Is it Christmas yet?

 Hello and welcome!

If you're new here or if you're a familiar face, we're so glad you came to view the Scraps-Along posts!

Sherri McConnell and I do monthly posts discussing scraps and precuts.

How you're using them and how you're storing them.

We give monthly challenges and then share what you've done when you send one of us an email before the end of the month.

Sherri posts half of the photos on her blog A Quilting Life, and I post the other half over here.

If you stick around, you'll discover some quilting tips, some tricks, and maybe even a few new patterns that you'll be interested in making.

The challenge for next month is one that I'm really excited about!

Quilt backs and backings!

Show us your creative and scrappy ideas for backing a quilt!

I know some of my favorite quilt backings have come from those times when I didn't have quite enough of that perfect backing fabric for my quilt and I had to improvise!

Turning a problem to overcome into a great experience and a favorite quilt!

For example, the back of this quilt I made way back when.

I think it's by Pieces of My Heart called It's A Wrap.

 

Anyway, the fabric I wanted to use for the back was directional, but I didn't have enough of it and using it in the wrong direction was just out of the question of course, so I made and added a few new blocks from the front to the back, my fabric fit, and all was right in my quilting world again!

Handy how these pictures combined both last month's Christmas challenge and this month's backing challenge isn't it?

Here are the Christmas challenge entries.......

Bobbie Z. sent in these two pictures to us.  The first one is a photo of a Twelve Days Of Christmas project that she's been working on over a period of two years and she's so happy to have it completed!  She used lots of embroidery and some fabric markers in the process. Isn't it spectacular?  It must feel great to have completed such a sweet Christmas project!

Bobbie also sent in this photo of one of her Christmas fabric storage ideas. She says it makes grabbing what you need quick and easy! I love it!

Kathie K. contributed these pictures. The Tree Farm table runner is just gorgeous!  She says she added a bit more bling than the pattern called for and I think it's a hit! Lovely Kathie! What a nice addition to your table this year!

This Christmas fabric storage and organization idea belongs to Kathie too.  She started organizing her Christmas fabrics in June, which is a great time to start. These clear, stackable bins are great!

That's it for this half of the Scraps-Along Challenge, so start backing those quilts and send us your creative and scrappy backing photos for the next post!

I'm crazy about backing my quilts with just the right thing, so I can't wait to see your pictures!

Hey! Let's see those Honey Buns!

Well I don't know what happened, but suddenly it's July and here we are doing the Scrap -Along post.

That means it's time to show off those Honey Bun precut projects with your 1 1/2 inch strips!

I'm glad to see you here visiting today, and be sure to visit my friend Sherri McConnell's blog, A Quilting Life to see the other fun Honey Bun projects.

Along with some other Scraps-Along pictures, Sherri will be showing a video about sorting scraps in her post that you might want to check out.

I can't wait to see it!

I can never decide if I want to sort my scraps by color, by fabric line, by fabric designer, or by size, so my scraps are sorted several ways which isn't always helpful when I go to look for something. 

I could use some scrap sorting help!

Sherri's video and these great quilting ideas might make a dent in my scrap mountain this summer!

Look at this cute table runner made by Nicole! She had lots of leftover 1 1/2 inch strips and some Log Cabin Foundation Papers from It's Sew Emma that she's been wanting to use, so she put the two together and came up with this adorable floral table runner.  She used a flip method for the binding instead of the traditional one.  Nicole says she prefers the traditional method because she finds the project lays flatter.  I love that she used a method that she's not as familiar with on a small project and did something a little different! What a great time to work on a new technique!

Sharon used her Honey Bun strips to make this new hot pad.  This is a super idea for me, since I was just telling you about my mountain of 'kind of sorted' scraps. Making some of these cute hot pads would be a fun summer past time since we are staying out of the heat as much as possible here in Florida right now.  Sharon is considering appliqué to her hot pad.  I have to say I think it looks great now, but some appliqué might be fun too. Nice, Sharon!

This Crazy Rails Quilt was made by Kate.  How fun is this quilt!  She gathered her 1 1/2 inch strips and the pattern by Crazy Mom Quilts and made this sweet quilt.  Kate says depending on how long your strips are, you can make multiple blocks at a time with the Crazy Rails pattern.  This is another one that I'm definitely going to look into!  I'm all about making more than one block at a time!  What a fun scrappy quilt!

So for July, continue working on those Christmas in July projects or what ever holiday project you'd like to share, and send in your pictures and description by the end of the month.

