RSC March: Yellow and Table Scraps Challenge

 

Just in the nick of time, I'm jumping on the caboose to get this posted! 

It's been a busy month and many apologies to those who commented on my last post as I haven't responded to any of your sweet words. 

Just to let you know... Mary loved, loved, loved her new table runner! She has it spread out on her kitchen island as her table has an Easter tablecloth

 on it and the colors clash when set together. 

This month the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) color was yellow. 

My scrap bucket/basket/pile was not abundant with yellow, 

so I added part of a charm pack to make the above table topper. 

A few years back, I won a set of Twister templates from Twisted Sisters Designs.

The template I used in this project was the Lil' Twister and it has us use 5" squares.

Here, I've got my basic 6 x 4 patch laid out and ready to sew.

Now, it's sewn together with an added 3" border.

Now comes the fun part!

Cutting it up!

(Yes, it does seem to create a lot of waste, 

but that just means I have more scraps to make something else!)

And here are the squares sewn back together.

See all the pretty pinwheels?

It was a learning lesson for me, as I realized that light background fabrics

should be surrounded by darker ones to make them pop.

Next time.

I added a dark blue polka dot border and FMQd away!

A light blue binding was added and just like that, I had a new table topper!

The Twister template was super easy to use and was really fun! 

I look forward to using the other sizes I have too and make some holiday projects. 

Wondering what I did with some of those yellow bits and bobs?

I made a batch of IFAQH hearts!

Linking up with:

So Scrappy RSC March

The Joyful Quilter's Table Scraps Challenge

Quilt Fabrication's Midweek Makers

Inquiring Quilter's Wait Loss Wednesday

Project Quilting 13.6: Flying Geese

 

Oh what a fun ride this season of Project Quilting has been! 

I participated in each of the 6 challenges and loved each one.

Thank you to Kim Lapacek at Persimon Dreams for hosting this 

inspiring challenge for us each year. 

This final theme we were to incorporate at least 5 Flying Geese blocks into a finished project.

I've had a table runner in mind for quite a while that fits this "goose" bill. 

Switchback Trail is a free pattern from Sharon Holland Designs.

One of the elderly ladies I care for is having a birthday this coming week, so I kept her in mind as I chose fabrics. 

I also kept her in mind with prayers and loving thoughts as I stitched!

I'm hoping Mary will love her new table runner!

Most of my fabric stash is bright, colorful and on the modern side.

I had this one FQ bundle that is more subdued, so I chose 6 fabrics from it. 

Sewing the Flying Geese blocks using Sharon Holland's tutorial was fun and easy.

Trimming them is always a pain in the arse.

Making blocks with 2 Flying Geese snuggled up together.

Getting the blocks lined up just right and ready to sew together.

Sharon's instructions uses all of these blocks to make a 72" runner.

I know Mary's table isn't that long, so I used only half of the blocks.

The other half now is at the top of my WIP/UFO pile. 

Sigh.

Simple quilting in the ditch.

Decisions, decisions on binding fabrics!

Measuring 18" x 36" and complete with 24 Flying Geese blocks.

Absolutely "Handmade with love".

Linking up with:

PQ 13.6 Flying Geese

Inquiring Quilter's Wednesday Wait Loss

Project Quilting 13.5: Rhythm & Repetition

 

The PQ challenge this week was to incorporate a sense of rhythm and repetition into a project. It took a few days to let this idea simmer in me. 

I ended up going down the inspirational rabbit hole called Pinterest.

I had pinned a table runner from Bear Creek Quilting called Spring Table Runner 

that would do the trick. It uses all HST blocks and are paired with a dark/light combination.

Once the blocks are arranged, the colors line up diagonally.

The only change I made to the pattern was to cut my 

HST blocks to 3" rather than the called for 2.5".

I chose a fat eighth bundle I've had in my stash forever, 

called Grand Canal by Kate Spain.

Making the blocks was fun and easy!

Getting them sewn together was fun too! 

Not a single corner was cut off. 

For once.

Can you see the rhythm and repetition? 

Choosing a border is never easy. Love that peach color?

Yeah, me too. But I didn't have enough for the length.

Pea Green won out!

Simple straight line quilting in-the-ditch along all seams 

supplied just the right look.

Getting that binding on just right.

I added a small enamel label that says "handmade" to the corner. 

It fits perfectly on our bedroom dresser at 12" x 33.5".

I just love it! This pattern was so easy and fun to make, I know I'll be using it again. 

Thank you, Kim Lapacek of Persimon Dreams for creating these challenges!

Linking up:

Project Quilting 13.5

Inquiring Quilter Wednesday Wait Loss

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