Charity Quilting

This fun little quilt was created with the use of at least three quilters. One pieced the blocks. 

A second assembled the blocks into a quilt top. 

And a third quilted the top, batting, and backing together. 

I'll hand it back to Rebecca (the second quilter) for the binding. Such a great community project that will find a home through Comfort Cases. What are Comfort Cases? From their website: Comfort Cases are backpacks filled with comfort and personal care items for youth entering the foster care system. Typically, children are given a trash bag to pack up their belongings when they are removed from their homes. We are working to end this practice while providing the essentials for a child’s first few days in foster care. Check them out if you want to make a difference in the life of a child in foster care. 

My personal goal is to quilt at least one charity quilt per week throughout the year. To that end, check out the EpochConverter for 2021 to see how I'm stacking up.

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 68

Charity Quilting

I dropped off thirteen quilts at the last Annapolis Quilts for Kids meeting. The last of them I will drop off this year. 

These little quilts, pieced by other members of Annapolis Quilts for Kids were part of that drop off. 

This one included minkie type fabrics. I was more pleased with the result than I thought I would be. I hope it makes someone very happy. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

My personal goal is to quilt at least one quilt per week throughout the year. To that end, check out the EpochConverter for 2021 to see how I'm stacking up.

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 67

Cranky Socks

I recently ordered yarn from CSM Supplies. I like buying from Jamie because she always makes the transaction special. I didn't really need more sock yarn but I wanted more options for holiday sock giving. 

I ordered three new colorways and coordinating solids. I like making contrast toes so you can pair them up using the toe colors. 

First was this fun colorway paired with blue. 

Then this one that I had from a previous order paired with pink. 

I still transfer the live stitches onto a pair of short circular needles and finish each sock by hand using the Kitchener stitch. 

Turning a hell on the machine is pretty simple if you pay attention to what you are doing and keep moving the weight up. 

Another pair using the blue for the contrast toes. 

I hope you have a peaceful thankful holiday tomorrow (for those of you that enjoy Thanksgiving in the United States) and get a head start on your winter holiday shopping, if you haven't already. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Knitter's Pride Aqua Sock Blockers, Medium

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
5 Pieces 5 Different Size Bent Latch Hook Crochet Needle Hook (picking up dropped stitches)
Cable Clamp PRO Cable Management 4 Pack (used in place of weight buckle)
Brightech Lightview Pro Flex - Hands Free, Magnifying Glass Desk Lamp for Close Work (lens removed)
Zibra PB100LZR Grip-n-Glide 1-Inch Round Trim Paint Brush (to clean lint/dust from machine)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold extra machine needles)
addi Express Hook (picking up dropped stitches, hanging setup bonnet, finishing missed stitches)
Do4U Drinking Home Office Table Desk Side Huge Clip (I use it to hold the ball/cake of yarn while I crank but it could hold your drink, too)
BLACK+DECKER WM225-A Portable Project Center and Vise (this is my machine stand, slightly modified for a larger work surface)

RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Charity Quilting

This one was pieced by Janet for Annapolis Quilts for Kids. 

I think this one was pieced by Cindy. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

My personal goal is to quilt at least one quilt per week throughout the year. To that end, check out the EpochConverter for 2021 to see how I'm stacking up.

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 65

Charity Quilting

It seems I've dropped the ball on publishing this post on Friday. Oh, well. Sometimes I just don't get around to finishing everything. This wonderful string quilt was pieced by Mary.  

Mary also pieced this one for Annapolis Quilts for Kids. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

My personal goal is to quilt at least one quilt per week throughout the year. To that end, check out the EpochConverter for 2021 to see how I'm stacking up.

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 63

Quilt Backing Fabric

Over the last year or so, I've been piecing quilts primarily from my collection of fabric. This is a great way to use what you have but I reached the point where the quilts couldn't become true quilts because I do not have a collection of backing fabrics. I stuffed these three quilt tops into my Spring Water Designs bag and headed out for backings. They always have a good selection of wide backing fabric. 

First was this kit quilt I made using a kit from one of the big box stores. The blue in the foreground is a fabric I found on the discount shelf. A great match. The cream print under the quilt top is the wide backing I chose for this one. Check out the full quilt in this post from November 2020.

This quilt top was made using the Florid Bloom template set and Double Wedding Ring Quilts book from Victoria Findlay Wolfe. This backing isn't perfect for this quilt but it was too great to pass up. Check out my Florid Bloom quilt post from September 2020 to see the whole quilt. 

This backing speaks to my love of busy backs and the colors couldn't be more perfect. Now to decide if I want to quilt this with red or blue thread. Check out my Assemble! quilt in this post from April 2021.

