Rainbow Scraps and Selveges

I've been utilizing spare moments over the past few weeks to work on border blocks for my Rainbow Scrap Challenge Maverick Star quilt top.  I was determined to finish all the piecing before this weekend ended and when I woke up to thunder and pouring rain today, I knew I had the perfect opportunity for guilt-free stitching!

 

 So now my quilt top is a little too large for a wall hanging, but a little too small for a twin-size quilt.  I'm thinking of adding a 4" white border and finishing it off with a scrappy, pieced binding.  

 

Since the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for June is aqua, I did add a few selvege blocks in that colorway. 

 

And while I was working on the borders for the Maverick Star quilt, I stitched up a few aqua Sawtooth Star blocks as leader-enders.  These will go in the collection of Sawtooth Star blocks and eventually become another starry quilt!

I thought the thunderstorms were about to end, but now the sky has clouded up again and I'm hearing thunder not too far away.  I have to decide if I'm going to stay home and sew some more or pack up and go to the camp.  I think the storms are percolating up there, too, so it will be a rainy afternoon wherever.  That will be a good excuse to spend lots of time looking at other RSC projects over at Angela's blog.

 

Revisiting RSC Maverick Stars

One of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects last year was Maverick Stars (or Liberated Stars). 

 

After making colorful, scrappy stars all year, I decided I needed some string-pieced alternate blocks to add to the quilt design.  Since I didn't want to start any new orange RSC projects for April, I decided to focus on finishing the alternate blocks to go with the Maverick Stars.

 

I still don't have all the string-pieced blocks finished, but I pinned everything up on the design wall to take a look.  Once I had the blocks tentatively arranged, I started thinking about the next step in the design process.  I've played with a few "liberated" border ideas, such as free-pieced spiky (rectangles) and dogtooth (square) blocks, but haven't decided for sure yet.

 

I did trim and piece a few blocks together to get a better feel for how everything is going to fit together.  Now to finish all the necessary string-pieced blocks, trim them and pull off the paper foundations.  Sounds like the perfect job for a rainy afternoon - which is just what the weather forecasters are saying about today and tomorrow! 

If you need some more scrappy inspiration, stop by the RSC link-up for this week!

 

RSC 15: Stars in Lime & Aqua

It's a new month and a new color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  This month's color is one I always enjoy using:  lime green.  In fact, I've already made about as many lime green blocks as I think I need for my ongoing scrappy projects.  What I do need are aqua-colored blocks, as I avoided those scraps when we focused on green and blue earlier in the year.  I've been digging in both the lime green scraps and the aqua scraps to round out the color wheel for this year's projects.

 

Four inch Sawtooth Stars are a fun way to use up scraps.  These will get added to my collection of RSC Sawtooth Stars, an ongoing project. 

 

Maverick Stars (or Liberated Stars) are another great way to use up scraps.  

 

Added to last year's aqua stars, I think my collection of Mavericks is ready to be assembled into a quilt.  I have some ideas for quilt layouts, so I guess I just need some play time to see what works best.   I see a finished flimsy in the stars!

I agreed to make a t-shirt quilt for a friend, so I'm off to start slicing and dicing t-shirts.  The weather forecast calls for lots of rain today, so it's another great day to stay home and play with fabric.  And when I need a break from the rotary cutter, I'll be checking out Angela's Soscrappy blog to see what the other Rainbow Scrappers are up to!

 

RSC 15: Where Are They Now?

To observe the passing of half the year, Angela has invited all the Rainbow Scrap Challenge participants to share their Rainbow Scrap progress to date.  As usual, I've got more projects underway than I planned at the start of the year!

 

All the 9-patch variation blocks so far.  It appears I'm missing a green 9-patch.  I think I deconstructed it because it was too dark;  I'll have to look for some additional green scraps.  The blocks on the left are remnants from last year.  I plan to make additional orange and aqua blocks, but I'm not sure about the brown.

 

The Maverick Stars are also waiting for some aqua and orange blocks.  I have a plan for setting these together, but I need to do the math and decide if the quilt will be big enough to make me happy.

 

I will definitely add orange (cheddar!) to my Scrap Jar Stars in reproduction fabrics.  There are a lot of brown repro scraps in the box, so if brown is an RSC color, there will probably be some brown SJS, too.

 

I did not plan on making Sugar Bowl blocks at the beginning of the year.  Sometimes you just have to listen to the creative muse, though.  Not sure what I will do with these - they may carry over to next year.

 

These 4" sawtooth star blocks were inspired by the stars I'm making for Barbara Brackman's Stars in a Time Warp BOW.  I was just inspired to make little stars in each month's rainbow color.  These will probably carry over to next year, too.

