Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Take joy in counting your blessings

Rejoice in family and friends

May God be very real to you as you give thanks.

with Scrappy thanks, Susan

Yikes! the holidays are here!

I love the holidays, don't you? I hope so. It is wonderful to see old friends and catch up with family that we don't see often enough. And the food, oh yes the food, some that we only eat at this time and brings memories of the past.  Like the 'green jello' that Gramma made and we still make to this day or the sweet potatoes or broccoli casserole. The food is good but the memories are even better.

So as you prepare for Thanksgiving what are you thankful for? The food, the memories, being together as a family again? I hope there is also room to give thanks for the freedoms enjoyed in America and for all the blessings God has in his mercy given.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Scrappily, Susan

What's in a name...

For those of you who have read Shakespear that beginning quote takes you to a particular place of thought. I have it as the title of this post because the answer to that question in reference to blog names has been asked. So what is in my blog's name? Susan is my name, and I love scrappy quilts. I have a hard time letting go of even a small scrap of fabric so at times my sewing room looks like scrapville. And though scrappy would not describe my physical appearance it is part of my personality. Scrappy makes me think of tenacious and that is something I have had to be. So there you have it. Why my blog has its name. Now if you have gotten this far in reading this you should jump over to dawnhaydesigns.blogspot.com and check out her lovely blog named As Sweet as Cinnamon and her give-away.

As always...Scrappily, Susan

Where have I been ?

I am finally back! Its been a long month of recovering from a date with the surgeon. When I could stand it no more I started working on these two groups of nine patches and stars.  I just love stars and the wonky stars are so fun! I just love them. I hope you will give them a try. I found a tutorial out in blogland for them and altered the technique to fit my style of putting things together. I am sorry I don't remember whose tutorial it was, if its you let me know so I can give you credit.

One thing I did find was that I didn't give myself enough background fabric. I was thinking a yard would be enough and in both of these I ran out of backgrounds and have had to chose to stop there or mix it up with something in the same value but different print. Ugh, hate it when that happens. I have decided to mix them up and see what happens. And I have decided no more one yard cuts on what would possibly be backgrounds.

So what do you do when you run out of a fabric and there is no more to be had of it anywhere?

Let's hear from y'all,

Scrappily, Susan

Prep time

I love the whole process of sewing and quilting. I love the shopping for fabric, even shopping my stash. Don't you love to touch your fabrics? I do, maybe that makes me a bit odd but I am ok with that. It keeps my creativity going. Do you have a favorite part of the process? Share with us what it is and why.

I finished an apron for my sister and a dish towel. I have some down time coming due to a visit with the surgeon so I have been cutting projects out so they will be ready for sewing. I cut out ten bibs with food catching pockets and terry backs. I also cut out a Yellow Brick road in pinks and browns for my granddaughter and sashing for two I Spy quilts. Lastly, I have a set of pinwheel blocks ready to be finished. I am thinking that I have enough to sew for now.

Let's here from yall out there on what you are up to!

Scrappily,
     Susan

Quilting with Friends Friday

Every Friday I have the pleasure of meeting at a friends' house and working on one quilt project or another with a group of friends. She has been blessed with her own not so little quilt space. It is much like "Grannies quarters" except it is all about quilting. It is separate from the house and surrounded by flowers, bird feeders and her vegetable garden. It is secluded, comfortable and welcoming. I look forward to the days we spend there.

Do you have a special place and group of friends you quilt with? If so, share with us about it. If not, would you like something like that, and would you be willing to be the one to start it?

Hope your day has some quilt happiness in it.

Scrappily,
   Susan

July 7th

Today while my grandson is sleeping I am cutting my red and white fabric for my red and white quilt. One of our local quilt shops is having a red and white quilt gathering. In September you leave your quilt with them for display in the shop, making a massive red and white quilt display. It should be really wonderful.

What pattern am I using, you ask? Well some one on one of the fantastic blogs out there put up a pinwheel block that also uses a folded block like cathedral window. It gives even more movement to the block and can be machine stitched as well. Can't wait to see how it turns out. I will post pictures.

Have a wonderful day sewing!

Scrappily,
       Susan

ps. If it's your blog and block that I talked about, let me know so I can give you credit!

