ScrapHappy - October 2025

   Welcome to Scrap Happy Day where we post about the scrappy projects we've worked on over the past month.   

Be sure to check out what everyone else has done with their scraps this month - Kate, Eva, Sue, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Tracy, Jan, Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Claire, Jean, Dawn, Gwen, Sunny, Kjerstin, SueL,  Vera, Ann, Dawn2, Carol,  Preeti, Viv, Karrin, Amo, Alissa, Tierney, and Hannah

In trying to find a couple of commissioned projects this month that need to be finished up, I found a bag of precut squares of cat and dog print fabrics containing 3.5", 4.5" and a few 6.5" squares.  Rather than squirrel them away, I decided to use them to use them up instead.

First up was this quilt top made with most of the 3.5" squares.   I based this off of a picture I'd seen on Pinterest.   Background squares were also precut years ago.  Still have some of the 3.5" squares left that I haven't decided what to do with.....thinking maybe a tote.  But that's another days project.....

Here's a close up pic showing most of the prints in the heart.

Next up was using the 4.5" squares.  I once again dug into the stash of precut squares for the background fabric.  Both of these will be finished as is and then donated.

Third and final top made from the precut cat and dog print squares.  Sashing fabrics were remnants that I'd picked up in a remnant barrel somewhere along the way.  More precut background squares were used to make the 9-patches in the top.

Close up of the border fabric and sashing fabrics, and yes these were also scraps.

Gratitudes:

1. For surgeons that care enough about outcomes to give honest feedback about needed surgery and a plan to get there.

2. For friends who are willing to be there with me as I work to lose the weight and get in better shape.

ScrapHappy- September 2025

   Welcome to Scrap Happy Day where we post about the scrappy projects we've worked on over the past month.   

Be sure to check out what everyone else has done with their scraps this month - Kate, Eva, Sue, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Tracy, Jan, Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Claire, Jean, Dawn, Gwen, Sunny, Kjerstin, SueL,  Vera, Ann, Dawn2, Carol,  Preeti, Viv, Karrin, Amo, Alissa, Tierney, and Hannah

This month has mainly been focused on putting together the top of the wedding quilt for my niece, so not a lot of scrappy work has gotten done.

What scrappy work did get done all started with finding a stack of strips leftover from FQ's or yardage as I dealt with the contents of a tote.   These had originally cut 6-inch from for Alphabet quilts.   Most of the strips evened up to 4.5 inches width, with assorted lengths.    I also did the same for the 3.5 inch strips that were in the same bag of scraps.

Because I didn't want to waste any more fabric than necessary I used the novelty fabrics as they were after squaring up the ends.   I put black squares in between each novelty piece.  Once everything was in one long strip, then they went together in a quilt top that currently is about 42" by 64".

The top will be finished off with a double border.  A narrow inner border of black from a couple of remnants.  Debating on the outer border - the left polka dotted fab is several small remnants, the right is yardage from stash.  Not sure which i like better.....what say you?

Gratitudes:

1. I've been released by the ophthalmologist - Yeah!   So thankful my eyes are ok now.  

2.  For the blessing of longtime friends and the love and who have passed on.

Finished Commission....Finally!

 In Mid-August I finally finished up all of the medical procedures to get my eyes taken care of and once again see clearly.   Being able to see clearly and once again be able to thread needles (both hand needles and sewing machine needles) has meant that I've finally been able to finish up the two commissioned t-shirt quilts that I've had for a year.    Once I find a lint roller to clean up the quilts I'll be able to ship them back to my customer this week.   I'm looking forward to that!    

Layouts of the quilts were decided by the customer and she wanted the front/backs of the shirts to be together.   I used solids for the backs - a light blue, and dark green.   Bindings were a blue and a green print from my stash.

Next up for commissioned work - 

- quilting a rooster print fabric to use in making 2 pie carriers

- quilting a quilt top that is to be a gift for an adopted nieced

- more t-shirt quilts have been talked about, but nothing has been firmed up at this point.

