Scrap...Crackle...Pop! "Scrap-a-long" Phase 2"

 Hey quilter's.... hope y'all are having fun with this "scrap-a-long" & using up your scraps. If you're like me you're probably noticing that your "scraps are growing," That's right and a great thing! You will finally have a way to use all those "tiny scraps" in this next phase. My design uses the left-over scraps from your previous scrapin' blocks you made in Phase 1. Again, you will notice that no 2 squares/blocks are the same. That's the beauty of this technique. Not only is it therapeutic with seeing how unique each square is but you can't mess up. No paper-piecing involved...just scrap-piecing as you go! You create a unique-one-of-a-kind design with your fabric choices. Remember if you want more of a "crackle" then add more tiny scraps :-) My first pic is actually a "tip" that I want to share. Due to rotary cutting a small square, I made a "spinning mat" to safely rotary cut the fabric. You may already have one of those spinning mats but if you don't this is a great inexpensive way to achieve the same effect. I used a small "Olfa" mat on top of another cutting mat and spin it around while I am using my 4" square up ruler. So much safer and no reaching around to rotary cut the fabric. You know me...less-stress-quilting.  Hope you enjoyed this tip & lets get Scrapin'!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Phase 2...3 1/2" quarter-square triangles

Here's all you do...

*Iron & Rotary cut your medium dark fabrics into a 2.5 x2.5 " square. You will need 2 squares for each block.

* Now sew 2gether those tiny scraps (I use a 1/8" seam allowance) and finger press/trim as you go. Piece enough to form a 2.5" square. 

* Iron and "square up" to a 2.5" square, carefully using a rotary cutter.

* Now using the same method as in Phase 1, you will draw a diagonal line across your solid square using the Fons & Porter 1/2 sq triangle ruler. Or your preferred method. 

*Now place right sides 2gether and sew a seam on each side of the marked lines. 

*You will rotary cut down the center of the sewn lines forming two "2 in scrappy-half-square-triangles"

* Repeat this process one more time to achieve 4 "scrappy-half-square-triangles"

* Now lay your squares per design (note the direction of the triangles)

*Sew your top to pieces with right side 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance...finger press

*Sew your bottom two pieces with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance...finger press

* Now join your top and bottom pieces with right sides 2gether forming your 3 1/2" scrappy 1/4 square triangle blocks. 

By now are you noticing of how "unique" these blocks become. Trust me, this is so therapeutic of how unique each block becomes. You never know where a "pop" of color will appear! So fun & easy!

* Now repeat this process to form all six 3 1/2" scrappy quarter-square-triangles.

Tip...pin/number your blocks per design layout :-)

*At this point you have achieved all the scrappy blocks and I want you to stand back and be proud. Now on our next phase we will have a bit of "rotary cutting therapy" as I like to say. For me there is nothing more fun than cutting scrap pieces of fabric into squares. Maybe it's my O.C.D. "only Cat does" but here's a sneak look of what we'll be doing next!

Thanks again for "Scrapin'-a-long w/me!" Cat

Scrap...Crackle...Pop! " Scrap-a-long" -Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...are you ready to get scrapin'?  As you can tell, I'm so excited for y'all to "Scrap-a-long w/me," I hope you read my previous post of how this technique all started. It's amazing of how something so simple can be so rewarding! I decided to share this design in phases to make it easier especially for the beginner quilter. I for one sometimes see a design and think no way! I also feel the best advice to share is to start out on a small project if you are new to the fun quilting world. I will be sharing tips along the way and designs on how you can create several items using this fun technique. I believe in "less-stress-quilting" and this technique is so easy & rewarding. You will never have 2 blocks the same. It's really impossible if you truly "scrap it." That's the beauty of this design...you never know where a "pop" of color will show up! You will see how each block as it's pieced 2gether creates a "mosaic" design, hence the "crackle" name. Some squares you can have up to 6 different fabrics showing. It all depends on how many "scraps" you sew 2gether creating the fun "crackle-pop!" It's so "therapeutic" seeing how the blocks all come 2gether & you're using your scraps! For me...that's a win! I pieced and quilted using Aurifil 50 weight thread and scraps from Hoffman Batiks & Michael Miller Fairy Frost. The pattern is so versatile...change the fabric choice per your design. (1 design...sew many ways!)  It's designed in EQ7 so you can print the design for inspiration along the way. So, let's get Scrapin'!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Pinterest/Facebook & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Scrap...Crackle...Pop table runner is 14 x 56 designed with 3" squares w/an "advanced tip" of a scrapin' border.

