Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2017

We've been doing this for... well... a few years now.  Somehow I don't seem to be out of scraps yet.  (Big Grin).  

One lazy Sunday, I sat playing with scraps, and for no particular reason, sorted them into brightly colored stacks.  Those piles of scraps held so many possibilities that my mind just couldn't stop running through them all.  The thought of using them all at once though, seemed just to overwhelming to ponder.

Instead, I thought it would be fun to take just one set of colored scraps each month and see what it might turn into.

And so began the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  

I invited my blog friends to play along, and tried to offer encouragement and ideas when I could.   The real fun began though, when the inspiration started to flow from one rainbow blogger to another.  It wasn't long before the weekly linky parties began, giving everyone a chance to share and sew together.

Sometimes I even planned out quilts ahead of time, and offered tutorials for those who wanted to join in.  The basic idea though, has always remained the same.  Take your scraps, and use them up, one color at a time.
Along the way, more than a few rainbow quilts have been born.

 Like this Mai Tai Sunrise.  

And this OMG It's a Churn Dash, which is still in the flimsy stage.  

Or even these crumb bricks which turned into my favorite snuggle on the couch quilt.  

So if you are looking for a little inspiration this year, I invite you to join in to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2017. 

Here is a list of the 10 colors we will be using this year, in case you want to plan ahead:

RED

ORANGE
YELLOW
GREEN
AQUA

BLUE

PURPLE                                       JANUARY

PINK

DARK (BLACK/BROWN)

LIGHT NEUTRALS

MIXED COLORS

I will choose a single color for each of the first 11 months, leaving the December for finishing.  

Start by grabbing a handful of purple scraps and turning them into something.  A mug rug, a placement, a single block.  If you like to plan ahead, you can start now making blocks that will be ready to turn into a rainbow quilt by the end of the year.  

Not sure what block to make?  That is where the weekly linky party will come to the rescue.  Just start looking at all the rainbow scrap quilts that others have made, and find the one that calls to you. Or just pick a block you really love and start with that.  You could even find an existing project featuring the color of the month and work to finish that up.  The details are all up to you.  It can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.  Remember, it doesn't have to be done right away, as long as you are taking your scraps, and turning them into something, you are making progress.  

So, for all the veteran rainbow scrap quilters out there, I am asking for your help.  Saturday January 6th will be the first ScrapHappy Saturday of 2017.  If you could have a finished Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt or two ready to share, it would be a great inspiration for the new people.  It doesn't have to be a new post, feel free to link to a finished quilt post from the past.  I'd love to bask in all of your accomplishments though, and to show everyone the power of using your scraps.  

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Choosing a favorite quilt to show in Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival was not an easy task.  I finally narrowed it down to two rainbow quilts that I made last year as part of my ongoing Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I almost chose Rainbow Crumb Parade because I've been doing so much with crumbs lately, but instead chose ScrapHappy Squares because of the fun way that it evolved over time.  The original block idea came from Quiltmakers 100 Block issue.  It was block 171 in the second edition that the magazine put out and was called Boxed In.
 I made one in January of last year using blue, which was the color for that month.  I liked the way it came out so much that I kept making one each month for the rest of the year.  I keep a drawer of 2.5 inch squares on hand, and sorting through it each month searching for 25 unique squares was a lot of fun.  When the blocks were all done near the end of the year I sat and stared at them for a long time wondering how I should put them together.  The outside of each block was a white border which meant something needed to go in between.  After trying out several different colors of sashing strips, a blog reader sent me a link to a quilt that she had seen with a Garden Lattice setting.  Well, that was it!  I searched the web for similar settings until I came up with an idea that would work and shrunk it down to look proportional with the blocks.  It came together quickly at that point, and was done in time to give away for Christmas.  My mom has Sunday school class that sponsors families in need each Christmas and this one one of the stack of quilts that I sent to them last year.  I still think of it from time to time, hoping it found a happy family and it is keeping someone warm and cozy. 

Rainbow Round-Up on Scraphappy Saturday

There are only 2 more Saturdays left in 2011.  I know I am already full of plans and schemes for 2012, but until then, I hope you will all take a few minutes to brag about all you have accomplished this year.  Use the linky below to take us to a post showing off your scrap creations for the year. 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2012

First, a big thanks to all the participants who have sewn along  with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this year.  Some people joined at the beginning, some joined at the end, and some sewed off and on all year long.  The only real goal of the challenge was to use more scraps by focusing on one assigned color each month.  Each Saturday I posted a linky box for anyone who had worked on a scrap project during the week to share their progress.  Some of us started out with grand ambitions and finished off an entire quilt from time to time, some had more reasonable goals and pulled out a UFO or made a single block or small project featuring the assigned color. 

