Scrap-A-Palooza! Quilt #16 Part One

I have expressed the desire to get more practice at using scrappy low volume prints in my quilting.  So I thought for this Scrap-A-Palooza quilt, I would plan something that enabled me to do that.  

I have decided that I am going to make an offset scrappy log cabin quilt!

 The first thing I did was sort out my low volume scraps and cut them to 1 1/2" wide.  I will be using these light prints on all of the blocks.  I am planning a large lap size quilt so I know I will need quite a few strips.

 For the other half of the log cabin blocks, I will be cutting out various colors of scraps.  For each colorway, I will be making 4 blocks.  I already have all four of my red blocks cut.

If you are following along, here are the cut sizes:

Low Volume prints are all 1 1/2" wide and the cut lengths are: 2 1/2",  3 1/2",  5 1/2",  6 1/2",  8 1/2",

 and  9 1/2".

Color prints are all 2 1/2" wide and the cut sizes are 2 1/2" (square),  3 1/2",  5 1/2",  6 1/2",

and 8 1/2".

 Above, I have exploded out the block for you.

 And here it is all sewn up.  This block measures 9 1/2" square (it will finish up at 9").  By using the two different widths of strips, you end up with a curved illusion.  So the layout of these blocks, when they are finished, will be fun to play around with.

Over the next week or so, I will be busy cutting and sewing up blocks.  Once I have the blocks finished, I will share them with you.

Now for a few things going on around here you might have missed.

The Orphan Adoptions are still open if you have the desire to adopt a project.  You can find all the wonderful quilters with projects up for adoption here.

I am participating in the Scrap Vortex QAL.  As I pull scraps for this Scrap-A-Palooza quilt, I am sewing up pairs of fabric for my vortex project.  Working on two scrap quilts at one time sure saves time but my sewing room is a mess!

 

Linking Up: 

Patchwork Times
Cooking Up Quilts

Freemotion by the River

Blossom Heart Quilts

QuiltStory

Sew Fresh Quilts
Freshly Pieced  

Oh Scrap! : Scrap Vortex QAL

Just when I thought I was getting a handle on all the projects in my sewing room, I have fallen into a scrap vortex!

One of my favorite scrap bloggers is Amanda Jean over at Crazy Mom Quilts and she is hosting an informal quilt along based on her scrap vortex quilt.  Of course I had to join in!

I have been searching for inspiration on how to use my multi-colored scraps and I thought this might be a perfect fit.  (Or...it could be a big train wreck!)

  So just what is my plan?

I have a number of scraps that have bright colors with a black background.  So my plans are to start by sewing one of these fabrics to a bright colored scrap.  I will also be adding some solid black and maybe a few black and white (but I really want to minimize the white on this quilt).  I am working through my color bins and sewing up the smaller bits.  I will probably have to go back through the colors and make more by cutting my scraps.

It is certainly going to be colorful!

In no time at all, I had quite a number of fabric pairs sewn up.  I am going to have to find a much bigger box. though - I need to sew up hundreds of these!

What are you doing with your scraps this week?  Be sure and share!

Here are the details for linking up with Oh Scrap!:

• 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!

<a href="http://quiltingismorefunthanhousework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54Z8EyMCoCg0j1sBoz_APBotiRQveh32vQoL2dCSO4nQFAi8du60IuUCQp3Hb18vGD8IrM0W6_vmuufImGcr4Pf2Ve2dNIWd5LbQJfyDTRjtcekT6coT7c2nSCOG_9dvjiKGVAnuTN70/s1600/Oh+Scrap+Button.jpg" alt="Quilting is more fun than Housework" width="125" height="125" /></a>

So if you love scrappy projects, feel free to grab my button for your sidebar or posts and get ready to share all your wonderful projects from scraps.  And if you have a great idea for using scraps and would like to be featured, feel free to contact me!

