Showing posts with label Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Show all posts

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Sew & Tell - 5/25/26

Here we are nearing the end of the 5th month of year... the informal kick-off to the summer season.  Schools are wrapping up their year of education, and teachers and kids alike are looking forward to the time off.  Gardeners are busy with flowers and plants and some already harvesting some early produce.

I remember the times of having a (LARGE) home garden and the bounty that it produced.  Those times are long in the past since we moved to Colorado and the growing season is so short and overnight temps cool.  But I do have fond memories and am quite pleased that our oldest daughter has had success with a bucket garden and continues the tradition of canning homemade salsa and tomato sauce.

First, let's take a look this week's feature, Turid at Den Syende Himmel who shared a sample piece of Sashiko stitching.  She learned the technique in a Kate Ward workshop.

I've never done Sashiko before though I have seen it featured in several free workshops of late.  

You can develop many different designs and patterns... It reminds me of "chicken scratch", another style of embroidery and my years doing cross-stich.  Turid tends to make small quilts and projects and always has something fun and interesting to see.  Be sure to give her a visit.  Thanks for sharing, Turid! 


While we celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in the United States, we need to remember that it is much more than just a kick-off to summer.  It is a weekend (day) to remember the fallen soldiers that have defended the US and our freedom.  All gave some... Some gave all.  Learn more interesting details here.

I used some scraps to make up a quick improv flag and then used reverse applique to put it on a plain t-shirt.  It's a little wonky... but I won't mind.  Just pretend it is waving in a breeze. ;)


This shirt was a quick project as I took a break from working on my Pieces from the Past II quilt.  In the spirit of don't waste anything... I pieced together batting to use in this quilt.  

I pieced the backing as well.  I wanted to include the adorable goose print fabric.  The use of this fabric helped to make the blue flower print feel more comfortable in joining the party.
The garden theme is perfect!

I chose a traditional scroll design for the blocks.  My mind was stuck on a traditional design since the blocks are from vintage Kansas City Star Newspapers.

I considered something a little faster but really wanted to honor the history and family stories that this quilt represents.

I am nearly done with the design in each block and will be ready to quilt the sashing strips and borders.  Whether or not I am able to get the design idea from my head onto the quilt remains to be seen.  Fingers crossed that I am successful.


As I stitched I (of course) listened to some audio books. Anna Karenina was finished just before the expiration of my borrowing period.  Diann asked me if I was glad that I finished... The final chapter was filled with many deep and philosophical questions to ponder.  Was it worth it???  Well, I don't have any regrets, but I also question why the book needed to be so long just to get there.  If there is an abridged version, I'd choose that one. ;)

I enjoyed The Last Bookshop in London.  This historical WWII fiction showed how an individual can make a difference even when they don't feel that they can.

I'll need to pull out all of my Bookish Journey blocks and see how many I have.  We turn the page of the calendar in just 1 week...  A new chapter in the journey of 2026!

Other things that took place during the week... 

Block #9 of the Little House Sampler Quilt was released last week.  Missed it?  Prairie Rose can be found here.

The final post of the sew along will be published June 4th.  Details of the layout, borders and binding will be offered.


I assisted Dave as he applied the first layer of cement/stucco finish to the old window opening in the garage.  We've spent a fair number of Memorial Day weekends in the past working on the house... this one was no different.  In the guestroom, my Color Wash quilt was hung.

She's beautiful!  The guestroom will soon be occupied for a few days when our youngest daughter comes for a visit.  I'm looking forward to several days with her. 💗

Dave has been noticeably more intentional of not working on the weekends... at least not doing his "real" work in the shop.  He's always busy doing something around the house or yard.  

Being more aware of this, I keep reminding myself that I, too, can slow down and enjoy the entire process of quilting this Pieces From the Past revisited quilt since it is for me, I don't have anything new calling out for my attention and I don't have a deadline.  Sometimes it is difficult to change the mindset of "Go, go, go! Gotta get it done!"

How do you get yourself to slow down and enjoy the journey (not just the destination)?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Friday, February 13, 2026

Vintage Becomes New


A few months ago, I saw this cute little crazy quilt block on Kelly Cline Quilting (fb) that included an embroidered piece. I love the block, and I was pretty certain that I had a pillowcase with one of these kittens on it somewhere in my "vintage items to keep" box.  

This "VITK" box lives under my sewing table...

