Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013 + Ideas for 2014

It's time to be figuring out my plans for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2014. I have had such a great time participating in the challenge through 2013 and look forward to another year of scrappiness. Angela is the leader of the challenge, and she has even set up a Pinterest page with plenty of rainbow quilt inspiration.

My main RSC project for 2013 has been making Dancing Stars blocks. I had hoped to get them all joined together before the end of the year, but it doesn't seem like that will happen. I've got my blocks up on the wall and have started joining them together, but decided to hold off until I have a better plan for quilting them. I might try quilting in sections, then join the sections together. I need to do some samples before I continue putting blocks together.

My other RSC project from 2013 was my Hexie Stars and Snowflakes. This project was started in August to give me some hand stitching to do on my morning train commutes. I have completed 4 months and will continue making these in 2014.

I have been looking at lots of ideas for next year's project, but am having a hard time making up my mind. One possibility is to make more of these stars, which have been sitting around for more years than I care to remember. They were made after I got the book LeMoyne Stars Made Easy by Sharyn Squier Craig. They look like the perfect rainbow project!

Another option is to combine the Rainbow Scrap Challenge with a new Scrappy Challenge by Judy Laquidara at Patchwork Times. Judy is going to assign a block each month with the idea that participants make whatever number of blocks they wish in that month. More details are available here. 

Check out the Rainbow Scrap Challenge posts every Saturday to see how others are using up their scraps. So many beautiful projects! 


Julie in GA

Scrappy Hexies 12/7/13

I have finally finished up my hexie star in brown, the color for November at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Just one more little brown snowflake, then I will be all caught up on the hexies. It's a good thing Angela didn't assign a color for December. I will be able to finish off these hexies, and I hope to get my Dancing Stars blocks joined together by the end of the month.

I am linking up to Angela's blog for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and to Hexie Friday at A Quilting Reader's Garden 
Julie in GA

Scrappy Saturday 11/30/13

I have been making Dancing Stars blocks all year as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I just checked Angela's blog post for this week and discovered that there will not be a new color assigned for December. It is our chance to catch up on any colors that fell behind or to start putting our blocks together. That is just the news I was hoping for--I don't think I could wait much longer to join these blocks into a quilt! Here are all the colors together, sparkling against the black background.

At last count, I had a total of 135 star blocks made for this quilt, averaging about a dozen of each color. The pattern calls for 98 blocks to make a throw quilt, which finishes at 60" x 68". I might opt to add an extra row of blocks in each direction to make it into a larger quilt, or else the extra blocks could become a kid's quilt or wallhanging. For anyone interested, the Dancing Stars pattern is a free download from Amy's Creative Side.

My carryover project will be to finish up my brown hexie star and snowflakes. One snowflake is finished, and all the hexies for the star have been sewn into rows that need to be joined together.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--check it out every Saturday to see many great projects and ideas. 

Julie in GA

Chocolate Scrappiness 11/23/13

My brown Dancing Stars blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge were finished up last weekend. I hope to have a chance over the long Thanksgiving weekend to put some of them up on the design wall along with the colors from previous months. I can't wait to start joining them all together! 

I have also been joining together my brown hexies. The first "snowflake" is nearly complete, and next I will get going on making the big star.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--check it out every Saturday to see many great projects and ideas. I am also linking up to Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts to share hand stitched projects. I'm a day late for Hexie Friday at A Quilting Reader's Garden, but I will link up there too.

Julie in GA

Scrappy Saturday 11/16/13

This has been a good week for working on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects. I finished basting the brown hexies and have started joining them together. I have more than enough done to make a star and two snowflakes.

I also finished six more Dancing Stars blocks in browns this week. It is so exciting to see all the different colors come together. Only one more month to go with these, then they will get joined together!

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--check it out every Saturday to see many great projects and ideas. I am also linking up to Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts to share hand stitched projects.

Julie in GA

Weekend Scrappiness 11/9/13

I didn't quite finish my black & grey scrap projects for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge before the end of October, but I did get the last hexie star done just a couple days later. The photo is a little dark, but here are all my hexies from October.

I have been basting brown hexies for November. I have almost enough basted to make one hexie star, and plenty of scraps for cutting more brown hexies. I hope to make one star and two snowflakes by the end of the month. There should be some time to work on these tomorrow.

I have also finished up my first three Dancing Stars in brown for November. There are more of these already in the works which should appear in coming weeks.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--check it out every Saturday to see many great projects and ideas. I am also linking up to the monthly In Hand EPP Party at splish splash stash and to Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts.

