Friday 24 February 2017

Rainbow crumbs

I have a confession to make, I can't throw away a piece of fabric that I just might be able to use however small it happens to be. This is my bin, see how small the trimmings have to be to make it into there?


Essentially if it is larger than 3/4" square I keep it. Occasionally pieces larger than that go into the bin, but sometimes they creep back out!  I keep my binding offcuts separated by width and strings (random/varying width long pieces) live in their own shoe box.  I also cut down leftovers into regular sized squares, particularly 2.5" squares. The other tiny bits end up classed as crumbs.  For last year's RSC I started making crumb blocks that I squared up to 4.5", but when my quilting mojo went walk about those few blocks just languished in a little box with some scraps and crumbs sorted by colour.  This week I revisited that box and added to it with 8 purple (January) blocks and 8 turquoise (February) blocks.


Now I have TWO rainbow scrap projects on the go.  It was easy to find the crumbs for these new blocks as I had already sorted out my scraps by colour to make the Dresden plates.  I have also pre-sorted more of my scraps into ziplock bags ready for future months.  Only another week and we find out what the colour is for March, I really don't want to wait! For even more great scrap ideas check out the Oh Scrap! link up.

Weatherwise this last week has been unseasonably warm with a record high today!  Our outdoor Christmas lights are now down (they have been off for a bit) and I did a little preparation in the raised bed ready for planting out later in the year.  There are still leaves to rake, so that has gone onto the list for the weekend. Last week we had lots of wind and rain so I have also picked up the small branches from the garden and set them out to be collected by the township. Many of the verges in our subdivision now have piles of sticks waiting for pick up looking like giant twiggy nests.  We have a few brave crocuses already in bloom and I belatedly planted a bag of grape hyacinth bulbs that had been forgotten, oops!


11 comments:

  1. I keep the stuff that can't be sewn as well. I am planning on using them to stuff pet beds.

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    1. I have thought about that, but I think I have reached the limit of what I will actually use :)

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  2. I don't throw away much fabric either! I use itty, itty bits as mulch in the garden!

    I think crumb blocks are very versatile and kind of addictive to sew.

    I have had one crocus up so far. Weather was in the 60s last week. Now it is below 20 and we have a bit of snow on the ground here in Iowa.

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  3. Both your crumb blocks and your crocuses are pretty and fun to see! I have had one crocus and then it got covered up by snow. Maybe I'll get to see more this week!

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  4. Yes, 1/4" is still useable here. Pleased to find a local charity collecting even the smallest of cotton scraps, so NOTHING is wasted now.

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  5. I am finding it hard to wait for each color announcement too. Your blocks are a great way to use all those bits. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

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  6. I love your crumb blocks, too! They are such fun to make. I'm jealous of your crocuses. Nothing has popped up in our high-altitude garden yet.

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  7. Your blocks are really beautiful! I save also even the smallest scraps!

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  8. I have the same problem with tiny scraps! I've made 2 or 3 whole quilts from them! Your blocks look great together 😃

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  9. Nice to see you not wasting any crumb blocks. I don't keep less than 2-inch strips. There is only so much room in my bedroom/studio for what I've got. Keep up the good work!

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