I kept thinking about it as I pieced my scrappy green wonky star blocks for my RSC (rainbow scrap challenge) quilt.  I made a few dark, I made a few light... positive and negative.  I was pleased with how they look. 💚 (why am I mentioning this project again?  Keep reading ;))


It was as I was digging for the embroidered pillowcases that I found a collection of green blocks that came from another quilter a few years ago.  The blocks were pieced so that they were a little (quite) imperfect but had lovely greens.  I sat down with my good friend, Jaqueline and started to part them out... in the end, I added two more lovely RSC blocks to my collection... left side top and middle.

While I did not find the pillowcases I was in search of, I did find lots of other treasures... some linen hand towels stitched by my Grandma T - Tressie - and a crocheted pansy doily.

Grandma was born February 16, 1915.  She loved the color yellow.  The two pieces looked like they belonged together and the vintage pieces quickly became something new... in her honor!

I marked the centers of both pieces (by pressing creases with a hot iron), made my quilt sandwich using Hobbs fusible batting (being careful to leave the center crease marks) and then pinned the doily into place.


I machine stitched the outer edges of the white portion of the doily down and then quilted the center star, following the wider lines.  

I pushed the pansies to the center so that they were out of the way and marked my quilting lines to reflect the scalloped edge of the center of the doily.  

The pansies were then pressed back into place, pinned.  I then hand-stitched the outer edges.


The binding matches the backing from Connecting Threads - Swallowtail Grove.  I sewed the binding to the front and then hand-stitched the binding to the back with an exposed running stitch.  I made sure I added in two labels.  One to show I had made it... and one was just for fun!

If you are interested in making a purchase from Connecting Threads, you can use the code ACTMelvaLovesScraps to receive 15% off, including sale items.



This was a fun and quick project and I love the result.


Here's one final look at the piece all washed and ready for its new home. 💜💛


I wanted to offer a brief update about the grandson's basketball game... He only had a few minutes of playing time in each quarter, but each time he scored!  His skills have improved since we last watched him in December and he was happy to see us.  


Heather dropped him off at the game and was picking him up but did not stay.  While disappointed, we made the most of our time with Ty.  I was able to use him as a courier for the valentine's cards I had with us.  I had fun making these up and Mom had fun as we made the stained-glass cards from her.
For those that offered up prayers for our time together... Thank you! 💗

Now... where did I see those embroidered pillowcases???

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, January 25, 2026

Cold Weather Sewing ~ Sew & Tell - 1/26/26



Welcome back to the deep freeze version of Sew & Tell.  I've heard that something like 75% (it may have been 90%) of the United States is below normal temps.  I also heard that in the wee hours of Friday morning our region (Southeastern Colorado) entered into a predicted 90 hours of below freezing temperatures. 😭


No fear, we are prepared.  Our pantry and freezer are well stocked as is the propane tank. Since I have nothing to be overly concerned about, I have been happily sewing in the studio.  But before I show and tell let's take a look at our featured quilter.  Kate at Life in Pieces has been "stitching to her plan" and moving forward in turning quilt tops into finished quilts.  

She shared that she also went off script and has a fabric pull ready to participate in a stash busting quilt along.  Her choices of fabric/color will be eye catching!  Head over to her blog to find the link for the quilt along.  Tell her hello and that Melva sent you. ;)


I've been working on using fabrics that were passed on to me by an acquaintance... not quilting fabric, but it was heavier duty fabric that I could use for the file/tool holders that I make twice a year.  The winter/spring semester is underway at the local college and the gunsmithing students will need these to protect their very expensive metal and wood files from being damaged in transport to and from classes.

As one would expect, most of the students in the gunsmithing program are male.  Surprisingly, though, they are not afraid to purchase file rolls with floral prints or girly colors because they are less likely to be stolen and more easily identifiable across the room.  

Because of the large donation of fabric I had received, I am able to keep the price as it has been for a few years, despite the increased cost of the materials.  I like to be able to pass those savings on the students.

I am nearly done with the pattern writing and blocks for the Little House Sew Along.  The formal announcement is coming at the end of this week as I fill the role of TGIFF Hostess.  I have the post written and ready to go and I think I have all the important information for you.

What sort of questions do you want answered before committing to a new sew along?

Leave a comment... I'll be sure to get those answered for you.


As a break from the LH quilt, I decided to pull out my blue scrap bins again.  I decided that I would create some "negative" scrappy, wonky star blocks to go with the blue blocks I already made.  Negative meaning that the stars were in blue with scrappy neutrals to make the blocks.  


I listened to two books this week.  The Peacock Emporium was a long book and I honestly had a difficult time keeping track of characters and times.  It was "meh" to me... I did enjoy portions of it, so it wasn't a total loss, and I can say that I stuck with it and finished it.  Earning me the "right" to make a block. ;)

I needed something lighter and familiar, so I listened to Charlotte's Web.  The edition I listened to offered an interesting afterward that told of the writing process and notes by the author.  I found it interesting to see/hear how the initial idea of the story morphed and changed to what it eventually became.  

