Category: Uncategorized

Don’t you love seeing different versions of a quilt using the same block? It just so happens that Nikki and I are working on similar string quilts right now.

She’s using a 9 inch finished block with black centers.

I’m using an 8 inch finished block and varying the color of my stars.

Brenda reminded us that we had a photo of a blue version that Angie had been working on at a sew-in that was made with 6 inch blocks.

If you’d like to make your own version here’s a link to a brief description of how I’m making my quilt which I’m making based on a vintage quilt I saw on eBay.

Stephanie has been busy making and assembling Quilt as You Go HeartStrings.

This is one of 3 she recently finished. These blocks are great because they not only use up leftover strips and strings but they also use leftover batting scraps. You can find instructions at the link above and you’ll note there are several links for different methods for assembly the blocks — if you want to finish your quilt like hers, Stephanie used Keryn’s method so click that link when you’re done making your blocks.

Some more progress on our current project to inspire you to join in.

From Alycia some RWB blocks

From MaryH this lovely pink/green HeartStrings with yellow centers

And from me, this bright,cheery HeartStrings with black centers

See how much fun we’re having choosing our own colors and combinations? If you’d like to join in, click here to view the details of this ongoing project.

We haven’t forgotten RWB while we play with other color combinations. Nancy and her group recently finished this top.

We’re continuing to work on blocks and tops for our current challenge.

Cathy finished a set of i Spy HeartStrings blocks using Turquoise centers.

And look at this color combination of Bobbi’s

This year’s challenge give us the opportunity to play with all different color combinations and by creating entire sets of blocks, allows us to break out of our typical blue and red centered blocks for a while.

To join in the fun (the project goes through August) click the link above for details.

Won’t you join us and make a set of blocks, a top, or even an entire quilt? Details for our current project are here.

This week Rebecca finished a set of blocks with brown centers.

Sarah finished a top with red centers

And I pulled a pretty border fabric and started a set of bright blocks to go with it

These quilts and more are on their way to completion and will provide warmth and comfort to someone in need when they’re finished.

We’ve been hard at work on our new challenge and you’ll get to see lots of fun variations like this one by Rebecca using stripes. Rebecca assembled her blocks into a top but you can participate by making a complete set and sending them in for volunteers to finish too. See the details at this link.

It’s our first official sew along of our newest project, we’re encouraging everyone to make a full set of blocks and even assemble the top if they’re so inclined. Don’t worry, you don’t need to make all the blocks tomorrow – our project will be continuing through August.

Cindy made an early start and already has this gorgeous top completed, her red strips were cut 1 inch but otherwise the blocks follow our standard guidelines.

What variation will you choose to work on??

Since we’ve done just about every color challenge in the past 5 years we’re
going to do something a bit different this year.

Our challenge will be for everyone participating to make (at least) ONE full set
of blocks — 24 blocks for a child’s quilt or 48 for an adult quilt — using any
color combinations you choose.

The challenge will run for 6 months from Feb 2012 through August 2012 so it’s
VERY doable to make just one set but I’m hoping that you will join me and make
more than one.

As always, you will be able to send in the block sets to Sue or Stephanie, send
in the completed top for a volunteer quilter to finish and donate, or complete
and donate your finished quilts locally.

We will have a weekly sew-along on Monday’s to share our progress.
If the weekend works best for your sewing — make sure you still pop in on
Monday and post/share a photo of the blocks you are working on.

I’m looking forward to seeing lots of FUN combinations and we will share photos
along the way of some of our all time favorite HeartStrings quilts to help
inspire you.

So get ready for our Feb 1st start day — cut your foundations, gather your
strings, and start looking for inspiration in our photo albums.

Additional links:
You’ll still need to follow the guidelines for the blocks — just substitute
your color schemes

Here’s a link to our photo albums for inspiration:
https://picasaweb.google.com/HeartStringsQuiltProject

For anyone who chooses NOT to participate — we will still continue to accept
any number of blocks made according to the guidelines with Red or Blue centers.

Finally, I’m very excited about this challenge and hope that 2012 will be our
most productive year yet!

Our last project paired up black centers with brights or homespuns – – look how the black makes these bright strings sing in Pat’s quilt.