Here's all you need...

Scraps of your favorite fabric choice. 

Thread to compliment your scraps ( I used Aurifil 50 weight #2710, 1320, 1126)

Rotary Mat & cutter

Fons & Porter half square triangle ruler

4" sq. up ruler (I love Nifty Notions cut for the Cure)

Your preferred marking tool for fabric (I use an erasable pencil by Dritz & a erasable pen by Frixion)

Here's all you do...

*First lightly press your scraps. Scrap pieces will stretch as you sew and pressing first helps for a crisper piecing. (my O.C.D. only Cat does!) :-)

For a 3 1/2" square & Finished block  6.5 x 6.5 (Section 1 & 3)

*Get ready for some "therapeutic fun"...Sew scrap pieces 2 gether at random. 

Tip: I use a 1/8" inch seam allowance when sewing together and use scissors/cut as I go then finger press seams before adding your next piece of scrap fabric. The more "scrap pieces" you sew 2gether...the more "crackle-pop" you will achieve :-)

*Press with iron & use a 4" square-up ruler and rotary cut a 4" square

*Rotary cut a "solid" scrap piece of fabric.

*With "right-sides 2gether" draw a "diagonal line" across and sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of line. I love my Fon's & Porter 1/2 sq. triangle ruler for this :-)

*Rotary cut on line, which makes 2 "Scrapin' 1/2 sq. triangles" that no 2 are the same. Isn't that easy & fun! 

*Repeat process twice to make 4 squares for a 6.5 x 6.5 block.

*Lay 4 squares per design (carefully note your angles)

*Sew 2 squares right sides using a 1/4" seam allowance 2gether for top row (finger press seams)

*Sew 2 squares right sides using a 1/4" seam allowance 2gether for bottom row (finger press seams)

*Now join your two rows 2gether (per design) using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

*Tip...I printed my design out in EQ7 before piecing o reflect on while sewing squares 2gether :-)

*Press & square up if needed. You now have a "unique" 6.5 x 6.5 block :-)

*Tip....mark #1 (see pinning tip on previous blog post)

*Repeat same process for block #3 (per design) and pin #3 :-)

*For block #2... (center 6.5 x 6.5 block) you will do the same process as above but note the direction of 1/2 square triangles are reversed (per design)

*Press & Pin #2

*Isn't this fun of how different the blocks come 2gether? :-)

Tip...due to the nature of using scraps the fabric has a tendency to stretch. So don't stress...sew blocks 2gether as you can...remember this is fun & therapeutic :-)

Hope you enjoyed Phase 1. See ya back soon for Phase 2 :-)

*In phase 2 we will be sewing the 3" quarter sq. triangle blocks. We're doing all the "fun" scrapin' triangles squares first then we'll rotary cut the scrappy accent blocks and piece 2gether. This way it's less stressful & easier to follow along. You know me...less-stress-quilting :-) 

Scrap...Crackle...Pop! ..."The Story behind the Technique"

 Hey Quilter's.....I;m so excited to share this technique & how it came about. A few years ago, my sweet Grandson Davin gave me a "quilt block" for Christmas of a "fish" he drew in his art class. Oh my gosh, have to say, "the sweetest gift ever!" (pic below) But here's the funny..."he told me to make whatever I wanted too with his block...a pillow...wall hanging...just get creative...Gege." At first, I was excited then the pressure came about of how I was going to compliment his creativity. He always shines with his art and sports, so I knew that whatever I did needed to be awesome, like him! I started pulling my "scraps" to compliment his design and thought of our special memories of going to the beach in Texas. Living away has been difficult for me and I had no idea of how this "technique" would be so "therapeutic." I love scrap quilts & half-square triangles, so I combined my 2 fav's and started playing. So I started "scrapin'" my half-square triangles. The Batiks from Hoffman Fabrics allowed me to achieve the "ocean" of how the water hues stagger as you go deeper. I had only one block, so I didn't want to take away from his design or quilt on his block so I "crazy stitched" each individual square with Aurifil thread 50 weight. I love how the thread enhanced the color hues in the Batiks. This technique allows you to create a design that "no 2 blocks are the same1" It's amazing of how just piecing scraps 2gether with the half-square triangle technique become so "therapeutic and rewarding. "You normally would achieve this design through paper-piecing. Later on, this technique helped me overcome some of my biggest obstacles in life...retiring early due to health problems was not in the plan. I have a bone & muscle disorder and side effects from medicine has been challenging. Everyday tasks became a challenge...depression & anxiety set in. I knew something had to help me take my mind off the negative. I resorted back to this technique of how therapeutic it was. This is how "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!" came about. Little did I know that a sweet gift from my grandson would help me get through some of challenges in my life. My goal is to introduce this technique and hopefully help other's that might be going through a similar situation w/"Thread & fabric therapy." So, lets get Scrapin'!

