More Scrappy Stars...and a Scrap Jar Finish

I'm blaming it on July and hot summer weather.  My brain has been in Finish It! mode for the past few weeks, so I've been focused on trying to complete some projects.  Maybe so I can feel less guilt over starting some new quilty projects when cooler fall weather starts to appear?

 

First, some Sawtooth Star blocks.  I use these blocks as leader-enders and always keep a stack of component parts near the sewing machine.  Because I've had Finish It-itis, I went ahead and prepped all the components for additional RSC hues we haven't used yet this year.  I may have even made up more STS in those colors, but they're not ready to make their debut yet.

 

All of this month's pink Sawtooth Star blocks.  I still have plenty of pink scraps if I decide I need more pink stars!

 

I counted up all the scrappy stars I've made so far.  I'm just shy of 100 blocks, so by the time we finish all the RSC colors for the year, I will have lots of STS blocks to put to use.   

 

The Scrap Jar Stars also received the Finish It! treatment.   I worked out the final arrangement for the stars and cornerstones, then spent most of last weekend sewing everything together.  Instead of sewing the blocks in rows, I tried sewing them in sections.  This approach made the quilt a little easier to handle, at least until stitching the final sections together.  I think it also helped cut down on the fraying and loose threads that needed trimming when all the piecing was done.  

 

It's hard to get the colors to really show up, at least with indoor lighting.  I look forward to taking some outdoor shots when the quilting and binding are finished. 

If you need more pink scraps, there's more inspiration to be found at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge link-up today. 

 

 

More Scrappy Stars...with a Finish in Sight!

There was plenty of scrappy stitching this week, but the color pink (the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for July) was only a minor player.

 

I keep making these 4" Sawtooth Stars in each month's RSC color.  These scraps came from the 2 1/2" scrap bin, and once I have the pieces cut, I sew them as Leader-Enders.  I've almost completed a full cycle of colors, so these may be the next project to get turned into a quilt.

 

As I mentioned with last week's Scrap Jar Star block, I was feeling inclined to get the piecing finished on this particular quilt.

 

So I dug through my repro scraps and came up with parts and pieces to make red and gold SJS blocks.  

 

The completed blocks are now pinned on the design wall, although this is not the final configuration.  I've already cut a stack of scrappy cornerstones, so once I cut the sashing I'll be able to assemble all the blocks.  If I can keep from being distracted by other projects, I might even finish the flimsy by the end of July! 

Since I didn't do much scrappy pink stitching this week, I'll be getting my pink fix by checking out the other RSC projects in this week's linky party.

 

Old-Fashioned Pink Stars

 

This week's Rainbow Scrap project was to make a Scrap Jar Star using reproduction-style pink fabrics.  I ran out of the original background fabric for these stars, so this block has a replacement fabric. 

 

That makes 3 repro pink Scrap Jar Stars.  My plan for this SJS quilt is 25 blocks.  I've got 23 blocks - I just need one more gold block and one more red block.  Maybe I should just go ahead and make them without waiting for the RSC color month.  Then I might get the quilt top assembled before the end of the year!

It's Rainbow Scrap Saturday, so check out more scrappy pink inspiration over at Angela's Soscrappy blog.

Don't Blink - It's a Quick Fix of Pink!

 

It's a new month and a new color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge: pink (with a dash of lime for those so inclined).  I had all my pink and white scraps ready to go, so I had the white blocks with pink centers stitched up in no time.  I added them to last year's RSC pink 9 patches and did a happy dance!  This project is almost finished - only two more colors needed to round out all the white blocks I have in mind for the quilt.  I'm even thinking I might have enough blocks for two quilts!

When Angela announced the colors for this month's RSC, I was reminded of some fabrics that have been marinating in the stash.  I don't know if I will actually begin a project with any of these fabrics this month, but they are definitely fun to think about!

 

This batch of fat quarters is from a quilt shop hop several years ago.  I love the colors, but I'm not overwhelmed with ideas just yet.

 

I think I've mentioned before - I love flamingos and have a nice collection of flamingo fabrics.  This is a relatively new acquisition, and I've been admiring it for the past several weeks.  Lime and pink seem natural for a flamingo colorway, yet it's kind of unusual - most flamingo fabrics tend toward pink, blue and aqua.  

 

Check out the flamingos on the selvege.  I might have to get more yardage just for the selvege! 

There's more pink (and maybe some lime) scrappy inspiration at Angela's blog today.  Maybe I'll get some ideas for using my pink and lime fabrics!

 

 

 

Quilty 365 Loves Teal

Happy July 1st!  

 

Time for a few more Quilty 365 circles.  As usual, I'm a little behind on getting my circles appliqued, but the last batch just need a little more prep and they can be stitched.  I'm sure I'll find some stitching time on this lazy (for us) holiday weekend.  With this month's batch, I'm up to 239 circles.  

 

I found teal to be the most consistent color for this month's circles - inspired by the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for June.  These are all fairly "modern" teal fabrics, but I worked in a few reproduction-style teals as well.

 

Family and friends in Florida were affected by Tropical Storm Colin in June.  I did some fussy-cutting on a bit of Jason Yenter fabric to remind me of the storm.

 

I was also inspired to snip into my collection of red, white and blue/Americana fabrics.  Abraham Lincoln (top) was inspired by an episode of the Washington Post podcast "Presidential" (recommended!).  The vintage children saluting the flag were to commemorate Flag Day in the US.  I've got lots more Americana fabrics, so I'm sure they will pop up in July as well.

 

I'm excited about the July 4th holiday and the likelihood I'll get to spend a fair amount of time sewing.  Our sons are off to Colorado for the holiday weekend, so it will be just DH and I celebrating.  We're pretty low key, especially since our dogs are terrified by fireworks.