An InLinkz Link-up

 

Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt
Patchwork Times
Cooking Up Quilts

Freemotion by the River

Crazy Mom Quilts
She Can Quilt

Orphan Adoption Event

Do you have a project that has been languishing for quite some time because you are no longer inspired by it?  Or maybe a stack of blocks you don't know what to do with but you just can't bring yourself to throw them out?  Well, I admit, I have a number of these and I am ready to get them out of my sewing room!....(only I don't want to finish them!)

So I am hosting an Orphan Adoption event.  Now is the chance to look through those dark corners and put something up for adoption.  It will be a great release!

Here is what I am putting up for adoption:




I am letting go of my oldest and biggest WIP.  I get it out about once a year, make a block or two and quickly loose interest.  This has been going on for at least eight years.

Here are the sizes of the blocks that are finished:

12 of the 3 1/2" sq
6 of the 6 1/2" sq
1 of the 12 1/2" sq
3 of the 15 1/2" sq
3 of the 18 1/2" sq

I even have a diagram I am including to show what my original plan was and how the blocks fits together.

 I am going to include these three large cuts of fabric so more blocks can be made.  These nighttime indoor photos don't show the colors quite right - the fabrics are a bit warmer and the grays are more of a teal blue.

 And because they fit in the package, you are also getting these fabrics I was using in the blocks.  All in all, there is probably enough fabric and blocks here to make a queen size quilt top.

So I am looking for a good home!

And I will ship this anywhere in the US for free!

*** I would really like this to be made into a quilt (or two) for a charity.  Due to the darker colors, it may not be a good fit for all charities but I am hoping there is a group or an individual who has an organization in mind and will get this sewn up and put to good use soon.***

If you would like to adopt this project, please let me know in the comments that you are interested and for what cause you will be making it.  You can also email me the information at cynthiabdesigns at gmail dot com if you prefer.

I will be selecting someone from those that are interested on June 11th so make sure you notify me before that.  If there is more than one good fit, I will draw names from a hat.  Please make sure I can get a hold of you!  If you are not sure if your email is available, please leave it in the comment.

Thanks so much!

(If this finds a home, I will be dancing all the way to the post office - and I know the recipient will be dancing when they get the package!  How fun is that!)

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

I know there are other bloggers that have items they wish to put up for adoption too.  If you wish to link something up, here are a few 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 will be deleting any links that are selling their items.  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.

I will be closing the linky party Sunday June 7th at 11 PM PST. You are welcome to link up your own blog post sharing a project you wish to abandon or orphan blocks you wish to pass on.  You can offer as little or as much as you want.  It can be blocks, patterns, kits, anything that you hope someone else will use and you wish to get rid of the burden.

Let's all draw a line through a languishing WIP!

An InLinkz Link-up

 

Linking up:

WIPS be Gone

A Friday Finish!

From a pile of scraps to a finished quilt in under a week!

A few days ago, I shared this little pile of Sherbet Pips scraps I set aside while sorting a big bag of scraps.  I knew I had one or two other large scraps of the same collection so I combined them and decided I had just enough to make a quilt using my Wiggle Time pattern.

I didn't have quite enough pieces to make the entire quilt from Sherbet Pips but the red fabric in the center stripe looked great with the other fabrics.  I also had to piece a few of the scarf fabrics to yield enough squares but the seams were easily hidden in the print.

 A fun red and white print for the backing and a dark gray solid for the binding finished off the quilt perfectly.

Simple swirl quilting on this one - Fast and easy!

I have been getting a number of requests from quilt shoppers who come across my pattern and are interested in buying a quilt like it so I have been wanting to make a few for my Etsy shop.  I hope to get this one listed soon!

And finding the fabrics for this one in the scrap bin makes me happy!

Don't forget that on Saturday June 6th, I am hosting the Orphan Adoption event.  Link up something you want to put up for adoption or maybe you are someone who is ready to adopt an item someone is ready to pass on.  You can read more about it here or stop in on this blog Saturday.  I know I am looking forward to releasing the burden of an old project to someone who will finish it so it can be used.  And I am hearing there are other quilters ready to do the same!