Gratitudes:

1. For clarity in vision and eye procedures being done, I'll never take my vision for granted again!

2. For a few days of cooler temperatures coming this week.

Memories and Why I Quilt

 One of my best friends texted me a picture this week of her daughter's office space.  And hanging in her office was the quilt I had made for her daughter 27 years ago when she was born.   

This is why I quilt and seeing this warms my heart.

The quilt was made with hot air balloon blocks from a long ago swap.  And was "so much" fun putting them all together when they were all different sizes. lol

Gratitudes:

1. Seeing one of my quilts from yrs ago still being used.

2. For the relationships with friends and family that have been and are a constant blessing to me.

ScrapHappy - August 2026

   Welcome to Scrap Happy Day where we post about the scrappy projects we've worked on over the past month.   

Be sure to check out what everyone else has done with their scraps this month - Kate, Eva, Sue, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Tracy, Jan, Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Claire, Jean, Dawn, Gwen, Sunny, Kjerstin, SueL,  Vera, Ann, Dawn2, Carol,  Preeti, Viv, Karrin, Amo, Alissa, Tierney, and Hannah

As my eyes have continued to heal, and I once again could see well enough to see to cut fabric for blocks, I started to work on a long-term project that will be a wedding present.   It's made with new fabrics, so won't be featured here.   

For my scrappy projects this month, I started with a buttoned pouch, Corner bookmark, and regular bookmark all made from scraps of a line from Moda.   The fabric is a lightweight canvas weight, and the scraps were bought 5 or so years ago at what used to be a fav quilt store for me.  Lace applique was one I picked up here in Phoenix probably about 15 yrs ago.

This mini wall-hanging started with an orphan block, bought 5+ yrs ago at the same quilt store as the above scraps.  Borders and backing were from remnants that I'd found at some point in the past.  Found the hanger online.   This was given as a gift for a cousin who got married 3 weeks ago.

Quilted postcards were the other scrappy projects finished up this month.  Bits of an orphan block, embroidered roses from a denim shirt I cut up years ago, a bit of embroidery from a piece my mom had started decades ago, and a scrap book finding were used for embellishment.   Fabrics were all scraps.

Bits of fabric leftover from previous projects, a silk flower and leave, button, and iron-on butterfly were used for these.

Iron-on appliques and a remnant of lace were used for embellishment.  scraps were leftover from the butterfly quilts of last month.

Tiny lace scraps, more scrapbooking trims, silk flowers, and buttons were used for these 4 cards.  Fabrics were scraps.  The two on the right started with bits of fabric with sayings about friends &B gardening.

And more scraps were used to make the backings for the postcards.  Some were pieced from pits and strips of light colored background fabrics.

Gratitudes:

1. I'm finally coming to the end of a very long 13 1/2  months of dealing with eye issues resulting from the torn retina and all that ensued after that.   Last appt (post op check) is today.

2. So thankful that with all procedures on the eyes are done and that I can finally see well enough to thread my sewing machines and needles!   Now to get back into the flow for cross-stitch.

Wedding Quilt Started

 Finally got to start a new project as my eyes heal!  My niece is getting married the end of September this year, and now that I can see clearly I'm finally feeling like I can trust myself to cut the strips needed for each block type I need to make.   The quilt pattern is based on the pattern found here - Sweet Retreat Bed Quilt.  Quilt is a take on an Irish Chain pattern.

Changes being made are to use an overall floral print instead of the large scale floral print used in the original, and colors have been adapted to what my niece said she likes.   Colors will include 3 shades of yellow & gold, 2 shades of green, the large-scale floral print featuring hydrangeas and roses, a coordinating smaller print, and a cream batik for the background fabric.    Final quilt will be a queen-size.

First 4 block 'types' are done - 2 sets of full blocks, and 2 matching sets of half blocks.  

Still to come - another set of full blocks and a set of matching half blocks, and a set of background blocks.

Gratitudes: 

1. For being able to find the coordinating print that I needed to make the block sets.  

2. For finally getting started on dealing with more health concerns.  Why does it feel like my "warranty" has expired and things are starting to wear out?