When I had these two blocks ready for hand sewing "sometime in the future" I decided that I didn't want to wait any longer.  Though, rather than hand sewing, I did machine piece all of my Bookish Journal Blocks.


Here they all are together. 

I am currently listening to Breaking Free by Lauraine Snelling.  

I have several more books in queue but will leave those for a future post as I summarize my January bookish journal next week when January is complete.

My goodness!  January is nearly over.  It hasn't felt rushed and chaotic and I've enjoyed the pace.  I'll be glad when the deep freeze is over and gone.  That's all for this week.  Stay warm... and

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, January 11, 2026

Scraps & Bits ~ Sew & Tell - 1/12/26


It's been a calm and productive week in the studio of Melva Loves Scraps and I am relishing the quieter routine of winter and the presence and prevalence of Shalom.  But before I get into that let's take a look at this week's randomly selected feature... Alycia at Alycia Quilts showed off her January Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.  She calls them Chunky Churndashes.  They're fun and bright!  And I am guessing that they will be paired with some red blocks to become a Quilt of Valor.  I mean, Alycia is the QUEEN of QOV, at least in my eyes. ;)

Head over to her blog to learn about the pattern and read about her scrap organization method.  It seems much more organized than my big scrap bin of bits and pieces just tossed in. LOL!

I also started my Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I made three scrappy, wonky star blocks in varying shades of blue as I listened to Eat, Pray, Love.

I mused about the author's worldly travels and asked myself if I would ever be brave enough to travel by myself... World travel?  Probably not.  Though I do think I would be brave enough (if something happened to Dave tomorrow) to buy myself a campervan and do some traveling within the US.  I'd start with some closer-to-home destinations first and then venture just a bit further.

My college roomie has a group of ladies that have done international travel... that is something I could be interested in.  Group travel... sign me up! ;)


When I finished listening to Eat, Pray, Love I started looking in the scrap bin and stash for fabrics to represent my block for the Bookish Journal.  I knew what I had in mind, but I also knew I didn't have any fabric that had spaghetti on it.  LOL!  I also couldn't find the specific fabric I wanted for "Pray".  

Fruit for the Eat, a stained glass look for Pray as it represents, in my mind, a sanctuary and roses and hearts for Love.  That was fun!


Though technically not IN the studio, I've spent time on the computer creating the Little House Sew Along logo and began writing out the first patterns.  It can be a tedious process.  I've used most of the blocks in previous sew alongs but they need to be re-sized for this sampler quilt.  I'm writing out some of the math lessons as I go.  


I'm not able to listen to books when I am writing but I did enjoy a lighthearted book by Melody Carlson entitled The Christmas Tree Farm as I sewed on the hanging sleeves for the Color Wash Quilt.  I sewed one at the top edge and then I sewed on small sections in the middle.  the pockets on the edges have the ends sewn shut and I have taped the dowels together in the middle so that they can't slip or push in which causes the widest point to sag.

The Christmas Tree Farm was a short book and just what I needed to get out of my head and overthinking life.  I recently saw a meme that had someone saying to a person with their head in a book... "You spend so much time reading that you are going to lose touch with reality."  The response was, "Have you seen reality lately?"  Hahaha.  Sometimes we need to escape!

Some people travel, some read, some sew or quilt or craft...  Do you remember the Calgon commercial?  "Calgon, take me away!"  Now I'm just dating myself. LOL!

When the world gets a little too real for you, how do you "escape"?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

By, the way... Thank you for all of the book recommendations last week!  I have a list a mile long and will begin making my journey through them.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, September 28, 2025

Hexagon Color Wash ~ Sew & Tell - 9/29/25



Many thanks to all that joined last week's party.  There were many lovely projects shared, and this week's feature is Sharon at Dragon's Heart Quilting.  Sharon was inspired by a pile of triangles left over from a previous finish.  She then selected a great pattern to use some batik "scraps"...  Bonnie Hunter's "Twirl Around."

Great choice for the "scraps" Sharon!

Sharon stated that she doesn't tend to make many quilts with so many HST because trimming to size was time consuming since she made her units oversized.  

This is something I do as well!  I do it on purpose when writing patterns so that I or a beginning quilter can have better success in achieving precise points when the blocks are complete.  For example, if I am making a 3-1/2 half-square triangle unit, I will write the pattern to use 4" squares and then trim to size after pressing.  Many patterns will call for 3-7/8" squares.  If you are a very consistent and precise "scant 1/4-inch sewist", that's great.  

