Saturday, January 7, 2017

Another Scrappy, Happy Week!

This has been a cold week with lots of snow here in the Salt Lake Valley. It clears up for a day or so in between storms; brilliant sunshine and blue skies with glittering snow on the ground. Gorgeous. And then another storm comes in to cleanse the air and prevent pollution build-up. And so it goes. I don’t mind the snow - in fact I enjoy it -  because I`m retired. All I ever have to do is occasionally shovel the walkway for the mailman if hubby and the snowblower aren’t in the vicinity.  But since I’ve only come to live where there are four seasons in my adulthood (I grew up in sunny Southern California), I have never built a snowman. I ALMOST started one last Tuesday, but thought better of it.  :-)  I was in the front yard and could just imagine the neighbors wondering what this crazy ol’ broad was doing....

This week is the first week of PURPLE for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge over at Angela’s So Scrappy blog. Lots of purple goodness to check out! But also, we veteran RSC’ers were asked to share some of our past makes. Rather than add them in here, I have created a GALLERY page (blue link, above, next to “Home”). It starts with my 2016 quilts and goes back to 2012. Enjoy!

So, this is what I got done this week, sewing-wise:

Rainbow Selvages. This is actually four columns; two in purple (or blue-purple) and two in red-purple. The like colors will eventually be sewn together into their own single column, but I figured it was easier to photograph them this way. Besides, each column will alternate from starting with a solid to starting with selvages, checkerboard fashion. So, in the end I’ll have to rearrange a section here and there. No biggie.


These were so fun to whip up! And for now they will go into their little pile and await other colored friends to join them throughout the year.  :-)

Crayons.  The light purple crayon below was done last year (August) when we had the month of misty purple/acid green or do-your-own-thing.  This week I sewed up the dark purple. They are sewn together because they are neighbors on the quilt.  Actually, their length will be the width of the quilt (before borders, etc.)



Planned for next week is the purple blocks of the Rainbow Bookshelf. And then some work with 2.5” scraps.

I found the picture of the warm version of the Improv Scrap Blocks flimsy to show. It has a back pieced for it and is just waiting its turn in line for quilting.


I just totally love it! The sashing is Kona Cream, and I questioned whether it “worked” or not at first. But I think it does. This quilt is set 6x8 blocks and will finish at 62”x72”.


Right now I am in the middle of quilting Rainbow Rails (the vintage sheet rail fence), then after that is the Cool Improv Scraps (like above, only in blues, greens, purple with black sashing), then the Warm Improv above, and finally the Rainbow Dresdens. They will all become goals for the Finish-Along 1st Quarter.

Finally, I stitched up a sleeping bag and pillows for one of my granddaughter’s American Girl dolls. I still need to run to JoAnn and get a 20” separating zipper and sew on the ribbon ties. But It’s fun to show it even at this stage. I took the opportunity to practice my free motion swirls, and as you can see, I do need practice! But it’s OK for this, right?  LOL

I’m feeling a sort of loss, not having kitty blocks to work on! Did you see Missouri Star Quilt Company’s tutorial for this week? It’s a cat quilt!!  I’m almost tempted.......   Almost, but not quite.

Cathy maroon

18 comments:

  1. I grew up with definite changes of seasons - you really need to build at least one snowman in your life!! Here's to RSC 17 and scrappy colors!

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  2. Congrats! on getting some PURPLE sewing done this week. That Improv Quilt is going to be SEW pretty. Can't WAIT to see it quilted!!!

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  3. Great purple blocks!! I love your improv quilt top. Happy Quilting!!

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  4. good to see another scrappy week at your place!

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  5. I love those crayons. I may even join in the scrap challenge just to make crayons. I figure the width of the strip doesn't matter and I could sure clean out some scraps this way!!!If you really feel the need to make cat and kitten blocks I would be happy to take them off your hands. Between running my store six days a week and running the rest of my life on my one day off I just don't get enough sewing time!!! By the way, how long are you making your crayons?

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  6. First things first. Life is short - BUILD THE SNOWMAN!!!!!! I'm planning to do rainbow crayons this year. I'm sure I've asked before, but what are the dimensions you are using? Your little doll quilt is adorable. And feel free to make a cat/kitten quilt for me. :-)

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  7. LOVE the crayon quilt! that's definitely on my (short) bucket list...

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  8. I DID see the MSQC cat quilt and thought of you right away! I love your selvage quilt idea - so perfect for showing off the selvages. I have never saved selvages, and now (of course) I'm wishing I had. :) There are just so many fun ideas out there!

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  9. No need to feel sad about leaving the kitties, they have been good friends friends for a long time. The crayons may not be quilts as cuddly, but they are so cute!

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  10. Those crayons make me giggle every single time you show them!
    While I think everyone should build a snowman once, I also think that once is entirely enough. (Not a fan of cold. If it's cold enough to build a snowman, it's too cold to go outside...)

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  11. Oh yes! I saw that "cat quilt" tutorial and already am formulation plans for it in my head! I just loved it!!!
    I think you should go ahead and build that snowman! Who cares what the neighbors think...you know, they might just be envious of you going out and doing something fun with the snow! Maybe they will join you.
    I really like your crayon "blocks". I have done one scrappy purple wonky log cabin and started a second one. The I found some 3-1/3" x 1-1/2" pieces of purple fabric already sewn together, so I added a third piece to the first two and then sewed those together into a block. I'm a newby at the RSC, but I can tell I am going to have some fun with it, and I am in good company!

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  12. I really do like your scrap improv too. Very tempting. And the crayons look like fun too. How long are your blocks?

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  13. Those Crayons are perfect!!! What a great idea!

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  14. Don't worry about the neighbors - go build a snowman if you want to!! If I were your neighbor, I'd come help!

    I've been trying to think of a way to use some selvedges for this year's RSC. I like your idea. Still stewing on this one.

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  15. Look at you go! Purple blocks already? Good for you.
    But...you should always keep the neighbors guessing about what crazy old broad is doing!

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  16. Lovely scrappy purples Cathy! And the quilt is so gorgeous! Have a blessed day.

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  17. I can't believe you've made 3 kitty quilts! They are adorable :) Looking forward to seeing your 2017 blocks grow :)

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  18. Life's too short not to build snowmen (if that's your heart's desire). I love your selvedge beginning. (btw - the link to the kitty quilt at the end of your post isn't working - not sure if it's just me????)

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