We'll see you back here and over at Sherri's at the beginning of August for out next Scraps-Along post and our plan for the next challenge.

Stay safe and have some sewing fun!

Juggling some fat quarter projects in June

Hello! I hope everyone is well and staying safe!

It's certainly warming up here in Florida. 

Okay, it's actually really hot right now, and throw in lots of humidity too and we've got summer!

I'll stop fanning the heat away for a moment and get to the Scraps-Along fat quarter post.

I'm glad you're joining me.

If you don't mind, when you get to the end of the post if you have a moment, please leave a comment and let me know where you're from. 

It's been awhile since I asked, and I'm just curious about where everyone is this summer.  

Heather M.'s son is really going places, because he wants to be a pilot!  I'm putting this quilt that Heather made for him front and center today because flying is pretty important in my house too.  I really should make one of these quilts for a certain someone.  The pattern is Aviator by Lella Boutique and the fabric is Sweet Tea by Sweetwater.  Heather did the free motion quilting in large loops herself on her Janome machine and it looks spectacular!

Wow!  Look at this shower curtain!  Isn't it amazing?  I've made lots of things with fat quarters, but never a shower curtain!  What a cool idea!  Shari T. really hit this challenge out of the park and I'm so glad she shared it with us.   She says it's simply a few fat quarter bundles sewn together.  How fun!  

These beautiful totes were made by Kathie K.  It was her first attempt at making tote bags and I'd say it was definitely a success!  She says the fat quarter challenge also inspired her to purge and refold her fat quarter collection.  She's waiting for an order of new containers to arrive so she can freshen up her storage scene!  Great photo Kathie!

The next two photos are form Bobbie Z.  The first one is this bright triangle quilt that she has been wanting to make for some time.  It took her a little bit to get started on it because she had read that matching up the points could be difficult, but with the help of some YouTube videos, Pinterest, and simply taking her time, Bobbie successfully completed the quilt!  It's beautiful Bobbie!  Way to try something difficult and see it through.  She is pleased with how it turned out and she encourages  everyone to challenge themselves. Very inspiring!

Bobbie's next photo is about her fat quarter storage.  She stores them either rolled or folded in these Contact Paper covered boxes.  Everything looks so nice and neat! For fun and color, she placed the flowers she received for Mother's Day from her children and grandchildren on the shelves also.   Thanks for the great ideas Bobbie!   

This entry is from Kate D.   She actually made two quits for the challenge!  She started out thinking she'd put the other blocks on the back of her quilt, then went with giving them a quilt of their own because she liked them so much.  The pattern is from Fresh Fat Quarter quilts by Andy Knowlton, which is a book she received for Mother's Day.  Kate used a fat quarter bundle of Wander by Joel Dewberry that she's had for awhile that worked perfectly in these quilts. Great job, Kate!   

Thanks to everyone for sending your photos and ideas in, and be sure to visit Sherri McConnell's blog, A Quilting Life for the other half of the Scraps Along Fat Quarter Challenge!

And while you're there, look at a previous post of Sherri's where she introduces her new quilt planner!

How fun is that?  I'm so excited about it!

The next challenge for the Scraps-Along is Honey Buns.

So dig them out, and send us your Honey Bun projects and tips before the end of JUNE.

Sherri McConnell's photo of Harper's Garden Honey Buns used with permission. 

And because we like you all so much, here's a head start on the project and tips we'd like you to send us before the end of JULY.....insert drum roll here.......Christmas!

This is my photo of a Christmas quilt I put together with variations of blocks by Carrie Nelson.

Get out your Honey Buns and your Christmas fabrics and start sewing and organizing, and we'll see you back here soon!

Layer Cake Project Parade

It's Layer Cake Day!

These are half of the projects that you turned in for the Scraps-Along Challenge last month.

Look for the other half on Sherri McConnell's blog, A Quilting Life!  

This Parade entry is from Heather M. She made this absolutely adorable basket from the By Annie Petit Four Basket Pattern and added a handle to create her version of the basket. Heather says she's eaten some of the jelly beans from the basket and this is what is left.  Too bad we aren't neighbors, I could use a few jellybeans right now!  What a cute basket, Heather!

Debbie A.'s sweet queen size quilt is made from Layer Cake squares. I just love the colors!   She also include some photos of her tips for organizing and storing Layer Cakes, that I've included below. Debbie says that she's recently painted and organized her sewing room, getting her inspiration from Sherri's sewing room posts. Wow!  I'm inspired by Debbie's productivity!

