Official Plans for RSC16!

Are you overwhelmed with scraps?  Wondering how you will ever use them all up?  The Rainbow Scrap Challenge started in 2011 to help me get a handle on my scraps by dealing with them one color at a time.  Before long I was hosting weekly link up parties and enjoying rainbow inspirations on a regular basis.  Lots of other like minded quilters have joined in over the years, sharing ideas projects with us all.
The idea is simple.  Each month a new color will be announced.  Go to the baskets, bins and bags where you have your scraps stashed and find some fabric in that color.  Then do something with it.  Anything at all.  Choosing a block and making a few each month seems to work well.  Some people jump right in and make entire quilts.  Others pull out UFOs and polish them off.  I will offer a few blocks for inspiration, but any block will work as long as it is one you will enjoy coming back to each month.
New this year, I will also be suggesting an accent color each month.  For those who have been making monochromatic rainbow colored blocks for several years now, this will be a fun way to mix things up a bit.  The accent colors are completely optional though.  You are welcome to just stick to the basics.  By the end of the year we will have toured all the main colors in your scrap bins, and hopefully you will have put lots of them to good use while collecting enough blocks to put together a quilt or two.

Here are a few of my favorite finishes from this year.

 Bulk mail is made from the 1.5 inch strip bin. Postage stamp blocks are a great way to use up tiny odds and ends.

Nine Carat Diamonds comes from 2 inch squares.  I didn't know what the nine patches were going to turn into at first.  Collecting basic subunits gives you lots of options for later though.    I've still got some leftover and have a plan in place to use up some more this year in another quilt based on this inspiration.  

Mai Tai Sunrise was the original source of the nine patches.  They alternated with star blocks to make this Bonnie Hunter design.  

My big project of the year was this Sawtooth Star Sampler featuring hand dyed fabric "scraps" from Vicki Welsh.  I posted 2 or 3 block tutorials each month and they are still available on the RSC15 tab at the top of the page.  It is ready to be quilted, so more up to date pictures will be coming soon.  

So, are you wondering what is up for 2016?  I will be designing a column a month quilt for anyone who would like to participate.  One new block will be released each month along with directions as to how many you should make for a throw (60 by 60) or twin (60 by 72) inch quilt You can assemble each row as you go so that finishing at the end of the year will be a breeze. I will be using hand dyed rainbow inspired palates of fabric from Vicki Welsh who is a continuing sponsor of the RSC.  You may order the palates from her as well or use your own scraps if you prefer. 

So how do you join in?  No sign up or subscription is necessary.  Just post your project on your blog, flicker account, or google circles.  I don't Instagram, but I am told that there is a hashtag there: #rainbowscrapchallenge2016.  Then every Saturday, there will be a link-up available for anyone who has Rainbow Scrap Challenge progress to share.  You are welcome to copy the html code below the "Grab my Button" up and to the right of this post, and paste it into a gadget on your own blog.  That will bring people back to the RSC16 homepage so that they can all share in the rainbow fun.

Looking for more scrappy inspiration?  Check out some of the past projects and tutorials linked to the pages tabbed at the top of the blog.  I also started a Pinterest Board of Rainbow Quilts.  There are plenty of ideas available each week on ScrapHappy Saturday, you can even go through old link up parties in search of inspiration.  There is also a wonderful scrap friendly link up party every Sunday called Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun than Housework.  You should definitely visit tomorrow when Cyndi is planning on giving the Rainbow Scrap Challenge a special shout out.  You can follow the link or use the button in the right hand margin of my blog.  

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.  I am not a professional quilter, but a full time working mom of three who quilts in my spare time.  I enjoy sharing my hobby with all of you though and try to continue to offer ideas and patterns free for anyone who would like to use them.  

So keep scrolling down to visit today's ScrapHappy Saturday Link-Up party and start thinking about what projects you would like to start next year.  Until then, happy scrapping!