Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Scraptastic Tuesday - the May link is open!


It's the second Tuesday of May already, and the Scraptastic Tuesday monthly link is open.


First I need to report on the progress of my scrap sorting exercise. As you will remember, I have become frustrated about the fact that after over a year of trying to focus on using scraps, I still had overflowing boxes of scraps. So last month I vowed to empty them and cut them up.


I am pleased to say I have been through 4 boxes of coloured scraps and most of my box of low volume scraps.


I have been taking out any further pieces that can be seen as a strip (I did this once before and that led to me making Villa which is the scrappy quilt I shared last month). Then I piled any already cut squares - it seems some time ago I threw a bunch of left over charm squares and swap squares into the scrap boxes. Then I pressed the bits left over and cut out squares in 5", 6", or 2.5". I picked these square sizes by the size of a charm square, a charm square cut into 4 and the size of a number of squares I found in the boxes. There are also some bits of 3" and 3.5" squares left over from projects.



Before I started this project I put a new blade in my rotary cutter and after I had cut the 4.5 boxes, I changed that blade again. I really do not like cutting fabric, so I put on Netflix too and made the best of it. But in the interests of full disclosure, this project is not fun for me, so I focus on the end goal and go as quickly as I can while still cutting safely.


I admit to tossing out the remaining bits. I am sorry to say that I just need some finality here and I know after all this time that I am not going to use them up. Also, I am going to try really hard to cut new scraps I save in this manner and not create more boxes and bags of bits and pieces.


I have it in mind to use the squares for a pixelated rainbow sort of quilt and some value quilts likely with HSTs.  I want to create that pinboard I imagined last month with other scrappy projects using squares. My other plan for this month is also to  cut up the 3 other scrap boxes I have and pull out the 4 or so bags of other scraps that need to be sorted and such. I'll report back next month on my progress.


Now its time for you to share your scrappy projects, plans and ideas.




A huge thank you to our generous sponsors for providing the following prizes which will be awarded randomly among those of you who link up.
  • Massdrop - First of Infinity Fat Quarter Bundle

      Please join Nicky from Mrs. Sew and Sow and I by linking up a blog post or flickr or instagram photo sharing a scrappy project, in progress or finished, or your thoughts on dealing with your scrap mountain:
      • You don't have to have joined us before, everyone is welcome.
      • One link per person, and it will be your entry into the random draw for the prizes. It is the same link up here and at Nicky's blog - Mrs. Sew and Sow - so you only need to link up on one of our blogs.
      • This link is to share with our community about using your scraps, please don't use it to advertise your own products or events.
      • You can link up from your blog, instagram or flickr, but you have to link up to be entered in the prize draw.
      • Please visit at least a few of the links, they are very inspiring, and leave comments too as everyone loves to connect. 
      • Use the Scraptastic Tuesday button and invite your friends to join us too. Please share our button, or a link or the hashtag #scraptastictuesday in your linked post or photo. 
      • The link is open until next Monday night at 10:00 pm MST. We will announce the winners next Tuesday. 
      • If you have trouble linking up, let me or Nicky know and we will get you sorted.
      Best,

      Leanne



      16 comments:

      Crystal_235 said...

      I love your cut piles and can't wait to see your progress. I'm working on cleaning up my scraps ( I don't have even half of what you have!)

      Sew Surprising said...

      I do love sewing with scraps but gosh it can become out of control ever so fast. Spent yesterday slicing and dicing all ready to tackle another pattern which will see my pile virtually used :)

      memmens said...

      Congratulations! You did an amazing job there - I can't imagine anyone really enjoying it and I totally understand how you chucked the last bits! I'm quite envious of those tidy organised scraps.

      Susan said...

      I've done a similar thing with my scraps recently! It's very satisfying.....

      Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

      Congrats on working on your scraps. I need to get moving on that project, but it seems so overwhelming.

      Debbie said...

      wow, you've made great progress!!

      Bernie Kringel said...

      You're making great progress! So now you seem to be sorting only by shape/size, not color though. True?

      Paige said...

      Wow, you have really tamed the scraps! Great job! Thanks for hosting the link party!

      Cynthia's Creating Ark said...

      Great work on taming your scraps. You are ahead of me I spent an afternoon sorting my scraps into groups ready for cutting. I have the reproduction, batiks, novelty and bright and colourful boxes at this stage. Next is cutting and I agree with you, not a big fan of cutting. Thanks for having us here.

      Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

      Your cut piles look great! Congratulations on getting so many boxes done! I have boxes I want to work on too, but it is hard to motivate myself to cut them, so I have decided I am going to pick a scrap project and cut them specifically for that project. That way, I get to start a new quilt and the scraps get put into a quilt so are gone for good.

      Shona Barbour said...

      I am jealous of you getting yours scraps organized. I am like you though, in that the scraps never seem to disappear and it gets to a point where I throw out bits also.

      Nicky said...

      I'm jealous of your progress but I think my scraps are mostly smaller than yours and I have more of them!

      Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

      It may have been boring but it's amazing how all your cutting has transformed those scraps into a nice collection of usable pieces. I only have one modest sized scrap bin but it takes me forever to rummage through looking for the 'right' piece. I should follow your example :)

      Archie The Wonder Dog said...

      You're doing so well with your scrap organising - keep going, you can do it!

      Kirsten said...

      Such a great idea - I really need to do this with my scraps!

      Poppyprint said...

      So happy I'm finally on the ball to link up! Loved your admission that you threw the leftover bits out for some finality. Woot! I admire your fortitude in sticking with that cutting. Maybe I'll tackle my stuffed to the hilt drawers in the summer.