Monday, March 2, 2009

Spring Cleaning

It's March...yippee! Though we began ours in Kansas City with our first significant snow of the year, I'm still in the mood for spring and with spring comes spring cleaning in the form of some scrap reduction. I'm participating in Anina's Nothing But Scraps Challenge and this is my first 'nothing but scraps' project. She calls us the Scrappy Q's...Q is for Queen of course! Gotta love that! From my scrap boxes come, 'Boxed Scraps'. I improvisationally pieced scraps together until I had rectangles and then framed them in a coordinating solid. I have four panels done so far.
Red:
Orange:
Turquoise:
and Lime: Believe it or not....all from the scrap box!
I think they're pretty fun and are going to make a spectacular quilt. I'm working on pink, yellow and blue right now. Hmmm, that gives me 7...I'm not sure where to go next, but I sure am having fun with these.

Project Improv Update:
We added our 200th member! Welcome to all the new folks! Lots of blocks arrived this week. Here they are:
Nicolette – 3 blocks (Thanks for the fabric…I have an idea for it…and the Cath Kidson soap…lovely!!)
Molly – 1 block
Vicki – 1 block (Thanks for the fabric! We do need to get together to sew!)
Sarah – 3 blocks
Helen – 4 blocks
Caron – 11 blocks…yes, you read it correctly 11! Is that not the greatest! Thanks Caron!!!
Edith – 2 blocks
Laura G – 1 block
Marilyn – 1 block
Tina – 1 block
Cynthia – 3 blocks
Henny - 3 blocks and a gorgeous scarf from Indonesia. Thank you Henny. Your blocks are just fine as they are!!

Thanks everyone! The tops are coming together. If anyone has backing or binding fabric they would be willing to donate, now is the time. Some of you have already sent fabric. Thanks! The tops will be 48 x 60 and the backing fabric needs to be at least 4 inches larger on each side so use that as your guide. I can easily piece large sections into backs for the quilts. Think about the colorways and what would look nice for a back. Our longarmers have requested quilters cotton only please. That makes it easier for them, and we do want to help them out as much as possible.
The batting has arrived and Jackie and Pam are ready to start quilting. Quilts are starting to take shape. I’m excited. Drop me an email or a comment if you can send some backing/binding fabric.

56 comments:

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Hi, I can send backing, send me your address, Also I adore your scrap blocks!

pnkcndy at sbcglobal dot net

Christina Lane | The Sometimes Crafter said...

Individually, I love them...but all together they are spectacular! I can't wait to see the end product.

Kate Hart said...

I've been wanting to make my son a crayon box quilt and this gives me great inspiration for how to make the crayons. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

These are fabulous! And what a great way to use scraps - I cling to the smallest pieces of my favorite fabrics. I think my fav is the orange, but I think my real fav is going to be seeing them all together!

MightyMom said...

oooooooo I reallly like the blue one! and that green is weirdly cool

Anina said...

Those are wonderful! You have great scraps.

Marie' said...

Love, love love!!!!

Browndirtcottage said...

Lookin' good!!

Anonymous said...

Love your scrap quilts!!! Are you going to make one very big quilt out of all of them, or just keep them as small quilts????

I have a soft spot for the lime one, but I do like the others too!!!

You impress me with the quantity you produce!!!!

Keep it up - it's great eye candy!!!!!

Needled Mom said...

Awesome!!!! They look great.

MichelleB said...

I love them! I love the idea and the way they turned out. Wonderful.

Sara said...

I love those scrappy quilts/blocks, they are great. My favorite is the lime and then the orange. You have such talent.

Madge said...

those are so wonderful!

Kerri said...

oh, i love it so far!! what a great idea for using your scraps. can't wait to see it all come together.

Vicki said...

You know it's going to be sooo nice here later in the week. I can't wait. My 4 yo will probably break out his flip-flops.

Your scrap blocks are awesome!

Alissa said...

That is gonna be one beautiful quilt!!

Abby and Stephanie said...

I'm not a purpley kind of gal but I think there are some gorgeous lavenders and violets out there. Perhaps the 8th block?

Darci said...

What a great idea. I love all the little scraps in these blocks.

Anonymous said...

Love the start you have here. Very cool idea. You could totally do a neutrals block too. Might be fun to see what black and white you have around.

Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Your scrap blocks are really fun! I need to get my block together and over still - I haven't forgotten, I promise :) How many tops do you have so far/or have blocks for?

Heather said...

oh you are talented! so pretty, each alone and together, just striking. YUM! I'll look and see if I have some backing that would work.

Kristin L said...

Your scrap panels look fab! They'd be a great series of little quilts or maybe place mats (but who'd want to risk spilling on them?). I look forward to seeing what you do with them all together. I'm inspired now to sort my scrap bin by color. My combos would be much more muddied than yours, but there's beauty in that too. Hmmmm.

