Scraps and Squirrels

Picture the scene at the end of the party.  Empty bottles, missing silverware, dirty dishes, stained carpet, mess everywhere and you don't even know where to begin.

Scraps Explosion

Half Made Blocks

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge feels like a party and it IS a lot of fun...till you get to this time of the year.

Now the party is coming to a close and there are blocks everywhere. How many blocks? Did I lose/misplace some? I was going to redo that one but then forgot. Where do I even start?

Framed Jewel Blocks (Light Borders)

I should start at counting the blocks.  That way I can answer the question - how many blocks?

Will it be enough for one quilt? Or more. May be I will need to make a few more.

Aah Good Intentions!!!

As I opened the box where I had been storing the RSC (Project#2 now renamed Framed Jewels) blocks, something else fell out.

OOPS. It was a squirrel. Actually it was too pretty to be a squirrel. It was a chipmunk.

So off I went chasing that chipmunk cuteness.  Please excuse me Framed Jewels. It is not like you are going anywhere.

Leftover Strip Sets

These strips were left over from Shadow of Light. Like many scraps and block trimmings, they were too small to use and too big to throw away. 

What if...

Becoming Something

Finished Zipper Pouch

Chipmunk Captured!!!

Insides Matter Too

But wait there is more. When I opened the bag containing zippers, five other chipmunks jumped out. Who knew I was housing a whole family of chipmunks in between RSC blocks? 

A Whole Family!!!

I found a few other fabrics, already cut into perfect sizes, ready to become zippered pouches. 

When did I do that?

Fall Colors

Perfectly Coordinated Zippers and Tabs

Sandra, I am sure you have come across a squirrel within a squirrel.  A Dreami within a Dreami. Well, actually I did not drop the first one but chased all six at once.

Colorfully yours

Feed Me, they yell!!!

And here they are - the whole family together. Look at them, so innocently posing for the picture.

A very Big Dreami 

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By now the Framed Jewel Blocks were completely forgotten. But I counted the Picket Star Quilt blocks. Enough for three quilts - one each of small, medium and large :-D

Nine blocks in a small quilt. The next thing I know a flimsy was finished. 

Picket Star Blocks - Finished Flimsy

The Picket Star Quilt Blocks (17" square) are time consuming to make but the quilt top comes together so quickly. I added a border to protect the precious points. The flimsy finished at about 54" square. 

What about the Framed Jewel Blocks? That will have to be in an another blogpost. Did you chase a squirrel? Were you sidetracked? Or did you stay the course. I'd love to know.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Angela's So Scrappy Linky and Sandra's Dreami. See full list on the sidebar.

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Hope you have a safe Thanksgiving.

These are difficult times and we may not be able to see our loved ones. It is hard and it is heartbreaking. I understand. But there is good news. The vaccine will be widely available next year. We have to hang tight for just a few more months. We can do this. Together we can beat this. 

Next year we will have a huge party to make up for all the missed parties.  We will cherish every embrace, every kiss and every handshake. I am sure my arms will ache from receiving and giving big squishy hugs. But I promise to clean up all the mess from that huge party, I promise. It will be worth it!!!

 

Mermaids on Wings

It started with this fabric - cute and sweet. It is a complete escape from reality. Just perfect.

Cuteness

The concept was to frame the cute fabric and then alternate the resulting block with four-patch blocks. The four patch blocks were made from Lily and Loom charm squares.

Depressed :-(

I loved the mermaids and I loved the deep/rich 4-patch blocks but together they did not seem to work. It seemed dull and sad.

Something had to change.
I chose the colors from the mermaid fabric, cut up some 5" squares and put them up on the design wall.

Mock-up

Much better.  Completed 4-patch blocks were alternated with the framed mermaids and the flimsy came together quickly.

Finished Flimsy

Each block finished at 9". A layout of 5 by 5 resulted in a flimsy of about 45" square.  The possibility of a quick quilt is exciting, I thought.

Backing Fabric

But the backing at about 42" needed a little help. A dark blue border worked.

45" square

This backing fabric came from Sonja. On first glance the backing was fuchsia and turquoise. Once the blue borders were added, the little blue flowers popped up magically.

Hello Mermaid!!!

A yellow binding brightened the somber gray.  Here are a few more pictures - so that you can see the mermaids up close.

Flaming Orange & Pink Hair

Bright and Happy

2 Drink Umbrellas = Mermaid Bodice

Of course the Octopus is my friend

Simple Quilting

Labelled

Finished!!!

Ready to Snuggle

One last shot

Of course, the discarded 4-patch blocks needled me.  But I needed a break so I went out for a walk.

After a walk...

And I received a cute surprise :-)

Good Morning Bunny

Back to the task at hand - the discarded 4-patch blocks. How could I best showcase them?

I had bought a panel (Winged by Kim Shaefer) a few years ago and these birds and bugs was just the perfect solution.

Design Wall

Backing Fabric - Thank you Julie

This backing fabric came from Julie.  Once again the backing needed a little help and once again I used the dark blue fabric to frame the backing.

45" square

Multicolored Striped Binding

I love these birds and bugs :-)

Winged Delight

And here are a few more pictures because these little critters are adorable.

Yellow Bird

Pink Bird

Dancing Together

Bright and Joyful

Butterflies too!!!

Little Bird with Big Attitude

Labelled

And one last look...

Lovely!!!

What started as one simple idea resulted in two quilts. I will take that :-)


If you wish to use this idea here is a short recipe.

Block A - Use a 5.5" square of focus fabric, framed with 2.5" wide strips. Square to 9.5"
Block B - Use four 5" squares to make a 4-patch block. Square to 9.5"

25 blocks (5 by 5 layout) will make a baby quilt measuring about 45" by 45".
For a Mercyful quilt, you will need 63 blocks (7 by 9 layout), measuring about 63" by 81".

The quilt with orange stars (you saw a sneak peek last time) is all done and ready for a photshoot.
I promise to share soon.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Hope you are staying safe.