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Saturday, December 26, 2020

Last Scrappy Rainbow Saturday of 2020

Another year of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is coming to an end. As always, there have been countless numbers of amazing rainbow quilts made by the participants. I am continually blown away by their creativity! I am also deeply appreciative of their continuing support and encouragement.

Of course, the main person to thank is Angela, who is our wonderful hostess of the RSC. She created the Rainbow Scrap Challenge in 2011 and has kept it going ever since. Thank you so much Angela for all your hard work through the years!

I started 2020 with two new projects for the RSC, plus one that carried over from 2019. Around mid-year, one unplanned rainbow quilt joined the lineup. It's almost the end of the year, and all four of my RSC projects are now finished quilt tops!

The quilt that carried over from 2019 was my Orange Peel Rainbow quilt. I started this hand applique project as a way to fill the time on my morning train rides to work. I made about a dozen blocks each month in the assigned RSC color. The last blocks were appliqued in mid-August, and they were all joined together a week later.

Orange Peel Rainbow, 36.5" x 48.5"

The unplanned rainbow project for the year was the Scrap Snap QAL. I discovered this pattern in May and couldn't resist jumping in, even though I was several months behind. The blocks were very easy to make, perfect during a pandemic. My original plan was to catch up on the months I had missed, then make the rest of the blocks each month as part of the RSC. It turned out that I couldn't resist making all the different colors over the summer. Before I knew what was happening, I had a finished quilt top that I call Rainbow Cascade.

Rainbow Cascade, 60.5" x 72.5"


Of the two new projects planned for the RSC in 2020, the first to get assembled was the Scrappy Bear Paws. Each month I made a 14" block, although a couple of them were later deconstructed to use in the setting triangles when the quilt top came together. This quilt top was finished in November.

Scrappy Bear Paws47.75" x 68.75"


My last RSC project for 2020 was completed on Christmas Eve. My inspiration was the Square Dance block, shared by the Stashbuster Challenge at Border Creek Station. It's basically a double four-patch block with strategic color placement. I figured out a plan for my quilt at the very beginning of the year, then started making 30-32 blocks each month based on the Rainbow Scrap Challenge colors. I ended up with over 300 blocks, which have all been joined together. The only decision that hasn't been made yet is whether to use the blocks in one large throw quilt (60 x 80") or two smaller quilts (40 x 60"), which would be a good size for little kids. For now, I have two separate tops, but they could easily be joined together into one. This is my Rainbow Square Dance!

Rainbow Square Dance x 2, each top = 40" x 60"

I started participating in the RSC back in 2013, and I'm pretty sure that this is the first time I got all of my rainbow projects for the year assembled into tops before the end of the year. Of course, getting them quilted and finished may take much longer, but I'm thrilled to have all of these projects done to this stage.

I'm always looking for new ideas for future rainbow projects, and there are far too many wonderful designs out there! It's so hard to limit my choices for next year to a "reasonable" number. I've already started a new hand-piecing project, my Glorified 9-Patch blocks, which will carry over through 2021.


I will probably also do 2-3 more rainbow projects for next year. I've decided on one, but the others are still up in the air. Maybe I will have it figured out by next week!

I am linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge on Saturday and with Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework on SundayI hope you are all staying well and getting lots of quilting done!

Julie in GA 

31 comments:

  1. Congratulations on getting the Rainbow Square Dance blocks sewn together! It looks fabulous. One quilt or two? Either would be fabulous depending on what would be most loved. The Orange Peel Rainbow turned out so beautifully, and the Bears Paw blocks also evolved into such a great top! Looks like another productive rainbow year. Looking forward to 2021

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  2. that is a great rsc accomplishment - I look forward to your projects next year

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  3. Lots of great finishes here !!! Beautiful quilts, Julie. Happy New Year!

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  4. You never fail to inspire. Your RSC quilts are beautiful. One or two......hmmm depends on the end intent. One to snuggle under yourself or 2 to give away. I really like how your bear paw turned out. Can't wait to see what you come up with for 2021. I always struggle with those decisions too.

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  5. Congratulations on these gorgeous Rainbow quilts. Your Glorified 9-Patch quilt already has the potential for another wonderful quilt. Cheers! ;^)

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  6. congrats on all your beautiful finishes! i've been doing RSC since 2014, and i'm with 'ya on loving our colorful quilting community!

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  7. oh wow!! these are beautiful!! I love them all - Rainbow cascade is impressive!!

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  8. Wow - each one of your quilts is so pretty. Square Dance really catches my eye. Good job for 202!

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  9. So many beauties here. I don't know where to look :-) Love the Cascade - so simple and so striking. The Orange Peel looks awesome as well. May your creativity continue in the new year.

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  10. Hi,
    Awesome quilts..and all are beautiful.
    Have a great day!

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  11. It's so fun to see all of your RSC projects in one post, Julie - each is uniquely beautiful! You have a gift for color placement. I'll enjoy seeing these again as you finish them, too!

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  12. Congratulations on the finishes! I have loved watching these grow over the months.

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  13. Just lovely quilts! Your RSC projects came together beautifully..
    Hugs from cold SE CT Julierose

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  14. You are one of the people we all look to for great ideas and stunning quilts. Thanks so much for a year full of joy! Every single one of your creations is achingly beautiful, I can’t wait so see what you’ll be up to in 2021.

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  15. I can't decide which one is my favourite ..... they are all wonderful!

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  16. Congrats on finishing up your Rainbow Square Dance quilt top(s)! SEW pretty. I have to say that Scrappy Bear Paw is my favorite of the projects you've made this year. That's saying something, as I didn't think anything could capture my heart more than your Orange Peel Rainbow that I've been drooling over for months and months!!

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  17. All of them are beautiful! Pretty patterns, they are good ideas for future rainbow quilts ;)

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  18. You do such glorious work and I have always enjoyed reading about your RSC projects, the orange peel in particular is a real favourite of mine. Congratulations they all look wonderful!

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  19. You've had a stellar year for RSC, even though there's not a star in sight. They are all wonderful inventive and striking. I can't pick a favorite. Looking forward to your plans for 2021.
    Pat

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  20. They're all amazing, and so different! It's hard to pick a favorite. I do really like the bear paws, but then the rainbow cascade seems so appropriate for 2020 -- like there IS still joy and beauty in the world, you just have to look past the darkness to find it! Merry Christmas and happy new year!

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  21. Love your rainbow cascade. I’m having to study it to see how you did it. Love the greys at top and bottom.

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  22. Beautiful projects. I just might have to make a Scrap Snap for next year's RSC.

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  23. You always have such cool RSC projects. It's hard to pick a favorite from this set, they are all colorful and bright. Looking forward to seeing more scrappy goodness from your sewing machine next year.

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  24. All of your RSC quilts are so gorgeous! I loved reading about how you appliqued the orange peel blocks on the train on the way to work. What a nice way to start the day.

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  25. Nice job finishing these tops! I dipped my toe in this year and started an RSC project. I plan to add to it in 2021, and maybe start a new one. I am impressed with how many you've done!

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  26. I always enjoy your RSC quilts. The orange peel is one of my favorites. It is stunning!

    Thanks for linking up with Oh Scrap! See you in 2021

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  27. All your rainbows are glorious! I'm glad I don't have to pick a favorite because I love them all!

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  28. All of your rainbows are amazing! That orange peel made my heart sing! Congratulations for assembling so many blocks into tops!

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  29. You need to get a Blue Ribbon for your beautiful quilts! A lot of hard work went into them!!! congratulations.

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  30. Wow, Julie - I’d forgotten that all of those quilts were made this year - congrats on the finishes - they are all amazing! Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for 2021!

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