Julie in GA

Scrappy Brown Saturday

I had hoped to finish my hexie star and snowflakes in black and grey for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge by the end of October, but still have a little left to stitch on the star. Today was the first time I had a chance to start pulling out my brown scraps and strips. I have been trying out color combinations for my Dancing Stars blocks. The strips are laid out on solid black because that is the background color for the blocks, and I need to make sure they won't blend in too much. Looking at the photo, I think I need a little more contrast in a few of the pairs, and that pale one across the center just jumps right out at me. 

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--check it out every Saturday to see many great projects and ideas. 

Julie in GA

Black Stars and Hexies

Another month nearly gone, and what do I have to show for it quilt-wise? Our colors for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this month were black and grey, and I did complete 11 Dancing Stars blocks to add to the blocks from previous months. I had my doubts about including these colors, but I think they will look great will all the brights.

I have also been making hexagons all month. I kept thinking it was time to start joining them together into stars and snowflakes, but then I would find some more fabrics that I wanted to include. I have finally put a stop to adding any more fabrics and started sewing hexies together. I finished the snowflake Friday night and have the pieces laid out for one large star. I don't know what will happen with all those extras--they will probably have to wait for their chance next year!

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--check it out every Saturday to see many great projects and ideas. I am also linking up with Slow Stitching Sunday over at Kathy's Quilts and to Scrap Basket Sunday at Kim's Big Quilting Adventure. It's one big scrap-happy weekend!

Julie in GA

Black and Grey Scrappiness 10/19/13

I finished another batch of black and grey Dancing Stars blocks. This brings me to 11 in this set--not bad for a color combo I wasn't even sure I wanted to include in my blocks. They will provide a wonderful contrast to all my bright colored blocks.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--check it out every Saturday to see many great projects and ideas!

Julie in GA

Saturday in Black and White

I wasn't sure that this month's colors of black and grey for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge would fit in with my earlier Dancing Stars blocks, especially since I have been using black for the background on my blocks. After pulling out a collection of scraps and auditioning them on the black background, I decided that all would be well as long as there was enough white mixed in with the black. Here is what I have completed so far. I am still planning to make some grey stars too.

I have also been busy making hexagons with my black and grey scraps. I still have quite a few more to baste before I begin joining them together into stars and snowflakes.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--check it out every Saturday to see many great projects and ideas!

Julie in GA

Slow Stitching Sunday 10/6/13

There has been a little progress on my Color Palette hexies in the past week, and I hope to get more done on it today. Maybe I can finish making all the side sections while watching the baseball game tonight (GO BRAVES!)

I have also pulled out some black and grey scraps and plan to start making more hexies with them for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

I am linking up with Slow Stitching Sunday over at Kathy's Quilts. Here's to taking it slow on Sunday! 

Julie in GA

Scrappy Saturday 10/5/13

This month's colors for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge are black and grey. Before I started pulling out my scraps of those colors, I needed to clear away the remaining blue scraps from last month. I still have a good sized stack of strips and squares sitting around. I ended up making some blocks in an attempt to use up at least a few of those scraps.

The blocks at the top of this photo were all made early in September. I had originally thought I might make a small quilt using the block at the upper left, which is a pattern called Peaches & Dreams by Judy Laquidara. I decided to adapt that pattern, which led to the group of blocks at the bottom. Those are what I made today. I like the way they look together, and might make enough additional blocks for a baby quilt.

I still haven't put away the rest of my light blue scraps, but I might start pulling out the black and grey anyway. I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--check it out every Saturday to see many great projects and ideas!

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA

Scraps and Hexies and Stars, Oh My! 9/27/13

One of the greatest things about blogging is discovering the unlimited creativity of other quilters. I am constantly amazed by all the incredible ideas floating around, and it is overwhelming how generous quilters are in sharing their designs and their tips and tutorials.

I especially love taking part in the link-ups on other blogs. Today's post is going to be linked to two blogs that I just discovered in the last few weeks, Hexie Friday at A Quilting Reader's Garden and the Paper Piecing Party at Quiet Play. On Saturday, I will also link up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and also to Scrap Basket Sunday at Kim's Big Quilting Adventure.

Both of my projects this week were started as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. For September our chosen color has been baby blue. I paper pieced nine light blue Dancing Stars blocks to add to those I have been making all year. Here they are on their own, plus combined with my darker blue blocks. If you are interested in this pattern, it is available as a free download at Amy's Creative Side.

Since August I have been working on some English Paper Pieced hexagons, also in the colors of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. The hexies have been the perfect portable project for me, and they generally go most everywhere with me. There will definitely be more hexies to come in future months.

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA

Return of Dancing Stars 9/21/13

Last weekend I kept fooling around with my collection of light blue scraps, trying to figure out what to make this month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I realized that I had several light blue fabrics that hadn't already been used in previous blue Dancing Stars blocks. After struggling to come up with something else to make from my scraps, it was rather comforting to get back to making these blocks. 

