a lifetime of scraps

This has been an eclectic scrap bucket.   Sorting this scrap bucket, I have found some fun surprises. I obviously just threw everything I wanted to clean up into the bucket at one point. I really like old blocks and feel a real urgency to rescue them. But, I don't know what to do with them. So, with indecision, they were doomed to a scoop and tidy. 

aren't these wonderful vintage fabrics?

I had already cut the 10 inch square. This was the pile of  scraps that I thought were big enough to have a 5 inch square cut from them. 

I layered them with the right side as even as I could get it and used my stripology ruler to even the right and cut 5 inches.

But the only ones that were 5 inches were these. The rest I put in the less than 5 inch strip pile. Some were close but about 1/4 inch too small.

The strip pile is the biggest group in this bucket. I will work on them next. If I can get 3 1/2 , 2 1/2 , 2, 1 1/2 inch out of it, I will. and so on. If it doesn't make a strip I have started a small chunk bucket for them. I am also putting more into the string/crumb basket and even the trash than usual. I am trying to be brutal.  If each small bucket takes a week, then I will be done in a little over 100 years. I actually enjoy doing it, I just don't like the mess.

My favorite tools for scraps

1. stripology ruler

2. easy angle ruler

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wednesday wait loss

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taming the scraps

 My favorite tool for taming my scraps is my creative grids stripology ruler. I have the strip dies for the accuquilt and I use them a lot. But, when I have odd sized smaller pieces of scrap that I plan on using to add variety to my bins, I like to use the template. I have both sizes. I use the original template with a larger scrap, and, the smaller one for ( wait for it) smaller scraps.

It is a quick cut or 2, and I can make several sizes from one scrap.

This is a scrap print that never ends

I like to use it with the 0 at the bottom right

The left piece will go into the string/crumb bin. The middle is a 2 1/2 inch strip, and the right will go into the trash- no waste.

The left piece is 1 1/2 inch, then 2 inch, then 2 1/2 inch. All with out moving. I enjoy this in the evening when I am too tired to do much of anything. I find it very therapeutic. I don't worry about cutting it the wrong sizes anymore, because, I have a huge collection of scraps. If I want matchy matchy, I have plenty of other options as well.  I am sure the red bear print will show up in a scrap bag for years to come. And at my estate sale, if 5 people buy my fabric. It will be in each of their bags. It is just magical fabric.

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wednesday wait loss

green scraps

The color for the rainbow scrap challenge for January is bright green. Last year, the month of green, I didn't really do a look through the basket. I knew I needed to pull everything out, and sort through, to discover what hidden treasures I might have in the basket. My original plan was to cut everything into useable sizes. But, after it was neat and tidy, I didn't want to cut it.

After a good night's sleep, I was ready to cut again. I cut 3 1/2, 2 1/2, 2, and 1 1/2, and there were some I added to the strings bucket. The top row was a little bigger, and I set it aside to cut triangles I have a scrap quilt I want to make that needs green 2 inch strips. And I need the 2 1/2 inch strips for scraptastic stars and shine.

I didn't cut these, because they intrigued me. I think there is enough for a quilt, if the quilt presents itself. They are good old 90s fabrics.

I finished the whole basket, and, now, I have room to add more - haha

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mini template round 2

I went to a geneology workshop last night and feel motivated to try a little harder to search through my family history. I know it can be important to my Grandchildren who never knew my family. They were all gone by the time they were born. That is what happens to a late in life daughter of a late in life daughter of a late in life daughter. And Yes, I had a late in life child, even though I swore I wouldn't. It's a blessing and a curse......
Playing with the new mini pineapple ruler is addictive. I can make it with the smallest scraps. And I have a shoe box full of little triangles from the quilt wild and goosey.

The size difference doesn't seem so great while I am working on the small one, but when I put them next to each other, wow.

Here is how I started with the mini template.

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mini template

This just arrived in the mail, and I am really excited to try it. It is the mini version of the pineapple template I have been using.

The center square is 1 1/2 inches.

And round one is 2 1/2 inches. I don't really have time to work on these right now, but they are a fun distraction. I haven't even started the mystery quilt, yet.

I had no intention of ever going smaller with the pineapple block, until, I saw this quilt at the Indy quilt show. It said it was made with the mini ruler. I came home and ordered a mini template.

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pineapple blocks

It was time to start a few more pineapple blocks. The ones I had been working on had reached the size I wanted. I try to keep a few going so that I will remember how to make them. I don't like that I have to reacquaint  myself if I wait too long to work on them. These blocks started as a gifted bag of scraps more here.

The second row is easy to trim. I can cut both sides before I move the template.

I am ready for the neutral row.

           
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pineapple

I had the pineapple template and project out last week, and I wanted to try another round before I lose interest again.

It would be helpful at this time, to decide the size I am making. haha

you tube video

I started it here and here.

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Oh scrap

pineapple template

I have been anxious to pull out the pineapple project bin, and get back to making these blocks.
I was also worried that I wouldn't remember how or what I was doing.
This is the kind of quilt that makes scraps so much fun.

I am using the creative grids template which makes it easy to remember what I need to do.

I had 4 blocks I was working on at a time and they are now trimmed and ready for the next round.

I thought I would try to find the mini pineapple ruler in the wild, until I saw this quilt at the last quilt show. That is tiny. But, then it motivated me to revisit my project, so I am still going to look for the ruler, and, then, decide.

I started it here and here.

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Oh scrap

A new template

I have been working on the borders for Bargain basement ( Bonnie Hunter scraps and shirttails). I was so excited to open a template package and actually use it. And it is nifty.

cutting was a breeze with the creative grids ruler, but sewing took a bit to figure how to hold my mouth to get the points right. I started thinking I would sew in pairs first. Luckily, I didn't get them all done, before I tried putting them together. It is much better to add one at a time so that I could line them up with the triangle on the bottom. I could match three of the sides before stitching the seam.

Linda had an appraisal done for the Indiana quilt and her happy birds quilt. The Indiana quilt appraised at $1550.00 and..

happy birds at $1950.00

These results were surprising to all of us. Mostly, this is a reflection of replacement costs. Sometimes as quilters, we devalue what we do - It's just a hobby, something I slapped together. That couldn't be further from the truth. Every stitch is an expression of parts of us that no one ever sees. Our work on each quilt is a lesson in progress not perfection. I know I grow better with every attempt I make, not just in skill level, but in my heart and soul. As I read quilter's blogs, I can see how they are changing and growing with every quilt they make. I love to see that.
I am worried that the next generation doesn't realize the soul satisfaction of creating something beautiful ( or not) from inside of themselves. I know many who make it seem that it is not worthwhile to take the time to make it yourself, not with walmart on every corner. They are wrong.

Picture from Bonnie hunter at quiltville.
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