fabric also had a thin yellow line through it so I also added in a few yellow squares.   I also tried to add in a little love.   And then when it came time to send quilt tops back to the original bag lady I found she had left the group and disappeared and did not answer any emails.  So I was left holding (the quilt top that came out of ) the bag.  And so it goes...

I decided it was time to finish it and move it out where it can give someone a little lovin' and warmth.   

I quilted horizontal and vertical lines in serpentine stitch around the squares. The backing was a gently used and very soft sheet, And the binding was a blue that pretty closely matched the blue in that ewwwww plaid. 

This was goal #15

for

Q4 Finish-Along

A Bo(w)dacious Finish

 It's a finish!

54 x 63

Quilts Beyond Borders (QBB) has received a request from the Forgotten People of the Navajo Nation for 500 - 700 quilts for teenagers and elderly.  I normally make QBB quilts 40 x 60 but they mentioned they would take some a little larger for this initiative. This is #1 of 3 quilts in odd sizes I have recently finished for this initiative. 

Note If you are interested in joining an online group of charity quilters that supports Quilts Beyond Borders as well as other charities then Sunshine Online Quilt Guild is the place for you. 

 These are nine inch Double Bow Tie blocks I swapped long long ago - old florals on cream. 

 Back when postage was a lot cheaper I participated in a lot of online swaps. That way I could buy one fabric and make several blocks and get a variety of blocks in other fabrics in return. Plus it was fun to receive an envelope of blocks in the mail.  Well, back then I didn't really have the time or the money for backing and batting to finish quilts so...I have lots of baggies of swapped blocks I've been trying to get made into quilts since I retired a couple of years ago. 

I only had to make four more blocks for this quilt. 

 And speaking of backings...a quilty friend sent me this Double Wedding Ring cheater fabric and I thought it would be a perfect backing for those Double Bow Ties - double the fun, huh? 

I pieced the batting for this one. I use wide zig zag to piece battings. 

I quilted some leaves on the diagonal in the cream spaces and I quilted a daisy chain on the diagonal some three petaled flowers in the bow ties. And that binding is a piece of leftover fabric from some kitchen curtains I made back in the early 80s.  I had almost enough to go around but had to add in some cream fabric. 

And that's a bo(w)dacious finish! 

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more Fun than Housework

This was my goal #16

for

Q4 Finish-Along

And finally...I've had several comments lately from "no-reply" bloggers. I'd like to send you a thank you for your kind comments; however, I have no way to do so since I don't have your email.  So if you don't receive an email reply from me then please know I am thankful for the time you took to leave a comment.  If you would like a reply then please leave your email addy in the comment or search for how to change your settings so you are no longer a "no-reply" blogger.  

And Another Finish!

 Butterfly Happy Blocks

A donation quilt

40 x 60

 Happy Blocks with 6.5 inch centers and 2.5 inch sides.   Some of these centers were from swaps and some of the blocks were swapped years ago. 

 I have accumulated a variety of  centers and Happy Blocks in different themes, sizes, colors over the years.  Every once in awhile I dig around in that Happy Place for completed blocks and centers that fit some kind of theme and then make enough additional blocks for desired size of  quilt.  Last year I made two sport themed tops and this butterfly top. This is the last of those three Happy Block quilts to get finished.  Must be time to dig around in there and make a few more tops. I will probably have to replenish my tone on tones and solids first. 

Sunshine Online Quilt Guild (SOQG) has been holding a retreat June 12 - 15 in Mendota, MN.  I'm sewing along at home.  We make quilts for kids around the world. We donate to two programs: Wrap a Smile and Quilts Beyond Borders. Quilts go to kids, teens, and adults undergoing cleft palate surgery and to under-served children, often in orphanages, worldwide.

The backing was pieced with some old floral calico and some backing trimmings from other quilts.  And once again I quilted it on my DSM with flowers and leaves. 

This was goal #18

for

Q2 Finish-Along

A Fat Quarter Challenge Flimsy

Fat Quarter Challenge Flimsy

for Quilts Beyond Borders Challenge 

sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop. 

40 x 58

This was the fat quarter I used. 

 I had to get a little creative to have enough for 12 Sawtooth Stars with 6.5 inch centers. 

I also used almost all of a small piece of gray and a small piece of purple with flowers.  I made flying geese for the star points and the HST pieces in top and bottom borders were cut from the ends of strip used for the Flying Geese. 

A lot of people can't believe I don't precut pieces for a lot of my scrappy quilts.  Here's what scraps I have from this project.  For the 1.5 inch scrap bin there's a couple of small FQ pieces and a purple polka dot piece that I used to border some of the FQs.  For the 2 inch scrap bin there is the very end of the piece of the gray solid I used for the background.  For the 2.5 inch scrap bin there's purple flower pieces left over from the top and bottom border and nine patch used as one of the star centers.  There's lots of bits and pieces of different grays and lime green for the 3.5 inch scrap bin as well as the very last piece of that purple flower fabric.   And there's a couple of strings for the string box and some triangle pieces that would normally go into the crumb box; however,  I've been trying to make crumb stars with the crumbs after each project instead of throwing them into the crumb box. 

I am usually working on a  Rainbow Scrap Challenge project that uses scraps from those scrap bins when I see them getting full. 

I've Got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

 Two Donation Quilt Tops

The first was inspired by Star Bright at Swim, Bike, Quilt.   but I changed it up a bit and used 6.5 squares so I could use what I have on hand and end up with a quilt 42 x 60. I also wanted to see how I liked a purple, gray, yellow color scheme. (I like it). 

