A New Experience for 2021

 The new year is just about here and I have been working making plans for what I want to do in 2021.  There is one thing I have always been intrigued with after a friend was telling me about a Quilt Along she was doing.  Each month she read a chapter for a book and made a quilt block...Both were a mystery of course!

So I am all signed up for A Pattern for Murder - one of Annie's Mystery Quilt Stitch Alongs!

I think the first chapter comes out in January but we were sent the material requirements.  This being my first quilt along like this I am not sure what to expect.  I guess that is part of the fun.

The background colors are going to be red, dark blue and light blue.  I (of course) am hoping to make my blocks all scrappy.  I will know more once I start seeing the block patterns.  I may have to switch over to a large cut from my stash.  But I do know there will be standard piecing, paper piecing and applique.  Lots of techniques to challenge me.

The finished quilt is 60 x 70.  I plan on sharing my blocks as I go!

Annie's has two Stitch Alongs for 2021.  If you want to read more about them, you can do so here.

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Oh Scrap! : Scrap Block Preparation

 I don't always have a lot of time during the week to sit and sew at my machine.  But I find myself time here and there to cut and pair up scrap bits to make future blocks.  I will move a small cutting mat into my kitchen, dining room or living space to cut block pieces as I work on other things.  I then stack these up next to my machine so that when I do sit down, I can be super productive.

Yesterday I was able to cut for the last blocks I need for some secret sewing.  Hopefully Sunday I can spend a few minutes knocking these blocks out.  Then I can get the top sewn together and maybe quilted next week.

Do you like to have a stack of prepared bits next to your machine?

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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

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If Santa brought you some Christmas money, this is a great time to buy that additional AccuQuilt Die or Fabric Cutter you have been dreaming of.

The Best of 2020

 I hope all of you have been enjoying (the best you can) the holiday season.  I always spend the last few weeks of every year, reflecting on the past year and planning for the next.  Every year Cheryl (Meadow Mist Designs) holds the Best Of event.  I thought I would share some of my best finishes of 2020.

One of my favorite finishes for the year was probably this scrap quilt I made back in June.  I love to make string blocks and I really love to make them in all different colors and block sizes.  This quilt was actually similar to one I made (and sold) years earlier. 

Every year I feel quite blessed that I am able to donate my time and materials to make donation quilts.  One of the big donations I made this year was to put together seven quilts for Covered in Love.  The blocks were made by quilters all over the US and I got to put them together in all sorts of designs.  I was able to lay them out seven different ways.  You can see them all here - it is hard to believe this simple block created so many quilts.  

There were other events I was also able to participate in that gave quilty hugs to others - I donated a few to Merciful Quilts and to Quilty Hugs.

I had plans to submit a book proposal in early 2020.  Of course the pandemic kind of threw a wrench in those plans.  So I decided to release the designs as downloadable patterns.  My first Scrap Mixology pattern release was Well-Suited and was released in October.

The above quilt was the third or fourth quilt I have made using the pattern and is so far my favorite.

I finished three Rainbow Scrap Challenge Quilts this year.  This one was my favorite.  My plan so far is to work on five different designs in the coming year.  I have already made test blocks on all of them!

My most popular post and the post shared the most by my readers was another Scrap Mixology pattern release - this pattern is Two Bits. Again, there are so many ways this block can be laid out to create some great looking quilts all from the scrap bin! 

Almost all of my quilts in 2020 were made with scraps.  I thought I had made at least a few quilts from fabric in my stash but my scrap bins seem to have kept me busy all year.  No complaints here - I love making quilts from scraps!

2020 was not the best year for many and I am ready to see it gone.  Next year will be more scrap quilts from the scrap bins and the orphan block suitcase.  I will also be releasing more Scrap Mixology patterns - hopefully starting in January.  I know many of you have ordered all the ones released to date and I really appreciate the support.

A big thanks to Cheryl for hosting the event and here is to 2021 getting us all back to a better life!

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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)

Oh Scrap! : Kaffe Scraps

 I have been busily sewing away on my Kaffe Fassett scraps.

I have been sewing up all the warmer colors into these colorful strips.  I thought I would go back and make one of my Scrap-A-Palooza designs.  I haven't made one of those in a long time!  

The next step will be to add in the vertical sashing.  I still plan on using a light cantaloupe color.

If you read my initial post, you know I sorted my Kaffe scraps into warm and cool colors.  After sewing all the strips together, I still have a number of the warm scraps.  Hmmm....

So I also decided to start sewing the cooler colored scraps.  I started with a red scrap and then using improv piecing, I randomly sewed on some strips.  I trimmed the blocks down to 8.5" square.  I already have about 30 blocks completed.  I will most likely add some sashing but I haven't decided what fabric to use.

After finishing both of these quilts, I will still have quite a few scraps left.  I have been sorting out some of the pastel shades so maybe I will make a third scrap quilt.  

I am always amazed at how far a pile of scraps go!

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

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

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Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)

Now is the time to ask Santa for an AccuQuilt cutting system  🎄🎅

Lots of great savings!

