RSC Blocks turned into Flimsies

 My goal this year is to work on UFOs and WIPs.

My UFO list is long as a freight train. I just have to start somewhere. This is what I did in January. 

I got my DH to pick a number (from the UFO list) between 1 and 31:

 #16, which is the Scrap Jar Star quilt blocks.

I made 35 blocks for the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) in 2024

First blocks made January 2024

What to do with 35 twelve inches (finished) blocks? I didn't want to turn them into a monster bed quilt. First, the idea was a 4 x 6 blocks setting with sashing in between. Then I would have 11 blocks left, to make what?? 

I started piecing the blocks and sashing together. I wanted to use white sashing, but then my DH said; 'it's too much white'! He suggested black. Do I have black in my stash? Yes, a few black/floral yardage, but far from the needed amount. More hunting for a dark color! I ended up with dark brown that has some beautiful small red roses. This is the only suitable dark fabric I have enough of. I think it looks OK.

I figured out a 4 x 6 blocks setting will make it a bit too narrow and too long. I made it 4 x 5 blocks; 20 blocks. It's a nice lap quilt size.

So, that means I have 15 blocks left. 

Pondering for some hours; I decided to make 5 blocks more, to get 20 and make the same size quilt with white sashing. 

The 5 new blocks I made are turquoise, green, yellow, orange and red. I had to dig deep into my stash and scarps to get enough turquoise! 

Fortunately, I already had the HSTs sewn together from when I started making the Scrap Jar Star blocks in 2024! They were just to be trimmed.

I'm sure I'm not the only one having some 'out-and-in-of-the-shelf' fabrics? I pieced together bits and pieces for the back on both quilts. Two of the fabrics were printed in 2004 and 2005. I must have bought them just after my quilting journey began. Now they are on the back of the quilt and out of the shelf for the last time! 

Another goal this year is to use those 'out-and-in-of-the-shelf' fabrics for backing, where it is suitable. Been there for many years, I know for sure they won't be used for anything else. 

These two flimsies are set aside. I'm currently out of batting.

OOOPS! I forgot to take photos of the pieced backings! 

I'm in full swing working on my UFO/WIP list

I got my DF in Norway to choose a number from my UFO list. 

The number is #21: leftover HSTs from RSC blocks 2024 & 2025

I could have kicked him when he chose that number (he had not seen the UFO list), because this is what I did not want to work on! Then I was thinking; yes, why not! Better get done with those dreaded HSTs!! 

Most of the already sewn together HSTs are 3.5" finished. It took me almost a day to trim them all to that size. At this point, I had yet to decide on quilt pattern. There are tons of ideas on Pinterest and when I saw a scrappy Ocean Waves quilt; that's what I wanted to make! It looks like most of the Ocean Waves quilts are made using 2.5". I came across 'She Can Quilt' where she has an Ocean Waves block tutorial using 3.5", block finish is 12" (sewn into quilt). 

Never ending triangles, SIGH!!!

 OF COURSE they multiply!!!! Look what showed up in the box with blocks for the below quilt!!! More HSTs! I had totally forgotten about these. 

If a quilt needs a name, this is Remember '70s. 

The first blocks were made May 2023. The idea was to make it entirely in brown and orange, but that didn't work out. I ran out of Moda Marbles 'Chocolate Brown 6851'. Instead, I added Steel Blue 9881-25 and Slate Blue 9882-13. I think these two colors go well together with brown. 

I can't even remember why I didn't finish the blocks at that time (May 2023). I think I was pondering about to purchase the 'Chocolate Brown', or not. When I opened the box, I found I had already cut the background fabric in Slate and Steel Blue, but not the orange for the stars. ??? 

I decided on sashing. The only fabric I had enough of (almost!), is the orange/yellow used for the blocks. I used that one, but it was not enough for the outer border. Instead, I used a very dark brown. Just enough! 

I got carried away making scrappy Zip It blocks! (RSC)

First blocks made January 2024

I had 94 blocks, which I thought were too many. I decided to make it a 10 x 12 blocks setting and needed 26 more blocks. These are fast and easy to make.

Swirling Stars blocks (RSC)

 First block was made January 2023.

Currently quilting this one. I'm custom quilting each block, which takes forever. (Click on the photo to enlarge). My goal is to finish it this month, but even with some hours quilting each day, I'm not sure.... 

I ran out of orange and purple quilting thread for this one. More is on the way, I should get it by end of the month. 

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From the garden/porch last week

Many of you on the Northern Hemisphere are facing extreme winter weather with lots of snow and freezing temperatures. Here, on the Southern Hemisphere, we are into the heat and humidity of summer, or rainy- and cyclone season. January is usually the wettest month, and indeed has it been wet! We've had rain almost every day/night this month. Wet and hot season also means more yard work; pulling weeds! UGH! Everything is growing with record speed, especially weeds! We don't have a big garden, but it is big enough to maintain this time of the year! We've managed to fit in (between rain showers) some yard work in early mornings before it gets too hot and humid. The perfect time pulling weed is when it has been raining, when the roots are easy to pull. The soil in this area is very glue-ish (clay) and sticks to my garden shoes. I forgot to take a photo of my shoes, it had about half inch layer of sticky clay on the outsoles.

  Many households have workers to maintain their garden, but we prefer to do it ourselves as long as we are fit to do it. It's exercise too, even if my poor old knees don't always agree! There's no correspondence between head and body! lol 

Well, be it snow and cold, rain and hot/humid, we prefer to stay comfortable inside. Perfect sewing days, isn't it?! Due to all the rainy days in January, I've been able to do a lot of sewing and I'm happy to have all these flimsies done. 

The last days have been nice and sunny and more yardwork done. 

 Cyclone 'Gezani' missed us, but has made havoc at the east coast of Madagascar as a category 3 hurricane. Another tropical disturbance is looming northeast, it may turn into a cyclone in a few days.