Today's Quilting Bee

Things haven't changed through the years. Women have always been diligent caretakers. Not only caretakers of their families but they stretch their arms out to help others as well.

One way that quilters help others is by sharing their talents and create wonderful cuddly covers full of love to give to those in need. Each quilt wraps the recipient with hugs and warm wishes.

I am so happy that I am part of a group of women who meet regularly to put together some of these quilts.

Karen, Cathy and Mary are busy at work tying quilts, never idle, 

as they share the latest gossip.

Linda is always entertaining us with the silliest stories as she sews.

Today, Barb and Ruth are finishing up the quilts and adding labels.

"Stitched with love

by Undercover Quilters"

We are so thankful for the many who provide us 

with some of their extra fabrics and notions, 

and

our prayers are with those who couldn't get to the meeting 

because of health and family concerns.

With our hearts filled with happiness 

and our tummies filled with oh, so, delicious food from our pot-luck lunch, 

we will meet again next month.  

And the Rest of the "Block" Story

You definitely came up with some good suggestions for projects to use the uncovered blocks.  There are always so many ways we can go.  Thank you for your ideas.

And this is the rest of the story of these blocks...................

Actually, these blocks were not in my stash but in a in a box of donated fabric given to our charity quilting group. We are always grateful for the generosity of others and try to make the best use of everything.

We searched through other boxes and found bits and pieces of fabric that could work 

with our blocks to make a quilt top. 

The blocks measured 8"x 8" so we cut our fabrics to that width and............. 

...............came up with this "strippy" quilt top. 

It's amazing how far a few blocks can go. The quilt top ended up twin size. 

We will finish it and it will soon be keeping someone warm at night.

If you are looking for ideas to eat up your scraps,  join me this week in Madison at the 

WI Quilt Expo where I will be presenting "Diet Quilts".  I hope to see you there.

What Would You Do?

What would you do with four of these blocks that you found in a box of fabric?

There were also three of these stars.

There isn't a bit of any of the fabrics to be found... 

even after searching high and low.

Would you find a use for them?

Or is it o.k. to gracefully discard them into the trash

 with a flip of my hand? 

Come back to see where they go!

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

Stitched with Love

First, they were nothing but squares of fabric cut from various remnants of excess fabric.

Then these blocks came together into repeated patterns or

scrappy quilt tops stitched with love by warm-hearted quilters.

The pile of partially assembled quilts grew and grew ready to be tied with strings of warm wishes.

 I love the days I spend with my dedicated group of Undercover Quilters, who generously use  a bit of their time and talent to share with others.

Our group works mainly undercover, as the name implies, but I caught a couple of them as they tied their way across a quilt top. It's truly a miracle how the fabric donations multiple and new quilt tops keep appearing.

These quilts have helped both people in the community and have been sent off to other countries. They have found their way to tornado victims, pregnancy shelters, nursing homes, hospitals, women's shelters, Habitat for Humanity homes and other locations.

Quilters are, indeed, generous and loving people. How do you share your time and talents?

Linked to Off the Wall Fridays

Who Knew?

Who knew a quilt was hiding in this box of fabric bits and pieces?

The first thing that I found was this piece of decorator fabric that was big enough for a quilt back (well almost)

After further search, I found a pink that blended and then a stripe and a print or two and my quilt top grew. It seemed every orange and plum wanted to be part of the quilt and I liked the way the solids and more graphic fabrics played against the traditional floral on the back. 

This color combination reminds me of sherbet. Why do I think of nothing but food, ice cream treats, at least?

The quilt top is just the right size and I had just the right amount of fabric. Yes, once again God has provided me with exactly what I needed. (Including a coordinating floral to complete the back.)

The elephant print was the perfect fit for the last bit I needed. Don't you love the playful touch this adds?

Do you have quilts hiding in your house?  What will you find today?