Scrappy Sprouts for Chelsa - Festival Quilt

My Blogger's Festival Quilt is the most special quilt I think I have ever made.
And absolutely a favorite.
It was made with the help of so many of you... so thank you. ♥ Here is the story of my Scrappy Sprouts Quilt, and a transcription of the letter that was mailed with it:

To my dear friend:

When I first read your story, my chest and stomach just clenched.  I was sick with anxiety; trying to pray, but angry and scared.  You had just come through so much; how could this be added to it?  I really was angry.  I especially prayed for you while I was in the shower... I wanted to do something to help.  I couldn't really send you money, at least not much.  I couldn't come visit.  I knew though I could make you a quilt.
  One day, while I was praying for you in the shower, this idea came to mind.
  This quilt is my, "God... when I think of Chelsa and what she faced and is facing, I don't know what to say."  This quilt is my prayer for you Chelsa... it says what I can't always.
  These little sprouts are my favorite time in a garden -- they're so cute and new and growing... so much potential in those two little leaves.
  They show my prayer for new life.
  I did not like the helplessness I felt when I thought about those icky words like "incurable."  So I gathered women to my cause, and they joined in sending love and wishes for healing, and in literally covering you.  I got blocks from women in three or four different countries.  They put tiny bits of precious little fabrics in these blocks -- pieces that are hard to find and out of print and hoarded like gold by quilters.  They join my prayer.
  I wanted to make sure the quilt was big enough you could share it with your love.  We don't forget about you on this difficult road Matt.
  And it's a rainbow -- the symbol of God's promise.  And again -- my prayer for you. ♥

_______________________________

Specs for my quilty friends:

• Fits well in the Group or ROYGBIV categories for Bloggers' Quilt Festival
• a mini tutorial for folks who might want to make their own block is here.
• The sashing is the yarn-dyed Essex in flax by Robert Kaufman.

The setting was part by design, and part by necessity.  There were a few variations in the idea of a "scant" quarter-inch (happens when gathering blocks from 40 or so different people), but I think it made for a more dynamic quilt than if the rows had all been straight.  I love the off-set.  I was also quite pleased with a mostly even distribution of color, because I simply told people to make their favorite.

The quilting was done by Lindsay at EileenQuilts.com.  The design is called Xanadu, and looks so organic and swirly.  I love it.

The backing is the Summer Totem from Anna Maria Horner (and I think Steiger likes the back more than the front; he kept telling me, "the back is really nice Mommy.") 

For binding, I chose an Alexander Henry stripe cut on the bias.

And of course, a special label.

A huge thank you to those who made and sent blocks.  They are so special, and the quilt was all I was hoping it would be.  

P.S. I'm extending the 20% off on patterns until I get back.  Use code "springmarket"

time to bind!

These two quilts came back in the mail from Lindsay at EileenQuilts today!

I'm hoping to get a date with some good TV this weekend. ♥

Scrappy Sprouts.


and Penny Candy.


It's really too bad I'm such a terribly slow binding stitcher, and only have one episode of Once Upon a Time to catch up on...

Scrappy Sprout Quilt Top

I got my Scrappy Sprouts quilt top done!

And it is just what I was hoping for... I love it so much that it's going to thrill me and hurt to give it away.

Though I'm not sure how to quilt it?  Suggestions?

I went with an Essex yarn-dyed linen blend in flax.  I think it was the perfect complement to the backgrounds on the blocks, has great texture, AND meant that I didn't have to create scrappy sashing.  I love how it turned out (and again -- this is why I have a stash).

The kids love it too.

Seriously, this happens every time I lay down a quilt or quilt top.

If you are wondering more about this quilt, or measurements for making a block of your own, you can find more info here.  Thank you again for all those who helped in making this blessings quilt!

Scrappy Sprouting

I finished up my Starcrossed top last night (yay!), and got up before miss Scarlet to lay these Scrappy sprouts blocks out.  I need to choose a vertical sashing (I'm thinking a soft white solid so the eye has a place to rest? thoughts?) and plan to off-set the rows!  I think I'm going to use this amazing AMH print for the backing.

This quilt is going to be amazing!  Thank you thank you thank you to all of you who contributed blocks for my dear friend. ♥ I just need to scour my sewing area to make sure Scarlet didn't lose any of them, because she really liked pulling these out systematically from their zip-loc bag.

(To find out more, you can read here!  And see many of the blocks here!)

Linked to Fabric Tuesday! and WIP Wednesday!

WIP Wednesday - Scrappy Sprouts

(link to flick group here)



A call for blocks... if you feel so inclined...

This is my friend Chelsa.

We went to college together.  She is a sweetheart of sweethearts.  And sassy, and kind, and genuine...

She lives in another state, so I rarely see her.  A few months ago, I was heartbroken to learn that she was diagnosed with bone cancer.  They told her it was incurable.  You can read her story here, but bring tissue with you.

Every time I thought about her, I got anxious and sad.  And I wanted to do something. 

I can't really give her money.

I can't see her easily.

But I CAN make her a kick a** amazing quilt.  One that is so beautiful it pains me to give it away.  And I can pour in to it all my prayers and love and blessings.

I thought, and thought -- and one morning, I decided her quilt was going to be made of scrappy sprouts.  Ones inspired by the famous Orla Kiely motif.  Ones that look like my favorite time of a garden (when those little sprouts are just popping up).  And ones that are made of perfect, beautiful little pieces of fabric.  (With mixed neutrals for the background of course.)

So I made a couple blocks.

And as I thought about it, I thought -- maybe my other beautiful bloggy friends would like to put a block or two in to her Blessings quilt.

Kristie, and Michelle, and Cherie sent me some blocks to add to my own, and they are so beautiful together.

I'm not writing up a full tutorial (there is a for sale pattern out there that is a little bit similar), but here are the cut sizes (unfinished), and I'm guessing many of you should be able to figure it out by this.  The block measures 13 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished, and each of those little square sections are 2 1/2" unfinished. 

If you would like to contribute a block (or two), you need:

• monochromatic scraps of any bright, fresh color for the sprout (quilt shop quality fabric please)
• mixed neutral scraps for background (some solids or linen mixed in is fine)
• a 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" scrap of green for the "stem"
• all the love, prayers, blessings, good thoughts, and best wishes you can shove in to a quilt block

Email me when your block is ready, and I'll send you my mailing address.  

Chelsa doesn't know I'm doing this.  But I can't wait to send her her quilt.  I'd love to have it for her for Christmas, so if you could send blocks by November 20 or so, that would be wonderful. :)  (I need at least 40 blocks for the lay-out I have planned, if you were curious.)

In other WIPs -- 

- working on the pattern for my Cosmic quilt

- Trying to finish quilting the Pickledish!

- Trying to figure out buttonholes for a dress for Scarlet!

- Treasure Boxing!

- Praying my dad's harvester stays strong for the last 10 acres! (Jay's already broke down! gah!)

Linking to Lee's WIP Wednesday! (when it's up -- yes I posted a little early)