Spectacular Scraps

In my cleaning and organizing I came across these triangles.  Now you have to understand, I have put these in the donation bag several times, and then take them out. Just could not decide if I should keep them or not.  But then, I had cut all the triangles, surely I should do something with them. Well the challenge won!  After all there was a whole shoebox full of lights and darks and they were all cut.

I even had had some of the triangles sew, a light to a dark.

What do you think? These are big blocks, as the triangles are half of a 5 inch square.  I made up 6 blocks, then yesterday I made up 11 more. I figure if I make a total of 25 I could have a good size quilt, then add a border or two.  Another UFO is in progress of being done!  Oh, these triangles have been cut for at least 5 years.

This is the book the pattern is coming from.  It was printed in 1999.  The whole book is about using half square triangles in quite a variety of ways. Most of the blocks start out as 4 patch blocks, and it is all in the way they are positioned that makes the difference.   I think, if I remember correctly, my very first full size quilt was made from this book that I had machine quilted.  It is red and yellow.  I am really not a fan of making the same identical block over and over.  I do love scrap quilts.

I am not  a quilter that uses only one company or style of fabric, or only one persons patterns. A friend once said I was a traditional quilter.  Now I am not so sure.  I have fabric that goes back to when calico was reproduced  for the first time, maybe the 70's. A lot of my fabric is also from companies that are no longer in business, but then I have a lot of new things, too.  I love the 30's fabrics, and have made several quilts from them.  They are the girly girl fabrics.  Collected a lot of fabrics for I spy quilts, as I have 7 great nieces and nephews.  I buy what I like.  You have seen all the types of fabrics I have used in making zippered bags.   I have been sewing since I was a young girl, let me tell you that is a lot of years!

At least the "heat wave" has cooled down.  I actually worked outside in my little gardens for a couple of hours today.  We are still in need of rain.  My husband said maybe next week.

Stay cool, and have a great week.

Mary

Selvages

This is not the greatest picture, but I did make 2 pincushions out of selvages this week. I have begun saving my selvages, like I needed to save anything else. Why is it we keep finding cute things to make with all this fabric we have??

This has been a busy week. Monday we had scrap quilting. We are working on some Bonnie Hunter patterns. I got 20 9 patchs for the "Scrappy Sister's Choice Blocks". I have the neutrals and my triangles ready to start adding.
I got so inspired from Mondays talk about using scraps, that I organized more of my stash. I started strip piecing on 5 1/2 pieces of paper with the odd sized scraps I had. It was like I had to start a couple new blocks just so I didn't forget what we learned and talked about.

Friday 18 of us are going on a shop hop on a bus. We are traveling through Wisconsin, to Minnesota to visit 8 shops. We will stay 2 nights at a hotel in Rogers, MN. While we are gone, those same 8 shops will be sending buses to the quilt shops in our area that sponsored this trip. We are so looking forward to this trip. We all have projects and reading material ready for the bus ride. Camera have been charged and ready. Maybe I better take an extra tote bag for those extra special purchases!!! Will report back next week.

The week in pictures April 19 to 24

I got 12 Klosjes done this week, and cut out a bunch more. Using stash, Some of those 2 in strips I have been cutting. I am going on a bus trip starting Friday, and like to have handwork ready and waiting.

Monday I got this quilt put together. It is another Daffodil Hill. This is a great pattern for a big print. I was able to pull so many colors out of the main fabric. It was fun. All the fabric is from my stash. Have borders and the back to finish.

Farmers Wife. I had to start puttting it together so I could see what fabrics I have used and what colors. I am doing mine in 30"s and am loving it. Agailn, the blocks are being made from my stash. I did have to purchase the fabric for setting triangles. and will probably need border fabric. I have 28 more blocks to add. The quilt is 7 rows across. We get the assignment of 9 or 10 blocks a month. We have 5 months to go!

We are working on string quilts using a diamond shape. Each month we have been exchanging 1 1/2 inch strips. This month we were working on different ways to set and sew them together. I have at least 20 diamonds cut. Have a lot more strips to sew together. Don't know how big this quilt may turn out. It is a lot of fun making these. Now here is another stash buster!!! You aren't limitedf to 1 1/2 inch strips, they can be any width.

Here we are at the quilt shop blowing bubbles.You need to have fun, and what better way then to be a child again. What Inspires You?? What do we see in our daily lives that makes us want to design a new quilt!! So many ways to use our stash.

Stash Manicure

Today I got to show off my version of the mystery quilt we have done through Prairie Stitches. I am pleased with the way it turned out. I like it so much I have cut out another one. I have another large print that I think will look good using this pattern. Stay tuned!!

I am going to start making klosjes, or spools. Several other ladies have started to make them. They look so cute and another project I can do by hand. I have my little "take along" box for klosjes and one for hexagons. I use baggies or small boxes for my handwork. I love to applique, and work on small wool projects too.

I find there are too many projects I want to do. A couple of weeks ago I started to go through the projects to do. I decided to let go of a few things. The fabric went back into the stash and the pattern went into a bag to be donated to one of the guilds I belong to. Prairie Star Quilt Guild has a show coming up in October. The used magazine, books and patterns are good sellers. This is a great way to recycle and lessen the "to do" list. There are always new ideas, patterns, and fabric coming out to entice us. We want to do it all!!!

Happy Quilting

Mary