Round To It

That old expression - 'When I get round to it'. Well half the year is gone, so getting round to it needs to be replaced with 'get it done'. Where did the time go? It called for urgency to re-organize, re-do lists, and put all those little ducks in a row.




BLOCKS DONE

I finished the next block for the 12 of Hearts BOM on Raspberry Rabbits. I need to decide what fabrics I want to use for this and start to building these blocks. I like this FQ and may find something that works with it.

And the next block for Clover and Violet's stitch and quilt along is done. All the base blocks are done on this, so it's just waiting for each stitchery to add.






SQUARED UP

So many asked about the Cookie Crumbs quilts, that I promised a tutorial, so I am using it for my SQUARED UP section. Also, Linda over at eatsleepquilt has a segment on making fabric with scraps that works well with this.

This is just a small portion of my scraps - I know, just awful! But I like to work this way, just dump and rummage. More fun with this project is if you have some little ones to help. I like to dump onto the middle of the floor and let my grandson pick out the 'goodies' - kids see colors so differently then we do.

First we need some 'skinnies'. I already had seperated some and had them in a bag to keep them from knotting and raveling until use. Colors and fun prints, sections fussied from a section - anything goes. Anyone who likes to control their work probably has the shivers now.

Then we need the 'crumbs'. Probably you don't keep this small, but I don't throw out - obviously! This is where those little eyes and fingers really help - look for those hidden treasures.

Just sew those bits along your strips, take to the ironing board and press out, then snip them apart. Now you have some new 'crumbs' to play with. And as you can see, there are many different shapes which adds to the fun of this.

Just keep adding your crumbs to strips, round and round - no real method - until they are large enough to cut a square from. The size is up to you, but I wouldn't go over 6.5" as you lose the whole fun of the blocks when they get too big. I like to use 3.5" or 4.5" which makes these blocks work up very quickly.

Another method is to use those left over triangles - I have a special container for them. Use just as is, make HST's, or do up some pinwheels. Again keep them small and add some of those skinny strips to add to color and design.

Another type of block - skinnies. Just keep sewing them in rows. Again having a little one pick the colors and patterns adds to the fun of these blocks.

I make the skinnies a little longer/larger than needed and then trim to size - save those extras for your next starter crumbs! You keep the straight, cut on an angle - you can see some were short, so I just added a piece to them - anything goes. Let go of that controll rein!

How about some paper piece blocks to use those small scraps. These were actually pulled from my Orphan box - I have a tendancy to make more than one, have an extra on hand or to use to make up a quick card. But I also print one or two extra, so I have a quick source for a fun project.


***GIVE AWAY***

Here is the Cookie Crumbs quilt. And since I have a pile of 100 blocks now - yes, that many I played with while making up this tutorial - I need to get rid of them. I have plenty of crumb quilts in the shop, so I am giving these blocks away - with maybe a few other goodies. So if you would like 100 (4.5") crumb blocks to start you on your way to a Cookie Crumbs quilt of your own - just let me know in the comments. I will pull a name on Sunday July 24th.

REMINDER

Hope you are planning to play with us on Saturday, July 23 at the Crafters Campfire. Gather those traveling or camping crafts, a yummy recipe - Mr. Linky will be available so we can all share.

CLOSING THOUGHT

The only way round, is through.
Robert Frost

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon