17 UFOs in 2017 Report

Is it already the end of January?  The month has been crazy and I'm glad I had plenty of quilty therapy to help keep me sane!  I've given attention to a good number of my 2017 UFO projects, but most don't have a great deal of visible progress, so I'll just pick a few to focus on.

My Bind-A-Thon has slowed a little this month.  This is quilt #5 of 5 that started the Bind-A-Thon back in late November.  I'm about to turn the corner and start hand stitching the 3rd side of this quilt.  When this one is finished, there are 4 additional quilts in need of binding by the end of 2017.

I need to get started on assembling the Quilty 365 blocks if I'm to have anything to show for Audrey's final linky party in May!  I originally thought I would set the blocks on point, but after doing some math, I realized I didn't want a quilt that large (over 100" x 100").  Back to the design wall.  I'll be thinking about this one for the next little while...

I did enough knitting on the Nae shawl to convince myself I need to purchase more yarn in order to finish.  Usually I over-purchase yarn for a project, but not this time.  Fortunately, the yarn and colorway are still available online, so getting more shouldn't be a problem.  I'll wait for the new yarn before I continue, so I can mix the two yarns and avoid an obvious demarcation between skeins.

 

Close to a finish here!  I've got all the parts and pieces done for the Fig Tree Feed Sack bag, just need to stitch everything together. 

Last, but not least - a completed flimsy.  This was kind of a cheat, because I only needed to add the final border.  Adding this top to the UFO project inspired me to "get 'er done!"  The Maverick Stars were a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project.  I was inspired by Julie Sefton's "Just Wing It" quilt to use some string pieced alternate blocks.  And the selvage Square in a Square blocks were inspired by Diane Knott's book, Scrap Quilt Secrets.  After all that piecing, the quilt was a little short on size, so I looked for some great fabric to add a final border.  The picture doesn't do it justice - it's a gorgeous magenta batik!  This one isn't high on the priority list for quilting, so I'm calling it finished for now.

That wraps up my January 17 UFOs in 2017 progress report.  I'm glad I joined the project - it's really motivating me to stay focused on finishing! 

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.

 

The Greening of the Quilts

It's a new month and a new color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  The official color challenge is Evergreen Forest - forest-y greens with a little brown for accent.  I will definitely be using some of that color idea later in the month, but for today it's more of a spring-y green.

 

I pulled out the white-centered green 9 patches from last year's RSC.  It was quick work to make some coordinating green-centered 9 patches from my 2 1/2" strips & squares scrap box.

 

That left me lots of time to continue working on last year's Maverick Stars quilt top.  I have one seam left to stitch up and the stars will be set.

 

I also did some more playing with ideas for a border.  Thanks to Sally, I now have a never-ending stash of selvages, so selvage playtime happened.  This is my current working plan, although I have yet to figure out all the math.  

We are enjoying one of the last wonderful days of Gu'f Coast spring weather at our camp this weekend.  It has been a marvelously long and cool spring here - the morning temp at the camp was 49º F.  Usually we blink and spring is over and searing summer weather is upon us.  The birds have been visiting the feeders and a great blue heron even stopped for a visit on our neighbor's dock.

 

My goal for this weekend is to mark my Eagle quilt top for hand-quilting.  I might have to set up a table outside for marking - I don't know if I can bear to be inside the house today!

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!

 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2016 Edition

Angela of Soscrappy has been hosting the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for several years.  It began as a challenge to use up scraps, guided by Angela's monthly color choices.  The challenge was to use up scraps, and the choice of project was completely up to the participant.  Angela has added some sampler blocks to the project, but participation in those has been strictly optional.  The RSC has been a great opportunity to play with fabric and color AND to meet new blogging quilter friends.

This year I have not settled on any specific new RSC projects.  Angela will be providing instructions for a new sampler - a variation on the row quilt samplers so popular over the past year or two.  I will continue making blocks in a few of the patterns I started last year, in hopes of having enough blocks for a quilt at the end of 2016.  I had thought I'd start making a stack of rainbow-hued Ohio Stars this year, but I'm dithering on that idea.  I'm really feeling the need to focus on UFOs this year - at least until inspiration strikes hard enough to dislodge that plan!

The RSC color for the month of January is blue.  This year we'll also have an accent color to use if we wish - this month's accent color is purple.  I love the idea of combining blue and purple in the same block, so maybe an Ohio Star block will get made.  In the meantime, I've got some other projects to play with.

 

Last year I made Maverick Stars as one of my RS projects.  I have enough stars, but I wanted to alternate the stars with string-pieced "plain" blocks.  I made up a few string-pieced blocks last week, and I'm pleased with the result.  Now I just need to make more string blocks - an ongoing project!

 

Another of last year's blocks was Sugar Bowl.   I have a nice collection of these blocks, but the rich fabric choices of Maureen at Mystic Quilter inspired me to do another round of blocks in Kaffe Fassett prints.  I've chosen my blue fabrics for January - and the fabric on the far left even has some purple accents in it!

 

I found these blocks when I was doing some sewing room cleaning last year.  They are souvenir blocks from a quilt show by the Pensacola Quilter's Guild (I lived in Pensacola once upon a time) in 1993.   Since the blocks are blue, I figured January is a good month to at least come up with a plan for setting them.  They are 6" blocks, but not all uniformly pieced, so they might need individual borders to make them work well together.

 

These scrappy blue blocks have been waiting patiently for their turn to shine.  I wanted a scrappy blue quilt for my guest room and made a plan for Sawtooth Stars and uneven 9 patches.  I stitched the blocks as leader-enders in 2014, but haven't assembled the finished blocks yet.  There are 50 of each 8" block in just about every blue fabric from my stash.  If January lasts long enough, I might just be able to get them assembled! 