Follow on blog for "Scrap...Crackle...Pop! I will feature as a "scrap-a-long" in Phases with easy techniques/tips along the way w/ an advanced "scrappy border." Come join the fun!

 Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

"A healthy snack to eat while Quilting"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great weekend. I had to share this healthy snack with you. They are "Study-Pops" for my grandson Davin and so d'lish. I thought. Why not share w/y'all because they make a great healthy snack. I guess for us quilter's we can call them "Quilt- pops" :-) Maybe I should share the sweet story of what is going on with my Grandson He's always thinking of ways to make me happy (not the previous posts of his school art turned into a quilt block for me. Well with the recent passing of my dear dad we all realized that life is very precious. Cherish each day! We love to cook together so I thought of doing a "cookbook" for him that he'll have when he goes off to college. (note he's only 11) But here's the kicker...it was supposed to be a surprise but that didn't last long so he takes this "idea" to a whole different level. He asked me to make my recipes healthier. Yes...I know...he's 11...but he eats healthy and works out due to his sports routines. Well, after laughing for several minutes, I did accept his challenge of making my recipes healhi-r. Anyway, on my cooking blog I'll be posting recipes along with stories of him and I cooking. I hope our journey will inspire you to take the time and "write down' your recipes as you are cooking. It's so special to find a recipe from a loved one and what better way to keep their memories cherished. We all do it with a quilt and have to say there's no better memory to cherish than a quilt pieced with Aurifil thread & a recipe from a loved one. enjoy!

Keep following for my soon-2b-fun-scrapin'-quilt-a-long!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Cats Tip of the Day!...my new QBF...disappearing ink pen!

 Hey quilter's...hope your day is going great and you have plans for a fun quilting weekend. I have to share this fun "disappearing ink pen" by Frixion for fabrics that I've been using lately. It's my new QBF "quilt best friend" Y'all may already use it but if not it's amazing. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first. The thought of writing on a quilt or fabric that you've worked hard on was a bit hard for me. The quilt shop owner actually did a test for me on "white fabric." I was probably the biggest dork when I got so excited when it worked. I'm sure y'all are going "hello they've been around." Yes...I know. Again, it freaks me out a bit. Needless to say, I bought three to use on different fabric colors. I do recommend always doing a test before on a piece of scrap fabric that you will be using. But don't waste a large scrap of fabric...we need those :-) seriously speaking she just used her iron and applied heat and it went away. I still use my "old school" method of the pencil marking lightly and I do love Dritz quilting pencils but just had to share this option as well. I probably wouldn't use as a "quilting outline" due to you never know how things react on fabric. I use these for marking my "half-square triangle" due to you rotary cut on the marked line and don't see it. I've heard there is a bit of "controversy" with these pens so again test first If anything...what a fun "magic trick" with kiddos :-) I guess I'm getting you ready for my "big reveal soon." :-) Thanks for following and have a great weekend!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

email q's cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

Follow on Facebook...Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

https://cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Cats Scrapin' quilt-a-long..."the Sweetest Gift Ever!" Phase 2 & finishing!

 Hey quilters...hope y'alls week is going great. I've had so much "joy" quilting my grandson Davin art block. Oh my gosh, I did not realize his "tiny" detail in his art until I started quilting. His tiny windows and how he staggered the towers is amazing. He was only 9 at the time of this artwork.He is now going into the 6th grade and every year he amazes me even more with his creativity in art & his school and sports ability. As you can tell, I'm pretty proud of this young man and my heart is still full :-) I love how aurifil thread compliment his art. All I did was do outline quilting 'cause I didn't want to take anything away from his design. Aurifil # 2692 (black) complimented his design perfectly. Plus, I just got a "2 thumbs up" on a text from him. Have to say...that's all this Gege needed! Well, this was a fast/easy quilt-a-long but stay tuned for a very exciting adventure ahead! Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook...Pinterest and Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Here's all you do...

*At this time, you have already quilted your block, and this is where the "Border/binding" technique comes into play.

