Tag Archives: Fabric

Scrap Bustin’

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This year I decided to participate in several Block of the Month (BOM) type Quilt-a-longs (QALs). One of them you already know about, Build A Quilt, hosted by Angela Walters of Quilting is My Therapy or possibly more popularly known as The Midnight Quilter on YouTube. Her Build A Quilt started in November so we’re already 3 blocks in. You can see my first two blocks in this post. Here is January’s block.

Wendy, from Pieceful Thoughts encouraged me to join the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Patterns by Jen. You can read more about this challenge by clicking on either link in the previous sentence and FYI this challenge comes w/chances to win prizes! January’s color is purple, inspired by Eggplant. I usually opt to make larger blocks but for whatever reason, I went w/the 6″ version. I may change my mind depending on how “challenging” these 6″ blocks end up being. =) Here is my purple, 2021 Monthly Color Challenge block.

The next couple of BOMs/QALs are just an impromptu idea I pushed on a couple of friends in an attempt to reduce my scraps. The rules are to make one block a month and “sew/show & tell” on the 4th Saturday of each month. I adore scrappy quilts and I think making a couple of scrappy blocks a month is low pressure but at the same time extremely gratifying. This will also force me to use my fabric cutter to tame this ridiculousness into some semblance of order, which I already started on this past weekend.

My 1st impromptu, Scrap Bustin’ BOM/QAL is the Japanese X+ Block. I used this tutorial for these first couple of 8″ blocks. Of course I made 2 blocks; one light version and one dark version. I will continue to make two a month but I plan to try this tutorial next month which makes a 12.5″ block.

My 2nd, impromptu, Scrap Bustin’ BOM/QAL is Criss-Cross Stars by Lori Holt. These blocks are so much fun that I made 4 of them! Two with dark backgrounds and two with light backgrounds. My faves are the ones w/the dark backgrounds.

I’m making the block that finishes at 9″ because it calls for 2.5″ and 3.5″ squares. And I have these two handy dandy dies that cut multiples of each. If I turn the 2.5″ strips perpendicular, I can cut multiple 2.5″ squares.

By the way, my cutter is an AccuCut GrandeMARK2 which is identical to the AccuQuilt Studio 2 and made by the same company.

A long time ago I used to strip my “leftover” fabric into 1″, 1.5″, 2″, and 2.5″ strips. I really should’ve continued doing that. I also should’ve started cutting squares, rectangles, HSTS, triangles, tumblers, etc., after I got this amazing fabric cutter and dies, but with this scrap bustin’ mission ahead of me, I’m finally starting to cut and organize my scraps and will continue to do so in the between times.

Since the 3rd Saturday of every month is the day I pick up the monthly Build A Quilt block pattern, this is the day I have reserved for making my BOM/QAL blocks.

How are y’all starting off your quilty year?

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, God Bless You and Happy Stitchin’!

A Thread for Life

To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24-25 NIV

Linking up at:

Needle & Thread Thursday

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?

Finished or Not Finished Friday

Beauties Pageant

Pastor Appreciation

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Have you ever walked into a quilt store and come across two fabrics that just had to be together in a quilt? Just two? Me neither, until I saw these.

They just spoke, “His & Hers” to me, and immediately I knew which couple I was making this quilt for AND exactly which pattern it would be.

The couple; my pastor and his wife. The pattern; Jacob’s Ladder in a Road to Arkansas layout (they are both from Arkansas). And the occasion; Pastor Appreciation, which is this month.

Here is one of the first blocks. Isn’t it just a perfect pairing?

And here’s a pic of it on the design wall.

The completed flimsy from 2 different angles.

The darker fabric reminds me of tire treads which makes it extra fitting for the “Road to Arkansas” layout.

I quilted “Flourish” from edge to edge.

I printed the label on my home printer using a handy dandy video tutorial by TheCraftyGemini. I used Steam-A-Seam to fuse the label to the back of the quilt and then I did a really awful stitch to secure it even more. LOL! I don’t think that label is going anywhere. LOL!

Pastor Appreciation is technically the 2nd Sunday in October but I couldn’t wait so I presented it to them on the 1st Sunday and it was well received.

I’ve been a member and regular attender of Relevant Church of Liberty for 2 years. Pastor Jeff is an anointed teacher and discipler. I am very grateful to be under his tutelage and part of his flock. With all the chaos, hate, and fear that is permeating our nation, I can’t even imagine living without the peace and protection of my savior Jesus Christ or the love and fellowship of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

The one good thing about Covid is that our church services are now live streamed every Sunday at 1030a CT on Facebook & YouTube, which means the message is available to those who can’t attend because of health concerns and it’s further reaching. Anyone, anywhere can watch from their phone or computer. If you don’t already attend church somewhere, or you just need to hear a word of hope, love, and encouragement, tune in. Set your hopes on God. I promise you will receive a relevant, biblical word and sound doctrine. Pastor Jeff also live streams bible study on Wednesday evenings at 7p on Facebook. Also, if there is ever anything you want/need prayer for, I will pray for or with you, just email me. There is power in prayer. Amen!

Thanks for visiting. Until next time Happy Stitchin’ and God Bless!

A Thread for Life

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth 2 Timothy 2:14–15 ESV

Linking up at:

Long Arm Learning

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?

Finished or Not Friday

Beauties Pageant

Be My Neighbor – A “Side” Project

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I decided to participate in a RBR activity at QA this year.

QA is Quilters Anonymous, which is a West Valley Chapter of the Arizona’s Quilters Guild, and the chapter I’m a member of.

Our RBR activity shares the same premise as a Round Robin, which is a small group activity where each person in the group contributes a round/row of a quilt for each other person in the group, and in the end, each member ends up w/a finished quilt top.

Our groups consist of 5 members. We each picked the “Row” pattern of our choice and made the first row. We then handed off our pattern, along w/fabric and special instruction to the next person on the list for them to make the next row. Each month we hand off to the next person on the list, and so on and so forth until everyone has done a row for each member, and we all have a completed quilt top.

I chose the Be My Neighbor pattern by Moda.

I’m primarily using Andover, Art Gallery, and Cotton & Steel fabrics.

Here are the blocks I made.

And here they are all sewn together to make my first row.

And here’s my first row w/my dog Moe in the pic.

This is not a complete row as I had to count my trees as separate blocks in order that everyone in my group would have 4 blocks to make. The last person will make the missing blocks from each row and then they’ll all be sewn together.

What a bright and cheerful neighborhood it will be!

Linking up at:

Let’s Bee Social

A Thread for Life

If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. – Prov‬ ‭3:28-29‬ ‭NLT‬‬