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

A Blue Finish

 I started noticing this summer that my blue scrap bin was nearing maximum capacity.  Of course I ignored it.  So when I got it out this fall, all of the scraps that I have been carefully tucking in would not go back into the bin.  I had to make a few quilts!

A lot of the scraps were fairly large and chunky - so I thought I would use my Well-Suited Scrap Mixology pattern to make a blue and white quilt.  I have been wanting to play with the "woven" layout with a flying geese center - I think it turned out wonderfully!

The entire quilt top came out of the scrap bins.  For this quilt, I focused on navy blues, lighter powder blues and periwinkle.  The low volumes also came out of the scraps - keeping to those scraps either white or gray in color.

I decided to group the lighter blocks all toward the center.

I think of this as a very utilitarian quilt so I want it to be used - I quilted it with swirls in a white thread.  This quilt is ready for some heavy duty use!

On the back, I used a "beaded" blue fabric I picked up out of Connecting Threads sale section a few months back.  It was perfect for this quilt!

I am using this same block pattern  ( with a minor modification) for one of my 2021 RSC quilts.  

Because of the color placement within the block, these two quilts will look very different.  That is the fun part of becoming a Scrap Mixologist!

Same block - so many quilts...

If you want to read more about my Scrap Mixology patterns, you can go here.  I am hoping to release the third module in early 2021.  So stay tuned!

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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 RSC19 

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

New Fabric Purchases

 I recently took advantage of one of the big sales around Thanksgiving.  My fabric came today so I thought I would share some of the pretties I bought.

Almost all the cuts I purchased were 4 yard pieces.  This size works great for backings on the large lap size quilts I generally make.  I bought three really pretty greens.  A green sketch (no longer available), one called Dapper, and Trellis on the bottom.

I definitely seemed to be in the mood for orange because I certainly stocked up.  An orange sketch and pumpkin mums (no longer available), a Tartan Plaid, another color of Dapper, and a Heather Ross called Roses.  Looks like some orange quilts will be happening in 2021!

I needed some red backings so I ordered another color of Dapper and one called Chantilly.  I probably should have ordered a few more reds but it seems only these two made it to my cart.

And finally I bought some more neutral prints.  The top Trellis print I think I might use as a background for a scrappy quilt.  I am really intrigued by this print and just might have to buy some more of it.  The bottom two are actually wide backings - some white Hand Drawn Lines and one called Word Play.  There are just so many ways these fabrics may be used in my future quilts.  

I think most of these prints were purchased from the sale section.  I keep all of my backing cuts in rainbow order so I can quickly look through them to see what I should purchase to keep my stash well rounded.  I try to keep the cost down on my backing fabrics so I can use them on my scrap quilts.  That makes it easier for me to donate so many of them.  

It won't be long before you start seeing these prints in my finished quilts.  

Enjoy your day - I am off to organize some fabric!

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This post contains affiliate links.  I appreciate the support!

Oh Scrap! : Something New

 I decided to try and squeak out one more scrap quilt before the end of the year.  I can start and finish a lap quilt in under two weeks...Right?

So with hands on hips, I looked around my sewing room for inspiration.  I saw my bin of Kaffe Fassett scraps hiding under my cutting table and decided to start there.  My first task was to sort my scraps into warm and cool colors.  

Oh boy...there are probably at least three quilts here!

I decided to start with the warm colors.  Most of the scraps were narrow strips so I decided to chop them up into 4.5" widths.  I didn't worry too much about the height.  I just made sure it was straight.

Then I started sewing them into strips.  I also tracked down a background fabric.  I think I am going to use this soft orange I ordered from Connecting Threads. I have a two yard cut so that should be more than enough.

Now I just need to find some time to sew....

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

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

A Quick Little Finish

 I have a quick little finish to share with you today.

I finished up my little pink and gray baby quilt made from some leftover bits filling up my scrap bins.  It measures about 40" square.

I didn't have a lot of fabric so I had to cut sizes that gave me the best yield of the pieces I had.  The plaid is actually one of those digitally printed fabrics that came from a friend.  I am not a fan of the feel of these prints so I was happy to come up with a design that would use most of it up.

I not only used it as the center of my stars but I also cut some smaller squares to use as corner stones to spread the plaids out over the quilt top.  With the little bit of pink fabrics I had I made a skinny sashing. 

The plaid definitely overpowers the soft pink and gray!

I put a soft pink on the backing and framed it up with a dark gray for the binding.

I quilted some squiggly lines in a grid pattern.  I thought
it worked well with the plaid fabric.  

Here is a better photo of the quilt colors.  Lighting this time of year is challenging.  It has been dark and overcast outside and the lighting indoor is quite yellow.  

It feels good to be working through some of these leftover bits as I wait patiently for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge to start up again in January.  I think I will try and find another handful of scraps to make another small quilt before the end of the year.  I always like to have some of these smaller quilts on hand to gift or donate throughout the year - they always find a good home!

Enjoy your weekend.  I have had contractors working around the outside of my house all week and I am looking forward to a few days of peace and quiet.  I am giving myself a new gazebo and front porch for Christmas....It is already looking quite wonderful!

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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)