Scrapping for a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis

Last year I was asked to participate in an auction that benefits Cystic Fibrosis.  The organization I worked with is called Scrapping for a Cure.  It was started and is still run by Rachael McGuire and her family.  Rachel is the mother of Kaitlyn; a pretty fabulous 9 yr-old diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 18 months old.  Rachel and her sisters have been hosting a scrapbook retreat ever year since 2010.  I made a quilt last year for the auction and helped to raise almost $2000  over $8,600 (Edit: the $2,000 was from a different and singe event - garage sale- they hosted this year that will go towards the 2016 donation); the most they have risen since they began doing the auction. 

I learned about this cause and event through my friend Tara, Kaitlyn’s aunt.  Tara is probably the most creative person I know (and I know a ton of creative people).  She is that person you aspire to be and hate at the same time.  We met scrapbooking about 5years ago and have been friends ever since. 

The scrapbook retreat happens in March, here in Memphis.  Its always filled with fun, prizes, classes, and friends (new and old).  There is usually a pop-up shop or two for those who run out of supplies too.  I have been and have volunteered.  It’s a blast.  I am hoping that this year I will be able to join in the fun again. 

The quilt – The colors for CF are purple and blue, so I stuck with that when planning.

I quilted in a stipple pattern using aurifil 50wt thread in Dark Purple.  The background is Kona cotton Purple and the binding is Konna cotton Mulberry.

we did pick up and recycle that bottle someone left.  ;)

the back is probably my favorite...almost always is

The quilt finished at 72x72

I had more people want to buy this quilt from me than any other quilt I have ever made – so next year I am telling people about the auction before it starts instead of after.  lol

Check out the Scrapping for a Cure Facebook page and website for more information. 

 

I am hoping that this year will be even bigger and better for them and I have been asked to make another quilt.  I have sent a request out to my quilt guild members for fabric donations and/or block donations for a scrappy star quilt.  The 2016 quilt will be even better than the 2015 I just know it. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

-       Katelyn

Quilt of Valor Top

Awhile back (I start a lot of my posts like that don't I?) I posted about making a Quilt of Valor.  Well we (the Memphis Area Modern Quilt Guild) didn't quite all get our blocks finished by April.  But that was fine because I was super busy.  lol.  So when I got all of the blocks I tried laying them all out to see what pattern/order they should go in.

When I got to this stage ^, I knew I had it.  So I started sewing.  Lots of family visits and other crazy obligations kept me from finishing the top, until this past Sunday.

I love how all of the blocks stand out and kinda blend in at the same time.

Our state's Quilt of Valor representative lives on the exact opposite side of the state...So we will be working with our local VA Medical Center to give this quilt to a local OIF, OEF, or OND veteran (Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, or Operation New Dawn).  After speaking with the VA's volunteer coordinator and finding out that they don't get many QoV (due to the fact that the representative is so far away - we have a long state) I really want to make another.  But we will see...There is so much going on.  

Like finishing this up, for starters.  I put the top together, Janet over at Simply Pieced is making the back and will be basting it too, Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation is going to be quilting and binding the quilt, and then our newest guild member, Carolyn, will be making the presentation bag for the quilt to go in.  I am SO EXCITED!

Here is an up close shot at some of my favorite blocks from the quilt.

Made by Jenny

Made by Susan

Made by Janet

Made by Lori

Made by Sarah

Made by Kelly

Made by me

Quilt of Valor is truly a great project.  What a way to say thanks.  Not all of the recipients will really know what it means or what went in to it, at least not at first.  But they will someday.  And then they will get that we said thank you and really meant it.  You should check the organization out.

- Katelyn

Pretty Pink Princess

Can you get more girly and princess-y than pink and gold?

I wasn't sure I was going to love so much glam, but I do!
 I added a 1in border so I wouldn't lose any of my points in binding.  So the quilt top became 50x50. 

I practiced a regular swoon block here, before doubling the block size and making this quilt.  I'm a tad ocd, but it was most likely not necessary.  The block is super easy, just a bunch of steps/pieces.

In fact, it really took no time at all to put this together.  The quilting, however, is another story.

I chose to FMQ in a Stipple pattern for this quilt.  I wanted something that would no detract, but that I could practice at the same time.  I picked a pretty light pink thread that matched the pink background.
It was going great...until I turned it over.

I was devistated.  The front looked amazing.  But the back - was a monster.  My bobbin tension was all kinds of OFF.  I had quilted 3/4 of the quilt and 1/4 of that - looked like this.

