2012 Retrospective

Can't send out the old year without a photo collage of last year's quilts.  

Mini Monday - Night and Noon

This is officially my LAST Midget block.  It is number 109 and is called Night and Noon.  It was paper pieced in 4 simple sections and marks the end of a long slow and steady project.
DONE
FINISHED
THE END

Well, except for the sewing together and quilting and binding.  

Slow Stitching Sunday

Sundays seem to be all about preparation and organization for me.  Handwork happens during waiting minutes during the week, but only if there is something ready to carry along.  So here is my map of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge Dear Jane Quilt so far.  25 blocks are done.  Most of them are applique sewn during long car trips.  I'm not sure what I'll do when I finish off the applique blocks, but for now there still seem to be plenty to choose from.  Head over to Kathy's blog to see the handwork other people are up to on this Sunday of rest.  

Grab my New Button

I have a button for the new year!  Feel free to grab it and post it on your blog.  You should be able to copy the html code below the picture and paste it into a new widget on your blog.  Ann Marie was nice enough to test it for me, and it seems to be working just fine (Thanks Ann Marie!).
Also check out the RSC 13 page using the tabs at the top of my blog.  I'll try to keep a list of all of the colors as the year goes on and add links to new scrap inspirations as I find them.  Thanks to everyone for joining in

LAST ScrapHappy Saturday of 2012!!

It is the end of another year of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, but also a fresh start for a new year of projects.  First let me say "Hello" and welcome all the new scrap users for 2013.  The Rainbow Scrap Challenge is supposed to help you find lots of new and creative ways to use your scraps.  Rather than jumping in and trying to tackle the whole mess at one time, the goal is to focus on one color each month, slowly whittling down your scraps as the year progresses.  Some people choose a new project each month, but lots chose one block and make some in each color. By the end of the year you might just have enough to make a quilt or two.
For the old timers, welcome back and thanks for all the inspiration and support throughout the years.  Hopefully you have some ideas waiting in the wings for the new year.   Still on the fence, why not wait an see what everyone else is planning this time?  As for me, I have big plans.  My primary project is going to be a Rainbow Scrap Challenge Dear Jane Quilt.  I'll make as many blocks as I can with the color of the month and then use the scraps from that in postage stamps and Omigosh blocks.
Ready to get started?  January is going to be pink this year.  Feel free to jump in and get started or just introduce yourself to the others and share your plans.  I'll make a new button soon so that you can post it on your blog.  (Something I should have thought about before going out of town for the holidays)  There is also a tab at the top of my blog that will be updated from time to time with new scrappy ideas.
Each Saturday there will be a  linky party for anyone with Rainbow projects to share.  Please join in to share your progress and check in on everyone else.  Feel free to join in as often as you like and please don't feel obligated or guilty when life gets in the way.

Evening Sewing

So tired after skiing. Trying hard not to fall asleep at 8. It might not work. Another appliqué block is done!

Ski Slopes

Much winter fun was had by one and all. The three kids all enjoyed a quick beginning ski lesson before trying out their new skills on the "green" slopes. It wasn't long before they were ready to try out the chair lift. Eventually they even made it to my favoritely named slope of the day-- omigosh. I told them all I was working on a quilt called Omigosh, but they seemed less than impressed. I think they are all worn out. Hopefully that means they will sleep the day away on the trip home tomorrow. I'm not sure we will be booking a trip to the slopes of Colorado for spri g break, but it was nice to let everyone try something different.

Drive Time

We didn't spend too much time in the car yesterday. Just a 3 hour jump from south of Atlanta to the mountains of North Carolina. The trip home tomorrow will be a bit longer, but first -- we are layering up for the slopes.

Tube World

Tonight was tube world, tomorrow is actual skiing. I don't think the kids like cold weather all that much, but we are going to give it a try. I keep remembering that dislike of cold was one of the things that made us move to Florida.

