Sunday, February 24, 2019

Oh Scrap! : My Garden Growns



This week, I worked on finishing up my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks for my garden quilt.  My bee block didn't quite turn out like I wanted it to.  The wings were supposed to be a bit more forward and I was hoping it would look a bit more yellow.  I was planning on redoing it. But after I slept on it, I decided to accept its imperfections.




I also wanted a sunflower bloom to fit over my green sprout blocks made last year.  I had quite a few designs pinned but I chose to go with a favorite block of mine - Rolling Stone.  After completing this happy block, I think I am going to make this one of my next RSC blocks.  There are lots of options for value placement - giving each bloom a unique look.



So many of you gave me some great ideas for yellow blocks but I think I am going to quit here with just these three blocks.  I do have to keep this quilt to a reasonable size!

March will be here soon and we will be moving to a new color.  
I am hoping for purple, pink or lime green. I think I need those colors for all three of my RSC quilts.


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It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

  • This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
  • You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
  • If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
  • If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
  • This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
  • Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 

Friday, February 22, 2019

Red White and Blue Finish

It is no secret I love to make string quilts.  In fact, no sooner than I start one, it seems I am ready to share it as a finished quilt.



Late in January, I shared these long rectangular string blocks I was starting to make. I started out with the color red and then added in some low volumes.



Since then some blue was added and before I knew it, a quilt was finished!
(I thought I would take advantage of our bright sunshine but it sure made it difficult to photograph this quilt.)



In the white area, I added in some blue improv stars.  The fabric for each star came out of the trash heap.  The blocks are 5" so they required just small bits.




On the back, I used one of my recently acquired fabrics from Connecting Threads.  It is a Navy and White Sketch fabric that I am in love with.  I pretty much used all I had on this quilt so I will definitely be buying more.  In fact, it comes in other colors so I might have to pick up a few.

I used a pantograph for the quilting.  It is a star and ribbon pattern that I ran vertically on the quilt.





When I make string quilts, I do use a fabric foundation.  In fact, I recently cleaned out my clothes closet and quite a few of my old cotton shirts were used in this quilt.

This will not be the last time I play with narrow string blocks.  After the completion of this design, my mind filled with lots of other patterns and color combinations that would be fun.

I could make string quilts for years and never get bored!






**This post contains affiliate links.  I appreciate the support!

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Scrappy Gray



I decided to start something new!


A few months back, I was going to make a quilt using green/brown staggered 16 patch block.  Well, the design changed and the idea was scrapped.

A few of you requested that I didn't give up on the idea...
So I am ready to give it another chance.



My gray color bin was stuffed to the gills, so I pulled out my AccuQuilt 2.5" multiple square die and started stacking on the scraps.




In no time at all, I had just under 500 squares ready for assembly.  I think I will need closer to 600 squares for the quilt but I will start here to see what shades I need for the last few blocks.

Sorry my squares are so shaggy - I didn't take the time to clean them up a bit for the photo.




I also really need to break out another plastic cover...as you can see, I use this die A LOT!  Cuts would be a lot more crisper with a less worn plastic.

For those of you who already use this cutter, I have added lines on my dies with a white gel pen along the sides showing me the locations of the blades.  This really helps as you stack up fabric.




Now that I have lots of squares cut, I can start sewing them into the 16 patches.  I will be laying out the squares next to my sewing machine - making sure I have lights and darks, solids and prints.

Time to start sewing!

For those of you who are curious about my fabric cutter, I have the AccuQuilt Studio 2.  I love that it cuts up to 10 layers at a time.  Since I bought it, the pain in my hands has lessened greatly.  I find I mostly use the standard dies and rarely find the need for anything fancy.

It sure makes cutting up scraps quick and easy!

















I was happy to see when I went out to the AccuQuilt website that they are currently running a sale on the very machine I have. If you use the code STUDIOBOGO, you can buy a Studio die and get a second one of equal or lesser value free.




Linking Up:



***This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may make a small commission, which I appreciate so much!***

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Oh Scrap! : Corn

Most of this week was spent working on other people's quilt.  So I didn't get a lot of sewing done.





I did get a yellow corn block completed for my Rainbow Scrap Challenge Garden quilt.
It will finish at 8 x 10"



I am still trying to decide what other yellow blocks I need for my quilt.  Even though the pineapple blocks are cute, that is not a fruit you see in my garden.  But you do see bees and sunflowers, so I think I will maybe add those.

I think the quilt is going to be a lot of fun!

*********************************************

It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

  • This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
  • You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
  • If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
  • If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
  • This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
  • Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 
Quilting is more fun than Housework










Linking Up:


Friday, February 15, 2019

A Scrappy Kaffe Finish

And the finishes keep coming!



I needed my design wall cleared for another quilt, so I finished up my Kaffe Scrap quilt.

I tried to get some indoor photos but I don't have a space big enough in my house to get the whole quilt in one photo.  So here is the top half...



And here is the bottom half.
I ended up using a faded chambray fabric I had picked up at Connecting Threads on sale.  It was an extra wide backing so I didn't need to piece the long strips.


I quilted vertical squiggly lines and swirls. Fast and Simple - especially on a longarm.



I used up some older stash pieces on the back.  The purple and brown floral is across the center with the giant swirls at the top and bottom of the quilt.

That big floral has been cherished for a long time but it was just too perfect for this quilt.  
And...I am determined to use the fabric I have!




 One of my friends showed up so I was able to snap a quick outdoor photo.
It is really rainy and blustery today so we had to be quick!

This design is one of my Scrap-A-Palooza designs and I have to say, it is one of my favorites.
It sure looks pretty made from these Kaffe Fassett scraps.




Linking Up:





***This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may make a small commission, which I appreciate so much!***
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