Scrap-a-palooza day 10 and progress on the DNP

So I dived into that box of scraps and after two hours this is what I came up with. Here are the typical pieces; most of the 4.5" x 16.5" pieces were already cut.

Then there was this stack of blocks made with 3" strips, some 3" strips in both prints and whites.

I will use those blocks to make either zig zag quilts or

what I call step zig zag. This is a large step zig zag I made several years ago.

Then there were these parts. I have no idea why I have these HST pieces. I don't remember sewing them or ever using any in a quilt. The rest of the pieces I will sew together into blocks.

There is a bunch of these pieces about 1 1/2" x 3". They were the corners cut when making boxy pouches. I am not going to spend the time cutting them into postage stamp pieces right now.

So here is what the box looks like now.

I made some great progress on the DNP top. I am going to try and get the top done this weekend. That would give me 18 days to get it quilted for Xmas.

Scrap-a-paloosa day 9 and I need more fabric!

Another bin is done! Here are the parts I ended up with. Besides the squares and a couple triangles, I have a little pile of leftover pieces from blocks that I will sew together and put those in my orphan block pile.

So now I have a bin for the string block scraps.

Here are the next scraps I will work on. It is packed tight and full! I had made a promise to myself that 2020 would be the year of the scrap quilt. Well, the year got away from me and so December will be 31 days of cutting scraps. I know I will feel better that at least I attempted to do something with my scraps. Next year I will put those scraps to use!

After getting the triangles cut yesterday for the disappearing 9 patch quilt, I realized I didn't have enough fabric for the border. I called the quilt shop and they had a few yards left.  I made a quick trip to the shop and bought the last 2 3/4 yards they had. That will have to be enough! I know in the picture yesterday it looks like black fabric; Vicki commented on the "black" triangles. Now you can see what the fabric really looks like. So now I will get back to sewing sashing and rows together.

Of course, I had to look at the marked down fabric rack and found these three pieces. I really like spider web fabric and I thought the purple fabric was pretty. I don't buy much purple so it's a good piece to add to my stash. These three fabrics were only 6 bucks a yard.  Each is between 2 and 3 yards. 

Scrap-a-palooza day 8 and disappearing 9 patch progress

I cut scraps for a couple hours and here is what I got. Look how the bin is almost empty!

I stopped cutting scraps and worked on the disappearing 9 patch. It doesn't look like I got all that much done; what I did get done is in the blue area. Putting these blocks together with sashing is a lot of work! Then I messed up and had the blocks in the row with three turned the wrong way so I had to tear it apart and try again. The other challenge was figuring out how to add the dark triangles. I am happy with how the dark looks. I will be adding some kind of a pieced border; I don't have that figured out yet.

Scrap-a-palooza day 7 and progress on the the disappearing 9 patch

Here are the pieces I have cut so far and what is left to go. It will take a couple cutting sessions to get thru those!

It dawned on me yesterday that today was going to be December 1st! Holy cow! I have the disappearing 9 patch quilt that I would like to have done for a Xmas present. That gives me 22 - 23 days to get it done. Yikes! I did work on getting the sashing sewn. I have circled the area I worked on because it is hard to see the white sashing from the white design wall. I am going to have to get crack-a-lackin' on this!

Winter showed up last night. Here is what it looks like this morning. The wet snow knocked down my ornamental grass and has covered everything with a coat of snow. The wind is blowing and it is still lightly snowing. It is a good day to stay inside and sew, but plan on still going for a walk. It will be nice with less people outside.

Scrap-a-palooza day 6

It only took me an hour and a half to cut up the small bin of white/off white fabrics. Here is what I ended up with.

I will now use that bin to hold my 2 1/2" squares

Next I will work on this large bin of yellow scraps. I will be reusing this bin for my string pieces. I figure it will take me 4 to 6 hours to cut all of this up. The hardest part is when I get almost done and there are just small bits and pieces left.  I really have to focus and resist the temptation to just pitch the bits in the trash!

The day goes by so fast and before I know it I haven't got my walk in for the day. The last couple of days it has been dark when I walked. The best part now is seeing all the Xmas lights. This is one of the best displays in the neighborhood I have seen so far. Today it is pouring rain. I will have to watch for a break in the rain and try to get some steps in.

Scrap-a-palooza day 5

 I attacked the bin of orange scraps and here is what the bin looks like now.

Here are the pieces I got. As usual 3 1/2", 2 1/2", 2", 1 1/2", 4 1/2 x 16.5" for chevron quilts, string pieces, and a couple triangles.

That bin will now be used for the 3 1/2" squares because the tray I was using was overflowing!

My 2 1/2" square tray is overflowing too.  I will cut up this bin with white and off white scraps then I will use it for the 2 1/2" squares.

Here you can see how the bins will fit in the shelving unit I am using to keep the trays.

I did work in the yard a little bit yesterday. I wheelbarrowed up the hill four loads of mulch and spread it in the flower beds. I also moved the little ornamental grass plants to under the mugo pine. The deer just will not leave them alone. I though if I put them under the pine maybe with the branches poking the deer in the face, they will leave them alone. What the heck - it is worth trying! LOL!! The angle I took this picture makes it look like the plants are more in the open than they really are.

I did do a bit of Xmas shopping this morning. This is just a bunch of little stuff. I went ahead and wrapped everything for two reasons: 1. get the job done and more importantly 2. I won't be tempted to eat the caramel M&Ms, the giant peanut butter cups, the popcorn, or the Ghirardelli squares - out of sight, out of mind!

Scrap-a-palooza day 4

I cut this pile of scraps which only took a couple hours.

 

Here are the pieces I ended up with - 3 1/2", 2 1/2", 2", and 1 1/2" squares, a couple 4 1/2" x 16.5" for chevron quilts, and a pile for string blocks

I wanted to cut more so I grab this pile sitting on top of the bins of scraps. I cut a lot yesterday and finished them up this morning.

Here is what I ended up with.

The 2 1/2" and 3 1/2" trays are getting full!

I decided that I will work on this small bin of scraps so I can use it to store either the 2 1/2" or 3 1/2" squares. I will need a small container for each size so the next bunch of scraps I cut after this bin will be ones in another small bin. What is nice is this small bin will fit on the same shelf unit the trays are stored on.

I appreciate all your wonderful comments and encouragement. I am learning that it takes patience and a sharp blade in the rotary cutter to plow thru these scraps. The sun is shining finally today - it has been very gray and rainy - so I plan on getting outside and take a break from scrap cutting.  I will be doing a bit of clean up around the yard and spread more mulch to the flower beds. With all the wind lately there are about a billion sticks that need picked up!