Vacation Part 2

We are taking a quick hot tub break before our tubing session starts. Ski lift tickets are reserved for morning. It isn't really much below freezing, but I am sure the kids won't mind a bit of slush. They have never seen real snow to have a point of comparison. We have begged and borrowed all the cold weather gear we could find. Look out mountain, here we come!

Down Time

There have been quiet moments between festivities. To stay busy and active I have been doing some more prep work on Jane. I like each little rainbow block more than the last. Tomorrow is another driving day, so hopefully I'll be able to stitch a bit more. I am looking forward to getting home again to cross the finished blocks off my list.

Tiny Tuesday - Blazing Star

 This is Midget Block 90, it is called Blazing Star and was paper pieced in 8 easy sections.  Easy enough as soon as I got the colors figured out.  I must have some spatial deficit that makes orienting things properly difficult.  I like the colors in this one.  The back ground is actually a pale yellow, though it looks cream in the photo

Lizzie is getting used to posing with quilt blocks.  At least some members of my family are trainable. Although I am writing this post on October 7, it isn't scheduled to go live until Christmas day.  So lucky that Christmas is on a Tuesday this year.  I am hoping that by now I will be done with all the Midgets.  Did it happen?  Time will tell.  In any case, Merry Christmas to everyone.  

'twas the night before

Santa was nice enough to come one night early. Stockings were hung on the entertainment center with care (no fireplaces in Florida). There were lots of great pictures on the camera that stayed home, but these were from my iPad on the trip over the river to Grandmother's house. I won't start to officially post Dear Jane until the new year, but I've got a nice head start on Tiny Tuesdays. All tat prep work is paying off.

Mini Monday - Contrary Husband

This one was hand pieced due to all of the inset seams.  I'm still not really good at the whole sewing by hand thing, but it turned out OK in the end.  

Slowdown Sunday

 With more than a few hours in the car to look forward to this holiday season, prepping some more Dear Jane applique blocks for handwork was high on my list.  Last night while we watched The Wizard of Oz as a family, I traced and cut freezer paper templates.  This morning there was just trimming and turning of edges to get them ready to sewing on the go.

First though, minor surgery was required on a stuffed dog who was loosing his inards.

The kids have been up to baking and decorating.  Anna made a Chritmas Cake.  We went over the spelling together, but she still managed to leave out the S while piping on the words.  Poor Anna, she is not the world's best speller.

Everyone also made and decorated a gingerbread house.  They used quite a variety of architectural styles as well as lots of frosting.  Today is our Christmas Eve.  It looked like we would be able to stay home for the actual day for the first time ever, but it was not meant to be.  Santa is quite understanding of course and is happy to visit tonight and relieve some of the congestion of Christmas Eve proper.
Kathy is hosting Slow Stitching Sunday again, be sure to go visit and check out other Sunday projects.  

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Rounding Out the Year

 I got new fabric in the mail yesterday.  There were some Kaffe Fasset prints on sale at Hancocks of Paducah.  I've always wanted to try out some of his fabric.  I also grabbed a few backgrounds and a couple of brights for Jane.  Its all gone through the wash now and is waiting for its turn at the ironing board.

First though, everything is torn apart in a huge frenzy of organization.  It is all at the stage now when it looks far worse than when I started.  Here are the scraps large enough to be cut to size with the GO cutter.  They are sorted by themes and sitting on the die I will use to cut them.  The solids are for a Drunkards path, brights for HST blocks, blues for tumblers and fall colors for diamonds and 1930s for DWR.  Firs though most of yesterday was spent with all the scraps too small for these piles.  They are being cut down to strips and squares, again depending on themes.  There are lots of brights for Omigosh and postage stamps along with 2.5 inch strips of Christmas fabrics, though I haven't chosen a pattern.  Obviously not all of these will be made anytime soon, but at least the scraps will be sorted and cut when I am in need of a new project again.
So today's number one goal is to get everything sorted well enough to be put away again.  What are you up to on this Rainbow Scraphappy Saturday?  Finishing up for this year or getting ready for the new one to come?  Use the linky below to share your progress, ponderings or plans.

