What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Can you believe it's the last Friday in August already?  This year is just flying by - but Friday means that it's time for us to get our whoop whoop on, so I hope you're ready!  Let's go!

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As you all know, I may have a slight scrap problem.  After all, fabric is expensive, so we don't really want to throw even the leftovers away!  But mine are starting take over the studio...

...and I really need to find a way to use them - because they aren't doing anyone any good just stacked ...

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I'm almost finished with the Halloween Spiderweb quilt I shared last week.  I just need to finish up the binding and get some great photos, but today, I have bigger news!  The official release of my new book, Scrappy Improv Quilting, happened on Monday.  YAY!

The official blog hop to celebrate the book release begins next week, but today I want to give you a quick overview of everything the book has to offer.  Scrappy Improv Quilting is the perfect way to dip your toes into improv if it's new to you ...

 I am always on the lookout for what I call "seeds" for a scrap quilt.  I think of seeds as the inspiration that sets me off on my next scrap quilt.  While I was digging through a bag of scraps, I found a tiny seed for a baby quilt.

 After being in a heat induced funk for a couple weeks, I have finally found my found my mojo and started sewing again.

I also finished up two more of these color blocks in turquoise.  I am making mine with 2" strips and trimming them to 12" square ...

 For the past couple of weeks, I have been sharing some of my methods of storing and using my scraps.  Today I thought I would share another of my secret weapons and that is my "specialty bins"

As I shared in my first post, I sort my scraps by color.  I do this immediately as I make them right at my cutting table.  And because I have a lot of scraps, sorting through big piles to find certain fabrics can take a lot of time.  So a couple years ago, I started creating what I call my "specialty bins" that ...

 I really dislike summer!  August is always a difficult month for me and I find myself hot and grumpy most of the time.

So I haven't felt like sewing much...

 Last week, I shared the first steps I take at taming my scraps.  For many quilters, setting up an initial scrap system will be all that is needed.  I think just being disciplined to organize scraps as they are made and having them as accessible as possible will help to ensure you use them and that they don't become a chore.

But I have a LOT of scraps.

So I have some additional storage areas that I keep my scraps organized in.

 I realized on Saturday morning that I had not spent any time in my sewing room the whole week.  Determined to change that, I left the vacuum in the middle of the living room and decided to spend a few hours sewing instead.

The quilt measures 70" x 90".  I am sure I have ...

 This week seemed to whiz by again.

I did get all sixty some blocks sewn for this crazy quilt this week.  Now I am working on sewing up the quilt top.  Who knew I had so many scraps in these colors?!

 The new color for July is actually supposed to be blue or neutral.  But I am still working on the color purple.  I continue to fall behind this year!

 Last Sunday I shared a few block photos of a new scrap project I had started.

I was making some 16 patches from 2.5" squares and framing them in some 1.5" solid strips.  The initial plan was to make the entire quilt from these framed blocks.

As I started sewing blocks and realizing just how many scraps in these colors I really had, I decided to modify my plans and make some of these 5 x 5 blocks to use up even more scraps.

 Happy Fourth to all of those in the US.  It was nice that our weather cooled somewhat so many can get out and enjoy the holiday weekend.  I still decided to stay home close to the AC and sew.

I am finding myself excited about a new project I started.  I am always on the lookout for scrap quilt inspiration and recently I have been noticing I have a lot of turquoise, lime and black/gray fabric.

Like...A LOT.

So I started pulling them and cutting them into 2.5" squares.  I found quite a bit of my fabric ...

 This last week, I spent one whole day sewing with a friend.  It has been well over a year since we have gotten together and it was such an enjoyable time.

I didn't realize how much I had missed my quilty friends.

We sewed at her house...which means I had access to her scrap baskets.  I was looking through one and saw a bunch of bright colored strings all clipped toegether.  I asked her if they had a home.  I also grabbed some squares that had been stacked together.

 We have had a beautiful Spring here in Oregon.  That means I have been spending lots of time outside digging in the dirt.  Last week, the weather cooled and the intermittent rain kept me indoors.  That means I finally had some time to sew!

 First, I apologize for not sharing any finishes this last Friday but Blogger decided to not allow any uploading of photos Thursday night when I went to write my post.  Then the weekend just got away from me...So I guess I will share my finish next week.

 I have been dealing with baskets this week!

I made ten more scrappy basket blocks from my Kaffe Fassett scraps.  I think that brings the total finished up to fourteen.  So that means I am almost halfway finished.

To make my HSTs, I love using my Bloc-Loc ruler.  But I know many scrap quilters are a fan of the Easy Angle ruler.  I am curious what method do you like using?

 The Spring weather has been absolutely lovely here in Oregon so I haven't been in my sewing room very much.  When I do go in there, I find myself not very focused on anything specific.

 First, I want to wish all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day!

I also finished some red Well Suited blocks.

And then turned the bonus triangles from the flying geese ...