I have also continued hand stitching hexies during little chunks of time, especially riding the train to work in the mornings. It's such fun to see these pieces come together. I thought I would get the star finished last night, but we ended up going out to dinner and I had no energy for stitching by the time we got home.

You can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their baby blue scraps this month at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013.

Julie in GA

Singing the scrappy blues 9/14/13

For some reason, this month's Rainbow Scrap Challenge just isn't coming together like I had hoped. Last week I pulled together a good collection of baby blue scraps and strips and squares. I tried out a couple of ideas for what to make with all those bits and pieces, but none of the blocks I've made so far are making me happy. I just can't figure out where I am going.

The only real progress I have made is with my scrappy hexies. I basted about 50 or so hexies and have started joining them together. One snowflake is together, and I think I have enough hexies left to make a star with them.

You can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their baby blue scraps this month at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013.

Julie in GA

Beginning with Baby Blue 9/7/13

I am taking a little break from the Dancing Stars blocks to decide if I want to make more in new colors or go with what is already finished. Right now I like the colors in the blocks that are done and am leaning toward just joining them together into a lap quilt or large wall hanging. Stay tuned for further developments.

I finished up my scrappy red hexies by making another "snowflake" at the top left. The hexies have turned out to be a great portable project for me, so I expect to continue with those in other colors.

I wasn't too excited when I found out that baby blue is our chosen color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this month. My Dancing Stars blocks had both bright and lighter colors in each block, so I had already used some of my light blue fabrics. However, after digging through my bins of strips and scraps, I discovered that I have a pretty decent collection of light blue fabrics, plus a few brighter blues and some whites with blue thrown in. I cut out some hexies to get me started. Who knows what else will come out of this grouping over the next few weeks!

You can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their baby blue scraps this month at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013.

Julie in GA

Red Scrappy Stars 8/31/13

I don't have any new Dancing Stars blocks to show for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this week. The 12 red stars that I showed last week were all I needed to make this month. I now have just over 100 blocks made for this quilt, and 98 are needed for a throw size. I am still waiting to see what other colors are chosen for the next few months before I decide whether to make more or go ahead and join them together. Here are a few of each color up on the design wall.

My newest red scrap project has involved many hexagons. This turned out to be the perfect project to sew during my train commute to work each day. It worked out great to start my day with a little stitchery on the ride. I have made one "snowflake" and one bigger star with the hexies. I don't have a plan for what the finished quilt will look like, but I imagine the hexies will carry over into next year's scrap challenge. I am so excited by how they are turning out! I will link these up to Hexie Friday at A Quilting Reader's Garden.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013, where you can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their red scraps this month. I am also linking up to Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts. Check out the other posts featuring hand-stitched projects.

Julie in GA

Scrappy in Red 8/24/13

I finished the last of my red Dancing Stars blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this week. I ended up with 12 stars in red. I believe that brings me to just over 100 blocks finished at this point, and I need 98 of them for the throw size quilt. I haven't decided if I will keep making more blocks in the colors that are chosen for the remaining months of the year. I will probably try a few and see how well they fit in with the rest of the collection.

Lately my best opportunity for quilting time has been during my commute to and from work on the train each day. I started basting red scraps to hexagons, and this week I have been stitching them together. This is my first "snowflake" laid out and waiting for me to finish joining the hexies. I also have about 30 or 40 more red hexies basted and waiting their turn. I expect this project to carry over into next year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013, where you can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their red scraps this month. I am also linking up to Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts. Check out the other posts featuring hand-stitched projects.

Julie in GA

Red stars and hexies 8/17/13

So many red scraps, so little time! I am trying to keep up with my blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. This week I finished another 3 Dancing Stars blocks, bringing me up to 9 in red. For anyone interested in this pattern, you can find it as a free download at Amy's Creative Side.

I have been trying to figure out a hand sewing project to carry with me, and decided that my many red scraps and strips would work well for hexagons. I haven't decided yet what these will become, but there are lots of pieces precut for me to baste while I ride the train to and from work.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013, where you can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their red scraps this month. 

Julie in GA

Dancing Christmas-y Stars 8/10/13

Today I finished up three more red Dancing Stars blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I also completed two green stars that were hiding in my box of leftovers. They make a nice Christmas looking combination on the design wall.

I am enjoying a day filled with quilting today. I will spend part of it prepping all the pieces and the paper foundations for the rest of my red stars to make it easier to be productive when I squeeze in some time to sew next week.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013, where you can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their red scraps this month. 

Julie in GA