 The second quilt came about because I was making blocks for Sunshine Online Quilt Guild's October Block Lotto. The theme is normally "Bright" in October; however, this year we are celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Tammy's reign as Block Lotto organizer so the theme is Sunshine. Many, many, many Block Lotto quilts have been donated to either of two projects Sunshine sponsors - Wrap-A-Smile  who partners with Rotaplast or Quilts Beyond Borders. 

Anyway,  I made some Sunshine themed blocks for the October Sunshine Block Lotto  plus I made some for myself to put into a quilt.  This one measures 40 x 60. 

And these are the blocks I'll be sending to Tammy for the October drawing. 

If you would like to join us at Sunshine (a MeWe group)  we would love to have you.  I don't really "talk" much but some ladies are pretty chatty. It's a fun group with some teasing whether you are chatty or shy like me.  We all have a common cause. 

We make quilts for Quilts Beyond Borders, a charity providing quilts to children (sometimes adults too) in under served areas of the world. I've seen quilts I've made and sent to Quilts Beyond Borders with children in orphanages in Ethiopia and Uganda and they have been sent to be distributed to Syrian refugees. 

We also make quilts for Wrap-a-Smile, a partner of Rotaplast .  They are "committed to helping children and families worldwide by eliminating the burden of cleft lip and/or palate, burn scarring, and other deformities. "  

Here's an excerpt from a letter about our quilts from a nurse who worked on several Rotaplast missions: 

"These hospitals we work in have NO linens at all, let alone on the OR tables or recovery rooms or wards. We use these quilts first to wrap each child in as they wait for surgery. It truly comforts them, no matter what age. Then, as they are moved to the OR, we use the quilt to cover them and keep them warm in surgery. This is actually critical to anesthesia and post-op healing. Warmth is critical!

At home we use electric warmers called Bear Huggers. On missions we use your quilts. But – we are very careful to protect the quilts from blood splashes during the IV start and surgery.

Then, as the patients are moved to recovery room, the quilts are a crucial part of the caring, medical equipment, and patient comfort. Again, if patients are not warmed, they do NOT do as well post-op. We cover them in PACU (recovery) again, being careful not to let blood or body fluids touch the beautiful quilts..."

So...I probably won't get these finished up until next year. I'm asking Santa for a roll of batting.  Meanwhile I'll keep on making tops from scraps as they happen.  I have about 8  donation quilt tops in the pile now. 

About Sunshine Online Quilt Guild Block Lotto

 Four 12 inch blocks that will go toward Sunshine Online Quilt Guild's Block Lotto. 

I've decided this year I will use my 4.5 inch scraps to make blocks for this lotto every month. 

If you'd like to make a few blocks it's a great way to try new 12 inch blocks of your choice or to practice those perfect points on HSTs or a great way to use scraps...even crumbs!

Sunshine Online Quilt Guild is a Yahoo Group.  

I'm an extreme introvert so this is my type of guild! I don't have to say anything on list if I don't want to and can avoid those awkward social interactions I often dread that leave my stomach churning for days plus I can work with a group of talented ladies to make donation quilts from the comfort of my hermitage. 

Info on SOQG in case you would like to join: 

This list is for Sunshine Online Quilt Guild. We make quilts for kids around the world. We donate to two programs: Wrap a Smile and Quilts Beyond Borders. Quilts go to kids, teens, and adults undergoing cleft palate surgery and to under-served children, often in orphanages, worldwide.

Please join us if you enjoy making quilts for children in need.

An accounting of where the 2100+  quilts donated to Quilts Beyond Borders last year can be found on a recent blog post. 

Wrap-A-Smile partners with Rotaplast, an organization whose mission is to provide cleft palate and cleft lip surgeries for children world wide.  It's  always fun to spot a quilt with a child with one of the quilts you have made or helped to make.  Their blog lists missions past and present  and future with photos. 

Ok. Now back to the Block Lotto...

According to Tammy, the Block Lotto Coordinator, who makes gorgeous lotto quilts: 

January's theme is blue and yellow. Any shade is fine, just remember to add some
blue and yellow to your blocks.
This is a monthly block lotto. To participate, send in blocks in sets of two.
The minimum to participate is one pair of blocks but you are welcome to send as
many blocks as you like. I will keep one of each set to make quilts for Sunshine, 
the other will go into a pot for a winner to use as they please.

PLEASE NOTE: If you don't want your name in the lotto pot, but you don't mind
some of your blocks going to the winner, that's fine. Or if you want your blocks
to just go to Sunshine, that's great too. Just send me a note either in email or
in your envelope with your blocks to let me know. If there's no note, I'll go
ahead and include you in the drawing.

For every pair of blocks, your name goes into the drawing one time. The more
blocks you send, the greater your chances of winning! If you send an odd number
of blocks, I will keep the extra block for Sunshine.

Blocks need to be 12" finished (12 1/2" as sewn). Fabrics can be solid, tone on
tone or prints, etc. but must be 100% cotton. Prewashing is fine but not required.

You can use any pattern and any technique (traditional piecing, applique, paper
piecing, crumb blocks, etc). It's great if your pair of blocks match, but it's
not required.

Try to get your blocks to me by the last day of the month. I will post to the
list the blocks that I have received and post photos of the blocks. If I haven't 
posted a photo of your blocks, let me know.  I will draw the name of the winner
on or around the 1st of the month.


Block lotto monthly themes:

January - Blue and yellow
February - Reds
March - Greens
April - Boyish 
May - Nine patches
June - Novelties
July - Pink and green
August - Boyish 
September - Four patches
October - Brights
November - Fall colors
December - Potluck

Got scraps?

Join us!