RSC April 2026 - PINK / Dear Nina is back!

It has been some busy days since my previous post.

It has been yard work and decluttering. I've gone through lots of papers, tossed or shredded most. I couldn't believe how many quilt patterns I've collected; 2 big ring binders! I've kept one stitchery pattern! It has 12 cute snowmen motifs, how could I toss it?! It would make a fun winter / Christmas quilt. 

Last week was 'sewing week'. 

Yes! Dear Nina (Bernina 440 QE) is back from the spa in South Africa! She had a total breakdown and the dealer here nor Bernina Switzerland, did have the spare parts to get it repaired. A DF offered to take it to SA for repair. Now she's back! The S-board (motherboard), L-board (circuit board), and a buttonhole sensor had to be replaced. I've been 'test-driving' and so far so good! 

Since the RSC color for April is pink, I decided to sew some 9-patches. I don't know how many 2" squares I have, it's a lot! I just have to start somewhere! I was into 2" and 2.5" squares swaps for 2-3 years (?). I have made bed quilts using all (almost!) 2.5", but haven't done much to the 2". 

I got carried away and made 10 blocks using 2" squares

Pink is not amongst my favorite colors, but I have to admit these blocks look good, don't they?   

I'd been lurking at Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' QAL (first block posted Dec 2016). 

I made the first blocks in May 2024. All blocks were done, except block 8/25; 'Never ending love'. 

I wanted to make the heart(s) pink, but ran out of that color. I gave in and purchased 10 pink/red FQs (Fat Quarters). I didn't like the 3 layers (original pattern) of hearts, instead I added one pink heart. 

....and when that last block was made, I decided to assemble the quilt! It's big; 86 x 86 inches (approximately 220 cm square). I'm almost done! 

Another RSC BOM I didn't finish last year, is A Quilting Life BOM 2025. 

I have most colors, but a few missing, like pink

This is the February block 

I used bits and pieces of pink for the centre block. The pink used for the log cabin, are some from the FQs I purchased. 

and May block in red and green

I'm also doing A Quilting Life BOM 2026, in red, blue and white

March block

April block

I'm currently assembling the Basket quilt. The centre is done, but I ran into a problem with the second (pieced) border. It turned out too long to fit the first border, so I have to come up with a solution. UGH! I'm below zero in math, but I can't let the quilt win and let it become a UFO again! I'll make it work! lol 

Together with our DF Allan, we went for a hike in the Black River Gorges

One of the view points; facing the west coast

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026) 

and Sew & Tell at Melva Loves Scraps

  

RSC Week 5 - February is BLUE and a Squirrel popped In

Happy February!

Where did January go?!

February; it means a new RSC (Rainbow Scrap Color). Angela at SuperScrappy has chosen BLUE for this month. 

Three blue cups are made. 

I'll make maybe two or three more.

I didn't expect the squirrel to visit! It was good in a way, I needed a short break from quilting ten place mats for a customer. 

This is what the squirrel got me to do:

 

5 scrappy blocks using pink (January RSC color) in the center. 

...and three blue. 

Do you see the pink and blue cats? 

I got to use a few more pink (5" squares trimmed to 4.5"), a variety of 2.5" squares and bits and pieces of white and cream. Everything counts to reduce stash!

Does this block have a name?

My idea is to use these together with some of the 36-patches I've already made.

UFO / WIPs #2 - UFO list 2025 

I have made so many 36-patches using 2.5" squares, now I'm running out of variety. I had a lot from swaps (all used up after making bed quilts!) as well as my own cut squares. I have cut squares from 1.5" to 5". This was March 2016, and I'm happy to say quite a lot has been used!

Linking up with Angela and RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2025) 

Linking up with Melva Loves Scraps for Sew & Tell Monday

This photo was shot a few evenings ago. Fog rolls in at Corps de Garde mountain.

I never get tired of watching clouds / fog, especially during the rainy- and cyclone season when it can be quite impressive.  

 

RSC 2025 Week 4 - January is PINK

A new year is here (already end of January!) and so is RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) hosted by Angela at Superscrappy.

I've been participating in RSC since 2023 and now I'm running out of some colors. PINK is one of them. In 2023, I had approximately 13 yards, + already cut squares in different sizes. Arreli's quilt was made the same year, using pink front and back, all from my stash. Pink blocks were made as well as some items for my Etsy Shop. You can see them all here. 

I've been looking for more pink in my stash but there's nothing (except squares in different sizes). I have 4 pieces left, the biggest approximately half yard. 

I've been pondering what to make in RSC colors this year. I already have block sets made; squares, rectangles and HST (half-square-triangles). Isn't it time to try something else, I was wondering?! 

I was looking through FQS's free pattern and my eyes fell on 'Eclipse'. Yep, there's a lot of curves! I'm not new to curves, so that should work out. Will it work in RSC colors too? We all have different taste and opinion. I like the pattern, it's a fun one. The colors used are perfect for eclipses, but I know I couldn't have made it in the those colors, too dark for me. There's no quilt police in this house, except me, so I'll decide on colors! LOL When all the blocks are done and pieced together, then I'll see if I like it, or not. It's worth a try. 

The background will be pretty much the same colors. Here I have used Moda Marbles 'parchment' and Grunge 'Onyx'. 

I have to admit the pattern / layout is a bit confusing / challenging, but eventually I'll get there, I hope!  

Another quilt that has caught my eyes is 'Coffee Conversations with Dad'. As a coffee lover, I just love those coffee cups and I think they would look even better in RSC colors! 

Don't you just love that pink cat?! 

I have used Moda Marbles 'parchment' as background for these blocks too. I'm also cutting the required squares in the same fabrics as used for the cups.

Required fabric yardage:

'Eclipse': 8.25 (front) + 5 (backing & binding) = 13.25 yards

'Coffee Quilt': 6 (front) + 5.75 (backing & binding) = 11.75 yards

 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

RSC Week #20 - No more PINK...

 ...I said, in my previous post! 

I have admired the Hollow 9-patch blocks some of you are making and since some 2-1/2" pink squares were hiding on the table, I decided to make a few blocks

I got 3 blocks

I've been lurking at Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge Blocks' for some time and I really love how her quilt turned out. Isn't it pretty? 

Today (Thursday) I decided to jump into it and make a few pink blocks! It doesn't harm to use up more stash, does it?! 

 

 

From left; 

Block #1 - Churndash

Block #3 - Tide Pool

Block #23 - Eureka

There are 25 blocks and I'll do them in RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

Now the table is free from pink! lol

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge

RSC Week 19 - more PINK

 It's PINK - again! 

Pink is May's chosen color for the RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge 

I ran out of background fabric for the BOM from Sherri McConnel; 'A Quilting Life'. 

For the previous blocks I have used Moda Marbles 'cream' (not available anymore). 

Instead, I purchased 'Baby White', which is slightly more yellowish, but that's OK. It's scrappy, after all! 

BOM: May 

When I joined RSC last year (2023), I sorted most of my fabrics on color. 

After I made Arreli's quilt, I don't have much pink left. I had to dig deep into my stash and found only one I had missed earlier and one I knew about (purchased for a custom order), just enough to make the outer border on this block. 

Love this block, but it was a pain to make with all its HSTs! 

...and I think this is the last pink for me, this month!

Linking up with Angela and RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

RSC Week 18 - PINK for May

 Welcome May! 

May already! How did that happen?! 

Angela at Super Scrappy has chosen PINK for May's RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

This year, I'm making different blocks in the RSC colors. 

As I have mentioned earlier, I like to do all the blocks at the beginning of each month so that I can concentrate on other things when the blocks are done.

Since the last Saturday in April was on 27th, we got a head start on Pink! 

All the blocks for 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' are done 

6 four-patches

3 Friendship blocks

Different 9-patches

2 Pinwheel blocks

5 Bowties blocks
(note that I did get the bowties right this time! lol)

8 Split 9s

4 Scrap Jars

Zipper blocks

Since I used up most pink yardage for Arreli's quilt (last year), I had only three pink fabrics to cut the long strips and squares for these blocks. 

May's BOM block - Sherri McConnel, 'A Quilting Life', will be published Monday, May 6th.

Linking up with Angela and the RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

HAPPY SCRAPPY WEEKEND! 

RSC Week 13 - End of the GREEN Month and Two Finishes

Goodbye RSC GREEN March - Welcome RSC PURPLE April! 

It has been a busy month after I decided making the green quilt. First I thought of Rail Fence, but after pondering about that, I went for scrappy Churn Dash blocks (12" finished). Those blocks are easy and fast to make. My goal for March was to make and finish the quilt, and so I did! 

Scrappy Churn Dash quilt, approximately 72 x 96 inches / 183 x 244 cm

I had sew much fun piecing the backing! A couple of crumb blocks from table scraps and bits and pieces of green. I always dread whether the four sides become straight and I must say I'm very happy with this one. 

Quilted in an allover meandering design using Aurifil #2902 50 wt Light Laurel Green. 

The binding is Kaufman, Kona Solid Leaf Green

Finish #2 is the PINK 'Disappearing 9-path'

RSC February

I did a pieced backing on this one too, to use up as much pink as possible

A crumb block from table scraps 

I thought this pink leaves on green fabric would make a fun binding. Quilted in loopy swirls using Aurifil wt50 #2437 Peachy Pink

(Look at that white thread!!! Where did it come from?! Have to remove that one asap!) 

These two quilts are gifts to two sweethearts who are moving back to South-Africa in a few months. 

We are already two days into April! How did that happen?! 

RSC color for April is PURPLE - chosen by Angela over at SOSCRAPPY

Do I have purple? Silly question! We all have purple in our stash, don't we?! 

I've never been crazy about purple, hence not a big variety; approximately 12-13 yards. 

Do you see the 'pinkish' one? Number 3 from the left. It's Moda Marbles Fuchsia, where would you place it? Purple? Or Pink? Your opinion appreciated. 

The first I did after I got to know purple is the color for April, was to cut all the pieces for one big and two small star blocks for the Swirling Stars Quilt

(Update: The big block is done)

What do I do with what is left? A bit less than one yard is binding for some placemats (photos later). For the remaining; I have a square quilt in mind, lets see how that pans out. 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge RSC

HAPPY PURPLE APRIL!

RSC Week #8 - End of the PINK Month

The PINK month is over!

It has been a sew fun month, doing the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) hosted by Angela over at SOS Scrappy.

Where to start? I have a lot to show and tell. Oh, better start with making a CUPPA! Done, and enjoying! 

First of all, progress on the pink quilt; it is quilted! I didn't have to purchase pink thread and wait days for it to arrive! Yippie! Next step is trimming the sides and add binding. 

I'm sure fabric multiplies! At the beginning of February, after counting how many yards of pink I have, I counted approximately 13 yards. I thought I had pulled all pink from the shelves. Nope! 4.75 yards suddenly popped up! Some of the yardage were ugly fabric (in my opinion). That gives a total of approximately 17.75 yards.  I was so determined using up as much pink as I could within February. The pink quilt measures about 66 x 92 inches / 167 x 233 cm, quite some yards went into the quilt, since the back is pieced too. 

What to do with the remaining pinks? 

I decided making some items for my Etsy shop, mostly table toppers, and some coasters. 

Most of the pinks were half yards. I had enough of this pretty primerose (?) fabric to make a table topper and table runner. For this one, the back is pink too.

Since I've been into baskets this month, a basket table runner was born. Thank you for the suggestion Phyllis! Pink floral for the back. 

Tiny pink roses. Have to look for backing for this one. 

Same pink roses fabric with pink sashing, and the back is pink too. 

I've had this big scale floral fabric for some time and didn't know what to do with it. Adding burgundy Moda Marbles sashing, it became two almost identical table toppers

..and one more, with pink backing. 

Pink pastel coasters, insulated with Insul Bright.

Pink with white dots insulated coasters

...and finally

Round reversible placemats; hearts on white and white dots on pink. 

Out of approximately 17.75 yards, I'm left with 4.36 yards, mostly batik. Binding for the pink quilt will be deducted from what I have left and I have an idea for one of the fabric left, maybe a table runner and two placemats, if I have enough of that pink. 

A marathon pink month for sure! Now I'm curious what the color for March will be!  

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) 2023

HAPPY QUILTING! 

 

RSC Week #6 - Pink updates

 It has been a PINK week! 

If you read my previous post, you may remember February is the PINK month. RSC (Rainbow Scrap challenge) hosted by Angela at SOS Scrappy. 

2-3 weeks ago I went through and sorted some of my fabrics (having RSC in mind). All colors/fabrics are beautiful, some in small doses. Pink has never been a favorite, not even when I was a kid. How come I measured approximately 13 yards PINK in my stash?! Some must have multiplied, I'm sure! I even dived into a box with 5" squares cut and got out more pinks. 

Well, to reduce as much pink as possible, I decided to make a quilt for my friend's daughter (she turns 7 in April). I decided on a scrappy D9P (Disappearing-Nine-Patch design), blocks finished at 13 inches. Easy and fast to make. 

I didn't want to make a 'kid's-quilt-size', rather a quilt she can use when she's older too. It turned out a twin size quilt. 

Using up as much as possible of the pink fabrics, I decided to piece the backing. From some of the 'table-scraps' I made a crumb block and I added pieces that were not big enough for anything. Of course I could have saved them for binding on mug rugs, but NO, I wanted to get rid of them! What was left on the table - table scraps - cut into squares or saved for my crumb quilt

The top and backing is done, I have batting, but do I have pink quilting thread? Have to check that out later. I should thread baste it while the table is almost empty for other fabric! Let's see if I can get to it the coming week. 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) 2023

RSC - February, PINK all over!

How did it happen we're a few days into February already?! Where did January go? I'm sure we all have been busy, I know I have! 

February is the PINK month. RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge - hosted by Angela at SOS Scrappy

When I sorted (some of) my fabrics the other day, I had the RSC in mind. There are certain (fabric) colors I don't have a lot of. Pink, I thought, I don't have a lot of pinks, or browns, or purples. Was I wrong? When gather them all together, sorted on colors, I'm sure I have more than I knew! I roughly measured the pinks; approximately 13 yards.  

I've been pondering what to make...

First is the big block for the scrappy 'Swirling Stars' Quilt. The block measures 22.50" square. 

The smaller blocks; I've made two only. The pattern calls for 16 small and 8 big blocks. I've already made a big block in blue

I couldn't leave it there with those 3 blocks only, more yardage has to be used. 

I got the bright idea to make a pink quilt to a little girl who turns 7 in April! (If her Mom or Grandma read this, it is top secret! lol) Here are a few 5.50" squares I've cut.

I decided to go for 'disappearing 9-patch' blocks. So far I have 5 blocks. Not sure about the quilt size yet. 

My previous post was last Sunday, still a few days left to make more blue blocks. I did some progress on the Split Star blocks for the 'I've got the blues' quilt and  5x 'Fair & Square Star' blocks for the (blue & white) Star Streams quilt.

As you can see, I've been busy. We have had rainy days, best weather to stay inside sewing. From now on I should work on some UFOs! Actually I pulled out UFO #13; 'Woodland Advent Calendar' today. I ran out of thread while quilting it (last year). I've got the thread, time to finish it! I was thinking I start with one of the smallest UFO to finish! lol 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2023

HAPPY PINK FEBRUARY!