4th Week March Makeup, a Lent-challenge block, and donations

I didn't abandon you guys!!  Last month was blasted away for our family between 3 different spring break weeks and a serious medical event. I apologize for not being able to do March's 4th Week on time, but that is fixed today. 

I wanted something simple but cute, and this fun blue with the heart roosters lent itself well to an easy block. 

I got eight 6" blocks from 3 sets of strips. These blocks are PERFECT for beginners or quilters pressed for time. Just cut 1 1/2" strips the width of the fabric, sew three strips together side-to-side, cut them into sections every 3 1/2", and sew those patches together like this:

They can easily be adapted to other sizes, and you can sandwich fabrics like I did or use three different ones altogether.

I also hadn't been able to work on Michelle's 4-block Lent challenge until today, so I'm happy I was able to get another block done, too. This one is a 12-incher. The design would be a lot more apparent if one of my fabrics had been less busy, but we'll find a place for it in a grouping that has more subtle, water-colory, gardenish blocks.

The other fun thing to share is that we got some donations today from my local quilt guild!  Betty brought me a sack filled with what we're now calling Scraps of Valor:

And Ginger brought me odd-ball blocks from the guild's Quilts of Valor program to use at 

Valor Quilt Bee. The guild's program is set up to use only 12" blocks or a full-top pattern, so these would be more difficult for her to incorporate. They're perfect for us, though! 

Check them out: