What do you do when you’re in a bit of a funk?  Do you turn to sewing or other artistic endeavors?  Well, I do!!  I have needed a creative distraction lately and so I turned to what I call, “therapeutic sewing.” To me, that is any sewing that is for fun and not a chore.

This time, it’s not as pure fun as I would like, but I’m working on a tedious fun scrappy quilt design for the upcoming Wish upon a star blog hop.  My quilt design began several weeks ago with the goal of using up 2.5″ scraps and just going with the flow for a design.  A wonky star scrappy rainbow quilt developed, which I would work on it from time to time.  Unfortunately, when I thought it was all done,  I realized that it was just a baby-size quilt and what I really craved was a lap-size quilt.  I’ve been back to the sewing machine, making lots more color-coordinated 16-patch blocks to enlarge the space around the quilt.  I will show you just a tease at the moment, but I am almost at the end of this quilt.  The blog hop is soon and the full top will be revealed in due time.  Those wonky stars are the best part!  Here’s just a peak but forgive the threads and by all means, no judging on my uneven sewing.

Wonky Star rainbow quilt in progress.  Ok, so my squares are not uniform or perfect, but I stick with “a finished quilt is better than no quilt!”

I have enjoyed the scrappy process of the Wonky Star Quilt, but it hasn’t been without some frustration.  When needed, I will put it aside and try something else.  The other day, why I decided to go from 2″ squares to 1.5″ squares, I will never know??!!!!  I must be a glutton for punishment!  You see, I keep containers of scrappy fabric squares that are leftovers and scraps that are too small for much else.   Several quilters have this method of, from time to time, cutting up scrap fabric into uniform shapes for use in later projects.   My biggest stash is here, with me keeping a jar of 1.5″ squares and another with 2″ squares.

I usually just let the colorful scrappy squares pile up and look pretty in the jars, but sometimes they call me.    I have some scrappy projects that sit to the right of my machine for times when I can only get a few minutes to sew.  I have been making nine-patch blocks using 1.5″ squares, which are piling up quite nicely.  In the past, these have been used for some amazing baby quilts and they are my most favorite scrappy projects.

These are my most favorite scrappy projects to date.  I just love all the different colors and variety of fabrics peeking through.

When I really need mindless sewing time, where matching fabrics or colors aren’t even necessary…I started these blocks (only 2 so far).  They may become a quilt one day, or who-knows what!?  It’s fun to see all the different fabrics that come together for a lovely scrappy look.  I know that Rita from redpepperquilts.com would make this into a stunning quilt that sparkles with perfection.  I am in awe of her work, but not worthy of such praise just yet.  She inspires me to keep working at it and yes, while I could “cheat” and use grid paper for this, I like starting the old fashioned way…stitching one square at a time “on my electric machine”!!

Again, I’m no expert sewer, and the one on the left isn’t even pressed yet, but these are so fun to pull together.  I don’t imagine that I have the patience to do an entire quilt like this, but who knows?  Perhaps a tote bag instead!  LOL.

I have lots of student’s sewing to share, but that will wait for a later post.  I’ve got kids and friends in and out of my house, coming and going, eating like herds of cattle with dishwashers running to capacity. Our “kids”, who are not really kids, are wrapping up a senior year of High School, college semesters, internships, work and embarking on exciting programs abroad.   I should run errands and do other pressing things around the house right now, but I think not yet.  I still require some quiet sewing time, so that’s where I’m headed.

Linking up to:

Silly Mama Quilts:

Quilt Fabrication

Sew Fresh Quilts

Busy Hand Quilts: Finished or Not Friday 

Confessions of a fabric addict: Can I get a Whoop Whoop?

Crazy Mom Quilts: 

TGIFF Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

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