FROM SCRAPPY TO HAPPY

 I have two tubs and one basket of scraps (shamefully).  This one tub you see here are Island Batik scraps.  It is almost to the point of overflowing.

I have been so busy with my mother this week that sewing is almost impossible besides I had to order some more backing for my Island Batik Sept. Challenge.....
So I decided to do something that I could put down and come back to without much thought.

What you see above is all those scraps ironed.

Yep...IRONED!!

Here are three stacks from 2", 1", 2 1/2", and 3"...as you can see some need to be cut down...you can't cut up....only down.  

                   Some   2 1/2 " squares....it doesn't look like much but  this stack stands 3" high.

                                             
                                                          Then this mound of scraps.  I am trying to decide if I should just leave as is or if I should cut them down in strips and squares????  It feels good to have them semi organized....notice the word semi.

ZAPPY SCRAPPY STRIPY KIND OF DAY!

I showed you these strips that Island Batik sent to me and was trying to decide what to do with them.

Well...

What I didn't realize is that some of the strips were folded...which made 3 1/2" strips....changed the whole playing field.

Made a rail fence.  The outer purple border is from the fabric line "Strawberry Fields Forever"....just love this name Island Batik picked out for this line.

As I was sewing these strips together...I just kept saying to myself  "I just love Island Batiks...I just love Island Batiks"...as I was cutting them.

The last of the family blocks...    You can find this basket pattern here called"Basket of Chips"

You can find this pattern here  called "Love in a Mist"

I used my scraps from Island Batik for this block from the line of "Raindrops"...gosh I sure love the names they pick out for their fabric lines.  The white background is just some random scraps.

Since there were just two names left in our family we decided to just do the two blocks in one month....so I am done for the year....  Next year my niece will be in charge of what directions we go in this Family block of the month.

MY SCRAP BIN RUNNETH OVER!!

What is inside this box? I just love these boxes at JoAnn's, fits so well in the cubby of my desk!

As I was looking around my room the other day before I had a few sewing ladies in.....I noticed my piles of projects, here and there...and the.......THE SCRAP BASKET!!!! (did you hear the creepy msic?)

So after we played in the sewing room I was determined to do something with my overflowing scrap basket.

Went to the hall closet (yes...I have scraps everywhere).  Pulled out the (I am so ashamed to say this....but) FOUR

tubs of scraps.  Interject sobbing here...... I didn't realize it was that bad.  I truly didn't.  I just discovered them the other day when I was looking for scraps.  Truly....I just didn't know.

Now....what to do with the scraps in the basket....NOT ANOTHER BIN!!!

So...true to form.

I am always doing the thing I shouldn't be doing and not doing the things I should.

Got out all the scraps...and started whacking away!!

THREE HOURS later and I have this.  A cazillion 2 1/2 inch strips!!

Filled the bottom of my box and started on a second layer

Then........................... I got this pot holder pattern in the mail from my Sister Jeanette!!

And these beautiful Halloween Fabrics from her.....  Inchworm Fabrics....they are awesome...won't you go by and take a look see?

I forgot to show you a picture of my hungry basket......I keep telling it not to worry....it will soon be overflowing with breeding scraps!!

SCRAPPY KINDA DAY!!

Saturday I didn't feel like doing much sewing so I got my Go cutter out and started tackling my scraps.

  Using the 2 1/2" strip die I started hammering down on my mound of scraps.


I am happy to report that I did get enough scraps cut to make 57 of these blocks (made yesterday).

 

More scraps to cut up....tons more. I didn't even make a dent....(head is hanging low).....

 

I am sure most of you have seen my yellow Tree of Life...it has a gazillon leaves.

 

 I must be insane to do another one of these...

 

.so...

 

I have decided that every day I will do at least 21 leaves....why 21 you ask?

 

Because as I am stitching them down...I say just one more...one more....so I couldn't stop with just twenty...had to do one more.

 

So far I have 65 stitched down and that is not even scratching the surface...poor me.... (head hanging low again)

 

 

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So the winner of the pattern is Sherry Von Fumetti.......  I will send the pattern right over.

 

Now back to the Tree of Life

 

SCRAPS OR NON SCRAPS THAT IS THE QUESTION?

Yesterday I told you that I would show picture of the items I made with my mother's and sister's scraps....so here goes...

This is totally from their scraps except for the backing fabric. This is without a doubt the easiest and fasted pattern to make up......(patternspot.com) (used Circle go cutter)

More scraps.....except for the fabric the dogs are on and the backing (needs binding). (used doggie go cutter)
So Class 101 SCRAPS FOR DUMMIES

The picture you see is what I consider to be scraps....

