A Pattern for Murder - Lighthouse Block

 I mentioned in a previous post that one of the things I was doing in the new year was to participate in one of Annie's Mystery Stitch Alongs.  Earlier this month we received out first chapter and the pattern for the first block.

The first block is a big 24" lighthouse block.  Isn't it fun?

I am making my blocks all from scraps and prints out of my stash.  There is a materials list for the quilt but I am going rogue.

In fact, I even adjusted the block a bit.  There are videos to help you make the blocks.  Rather than follow the video, I decided to do hand turn applique for all the curves.

I really love how it turned out!

In the first chapter of the book, we started to meet a lot of the characters.  The main character is a young woman called Hannah.  I just had to include her in one of the windows of my tower.  You can also see there is a little dog called Gruffy and we find out there is rumored to be a ghost.

I am having a ball adding all of the story details to the block.  I am really enjoying the process!

There was a murder that occurred so we will be solving the mystery as we read and sew.

At the end of each chapter is a clue.  This month spoke of the dark waters at the base of the lighthouse....So I included those too.

Annie's has two Mystery Stitch Alongs going on right now if you are interested.  There are also lots of other fiction books that are available too.

The lighthouse reminds me of the lovely Heceta Head lighthouse that is only about 75 miles from my home on the Oregon Coast.  This lovely photo is by Dan Sherman Photography.

I am looking forward to reading more of the story and seeing what the next block will be.

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Oh Scrap! : The Blocks Keep Coming

 I finally finished all of my pink RSC blocks for the month of January.  With seven projects going, it takes a bit to get them all sewn.

I have the five Full Stop QAL blocks finished.  I haven't put the sashing between the blocks because I am not quite sure how I will put all these blocks together.  This way my options are kept open..

I also finished up all of my QRT blocks.  They finish up at 4 x 8".

This project is carried over from last year so I have quite a few of them finished.  I put a large potion of them up on the design wall.  I still have more done but I ran out of room.  I think I only need orange, green and blue to finish this one.  I might just work ahead if I find myself with some extra time and finish this one up.

And I almost forgot about my curved log cabin project.  I found it stashed away on a table so I added 4 more tiny 6" blocks.  This is another project I might just have to get out and finish up early.

I have also started a new project with some brown (what?) scraps and came up with a final plan for using a bunch of the pinwheels that I have been making from bonus triangles.  

I will be sharing those blocks soon!

PSA - There have been a huge amount of no-reply comments again.  I don't think I am the only blogger that is seeing an increase.  If I am not replying to your comments, you might want to check your profile and make make sure you have your comments email turned on.  Thanks!

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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! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Follow Me on Bloglovin'          Follow Me thru Email          Follow Me on Feedly

Linking Up:

So Scrappy for RSC21 

Another Scrap Mixology Finish

 It is no secret that I love to play with scraps.  And when I do, I like to keep the designs simple, versatile and I always love to play with color.

Today's finish ticks all the boxes!

I actually completed this quilt late last year.  It is a design I have done a few times in the past, but this time I used just colors from the cooler side of the color wheel.

I love how the different shades of blue, green and purple are highlighted by the black.   This quilt design is such a great way to use those 2.5" strips and squares.

 

This block design is my third module of my Scrap Mixology pattern series.  This version is the checkerboard design.  But don't be fooled that this is all there is to this block.  Like in all of my Scrap Mixology patterns, there are lots of ways to mix up the design and get many unique quilts.

I will be sharing some other designs in the coming weeks.

Here is an older quilt I made using the checkerboard design in rainbow colors. 

This third module is called Chaser.  It is a 15 page pdf download available in both my Payhip pattern shop and on Etsy.  If you are a quilter with a big stash of 2.5" scrappy strips, this pattern will give you lots of ideas to get them sewn up into some quilts. 

To see the other Scrap Mixology patterns, you can see them here!

I will be spending the weekend doing some needle turn applique....boy, has it been a while!

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Linking Up:

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)
Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

So Scrappy for RSC21

Ugliest Fabric on the Planet

 One of my favorite scrap quilters is Sally over at The Object of Design.  I actually have met her in person a couple of times so I feel pretty special!

During the pandemic, she has hosted a few "scrap" giveaways - I really don't need any scraps but during her last giveaway, I commented that I was running low on low volume pieces.  Well, I won and a package soon arrived on my doorstep!

She was very generous in fulfilling my need for low volumes but she also tucked some other unloved fabric in mix - as I tend to do when I send out fabric to other quilters :)

One of the fabrics she included is what she dubbed "the ugliest fabric on the planet".  I have to chuckle because it is actually a nice large cut and when I saw it, I instantly knew I would use it first...not knowing it had been given the title.

I admit, I love purple and my sewing room is painted three shades of the color.  In fact, you can see my ironing board legs are even painted.   

Well, now my ironing board has been recovered in this floral.  

Honestly, I don't love the piece.   I am mostly happy that it was a big enough cut to work.  

So I will be seeing this fabric every day!

(Yes, I am ashamed of my iron - it is an ancient Sunbeam that I have used for so long, I have worn the soleplate down to bare metal.  But it still gets so hot I hate to get rid of it.  I keep hoping I will discover some way to resurface or something. Any advice?)

I still have quite a bit of the fabric left.  I have to agree with Sally that the floral does have an odd linear pattern to it -  so I am sure I will be cutting it up small and using it in scrappy projects.

...now there were a few other pieces in the package that I found more troubling.  Thank goodness you can hide away the unloved in the scrappy!  

Or in a package off to another quilter ....Ha!

Thanks Sally for your generosity.  

Now I can continue to make more blocks with scrappy backgrounds!

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Oh Scrap! : More RSC Blocks

 It seems that I have taken on a number of Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilts this year.  So I have been keeping pretty busy making all my pink blocks.

The first blocks I made this week were the ones made from my Well Suited pattern.  This is the first module of my Scrap Mixology pattern series.  When I make my flying geese, I immediately turned the bonus triangles into those cute little pinwheels.  I am not sure yet what I am going to do with them.

I also made the blocks I have been planning using my Two Bits pattern.  I have been wanting to make some scrappy churn dash blocks but I decided to use this Scrap Mixology concept to float them in a scrappy low volume background.

Here are the two projects so far...

As you can see these Scrap Mixology patterns all make great RSC blocks.  Each pattern shows you lots of options on how to come up with your own unique quilt design with just some simple changes.

I can tell already I am going to need a bigger RSC design board!

Happy Scrappy Sunday!

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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! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Follow Me on Bloglovin'          Follow Me thru Email          Follow Me on Feedly

Linking Up:

So Scrappy for RSC21 

Connecting Threads has just released a new Block of the Month using their Lexington fabric collection.  It is lovely!  What a great way to get patterns for all these lovely blocks.

This post contains affiliate links.  I appreciate the support!

The First Finish of the Year

 I decided in early December, that I was going to take the last few of weeks of the month "off".  I was ready to call an end to the year.  So that meant I was able to spend quite a bit of time on my own projects.

So I am pleased to say, I already have a finish to share!

I think I shared the improv blocks I was making from some Kaffe Fassett scraps I had.  Each block started with a red square with blue, green and purple scraps added.

I had divided my Kaffe scraps up into cool and warm colors.  I started the warm quilt first but this quilt somehow muscled ahead.

I dug through my solids to see what I could find to work with the blocks and decided to use a total of three shades of a dark pink.  I was hoping it would accentuate the red square in each block  (and use up some of my solids.)

I used the darkest shade of pink on the binding.  Whenever you have isolated background areas, it is always nice when you can use slightly different fabrics.  This way you don't need a big cut of fabric.  I think the largest cut I had was 1 yard.

For the back, I used some fabrics I already had in my stash.  The millefiori fabric runs down the center and I put some of the cabbage fabrics along both outer edges.

The pink fabric was pretty strong but I thought if I used a blue thread, it would break up that pink a bit.  I quilted in a cog looking swirl and really like how it filled in the open areas.

I think it looks pretty good for a bunch of scraps!

It has a lot of color and some fabulous fabrics.  It is going to be nice to pull out on a dark day.