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge has always had a weekly linky party and this year is no exception.  I always look forward to Saturdays when I can see what the other Rainbow Scrappers have been creating all week!

 

RSC 15: Contemplating Finishes...or Not

I thought two of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects for 2015 would be ready for finishing by the end of the year.  However, after counting up finished blocks and contemplating quilt layouts, I'm not sure I'm happy with the number of blocks I have ready.

 

There are 64 of these 9 patch blocks, which finish at 6 inches.  I was planning to color block the 9 patches in groups of 4 and add white sashing between the resulting blocks.  When I did the math for the finished quilt size, I decided I would be happier with a larger quilt.  My plan is to make additional blocks in a reverse pattern - white surrounding one colored piece in the center.  I already have plenty of miscellaneous 2 1/2" squares cut thanks to Bonnie Hunter's Scrap User's System.  I can cut the appropriate sized white scraps and have everything ready to use as a leader-ender project for 2016.

 

These scrappy Maverick Stars are ready to be turned into a quilt top, although I'd like to do a little playing before I make a final decision on the setting.  My plan is to use a straight set (I don't care for how these look when set on point) with blank squares between each block.  Rather than just using plain fabric squares, I wanted to experiment with string-pieced squares using white and off-white fabrics.  I haven't made the playtime to do that yet, so the stars will have to wait a bit longer for their final assembly.

 

I never considered these string blocks (or spiderweb blocks) to be an "official" RSC project, but they are definitely scrappy and on their way to being finished!  I have 9 more blocks to stitch together and then I can start laying them all out for final assembly.  I think they'll probably need a little trimming, too, as some of them have slightly concave sides, despite careful pressing.  

 

So with the prospect of all that fun, scrappy sewing ahead of me - would you believe I am procrastinating?   That's because this t-shirt quilt has to be finished before I can focus on any scrappy quilting.  Chris, the quilt's recipient, finally agreed on this Kaffe Fassett print for the sashing and borders.  I had to order the fabric, but now everything is ready for me to finish cutting and sewing.  My reward will be free fabric playtime, but it's hard to just go get started!

Other Rainbow Scrap quilters are also finishing up their projects and you can see the results at Angela's Soscrappy blog.

 

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: Orange Sugar & Mavericks

 

I've been making Sugar Bowl blocks as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, so I added two orange blocks to my collection.  

 

I also pieced up some scrappy Maverick Stars using orange parts and pieces.

 

Last year's RSC Maverick Stars + this year's Maverick Stars.  Getting close to having enough stars for a quilt!

I have a day full of errands ahead of me, but I'm hoping I can spend some quality time stitching later this evening.  You'll find more orange scrappiness at Angela's Soscrappy blog today!

 

RSC 15: All Reds Together

In last Saturday's RSC post, I mentioned the dearth of true red fabrics to be found in today's quilting marketplace.  Many commenters agreed with my observation, but their comments stirred a memory for me.

Back in the day, a fellow member of the Pensacola Quilters' Guild entered a quilt in our bi-annual quilt show entitled "Mary Ellen Hopkins Was Right!"  The inspiration for the quilt was a quote by quilter and author Mary Ellen Hopkins, who claimed all red fabrics worked together.  The quilt in question featured 154 different red prints, string-pieced and sashed with black fabric with a scrappy 9 patch border.  Just in case you're thinking this sounds like something you'd see in a "modern" quilt show - the quilt was made in 1993!

So perhaps I shouldn't whine about the lack of true red fabrics and just play with my red scraps and see what develops!

 

Some reproduction red scraps were used to make Scrap Jar Stars.  Since taking stock during Wednesday's RSC progress report, I'm thinking I may need to go back and make an additional star in each monthly color in order to have enough for a decent size quilt.  Still thinking about this.

Some red Maverick Stars were also added to the collection.  I'm planning to set these with alternate blocks, so I think I will have enough of these for a quilt at the end of the year.

 

Red Sugar Bowl blocks.  No definite plans for these yet.

That's the extent of my red scrappiness for the month.  I need to concentrate on my 4 block eagle quilt, so that will probably be most of my focus for the rest of July.  Unless I give in to the siren song of all the red strips and strings that are patiently waiting in various tubs and baskets to see if all reds go together!

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: Searching for Sunshine

I can't believe the month of March is half-way over already!  It was a long and dreary week here - overcast, foggy and rainy EVERY day, although the sun did manage to appear for a little while yesterday.  The weather is back to dreary and overcast again today - hence the need for sunshine!  Thank goodness the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for March is yellow.

A few yellow Maverick Stars provided a little sunshine.  I have been re-thinking how I want to set these into a quilt.  My original plan was to set them on point with alternating, low-volume string-pieced squares.  I've discovered I don't like the way these stars look when set on point, so I'm contemplating some straight set layouts instead.

 

I had to create some scraps for this month's Scrap Jar Stars.  I had almost no reproduction yellow fabrics or scraps, but I solved that problem with a trip to my LQS.  I was hoping to be able to use some Chrome Yellow, as described in Barbara Brackman's latest entry in Stars in a Time Warp.  Unfortunately, my LQS only had one fabric that fit the bill, and it stood out too much from the other fabrics.

 

I'll be watching for more gold & yellow reproduction fabrics in the future - a quilter's gotta have a well-rounded palette, right?

 

Four additional 9 patch variation blocks were added to the pile.

 

The pile of blocks is still small enough that it doesn't take long to hang them all together on the design wall.  This is one of those simple, but satisfying quilts!

I'm not ready to give up playing with yellow, so I've been contemplating more Sugar Bowl blocks, as well as some applique flowers.   There will also be lots more yellow inspiration over at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge link-up for today, so if you need a little sunshine, go check it out!