Getting Serious With Scrap Reduction!

I have a confession to make.

Due to an extra busy life, there are parts of my fabric stash that are COMPLETELY out of control.

Oh, I’ve been very consistent with tackling scraps as *I* make them – from finishing up quilts and working on projects.  That is such a habit that my Scrap User’s System is FULL.  Drawers are burgeoning.  There is pre-cut fabric a plenty just waiting for projects.

But this?  This is the “holding pen” for things I haven’t had a chance to cut down.  Mostly because even if I DID cut it, I’d need more drawers to store it.  And sometimes you need bigger or different sizes of pieces than the 4 core sizes my Scrap User’s System provides.

BUT how did this get this way? Fabric gifts from friends and readers, or fat-quarters I wasn’t in love with any more and they hit the bins to be cut up so I could use them.

At least I HAVE sorted things by color family, but this isn’t good enough.  Something else has to happen, and I’m about ready to get busy with this.

From the purple bin.

I am ready to start the rectangle process of this year’s Checkerboard Rails Leader & Ender Challenge.  And a challenge it is --

Either I could completely deplete the 1 1/2’’ strips I have on hand by cutting them into 6 1/2’’ lengths for this project – or I can do better.  And I decided to do better and process a lot of these odd hunks AND kit for another project I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.

At the far left of this photo – a 6 1/2’’ strip which will be cross-cut into 1 1/2’’ segments just perfect for Checkerboard Rails AND some Little Monkey Blocks that I’ve been wanting to do.

Much better than sub-cutting 1 1/2’’ strips to 6 1/2’’!

And whatever is left is getting quickly sliced into Scrap User’s System size widths so that purple fabric is in the bin NO MORE.

Once I have a whole bundle of 6 1/2'' strips - they will be run through the Accuquilt Studio with the 1 1/2'' die making this process even speedier.  I don't own a 6 1/2'' die at this point. Don't really see the need for one.

Dancing Dashes from 100 blocks, vol 11!

Those 1 1/2’’ x 6 1/2’’ rectangles for Checkerboard Rails are also just the right size for doing the “twosie” units for these blocks.  Some for this project, some for that project – and much taming of the scraps in the process.  Is that a triple-win?

This set is ready to go!

The half-square triangles are cut in already-matched pairs with the red and neutral fabric right sides together. I used my Essential Triangle Tool to cut the triangles.  There is more on this block tutorial by scrolling down to Little Monkey under the Free Patterns tab at the top of the blog.

I need a lot of variety for the Checkerboard Rails.  I want those units cut so I can continue with the leader & ender-ing when December finally calms down enough to let me sew. 

And when I can’t sew, I can grab 15 minutes or so every now and again to press and cut and tackle what is in the bins, cutting for 2 projects as I go.  Scrap USER'S rejoice!

As for that basement closet?  It’s pretty embarrassing, and you are not likely to see the entirety of it! I have also told Mona to “Have at it!” and help herself to anything she needs.  My STABLE (STash Accumulated Beyond Life Expectancy) is full to bursting. It's ridiculous.

From yesterday morning’s walk with Sadie.

This little cottage sits under a HUGE tree just as you turn out of my neighborhood.  Every time I stop at the stop sign to look both ways, I smile.  Just like the Mona Lisa, the window “eyes” follow me whichever way I turn.  The house always seems to be smiling back at me.  I’ve often thought that if this little house went up for sale I’d buy it and move my business into it so I could go to work during the day, and leave work at work in the evening and come home.  There’s something to be said for leaving work at work!  I’m doing my best to accomplish that here leaving my evenings and weekends (when I am not gone teaching) free for myself.

Son Jason arrives this evening.  He is driving up from Columbia, South Carolina when he gets off of work.  We fly to Idaho tomorrow morning early.

With two sides of the family, Dave’s and mine – about 70 miles apart from each other, it’s a bit of a kerfuffle trying to find time to see everyone, squeeze everything in.  The plan is to see MY side of the family for a long lunch tomorrow upon arriving in Boise.  And then we will drive on to Payette, Idaho / Ontario, Oregon from there.

Friday is for family time.  It’s a sad yet blessed occasion for a reunion and seeing so many folks I haven’t seen in more than 15 years, but it will be good.

Saturday is the memorial service.

Sunday we will drive back up to Boise where we have been invited to my brother Mike's house for lunch.  (Not Mark, he is in AZ and I am going there after Thanksgiving.) There will also be some time to see Dave’s cousins that we are close to.  Monday we fly home arriving home late Monday night.  Jason will stay the night and drive back home on Tuesday.  Wednesday we’ll head up to the cabin for Thanksgiving.  Every day is just planned to the hilt.

SO!  There are a couple of things going on here that are being written ahead!

Quilty Box Gift-Away TIMES TWO!

This is being set for tomorrow, so you’ll want to come throw your name in the hat.  Quilty Box is now offering the MINI – charm pack, thread and pattern!  I’ll be drawing for 2 winners of this month’s Latifah Saafir boxes, the full size and the mini – whoowhooo!  Come by tomorrow for that!

It’s nearly time for THIS!

Quiltmaker’s 100 blocks, vol 16!

In fact, it’s already going on!  It started Monday.  My day is Friday.  Catch up with all of the current excitement on Quiltmaker Magazine’s Quilty Pleasures blog and be sure to come back here on Friday for what I have planned for you.

Sneak Peek!!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

No matter the stresses happening in your life, and we all have them - decide before your feet hit the floor how this day is going to go.

Your first thoughts prepare you to meet the day ahead!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday, everyone!