Oh Scrap! : More Orphans

 I am sure many of you realized that as I dug through my orphan blocks for my placemat project, I would get distracted and start some new projects.  Not only did I put some blocks onto my design wall (that I shared last week), but I also pulled some blocks to start a fun little baby quilt.

Tucked away in a scrap bag I was gifted were some solid strip sets and triangles like the ones above.   I cut the strip sets into as many triangles as I could make.  They appear to be leftovers from a couple projects so they aren't a perfect match.  But I think I can do something with them.

My plan is to sew them up into various combinations and make blocks like the one above.  I will them trim them down to 6" square.  Then I think I will pull a black Kona slid and add some sashing and a border.  I should have enough to make a baby quilt!

I have a few sew days scheduled in the weeks ahead so this will be one of the projects I plan on working on.  I should be able to finish the whole quilt top easily in an afternoon!

I am curious - Do you save your spare parts and orphan blocks?

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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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Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)

What a Hoot (BOM Mondays)

Valentine's Day is coming up fast.  I saw this tutorial at Connecting Threads for using your scraps to make Valentine postcards.  What a great idea!

Then This Happened

 A few days ago, I had the bright idea to rummage through my orphan blocks to see if there were any I wanted to turn into some quick placemats.

It seemed like a bright idea because look at the state of my orphan block storage.  I have a cute little suitcase that I keep my orphans in and this is no it.  This is the big box I had to start using because my suitcase is overstuffed.

So digging out a few for placemats seemed like a win.

But then this happened....small bits in pretty green and oranges ended up on my empty design wall and soon I was more interested in these bits than the search for placemat blocks.

I am not quite ready to say I have started a new project.  If some of you remember, my goal this year was to reduce the number of started projects this year.  I think I will let this sit on the wall and we will see how interested I am in it after a few days.

...but I think my willpower is dwindling!

Hope you are finding time this week to play in your sewing rooms!

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Connecting Threads has added some fun fabrics to their clearance section.  

Don't you love those stripes!

Hands2Help Quilt Drive

 Today I just want to remind everyone that the Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge has begun!

Every year the wonderful Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict holds an event where hundreds of quilts get donated to charities.  It is an event that I have participated in for years.    

You can read more about the event here.

I think this event is a great way to use your scraps to create a fun quilt.  This is a simple quilt I made using a rainbow of colors.  The zig zag blocks are made with 2.5" strips.

This is one I made using a bunch of leftover 2.5" binding strips to make some 16 patch blocks.  once I ran out of strips, I dug in my scraps and made some simple four patches.

Quilts don't have to be elaborate to bring comfort to someone.  In fact, I think it is more important they are a bright and colorful.

And if you don't want to start from scratch, I was just contact by Erin over My Patchwork Life who has an abundance of blocks listed on her blog that you can adopt, assemble and donate a quilt.  

Easy Peasy!

You will be seeing some of my quilts for the event soon.  I think you have until June to get them finished but I like to get a head start....hoping maybe I can finish one or two more than initially planned.

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Free to a Good Home!

 I continue to try them out, but Mystery quilts are just not for me!

Late last year, I signed up for a mystery Stitch Along through Annie's.  I really enjoyed the first block.  It was a nice mix of piecing and applique.  But then February's block was released and it was a truck entirely appliqued.  I looked at it and thought I would redesign it so that it was a mix of both techniques.  Before I got around to redesigning it, the third block was released....and you guess it - entirely applique again.

So I will continue to read and enjoy the mystery novel that gets released each month but I am no longer going to make the blocks.  I am bummed the blocks were not what I thought they would be but I run into this issue every time I sign up for a mystery Quilt Along.  

The good news is that someone is going to get the giant lighthouse block I finished for the first month of the Stitch Along..  It measures about 25" square.

I also dug through my orphan blocks to see if there were some other items I could include in the package.  I found these blocks that could easily be added to make a larger quilt.  If you win and decide you want them too, they are yours!  The flags each measure 12" x 16".

If you would like to adopt the lighthouse block, please let me know in the comments that you are interested.  

(Note, your comment should be made directly on my blog and not through Bloglovin' - it does not allow me access to your contact information so I have no way of getting ahold of you if you win.)

I will ship anywhere in the US for free.