Linking Up:

My Quilt Infatuation
Free Motion Mavericks

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

TGIFF

Fabric Frenzy Friday

Richard and Tanya Quilts

Crazy Mom Quilts
Sew can she

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

June Goal - ALYoF

 I have not been very focused lately on getting projects finished.  Part of the reason is that for the last two months, I have not been participating in  A Lovely Year of Finishes with Sew Bittersweet Designs.  I have discovered that setting a single goal each month to finish a project keeps me focused on getting it done!

So starting in June, I hope to get back in the habit of a monthly commitment.

I recently shared how I sort large volumes of scraps.  Among all those scraps were a few pink and gray fabrics that I found very inspiring.  I haven't worked out all the details yet, but I do hope to turn these into a baby quilt by the end of the month.  I have been thinking about playing with raw edge applique again and I think these scraps will work perfectly!

The only challenge will be to come up with a backing fabric.  I am not buying fabric for this so I might have to get creative on the back. I am sure in some dark corner I will find the perfect piece - I always do!

 

So how about it?  Are you ready to join me over at BitterSweet Designs and commit to what you hope to achieve this month?  I hope to see you there!

Linking Up:

Sew Fresh Quilts
Freshly Pieced  

My Quilt Infatuation
Sew Bittersweet Designs

Sorting Scraps

I have been waiting for a good opportunity to share how I sort my scraps. I have written before that I  store most of my scraps by color and I sort them as they are created right at my cutting mat. But occassionally I do get a big bag from a friend. Last week I received such a bag!

Here is what it looked like when I dumped it out in the middle of the floor.

 This can look a bit overwhelming.  And I am not going to lie - it took me a good couple of hours to get it all sorted, trimmed and put away.  But I can say from experience, if I stored my scraps this way, they would never get used.

There are a few tips I can share with you if your scraps look like this and you want to get them sorted.

1.  Plan to do this when you are in the right mindset.  I can pretty much play with scraps all day, any day.  But there are times when I wouldn't tackle this project or I know they would all end up in the trash out of frustration.

2.  When you start to sort, do it quickly and don't over think.  You can't make a mistake so just follow your first impulse and get them into a pile.

I first start sorting them into piles of color.  I just do this quickly by sight and I don't look at the fabric long or I will start seeing a second or third color and questioning myself if it should go into another pile.  You can see my color piles in the top of this picture.

I sort out the low volume scraps as well into their own pile.

Once I get going, I start to see some fun fabric groupings - I just allow myself to put these into their own little pile. You might find you group by designer, colors, type - allow yourself to play a bit.

 In this big scrap bag, there were a number of taupe, gray and cocoa strings that might make a wonderful neutral string quilt.  I certainly have a bunch more similar fabric in my existing scraps to add and make an entire quilt!

 And these two piles of interesting fabrics kind of ran together.  I like the warmth of the golds and reds.  Maybe something to consider....

I also found myself with a pile of pink/gray, a bunch of Sherbet Pips, some bright dots on black backgrounds and a few interesting stripes in turquoise and greens.

Once I get everything into piles, it is time to make some decisions and put them away. 

The color piles simply go into their appropriate color drawer.  Some are now overflowing a bit but I cycle through these scraps fairly quickly.

All of the other piles I need to decide if there is a project I want to pursue someday or if they just need to be sorted again.  Those I want to keep together, I put in a bag and put aside for another day.

.  

I have a basket I keep these possible future projects in.  When I am looking for a new project, I will look through them for quilt inspiration.

From your big bag of scraps, there will be bits that just need to go away.  The little pile on the left is all I ended up sending to the trash, the pile on the right I trimmed what I could into 2 1/2" squares and tossed the rest.

I will admit that this process instantly inspired the making of two scrap quilts. As I write this, one project is already a quilt top and awaiting quilting - the other, I hope to share my plans in the next day or two.  And the keen eye may have noticed I have two piles of low volume - could be I have plans for a new Scrap-A-Palooza quilt!

See how quickly these scraps can find homes when they get sorted!

And if you haven't heard yet, come back this weekend for Orphan Adoption - Maybe you will find a new project or join in and get rid of an old one!

Linking Up:


Love Laugh Quilt
Cooking Up Quilts
Fresh Sewing Day