Happy

Here's a quilt I made using orphan blocks from blogland friends.

This one is going to raise $$$ for

a local schools music program.

 

I call this a HAPPY quilt!

Two Scrap Give-Aways

I gave away two similarly styled quilts.. both made by sewing scraps together. I love this method. The green one was sent to Margaret's Hope Chest The blue one was given to my great-nephew. That's him on the sofa, and his mom and grandma are looking at the quilt.

Stepping Stones in Tokyo

 

Last week a small group of us visited two orphanages here in Tokyo - to deliver the Stepping Stones quilts from Mormon Helping Hands, and gift certificates and futons from the Franciscans.

Orphanages are more like group foster homes here, with the teens transitioning into more independent settings (college dorms, group homes, apartments, military service) once they turn 18 and graduate from high school.

As Julie presented the quilts to the graduates (or to their caregivers) she explained that when we made these quilts, we put our love into each stitch.  We hope that this warmth and love will be felt as the quilts are used.

Sekiguchi-san gave each student a beautiful card as well, explaining how the little squares represent the "stepping stones" they will take as they gain independence, and reminding them of God's love.

Here's this year's lineup of quilts - each the same size and from the same pattern (fairness and uniformity are highly valued in Japan), but personalized according to each teen's favorite color.

By Cindy G, Utah, who started the Stepping Stones project last spring!

by Julie W, Tokyo, who took over for Cindy

by Laura H, Tokyo, who also long-arm quilted some of the quilts.

by Vanalee C and Susan L, Utah

by yours truly, Cynthia, Tokyo

By Sandy T, Utah

By Anny W, Oregon

This was such a fun and gratifying project.  I hope this is the first of many years for Stepping Stones!

I first blogged about this project here.  The pattern is Sticks and Stones from Bonnie Hunter and can be found here.

And just for fun - here are the mealtime rules posted near a table where 3-4 year old boys were eating lunch, during our tour of one of the orphanages.  No translation necessary!

Boot and Booties #2

Using Mollie's pattern I made this small quilt.  This quilt is going to TX to the

Visit Kaholly's blog to learn more.

This quilt has a flannel backing and the dogs on the front are also flannel. When I gift a quilt with flannel I do not wash it as sometimes washing will make the quilt look like it has been used.

Boots and Booties Baby Shower Quilt

Jump over to Kaholly's blog to learn all about the quilts that are needed for babies whose daddies are serving our country overseas.

I make this quilt after seeing the one on Michelle's blog. I made my 9 patches from 2.5 inch squares and the big polka dot squares are 6.5 inch unfinished. The border is made from left over backing fabric. This quilt finished at about 49 inches square.

Forest Bricks

I used Mollie's Forest Bricks pattern to create this mini version.

My bricks are 4.5 x 2.5 and the frames are 4.5 x 1.5. This quilt finishes at 50 x 62 and is off to Ronald's House.

 I am not sure if they make a honey bun in solids, but if they did you could use one along with a jelly roll and have a fast simple quilt in no time. I used scraps for the bricks and left over black from another quilt. I used a really dark green for the binding.

Two Quilts for MHC

I am sending these two quilts to Margaret's Hope Chest... one for a baby, one for a mom. --carol e.

Zig Zag for Margaret's Hope Chest

This 45 inch square quilt will be heading to Margaret's Hope Chest.

This quilt was made using 1/2 square triangles. I quilted flowers in the flower fabric and meandering in the yellow area.