I, however, find that when I end up with some wonky blocks that are not perfectly square.  That's why I over-size my units.

Which school are you from?  
Precise measurements?  
Or "give me a little wiggle room?"

Last week was, again, a slow week in the studio.  Dave and made arrangements to combine a get-away and accomplish some errands and shopping... BOTH of which we needed to do.

Nessie was spotted. ;) Do you see it?

We went to Pueblo State Park.  We picked up assorted parts and supplies for Dave and the water system and dropped off a few items for jewelry repair.  And then... we did some shopping for a hot tub.

We had acquired a hot tub in 2004 when my Grandma T moved from Tucson to Trinidad.  It came with her house, and it made her nervous.  Every week she would ask me "what am I going to do with that pool?"  I would reassure her that we would get it moved out of her yard soon.  It was a few months since we had to wait for spring to arrive and get the wiring prepared.  (She moved into the house in January.)  We enjoyed it for at least 10 years and had to replace a few parts along the way but when the computerized mother board failed, it was time to part ways.  It was a very, very sad day.


We have wanted to replace it for several years but right away was not an option since our business, Nolan Quality Customs was still getting established, and the funds were tight.  With each additional year of our lives and the increasing aches and pains that come with aging, the desire has increased.

We found a good deal on a 4-person tub, 2023 model, and our excitement has continued to grow with each passing day.  If I close my eyes, I can almost feel the warmth of the water and feel the pains begin to melt away.  Not that we need a 4-person tub... Afterall, as a friend states... Hot tubbing is really a 2-person sport. LOL!  

But enough on that...

I prepped nearly 70 hexagons while driving and excitedly pulled out the main piece of the RSC project when we got home.  I was ready to lay them out.  Sadly, I have discovered that I am still way short of completing it. :(


I think, now seeing where I am at, I need to extend the green even further down (center - maybe even blend into yellow?), find more orange to extend that as well (on the right)... and blend into more pinks (on the left) and then fill in with browns, greys and black and whites/creams.  Oh, but for now... I will collect up all of the prepared pieces and tuck them and the main piece back into the closet.

I am ready to move onto a new project.  Nothing new in mind... Throw me some suggestions!

Time to start the party!  Be sure to tell your friends to join too. 

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Friday, September 5, 2025

Rainbow Korner Kabin


The last of the summer days were bright and cheerful... how could they NOT be?  My RSC Kabin Korner blocks were on the design wall as it waited for borders - a scrappy checkerboard border seemed just right, followed by a large floral print.

After getting the garage door installed on Sunday, Monday morning welcomed me as I placed the rainbow quilt under the needle of my machine, poised ready to quilt in large Baptist fans.

A lavender purple thread was the top thread, and a deep purple was in the bobbin, both Aurifil 50-wt thread.  It didn't take long to have the quilting done.  I had the rainbow striped binding already prepared and before I knew it... It was done!





Striped backings are always a challenge to get perfectly straight...
So, I made sure the back was perfectly wonky


This quilt is a gift for a very special person, Darlene.  Darlene and I met each other 26 years ago when we attended a Christian women's weekend.  Through the years we would meet up again when we were both a part of the teams that help to make the weekend retreats run smoothly.

Darlene will be leading a women's weekend in October, and this quilt will be gifted to her at that time.

Shhhhh... don't tell! lol.  ðŸ˜‰

I have so many thoughts and memories connected to this quilt, the women's weekends I have participated in and helped to lead and how God is forever faithful... and how the rainbow is a message and sign of that faithfulness directly from God Himself.  



When I was in my HS youth group, we attended a youth conference held in Estes Park.  One year's theme was the Rainbow Connection.  The main song of the conference was that song as sung by Kermit the Frog.  I've have always loved the song... so if you have seen the pictures on insta and fb, you have heard Kermit singing Rainbow Connection.

You probably noticed that the backing is not straight.  I actually did that on purpose.  Getting striped backing to be perfectly straight can be challenging.  So, I used a trick that I use when scrapbooking.  If you know you can't write in a straight line, or get stickers on perfectly straight... make them wonky and "imperfect" on purpose.

Have you ever tilted a striped backing?
Or do you just avoid striped backings?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, August 31, 2025

August Summary and Sew & Tell ~ 9/1/25


What a month August was!  So much happened and yet, in a sense, time stood still.  We had guests and played tour guide.  We "unplugged" for several days for a respite from work.  We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary.  

And I made quilts! Four quilts were completed and 5th "topped" it off as I am ready to get it sandwiched and quilted.

A quick review...


I kicked off the start of August with Madam Butterfly and her photo shoot...  Purple was the color of the month in July.