On Saturday I'll post the last link up of the year so that everyone can show off all the great Rainbow Scrap Projects they have created this year.  At the same time, I'll post a new challenge for 2012 based on the same idea, but with a few changes based on lessons learned during the current challenge.  So, if you've got some great Rainbow creations from the year, start thinking about putting together a post to brag about your accomplishments.  A nice collage or collection of pictures is the perfect way to wrap-up and reflect. 

ScrapHappy Saturday and a Giveaway!

It is my 1000th post!  Who would have thought there was so much to say about quilting?  In honor of this momentous occasion, I am having a giveaway!  Based on the rainbow idea, it is a "you choose a color" giveaway.  Pick a color, any color.  Your favorite, one you don't have much of, one you want to use in your next quilt.  A primary color, a secondary color, whatever color you can name.  I'll search through my strips and squares and into my stash to put together a surprise bundle in that color.  Just leave me the name of a color as a comment, I'll choose a winner next Wednesday when school breaks for the holidays.
Until then, how are you doing on the Rainbow Scrap Challenge?  We seem to be losing a little steam at the end of the year, making me think that next years challenge will be a 10 month challenge allowing time to tie up the loose ends at the end of the year.  For those of us still working away, post a link to your projects below. 

Wrappin up Scrappy

Still trying to wrap things up around here, I've managed to resist the urge to start lots of new Christmas projects so far.  How about you?  There are nine more days of school before break and four of those are for exams.  I've got lots of good stuff swirling around for after that, but for now at home and at work it is all about finishing off.

ScrapHappy Saturday -- Brand New Month

As the end of the year nears, people are losing enthusiasm for starting new projects in a mad dash to finish things off before the end of the year.  Therefore I am putting two options out there.  Originally red and or green was the plan.  I was thinking about quick Christmas gifts like mug rugs and place mats and potholders in cheery Christmas colors.  Option two is to try to finish off some of the rainbow projects that have been started along the way.  I'm thinking about the stack of green crumb blocks that were extra, the red and white mug rug that never quite came together.....
How about you, feeling the need to keep crossing projects off the list, or ready to spread some Christmas cheer? Use the linky below to share you ideas and progress so far. 

ScrapHappy Saturday -- Still Doing Brown?

I was working hard to finish Rainbow Squares before the new Orca Bay mystery quilt started yesterday.  Just made it!  Between this quilt (notice the brown in the lower left) and the Rainbow Crumbs, I'm just about cleared out of brown.  My jars are noticeably emptier than they were at the beginning of the year even though I continue to produce new scraps.  The challenge has done a nice job of making me play with all the leftovers, and I'm happy with the rainbow of projects that have come out during the year.  How about you, still feeling scrappy?  Post your progress using the link below so we can all enjoy.

Tiny Headstart

I had to input all of my grades into our online system and write two very short quizes (don't want to give tests during bring your parent to school day). That didn't take as long as I thought, so I finished it off and treated myself to a tiny bit of quilting time. Rainbow ScrapHappy Squares has been on the frame all week getting a little bit of love now and again when I could pop in for a few minutes. It only took an hour and a half to get it all finished off. I'll do trimming and binding tomorrow first thing.

The quilting is a square spiral in random sizes. Done freehand of course. I so enjoy just drawing on the quilt and seeing how it turns out. 

Another Productive Day

After having school off yesterday and getting to spend quite a bit of time in the sewing room, I felt very spoiled to have everyone out of the house all day today.  First up was finishing off the flimsy for Scrapphappy Squares.  I'm so thankful for the design inspiration from Marlene that sent me down the Garden Rail path with the setting on this one. 

Then it needed a back of course. I had some nice black and rainbow fabric, but as I'll quilt it in white thread, I thought this soft yellow would work better.  I did add an extra rainbow stripe from fabric I had auditioned for the sashes.  Loading it on the frame seemed easier than putting it away and having to iron it all again later.   Though I started the first row of quilting, I was in more of a piecing mood and sewed up the extra half blocks that the Rainbow Crumbs have been waiting for.  I also put up the Cheddar bowties on the newly liberated wall space from the quilt on the frame.  Still having the house to myself, I started in on some more crumb blocks to finish off the rows.  I'm about done with the black and just started on the brown.  I'm still debating on the white, I guess it will depend on the final measurements. 

I was in the midst of my little crumb explosion when the gang came home with the EXCITING news that they qualified to go to the regional Lego Robotics competition during their tournament today. It was supposed to be just an early practice round but I guess it all went so well that they took second for the day. Most exciting of all, their robot got the top prize for design! Much happy dancing was done along with trophy posing and celebratory woohooing. 

Scraphappy Saturday in Wrap-up Mode

Yesterday was a day off school!!! The kids didn't need much in the way of looking after so I was able to spend a big part of the day in the sewing room. The scraphappy squares are almost done and I will put a photo up as soon as my computer comes home again. The whole gang is off at an all day Lego tournament, leaving me rattling around he house alone. I wonder what I will do? Use the linky below To share you scrappy accomplishments.