Bobbie Z. from Pennsylvania has also been very productive lately. She used a portion of a Layer Cake and added some floral fabrics to make this pretty block for Block 2 of the Half Square Triangle Quilting Life Block Of The Month from 2019.  She added big stitch hand quilting that she learned from a tutorial by Corey Yoder. Bobbie also included a photo of her storage method for Layer Cakes and other crafting supplies.  Thanks, Bobbie!

 

This fun picnic quilt is from Kate D.  She didn't want to cut up these Cotton and Steel Layer Cake Squares, so she simply sewed them into rows and staggered them to create this super sweet picnic quilt.  Such a great idea!  She's going to use fleece, instead of batting and tie the quilt instead of quilting it.  She's only tied a quilt once before, and that's the same with me.  It would be fun to tie another quilt!

Our prize winners this month are Bobbie from my post, and Kathleen from Sherri's post!

Congratulations!

For the next Scraps-Along Challenge, Sherri and I will be featuring fat quarters.

So send in photos and descriptions of your projects, or storage and organization tips involving fat quarters before the end of May.

See you then!  

Quilt along with us!

I've got some news to share, so I thought I'd stop in today and say hello!

I don't know about you, but learning something new always perks me up a bit and puts some extra spring in my quilting step!

If you find the same thing is true for you, you might want to sneak in some time to check out the newest pattern and quilt along from my favorite place, The Fat Quarter Shop.

Let me introduce you to Grandmother's Favorite Quilt!

When The Fat Quarter Shop asked me to make a Grandmother's Favorite Block and spread the word about the low cost pattern available on their blog, The Jolly Jabber, I jumped at the chance!

I saw that this block involved the opportunity to use Triangles On A Roll, a product by It's Sew Emma.

I've never used these to help me make half-square triangles and I was eager to give them a try.

Like I said, I'm always ready to learn a new quilty method!

I'm pleased to report that they worked outstandingly well!

Is that a real phrase, "outstandingly well"?

Maybe not, but that won't stop me from using it here!

I'll definitely be getting more Triangles On A Roll to use in future projects.

By simply layering my fabrics, sewing on the dotted lines and then doing a bit of trimming, I ended up with no fuss, no stress, perfect corners on my half-square triangles. 

That always makes me happy!

Definitely a new addition to my sewing knowledge!  

This new pattern in the Classic and Vintage series by The Fat Quarter Shop also taught me a 'new to me' way to make flying geese.

You can make four at a time.

It boggles the mind!

What a cool method!

 I really enjoyed making them and that says a lot coming from me because, I'll be honest, generally I'm not a fan of making flying geese, but let's just keep that between you and me, okay?

Using this 'four at a time' method might just change my outlook on piecing flying geese.

So, if you've got some time I highly recommend going over to The Fat Quarter Shop's blog, The Jolly Jabber and checking out Grandmother's Favorite Quilt, the latest pattern in the Classic and Vintage pattern series.

I know I'll be going back over there later today, because as I was doing the links for this post, I saw a few quilts there that caught me eye.

Happy sewing!

The Mini Charm Challenge

Hello!

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy at home.

Here's some of what you have been sewing up in March with Mini Charms!

I thanked Sherri for sending me this first entry to post, since she knows we are Florida Gator fans over here. 

Now that my son is doing online classes from home, we say that we are actually a satellite campus of the University of Florida! 

With exams and everything!  

In fact, that's why I couldn't get my half of the Parade posted yesterday.

My son had some exams and projects due, and I wasn't able to get the computer time in to get this done.  These days we all have to compromise in different ways.

Anyway, here is the Florida Gator quilt made with Mini Charm sized blue and orange fabrics by Melissa!  As a former nurse manager she needed an incentive to encourage her staff to fill out a survey. There were lots of Gator fans there, so she decided to make a Gator quilt to give way in a random drawing when they reached 90 percent participation.  An impressive quilt to make considering she is actually a fan of a rival team, the Florida State Seminoles!

Melissa had some leftover scraps and a pattern in mind, so when we announced the Mini Charm Scraps-Along challenge last month she made this wonderful quilt!  She's planning on donating it during Nurses Week this year.  What a great idea!     

Our next entry is from Bobbie.  She made the cute project below with a combination of cross-stitch and quilting.  It was her first time making prairie points, and I think she did a fantastic job!  She says the springy greens are great for this time of year and the message is also appropriate for the moment we find ourselves in today, and I'd have to agree.

Bobbie also sent in this photo with a tip about storing Mini Charms.  She likes keeping her Mini Charms and other small sewing items in these pencil cases for both short term and long term storage, including travel.  That's definitely something to keep in mind! 