Today I have been working on some of those long lost stuffed away projects. One is a pillow that is very cute, applique and rick-rack and polka dots, but the kit fabric doesn't match so every time I have picked it up to work on it I just don't feel like messing with it and back in the project bag it goes. I am also working on an I Spy quilt for my grandson. I just bought the backing fabric, 'Cars', which is his favorite thing right now.

So what are you doing this fine summer day? Anything new that you are using your creative talents on? Please share with us all.

Scrappily,
    Susan

July 4th, 2011

Happy 4th of July! I hope you all enjoy of day fun and freedom with your families and friends. That's what I will be doing. And along the way thank a Vet or active duty member of our armed forces. The freedom you and I enjoy has been guarded well by them.

Scrappily,
    Susan
     

Give-away

Be sure to check out the fantastic give-away at intrepidthread.blogspot.com . Wow, what a fantastic bunch of fabrics she is giving away for her 200th blog.

Scrappily,

Susan

New Give-away

 Check out the great blog and give-away at    incomparablebuttons.blogspot.com   Their buttons are lovely and the give-away is sweet!

 Hope you are finding time to quilt or have some special time for refreshing yourself.

Scrappily,    Susan



Grandson Isaac's quilt

Here are some of the quilts I have made. I recently finished the Jungle themed quilt for my grandson Isaac. I designed the applique of the animals from from fussy cut animals found in the log cabin squares. This was also my first adventure in machine quilting and I found that I like it a lot.  And the quilt below I made for my grandmother's 90th birthday which was eleven years ago. It is machine pieced and hand quilted which is also a favorite. Sadly this was not a favorite with my Grandmother. She didn't like it, she prefered the one I made for my Grandfather. Sigh....

Gramma Ruby's quilt

Have a wonderful day and hopefully get a little quilting done....Scrappily    Susan

Just One Star

I hope you will join me in making and sending a star or stars to the Moda, Just One Star program. Follow the link for the instructions. They have made it so easy and you dont even have to square up your blocks! So please join me and help encourage a veteran.

As the wife of a veteran I think a give-away is in order so look for details later this week.

Scrappily.....Susan

Moda... the Cutting Table: Just One Star

Moda... the Cutting Table: Just One Star

    It is good to be back in blogland. Migraines take so much from life...ugh. On a much happier note, there is a fabulous give-away going on at vignetteinstitches.blogspot.com  so stop by and check it out.

So what have you been up to recently? I have three projects waiting to be machine quilted, one I will finish today and I have just about completed a wall hanging that is heavily hand quilted for my oldest daughter. It has only taken a year to complete...Which brings up another question, which do you like more, to hand quilt or machine? I have to admit I find hand quilting relaxing but on the other hand I have discovered that machine quilting is fun and fast! I guess each has their place in my life, what about yours?

Until next time...Scrappily  Susan

Today I want to tell you about a blog belonging to a friend. Her name is Melissa MelissasProjects.blogspot.com and she is one talented lady. She posted a Make-up holder project that is a fantastic way to use up some of those smaller pieces of fabric that you just couldn't let go of. The holders are quick, useful, pretty and would make great gifts for that special friend or family member. So check out her blog and use up some more of that stash you have been saving. Bless someone or yourself with a really cute make-up kit!

Be sure and tell her Hi and who sent you.

Scrappily,
        Susan
     

One month down

It's one month down in the New Year and its time to take stock of what's been finished, what is in progress and what's to come. So have you anything to put  on the finished list? I finished a Jungle Animal quilt for Grandson number two and put binding on a cheater quilt of a similar design.

Works in progress are another thing. I find I have two types of them, those I am actually working on and those that are sitting, waiting. So in works in progress, I am hand quilting a table topper for a family member and the quilting is very close so it is taking time. I have some Christmas items that are being worked on as leaders and enders and I am half way done piecing a table topper for Valentines. (I had better hurry or it will be over before it is finished) 

Next, those to come. Those projects that I want to do or need to do, like a throw for my niece as a house warming gift or a baby quilt for her soon to be here baby. And not to forget the baby quilt for my granddaughter...
So little time so much quilting which I just love.

How are you doing with getting those projects completed? I would love to hear from you and see what you are doing...Until next time,

Scrappily,
      Susan