IT OCCURRED TO ME....

that I could use some scraps that were given to me by my Mother In Law...for something other than a stuffed toy.    I found out a short while ago that my neice is going to be having a baby (she is approx. 3 months along).  I am really excited for them.  Plus, it gives me a great exuse to try out some ideas and make her some gifts.

 My MIL used to sew plenty, until her eyesight began failing several years ago.  She graciously gave me a whole bunch of fabrics.  Not having any children in the family and being involved in other aspects of quilting for "older" loved ones.....hee, hee, hee.  Most of the "younger fabrics" have sat idly on the shelf.

I just picked up one piece of fabric and said it is time!  I decided to cut out the figures and create bibs.  They are simple and so much fun.  A great way to take a break from the quilting on the Double Wedding Ring Quilt, that is coming along nicely, but slowly.  No rush, thankfully. 

Thanks for stopping by....Have a great day!

I'M SO EXCITED...AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT.....

I'm about to lose control and I think I like it........

I have completed another step in my "creation" of this quilt.  After trying out several layouts, I chose this star design.  For some reason chosing the brown fabric as a sashing between the diamonds was so easy.  It just sang chose me, chose me and I did and am thrilled with it.  I cut them at 5 inch depths and 12 inch widths, using the 60degree ruler to mark and cut also went quickly.  Next, I labeled each individual piece with a 1A, 1B, 1C  and so forth to make sure I would remember where each piece is supposed to lay tomorrow.

My next step is going to be laying out the Double Wedding Ring quilt top and determinning how much more needs to be added to this quilt back and how exactly I am going to fill in the gaps and with what fabrics and so forth. 

I should add....I am sharing this as I am doing it.  I am just playing and having fun experimenting.  But if this resembles or copies any other quilt pattern....I am sorry.  Please contact me and I will remove this....but I am not following any pattern and just having a go at creating.

That sounds pretty lame...but I thought I should mention it and avoid getting myself into trouble If I am stepping on any one elses toes.

Brain is functioning....

I kept looking at the these pieces which were the excess trimmed away while cutting the 60degree angles.  Knowing that there had to be a way to use them in this project.  So I began the brain function called creativity.

 Within a short time, I figured out how to place them right sides together. 

 After pressing the seams open, I had a ready made piece....that could be cut into

two extra strips.  As you can see it creates areas that have two fabrics in a couple of sections.  Being that this is a totally scrappy project....it will work great.  Adding a variety and interest.

I am off once again to sew strips together.  Who knows where this project is going to go.......

Scrap Strips....

I had to laugh today as I was sewing together more scrap strips.  I came across several strips that definetely had an "attitude".  Several, no that is putting it mildly, had this curvy appearance; others were about an 1/8 inch in width wider or shorter than they should have been; one group of fabric strips were so pretty....I thought why did I just cut them into odds and ends strips.  It became clear very quickly, they are some sort of horrible material that was awful to work with. 

But, I worked with each piece of scrap, grumbling about their "attitudes"........but throughout the day managed to get them all sewn into groups of six rows.  I tried to take some pictures, but they were awful and just did not show the detail I was looking for;  tomorrow, I will mark the 60 degree angles, cut each into numerous strips and sew them into the final block.

Fill me in on some of your SCRAP ATTITUDES! 

I LOVE IT WHEN IT HAPPENS THIS WAY.....

After cutting several yards of odds and ends scrap matierial into 2and 1/2 inch strips; it looked at me for several months.  I just could not make up my mind what to do with all of these.  Then a few days ago, I just wanted to do some uncomplicated (non use of brain) kind of sewing time.  I began sewing a light strip to a dark strip, a dark to a medium....basically just whatever happened to be picked up together.

I forgot to mention, that although these strips were all equal (per say) in width sizes...they were in so many varied lengths that matching could have become complicated.  I did not want to deal with complicated, so like colors were all sewn into long strips and then pressed and next sewn to another strip approximately the same length. 

The following day....I decided to sew 3 sets of strips together.  Such a variety, but it just did not grab hold...it needed something different done that would add more appeal.

After some serious thinking....I decided to cut each section at a 60degree angle.  I have never attempted this to my memory; not sure how to go about the marking.  I checked out Bonnie Hunters site Quiltville and watched some videos on Simply Quilts, You Tube and gained the final courage to use one of my rulers, mark a small point at the 60 degree spot and line it up and mark it again.  Then using the longer ruler pictured above...cut without hesitation.

It may not be exactly perfect.  But, I was pretty impressed with the slant cut and decided to subcut from there at another 2 and 1/2 inches.

I then began sewing each section to another section and before long....I had this.  The seams were actually fairly easy to match; which surprised me....I do not have great luck with matching seams up perfectly by any means.  LOL. 

When I began this, I really had no clue that it would form the foundation (sort of close) to the Lone Star quilt.  Which really surprised me, but made me a tad bit impressed with myself and the way patterns form.  Now, I have not decided what the next part of this procedure will be.  But, I just wanted to share it and encourage others to step out and try something new.  It really is a great feeling and with using scraps....it really should not matter if it works out or not. 

SCRAPS SHOULD BE PLAYED WITH AND ENJOYED.   Take the time and experiment without any worries at all.  Most of us started quilting to have fun and try something different.