The color of the month for August was aqua... Using larger chunks of scrap fabric, I created the Aqua (Viridian's) Chain quilt.  


It was closely followed by the finish of my Teal/Red Hawaiian print quilt that I started hand-quilting several months ago.  The backing of this quilt added a fun pop to the quilt.


Quilt #4 is my Aqua Star (my favorite finish of the month) - an aqua and white string-pieced quilt with a splash of yellow that makes it glow!

With the completion of Aqua Star, I pulled out my collection of RSC Korner Kabin blocks and placed them on the design wall.  Once pleased with a layout of color flow that pleased me, I joined the rows.  I was unsure of what sort of border it needed... the idea of scrappy4-patch blocks with colors coordinated to their neighboring blocks came to mind.  I contemplated it as I did laundry and cleaned house and decided that my idea would, indeed, work.

I drug out my large bin of small scraps and started digging.  It took all afternoon to get the pieces cut and placed on the wall.  With each square it was like an archaeological dig... "oh, this was from a scrub top I made for Heather.  I made pajama pants for Rebecca with this fabric... and so on, and so forth."  And several times I said, "I didn't realize there was anything left from making that quilt!"  Hahaha.  I really do believe that fabric scraps are like rabbits and continually multiply and grow!


With the 4-patch border on the Korner Kabin quilt, it still asked for more.  I pulled out the bag of fabric strips that came from my SIL and the era of when she did crochet fabric items such as bathmats and Christmas tree skirts.  The bag of strips that I have are a large floral print with cabbage roses.  After auditioning on the wall, I added a border which gave the eyes relief with a solid, not-pieced, border, and still had colors that blended with the blocks.  A solid fabric border looked out of place and the bold/bright rainbow stripe didn't look right either... a pastel stripe would have been perfect but did not exist in my stash.  Make do with what I have is the mantra lately.

Last week we received two emails informing us that our insurance premiums would be increased.  Homeowners insurance was going to increase nearly $650/year... and our medical insurance was going up as well - $50/month.  OUCH!

I/we wallowed in the dismal news for a few hours... I then gathered information required to search for new options and we made phone calls.  We found a good option for the homeowners and were able to make an adjustment in our medical deductible so that we can save a few some money and afford a few other necessities of life... like food!  (And a new garage door.) 

I digress... I'll soon be sandwiching and then marking for quilting.  I have planned for a large Baptist fan design... a representation of a rainbow. 🌈  This quilting task will have to wait for a day because I need to go help install our 40th anniversary gift to each other... a new garage door!  
This is exciting stuff! LOL!  Though it is not a traditional gift of rubies, it is something that we have needed for some time.  Like when we bought this house 30+ years ago.  Dave has held it together and kept it rolling safely... and he has said for the past 10 summers... we are going to replace that garage door this summer. Hahaha!  Two years ago, we actually ordered one on-line but then received notice that the order was cancelled.  I don't remember what the reason was... possibly that delivery to our area was not available... but we took it as a sign that it was not to happen. This year when Dave said it again, we ordered on-line in July... it was delivered just before our anniversary on the 10th. 

We know many people that have a garage but seldom use it for parking their cars because it is so full of "stuff".  We have lots of stuff too... but we have strong, sturdy storage shelves to hold all of it. ;)  We are slowly clearing out the "stuff" that was so important to keep.  Like all of the baby stuff for the girls.  Remember, I made a quilt for Rebecca?  We have bins full of 5mm home movies (and projector) that have all been converted to VHS and then digitized.  Why do we keep the originals???

I am reminded, once again, that holding on to "stuff" is not best.  From Matthew 6...

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Ok... Wow, I am all over the place!  Rabbit holes are funny, right?  You start on one topic and somehow end up on a completely unrelated one.  Thanks for tagging along on mine.  

It is time to take a look at this week's feature... Melisa at Pinker 'n' Punkin Quilting shared progress on several quilty projects... including her hexagon flowers.  Aren't they cheerful and happy looking?  head over to her blog to see what other projects she has in the works.

I've been digging in some of the original flour sack fabrics that I have from my Grandma S. and have some plans for small flowers to be appliqued onto a few more shirts... and maybe some tiny pincushions. 

I'm not sure why my brain is bouncing all over the place... most of the time I am more focused and don't really like the bouncing. But when creative ideas come calling, I have learned to make notes and save pictures in my creative inspiration folders... and hang on tight!  It's usually a fun ride.

Are you a focused, one project at a time kind of quilter?

Or do you have many projects going at once... like a circus juggler or plate spinner?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Time to party!  Be sure to invite your friends to join too. :)

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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