April Block of the Month - It’s in the Stars

It’s in the Stars
April Block of the Month.




This month we’re doing a new star. It’s fun and fast and will be the largest block we’ve made so far. The finished size with be 16 1/4”. And it’s entirely made up with squares, with a little bit of a twist.
Cut 1 square 8 ½” This is the center square of the star.
Cut 8 4 1/2” background squares.
Cut 4 4 ½´ squares for the star rays.
Cut 4 4 ½” corner squares.
Figure 2 (cut squares)

Want it all?

See the full details HERE

Hey Neighbor! Welcome!!

These days it seems all to frequently in our area, when we get home - we disappear into our homes.

We turn on electronic devices and connect to the world or the world comes to look at what we are doing.

How would you greet your neighbor if you saw them or knew what they did for fun (quilting right?!).

Last month we had visitors, 414 + 5...give or take. Whew!

From around the world and across the United States, neighbors came to see, read and understand what fun we were having and what good deed we were doing!

People of all walks of life came from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Poland, Japan, Norway, France, Netherlands, Romania, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Ireland, Taiwan, Mexico, Pakistan, Finland, South Korea, Philippines, Hungary, Spain, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Serbia, Argentina, Israel and that was just last month, Whew!

So What’s the Point?

Someone or so MANY are interested in the good works we are doing! From the United States (34 STATES !) one neighbor in particular was so interested she JOINED IN by making the Block Of The Month!

Welcome Neighbor! Welcome Deb Tiefenthather from Columbus Ohio!

Deb recognized the MSP Quilting Angels, because her daughter and husband attended Mother Seton Parish (our benefactor and home) while they lived in Germantown in recent years. Oh how good deeds get noticed!

Deb says, she has made 2 Quilts of Valor and is working on two more! Way to go! QOV Rocks!

So, our new neighbor has sent us beautiful Patriotic Blocks using our Block Of The Month selections.

Deb, and all our new neighbors, you can’t imagine what will happen next!!

So, the bottom line is this, listen, invite, join up, but JOIN IN!

Your life and the lives of those we serve will be forever changed, I guaranteed it!

Coming up, read about another Al you have not met, but wish you could!

Pssst! Want a peak in and see what great deeds Deb was performing? Look HERE.

I went to the County Fair, The Birds and the Bees Were There..

The jingle, although changed above, recalls a simpler time. Go, seek out a simpler life. Find a local fair and attend. Get involved with the 4 H group in your area. Your life will be forever changed.

See how it changed the life of Deb Franklin of Germantown, MD.

What does it take to be a Leader?

Give. Give of yourself, your talent, your time. Give your passion selflessly to others that they too might, might then give to others and so on.

Meet Deb Franklin, of Germantown, MD. Deb has been in the alterations business for, well let's say, a long time.

While working, Deb has also been involved in sewing for fun, teaching children (do you read multi-talented) and adults too.

In May 2009, Deb, a member of MSP Quilting Angels, came to the group to encourage them to enter the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. Let me tell you, you could hear a pin drop. The impression was, not us! Deb lead the group toward what would be the most visually impressive geometric quilt we'd ever tackle.

Fabric was chosen, group assignments were given, teaching and mentoring began. The mantra of precision was hammered home. The unwilling and the fearful were led to the promised land. The quilt began to come together as few could believe it could.

Deb handled the quilting, Sandi finished the hanging pocket, Viola!

First Place - Group Quilt, 2009 Montgomery County Fair!

God Bless you Deb and Thank You from All the MSP Quilting Angels.

See the pictorial story, start to finish - FIRST PLACE

A Journey Toward a Common Goal or Two Paths Crossing

Today, the MSP Quilting Angels welcomed two new members – Kendra from Hagerstown and Rachel from Rockville!

Welcome Ladies to the Angels.

The ladies that join us and those that are already members have vastly different skill levels – from beginner to advanced, yet we all share one common goal – helping others.

The MSP Quilting Angels provides quilts for two worthy organizations – Quilts of Valor and Quilts for Kids. The Quilts of Valor are delivered to our VA hospital in Baltimore and the Quilts for Kids are delivered through the Candlelighters during the Annual Tree Lighting Event held in Washington, DC.

Kendra, an advanced quilter (and longarmer too!) is interested in forming a group in her hometown and is helping the Angels comfort soldiers and kids with cancer. Rachel, a new quilter, is learning pattern selection, design and basic quilting skills.

Though is may seem odd to some readers, both Kendra and Rachel share a common bond – helping others. Irrespective of your skill level, whether you join in locally or create the Block of the Month, it is one thing to join UP, but the most important thing you can do is JOIN IN.

In 2004, Suzanne Wade and Kathy Adams (pictured above), together founded the MSP Quilting Angels – a party of two. In the beginning, there were many needs and a few but growing number of quilters. They built the group, delivered numerous quilts to many organizations. Upon this foundation, the MSP Quilting Angels have gone on to deliver hundreds of quilts, to several organizations, been recognized by national organizations for service and partnered with others across the nation to create heirloom quilts from donated blocks.

What made the difference? Not merely the number of those that joined, but those that joined in the fun of a community working together.

When is the next meeting? August 1, 2009.

The question is….will someone Join up or will they Join IN?

Quilt On!

Kathy

Flag Day - June Block of the Month

The pride and honor we associate with the Flag of The United States of America, is long steeped in history.

A proper presentation of that history can be found here.

The June Block of the Month celebrates our patriotic forefathers, veterans, those that paid the ultimate price for our freedom and our wounded warriors.

Join us in celebrating our history and the freedom we hold so dear.

The 2009 June Block of the Month is the 8 Pointed Star.

Let’s get started with the details…just click HERE!

May Flowers - The Pinwheel

May Block of the Month – Easy Pinwheel

When I think of May, I imagine children running outside with pinwheels. Maybe that’s because of Mother’s Day or maybe it’s because my birthday is in May. It’s a sign that summer is on its way. So this month I chose the pinwheel as the block of the month. And this pattern also works great for our soldier quilts.

This month the pattern is super simple. A single block can be sewn in less than 10 minutes. In fact with these instructions, you’ll find that you will actually create two blocks. And I’m going to make this a free-for-all for the size of the finished block. You can make your blocks for Quilts of Valor or Quilts for Kids. We’ll mix and match depending on the starting size of your block. But do watch your seam allowances so that we have standard blocks.
Get all the details HERE

April Showers...Block of the Month

April Showers bring May Flowers or....it is a time for a new Block of the Month

The Block of the Month for April – The Monkey Wrench.

I chose this block because it would easily lend itself to a variety of fabrics. You can use some of those novelty fabrics for soldiers or children in the center square. You can also use floral prints or checks. It’s really open to any kind of fabric.

The finished block size is 12 ½”

READ MORE