I haven’t posted anything since the end of 2024. It’s not due to my avoiding sewing. In fact, I’ve actually been working feverously with multitudes fabric scraps. I’ve been creating but not photographing, finishing or blogging anything.

I have probably had more stress in my life in the last few months than I have in several decades. It’s hard to feel creative when you’re battling anxiety, but usually I am able to relax by being involved in sewing or other art making. I’ve been a little all over the place, not sleeping well but trying to put one foot in front of the other. Work is extra stressful. Then, in a horrible turn of events, my niece passed away at age 32, after taking her own life. I flew out to L.A. for the memorial service and to be with my family. The last two trips to my hometown of L.A. have been for funerals of my dear ones. To say it’s been a roller coaster would be an understatement.

I just haven’t been able to organize my thoughts to blog, but I’m going to try. Today, I’m sharing two things that I’m sending off to Cynthia for her Many Hands and Many Hearts charity. I wrote her to ask if it should go to her or Kat for her Covered in Love charity. These women are amazing for what they accomplish. I’m always thrilled to help them out even a tiny bit. Sorry Kat, I haven’t sent you anything in a while. I’ll try to do a top or some blocks soon.

This red, white and blue string quilt is something I had fun with. I made some traditional R, W & B string blocks for Cynthia, but then I had a need to try a variation. I went to Jordan fabrics to their free patterns and found this one called Scrappy Lattice. She also made a video tutorial for this pattern that you can find here. In case you don’t know, in March, Donna Jordan passed away from a long illness. Her husband and son are carrying on the business without her. She was well known to many, but I never used any of her patterns before now. As a tribute, several quilters have been sharing quilts online that they’ve made from her videos and tutorials. I’m joining in by making her scrappy pattern in patriotic colors.

This quilt is a great scrap buster for all my red & blue fabric pieces. This top was also perfect for trying to piece low volume bits and pieces into those corner shapes. I used regular copy paper for the paper foundation, just as Donna suggested. I ripped a few of the pieces before sewing it together into a top. I think you’re supposed to wait to rip the paper after it’s all sewn, but I’m impatient! The blocks are 8.5″ unfinished and with two borders, the top finishes at 46″ x 62″ and will hopefully be going in the mail this week. My measurements were wrong for at least one block. While it’s not perfect, neither is our country either, huh?? I love that it’s done and that I tried something new from Donna’s legacy.

This next quilt is a little house block that makes me smile. You can find this free pattern for a 12″ finished House block here. The only thing I changed was adding some fun to the windows. Everything else is as written. I wanted to play with some patterned fabrics, scrappy novelty images and to end up with each house looking different. I think I even giggled when I made this quilt top. If this isn’t fabric therapy, I don’t know what is!? Sometimes we need to make something just for ourselves. Although I’m not keeping it, I am quite tempted. I’m sending it off to Cynthia for her Many Hands And Many Hearts charity. It should be fun for some young child to enjoy.

It is so fun to put little images in the windows. I apologize for all the threads clinging to the top, but I was eager to get this photographed and blogged. I used different blue fabrics for the sky, including my cherished Starry, Starry Night fabric in the first closeup of the pink house. (I need to find more of that print if possible.) If my math is correct, then with a 3″ blue border, this top measures 41.5″ x 41.5.” I think it’s a perfect little quilt for a toddler. A large one would be amazing as well. Perhaps someday I’ll give that a whirl. It feels good to catch up. Now back to my scrap pile.

Linking up to: Needle and Thread Thursday , Put Your Foot Down, Finished Or Not Friday, Off The Wall Fridays, Oh Scrap