Today is the first link-up day for the 2013 Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I enjoyed this challenge a great deal last year so it was easy to plan on participating again. Although I've been admiring and thinking about making a number of different blocks/quilts for the challenge, for now I'm keeping things simple. I still have to make quilts from last year's RSC blocks, and that's a priority for the next several weeks (months?!).
Last fall I started making leader-ender spool blocks using Bonnie Hunter's Spoolin' Around block pattern. This is a great pattern for using up small scraps. I keep a stash of pre-cut blocks near the sewing machine to use as leader-enders when I am strip-piecing. I knocked out six blocks in this month's color - pink - today while working on other projects. I plan to continue make spool blocks for the rest of the year, using up scraps for each month's color.
My second Rainbow Scrap Challenge is what I call The New Orleans House Project. During last year's RSC, Sheila inspired me to make some purple house blocks using another Bonnie Hunter pattern. Making the purple house blocks reminded me that I had actually seen several purple houses in the city, and I was determined to find and photograph at least one purple house. As these things go, pretty soon I was noticing houses of different hues all over town. DH has learned to drive slowly through certain neighborhoods so I can attempt to photograph houses in any rainbow shade!
The house above is a classic New Orleans shotgun double. It's called a shotgun house because if one fired a gun through the front door, the bullet would pass unimpeded down the side hallway and exit through the back door. All the rooms of the house open off the side hallway. This house is a double because there are two residences side-by-side. I've always been fascinated with New Orleans architecture; if you are curious, check out the Preservation Resource Center's website (the link takes you to an interactive map; click on the Architectural Styles tab at the bottom).
I plan to make scrappy houses in each month's color AND find some New Orleans houses in the same color. I look forward to sharing the results!
Angie, I loved reading this post and seeing your great pink blocks! it's also really enjoyable to see that wonderful house and learn all about the architecture. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are so pretty in pink! I can't think of a lovelier color.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your posts, not just for the new blocks from rainbow scraps, but also for the nice history or application of the color you find each time. What a lovely pink house, both the fabric one and the actual version. Glad you are working some leaders and enders, it is a great way to use up scraps.
ReplyDeleteOh how fun! Your houses will be marvelous!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been making pink spools too, and your house block is darling.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very fun project!!!!I can hardly wait to see all the houses - blocks and real ones!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Oh Angie...this is so exciting! I enjoyed learning about shotgun houses...never heard of that!
ReplyDeleteAnd your blocks are adorable!
Love your spools, I just got mine kited to sew so far this week. I love the house, I hope you find enough colours to keep us looking up the one. Double shot gun, interesting. Great house block too, but you could have done two front doors for the double shot gun look. Ha
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post about the colorful houses in New Orleans. And about Shotgun House floor plans. Such a lovely, unique city! So much history.
ReplyDeleteLove your house block and your spool blocks. They are so cute.
Yes. I still have many of those scrappy happy "orphan" house blocks left from last year's rainbow scrap challenge. I hope to piece more this year, but i can now see that the house quilt is going to be a three year rainbow scrap challenge building project.
All of your blocks look so cute. Love the story about the houses - most of the houses in my area are all cookie cutter and look so much the same!
ReplyDeleteLove your traditional pinks, and LOVE the pink house! I'm going to enjoy following your progress all year :)
ReplyDeleteJeanne
Really pretty blocks! We have shot gun houses in St Louis too, I always wondered, at least here, why the bedroom was between the living room and kitchen so you had to walk through someones's bedroom to eat. There must be a good reason.
ReplyDeleteToo funny..I too am doing the spools in the color of the month and a Bonnie pattern--well two of them in the color too! Great way to sneak in more Bonnie projects in a year!
ReplyDeleteYou found some great pinks. The blocks and the house are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a house! I love that you find a colorful house to match the challenge. I was getting a little worried of what you would find for a pink food other than cotton candy! Love your pink house and look forward to a nice colorful group of them soon.
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