Scrap Attack...take two

I just wrote a nice long post about this quilt...hit post and it was gone!

So, here is the Reader's Digest version:

I came across Nanette's tutorial for her Scraptacular Picnic Quilt at Freda's Hive. Then I discovered Rachel's Scrap Attack challenge to finish at least one scrap quilt top at Stitched in Color.

I was working on it as a Leader/Ender quilt, but in March it became my main focus. I wasn't sure I would get it done in time--but I did! However, it is dark and rainy out--so I did the best I could with a picture. Here is my picnic quilt top. I hope to have it quilted and bound before summer!

Another Weekly Challenge

It has been another busy week. I have spent most of these beautiful, sunny days outside raking up the leaves, cutting down branches and getting the yard ready for spring. However, when I wasn't out in the yard, I was busy trying to work on a couple quilty things and some scrapbooking too!

I set a goal to try and sew a block a day and to finish cutting out the largest stars for my "Oh my stars!" quilt. This goal was set and met thanks to the inspiration at Amy's Creative SideWoohoo! I made it this past week! I also finished cutting out all of the largest blocks in my "Oh my stars" quilt. I even got some of the smallest stars cut out, along with the rest of the squares for my picnic quilt.

My last two stars:

My first block in the Picnic quilt:

As for scrapping, I have completed a couple layouts for contests I am in, but really need to take time to sort and organize this part of my craft room! Perhaps then I will feel more creative...

Treat yourself on this day of sweet treats!

Another run, don't walk evening! You have about one hour left to get in on this fun contest over at Wescrap. They have amazing kits and they are giving some away! Come on over and play! Tell them I sent you! :)

Wescrap contest

Ready...set...go

Run... don't walk to this link--it is a time sensitive giveaway. The chance to win a kit and a cricut cartridge.
Wescrap Giveaway

Cutting Up

I spent most of this past week washing, pressing and cutting up scraps! Well to be honest, not all were technically scraps, I did add in a couple fat quarters. A couple things started me on this mission first, the quilt on the cover of Sew Scrappy volume two and the other, Pleasant Home Sew scraps along event.

New blade inserted, I started cutting! I really loved the rich, autumnal colors in the Scrappy Hourglass quilt featured on the front of Sew Scrappy, but thought that I didn't have many fabrics in those colors. Imagine my delight when I checked the fabrics from a Civil War block of the month kit I had bought years ago and realized there were many fabrics in there large enough to cut into the blocks for the hourglass. Originally in the tag sale pile, I was glad to be able to use those fabrics! While I still don't have nearly enough squares, I did get a good start on them.

Here is my pile of squares.

Since finding Sew Scraps Along at Pleasant Home
I have been daily exploring new blogs, researching quilt patterns,etc. When the Picnic Quilt tutorial was shared-- I knew I had to make one! I just loved the colors and the pattern! So, I dug through my scraps and yes, fat quarters as well--I even bought a few new fat quarters for this one! Again, I don't have enough yet to complete the quilt, but I am going to use this one as a Leaders and Enders quilt-so there is enough to get started. Here is what I have so far:

I did cut up what I had in scraps for two more quilts! Another post in Sew Scraps Along was about Postage Stamp quilts. After reading the post, off to google I went. I found a postage stamp, charm quilt swap starting at The Curious Quilter
So, I added 2 inch squares to my scrap cutting.

Finally, I had found a great leaders and enders quilt tutorial over at Em's Scrapbag so I got all of my chain squares cut out--using scraps my Mother-in-law had given me and cut what I could for the other pieces. All of these are still works in progress, as I create more scraps to add!

I did get a little sewing in too. I completed the block for our block of the month swap for guild on Wednesday. Normally I am rushing to complete the block that day, but the weekly challenge on Amy's Creative Side forced me to get it done early! Not only does it feel great to have that done early--but I also accomplished the goals I set for Amy's challenge. Now to decide this week's goal!

Thanks for sticking with this long post! I plan to post more often...this week I think I will do some sewing! I also have some scrapbooking projects to work on--oh and cleaning, I must clean!

Happy New Year!!!

I know I haven't posted in awhile. The end of the year was a flurry of sewing projects for gifts and exchanges. Now I need to get back to scrapbooking and.....back into quilting! I am so inspired with the goodies I received for Christmas: a set of sewing feet for my machine (now I can free motion quilt), several new patterns, and a new quilt kit.

One area I have really been exploring are scrappy quilts. I really love the freedom of just using your scraps. We have a beautiful quilt that my husband's great grandmother made hanging in our dining room. I love to look at all of the different colors and patterns she put together.

So, imagine my delight when I stumbled across this new to me blog  Pleasant Home and the amazing month of activities and giveaways she is hosting during Sew Scraps Along 2012.  I love the inspiration I have found already--and it is only the first day!  Just check out the first tutorial for a picnic quilt-- LOVE!!!

I can't wait to see what the rest of the month brings!

It has been too long...

I hope to be back on soon and post some of the work I have done since April! I know it has been too long..... ;)