Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Rainbow Scraps Challenge Progress

It's going to be one of those years. By that I mean, a year where unplanned projects keep insisting they get attention. I started out with one RSC project, and as of about a week or so ago, I find myself with three. I am keeping up with each one in a timely manner. So far.

This is the first one, from Quick Quilts magazine. Last month I made four in dark and bright blue. I’m planning to have 30 blocks set 5 x 6 for a 50” x 60” quilt. It will be a donation quilt. Some months will have three blocks, some will have four in the colour of the month. 

This is the second project, another one from that same issue. The original design has black stars and I’d originally thought that’s what I’d do. 

However, I suddenly had a thought to make it an RSC project by doing the block in the colour of the month. I think it adds sparkle. These are 12” finished so I’m figuring 20 blocks, set four by five. Another donation quilt. 

And then this happened. All through the month of January I was ruminating about what to do/how to use more strings which just don’t go down at all despite a placemat making fest last year. I knew a ‘crumb’ pieces centre would be cool for a star block and then I had a brilliant idea to make fabric with the strips for the star points. 

 I made the points using the eight-at-a-time method, so because I wanted 4” finished points for my 16” block, I needed 5” squares to start with. For the eight-at-a-time method, that means 10” squares. So I made a 10” square using strips, which ya, no, doesn’t use many strips,😖 layered it with a 10” square of low-volume from my white/creams/ivory scrap basket and I’ve currently got these two blocks which I love!! I may be keeping this one… I’m using either precut 4.5” squares from my little tray I keep of those, or cutting them from said scrap basket. I’m purposely using low volume of several tones and prints. 

So there’s the rainbow work for this month. Now to focus on the “once again I’m stumped” (though I have a ‘feeling’) SAHRR! Oh and a certain other quilt for which the gorgeous Art Gallery Fabric arrived yesterday!

14 comments:

  1. Great Sandra & is it "use up the scraps" year, as I've been sorting through and using some of mine, although my motivation is still very low. I did Cheryl's Board & Batten qal with stash and scraps. I "love" the top blocks, being in pink, my favourite colour & that block lends itself to all sorts of colourations. Thanks for sharing, take care & hugs.

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  2. Sounds like a squirrely sort of a year, perhaps? I consider any project using scraps a worthwhile one to start! Great looking blocks, BTW :-)

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  4. The pink blocks are lovely, it's such a simple pattern but so striking. The second blocks made me think of 1" squares, and that made me think of my 'Postcards from Muskoka' wall hanging - I loved doing the blocks, but the sections are separated with rows of 1" blocks, and I have them all cut, arranged 'pleasingly' and some even sewn, but it put me right off (I need to get over it and get it finished, it's a lovely wall hanging). Then I discovered yours were 2" blocks, but the damage was done . . . I do like that you have changed your stars from just black - the colours both brighten and soften it. As for your Stars using strips - I love them! So pretty, and I bet all those little pieces bring back memories of all different projects.
    I did manage to get 3 large and their identical 'littles' for my 'Seeing Stars' Quilt, and now there are only 3 more sets, and they are all ready to go (plus, plus, plus), I also have my first block in BoHo Heart done, and 2 more ready to go. I read your UFO post, too, and although I sorted all mine out last month, I don't have an actual list, and I think it is a great idea, I'm not sure I want to deal with that at the moment (even if I can't think of one that I don't like and don't want to finish - one of them is from 2016, too), time and motivation. I really enjoyed the time I did manage to spend quilting, but it isn't always a possibility which is frustrating. Take care you, and thanks for such enjoyable posts.

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  5. I must have the same bug you do this year; lots of unplanned projects insisting they become reality and honestly, it's been so much fun to just do them! I love where these are headed and hope that you have fun with the Art Gallery fabrics (yum) and that the SAHRR round design isn't too pesky!

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  6. Those pink and black blocks are beauties. I like your star blocks made from crumbs, I am also sewing crumbs.

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  7. I really like all your projects, particularly the crumbs.

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  8. Oh my, such lovely lovely projects. If I would quit thinking and just sit down and sew, would my stash ever disappear? Would my scraps get used up? Rhetorical questions both. Do you have a tutorial for the 8 at one time star points? I can picture a 4 at one time but not the 8. I really admire the way you are keeping up with these, the SAHRR, Project quilting and then all the "secret sewing" and new patterns. Great way to get the year going.

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  9. You have a lot going on my friend! Love the pink blocks, the stars in both the quilt and now in the RSC colors! The SAHRR can be a stumper....mine seems to be flowing this year, however, I don't think I will get to mine until the weekend.

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  10. Perfect way to use strings and scraps!!! I really really like the stars with the RSC colours!

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  11. You have such fun RSC projects!

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  12. Hi Sandra! Those crumb stars are just FAB. I love everything about them. The RSC pink blocks with the black center really stand out. Ooh, and a new project with AGF fabrics - I know how nice those feel. You'll be looking forward to starting that! Enjoy the weekend and give those pups an extra walk and treat for me. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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  13. Hi Sandra. I love your crumb block stars. Such fun RSC projects Sounds like you are going to have a very creative year.

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