RSC February: Teal (or aqua or turquoise)

 

This month Rainbow Scrap Challenge called for all scrappers to get out 

their teal/aqua/turquoise fabrics. 

Even though I really like this color, I don't have too many scraps. 

What I did have, I "made" my own fabric to cut out hearts. 

Making my own fabric from scraps is quite therapeutic, but not always pretty.

Improv is the perfect vacay for my brain.

This piece was just enough to cut out 4 hearts. 

They are now ready for their transformation!

Kinda like going to the beauty shop.

Out come the beads, the lace, the buttons, the ribbon 

and all the bits and bobs needed to change Plain Jane to a Ravishing Beauty!

Each heart will be attached to a special tag

and placed out in the world

to be found by someone special.

May they be filled with love and blessings.

Read more about this awesome project here: 

I Found A Quilted Heart

Also, earlier this month, I made a small table topper using the RSC color. 

I combined the color with the Project Quilting Challenge "Mining For Diamonds".

Linking up with:

Table Scraps Challenge

So Scrappy RSC

Project Quilting 13.4: Mining for Diamonds

This week's challenge for Project Quilting was Mining for Diamonds. 

Kim Lapacek at Persimon Dreams always allows participants to interpret the challenge in their own personal way, as long as it's explained or obvious to the theme. 

I started out with a completely different project that is now in my WIP/UFO/WhenTheHellWillItGetDone pile. Photo later. 

So it was Saturday at 3:00 PM and I was nervous, anxiety-ridden, and a bit mad at myself. 

I pulled the RSC colors from my stash...February is teal/aqua/turqoise...

whatever you fancy calling this color, 

along with some coordinating low volume fabrics.

Then I went on a search for directions on how to make half-square rectangles. 

In my haste, I fudged following the full set of steps.

With only me to blame, I ended up with no seam allowance on the sides of my diamonds. 

I've never been known to name my quilting projects, 

but this one is not-so-affectionately being called

Kissing Diamonds. (Can you hear me sobbing?)

By 4:00, I was in quilting mode and doing my favorite, quick, simple stippling.

No time for anything fancy!

A break was needed to clear my head and fill my tummy.

By 6:00, I was ready to bind. 

Kissing Diamonds was complete!

I placed the hand-carved Humpback Whale we bought in Hawaii up next to the bird. 

The little bird makes me smile. At least something does about this piece! 

Measuring 8.5" by 15.5", it's just the right size for something! 😍

Still curious about the project I started with? 

It's a big ol' table runner made with batik scraps in a log-cabin-ish diamond. 

Sigh. 

Linking up with:

Project Quilting: Mining for Diamonds

Project Quilting 13.3: Kitchen Influence

 

I don't usually sew when on vacation, but when I do, it's for Project Quilting!

The latest challenge was posted by Kim Lapacek at Persimon Dreams just hours before we left for our Hawaiian vacation.

Those few hours gave me just enough time to scrape together an idea and gather the necessary bits and bobs to get the job done.

I love strawberries and this sweet fruit is found in the kitchen. The strawberry fabric has been in my stash for-eeeever and I found just enough of a scrap of matching red, along with some stiff fusible batting to accomplish the idea rolling around in my head.  I added thread, needles, pins, seam ripper and my sharp snippers. 

I don't always iron fusible batting to my fabric atop a bed, but when I do, I am sure to cover the bedspread with a double folded blanket for insulation. Worked like a charm.

I don't always eyeball my shapes when cutting, but when I do, I try my best to cut straight lines. In this case, the shape is the first letter of my name. 

Red fabric was cut to match for the backing. 

I should've cut all layers at the same time, but my plan had changed mid-stream. 

Down to the poolside we go! 

I don't always sew with a mixed drink at my side, but when I do, it's a Mai Tai served with fresh fruit on a stick!

All 3 layers were whip-stitched together using 2 strands of DMC embroidery floss. 

A second Mai Tai may or may not have been consumed during this process.

K hanging above Waikiki Beach in Oahu. 

The stitched K! 

K is for Kathy. 

Kathy is the sole manager, executive cook, sous chef, pastry chef, prep chef, line cook, steward, porter and dishwasher of her kitchen back home in Iowa.

She deserves her initial to stand among other fancy little doodads on a shelf above her cooktop. 

K measures approximately 6" x 7".

3 layers including batting.

Completely hand-stitched in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii!

And that is where K will park herself in another week when she gets home!

Aloha!

K sitting afoot the statue of Prince Kuhio, the Prince of the People,
which stands along Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Oahu. 

Linking up to: 

Project Quilting 13.3