Make a Blanket Day

Project Linus National Make a Blanket Day, February 21, 2009 is almost here! Just a reminder that this is the day that Project Linus chapter volunteers and blanketeers across the country celebrate Project Linus with special blanketmaking events.

Please check with you local chapter to see if an event is being planned in your area,
or set a goal to make a blanket to be donated to your local chapter by February 21. Project Linus is very flexible — whatever works for you and your schedule. Keep in mind that depending on weather and local circumstances, the local chapters may have an alternate day of celebration in your area.

We hope that you will honor this day by making a blanket for Project Linus or by helping at a blanketmaking event in your area.

To find a Project Linus Chapter near you, check out
http://www.projectlinus.org.

Thank you!

Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Happy Blocks

Quick Strippie

String Quilt

Twisted Happy Blocks

Dragonflies

Fish

Roman Stripes

Happy Blocks – are you making them?

We’re continuing to work on our Happy Blocks and Happy Block Quilts through the end of February and I’ve heard people comment that they either don’t have a variety of novelty fabrics or don’t have a variety of framing fabrics so here are a couple ideas.

Jessica used the same fabric for all her centers. (photo linked from her site)


LauraJean used just two fabrics for framing her blocks.

So you can see, even with limited fabric choices, these quilts can be really successful.

Happy Block Instructions

The beginning of a new year!

We started out our 3rd year of service making Happy Blocks. They’re a departure from our usual string blocks but every now and then we like a new challenge.

If you’d like to join in, we’ll be collecting blocks for use in group quilts through February and you can find the guidelines are the link below.

Happy Blocks for HeartStrings

Take a look below at some of the blocks and tops being made by HeartStrings members.

This set has all cat prints.
I love the graphic black and white of this top.
Here’s a *manly* set from Lori.
And a twisted version.

The giving season

At HeartStrings, we work on making and giving string quilts all year around but as I wandered through the HeartStrings blog ring today, I found several posts that I’d thought you’d enjoy reading.

Judy finished four comfort quilts for a family who lost 2 children in a fire.

Ruthie’s guild made holiday placemats for Meals on Wheels.

Deb’s been collecting hats and scarves for kids in Kosovo.

Nann made a donated a quilt for a fundraiser AND made one for a little boy being adopted.

Hanne finished a string star quilt that was mailed off to be donated to children with long term diseases.

Alycia showed off some of the pillowcases that have arrived from our Pillowcase Party over Thanksgiving weekend. They’ll hold the Quilts of Valor that will be donated in May 2009.

JJ continues to make quilts to send to East Timor.

Pat made a Yellow Brick Road quilt that will be donated to a crisis center.

And I took 2 quilts with me on my trip to Virginia for the Angel Tree at Mom’s church.

We’re planning another party!

Mark your calendar now for a HeartStrings Party – New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, we’ll be making Happy Blocks to start off our special project for January and February. (You didn’t think we ONLY did string quilts did you?)

We’re going to be making quilts for kids so pull out your novelty fabrics and some brights to go along with them!

Instructions for the blocks can be found at the link below:
Happy Blocks Instructions.

If you’re a little twisted like me, there’s a twisted version of the block too BUT you’ll need to make a full set of 48 blocks or piece the entire top to send these in. If you just want to make a few blocks use the instructions above.
TWisted Happy Blocks Instructions.

Email me at mmcjohnson@gmail.com with questions or for the mailing address to send in blocks.