Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2016

I finished my last RSC quilt top on the very last day of the year.  Nothing like a self-imposed deadline to get you motivated!

At the beginning of 2016, I picked 4 different blocks to help me work through my stash of scraps.  And by the end of the year that stack of blocks was huge!

I spent most of December either preparing for or entertaining company.  Once everyone headed home on the 29th, I realized that I only had 2 1/2 days to turn that pile into 4 quilt tops.  Motivated by 3 weeks of not sewing and determinations I got to it.

I picked the easiest first.  I ended up with 38 birch tree blocks.  So I could take 2 out and make it a 6x6 layout or make 4 more to make it a 6x7 layout.  Since this one was smallish, I decided to make the extra blocks.  Luckily these don't take too long and this went together quickly.  So fun and colorful!  And a great way to use up those random solids and tiny little pieces that I can't bring myself to throw out.

Next up was my stack of wonky stars.  I had 37 blocks.  These blocks are pretty big and a little more time consuming to make since they are made from slabs of tiny scraps, so I quickly decided to leave one out and make it a 6x6 layout.  No sashing involved so it was another quick finish.

Next up was the medallion log cabins.  I had exactly 56 blocks, so 7x8 layout it was. Yay!  I had fun playing with the layout.  And it went together quickly since again there was no sashing. So much fun to look at all the different fabrics.

And finally, my Geese Migration quilt.  I saved this one for last, since it might take a little longer to put it together.   But once I cut the sashing and triangles it went together very quickly - just 7 diagonal rows.  Don't tell the others, but I think this one is my favorite.  :)

Hopefully they will all be quilted by the end of 2017.

I can't wait to see what the new year brings.  My mind is already coming up with ideas for RSC 2017.  See you next year!!

Tracy

Visit me on Instagram @tracysbitsnpieces

March Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Purple

March's color for the rainbow scrap challenge is purple. 

I love purple, but purple can be hard with all of its different shades from reddish to bluish. 

Luckily, all of the rainbow quilts I am working on this year lend themselves to separating all of those different shades.

First up, my "birch tree" blocks.

My Medallion Log Cabin blocks.

My "made-fabric" wonky stars.

And finally, my flying geese blocks.

 

And since I had all of that purple out, I decided to whip up a quick comfort quilt top with it.  I pulled some fabric pieces that have been lingering in my stash forever.  One piece was leftover from a sundress I made for myself in 1992.  Seriously.  It was time to go.  I pulled some "ugly" fabric I couldn't see myself using anytime soon(dark purple tie dye)  and mixed in some pretty fabrics I adore (large purple flowers) and they just kinda work.  I also had some random white triangular cutoffs from another project that would work perfectly as wonky star points.  So I went with a quick and simple go to pattern.  I used up some stash, saved some fabric from the trash and make a purplicious quilt!  I hope to get it quilted up in the next couple of weeks.

And finally, my stash bee queen this month picked this Wanta Fanta block in purple for her block this month.  Lucky me!  I hopw she loves it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tracy

Feeling Blue

One of my quilty resolutions this year is to make a scrappy quilt a month, or 12 scrap quilts this year.  This is a huge resolution, I know, but I have a lot of scraps to use up.  And really scrap quilts are my favorite!

Well, Angela's Rainbow Scrap Challenge is perfect for this.  She picks a color every month for us to focus on.  January's color is blue.  I had 4 different scrap quilts floating around in my head that were just perfect for this challenge.  Focusing on just one color a month means that I am just doing a few blocks a month and by the end of the year I will have 4 whole quilts ready to put together.  Perfect!

Here are the blocks I came with....

Some scrappy log cabins.  I've made a quilt like this before and just LOVE it.  Since, I always have scraps of 2 1/2 inch strips, this may just be a quilt I make every year.

These bamboo looking blocks have been on my to-do list for a LONG time, ever since I saw Amanda's version over at Crazy Mom Quilts.  This is a perfect way to use up those tiny little crumbs. 

Wonky Stars using "made-fabric".  I can't throw ANYTHING away.  Sometimes when I just need some mindless sewing, I sit and sew tiny little scraps together and make slabs of fabric that I can then cut up and use however I want.  These stars just show off all that fun scrappiness.

And finally, these flying geese from The Best of Quilty.  They have been calling my name.

I am excited to be able to spend a little time with these blocks each month.  What color will February bring?

Thanks for stopping by,
Tracy

Playing with low volume and two flimsy finishes.

Good Morning!  I have lots of goodies to share today...

First up, a small low volume sample for our LQS.  Cyndi, the owner of the store wanted a little sample to show customers how to incorporate low volume fabrics into their quilts. I volunteered.  A quick little scrappy quilt is always fun and gratifying.

Here is a picture before I tacked down the binding.  (I forgot to take one after, oops)

Please excuse the terrible picture taken with my phone. 

This was made with 44  5-inch squares of low volume fabric as the background.
The stars are made from scraps; a 5-inch square and leftover triangles from other projects. 
It is bound with a grey and white dot.
Quick and fun.

I was also able to finish up a couple of quilt tops.

First up is my quilt top for the Irish Chain Twist Quilt Along over at Happy Quilting.

I got all of my blocks and rows sewn together, now to decide how to quilt it.  Any suggestions?

The colors turned out great together.  So springy, don't you think?  I just LOVE the green!!

And finally I finished up my delectable mountains quilt.  The fabrics are just so fun together.

This started with a few pieces from Urban Chicks that I just fell in love with.  Hello feathers! And the rest came from my stash.  Yay for stash busting!

This quilt makes me happy.  I have always been drawn to scrap quilts, so busy quilts like this that mix together fabrics from all over just make me smile.

Have a great day!

Thanks for stopping by,
Tracy

Taking a break.

I have been sewing like crazy this week getting ready for a craft fair this weekend.  It was nice to take a little time to sew something just for me.  I made a couple of blocks that have been on my mind lately.

I can't stand waste - especially pretty fabric.  I save every tiny little piece (anything an inch or wider).  For a while I didn't know what to do with it. Then I saw Victoria Findlay Wolfe's book 15 Minutes of Play.  Made fabric = perfect solution! I started to picture wonky stars made up of slabs of made-fabric. I pulled out my apple green scraps and made some adorable wonky stars in no time!

 How fun are those?

I have also been saving up some orange and black scraps for a fun Halloween spiderweb quilt.  I am so excited to see this one come together.

Ahhhhh, so nice to get some of those ideas out of my head and into reality.

Thanks for stopping by!