Where do you find inspiration?

Have you been browsing through the new HeartStrings Blog Ring? Here are some recent quilts posted by members.

From my blog, Half String Hearts. An instruction sheet for making this quilt is available on my MaryQuilts.com site.

On Becky's blog, a Funky Caterpillar quilt from RWB coins donated by HeartStrings members. She also wrote instructions for this quilt and shared them.

Ruthie shared a chinese coins quilt that she dressed up with buttons and yo-yo's.

If you are a HeartStrings quilter and have a blog, you can join our blog ring.

Let's go Green for Guys

After getting some input from HeartStrings members who attended the WI/MN area sew-in August 2nd, I chose Green for Guys as our special project for September and October 2008.

Think guy quilts as you create HeartStrings blocks using a center green strip. Use the guidelines and remember to replace the center red or blue strip with a 2 inch green strip.

Make one block, a set of 48, or anything in between. Email me for the address to mail blocks.

HeartStrings Blog Ring

Click on the logo to view the blogs of HeartStrings quilters.

HeartStrings members and bloggers - don't forget to sign up for the new HeartStrings blog ring.

Variations

Every now and then it's fun to try something different. Here are a couple fun string quilt variations from HeartStrings members.

Melva's quilt uses a block with strings in just half of the block - doesn't the sashing add a lot to this quilt too?

Lori's quilt uses light and dark strings on each side of her center rather than mixing them all up.

I'd heard rumors

I knew there were string Quilts of Valor in progress but what an amazing photo. Visit the Gypsy Quilter blog to check them out.

Donated tops

In addition to donations of string blocks made according to our guidelines, HeartStrings accepts completed tops. We quilt, bind, and donate these tops to local charities and I thought I'd share a few that I've finished up this week.

This top was pieced by Sue's Mom from blocks sent in by HeartStrings members.


We also accept non-string pieced tops like this one pieced by Deb in AZ.

This HeartStrings top was pieced by Barbara in FL.

This pretty pink string top was pieced by the quilters at St. Mary's in CT.


If you'd like to donated a completed top or volunteer to quilt and finish tops that have been donated, email me.

Donated strings

Our HeartStrings members have generously shared their strings with other members for use in HeartStrings quilts. Do you ever wonder where those donated strings go?Barbara, one of our members is currently piecing a String X quilt based on Bonnie Hunter's pattern.

So visit Barbara's blog and then click the HeartStrings link in her sidebar to visit other HeartStrings bloggers.

HeartStrings Blog Ring

At the request of several members, we now have a HeartStrings blog ring. If you participate in the project and have a blog, click the logo below to join the ring.

Alycia's Quilts of Valor Project

Alycia, a HeartStrings member, is a supporter and volunteer for Quilts of Valor making quilts for wounded soldiers. Her current goal is to collect 4oo quilts for 2009 to present to the wounded soldiers at Ft. Carson in CO and HeartStrings members are helping her out with blocks, tops, finished quilts, and pillowcases to present them.

This is one of two recent tops pictured on Alycia's blog sent by a Deborah another HeartStrings member. Visit Alycia's blog to read more about her efforts and to see the tops, quilts, and pillowcases being collected.


For information about how you can help email us.

A string heart for HeartStrings

Michele sent photos today of two of her recent HeartStrings quilts.

She writes "Most of the quilts I make make are just regular patterns (through my quilting group), my string quilting is usually patriotic to send on up to Madigan Army Hospital.  I just love string quilting and almost always have one in the pile for the days when it's too hot to think or I'm too tired for any precise cutting and measuring!" 

Don't you love seeing all the variations HeartStrings members come up with?

 

Visit Michele's blog.

Patriotic Quilts

Interested in creating a Patriotic Quilt to tour the US?

Judy Howard has put out a call for quilts 22 x 22 inches to be included in an exhibition that will tour the US for 3 years to "blanket America in Hugs for our Troops, Stitches of Comfort and to promote love of God and Country".

Click here for details.

RWB Chinese Coins

For those of you who participated in our RWB project from Memorial Day to July 4th, you might want to see the progress being made with the Chinese Coins you sent in.



Becky volunteered to receive the Chinese Coins sections and turn them into Quilts of Valor and here are the first two quilts in progress.

To keep up with her progress, visit Becky's blog.

WI/MN Sew-in

Did you join us yesterday and sew along at home?

Fourteen HeartStrings quilters met in Roberts, WI to work and play.