 

Here's my proudest RSC accomplishment so far this year:  my 2014 Rainbow Scrap Sampler is completely pieced.  I'm so happy with how this turned out!  Even more, I love all the happy memories stitched into the blocks: eagerly awaiting Angela's sampler patterns throughout the month, playing with scraps and piecing, and the sharing of everyone's progress through Angela's weekly linky parties.  Many thanks to Angela for creating and sharing this project with all of us!

 

 

 

 

 

RSC 15: Sugar and Stars

I've been trying to get my usual RSC blocks finished early this month, as I will be traveling during the second half of the month.  Angela's instructions for this month of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge are to use dark green scraps, but I pretty well depleted my dark greens making a Trip Around the World quilt last year.

 

I guess these are dark and light versions of my Sugar Bowl block.  I'm only planning to have two blocks of each RSC color in the final Sugar Bowl quilt, so this is a good compromise.

 

I also put together 2 Maverick/Liberated Stars from scraps in the crumb jars.  

 

They joined the two Mavericks from last year's RSC.  There are only 3 colors remaining in last year's stack of stars that need partners:  aqua, red and orange.  Once those colors come up for this year's RSC I'll be ready to assemble these blocks.

Today is Rainbow Scrap link-up day, so go feast your eyes on lots of green scrappiness at Angela's SoScrappy blog!

 

RSC 15: Spring String Fling

Since purple is the April color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I decided to spend some time this month working on a long-term string quilt project I keep at the camp.

 

I started making string spiderweb blocks several years ago, using purple and gold scraps from several Louisiana State University-themed quilts.  It was a project I worked on periodically and there was no specific plan for a finished quilt. 

 

As I counted up my finished spiderweb triangles, I realized I was getting close to having enough blocks for a decent-sized quilt.  I prepped enough paper triangles and center "kite" pieces for a final finish of 30 blocks.

 

As of today, I only need to make 28 more triangle pieces!  This project may actually become a completed quilt this year. 

 

Since I was in a stringy kind of mood, I also made some purple Liberated Stars - or Maverick Stars.  I don't know which name came first, but Gwen Marston calls them Liberated and Bonnie Hunter calls them Mavericks.  Whatever you call them, they are fun to make from scraps and strings!

 

This year's stars and last year's stars.  Finished block size:  6 inches.

And now I have miles to sew before I sleep, but I will be linking up with the other Rainbow Scrappers over at Angela's Soscrappy blog.  

 

RSC-15: Cleaning Up Drywall Dust Blues

I'm so happy I got to play with my scrappy blues earlier this week, because there was no sewing time today.  I spent the day cleaning drywall dust caused by some recent repairs/renovations instead of indulging in my favorite obsession pastime.  I still have a big plateful of cleaning to do tomorrow, but I think the worst is behind me.

 

This week I played with the blue strings and crumbs, finding enough goodies to create two Maverick Star blocks.  They are laid out on a piece of Moda Grunge fabric I am auditioning for another project.  I love Moda Grunge - it's such a neat fabric for adding color and texture!

 

I do have a blue project to focus on tonight - if I can stay awake long enough to do some stitching.  This is Minick & Simpson's Paisley Parade quilt.  It has been patiently waiting for the binding to be stitched down, so I'm anticipating a nice stitching session in my new recliner!

I haven't even looked at today's Scrappy Saturday link-up, but that's on the agenda too.

Scrap Happy Saturday: Lest Auld Scrappiness Be Forgot

I've come to the conclusion I should just take a vacation from blogging in December.  It's always a crazy month for me, as my husband and youngest son both have birthdays before Christmas.  This year has been even crazier, as my major project at work culminates on December 31st, and these past few weeks have been a mass of frustration as I try to herd cats to a successful outcome! 

Fortunately, I have had time to sneak in some quilt therapy here and there.  I've been wrapping up Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects from this year and contemplating what I will do for next year's RSC.  

Last weekend I immersed myself in all the episodes of Season One of the "Serial" podcast, and made the borders for the Carpenter's Wheel quilt.

 

The finished quilt measures 68" x 68".  No clue yet how it will be quilted, but I do plan to give it to my sister when it's done.  I really enjoyed challenging myself with this project and now I can cross this quilt block off my quilting bucket list!

 

While I'm talking about this year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects, I'll mention this Scrap Jar Star quilt again.  I still need to add at least a bit more width to it, so I'll be looking for some appropriate border fabric as the new year begins.  I'm going to give this one to my youngest sister.

