Out of the Scrap Bins

It seems like every year around this time I go through this whole scrap purging and reorganizing process at the bottom of my closet, digging through scrap bins as if I was searching for gold.  It's not an intentional act that I plan for, it just seems to happen on its own, call it my version of spring cleaning.  I can't even explain it.  Before I know it, I have every bin, basket and bag organized, reorganized, analyzed and re-analyzed as to what to do with it all.  The easiest thing would be to donate or throw it away, right?  You would think I was organizing and hoarding cash!

I had seen a photo of a gorgeous pineapple quilt that inspired the thought, "I am going to make that!"  So I set on the journey of pulling lots of narrow strips, cutting dozens more, and sewing scrappy five-inch pineapple blocks, with the intention of reaching at least 80 inches each way on my scrappy pineapple quilt. 

It was fun. . . for awhile!  My short attention span soon kicked in.  Twenty blocks later, I had had my fill of pineapples!  Then I realized I still had to tear all that foundation paper off the back of the blocks.  I soon decided that a crib sized quilt was more realistic and called it a day when I finally managed to get it sewn together, along with borders.

I still love the scrappy look but am not sure if I could do a bed-sized quilt in just pineapples.  It would probably have to be something that I picked up and worked on in between other quilts, I think.  Sewing pineapples for weeks on end would turn my brain into a pineapple slushy, I'm afraid. 

And what inspired all this digging through scraps?  During two weeks in March I was down and out with a cold that I couldn't shake and just needed to do something that didn't require much thinking.  I had seen this foundation-pieced rooster online and thought it would be fun to try, once again using ONLY scraps from the scrap bin.  I purchased the pattern from Sew What Sherlock, and had a blast choosing bits of old fabrics to "paint" my rooster.  I veered from the pattern somewhat and did my own thing when it came to the background.  Now, for the record, I am not a rooster collector nor do I decorate with roosters in my house, but this was just fun to do.

I didn't really have a plan for it once I finished it, so I decided to make it into a pillow.  I'm still not sure if I am keeping this for me, giving it as a gift, or I may eventually sell it!  But I am glad I took a day off to play without having a plan or deadline for a change, and did something different.

And here is the back. . . 

Believe it or not, this fabric is real vintage 1970s.  And yes, I've had it since high school!  I am pretty sure I made a wrap-around skirt out of it back in the day when I sewed clothes.  I guess there was a reason I've held on to it all these years!  Anyway, it worked out great for this pillow.

And my final scrap busting project "in progress" is this crocheted rag rug.  I'm getting close to the finish line, probably only ten more rounds to go.   This uses up so much fabric, it's a great way to dwindle down some of that old stuff I won't ever use in a quilt.  I also love using old cotton floral decorator prints, once again, VINTAGE!  Some of this I've had forever, it screamed 1980s, so now that it's in a rug, I don't feel so guilty about holding on to it.  I'm not using a pattern, in case anyone is going to ask me, I am sort of figuring this out as I go.  I cut my strips at 1 1/4" wide and use a size L or M hook, depending on the tension I want.  This is the first time I've done a rug in a rectangular format like this, normally I make ovals like the one pictured below.

Here is one I did a couple of years ago, now very much faded since it gets direct sun on it most of the day.  But I love the patina they get after being used and washed.  And these crocheted rugs wash extremely well, they hold up for years, much better than anything store-bought, and they are pet-friendly, which is very important in our house.

I know I had promised photos from the AQS Daytona Quilt Show to share, but I apologize, I still have not taken the time to go through and edit them just yet.  With being sick and then playing catch up for the last several weeks, sitting in front of the computer on my time off hasn't been what I want to do after being in front of it all day at work.  So hopefully I will eventually get around to it and share them. 

Hope this has inspired you to dig through your own scraps and make something fun!  It's amazing to see how such a little bit of fabric goes a long way. 

Until next time, Happy Quilting!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope you are ready for the holiday weekend, it certainly snuck up quickly this year. Up until today, we have been having July-like weather which has made any holiday prep hard to get excited about.  But we finally have more "fall like" weather for Florida, below 75 degrees, and it is a welcome change!

I am actually ahead of schedule for a change.  I have been cleaning my house over the last couple of weeks to get a jump on the to-do list before the holidays.  What a great feeling to be done with all of it.  The grocery shopping is completed, the dining table is set, and the kitchen prep will begin on Wednesday.

Over the last month or so I have been tackling my endless list of DIY projects.  We needed additional seating in our dining room for the holidays and my husband found four of these chairs at a Good Will store for only $5.00 each!  You can see they were originally Harvest Gold circa 1968!  The fabric on the seats was even uglier.  But with several coats of white paint and a pretty blue stripe fabric, I transformed them into something that will work for us as well as blend in with our existing dining décor. 

I haven't done a whole lot of sewing but I did finish one quilt top since my last post, a simple red and white nine-patch snowball quilt. 

I got so inspired to make this quilt after I received the book, Red &White Quilts Infinite Variety.  If you haven't gotten your copy of this fabulous book yet, definitely put this at the TOP of your wish list, it is by far one of the best quilt books EVER!  I take it to bed with me at night and drool over this fabulous quilt collection, (then dream about the quilts!).  This isn't a "how-to" or instructional quilt book, but it is probably the best I have seen as far as photos, with over 653 pictures of the quilts.  Incredible doesn't begin to describe it!  It will inspire you beyond belief, every quilter needs this book! 

My only red room in my house is our laundry room, so eventually I want to make several crib-size red and white quilts for in there.  Of course, I will also use them at Christmas, too! 

In the evenings I have been trying to work on projects to reduce my boxes of 1 1/4" fabric strips.  The fabric hoarding is getting out of control!  This locker-hooked rag rug was made from all the leftovers from the log cabin quilt I made my husband last year.  Since his study is the only room in our house that has darker colors in it, I knew the likelihood of making other quilts with these was slim.

It worked out perfectly since his study has an exterior door that opens onto our back porch, and the colors match his eclectic taste and things that he likes to collect.  And the best part is, it used up over 10 yards of fabric!

I also finished up a small hexagon flower quilt top I've been English paper-piecing for awhile now.  This is made only from small bits of scraps from my scrap bins, I did not cut into yardage at all for this.  It was a blast to make, I absolutely love doing the hand piecing.  I took it with me everywhere, in the car, on the plane, in hotel rooms, in front of the television in the evenings.  Before you know it, you have hundreds of these little flowers made.     

I still need to quilt it, but in the mean time, it hangs proudly with some of my other vintage quilt tops.  And it the colors blend perfectly!

So that brings you up-to-date on some of what I've been up to.  And once Thanksgiving is over, we will be jumping head first into Christmas decorations!  But I WILL NOT be hitting the Black Friday sales, that is one thing I definitely choose to steer clear from.

Here's to wishing each and every one of you a wonderful, safe and Happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones, family and friends!  Cheers!