This is a great project from Janet, in Kansas.  She made these zipper pouches from this video that Sherri made with The Fat Quarter Shop.  (At least I think this is the right video, if not someone please let me know.....)  Janet says this was a fun project and she thinks using Mini Charms for it was a great idea. I know this project has always been on my list, and Janet has definitely inspired me to get out my Mini Charms and start sewing some up!

Sharon stitched these mug rugs with Mini Charms.  They are just adorable! What a great use of Mini Charms!  I love the adorable gingerbread people too.  Really sweet!  Thanks so much Sharon!

And this pillow was made by Heather with a pattern by Corey Yoder and a Fat Quarter Shop tutorial on how to turn a block into a pillow. (Note- I looked around for this tutorial, but I couldn't locate it.  If anyone knows where to find it, don't hesitate to add a link in the comments below.  It sounds like a great idea for those extra blocks!) Heather used Lella Boutique fabrics and ended up with this spectacularly fun pillow!

Next month is Layer Cakes!

Give us your ideas and photos before the end of the month, and Sherri and I will post them in the next Scraps-Along Challenge Parade!

And of course if you haven't already, be sure to visit Sherri's blog, A Quilting Life to see the other projects that participants sent in for the Scraps-Along Mini Charm Challenge!

March Charm Square madness

Being from North Carolina originally and graduating from UNC, I couldn't resist titling this post March Charm Square madness!

 We are all about our college basketball, and since the tournament is upon us and all of the Charm Square photos for this month's Scraps-Along are top notch, I thought the title was appropriate.

Let's get started with a picture from Bobbie.  She had some embroidery that she completed about 18 months ago that she spent about 500 hours working on.  That's impressive!   She added some coordinating Charm Squares and made a table runner.  I admire the use of purple here because I'm always saying there isn't enough purple in quilting. Bobbie went on to quilt it simply and use a stitch that mimicked the tendrils of her hand embroidery.  It's beautiful! 

This another picture from Bobbie with a Charm Pack storage and organization tip.  She found these CD racks at her Goodwill store for only $2.97 and put them to good use as Charm Pack storage. Brilliant, Bobbie! Thank you!

The next great idea is from Heather M. She made this beautiful 52 X 52 inch quilt with two Charm Packs and some background fabric.  That's a big quilt with only two Charm Packs!  She sent in a photo with the magazine that includes the pattern and the Charm Packs she used, so I added it below.  I'm going to see if I have that magazine, and you might want to look through your magazines for it too!

This is from Missy. She is a nurse and she recently acquired some scrub tops from another nurse who recently retired, so she cut them up into 5 inch squares, added a few of her own, and made quilt to donate to the Pediatric ICU.  I love that she cut them up and used them right away so they didn't just sit in her sewing room.  I need to channel some of her quickness over here.  My sewing room would really look much neater if I did!  This is a sweet and generous idea Missy! 

This fun Twisty Heart was made by Carol B.  She's had the tool for awhile and then decided to look through her stash for enough 5 x 5 inch red fabrics to create this beautiful heart, just in time for Valentine's Day!  You all are giving us such good ideas for Charm Packs!  I'm pausing for a moment to pull out my Twisty Tool so I don't forget about this.  I'll be right back...... 

This lovely Charm Party Tote was sewn by Donna F. for a friend who is going on a cruise.  Donna says this pattern is a tried and true favorite of hers. The pattern is by Penny Sturges of Quilts Illustrated.  I'm sure Donna's friend is thrilled with the gift of such a nice tote! 

There are many more tips and projects using Charm Squares, so be sure to check them out on Sherri McConnell's blog, A Quilting Life!

Next month's challenge involves Mini Charm Packs!

These cute little 2.5 inch squares are so versatile.

They can be a great way to see if you love a fabric line before investing a large purchase and they also make great little projects, and great big projects for that matter!

Some of my favorite Mini Charm projects are in the Little Snippets series of patterns by Carrie Nelson, like this one I made called Speck.

As I was typing, I remembered a project I did for the Fat Quarter Shop a few years ago that's a big project with Mini Charms. It's called Mini Charm Chocolates and here's a link to my post which will tell you where to find the free pattern at the Fat Quarter Shop.

And here's a link to a post I found that Sherri wrote about uses for Mini Charms called 15 Mini Charm Pack Projects that is really helpful.

Send in your tips and projects involving one of my favorite pre-cuts, the Mini Charm, before the end of March so we can share them.

Have fun with your Mini Charms!