One Bite at a Time

There is never a big block of time to work on anything substantial during the week, but I'm trying to make time to whittle away at projects a bit at a time on school days. Since Lizzie was determined to "help" with the sewing of binding, I went ahead and made my way into the sewing room for a few minutes after dinner. 

I'm definitely leaning toward gray for the connecting strips on the ScrapHappy blocks, so I cut some out for an extended audition.   I still need half blocks and a row of brown for the rainbow crumbs, but I went ahead and joined the rows so that they will stop falling off the wall. Not a huge accomplishment, but it is one step closer to having something else done.

Rainbow Crumb Blocks

I had a pretty good collection of crumb blocks going already.  I used purple and green in Lilac Potpourri earlier this year and had some leftover.   Then there were blue blocks leftover from the beginning of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  The red and orange are new today.  I still need another yellow though, and I have some pink blocks in the works.  I can't decide if I'm going to add the multi-color blocks in as a border with the stars for the corners.  I think I might just want to keep it simple.  I'm sure I could find another spot for the rainbow blocks.  So glad I got a chance to sew today.  Next week looks fully booked so I'll savor the rest of the evening before putting it all away for now. 

Crumb Along Geese

I've always loved the look of Amish quilts, especially those with a black background. Never having done the whole black quilt thing, I thought this month would be a good time to play a little with the concept.  What a fun way to use up all the triangle bits leftover from joining strips of binding fabric!  It doesn't take much effort to turn them into little geese.  I've got a quilt group thing to go to this morning, but I'd love to try some crumby Chinese coin blocks this afternoon.  I can already see it in my head.    Head over to Jo's Country Junction to look at all the other crumb creations, or follow the links below to see what people are cooking up for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Use the linky box below to post your Scraphappy Saturday progress. 

Dabbling in the Black Arts

I'm a bit worried that people will not enjoy working with black.  I can't imagine an entire quilt full of just black.  As a background color though, for a collection of bright colored scraps, I think it sparkles.  I've seen lots of great quilts with black and white showing off a splash of bright red or hot pink or lime green.  If it still doesn't speak to you, think of black as a full range from morning dusk to charcoal and ending with midnight.  As for me, I'm going to try to empty out the jar of "dark" and add another block to my Scrapphappy square collection.  Maybe I'll throw in some orange and purple to get a head start of Halloween?  I guess time will tell.

BLACK

Most people have figured out that the new color this month is black. I was thinking that fall colors were on the horizon already, but I forgot that black and white needed to be in there somewhere. My "dark" jar isn't overly full, but I might play with dark backgrounds if there is time.  I'll have to pull the browns out and set them aside first, it isn't quite time for those. 

Last White Saturday

Hopefully everyone is finishing off their white project today for The Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  My plan is to get Lonley Loggies loaded onto  the frame and get started on the quilting.  I'm thinking of using the same swirl pattern that was on Starlight.
We've been watching the weather all week, but Irene has bypassed us completely and all is calm.  The kids were all hoping for a hurricane day.  Having survived the year of Charley Frances and Jean, I'm not quite so fond of hurricane days and was just as happy to have it move on by.  I stayed at work late last night and got caught up on all of my grading.  I've got 6 classes this year and keeping up with everything at the same time has been a tricky proposition.  It's been a great year so far though, so I am counting my blessings. 
Use the linky box below to post your own scrappy Saturday goings on and see what others are up to.

I-Pad Case

The i-pad 2 has a nifty magnetic cover, but I still thought it would be nice to have a decorative protective sleeve so that it doesn't get scratched up in my purse.

I added a couple of little flowers for decoration after seeing the cute sizzix flowers on string blocks over at Quilting by the River.  Connie used beautiful batik fabrics, which I loved, but I found something from the scrap bin for mine.  Next time I have a few spare minutes, I might make something similar for my phone.  For now, I should get some things done for school.  Students come on Wednesday, ready or not. 

When I talked to my mom last night she told me to make sure I put up some pictures of the kids. So here is a quick shot of Anna surfing this morning. The waves were a little bigger than usual with the remnants of Erin churning out there. Sydney didn't want to surf so she went out to breakfast with me instead.

Rainbow Challenge in WHITE

So I'm getting the idea that people don't consider WHITE to be a real color.  They aren't quite sure to how to be scraphappy with WHITE.  I'm thinking that some people might want to finish up the string blocks from RRCB, while I know others are already starting on Jamestown Landing.  I have some random orphan blocks that have been sashed out in white for a modern flair quilt.  For people who are opposed to WHITE,then stretch it into tan or beige or cream or peach.   Or just mix it with something else that you have in abundance.  Blue and WHITE.  Red and WHITE.  Whatever your heart desires and WHITE.  Give it a try, you never know what you might make!

Oh, for those who hadn't guessed, WHITE is the new color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge in August.  Happy scrapping.