A Mixture of QAYG Quilts

I've made good progress so far this week despite paid work and family commitments. I've been combining different sets of donated QAYG blocks and the last quilt was made from 2 sets of blocks from different donations. The lighter green blocks off-set the darker blocks and it looks much brighter than the photo shows.
The second quilt was made from a set of different blocks which didn't really fit with any of the other blocks I had to work with and looks much better on a bed than it does on the wall and will keep someone warm and comforted.
The first quilt was made from various blocks made with kid's fabric as the feature. The quilts are much prettier and brighter than the photos show as it was getting dark when I took the photos.
I'm hoping to get more finished tomorrow as well as quilting more donated tops, so check back soon for more finishes.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Six For the Week

I guess I should wait until Sunday to give the week's total but as we have family staying I may not get more finished this week. I've had a productive week so far and manged to finish off another QAYG quilt as well as quilting two more donated tops.
Thanks to everyone for commenting on the last post. The lovely quilter who donated all the QAYG blocks for the quilt I mentioned had no need to apologize for sending 34 instead of 35 blocks as I can make the quilts from however many blocks people care to donate. Mixing and matching is easy to do and the sashing and binding fabric ties them all together.
I've been making more quilts for kids using sets of 24 blocks set 4x6 and using bright kids prints so really anything goes if you have time and fabric scraps to make some blocks.
Many thanks for all your help.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Can You See It?

Three more QAYG quilts finished in the last few days and the first one was made from a set of 34 lovely bright blocks. I added one other donated block to make it up to a quilt of 35 blocks. Can you see the block which wasn't part of the original set? It's the 6th block down on the right hand side. I had trouble finding it too so I think it plays nicely with the rest of the blocks.
The other quilts were also made from donated sets of blocks and the different colours make them all look diffferent, from pastels to brights or darker masculine colours.
I also quilted some tops today and will show more photos when they are bound.
Many thanks for all the donated QAYG blocks which makes it so much quicker to get finished quilts out to needy people.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Just One More

I didn't get quilt tops finished yesterday as I'd planned but I did get a start on making some Christmas gifts for the needy and they are shown on my other blog. However I did manage to finish off this lovely QAYG quilt made from a set of donated blocks predominantly in green.
I also added the knitting pattern for the mini Christmas stockings to my sidebar on both blogs in case anyone is interested in making a few to donate.
I have paid work tomorrow but hope to finish off some more gifts and of course more quilts on Monday.
Have a fun weekend.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Back to Quilting

It's been good to get back to the sewing machine and get more QAYG quilts finished as the need seems to be ongoing in many communities. These bright and cheerful quilts may be the one bright part of the Christmas celebrations and I'm getting as many finished as possible in case they are needed as Christmas gifts for the needy.
I'm also working on making some soft toys and hope to have some finished to show soon. The spring weather is beautiful at the moment and it feels like summer is on its way again so I'm going to finish some donated tops tomorrow before it gets too hot to work the sewing machine all day.
Before we know it Christmas will be here so if you have some time and some yarn or fabric scraps perhaps you'd like to make a soft toy or a mini Christmas stocking to donate for the needy. I have the instructions on my other blog at Sew Many Quilts Too Little Time.
Even just one would bring a smile to someone's face at Christmas. The mini stockings will be filled with lollies for the needy and will most likely be the only gift they will receive.
Many thanks, Jan Mac

A Letter From Christchurch

Just before I left for my 4 week trip away I had sent off more quilts to Christchurch, New Zealand, and Miriam had distributed them for me.
I received a lovely letter from one of the recipients with two photos and she has given me permission to post them here so you can see some of what the residents of Christchurch have endured and how much the gift of quilts have meant to them.

Dear Jan,

My name is Elsa and I’ve just received one of your beautiful quilts (it might have been made by Doreen, as her name is also written on there).

I work in the church office, so I’ve seen many of the quilts arriving and being given out to people affected by the quakes.

I was crushed in my car by a falling wall when the February earthquake happened. I spent two nights in hospital and have almost fully recovered from my injuries. I am very blessed compared to a lot of people. My husband and I got married in October and had planned to wait a little longer to have children, but changed our minds after the accident. I’m now 5 months pregnant and your quilt is such a beautiful gift. I can’t imagine how many hours must go into creating something like that. It is a real work of art!

I hope you don’t mind that I asked for a way to write and thank you. People around the world have been extremely kind and thoughtful and generous towards our city. It often makes me a bit teary. It is hard for us to receive things and not be able to thank the people involved, as often we don’t know who they are. It really does mean so much, all the little gifts adding up, and the knowledge that strangers are thinking of us with no desire to be repaid.

I pray that God will bless you for your kindness. Our family will treasure the quilt forever.

I have attached a couple of photos so that you can see just one of the lives that you have impacted with your gifts.

With love,

Elsa Wright

It's hard to see but that is actually Elsa's car which has been crushed during the earthquake and it is a miracle that she survived. Elsa, thank you for your beautiful letter and for allowing me to share it with all the generous quilters from around the world who have contributed to the donation of quilts.
As you can see, the quilts are reaching the people affected by the dreadful natural disasters experienced by so many people and the gift of a quilt is especially appreciated by the recipients. Now I'm back home from my travels I'm busy getting more quilts finished and will have photos to show tomorrow.
Hugs and thanks, Jan Mac