I May Have a Scrap Problem... The Year in Review!

Hi, all!

As we draw closer to the end of the year, I think we all want to think about what we've accomplished for the year.  So today, let's look back at what's happened since I acknowledged I have a (serious) scrap problem....

I think this is my favorite scrappy creation of the year - it is the annual quilt I made for my eldest granddaughter, who, at age 9, wanted a photo quilt so she could remember what she was like "when she was little"!

I also made four of these beach blankets using the leftover t-shirt pieces from t-shirt quilts.  And I sold all four of them!

I made this quilt using Lara Buccella's Crafted Appliqué method...

...then used the leftover orange peel pieces to make this one!

I raided the green scrap bin and added some vintage linen for this quilt...

...raided the orphan block bin for this one...

...and raided the leftover binding bin for this one!

This quilt was made with 1x2 and 2x4 bricks.

 

I've got a stack of string blocks waiting for some friends to join them so they can be made into a quilt top.

I made a set of letters for my grandkids, and another set for a friend...

...a chair pad and pillow from my plaid scraps...

...and these placemats from my black and white scraps!

Oh, and here's the first scrappy quilt I made as part of this project - my scrappy bow ties!

It's been a fun project and definitely one I'll keep up in the coming year.  Even though I didn't get all my scraps cut up and organized like I planned, I certainly made a dent in them!  And I've also gained a more scrappy mindset - I find I'm less likely to buy new fabric because I know I have so much waiting to be sewn up already, and I'm enjoying using my scraps to make new, fun creations.  So I'm calling it a success!

How about you?  Are you feeling better about your own little scrap monster?  

Come back next week and share your scrappy goals for the year!

Hugs!

Sarah

I May Have a Scrap Problem.... #butimworkingonit

Hi, all!

Wow - only about ten days until Christmas, and it's busy busy busy around my house!  But I can multi-task while I eat leftovers for lunch and share what I've been working on and what I've seen while out and about this week!

First of all, I managed to finish all three of the beach blankets made from my leftover t-shirt backs!

I'm so happy I managed to get these done for my friend before Christmas!  In this picture you can see the back and quilting - a simple muslin back and stitch in the ditch quilting, no batting and a scrappy binding to finish it off!

And when I was cleaning off my sewing table this morning to start on a new project, I found four little lonely strips all cut and pressed to be made into Scandinavian Star ornaments, so I put one more together just for me!

That's pretty much all the creating I've done in a scrappy way - but while surfing I found these pretty inspirations!

Coin quilts are a great way to use up scrappy rectangles, and I love the narrow gray strips and occasional gray rectangles in this version!

Oh my goodness, isn't this amazing???  So simple - rectangles twice as long as they are wide make up this quilt.  It looks complicated, but it's really a simple block!

Kristy, this quilt makes my heart sing!  I love the colors, the text prints, all the scrappy little strips - perfect!!!

This quilt isn't billed as a scrappy quilt, but I can totally envision it that way, can't you?  All those low volume scraps hanging out in your tubs are just screaming to be used in something this pretty!

I love the addition of the friendship stars in this scrappy quilt - what a perfect gift for a housewarming!

And one final Christmas quilt to round it out!  This would be a great way to make a serious dent in my Box O' Shame - the Christmas fabric scraps that have been hanging around for years and years!  

And speaking of Christmas, is there any interest in having another 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop?  Specifically, would YOU be interested in being one of the stops on the hop?  Now's the time to start thinking about it, while Christmas is on the brain and all those projects you wish you had time to do are still fresh in your imagination.  So speak up if you want to be a stop, or even if you just want to enjoy it again this year!  If there's enough interest, I'll start pulling it together again.

Keep plugging away at those scraps - you are making a dent, I know it!!

 Hugs!

Sarah

I May Have A Scrap Problem... Turning Scraps Into Cash!

Hi, all!

It's time again to look at our scraps - I know that December is a difficult month for me in this respect, because I spend the month sewing frantically and just tossing my scraps in a bin.  But there's only so many hours in a day, and the scraps will just have to wait!

But I am busy this week turning scraps into cash - I got a commission for three (yes THREE!) beach blankets made from the backs of t-shirts from this summer's t-shirt quilt work!  I've been busy turning them into piles of 12.5" squares and 12.5" four-patch blocks....

And now I'm starting to sew them together - finally!  These are big quilts - about 84" square - so I have to lay them out on a sheet on the den floor...

...then pick them up carefully in columns and sew them together!  There's a lot of careful numbering done to keep the arrangement in order but so far, so good.  

