Lessening my UFOs for Australia

Years ago I took part in a couple of mystery quilt alongs. I have decided they really aren't for me. I did save the instructions for one of them and after I found out what the finished quilt looked like, I did make it. I'm not really a fan of the quilts I made and have decided that they can be better used by someone else. Therefore, I am sending them to a lady in Australia who is finishing tops into useable quilts, putting quilt squares together to make quilts and is even accepting crocheted granny squares and making blankets out of them.

This is one of the quilts that I will be donating.

I was never a fan of the fabrics and just used what I had on hand when I did this medallion mystery quilt along. I think it was in 2016 that I participated. My how time flies.

This is one that I did as a quilt along. I had intended to finish it for one of the single beds but I had forgotten about it. I took a look at it and decided I probably won't finish it. There are too many open spaces to figure out how to quilt it. I'd much rather see it used by someone who could use it.
Here's my blog post on it.

I had a kit donated to me that was hanging around. I didn't much care for the fabrics. They really weren't my colours. Once I read the instructions, I was to subcut the lengths already cut. The main blocks were 8 inches and the other pieces were 9 inches wide but were to be subcut to 4.25 inches. Well, that would have been a waste of a half inch by the length. Then, I thought I could use my own fabrics for the 4.25 inches and cut the 9 inch lengths in half to 4.5 inches. If I again used my own fabrics for the main blocks, this time as 8.5 inch blocks, I could make two quilts that were similar but different and one would be slightly bigger than the other.

The fabrics in the main blocks were in the kit. The four patches and border were my own fabrics.

These four patches were in the first kit. The main blocks were from my own stash which, as it turns out were from another kit someone donated to me. I didn't much care for the fabrics but they went so well with the four patches I had done. The border fabric was in the second kit so I ended up not using much of my own stash. Now, instead of sending three tops, I ended up sending four - along with a bit of fabric left over from the first quilt I showed.
The person I sent them to has a facebook presence called Oz Comfort Quilts.

If you are at all interested, just check out the facebook site and contact Jan. She can then message you the address as to where to send your donations. She accepts tops, pre-quilted blocks about 11 inches in size (which she trims to 10.5 inches,) crocheted granny squares at 10 rounds or even crocheted and knitted blankets.

What to choose?

Honestly, there is no reason for anyone to be without a free project these days. One lovely project helps you use up some scraps that were just waiting to be made into something useful (and beautiful.) If you are on Facebook, one group is called "One nine-patch a day..." However, if you aren't a fan of Facebook, you could just make a nine patch a day on your own.

There is also a scrap busting block challenge for 2020. This has been going on for three years now. Here's the link for all the information you need and the pattern. The blocks are either 6 inch finished or 8 inch finished. There are instructions given for both. It also has a Facebook following.

If you like or love paper foundation piecing, this site is for you (just scroll down the page to the bottom.) You can download 52 paper pieced triangles to help you use up your scraps. The way they are put together are numerous and you really can't go wrong. It's only half a 6 inch block that is scrappy because the other half is one piece. Easy peasy.

This is called Marvellous Mystery. If you follow along, you will receive two blocks a month to make. 

Or, you could just go visit Quilters Cache where there are numerous blocks for you to play with.

Then there is the 365 blocks - one 6.5 inch block a day. Just do an internet search and you can find all the information you need. It's still free this year.

Of course, the Canadian Quilters Association is having a row along now instead of the 52 blocks in 52 weeks.

If you are a cross stitcher, there is a free cross stitch sew along happening right now at Lesley Teare's blog. Last year's sew along was a monthly owl that is adorable. I missed that but if I get time, I can always purchase the whole pattern. I think I may start this year's blackwork sew along.

There are lots more that are quilt related. Blocks of the month, blocks of the week and of course, block of the day (the nine patch) and the 365 blocks a year. I'm not that energetic and I have a list of my own projects that I want to complete but it's nice to see the progression of some of the quilts.

I decided to treat myself.

These were in a grocery store a couple of weeks ago and they are still fresh.

I popped in to Value Village and decided that this might just be nice to make.

I also picked this up. I think it's cute and would make a nice backing for a quilt or even a shirt for one of my grandsons.

That's it for today.

I have my 'to do' list to keep me busy but I do like that blackwork cross stitch stitch along...

Repairs

I am not a fan of doing repairs but some times, they have to get done.

This is a small wall hanging I made in 2010 as a napkin challenge that a blogger had. I liked it a lot but gave it to my middle daughter Maili.

She gave it back to me just after Christmas because little Teemu decided to play with the little beads that held the snowflakes on. The snowflakes were in a baggie and it didn't take long to re-attach them with some extra beads I had.

I did other repairs but they weren't as pretty as this. I still have to hem three skirts but I think I will put a quilt together first. It's a lap size kit that was given to me and I plan on donating it to those that have lost everything in Australia due to the fires.

Completed

I was working on a little sweater for my youngest granddaughter, Aurora. 

Her mom selected the colour of the little sweater.

It's a very nice mauve colour (this is closer to the true colour.) I hope it fits.

This little quilt was part of the Row by Row with the theme of music. I knew as soon as I saw it that I had to make it. One of my daughters-in-law is a Beatles fan and so I made it for her 40th birthday.

This is the back of the quilt. I used some fat quarters that I had accumulated when I was making the Row by Row. The top black fabric is just the hanging sleeve. I took this photo before I had attached a label but it does have one.

I'm off to finish a couple of things and then get them crossed off my list.

Quilt Show - Part four

Continuing on...

It's great to revisit the show. I honestly don't remember seeing this one.

Or this one.

I have grandchildren who would adore this quilt.

Isn't this cute?

That's it, that's all. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!