Scrappy Nine Patches Never Fail

Thanks to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I've been creating scrappy 9 patch blocks every month for the past two years.  I'm pleased to have completed a rainbow collection of blocks, but now it's time to assemble them into a completed top.

 

I needed 8 blocks with yellow centers to round out my collection of blocks.  These went quickly, as I pulled the centers from my box of 2 1/2" strips and squares.  I've run through all my white on white fabric scraps, too.  I've been cutting yardage for the last few sets of blocks.

 

All the completed yellow 9 patch variation blocks.

 

The design wall was empty once again, so I quickly worked out an arrangement and pinned up all the 9 patches.  I color-blocked them in sets of four, which works out to a 10 x 12 block arrangement.  That should make a decent sized quilt, 60 x 72.  I'll decide later if it needs borders.  I started stitching the blocks together last night - working in blocks of color instead of sewing long rows.  

I still have another unfinished RSC project - the Sugar Bowl blocks I started a year or so ago.  I kind of came to a standstill on that one because I wasn't happy with how the different fabric styles were working out.  Maybe that will be an RSC project for next year.   

More Rainbow Scrap Challenge inspiration at this week's linky party!

 

 

More Sawtooth Stars

 

The design wall was empty this week, so I pinned up all the 4" Sawtooth Star blocks I've been making for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  Ninety-six blocks made it into this design, and I still have some left over!

As I mentioned last week, I want to do an appliqued block in the center, hence the large blank space.  I think I've decided on an applique design, but before I start that, I have several quilts that need their bindings hand-stitched.  If our weather would just cool off, I wouldn't mind having a quilt on my lap while I stitched on it!

More rainbow inspiration can be found at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge link-up.

Sawtooth Stars ISO Applique

I've been making 4-inch Sawtooth Star blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for over a year.  It's quite a nice collection now - lots of colors and fabric bits. 

 

I rounded out the collection with a few more yellow blocks for this month's RSC contribution.

When combined with blocks from last year's RSC, they make a happy group!

 

Since the other RSC color for October is orange, I grabbed the orange stars and laid them out medallion-style with some yellow stars in the center.  My plan for all these stars is a medallion setting - with an applique piece in the center.  I keep looking for the perfect applique inspiration, but just when I think I've found The Very Thing, I see something else that would make a great center!  Now that I have all the stars finished, I think I'll just have to make a decision and start appliqueing.  Whatever the design, it will be bright and colorful!

For more orange and yellow scrappy inspiration, there's a Rainbow Scrap Challenge link-up at Angela's blog.

Quilty 365 Loves Autumn

Another month of Quilty 365 fun has come to an end.  I'm up to 331 blocks now!  I started my circular journal on November 4th last year, so the year-long journey is almost done.

I keep tweaking the exposure on this picture to get a better representation of the colors and fabrics, but it's just not helping.  I will admit I had Autumn on my mind as I chose many of my fabrics, so browns and reds and golds figure prominently.  As always, I tried to choose my fabrics to represent things that were going on in my life, but sometimes I just picked a fabric because I liked it!

The color red figured prominently in this month's circles.  It was the main color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this month, as well as the color for an online swap I'm participating in.  

 

September weather in south Louisiana tends to be a lot like summer weather - hot and humid.  On the days I was wishing for cooler fall temperatures, I looked for some autumn-inspired florals.

 

These circles marked some events - a birthday, a shopping excursion, getting caught in a downpour without my umbrella, a relaxing weekend at the camp.  

 

And of course, American football season really gets going during September.  Many of you know I'm a die-hard New Orleans Saints fan and their colors are black and gold.  My youngest son happens to work for a rival football team.  I don't have any of that team's licensed fabric, so I used an appropriate toile fabric to mark his team's season.  

I'm excited to start making October's circles; you can bet I'll be using lots of orange and Halloween fabrics!

Last but not least, I'm linking up with the other Quilty 365 stitchers at Audrey's Quilty Folk blog.