Today is the kick off of a blog hop honoring Paula B. Paula was a kind and generous quilter who blogged at Paula B Quilts for a number of years. She loved thrifting (we certainly had that in common), studying antique quilts and making quilts for charity. One of her favorite organizations was Project Linus. Our quilting community was saddened to hear of Paula’s death on February 8, 2020 after a short and unexpected illness.
Some weeks later, I received an email from Kate of Smiles From Kate and Janice of Color Creating and Quilting, asking if I would like to be involved in a blog hop as a celebration of Paula’s life. Kate and Janice thought it would be nice to have quilters make a quilt to donate to the organization of their choice. The hop is being held this week as Paula would have celebrated her birthday today, on May 6th. I can’t think of a better way to honor the life of this very generous quilter.
Ok – let’s talk about the quilt I made. Some time back, I posted about thrifting some pretty blue and yellow fabric. I knew I wanted to make a quilt with large pieces so I wouldn’t have to chop of the fabric. To this end, I chose to make a large star quilt. The tutorial is available here on In Color Order. I love this pattern and it can be made in an afternoon. It looks great with bold, large scale prints. This is the second time I made one. Years back, I made a smaller one which hangs in the shop downstairs.
Quilting this up was enjoyable. I did straight lines within the star, echoing the shape of each point. I did a large, loose stipple over the background. My goal was a loose pattern to keep the quilt nice and soft after washing it. The bright yellow fabric used to bind it sets it off perfectly.
Finding a backing fabric was easy. I had a piece of sage green gingham in my yardage stash that worked nicely with this quilt top.
This quilt is destined for Mercy Hospital in Sacramento. I am still organizing Mercyful Quilts for them and I think this will be well loved by the family who chooses it. If you are not familiar with Mercyful Quilts, please read about it by clicking here and here. It is a wonderful opportunity to provide comfort for a family as they say good bye to a loved one. I have recently received a number of quilts donated on behalf of the 2020 Hands2Help event. I will share some of those in a later post.
Let’s get back to the hop! It will be happening through the end of the week.Below you will find the schedule of the bloggers who are participating in this hop. I plan to visit them and see what each came up with and where they are donating to. I love finding out about organizations supported by other quilters. There are many and it is great to know who needs what!
Also a number of wonderful prizes have been donated. Each time you visit one of the blogs below, be sure to leave a comment. Each comment left on any of these posts is an entry into the prize drawing!! The giveaway is open until May 15th. Prizes will be awarded after that date. Enjoy and good luck! I know Paula would be just thrilled to know of all of these quilts being made and gifted in her honor! To see the prizes donated for this event, scroll to the bottom of this post!
Thank you for stopping by today. Enjoy the hop in Paula’s memory – I know I plan to!
Wednesday, May 6
Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of my Quilting Life
Bernie @ Needle and Foot – You are here!
Thursday, May 7
Friday, May 8
Janice @ Color, Creating and Quilting
Prizes!!
Sew Fresh Quilts, $50 gift certificate for her pattern shop.
Quilting Jetgirl, 2 PDF patterns of choice.
Needle and Foot, $25 certificate for her shop.
Figo Fabrics, A fat quarter bundle
A set of quilty gift cards from Initial Thought by DMF Note cards set 1
Sugar Free Quilts, A pattern of choice
A $30 gift certificate for Doris, Cactus Queen Quilt Co
Canuck Quilter Designs – A PDF pattern of choice
$25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop, donated by Janice Holton
The Enlightened Spaniel (Book 1 & 2) by Gary Heads
The large star quilt is so perfect. Uses large pieces but still shows off the fabric.
It’s a lovely quilt Bernie, I have never made one using large pieces but it works great. I’m sure it will be very much appreciated. Thank you for joining in the hop, and especially for generously donating a prize, it is much appreciated.