Amy said...

They are going to make a spectacular quilt! Did you foundation piece them or just wing it? How big are they? It's going to be beautiful!

Unknown said...

I am loving your panels! A stroke of genius, I say! Colorful and wonderful. Yes, we are ready to quilt...WOOOHOOOO! Congrats on 200 members!

Jackie Russell said...

Love the panels!

sewtakeahike said...

there's something so satisfying about using scraps!!! I don't think I've ever seen an ugly block made from scraps.

Calico Road said...

I like how you've separated the colors in each block. I love to improv piece! Looks great so far!

Anonymous said...

You never fail to amaze me. I've put myself on a strict fabric diet, so I'm always interested in how to use my scraps. You are my inspiration. I have scraps all over the floor of my studio and am anxious to dive in. With printouts of your "blog quilts" tacked on the wall how can I not come up with something fresh for spring?

Thank you so much.

Shari said...

I love your scraps! And these blocks are great. What size are these blocks?

Beth said...

LOVE the blocks! They will look so good all together. I'm still willing to bind, and will provide the binding for whatever you want me to bind. ACK! Too many "binds" in that sentence!

Two Dogs and a Quilt said...

Love the color blocks. I'll mail you backing and binding for one pink/orange quilt next week. Thanks for organzing this huge project!

Kate said...

I may have squealed when I saw those blocks! I love them.

Diana said...

I love how you are using all those scraps. It is going to be a super quilt!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jacquie,
I'll get my blocks out this week and at least one back. I'm expecting some new fabric in the next week or two that will make another good backing. Great work. Need any help?

Sherri said...

Your panels are amazing! And all from scraps?!!!

Amanda Jean said...

love love LOVE your blocks, jacquie! they are fantastic.

Cher said...

love what you are doing out of your scraps! too much fun-my idea of spring cleaning too

Levin said...

we've just entered autumn and had our first downpour of rain since 15/12/08 - it's so lovely - i could just sit here all day and watch it come down :) i love the changing seasons - just when i think i can't take another hot summer day, autumn blows in bringing a promise of cooler days.
i love your scrap blocks - there are such beautiful fabrics in them - and some i recognise from my stash :)
l
x

Clare said...

I'm just about to start your block. Could you be an angel and change my link to dordognequilter.blogspot.com.

Gorgeous scraps.

Tonya Ricucci said...

love your panels - they are gorgeous. I will do my block, I will I will....

Heidi said...

I just love your four squares. Are you going to put them altogether as a single quilt? It is funny to see quilter's projects on the web and spying fabric from my stash. You had a little snippet of sage green with white polka dots on it in the green square. I just happened to make a Project Improv charity square with it too :)

calicodaisy said...

Those new squares look great! I'm anxious to get back my big quilt from the longarm lady so I can show it off!

Victoria said...

Your scrap squares look great and congratulations for the continuing success of Project Improve. Truly amazing!

Twice Nice said...

Brilliant! I'm inspired to try something similar. That quilt will always make you smile!
Deb

Katherine said...

Inspiring scrapwork, Jacquie. I love this and can't wait to see the progress of this project. It's gorgeous!

Cheryl Arkison said...

I love the idea of the solid border. What a great finish!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Love those coloured themed scrap quilts!

Stephanie D said...

Great idea! That's going to make a gorgeous quilt!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! I love this idea! I hope I remember to give you credit when I steal it in a few months. ;)

Janet said...

I'm new to the quilt blog scene. I found your insights like a kindred spirit. I love your desire to do improv. As an artist I try to find ways to free up my quilts yet my family and friends relate more to standard designs. I will continue to follow your blog and be inspired to be free. Great use of scraps!

ellen said...

It is so difficult to put words to what you have done...you and others, but you started this, and others who are so talented joined. My goodness..I can have an inkling, a little bit of a guess as to where you are heading, dear J.
...and I think it will be fantastic!

Sharon said...

Oooo, I love your scrap blocks! You have (or should I say HAD?) some tres cool fabrics in your scrap stash! And this is giving me some ideas....hmmm! Thanks! I can't wait to see them all together...that'll be fun!

Rebekah said...

these blocks are gorgeous! I love all the variations in colors in each of them

Jodi Nelson said...

I am LOVING what you are doing with your scraps! Seriously, I just wiped drool off my computer keyboard. LOL. Those are so fun! Maybe I'll have to do something like that for my 2009 scrap quilt. Very cool. ooxx`jodi

Ritapizza said...

Your rainbow scrap blocks are so yummy and beautiful! The turquoise one is my favorite!

Matilou alias Anne Cresci said...

I found your blog through syko's and wow ! these kilts are amazing ! What a work it must have been. I really like the color combo :)