Why Are We Making Bright and Colorful Hospice Quilts?

Candy and Debbie and Linda and I have made several beautiful quilts for Rainbow Hospice. Recently, we decided we need more "Bright and Colorful" Quilts. It cheers up the room of a Hospice patient.

I cut tons of 2 1/2 inch strips in bright colors and we combined it with some beautiful prints.

I quilted both of them with large Paisley Swirl Quilting with a Blue quilting thread. 

I selected Purple for the backing fabric. It works perfectly for both of them!

These quilts are placed on the beds of dying patients and they are enjoyed by the family members while they are with their family members for the end of life process.

Then they are given to a family member afterwards. We all hope that they are comforted by our quilts during and afterwards.  

My Dad died in 1996. Rainbow Hospice was fairly new and we were blessed to have them take care of him and us during the our time of need.

Over the years, starting back in 1996, I have been making comfort pillows  for Rainbow Hospice.  My kids and my Mom and I made them.  See the link for photos and how to make the comfort pillows.

I am sharing today, two quilts that were made by Candy and I. 

Whenever we make them I quilt/stitch in " Made with Love by ..... (Our Names - whoever contributed to that quilt).

Many friends have shared with us.

Our friend, LouAnn donated fabric and we added her name too.  

At a quilt retreat, last year, several people brought us their Orphan Quilt Blocks to add to a quilt. 

Some people brought us fabric and batting. 

All gifts are appreciated.

Do you want to help us by sending us Orphan Quilt Blocks, fabric for the quilt top and backing, or batting or money? Please send me an email at Marcia@craftysewing.com and find our how you can help us give too.

We appreciated any contributions.  Thanks in advance. I will add your name to the stitching for that quilt or quilts. 

You can help us even if you are not a quilter.  Again, Thanks in advance.

Yes --- We use Quilt Patterns? 

The one with more Red and Orange is Pat Sloan's String Bean Quilt. Here is the link String Bean Quilt.

I used Pat Sloan's String Bean Quilt Pattern for a Hospice Quilt earlier this year.

Click here for that post to see the quilt up close.

The other one is a Post Card Pattern that Candy purchased and I will get that information and post it here later this week. Sorry I do not have it right now. Check back later in the week or email me if you are looking for it and I will email the information to you when I get it.

My Mom and I made a Passage Quilt for Rainbow Hospice. Click here to see that quilt.

Last year Candy and I made a Patriotic Passage Quilt for Rainbow Hospice. Click here to see that quilt.

I share to inspire you to create! 

I am not asking for a donation, but I am giving you the information, if you would like to team up with us and join in the fun of giving to others, to comfort others in their time of need, as we know how much it meant to us when we were in need.

According to the News, this week is the week for giving!

Enjoy your day!

Marcia

31 Days of BLog Writing 

My String Bean Quilt for Pat Sloan's Challenge

I gathered up my colorful scraps to add to Pat's "Eat Your Fruits n' Veggies" Charm Pack.

I wanted some of Pat's fabric to be in the centers, so my rectangle was only 3 1/2" by 5".  My strips were odd sizes per one of her suggestions for the String Bean Quilt. 

It was a easy and fun quilt to make!

I found a cool floral blueish fabric for the last 2 strips and made it look like a lattice or sashing. I offset my rectangle blocks and I bordered it first with the blueish fabric also. Then I added colorful borders of a quilter's blenders fabric.

 I accidently assembled my blocks backwards per Pat's instructions. I just got so excited to make them... I read too fast, and just started sewing!  

I discovered it on the 12th quilt block!  Oh well --- backwards is just fine with me!  

I could have flipped the block on the top left around and it would have blended better, but I liked that it looked different.

I LOVE it!

Before I quilted my String Bean Quilt I was sewing on Sunday afternoon --- "Sunday's Scraps".  I cut all of my scraps from the String Bean Quilt into 2 inch squares.  I will share it sometime in the future.

I stopped to make an afternoon snack.  

It looked like my String Bean Quilt!

Of course, I had to take a couple photos!

I quilted my quilt very whimsically, with loops and big funky flowers similar to the floral fabric. I selected bright pink for the quilting thread and a wine pink for the backing fabric.

I selected Hobbs 80/20 Cotton/Poly batting. It is my favorite blend.

I made my quilt with Hospice in mind and plan to bind it and give it to the Rainbow Hospice Center of Jefferson County. (Wisconsin)

A few photos of the backside of the quilt.

Of course, I needed to take a full view photo!

And a few at an angle looking across the quilt.

I will add the binding next week.

I will link up this post with Pat Sloan's Link up on her blog on April 19th. 
On her blog, you can get the FREE instructions for making a String Bean Quilt.  Join in on this fun challenge!

Here is the link: Pat Sloan's String Bean Quilt Challenge

I am positive, I will make this quilt again! LOVE it!

Enjoy!

Marcia





UPDATE:  New Link up for all the finished quilt tops of the String Bean Quilts --- to enter to win prizes and to see all the beautiful quilts ---- Click HERE

Tulips for Rainbow Hospice!

I completed 30 Tulip Blocks at Quilts by Barb's Quilt Retreat.  I have more to make, as you can see. The retreat project this year, was Log Cabin Quilts, but you can select a project of your own.  I chose to work on this year's donation quilt for the Fireside's fundraiser for Rainbow Hospice.

Every year, my Mom buys the fabric and we make the quilt, usually together. This year, I started the quilt blocks at Barb's Quilt Retreat. I have attended the retreat every year for the past 12 years.  I signed up for next year, too!

We originally selected a blue background and only dark solids, but I changed my mind and went with a black background and added light solids.

It looks like a rainbow!

So pleased with the fabrics we selected for our Tulip Quilt.  The quilt pattern is in the book - Jelly Roll Quilts.  I did not use jelly rolls. I cut strips from my fabric 2 1/2 inches wide for the pieces.

At a quilt retreat, you need to take a break and eat a few snacks to energize yourself, so you can sew and sew and sew and then eat again!

I love all the colors with the black background.  Really makes them pop!

One of my friends said she had never taken a "Selfie" so we tried to take an "Us - sie" together! 

If you don't know what I look like .... I am the one on the left and up front holding the camera with the funny smile!

Another wonderful quilt retreat hosted by Quilts by Barb. 

I was inspired by one of my customer's quilts and that is why I selected this pattern.  Click here to see her Tulip Quilt.

Enjoy your day!

Marcia