I still had quite a few scraps left over so they went back into my bin.  I was hoping between the two quilts I started that I could eliminate the bin but I am going to keep these scraps separate for a bit longer.  There are going to be more Kaffe Fassett quilts in my future I guess!

Happy Friday Everyone!

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Linking Up:

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)
Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

The Fat Quarter Shop is having their first ever quilt and stitch along for Black History Month.  You can read more about it on their blog or order the pattern here and the kit here.

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

And Now There are Eight

 Did you see that Angela over at SoScrappy is hosting another Rainbow Scrap Challenge QAL this year?  It is called Full Stop.

Of course I decided to join in - so that means I now have 8 RSC quilts going on this year.   

Sigh....

I already have my pink scrap bin out so it took me no time at all to cut the pieces I need for the Hashtag block that was released for this month.  I finished up two blocks already.  I decided to use the same background fabric throughout the quilt.  It is hard to see from these photos but I used Kona Iced Frappe, which is kind of a soft mint green.  It looks really nice with the pink!

If you want to join in the fun, the tutorial for the block can be found here. 

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For those of you with an AccuQuilt Studio cutter, you can get 50% off Studio Dies with the use code STUDIO50.  The promotion runs until January 12th.

Oh Scrap! : Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2021

Welcome to the first link-up of Oh Scrap! of 2021. I think this will be its seventh year.  That is a whole lot of scrappy inspiration!

It is pretty early in the month, but I am already getting a few of my Rainbow Scrap pink blocks completed.  I scrounged up three shades of pink solids and made these three blocks of my postage stamp quilt.  My PSP2020 will become my PSP2021.

I started this quilt mid year so I only have 14 blocks done to date.  I am usually limited by the shades of solids I have in my scrap bin.  I know it will eventually get to my planned 42 blocks.

One of my other RSC blocks that will be carrying over is my scrappy lego quilt.  So far I only have red and pink blocks completed.  They are made with 2" strips and get trimmed to 12.5" square.

I have some of my other blocks all cut and sitting next to my machine to be sewn.  I thought I only had 4 RSC projects planned for the year but it looks like I am up to six.  Crazy how that happens!

Are you ready for lots of scrap quilting in 2021?!

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

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! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Follow Me on Bloglovin'          Follow Me thru Email          Follow Me on Feedly

Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)

So Scrappy for RSC21 

It's 2021! Some Year-end Gifts

 Happy 2021!  Hopefully we all see nothing but improvements this year.

(I stayed up past midnight just to be sure 2020 left!)

Most of my items have been gifted so I can share some of the things I made.  I found a really easy travel Kleenex cover tutorial over at two brown birds.  I have been wanting to make some of these for quite some time.  They are super easy!

I made quite a few more but I always forget to take photos until I have things already wrapped up and in their shipping packages.  Every. Darn. Time.

I also made a few of these jar openers.  I had made myself one months ago and find they are really nice to have around.  They certainly give you a lot more grip and I had all of the supplies around my house.  I used the tutorial over at Happiest Camper.

Remember all these pixel blocks I was making from 1.5" squares?  Well I was making a pixel quilt for a friend's birthday.  She just bought a new house with a dedicated sewing room.  I thought she needed a wall-hanging.

She is an Anthropologist so skulls are a favorite of hers.  This wall-hanging is about 25" by 36" and I realized a big error as I was hand sewing on the binding.  The section across the eyes got flipped upside down  so now it looks like an alien with a hole between its eyes.  Most quilters would be upset by this discovery but I just laughed...somehow I think she will love it more!

I also made quite a few of the microwaveable bowls and some cloth napkins.  They were all sent out pretty early and there are no photos.  But they are just like ones I have done in the past.  I make my napkins with the same mitered corners I used on this tablecloth tutorial.

I took life nice and easy almost the entire month of December.  So not only did I leisurely make a bunch of gifts, I also finished quite a few quilt tops.  

So I will have quite a few finishes to share in January.

I wish all of you a joyous New Year.  I really do appreciate your support and look forward to sharing lots of new projects in 2021.  So much more I want to make!

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Linking Up:

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)
Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)