Category Archives: Hospice Quilts

Sewing Therapy and More

Posted on September 18, 2021 by heARTs Creations

I found myself floundering the past week as I was working through emotions on the loss of my sister. She had been sick for a while and although her passing was imminent, it somehow doesn’t seem real when it actually happens. To help clear my mind, I went to my 2 1/2″ strip box and began to sew. Mindless sewing can be so very therapeutic!

A few hours of sewing resulted in this scrappy Hospice quilt. I cut a backing from a pretty printed fleece and hung both in my flimsy closet to be quilted another time. Of course, there’s many more strips to sew together for many more quilts!

Cooking is also therapeutic for me. After sewing, I made a batch of dough for a pizza. We are spoiled with homemade pizza and no longer order out for it. It was yummy and some is in the freezer for a quick fix dinner another night! That is always a win.

In the garden the red spider lilies were popping up in several places – so pretty and such joy!

I’ll be retreating this coming week in Blowing Rock and am so looking forward to it. Those coming are always such a joy. We sew, laugh, share and laugh some more. Lucky me.

Note: The 2021 retreats are full. You may put your name on a wait list.

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Posted in block pattern, charity quilts, Color, garden, Hospice Quilts, Projects, Quilting, Quilting Retreat, Scraps. Bookmark the permalink.

Off to Give Comfort

Posted on August 29, 2021 by heARTs Creations

One of my favorite things to do with quilts – take a pic of them hanging on the line together before they get sent off! There are eight quilts this time round, all going to Hospice. All are lap quilts, varying sizes and one is a wheelchair quilt. There are five Hospice flimsies with backings hanging in the closet. Not sure when I’ll get them quilted – just waiting for inspiration to hit!

The list of Works in Progress is still doable for me. I no longer want 20 projects in the wings that are half sewn. There was a time I actually loved that, but my focus has changed. I’ve also been keeping my quilting expenditures down. Let’s see what I can do between now and my next update posting!

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Posted in charity quilts, Fabric, Hospice Quilts, Projects, Quilting, Stash. Bookmark the permalink.

The Foundling Quilt & Update

Posted on August 1, 2021 by heARTs Creations

Early July, I pulled my orphan blocks out and began playing with them on the design wall. I found a few more and there has been SO much rearranging. I’m thinking this is going to be the final layout – maybe. Every so often when i walk by it, I change something. I know that has to stop so I finally committed and sewed a few blocks together. Now all I need do is decide how to tie it all together. I’m in the process of pulling filler fabrics. This, my Foundling quilt, is definitely a challenge and that is making it enjoyable for me.

Looking back at my overall progress, I’m please that I’m headed in the direction I wanted to go, and closer to my goal. That goal? Chip away at my Works in Progress so that I only have two going at one time, reducing the flimsies hanging in my closet, and overall reducing my ridiculous large stash.

There are a number of projects in the wings – patterns with fabric, but nothing cut. Two of those projects are kits. I’m thinking of selling one because although I like it, I’m not excited about it! I also have a large hand work project waiting in the wings. It’s the Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments which was rather pricey and will take some time and I absolutely want to do that one.

Some quilters can’t imagine narrowing down to this extent, but it is giving me piece of mind. And really, I have a house full of quilts, my kids have many quilts, I’ve given too many to count away, and unless I’m chomping at the bit to make it, adding another quilt to the pile no longer gives me pleasure. I’m big into simplify these days!

Side Note – I made a few more changes to the Foundling layout!

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Posted in charity quilts, Design Wall, Fabric, Hospice Quilts, Quilting, Stash. Bookmark the permalink.

Another, then Another

Posted on July 25, 2021 by heARTs Creations

Woo Hoo! Two more Hospice finishes. The first one was made with some orphan blocks I found from another Hospice quilt finished last year. There was just enough to make a wheelchair quilt. I really like these little quilts. They’re small so they go quickly, and they’re very practical for those in wheelchairs. As you can see, the corners are cut to avoid getting caught in the wheels. On this one I had enough to add a pocket. It’s lined with the same fleece I used for the backing. The pocket can hold tissues, cell phone, etc. and keep hands warm!

This second finish is from a top that was sent to me by a reader. It too is backed with fleece (as are all my Hospice quilts now). It’s bright and fun and hopefully will bring warmth and comfort.

I’m ready to connect with the Hospice rep and move some quilts out of the house – my favorite part of the process! I’ll be working on my other projects for a while and probably won’t be revisiting the Hospice quilts until fall. My goal for the future is to work on one charity quilt a month. Hmmm. We’ll see!

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Posted in block pattern, charity quilts, Fabric, Hospice Quilts, Quilting, Stash and tagged Hospice, projects, Quilting, Quilts. Bookmark the permalink.

Two More!!

Posted on June 5, 2021 by heARTs Creations

So happy to have completed two more quilts for Hospice. These will be the last of my finishes for a while as I will be concentrating on a few of my personal quilts.