 

My Rainbow Scrap Sampler blocks are still waiting for sashing.  That will definitely be a project for 2015.

 

I made a few of these 9-patch blocks this year.  These are only 6" blocks, so I'll need more before I have enough for a quilt.  This project will continue through 2015.

 

Another RSC project this year was making Maverick or Liberated Stars.  Again, these are only 6" blocks, so I'll need to make more before I have enough for a quilt.  Channeling Bonnie Hunter:  I'm thinking of making string-pieced, low volume blocks for the alternate squares.

 

The RSC has really taught me to appreciate 16-patch blocks.  They are not only great scrap busters, but good building blocks for a variety of quilts.  This block was made in 2014, and the darker fabric shades inspired me to focus on reproduction fabric 16-patches for 2015.  

I'm really looking forward to the next round of Rainbow Scrap Challenge fun!  Many thanks to our fearless leader, Angela of SoScrappy, for all her work in providing inspiration for our quilt therapy!

Here's to the last Rainbow Scrap Challenge link-up of 2014!

 

 

 

 

Mid-week Rainbows

Today has been designated Rainbow Scrap Challenge progress day - an opportunity for those participating in this year's RSC and RSC Sampler to share their scrappy rainbow progress.

Happily for me, my design wall has been empty for the past few days, so it was easy to pin up my various RSC projects and contemplate where my creative vision may be taking me.

 

First up, 6 nine patch blocks in rainbow colors.  These blocks finish at 6 inches.  I believe this will be an ongoing RSC project for at least another year, as it will take lots more blocks to make a quilt!

 

Other RSC participants inspired me to try my hand at maverick or liberated stars.  I'm still getting comfortable with improvisational piecing, but I'm glad I gave these a try.  I'm picturing these set with string pieced blocks in the alternate squares.  This will definitely require more creative playtime!

 

Sixteen patch blocks are one of my favorite scrap busters.  When I started the RSC this year, I only planned to make the 16 patch blocks, but several months into the challenge I decided I wanted to make these into scrap jar stars.   I didn't use any specific pattern, just made up my own components to fit.  I only recently started assembling the entire star block (the green and yellow blocks above), but I have the HST flying geese components prepared for the other colors.

 

When I pinned all of the RSC Sampler blocks on the wall, I was just trying to display them for the photograph.  I had been thinking of arranging them in a medallion setting after being inspired by one of the quilts from Barbara Brackman's Grandmother's Choice BOW.  However, looking at the photograph, it's kind of fun seeing them all together without any special setting style.  I'll wait until year is over before I make a decision on this one.

 

The only block I originally planned to make for this year's RSC was the Carpenter's Wheel.  I've wanted to make a Carpenter's Wheel quilt since my earliest days as a quilter, and I figured the RSC was a great excuse to play with color and piecing at the same time.  Using HSTs for the diamond shapes makes these blocks fairly easy to assemble.  I haven't decided how I will set all the blocks at the end of the year - more creative playtime needed!

That concludes my Rainbow Sampler update.  I'll be linking up with other Rainbow Scrappers over at Angela's blog - I'm sure there will be all kinds of scrappy inspiration!

Scrap Happy Saturday: Yellow Stars

 

I don't know if there's a well-known name for these star blocks, but they're my new favorite scrap-buster!  I was inspired by Kathy's "Dotty for Kaffe" quilt.

 

I also added some yellow maverick stars to my Rainbow Scrap Challenge collection.

Since it's Scrap Happy Saturday, I'm looking forward to seeing lots of great Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects over at Angela's blog.  I don't know if I will sew today or go antiquing.  Dear Husband and Oldest Son have gone off on a chartered fishing trip, so it's just me and the dogs to greet the morning.  Maybe some coffee will get me energized!

More Pink Scraps

Not a lot of pink scrappy playtime this week as I was focused on another project.  Some of these blocks were made earlier in the month, but I didn't have the opportunity to post them until today.

Four Corners and Broken Dishes, two of the Rainbow Sampler blocks for February. I really got a kick out of doing the Broken Dishes block with some batik scraps - I could see doing an entire quilt of batik Broken Dishes!

Two pink 16 patch blocks.  I'll be accumulating 16 patches over the year and assembling them with secondary blocks for lots of scrappy fun.

Ditto with the liberated/maverick star blocks.  Just enjoying making them for now and I'll come up with a plan at the end of the year.

My goal for today is to assemble a pink Carpenter's Wheel.  I have the HSTs already cut and organized, so it's just a matter of stitching and admiring.

On the other hand, I've already seen a bunch of wonderful pink inspiration over at Angela's blog - it will be hard to stay focused when my fingers are wanting to play with new creative ideas!

