Scrappy Upon Scrappy

Almost a year ago, I dipped my {quilting} toe into the pond of swapping, and joined the Scrapbuster Swap's Round 3 on flickr, hosted by Kreated By Kari. In this round, we were making scrappy depression blocks. I remember being very excited to be in my first swap (thanks to Marci's encouragement!) and proudly sent off 10 blocks.

I even did a little extra "mod tree block" as a thank you to Kelsey.

By August, I had gotten all my swap blocks back! (There are also two in this dozen that I made and kept for myself.)

Marci and I did a little private swapping, and now I had 15. 

 

The blocks unfortunately dilly-dallied in my fabric closet for several months. Eventually I came across this picture. (And if anyone knows the source, please let me know so I can credit appropriately!) Updated: I found the block on flickr and am pleased to give credit to Ryan Walsh of Ryan Walsh Quilts!

The light-bulb lit up, and I decided how I wanted to pull these blocks together - adding scrappy 'borders' to make the blocks larger. (My original plan was to set the blocks 4x4, so I made one more block. In the end, I settled on 3x5, so one lone block is stitched into the backing.)

Even though I posted the next couple of pics a few days ago, I'm sharing them again as part of the 'story' of this quilt. Here's the top complete with a scrappy border.

I was really pleased when I was able to catch my first 'stained glass' photo!

Some wavy white quilting and solid KONA Raisin binding and it's done!

All washed up and ready to be shared!

Linking up to the Festival of Scrappiness hosted by Rachel at Stitched in Color! Do check out the festival and be inspired by all things scrappy! Also will be linking up with Rhonda's 2012 Finish-A-Long at Quilter in The Gap, TNT at Happy Quilting, Finish It Up Friday, sew & tell Friday, {sew} Modern Monday, and Fabric Tuesday!


Update 1/29/12: The first quarter of Quilter in the Gap's Finish-A-Long is over! My original post about it is here, and the First Quarter Linky Party is here!

Monday Finishes

Jeni of In Color Order recently shared a drawstring bag pattern that I've been wanting to try, so when my mom mentioned she could use a laundry bag for traveling, it was the perfect chance. (You can purchase the pattern here, though a smaller version is offered as a tutorial here.)

I'd had this purple triangle print in my stash for a while (by Brandon Mably, a designer with Kaffe Fasset), and mom and I both loved it for this project. The bag was easy and fun to make, and I'll definitely be making more in other sizes. I think the 'yoke' detail of Jeni's pattern really adds to it, allowing for fun contrast.

After posting a pic of the Modern Halves completed top yesterday, I was surprised how quickly the quilt came together once I got to my sewing room last night.

I debated about the binding for a while, thinking bright color was certainly in order, but in the end, settled on a dark gray to frame it all. While I love the scrappy look of my version of the original made by Elizabeth of Don't Call Me Betsy, I realized soon after starting that my scrap basket wasn't full of enough long lengths of fabric. So I got as far as I could from my scrap basket for each block, and then went to my stash to finish a few of them up. I especially like how the vertical lines are so pronounced when the colorful halves were re-pieced together. My version will make a nice lap-quilt, finishing up at 54" square.

Linking up with {sew} modern monday, Slash the Stash, Fabric Tuesday, finish it up Friday, Scrap Attack, and the Festival of Scrappiness at Stitched in Color.