The first is a quilt with triangle blocks that were cut on the Sizzix and sewn together by attendees at a retreat in 2019. Seems forever ago, especially since there weren’t any retreats in 2020. I’ve been going through my donation bin lately and pulled these out – put them together – quilted – sewed the binding and done!!

Next was a quilt that was donated quite some time ago. It was already backed and there was a little bit of quilting done. It really was a pretty quick finish to get this quilted – oh why, oh why did I wait so long?? I also love that it’s all blue. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a great pic – the colors are really much more vibrant in person.

I especially love that so many hands were involved in the completion of these quilts. A few more finished to add to the pile and they’ll be on their way to Hospice.

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On Their Way

Posted on April 18, 2021 by heARTs Creations

On Friday, the volunteer coordinator for the local Hospice came to my home to pick up nine quilts. It was a wonderful bonus to have her visit me and talk about donated quilts. It was especially awesome to hear about the comfort and joy they give to Hospice patients. And here there all are:

This quilt was put together with blocks a reader sent to me about a year and a half ago. Oh the colors – so happy! I had been so enthused about this quilt once put together, it was quickly quilted and bound.

The quilt below was made by me about fifteen years ago. The children had flown the nest and I had run out of things to sew. I took a log cabin class at the local quilt shop. I knew nothing about quilting the quilt, so I tied it. It has gone from cupboard to closet ever since. It will be so much better off as a donation quilt. So glad it will finally have a home and some use!

This log cabin quilt also serves to remind me how my quilting life has developed over the years. Such a joyful hobby!

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Posted in charity quilts, Fabric, Hospice Quilts, Quilting and tagged Hospice Quilts. Bookmark the permalink.

Scrappy Finish

Posted on October 11, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Another Scrappy Finish and soon to be another quilt to go to Hospice! I began piecing this quite some time ago and a few blocks sat on the design wall for much too long. In a moment of boredom, a few more blocks were added. Finally, last week, I got a bit annoyed with myself for having let it go for so long, so…I sewed!

I really got into it and by the end of the day all the blocks were together, a pieced border added, and it was a flimsy. was just the sewing therapy I needed. It now hangs with several other to be quilted tops, a few which are also for Hospice.

Just waiting for the urge to quilt to strike!

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Posted in block pattern, charity quilts, Color, Hospice Quilts, Projects, Quilting, Scraps and tagged Hospice quilt, scrap quilt. Bookmark the permalink.

The Best Mail

Posted on September 7, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Recently I heard from “JP” in Florida asking if I would be interested in receiving a quilt for the Hospice ministry. Of course I was! Imagine when the box arrived stuffed to the brim with not one quilt top – but several with the added bonus of fabric for a border and backing for one of the quilt tops.

These quilt tops are perfect in both size and design for Hospice. I especially love that more than one could be for a male patient. I’m especially blown away by the amount of time, effort and resources that went into these quilt tops. This level of generosity moves me greatly.

WOW – what treasures! Thank you, Thank you JP! My goal is to get at least two of these quilted in November. I need a quilting fairy!

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Posted in charity quilts, Hospice Quilts, Quilting and tagged Charity, Quilts. Bookmark the permalink.

One Blue, One Green

Posted on May 10, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Happy Mother’s Day! For all mothers, I hope your day is blessed with pampering. For all, may sweet memories of your mother fill your day. Thanks to hubby for starting my day with a yummy breakfast. Cooking a full breakfast is so out of his comfort zone – a true act of love!

Hospice blue

Two more Hospice quilts have been put together and quilted. I have really been on a roll with these and it feels so good. The blocks for this blue quilt were pieced at a retreat. I then pieced the blocks. My friend Laurie took the flimsy home and quilted it (thank you, thank you!) I then put on the binding and voila! A group effort and another quilt that will be headed to give someone warmth and comfort.

Hospice Blue 2

Number two is this green quilt. I did all the piecing on this one and then the quilting and binding. It’s a bright and cheery quilt and I do hope it will bring a smile to its recipient.

Hospice Green Hospice Green 2

It feels so good to have several Hospice quilts done and ready for donation in the fall. I hope you have been finding joy with your efforts!

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Posted in block pattern, charity quilts, Color, Hospice Quilts, Projects, Quilting and tagged Charity, Color, projects, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

Hawaiian Strings – The Flimsy

Posted on May 3, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Hawaiian String

String quilts – I love doing them! They’re pretty easy, quick and so satisfying. When I look at each individual block as I’m sewing and pressing, there doesn’t seem to be much to them. But…once all put together – wonderful!

A friend recently shared some Hawaiian shirt leftovers from memory quilts she made. Cutting strips maximized the amount of the fabric I could use. I pulled a few batik scraps, using a neutral as the center strip for each block. The flimsy was completed in just two days! Such a great way to take a break from other projects that take more precision and thinking. This now hangs on my “flimsy hangar” to be quilted most likely this fall. Such good therapy!

I’ve redone my Works in Progress chart for 2020. Separating out actual works in progress from quilt tops to be quilted has helped me to have a better grasp on where I’m at. Also, instead of listing each Hospice quilt individually, I’ve grouped them, especially since some were donated.