Carpenter's Wheel Deux & Pink Playtime

Another week with a fair amount of creative playtime, but very little blogging.  I feel a little guilty about not blogging more during the week, but in my defense I work via computer all day.  By evening I often have computer overload and don't even want to read blogs and personal email!  I must do more to get blogs pre-written over the weekend, but in the meantime, I always enjoy Saturday because there's time for quilts AND blogging!

My project this week was to create another Carpenter's Wheel block using HSTs.  I wanted the block to be scrappy, so it took a little planning to get the right combination of fabrics in the half-square triangles.  I wrote down my steps as I went, but what I really need is a schematic to keep all the different HST combos straight.  I'm very pleased with the result and will be using this process to make additional Carpenter's Wheel blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I used 2 1/2" strips and the Easy Angle ruler; the block finishes at 16".

Just for comparison, here are the two Carpenter's Wheel blocks together.  The top version uses diamonds and requires lots of separate seams for all the set-in squares (aka Y seams).  The bottom version uses half-square triangles (HSTs) to create the illusion of diamonds.  Both techniques require careful cutting and precise piecing.  I found the HST version to be more streamlined, i.e. rotary cutter and sewing machine friendly!

I also took advantage of the last days of the month to create a few more blue RSC blocks.  On top, another 16 patch, as I had the cut squares on hand and 16 patches are such great pattern builders.  Center - another liberated star block; not quite as wonky as I'd like, but still a great scrap-buster.  Bottom:  the last Rainbow Sampler block for January, a 36 patch.

Getting a head start on February, I couldn't resist trying the first Rainbow Sampler block for February:  Baby Nines.  Baby Nines is right, those 9 patch blocks are made with 1" strips!  It was a fun challenge, but I don't think I want to make any more.  The aggravation is not so much in using small pieces, but in having to be accurate.  Crumb piecing and wonky log cabins with small pieces are a little easier, because accuracy is not part of the equation!

I've pulled out the pink crumbs and some small, folded scraps, but I don't have a lot of pink scraps to draw on this month.  That's OK, there's lots of pink fabric in the stash, so I guess I'll be making scraps this month!

There will be lots more pink inspiration from the other Rainbow Scrappers, so please join me in stopping by Angela's blog to see what everyone is up to!

A Big Batch of Blue

I'm pretending it's late on Saturday evening as I write this post.  I was just too tired to actually write it last night, so I'm playing catch-up this morning.  All in all, it was a good week for the blues...blue scraps, that is!

I indulged in more creative playtime this week, and came away with a smaller wonky star block.  The four patch center works great for using up additional scraps, but allows for a down-sized block.

Size comparison:  the bottom block was made with 3" squares to accommodate a crumb-pieced center.  I found the finished 9" block to be too large, so I scaled down to 2" squares for a 6" finished block.  I've got another idea for crumb blocks, so all the crumbs will still get used - eventually!

More creative playtime!  Angela posted the instructions for a 54-40 or Fight block for the Rainbow Scrap Sampler.  The instructions call for using the Tri-Recs ruler, a tool I owned, but had never used.  That ruler is now one of my favorites, and I can't wait to try some more blocks constructed in this manner.

Another of this week's Rainbow Sampler blocks.  I changed the orientation of the fabrics to feature the blue & white print that looks like transferware plates.

Another RSC Sampler block:  Happy Squares.  Indeed!

Blue sampler blocks to date.  It's been fun keeping up with these blocks - most of them seldom take more than an hour to complete, so it's not difficult to finish one in the evening before end of the day fatigue really sets in!

Here is the reason I didn't get my RSC post written on Saturday.  I was determined to finish piecing my first Carpenter's Wheel block - my challenge to myself for this year's RSC.  This version of Carpenter's Wheel uses diamonds and machine piecing.  The finished block is 18 inches.  The drawback is the diamonds are pieced one seam at a time, essentially using the machine in the same manner as hand-piecing.  Slightly faster than hand-piecing, but tedious!  I'm sure if I kept playing with the process, I'd come up with ways to speed things up, but I don't think I'm going to keep playing with this process.

My plan for this week is to try making the CW block using HSTs.  There are lots of instructions to be found online; Quilter's Cache has a good example.  

I enjoy hand-piecing a great deal, but I don't really want to hand-piece 12 of these blocks.  Maybe I'll make just one giant block, but probably not as part of the RSC.

Anyway, there's no lack of inspiration when it comes to fabric and quilt blocks.  I'm going to go link up with the other Rainbow Scrap Challenge stitchers at SoScrappy, so do check out their inspiration as well!