Saturday, August 4, 2018

Orange August in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge

This month we are working on using our orange fabric scraps in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  And it’s going to be a fun and orange-y linky party today at Angela’s So Scrappy blog because it’s Rainbow Scrap Saturday.

This year I’ve been starting out each new color of the month by sewing up my selvages. And this month was no exception. I was able to get 12 selvage squares of 6.5” and three of 4.5”. That brings me to 67 blocks in the 6.5” size. 


Now I’ve been through most of the rainbow colors, but I still have lots of scraps left in browns, blacks and grays, dark blues and multi-colors. I’ll probably work on the brown ones this month too, as Angela suggested brown as an alternate or extra color for this month. And I know we have another blue coming up, so the blues will be taken care of. After that, I’m not sure. I could stitch up the rest of the multi-colored selvages and get probably enough blocks (all told) to make a 60x60” quilt. Or larger if I sashed them or alternated the selvage blocks with another block. I’ll have to put my thinking cap on. Whatever I decide to do with them, it will happen sometime next year, not this year.

Next I stitched up six 4.5” bowtie blocks, bringing my total bowties to 288. And that completes what I need!


If I set them 16x18, that will give me a quilt that measures 64” by 72”. Sounds good to me!

Also, I did some sewing on these lozenge blocks toward the end of last month. I’ve been working on this quilt for two years. So, this is how it looks as we start Orange August:


I have 11 out of 20 blocks completed - just over half. While we’re working on orange this month, I’d like to finish the remaining 9 blocks to complete the flimsy. All the lozenges and corners are cut, so it’s just a matter of putting the sewing pedal to the metal! But probably not next week; I will be working on other blocks instead. 

My final note is just a happy share. Regular readers know that I joined Weight Watchers a year ago. I’ve not always been as diligent (like during the Holidays) as I could have been, but I’ve been persistent and consistent and managed to lose 37 pounds by my 1-year WW anniversary at the end of June. And then I went to Africa and had no control over the food that was served to us. But I could control how much I actually stuffed in my mouth!  The African diet is so full of vegetables and fruits that it was never really a concern to try new foods like the occasional nyama choma (roast goat), chapati, or samosas. And then there was the chocolate that I brought home from Africa and Amsterdam “for Bruce”, LOL. (Truly, it was for him, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to tasting some myself!) 

Once home again, my first meeting back would have been on Tuesday the 24th of July, but it was a state holiday (Utah’s statehood day, Pioneer Day), so I didn't weigh in until the 31st. And I maintained my weight - I hadn’t gained an ounce! Yessssssss..... it was beyond thrilling for me! Now, with our garden veggies going gangbusters, good food abounds. I plan to buckle down and lose the final 30 pounds over the next several months. Anyway, blogging about this health journey helps me stay accountable. Thanks for reading if you got this far!  

17 comments:

  1. Isn't orange such a happy color to sew with? I really like the lozenge project - they would make good leaders and enders in between other blocks you're working on. Congratulations on your successful year of weight loss, too! It's not easy - I know from personal experience. :)

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  2. Fantastic (remember Fanta Orange drink? Dating myself ) orange pieces--I jut love those lozenges--they look like fun...hugs, Julierose

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  3. Look at all your happy orange! Those lozenges really catch my eye - I've been tempted by them before... 8)

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  4. So good for you! Weight has been a problem all my life, since puberty. Now I am in my 60's and don't worry about it as much. It was always a loosing battle anyway, pun not intended. lol

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  5. I join other readers in calling your orange blocks 'happy'! Congrats on achieving so much in your WW adventure.

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  6. Huge congrats on your weight loss. That is a wonderful achievement, speaking from experience. I know you will stick to it for an amazing finish,even with some chocolate thrown in. After all, it’s a major food group and has lots of health benefits. . PS, thanks for your kind comment just now. Have a fun week!

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  7. PPS: Your sewing machine must have a super high speed mode to get all those orange blocks done so fast.

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  8. Congratulations on maintaining. That is a big struggle. I am “back” at WW and having success. Staying at goal and not attending meeting is my down fall. So, good luck and keep on tracking!
    Your orange blocks, all of them, are super !!

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  9. Wow! You have sewn up alot of orange in a very little time! Looks great!

    Congrats on controlling your weight. You have every right to celebrate before losing the next 30 pounds.

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  10. Congrats on maintaining the weight! That's always a big thing when travelling. I find I walk and move a lot more on vacation, so that helps me, too. Now - Orange! Wow, that's a lot of orange. I haven't started mine yet, but have two small projects in mind. I try to do a small charity quilt each month, usually in the RSC color. Keeps me on my toes!! I still have to go back and read about your African adventures. Haven't been on the computer as much lately.

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  11. congratulations on your weight loss - that is a big accomplishment. Maybe you should buy more fabric to celebrate. The oranges will be a fun addition

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  12. Congratulations on your weight loss! I know how hard that is to do. I need to get serious about dieting real soon too. Love those orange lozenges!

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  13. I really love orange. I love it more paired with certain shades of blue and blue/green. It really IS amazing that you came back from your trip and didn't gain weight. I am so happy for you.
    xx, Carol

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  14. I've just started pulling my orange acraps and here you are mostly done. Too hot here to sew this week unless an air-conditioned friend invites me over.
    I think all the walking you did and the lack of junk and processed foods on your Kenya trip greatly helped with the weight maintenance. You will reach your goal because you are determined.
    Pat

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  15. Wow, excellent progress on the weight loss and maintenance over what sounds like a wonderful vacation! Hurray for you! And good luck with your continued efforts. I need to lose an equal amount but have no motivation or desire to make the effort. Meanwhile, I love the combo of orange on white with black prints; must do some of that myself!

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  16. Congrats! on hitting your goal for the bowtie blocks. Those ORANGE ones are awesome!!

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  17. First of all, congratulations on maintaining your weight goal and for continuing to provide inspiration for the rest of us! I enjoyed seeing all your wonderful oranges - not a colour I normally work with too much.

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