Overall, it was a great day shopping. Now I can finish up some quilts. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle 
Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Tucker Trimmer III
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Wrights 4.5" Easy Angle ruler

Charity Quilting

Pieced by Mary. 

Pieced by Mary for Annapolis Quilts for Kids. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

My personal goal is to quilt at least one quilt per week throughout the year. To that end, check out the EpochConverter for 2021 to see how I'm stacking up.

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 61

Charity Quilting

I love catching up with my charity quilting. 

Both of these were pieced by other members of Annapolis Quilts for Kids. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

My personal goal is to quilt at least one quilt per week throughout the year. To that end, check out the EpochConverter for 2021 to see how I'm stacking up.

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 59

More Masks

It seems the masks we've been wearing for almost a year are starting to show their age. I wanted some novelty prints so I convinced my husband to take me to the big-box fabric store to pick up some licensed prints. Maybe no one needs a mask with Pokémon or Avengers but I wanted some. I also pulled that cut cat print out of my collection. 

These are going to be so much fun!

As usual, I have cut out way to many of these. Oh, well, they are still good to share with friends. 

If you want to see how I construct these masks, here is my tutorial from January 2021. It includes step-by-step photos of these great-fitting 3D masks. Really the best pattern I've used. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle 
Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Tucker Trimmer III
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Wrights 4.5" Easy Angle ruler

Adjustable ear bands - these may not be available, but the link will help you find some

Charity Quilting

I pieced this quilt for Annapolis Quilts for Kids using leftovers from other quilts. Backing leftovers are always worth saving. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

My personal goal is to quilt at least one quilt per week throughout the year. To that end, check out the EpochConverter for 2021 to see how I'm stacking up.

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 57

Bullet Journal

I had a crazy idea I should start a bullet journal. I'm not sure why. I ordered some notebooks, some stencils, and watched a bunch of YouTube videos on the subject. I'll go over the tools I'm using (and include links if you want to check them out). The disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you use one of these links and actually buy something (it doesn't even have to be the thing I'm linking to) I get a small commission from Amazon. In a good month, I make enough for a cup of fancy coffee. Most of the time I'm drinking coffee I make at home. 

I wanted a couple things in my notebook. First, I wanted the dot grid so I could keep things neat and tidy. Second, I wanted a comb binding so it would open up and be flat for use. I'm not sure this is perfect notebook for me but I'm pretty pleased with it as a start. Notebook and page marks are in the links at the bottom of the post. 

I've only done a couple monthly spreads. I think this is the basic format for me. Of course I had to add the pumpkin. 

I'm still trying out weekly spreads. I haven't decided which one will really work for how my brain works. There are so many bullet journal videos on YouTube. Just do a search and see if any strike your fancy. You're sure to find something that suits your tastes and needs. 

I've been filling my blank space with drawings of Pokémon. Here is happy little Chikorita. 

Then we have dapper little Oddish. I'm not sure who will be next. 

Have you tried bullet journaling? Do you just like to journal and be artistic with it? Are you minimalist and all about the lists? 

Tools and supplies (Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.):

Notebook: Dotted Bullet Grid Journal A5 - this is a three-pack, but you can buy only one but the price is better if you get three, if you are note-taker this shouldn't be a deal-breaker

Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils - I had these from when I thought I would try out colored pencils

Crayola Ultra-Washable Markers - I had these for fabric marking but they work great in your journal

Crayola 8 Ct Bold Broad-Line Washable Markers (not show above) - add bigger splashes of color

Journal Stencils: 20 piece Plastic Set - starter set to see if they something you like

8" Ruler, pack of 12 - my darling husband gave me one of his spares

Arrow Shaped Magnetic Bookmark - way more than you need

Paper Mate Clearpoint 0.5mm Mechanical Pencils, Pack of 2 - I really like this mechanical pencil

Bic White-Out Pen - we all make mistakes

Pentel Clic Eraser, Pack of 3 - sometimes we can erase those mistakes

Sakura Gelly Roll Classic 10 Bold Point Pen - sometimes you want a highlight

Sharpie Plastic Point Stick Permanent Water Resistant Pen - I love all the Sharpies but this one doesn't bleed

PILOT G2 Premium Refillable & Retractable Rolling Ball Gel Pens, Fine Point, Black Ink - these are my everyday pens, for work, or play

Charity Quilting

This fun little quilt was pieced by Mary for Annapolis Quilts for Kids. 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

Here is the EpochConverter for 2021.  

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 56

Crochet Hexagons

I wanted to share the hexagon project progress. I've added more to my pile of finished hexies. These really are great as a carry-along project. They work rather quickly. 

Here are the finished hexagons. I have many more to make before I join them together into a blanket. At least the weather is changing so I won't feel smothered under a partially constructed blanket. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)

Stitch markers: CLOVER Lock Ring Markers 20/pkg