Tiny Tuesday - Turkey Tracks

 This is Midget Block number 98.  It is called Turkey Tracks and was paper pieced in 8 little sections.  It took me ages to figure out how all the little toes should point, and I'm still not sure it is correct, but it is done so that is good enough for me.  I'll go take the paper out and add it to my ever growing collection.

Anna was vegging out in the toy room recovering from a busy day.  I cropped out most of the clutter in the background.  If only that worked in real life. 

Mini Monday - Sunbeam

 This is Midget Block number 130, it is called Sunbeam.  The original was in orange and yellow I suppose, but I chose to do mine in three shades of blue.  It should really have a different name, but I can't think of one right now.

There are just 4 empty spots on the wall and I have most of them all prepped for a trip over the river and too the woods to Grandmother's house.  This one was for that as well, but got used up at piano lessons and gymnastics before the trip started.  I had to prep a few Rainbow Dear Jane (RDJ) blocks just in case I run out of these.  

Slowpoke Sunday - Dear Jane

Having applique blocks ready to go makes it easy enough to pick up a baggie and take a stitch or two when things calm down from time to time.  I have already posted several finished blocks to appear in the new year when my Rainbow Dear Jane project officially begins.  Some blocks require both applique and traditional piecing, so this block isn't quite done yet, but the handwork portion is complete.  Head over to Kathy's blog to see what other handwork is happening on Slow Stitching Sunday.   

I've been slowly working my way through the scrap bin getting things ready for next years rainbow scrap challenge.  I focused on 1.5 and 1 inch strips for some postage stamp blocks and some itty bitty nine patches.  Bonnie Hunter was nice enough to keep me company during quilt cam time.  What a fun way to spend an afternoon!
Just 4 more days of school before winter break!  I still need to do one last proofreading session for my AP Bio exam, but the rest is all done and ready to go.  It is nice to end the semester before break and be able to leave everything on my desk with absolutely no guilt.  

Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Inspiration Sharing

This is the time when people are starting to think about projects for next year.  What could be more fun than plans and schemes for new rainbow quilts?
Here are a few ideas to prime the pump:

Rainbow Tumbler quilt could be done row by row

Or something more like this bright version of rainbow tumblers

Hard to go wrong with a wonky log cabin quilt

This rainbow quilt looks like raw edge applique

Amanda Jean did a nice tutorial for a ticker tape quilt that would rock in rainbow hues

The Bottled Rainbow Quilt was part of a quilt along last year

Here is a rainbow strip quilt that just makes you smile

Bonnie Hunter's Addicted to Scraps column is always a great inspiration

I think rainbow postage stamp blocks are on top of my list

Use the linky below to share your own ideas, plans and schemes.  Feel free to post on your own progress of course.  My machine was in the shop all week and I have yet to sew a stitch since last weekend.  I am looking forward to unpacking her though and finishing off some loose ends.  How about you?

Jello in Space

We are sending our science experiment into space.  Jello and meat tenderizer in space.  Such a fun week.  Happy Friday to everyone!

Tiny Tuesday - Sea Star

 This is Midget Block 91 which is called Sea Star.  In thinking of it as a star I kept trying to make the yellow parts turn into the star points.  I couldn't figure out why the triangles in the corner were going the wrong way until I had an aha moment and realized that the background was actually the star part.  The middle part was hand pieced ages ago when I was looking for something to do in the car.  I just stuck it back into the page protector waiting until the turn came for block 90.   

Anna volunteered to hold the block, and unlike her father with the block from last Tuesday, she knew it wasn't a police line-up.  Though this post will appear in December, it is still October here and I am frantically trying to finish up these little blocks before the end of the year.  As soon as I run out of Tiny Tuesdays in 2012 I'll add in some Mini Mondays until all the blocks are done.  144 is the magic number I think.  12 by 12.  I think it will work. 

