Catching Up and Expanding My Horizons

While I have been busy over on Instagram, I'm afraid I haven't paid much attention to my blog. My bad.  But I wanted to share with you a little quilt I have donated to Jack's Baskets, a charity associated with Hands2Help spearheaded by Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. Thank you, Sarah!

Baby quilts that are donated to Jack's Basket go to parents of newborns with Down's Syndrome. I really liked the idea of spreading a little love and caring during a time of surprise and uncertainty. Hopefully this little quilt will accomplish that for a family!

It was a long winter in our mountains, but thankfully we were able to spend some time in sunny Arizona. SO MUCH FUN! It snowed only twice in Tucson, and melted by the end of the day. What's not to like about that! My husband and I golfed, hiked, explored, walked and swam to our hearts' content.

Bobcat cruising through our backyard!

With all that, I even had time to complete a few sewing projects. I just couldn't leave my sewing machine at home, lol!

In fact, I made one large quilt, a lap quilt, two baby quilts and four pin cushions. And, I must admit I frequented the local quilt shops and came home with a couple of new patterns and some new fabric. My souvenirs!

I started a quilt with this 22" block of a feathered star. However, I didn't like the way it was coming together, so it is taking a Time Out until I decide to tackle it again.

 

I still haven't got a good photo of the large quilt I finished piecing, but I shall try to do that soon and let you see. It was a fun one to make!

This is what our home looked like when we came back four weeks ago. Made us want to head right back to Arizona!

Thankfully, all that snow has melted and the daffodils have decided to brighten the gardens. We had a terrific thunder/lightning/hail/rain storm last night. So it's official - spring has sprung!

Quilting with a smile,
Barb

Hands2Help 2018 Quilt On Its Way!

It sure feels good to give, doesn't it? Even when you don't get a direct thank you, but you know in your heart that your generosity will be appreciated.

Big smiles on my face as I got my Hands2Help 2018 quilt sent off in the mail yesterday.

A Cute Baby Girl Quilt for Hands2Help 2018

This was a simple patchwork quilt with fun pinks and oranges and browns. And a truck! And some farm animals scattered about. Different. And perfect for some little one!

My quilt went to Little Lambs Foundation for Kids out of Logan, Utah. Hoping it will find a good home through their efforts.

Thank you, Sarah, for once again spearheading this great cause. It will be fun to see how many quilts find new homes this year!

Quilting with a smile,
Barb

Linking up with:
Oh, Scrap!

Hands2Help Quilt On Its Way!

Today is a special day!  I get to box up this quilt and send it off to a good home!  I'm participating in the Hands2Help Challenge, organized by the terrific Sarah Craig, Confessions of a Fabric Addict. She has enlisted the help of a record-setting number of quilters to whip up some gorgeous quilts to brighten the lives of others. What an angel!

This is a quilt that I made from my stash. I almost like the back better than the front, lol!

 I'm sending it off to the International Institute St. Louis to aid their work with refugees. With all the negative press this year about accepting refugees to our country, I'm hopeful this small gesture will instill hope to a family that we care.

At any rate, this is a great project, and has compelled me to start thinking about how I can help more locally. Guess it's time to put my thinking cap on. Thanks, Sarah!

Quilting with a smile,
Barb

Hands2Help Charity Quilt to Gift

This spring I decided to participate in the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge 2014. There were three great charities which we could donate a quilt, and since cancer has been such a dreadful part of my family history, I decided I'd make a child's quilt for the Happy Chemo group.

This was one of the first quilts I made. Pretty simple.  But it has that really soft Minky backing that makes it perfect for snuggling. Or for a child to cuddle into and feel warm. And cozy. I want to say feel safe, but I dare not go that far for a child with cancer. After all, quilts can only provide little bits of comfort.

It will be a good quilt for the right family.

The colors have always reminded me of a Western theme. Maybe it's those curliques in the red that remind me of lassos?

I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else has come up with for their donations. 

Definitely quilting with a smile!
Barb

Give A Little To Make A Heart Shine

If anyone wonders why there are so many Quilty bloggers, so many Quilty readers, and so much Quilty chatter across all the social media channels, the answer is simple. It's because quilters are good people!

They give of their time, their talents, and now we have another opportunity to give of our creations. The Hands2Help Charity Challenge, sponsored by Sarah who blogs over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, has begun. With three great charities to choose from, you can create a quilt and know it will be going to a worthy cause.

This year the quilts will go toward Quilts of Compassion, Survivors of Hurricane Sandy, or Happy Chemo.

I have never been on the receiving end, but I have seen some people that have been and their gratitude brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart.  So, even though I have no idea who my quilt will go to, I am awfully glad to be participating in a small way. Kinda like a Pay It Forward for all the blessings life has given me.

Would you like to participate? Signups are this week, and Sarah even has sponsors to entice us to join the cause. Check out her blog post to see what you might win in her giveaway, just for committing to making someones heart shine!

What better thing to do while we're waiting for spring to boot winter out of the picture?

Quilting with a smile,
Barb