Thursday, August 20, 2009

We've moved!

We're in the process of updating our website and have combined our blog and the website into one.


All our posts from this blog can now be found there so update your bookmarks and come visit us at

Friday, August 14, 2009

Happy Blocks

Do you remember the Happy Block project we started back in January and February? Well we're still making and finishing quilts in fact I put the last stitch in the binding of one tonight and I was excited to read the email from Sue about her group. She wrote:

When I saw this site with the happy block quilts, I linked it to the leader of our Sarasota KIDZ Quilts group and we have been making dozens of them for 2 months now!! We donate all of them to the NICU of the Sarasota hospital...and they are so appreciated.

She sent along some photos and I chose a few to share here.





Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Northwest Sew-in photos

I'm late getting these photos posted from the last HeartStrings Sew-in which was held on the 26th of June in the Seattle area. Doesn't it look like fun? The next one will be held in Roberts, WI so plan to join us!





Wednesday, July 15, 2009

More donations


Nine HeartStrings tops arrived today from Sue and her Oroville/Chico California group which has been meeting once a month since January. They'll be quilted and donated by me and other HeartStrings volunteers in the coming months.


I'm constantly amazed at the generosity of quilters who have participated in HeartStrings over the last 2 and a half years and I love the grassroots effect of the project with quilters working on their own within their communities and groups to make these quilts for those in need.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

An upcoming sew-in ---- Roberts, WI

The Roberts Sew-in is August 22, a Saturday, from 8:30 until about 3 (we stop a little early so we can visit a local quilt shop on the way home!)


We'll do the usual potluck lunch. Bring your sewing equipment and we'll make blocks and quilts and have a great time. There is a database set-up on our Yahoo list so we can see what others are bringing for food and sewing equipment - you don't need to belong to that group to attend -- just email Kathy to let her know what you'll be bringing and for directions.

We'll be at the Warren Town Hall just outside the village of Roberts.

Mark your calendars and come to the wonderful Wisconsin countryside to see some HeartStrings friends and have a great sewing day.

Email Kathy (kwmiller@pressenter.com) privately for directions. It's easy to find.

Monday, June 29, 2009

A soldier quilt by JoAnne

Here's a gorgeous QAYG HeartStrings quilt made by JoAnne.

To learn how to make one of your own, take a look at Jan Mac's tutorials.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

String Quilt Inspiration

In addition to our typical HeartStrings quilt, many patterns can be adapted for use with strings. I've compiled a list of inspirational links from HeartStrings members and readers of my blog to share with you.


Don't forget to take a look at the HeartStrings Photo Albums for even more inspiration!


I got a lot of Flickr links emailed to me and rather than listing them all here, I'll link to a Flickr search for String Quilts -- check it out there's lots of good inspiration there.

And finally, some links from my own quilts. These quilts have instructions sheets posted on my website in case you want to give them a try.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Creative Quilters - AZ


I received an email from Mary today sharing this gorgeous HeartStrings group made by her group. She wrote:

I just wanted you to know how much good the heartstrings pattern has done. The picture included in this e-mail is of a quilt that our group did earlier this year. We live in a retirement community and our visitor’s center need to raise some funds, so we decided to make this quilt and let them raffle it off. It was such a delightful project. All the ladies made the blocks, one lady sewed the blocks together, I quilted it, and another lady did the binding. It was really a group effort.

Thank you for all you do.

Mary Holland

Creative Quilters

Sun City, AZ

You can find instructions for making your own HeartStrings quilt at this link.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Tying a HeartStrings Quilt

At our Nebraska sew-in, Jay shared how he learned to tie a quilt from his grandmother. I'd been interested in posting instructions on tying HeartStrings quilts so I took the opportunity to take photos and create a tutorial.

How to Tie a HeartStrings Quilt

Julia and Sheree pose with the finished quilt.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Sew-ins


We had back to back sew-ins in MN and NE and worked on assembling the Happy Blocks sent in from all over during our January and February project. Eight tops were assembled and sent home with quilters and even more block sets were taken home with members to be assembled, quilted, and donated.

Thank you so much for participating -- there will be many very cute quilts for kids finished in the coming months as a result of your generosity.

Click on the links below to:

See photos from the MN sew-in on April 25th

See photos from the NE sew-in on May 2nd

Look at our completed quilts for 2009 to see finished happy blocks as well as other quilts finished so far this year.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

QAYG


We've been making Quilt as you Go blocks to send to Australia but it's a great technique if you want to try it yourself.

Jan Mac created a tutorial for making the blocks and a Part 2 for assembling them.

Hanne's been busy

Check her blog to see her recent progress.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Chinese Coins variations

Becky's working with RWB coins donated by HeartStrings members and is trying a new setting. Chinese Coins quilts are great because you can use up those short strings.


Becky also has a tutorial for another great coins quilt and there are instructions for several quilts at my MaryQuilts.com site.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Quilts for Hospice

Kathie recently shared this bright, happy HeartStrings quilt on her blog. Visit her to read about the project she's working on to make quilts for her local hospice.

In memory of Marilyn Gossen

A donation was made by Linda in memory of her friend Marilyn. It was a thoughtful way to remember a quilter by helping to provide quilts to those in need.

For those that would like to participate in HeartStrings, visit our website to see how you can help.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

QAYG project for AUS

Are you making QAYG blocks to send to Australia for those effected by the bushfires? If so, you might be interested in this blog that shares the quilts being made, collected, and donated.

Oz Comfort Quilts

If you'd like to help - join us in making QAYG blocks in March and April. We'll collect them and mail them to Jan Mac, a HeartStrings member who will asssemble them.