Tip..."finger press" due to the nature of the "fabric"

*Fold back your "top border" 1/2 ' to bak of block and finger press. Then on back of quilt fold in again creating a secure fold on back when you top stitch.

*Finger press....clip or pin as desired.

*Top stitch or quilt in the ditch on front of block w/ coordinating thread. This technique gives you a finished border plus easy binding...you know me...#less-stress-quilting! :-)

*Repeat this method for the bottom...then left border then right border.

Now take a look at the "quilt art" you just finished! I know mine isn't perfect but I'm pretty please. After all, I just did got at "2 thumbs up." I love that young man!

Cats Scrapin' quilt-a-long..."The Sweetest Gift Ever!" Phase 1

 Hey quilter's.....hope everyone is having a great day. It's that time of year when we get geared up for the Holidays. If you're like me...thinking of a different and perfect gift can be daunting. I usually try to make my gifts homemade...personalizing in some way. Well,,,I have to share my sweet grandson did exactly that for me! He turned his "school art" into a "quilt block" for me for Christmas. Wth our crazy move to Florida, I had packed it safely and needless to say I just found it 2 days ago. Here's the funny....I safely packed it with my sweaters. Seriously no wonder I couldn't find it! My Texas sweaters have not been worn in 2 yrs. Even when I visit my family, I pack lightly so finding his art was a true blessing for me. He previously had done one of his art pictures into a "quilt block" for me that I will be sharing soon 'cause it became my "new technique." He knew how excited I was, so he did it again. It's so precious seeing his art detail grow. He's so thoughtful and always thinking of ways to make his "Gege" happy. I'm sharing this as a quilt-a-long and hoping to inspire others for a great gift idea. You can almost turn any photo into a "quilt block" and personalize the design using your scrap fabric. Win...win for me! I used Aurifil 50 weight thread 2692, 3910, 2582, 2780, 2260 & scraps from Hoffman Batiks & Michael Miller Fairy Frost to compliment his creativity. The "quilt block" is 6 1/4 x 8 1/4 so I will be making a wall hanging and one day he can have it back! :-) This is a fun & fast quilt-a-long so...Let's get scrapin'!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook,,,Pinterest...Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Here's all you need...

*Photo quilt block

*Scraps to compliment your photo & fabric to accommodate the size of block for your backing.

*Battting 

*Thread to accent your design (you know me...it's Aurifil thread!) :-)

Tip...before we get started...due to the nature of "photo fabric" please do not get heat from an iron on or near your precious block...I carefully used a pressing sheet to cover when I needed to iron close. :-)

Here's all you do...

*Trim your photo block sides to a 1/4" with a rotary cutter & ruler...(carefully) :-) They usually come with a white trim around your photo.

For 1st Border...

*Rotary cut strips to "frame your picture"...I did a 1/4" border but do what works for you. 

rotary cut strips per your square...

Ex...mine are 3/4 x 6 1/4 for top/bottom & 3/4 x 9 for left/right border.

Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance strip to top of square (right sides together) then your strip to bottom of square....finger press & trim, square up as you go.

Now sew your left/right strips using same method above. Pic below shows the first border of "black fabric" framing the pic. 

2nd border...

*For a 1/2 " border...Rotary cut strips 1" by the size of your block.

Ex... mine are 1" v 7 for top/bottom and 1" x 9 3/4 for left/right border. Follow same steps as above and trim/square up as you go.

Border/Binding...

Tip...this strip will be larger due to my border/binding technique...use your preferred method but you know me...it's less-stress-quilting! :-)

For a 1/2" border...Rotary cut strips...2" per your block.

Ex..mine are 2" x 7 3/4 for top/bottom and 2" x 12 1/2 for left/right borders.

Sew using same method as previous steps. 

Tip...I reversed the color order of the fabric strips...do the same or get creative...it's your design :-)

*No worries about the strip size because we "fold back" later after quilting :-)

Carefully using a pressing sheet...press only your fabric strips. 

*Roughly fold back your border strip a 1/2"...measure your block and rotary cut your backing fabric and batting to this size. Finger press back out as you layer your backing (right side down) batting then block (right side facing you)

*Pin or clip and quilt as desired. I will be quilting in the ditch and straight-line stitching following his design. The more I look at his design I see how creative he was with all those tiny specks throughout his design, My heart is full with this project!

Tip...I used a "new needle" before quilting the square due to the nature of the fabric block. 

Have fun quilting & check back for Phase 2! ;-)