Scrap management

The big basket from yesterday to today!

The containers are labelled and in their place!

I will confess that I did have a few little bits left that I ended up tossing! I've worked enough hours cutting them to bits and don't feel guilty one bit for tossing. I think I've worked on my scraps enough and have vowed to cut them as they come along! I feel like I accomplished a lot today! I have enough to use as leaders and enders!  I'm thinking the treadle machine will be going through a lot of these! 

Retreat is coming and I am getting my projects lined up! This weeks vacation will not be wasted! Chef and I cleaned house this morning. Our dishwasher broke down, but between the two of us, there are not too many dishes! This afternoon, I spent a few hours in the studio getting through the big basket of scraps. I have a nice collection of strips that I left in the basket, enough cut pieces to make a few baby quilts in a pinch!

Tomorrow, I am going to try basting a baby quilt and my Christmas Tree skirt using Sharon Schambers hand basting method.  I have my boards ready. I'm wanting to hand baste and then be able to free motion quilt when I have a chance! I have promised myself that I would work either an afternoon or a morning in the studio this week. It's a gift to me for being off for the week. I am in the mode of re-charging from work. There's something to be said about countries that have siesta's or even countries that work less hours in a day and have more vacation time. How do they do it? I'm looking for the balance in finding the time to spend with family, time with Chef, time in my studio and of course time to work. The time I spent today in the studio was great! Every little bit counts!

For those who are wanting to cut their scraps - I cut mine into the following:

• 2.5" strips
• 2" squares
• 2.5" squares
• 3.5" squares
• 4.5" squares
• 5" squares
• Small tumbler / Accuquilt
• Misc. sized strips

There are always different patterns that call for all these sizes. I suspect that I will have to cut more for particular patterns as I won't have enough - but enough for me to work into a baby quilt or smaller projects like bibs, burp cloths, etc. I am always looking for a quick project, so these will fit nicely into those projects.

I have been collecting 5" charms as I see them. It is not a huge expense, but it's nice to have them on hand. The quilt that was on the wall earlier in February, was all from the charms that I have collected. I have yet to trim them and do a final sew! I am sure that I have enough to complete a queen size quilt! ALL from scraps! How great is that?

Happy Quilting Everyone! Let me know what you all are working on! The feedback is always welcome and keeps me motivated!

Margo