I think I’ll try that pattern. sarahsgiftnship(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh, I adore that big paisley print! And it looks super with the lighter floral, perfect contrast for this giant star. Paula was a shining star in our community, so this is a wonderful way to honor her memory, Bernie 🙂
You and I were thinking alike in colors! I love the star and have saved the pattern in my “to make” file. I will be sending you my quilt in the next few days. 🙂
Such a great quilt. And for such a great cause. I love that pattern.
What beautiful work on the large Star–I love your fabric choices for this–this pattern lets them shine out;)))
~ ~ ~ waving from afar Julierose
What a wonderful way to honor this quilter! Love the star quilt and your posting is timed perfectly! I was looking at my stash and have several large prints I don’t want to cut up. This is perfect!
What a lovely way to honor a friend. So great that there will be so many quilts donated.
I don’t think I’ve seen that pattern before, but I really like it. The fabrics you used work really well. It looks so cozy and inviting. I’m sure it will bring comfort to someone, and I’m also sure Paula would’ve loved this quilt.
That is a great quilt to showcase the pretty fabric, Bernie! You also wrote a lovely post about Paula to go with it. I’m curious what size you made the HSTs and squares.
Just lovely, Bernie, and it will be so well received! Your generosity knows no bounds!
Love the colours in your fast quilt! Looks like a winner. Lovely way to honour a generous person.
Wonderful tribute! Great Easy Quilt
I always love star quilts, I’m sure it will be appreciated!! Lovely combination of prints.
I’ve made that pattern also as a charity quilt. It’s quick and striking. Sounds like Paula was a wonderful woman.
Another wonderful quilt for charity in honor of Paula. She would be so pleased with so many remembering her and her generous spirit!
I have always loved large fabric pieces in quilts. Your quilt is is a lovely way to remember and honor a fellow quilter.
Large scale prints are so tricky. This quilt is a wonderful way to showcase them. And using these thrifted fabrics for a donated quilt is such a wonderful way to honor your memory of Paula and her giving nature. I do miss her posts.
Such a thoughtful way to remember your friend!
This is such a wonderful way to honor Paula! I’m sure she’s smiling down on everyone who is participating and donating a work in her honor. Your star quilt is perfect for a family who needs comforting and reminding that someone cares. Great work, Bernie!
Your star quilt is lovely! The blue and yellow combination is perfect!
What a pretty quilt! It will be treasured by a lucky family.
Thank you for sharing this lovely memorial post and quilt. It was a lovely and inspiring post.
I love this quilt! — love the fabrics, and the pattern is perfect to showcase them! This is a wonderful way to honor a special lady!!
gorgeous fabrics and so glad you chose that pattern to keep them intact….
Love those colors!
Your quilt is beautiful! So nice of everyone to do this in remembrance of a quilter. Heart touching. Enjoy your day! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
Great quilt. I have this pattern on my “to do” list. Love the colors and backing.
I love the bold star design. Thanks for sharing your design process!
Lovely way to honor Paula’s life. I love your big star quilt!
Beautiful quilt and thanks for the tutorial link. I will have 1 quilt, maybe 2 for Mercyful Quilts in a couple of weeks
Thank you Karrin. Maybe when things loosen up here in Northern CA, we can meet again so I can pick them up. That was fun last year and I’d love to do it again?
It is a beautiful quilt – perfect way to honor and celebrate a quilter.
Your quilt is beautiful! So sorry about Paula.
Beautiful star with beautiful fabrics! It’s such a great and versatile pattern!
Bernie, I love the starry quilt – big, bright and beautiful. I am sure Paula would have approved.
Also wanted you to know that I have two Mercyful Quilts as the next item(s) on my to-do list.
Woohoo!! Thank you Preeti! I can’t wait to see them. 🙂
That’s a beautiful quilt, I love that fabric.
Love your choice of pattern and colors. I’ve printed out the tutorial and will work it up as my next quilt. The current quilt (which I should be quilting rather than typing here) is going to the Adventist Health Tehachapi Hospital. Thanks for contributing to the blog hop. What a wonderful way to honor a quilter’s memory!