These will be backed with 90" wide muslin, and no batting, because they are heavy - the combination of the t-shirts and the size give a lot of heft to these quilts!  Simple straight line stitching and cross-hatching, and a scrappy binding (let's use up those scraps too!) and they'll be ready for delivery in time for Christmas!

I also made these little folded fabric stars and tied them onto a two-pack of Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark for dinner party favors - but I think they'd be really cute for the mailman, too!  I may make a few more to leave in the mailbox and a few other special places this year...  It's a great way to use up Christmas fabric scraps!

So - are you doing any scrappy sewing for Christmas?  

Hugs!

Sarah

I May Have A Scrap Problem... November in Review, and December Goals

Hi, all!

Hard to believe it, but the end of November is here!  We're coming in on the end of the year, and the holiday season - a busy time of year, but hopefully not too busy to get in some scrap-busting.  I'm hoping to make some gifts, but we'll talk more about that later!

So - - - my goal for November was a simple one - finish Lilli's annual quilt!  And I did it!

Here's a shot of the whole quilt...

...and a close-up so you can see the cute pictures, too!  I'm loving the way this turned out, and it really ate up some scraps!

I also made some of these great folded fabric stars...

...and a pretty set of kitchen towels!  I'll probably be making more of both to give as gifts for Christmas - they're fun and easy and use up scraps, too!  The best of both worlds....

So while I didn't get a whole lot done with my scraps in November, at least I reached and surpassed my goals, at least by a little bit!

I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do with my scraps in December - I'll be finishing up the kids' annual quilts and then working on three commission t-shirt quilts - but I definitely want to use some of my Christmas fabric scraps up in ornaments and maybe some pillow tops.  Maybe even another Christmas quilt if time allows!  I've got my eye on that charm quilt with the white stars....

I think I could work one of these up pretty quickly, if I cut my scraps into 5" squares, and I've already got some white on hand, so it could be a Sew My Stash 2016 project, too!

The last week of December is usually a clean-up week for me, too - I work on straightening up the studio so it's all organized for the beginning of a new year.  It's a good time to work on organizing scraps, too!  I'm sure I'll be doing some of that, too.  Wish me luck!

Feel free to link up below and share your scrappy goodness from November and your plans for December!!

Our little scrap monster has decorated himself up for Christmas - I tell you, he's becoming more and more domesticated every day!!  

Hugs!

Sarah

I May Have a Scrap Problem... but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Hi, all!

Well, last week's post sharing some scrappy gift ideas was so popular, I thought it might be fun to share some scrappy Christmas decorating ideas this week (plus it makes for a fairly quick post that I can populate with images I found while surfing Pinterest while my hair color processed this morning!)  So let these put you in the Christmas mood, and maybe help you diminish that "stash of shame" - the Christmas fabrics you hide away during the year, that chant "use me, use me" every time you look at the beautiful new fabrics that come out each July.....  😊

Let's start with some wall hangings!  Simple to make, small in size, these are the perfect accessory to take a room from everyday to "Christmas cheery"!

Consider making a mini the same size as a picture on the wall - that way you can hang it right on top of the picture frame and undecorating is a breeze after Christmas!

I love the circles that make up the tree in this - and if you have a GO! Cutter and the circle die, it makes this one super simple!

Don't have a die cutter?  Then how about these ornaments made with snowball blocks?  

Remember the "Stack-o-Gifts" you could once order for Christmas gifts?  That's what this mini reminds me of.  I bet you could make this one up in an afternoon!

Now personally, I think everyone should have a Christmas quilt to put out at this time of year.  It instantly transforms a room with warmth and begs to be snuggled with!  Here are some great options that look simple and like they would be great scrap busters!

Aren't these Christmas trees adorable?  And so modern...

Got lots of strips?  This would be an awesome way to whip up a quick little Christmas tree quilt!

This one is a bit more complicated, but isn't it gorgeous?

I've always loved this quilt, and plan to make one of my own some day!  Those blue accents just sparkle...

And speaking of sparkle, I know this quilt isn't shown in Christmas fabrics - but wouldn't it look great made up in them?  Maybe even use a silver or silver on white for the stars.  I've made this quilt before and it is so simple and fun - simple 9-patch blocks!

And just to round out the theme, here's some cute little Christmas tree ornaments...

And some great towels for the kitchen or bathroom!

Feeling inspired yet?

Go whip those scraps into submission!!

Hugs!

Sarah

Once again, you can find the original links for all these pictures and more on my Pinterest board, Oh Scrap!