This week I set most other projects aside to turn out a couple of charity quilt tops with some matching prepared bindings for my quilt guild's charity group. Their October Give Away to 5 different agencies takes place then. Last October 2020 we gave out 302 quilts. Covid hit production pretty hard as we could not get together, but many of us did do quilt tops at home and we should have around 200 to give out.
Here are my first two finished quilt tops. I was gifted with yards and yards of fabric from Nancy and her husband Lloyd. Lloyd's mother passed away and left them with boxes and boxes of fabric. Most were of clothing quality, but there were plenty of quilting fabrics too.
As you can see I still have plenty of fabric still left to do more tops.This past week I threw in the towel and decided that 8 finished spool blocks was enough. I am not going to make 20 of these things. However, I didn't want to throw them out or give them away and they make a perfect runner. I still have 12 blocks, minus the polkadot wedges on them that I can make a small quilt with by just adding borders. This winter we found a Praying Mantis egg case on our BBQ cover. We carefully protected it all winter hoping it would eventually produce some babies. Sure enough this past week while sitting out in the garden I felt this little guy crawling up my arm. I carefully moved it over to one of the garden plants and snapped a picture. It is just around one inch long. Have no idea if it has some brothers and sisters hatched along with it, but hope so.
Your charity quilt tops look great! It's nice to have some design ideas that sew up quickly. Love seeing the praying mantis baby! We had an adult female living in one of our flower gardens last year and she did find a mate, so we've wondered if we would see babies. I hope so!
ReplyDeleteI purchased a mantis egg case years ago for my garden (two actually) and yes, they hatched everywhere! But, what was I thinking when I let my chickens out???!! Still saw a few here and there throughout the season but not my brightest moment! Great quilt tops!
ReplyDeleteWonderful charity tops, that's what I did yesterday with my guild. I love your spools, and they will make a great runner! Good luck with next week's goals! Thanks for linking up with To-Do!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I know nearly nothing about praying mantises! I need to get educated!
ReplyDeleteGreat charity quilts, love the blue red and white.
ReplyDeleteCute baby Praying Mantis.
you are right the spool blocks will made a wonderful runner
Your spools are looking great, but they sound like a lot of extra work with the backing. I do like the flowers on the border of the pattern….it would be pretty to add some flowers to your table runner version. Your group is so generous with making so many charity quilts. Good job!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts and love the praying mantis. What a wonderful thing you did to protect it all winter. It was on your arm to thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥
Your spools are beautiful and a runner is the perfect solution if you've just had enough with them. And how cool that you have nurtured little praying mantis babies!!
ReplyDeleteLove praying mantis! How nice of you to protect it. Very sorry those blocks have you fits, but they will make a lovely runner. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome to know you might have had a hand in the little guy surviving! I guess we all get tired and throw the towel in once in a while, it's just part of being human. They will definitely make a gorgeous runner.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see your link this week at 'My Corner of the World'!
That is an amazing number of quilts! Your tops are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteAww, your such a good person to help out those praying mantis eggs. I don't blame you for throwing in the towel on your spool blocks. Pretty, but a pain!
ReplyDeleteGood for you and your guild! That is a lot of quilts. I am sure that they will be well used.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lot of donation quilts, well done! Pretty patterns. Your spool will be great into a runner. I love this saying "I threw in the towel", in French we say "I threw in the sponge" ;))
ReplyDeleteCute baby Praying Mantis, I hope it will grow peacefully.
Thank you for sharing, and linking up today with Patchwork & Quilts!
I've always liked that four patch pattern. Good job getting two tops done!
ReplyDeletethose are fun charity quilts.
ReplyDeleteThe mantis is so cool! (I don't think I've ever seen one (baby or adult) in person.) 300 donation quilts? Wow! And 200 on the way. Good for you to pivot on the spools. Who needs more stress and frustration?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the donation quilts. Sorry to see the spool block project wrap up, but sometimes you just know it's time to stop.
ReplyDelete