Big Box of Scraps

Most of my days go by with a sameness that could be perceived as blandness and boredom. But actually I am enjoying my time.  While Mr. Scottie Dog does his work outside I mostly stay indoors. Every day I pack a few boxes/sort through stuff/throw away stuff/fill boxes to go the the thrift store.  But most of the time you will find me at my sewing machine while I watch/listen to movies or TV shows on the computer.  I have a huge box of scraps that I've been working from for the past few months.  So far I have made about 350 crumb blocks.  A crumb block is a block of "made" fabric.  Scraps are sewn together and trimmed to make a block of a particular size.  I choose 6.5".  

Then I take those crumb blocks and put them into the center of one of my personal favorite quilt blocks: The Sawtooth Star.  What I like about the Sawtooth Star is that  it is a bold, graphic pattern that can be changed at a whim by putting special things in the center...a crumb block, a fussy-cut dog or cat or stripe.  The star points may match the center square...or not.  Even the background can be changed by putting a different fabric in each corner.  So much potential for each star.

All these blocks (and I now have over 200 of the 12.5" star blocks) will be made into quilts for a few different charities serving children overseas.  WAS or Wrap A Smile is a branch of a Rotary Int. sponsored group that provides free cleft palate surgeries for children in other countries.  You can learn more about WAS HERE It used to be that after surgery these children were wrapped up in a Mylar space blanket.  For close to 20 years now, each and every child is wrapped up in a colorful quilt.  My heart has always been softened by children so I'm proud to play a small part in this organization.  I make blocks and send them to others who will make quilts with the blocks.

Remember that huge box of scraps?  Well for some reason, that box seems to be as full as when I began.  So until I move to MN, my main project has been the sewing of these blocks.  It fulfills the creative passion of mine to sew, play with color and do something for others.