Finally, the H2H baby quilts done and mailed

       Even though I had sewn the Hands2Help baby quilts for this year's challenge, for many reasons, could not get them quilted and bound in time for Sarah's deadline (Sarah told me not to worry). I did finally get them done and then mailed out using the Give Back box postage plan for Little Lambs of Utah and was relieved. I made one girl one and two boys. I used the same pattern (Scrap Jar Stars), but different fabrics. I quilted each one differently. They are about 50" x 50". I printed the butterfly on the label with a rubber stamp and fabric ink then added words.

I used the same fabric for all 3 bindings- a wonderful stripe.

The box ready to go

Hands to Help Quilts

      Every year I try and complete some quilts for Sarah Craig's Hands to Help Challenge. This year, as last, I will send these 3 baby quilts to Little Lambs when completed. The great thing about them is they participate in a shipping service that lets me ship all them for one low price.
    This year, I made one baby girl and two baby boys. I used the same design to make things quicker and easier. For a while, I have been making a scrap quilt called Scrap Jar Stars as a leader ender. When I started it, I made sample blocks for the star. I loved the little one (uses 1 1/2" squares), but the amount of blocks needed to make a quilt was daunting. I used 2" squares for the center, 3 1/2" for the HSTs. As I looked at the blocks, I thought, why not supersize? I graph papered it out and used stash fabrics. Later, I found that she has a baby quilt pattern available for this star. Well, my brain got a workout, always good.
    Because of the eye surgery, I have not been able to quilt them yet. I may miss the June deadline to ship them, but I will complete them and send them. I am making the backings now. They are about 49 x 49.

Big and little stars

Girl quilt

The Starry Night fabric for the border is special because it is from my friend, Terri, was passed away in December, and I used it in her grandkids quilts. I know she would have loved to see this.

Hands2Help Wrap Up

      I almost forgot to post the last day of the Hands2Help Challenge.  I made three baby quilts, 2 girls and one boys, for Hands2Help and Little Lambs. I used the free pattern, Speedy Baby 2, 45 x 45. They were mailed a couple of weeks ago using the $15.00 flat shipping available for certain charities. I have enjoyed participating in this challenge for every year except when I had a heart attack 4 years ago. Then, I shipped the top to Sarah and she quilted it.
    First time I ever used flannel in a quilt and backing. It quilts real nice.

Baby, baby, baby

     No, it is not a song, but three baby quilts I am making for Hands2Help and Little Lambs. I have three tops finished. The free pattern, Speedy Baby 2, 45 x 45, is what I used. I made a pink and a blue and then tried my hand at sewing flannel that I bought on sale at Joann's. Made sure I washed it first. I only have sewn flannel pillowcases that the family wants every Christmas.
     It uses charm squares. I normally cut scrap fabric into set sizes and 5" is one of them. I looked through the kids' 5" boxes and pulled out squares for 3 quilts- one blues and two pinks.

The Flannel one

     Now to get them quilted in a month. There is one comfort quilt almost ready to start on there now.

Challenge Met

     I have been struggling to post. I have pictures and work, but struggle to write. I read blogs of my favorite people, and comment, but am unable to write my own. I am sweating just trying to write this one, but I promised to do the Hands2Help Challenge and I completed all three and they are in the mail to Little Lambs Foundation in Logan, UT. They are about 46" square and my grandchildren held them for me in my yard. I used Glide on the top and PremoSoft in the bobbin.