Tag: Scraps

A CLEAN scrap basket!!

Well, I finally DID IT!!!

After a year of procrastination, I tackled my overflowing scrap basket…..

…and turned it into this…..

HURRAY!!!!!

And of course, it didn’t take nearly as long as I had thought!! Isn’t that always the way with things we dread?

I was helped along by using my AccuQuilt Machine….but more about that in a future post!!

At the end of the day, I had lots of 5-inch squares….

…2.5-inch strips…..

… and 2.5-inch squares…..

I used my scrapping decisions from Thursday’s post, and cut STRIPS that were 2-inches….

….and 1.5-inches.

As per my decisions, I did NOT sub-cut these into squares.

THAT cutting can be done when the squares are needed!!

It has given me an incredible feeling of relief to know that this particular task has been accomplished.

Maybe I can keep it up to date going forward…. but I wouldn’t hold my breath!!

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A NEW quilt in the midst of the madness!

In yesterday’s post, I talked about the frustrations that I am having with my current scrap project.

So what am I about to do now???

Start another one of course!!

It started with this overflowing box of 2-inch squares…..

….plus this other box of blue 2-inch squares….

The 2-inch size is not one that I use a lot…nothing like the 2.5-inch ones.

So, I wanted to find a design that would work with these, and THIS TIME, I wanted a plan for it and not just start piecing.

SO….on Tuesday I was perusing Facebook (as we all do), and I saw a woman who had posted thes two pictures….

HMMM…maybe a triple Irish Chain???

I hopped on to Electric Quilt and started playing. Although I liked the original design, I decided that I might want to tweek it a bit. What if I changed the layout to 5×5 rather than 7×7.

The main blocks will look like this…..

AND what if I altered the center of the block to something like this….

But when I put them into a quilt, it was just too much….

Then I changed the alternating block to this…..

….the final quilt looked like this……

I like that better because it does add some open spaces.

So, I kept playing and designed this block….

.Now I get something like this…..

Now THAT…..I REALLY like!!

My guild retreat is coming up in less than two weeks and I was trying to think of something to work on and I think this might be it!!

Since it will be totally scrappy, I won’t have to worry about color placement.

I have decided to use a bunch of different whites for the “background” I don’t have tons of these already cut so I will pull out the Accuquilt this week and get to cutting. It looks like I will need 25 for each 2-block set.

I think that using a lot of whites will give it some sparkle.

I am much happier with the thought of having a plan for this quilt and also knowing that I can just sit and sew and NOT THINK!!

So, maybe this quilt will move me from the brink of madness, but the jury is still out!!

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SCRAP Madness

Yes, my scraps are starting to drive me MAD!!

I have been happily making 6-inch blocks and ended up with 48 finished blocks….

In making these blocks, I have used ALL of the BLUE 1-1/2-inch scraps which is SUPER exciting!!

But, as you know I am struggling with what to do with these blocks. I have tried numerous ideas, including a “rail fence” type of setting…..

I have spent hours on EQ, planning copious ideas for these blocks…..

BUT NOTHING HAS APPEALED TO ME!!

What to do….. Well, I love Calvin’s idea…..

“Calvin and Hobbes” by Bill Watterson

So instead of trying to figure it out, I am just going to deny that there is an issue and keep making blocks!!

Since my original goal was to clear out my 1.5-inch squares, I am going to proceed with making blocks using each of the colorways……

….until this drawer is empty.

I have already made a good start with the pinks…..

Where will this lead??

Who the heck knows!!

But, the important thing is that I am continuing to piece, and more importantly, I am CLEANING OUT THAT DRAWER!!

Wish me luck!!

Come back tomorrow and I will show you my idea for the 2-inch squares!!

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Joys of an empty scrap basket!!

One of the first jobs that I wanted to do when I got home was to finish cleaning out my scrap basket. Before we left I had used my new Accuquilt machine and finished all of the strips but still had to cut the squares.

The cutter made life SO much easier and, before I knew it, I had tons of 1.5″, 2.0″ and 2.5″ squares!!

As I was storing all of them I realized that it is probably time to make something with 2.5-inch squares……

…..either that or get another box!!!

The bottom line is that the basket is EMPTY….

….and now I get the enjoyment of filling it up again!!!

Bye for now……I’m headed to the studio…….