Mini Monday - Garden Maze

I'm going to have to count again to be absolutely sure, but I think I have just 2 more midgets to go!!!!  Getting so close to the end -- at least for me.  I know there are new blocks being published now, but there was a drought for more than a year and I made plans for finishing mine up.  

The final layout will be 12 by 12 which will be just the right size I think.  I am getting ready to start sewing these guys together, but until then, I am almost sure that I will be done very soon.

Slowdown Sunday

Thanks again to Kathy for the weekly reminder to slow down and enjoy the process.  I'll spend some time again today prepping some applique blocks so they are ready to stitch on the go. I have gotten quite a few done this week while hanging out with the family in the evenings.  Once they are all arranged using the freezer paper on top and glue basting method from fabric therapy, the rest is simple and mindless.  I won't start officially posting Dear Jane blocks until after the new year, but I am keeping track using my Rainbow Jane tab.  We have an entire day with nothing scheduled today!  What a nice break after a busy week of work

ScrapHappy Saturday -- Wrapping it Up

It has been the busiest week ever.  All full of great stuff, but OH SO busy.  Monday was the district championship match for Academic Team.  We won!  We will be sending one of our players with the all  county team to the state competition in April.  And I get to be one of the coaches.  At Disney.

I've been helping another teacher with a science project and we won.  Our project is going up into space.  So exciting!  The whole school is in the middle of grading papers right now for senior projects, which means no planning time.  Planning time would be good with all the paperwork needed to send people to state competitions and jello into outer space.   What else?  Husband out of town, piano lessons and gymnastics, fourth grade play.  All the usual stuff that fills the hours in the day.  The semester is ending and exams are on the way.  Deep breath -- so happy to have a weekend! 

I do hope to find time to sew this weekend.  I've left work on my desk at school where it will rest until Monday.  I'd like to do a little end of the year organization and tie up the loose ends for this years Rainbow Scrap Challenge Projects.  How about you?  Still finishing up for last year or starting to think about next year?  I would love to have a BIG "what I am thinking about for next year" post next Saturday.  Does everyone have some thoughts swimming around? Until then, use the linky below to share your progress.  Finished projects, catch up blocks, loose ends, come one and all to join the fun.  

Wee Wednesday - Springtime

This one was a simple applique block, but was a bit awkward to put together based on the way it was drafted.  The dark pink was drawn as one solid piece while the light pink bits were sewn on top.  It took me two tries to get it all to line up, but I think it turned out OK in the end.  Mom volunteered to hold it for me on Black Friday.  

Bonnie Hunter's Biggest Fan

Andee says that she is Bonnie's biggest fan. Candace has a parade going on of all of her Bonnie Hunter quilts. Given all that, I though I'd throw my hat into the ring and put up a little parade of my Quiltville Creations. My Bonnie Hunter quilt number is 25. How about you?

 Blue Ridge Beauty in purple

 Carolina Crossroads -- my first mystery quilt

 Orange Crush, with piece borders.

 Dad's Plaids -- Mom borrowed it and never gave it back.

 Old Hurricane Road -- lives in the guest bedroom.

 My first scrappy Irish Chain -- gone to charity

 My third Pineapple Blossom quilt, a baby shower gift.

 Sister's Choice for Mom

 Christmas Lights for my sister.

 Double Delight

 Hopscotch, from Carolina Crossroads pattern in Quiltmaker

 Cathedral Stars, a UFO -- oops.

 Goose in the Puddle in patriotic colors

 My version of cheddar Bowties.

 Little Monkey's was another shower gift.

 Cherry trees is a red version of crabapples, still in progress

 The second Irish Chain quilt.

 Orca Bay, finally done and living on my bed now.

Smith Mountain Morning, binding just finished on Sunday!

Jamestown Landing isn't quite done yet.

Roll Roll Cotton Boll -- check out all those strings!