Found in said mother's and sister scrap bin.....Hummmmmm scraps or non scraps....(scratching my head)....hummmmm I vote for non scraps.

I have been giving them a rash of scraps since I have been digging in their fabric waste and well...to be fair (gotta be fair). My mother has quilts in mind for her grandkids. She has been on a mission and has made 24 tops and quilted all but three so far. You are excused mother dearest from the scraps bash!

Now Beverly on the other hand....she feels if she has messed with the fabrics long enough she doesn't want to deal with them again and.....she is mother's helper. They make baby quilts for every relative and friend around here...so I suppose you are excused too but.... They have no time to mess with the scraps...

I JUST LOVE THEIR SCRAPS!!!! SO NO COMPLAINT HERE!!!

Found this fabric and thought of these toppers......

This next one needs some embellishments. Both need binding.

Well...second thought, this is the easiest pattern to make up...nine seams and you have the top done.....quilt and bind...EASieeeee!!

There you have the low down on the scrap saga....scrap or non scrap that is the question.

HOLY STINKING SCRAP!!

So if you have been reading my blog, you all know that I am at my mother's. My sister Beverly and Mother (Quilter's Corner) have the most amazing scraps. Yes...scraps!!

Some of you know that I have been using my Go Cutter to cut through some of those scraps. But.....some of the scraps were in yardages.... I would go...are you sure this is a scrap? Some of them I just could not cut into....so.....

so.....

I have made a home for the lost scraps. Anyone for scraps anonymous? I was actually drooling over their scraps, how bad is that?

Now...we all know that I need scraps like I need a few inches added to my behind!! But....home girl is taking home a bag of scraps.

Right now I have several projects I am working on with the scraps. Been up since 5:30 and sewing.....whohoooooo!!! Back in the saddle again!!!

So before I get back to my sewathon (before mom wakes up), I am going to leave you with this picture



This fabric line is called "Are we There yet," my sister blogged about this today but she didn't mention that you can find it in her store, Inchworm Fabrics. I just love this quilt top, her daughter Jennifer and her made this while Jennifer was visiting a week or so ago. I just have to have this fabric (you hear me Jeanette...wink wink!!)

Have a fabulous day, I am back to sewing again and will share picture of the scraps I have been using.

GOOD USE OF SCRAPS

I saw this on the "Quilt Show" and I just had to try it. This is just such a great way to use those scraps that you just might throw away.



So....I got my trusty "Steam A Seam" ironed two sheets on some fabric.

Took off the backing paper
Some scraps from the latest cutting project. I would have thrown some of these away but saved them for this purpose.

Started placing the scraps on the "Steam A Seam"...no ironing yet.
Kept placing fabric as I fancied.

ended up with this....ironed down to the "Steam A Seam"
Need some Tulle
Place over your project.
Quilt the top, this would have been a good time to practice feathers, leaves, hearts...but...I chose the lazy man's way out and meandered.
Made a little zipper bag out of it....looks kinda wonky...but I love zippered bags and will find some kind of use for it.
I just loved this and plan to do more.

The binding of the quilt below is not done and as usual I am goofing instead of doing what I need to be doing. No excuse....just feel like goofing.

THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD!

Sometimes I feel like the Engine and other times I feel like the caboose. Last week was a caboose week.

I have been working on some special things but I am waiting for a pattern to be proof read, and then Caroll from the Attic Shop Window

and I have been working on a little surprise together. We will showcase that in June and more details will come out in the future.

So a lot of fun things going on….

Today, I have cut out four drunkard paths quilts.

The two blue ones are for twin boys… I have a confession, it is sooo hard to cut into my Samoan Fabrics.

Cut out some houses from the House Die. I will have to be totally honest here, I was not happy with

the size of these cottages. I was hoping for bigger ones.

These measure about 4” in length…. No one asked me, you are right!!! And yes, I should have read the package before buying.

I will make that a mental note for future reference when buying dies. It is cute, don’t you think?

It is wonderful to cut several quilts at a time because it decreases the stash but………………..

(don’t judge me on the organization here…I was rummaging and when I do, it never goes

back the way I had it).

but it increases the scraps…..

So this gal is going to fire up her engines and get busy…..get my big caboose in gear!!!

I just noticed when reading my post on my blog that blogger has attached some advertisements to selected words and have highlighted them...I have not asked for this.

Also on the 9th, I am over at Sew We Quilt and will be giving away a runner her on my blog.