Christmas in July Blog Hop...my day

Contest is now over...thanks for stopping by!

Here's the list of all of the bloggers.  I hope you have a chance to check out what everyone else is up to.


These lovely ladies share the day with me:
Grandmama's Stories
Sandra Kaye Designs
North Hills Quilter==that's me :)
Lv2sew
Quilty Doodads
Quilting in South Carolina
The Raspberry Rabbits
Charise Creates
Traveling Quilter
Nancy B at That Other Blog
Selina Quilts

Here is a super easy quilt to make for when you need that last minute Christmas gift.  I know you aren't like me and wait until the last second to get everything checked off your list!  You probably make all of your Christmas gifts during the summer, so you can take your time and relax!  Ha :)

For this project you will need at least 6 different fabrics.  More is better because it is easier to lay out the blocks so things don't match.  I used up pieces and scraps so there isn't an even number of anything.  I am the area coordinator for Binky Patrol (www.binkypatrol.org) and we get donations of Christmas fabrics all the time.  I have two big boxes right now that are waiting to be made into Christmas stockings for the troops.  Last year the local high school partnered with us and we made over 300 stockings in a single day!  The National Honor Society kids filled them and then delivered them to the returning wounded soldiers that come through Travis Air Force Base.

Ok, back to the quilt...
You need to cut 4 1/2 inch squares and 4 1/2 inch by 8 1/2 inch rectangles.  You will need three sets of these per 12 1/2 inch block so just do a little math (it's ok, you can use a calculator, I won't tell anyone) and figure out how big you want the finished quilt.  I make a ton of kid size quilts so I would go with either 12 or 20 blocks.  This one was made with 24 blocks set 4x6 so it is big enough for a tall guy.  But, it you are really ambitious, you can make it King Size.  I made a King Size quilt once.  Yeah, once...

 Start by sewing one square to the end of the rectangle.  You can press these, or not.  I'm not a presser.  If I can make a quilt without having to get out of my chair, I'm a happy camper :)

 Then, sew two strips together, flipping so the squares are on opposite ends.

Now, sew the last strip on, with the square next to the rectangle.  This is your basic block.  I have no idea if this block has a name or not, but I just came up with it while trying to clean out some of my scrap boxes.  I had some 4 1/2 inch squares and was making 9 patch blocks.  Then, I came across the 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangles and started playing around

Begin the layout of the quilt.  This can be the fun part or can drive you crazy.  I love having my kids help me with this as we all gather around the quilt and move blocks until they are perfect.  I'm sure they will tell their children about making quilts (or how I tortured them!)


Sew the blocks together, add a border and quilt!  I added 4 1/2 inch borders all the way around, but you can make them any size you want.  Finished size of my quilt is 56x80 inches.  Great for cudding up on the couch with and would be perfect in Red, White and Blues for a Quilt of Valor or any color you like.  This quilt took me about 4 hours to complete.  Like I said, I love making quick and easy quilts.

This quilt, along with many others will be going to the Emergency Responders and those recovering from the Aurora Colorado shooting.  If you would like to help out, join the Facebook page for more information.  We are trying to collect about 400 quilts to cover everyone involved in the tragedy.  Can you make up a quilt quickly and get it sent?
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora-Colorado-Emergency-Responder-Quilts/401592493230782

We'd love to have you join us!

I promised a prize for this blog hop since it is Christmas :)

How about a $25 gift card to JoAnn's?  I love shopping at my local JoAnn's and shopping online.   It's where I get all of my batting for the many quilts I make.  I use the 50 yard roll of Kodel brand and with a 50% off coupon can get it shipped to me for about $38.  I love the poly batting because it is thin and makes the quilts lightweight.  Perfect for cuddle quilts.
http://www.joann.com/kodel-traditional-loft-polyester-batting-48-x50yds/prd14437/

Here are the rules for the Gift Card Giveaway:
1. Leave a comment letting me know if you are a last minute gift maker or you work on Christmas gifts all year long.
2.  Leave a second comment and let me know if you've ever made charity quilts.  What is your favorite charity to give them to?
3.  Leave a comment if you are a follower of my blog.

Three comments, three chances to win.



Merry Christmas everyone!