I will be selecting a winner from those that are interested sometime on Monday the 22nd so be sure to comment before then.  If there is more than one candidate, I will select a winner using a random number generator.  Please make sure I can get ahold of you!  If you are not positive if your email is available, please leave it in your comment.  Thanks!

This orphan has found a home!

There are other items being adopted out by quilters so be sure and check them all out.  Also, if you have items you would like to put up for adoption, you have until the 20th to link up.  Time to clean out those UFOs!

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Spring 2021 Quilty Orphan Adoption Event

Happy Spring!  

Spring for me always brings a bit of deep cleaning - especially in my sewing room.  I usually find myself looking at my old UFOs and deciding which ones I am ready to abandon.  For years, I hesitated in abandoning my projects - thinking that I should finish them someday.  I no longer think that way.  It is so nice to send them off to someone that will finish them and I no longer have the guilt or burden.

I started the Quilty Orphan Adoption Event years ago to get these projects into the hands of quilters who area ready to finish them.

Over the years, hundreds of projects have been adopted.

This Quilty Orphan Adoption event helps in getting those projects to quilters that will finish them and give them some much deserved attention.  And I can say from experience, it feels great to release the burden and move onto something you really want to work on!

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Now it is time for this Spring's Quilty Adoption Event!

Orphan Adoption Event

March 18th through March 20th 2021

Here are some more details:

1.  I am going to ask that any "orphan" linked up must be given away for free.  (If you are wanting to destash for money, there are other venues to do that on.)  I think it is fair that if you need to, you can ask that shipping costs be paid.  Just be sure and put that information clearly in your post.  And know that both parties enter into the deal at their own risk.  I hold no responsibility.

2. Have clear pictures and descriptions on what you are putting up for adoption.

3. Define the criteria for how you will decide who will adopt the item.  Is it a random number giveaway, do you only want it to go to charity, or is there some other criteria that needs to be met?

4.  Be sure and identify where you are located and where you are willing to ship to.

5. Define how long you are keeping the adoption open and when you expect to award the adoption.

6. Remember to link back to my blog so your readers can see what else is being offered.  And feel free to grab a button!

The ability to link up your blog, Instagram, Flickr, or Facebook post will be open through the end of the day Saturday March 20th.  You can award your adoption on any date you choose after Sunday the 21st..  Feel free to offer as little or as much as you want.  It can be blocks, books/patterns, kits, printed panels, fabric, quilt tops...anything that you hope someone else will use and you wish to get rid of.

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And if you are looking to adopt a project, please read each blog post and be sure you only offer to adopt those orphans you know you can finish.  The object of this event is to get these things finished, not just stored on another shelf.  Thanks!

Here is a quilt made years ago from some adopted cat quilt blocks.

How fun is that!?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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On my Design Wall

 I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the projects I have going on right now.  So I am trying to finish a few quilt tops.

Remember these orphan blocks I received from a friend?

I have sewed, trimmed and added some gray sashing to the blocks. 

 

I ended up with enough blocks to create 5 rows. At first I tried a random color placement but found I liked this grouped placement best.

When it came time to add the horizontal sashing, I wanted to add a bit more color.  I found a pink fabric for some corner stones but knew a square at each intersection would be too much.  So I thought I would stagger them like above.  I like it!  I will continue the sashing to the outer border.

This is certainly not your standard Halloween quilt.  

But I still think it is a whole lot of fun!

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Linking Up:

Are you a fan of  wool?  Did you see all the lovely bundles and beautiful colors available at Connecting Threads?  Yum!

Completely Side Tracked!

 This weekend, a dear friend sent me a text to let me know she was bringing me a quilt to have quilted.  Then she asked..."I found some orphan blocks.  Do you want them?"

Well, you can guess what my answers was!

Now I have no reason to adopt more orphan blocks.  I have already outgrown my orphan block suitcase and the second box I created is already over-flowing.  But the temptation of something new to play with was just too strong.

There are quite an assortment of various blocks but the ones that caught my attention were some improv Halloween themed blocks.  These are actually about 5 x 10" and there are quite a few in various states of completion.  

So even though I have CIL blocks to sew into tops, lots of other UFOs of my own to finish up and quilts to complete for my next Scrap Mixology pattern release, I am entirely focused on these.

...of course I am.  And I know that is not a surprise to any of you :)

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