I cried.  I threw the quilt.  I went to sleep.  The next day I got to unpicking my mess.  It took me days.
Then I finally got to get back.  I checked my tension and set to work.
 Until this:

I don't know what happened.  Honest.  I did not sew through this pin.  Yet it still got stuck...in the bobbin thingy (I know - be astounded by the technical jargon). 
And it broke my machine.

Not sure if you can see - but the needle wouldn't go down because it was hitting the bobbin thingy.
There were more tears, some cursing, and complete boredom.
Don't you hate it when you CAN'T do something - then that one thing becomes the only thing you want to do.
Alas, my local repair shop fixed it first thing on Monday and I got to get back to it.

Of course, I am sure that you realize that by the time I got the machine working again, all I wanted was to finish this quilt.  To get it out of my sight and never see it again.  But, I still love it. 

She crinkled up so nicely in the end. 

And you can't see any mistakes on the back - so glad that light pink blended so well on both sides.  lol

Truly fit for a princess - Stubborn, pitiful, full of drama and high maintenance, and fabulously beautiful. 

 

Quilt Info:
 washed -  it's about 48.5x48.5
 Fabrics -
    Top ->    Michael Miller Glitz Metallic Quarter Dot Pearlized Blush
                  Michael Miller Mirror Ball Dot Sunshine
                  Kona Cotton Medium Pink
    Back ->   Michael Miller Glitz Metallic Confetti Single Border    
                  Pearlized Mist
    Binding -> Michael Miller Mirror Ball Dot Sunshine
Pattern - Swoon (by Thimble Blossoms)

I Only hope that the princess this quilt now belongs to doesn't give her mother as much trouble.  ;)

 - Katelyn

And Then I Gave it Away...

*Picture Heavy Post

I finished the quilting and binding, sent it off, and waited... 
My partner was out of town.  But she got it yesterday!
I am so excited.  She told me that she loves it.  So that is...well...fantastic!

I went with baptist fans for quilting.  I don't think I will be doing that again.  Perhaps I just need practice, but it was crazy hard and time-consuming.  I do love the affect though. 
Then my gray binding pulls it together. 
I adore my finished mini-quilt.

I worked hard to pick all of my scraps - I wanted them perfect. 

reds

pinks

oranges

yellows

greens

aquas

navys/darker blues

purples

Then I had to go for a rainbow low volume in the center...cause how could I not, right?

I didn't have anything orange (and that is lime in the green).

Then I had to gather some goodies!

two fat quarters - Lotta Jansdotter and Anna Maria Horner

Then a tiny pin cushion, it is 4inches.  The pattern is by Kelly at Jeli Quilts.  I got it on Craftsy - You have to check her patterns out.

I made a small boxy pouch too.  SO much fun.  I need to make more.  I used the kelbysews tutorial. It was pretty easy, though I think that I will use a heavier interfacing next time. 

I added some nail polish too.  Cause I went slightly overboard.  But it was too much fun. 

of couse I made a card...

I enjoyed this process so much.  I LOVED making new friends and creating new things that I have never made before.  I can't wait for next year. 

See my original post here. 

The Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap has been a blast.  I cannot wait to do it all again next year. 

 - Katelyn

It's a Triangle Baby

With me, prints, and kona cottons.  Not really...well kinda.  lol.  I want to use more solids.  I am on a mission to use more solids.  I love them.  Love the look and the colors, but I always want to buy prints - and then I have no money left for solids.  Ugh...it is a tangled web.

Recently, it seems, my Kona favorite is Berry.  I have bought (and used) so much of that color.  I am gonna need something new and bright very soon.  But for now - I love how it mixed with these pink prints.

All of the prints came from my stash except 3 that I bought as fat quarters.  I am enamored with the randomness.  My mother is not.  Good thing it isn't for her, right? 

The back is all Kona - bright pink, azalea, camellia, carnation, medium pink, baby pink.
I was going for an ombre look.  I thought it would be fun and people are loving that now.  I got the idea from Jen @ BettyCrockerAss when she did a simple solid baby quilt in grays and citron. 

The straight-line quilting was a bear.  But completely worth it in the end.  I think the quilting is my absolutly favorite part of this quilt.
I used Aurifil 50wt in Pink Taffy, such a beautiful variegated thread.

This is for my cousin's baby Abbie.  She will be here around the end of July.  I gave it away this weekend and the future Momma loved it  YAY!!!  Quilty goodness strikes again!

Do you have any triangle tricks to share?  Like how to keep those seams from getting too hefty at the points?  I would like to know that one.  lol  Have a great week!

- Katelyn