Well done Bernie. I’m enjoying some quarantine time sewing and it’s good to see all the lovely work being done in honor of a good soul.
This one block quilt is a wonderful way to remember a generous friend and a great pattern to use for fabrics you hate to cut into. Quick and easy if you aren’t intimidated by bias edges.
What a lovely way to remember a wonderful quilter. Thanks you for sharing you finished quilt.
This is lovely Bernie. Good choice on using that pretty print!
Great quilt. I will have to give it a try
Bernie the quilt is beautiful and I’m sure the recipient will find comfort in the cheery fabrics. Paula must be smiling today. 😄
I love star quilts so this is wonderful.
You inspire me to get my big diamond ruler out.
Beautiful tribute to such a giving quilter. I love the fabrics you used. Made such a beautiful, shining star.
Your quilt is beautiful. I love the one big block quilts. Thanks!
What a wonderful tribute to a quilter. Your quilt is so pretty, blues and yellows are so cheerful.
A beautiful quilt, lovely fabrics and colours! A very fitting tribute to Paula!
Well done!
Barbara x
I agree the yellow binding is perfect! What a nice idea to honor her this way. I read her blog occasionally and she seemed very warm and real.
What a wonderful way to show off your large patterned fabrics. Very vibrant and happy quilt. And such a delightful way to remember a quilter and her generosity.
I have been wanting to try that big star pattern with vintage sheets like Jeni’s. Thanks for sharing.
I want to as well Joye. I have a very large stack of sheets waiting to be used with this pattern. Do you have any sheets yet?
Lovely!
A very lovely quilt, Bernie. And so kind to donate to this charity.
What a wonderful Mercyful quilt! The fabrics were just perfect for this design, and I do like that yellow frame. This is a great charity and important work you’re doing. Thank you for spending all the time it takes. Great job!
Lovely quilt finish, Bernie! I use this pattern to make string star quilts, it is such a great way to use up the ends and bits. Such a wonderful way to honor Paula B.
Wow! Love this great big star!
A great quilt and a great way to remember Paula. Right now I am making a quilt for the Youth Detention Center — our guild project this year to add color to their sterile surroundings.
Your quilt looks like a great way to use large prints. Would be perfect with some that I have.
That’s a great pattern and a great quilt for a wonderful cause. So nice to have Paula remembered this way…I didn’t know her but think this is a fabulous way to honor a quilter.
I think Paula would have been delighted that you used thrifted fabric to create the quilt. The blog hop is a great way to honor her memory.
Hi Bernie, this is a great quilt. Love the size and colors you chose. They don’t always have to be small and intricate to be stunning.
Thank you also for your inspiration. I wouldn’t have met A Doll Like Me if it hadn’t been for you :>
Your quilt is so pretty! I think even I (a non-sane quilter) could make it. Such a lovely tribute to someone who obviously was very special.
Oh this is one of my favorite quilts on the blog hop so far! I love stars, and blue and yellow so how could I not love it! Do you mind me asking what size those blocks are? It does look like it would go together quickly1 Thank you so much for participating in our hop and also for your generous donation of a prize. You have always been such a generous soul and I am proud to know you. 🙂
Beautiful!
Beautiful quilt. Thanks for sharing
This is a beautiful combination of blue and yellow. Such a classic color scheme. Your donor organization is fortunate to receive such a lovely quilt.
A beautiful quilt for a very important purpose. This gets to the heart of this blog hop. This is a wonderful blog hop that is a good nudge to each of us to consider the kind of legacy we are leaving behind–are we living the kind of life that will cause others, upon our passing, to be motivated to perform acts of charity?
Beautiful quilt and a worthy cause.
A beautiful quilt, Bernie, and a lovely way to commemorate your friend! Thanks for being part of Hands2Help 2020!