Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Friday, December 29, 2023

Just playing...

 with December Table Scraps!

I don't know if this is true for you, but the week between Christmas and New Years always feels open-ended to me and I have a hard time settling into what I should be doing.  All the "have-tos" of the Christmas season are finished and there's more time to do whatever I want.

So what did I want to do this week?  Play with my scraps - so I did!  And I ended up with three little finished pieces that were fun to work on.


It all started earlier in the month with the Little Penguin Bucket of Scraps which produced these varied HSTs.  


Since I already had them laid out in that arrangement, I sewed them right up, added the finishing touches, and they became a little mug rug for my favorite mug!


Then I got to thinking about making a new mug rug for my mom.  Since she moved into assisted living, I've been making her seasonal mug rugs for the table by her favorite chair, but I don't think I've ever made her a snow-themed one.  So - could I come up with a little snowman?

Sure I could!  And a pine tree to go with him.

He needed a red scarf, too.

And here's the finish - I think she'll like it!


And then... I was playing with scraps out of the low volume bin (just for fun) and made a crumb block.   Yes, there was a lot of "just playing" this week!


If you saw my Thursday post, you might remember that I also made a tiny red Dresden Plate.  Here's what I decided to do with it.


This tiny quilt was claimed by this little guy - because in our house, everyone gets a quilt!



The monthly Table Scraps Challenges have had a color suggestion all year, and this month's was rainbow.   Did I achieve that one?  Using ROYGBIV, I believe I checked off every one!   Then there some letter challenges to strive for, too - December's are S, H, and E.   For my little quilts, S stands for Snowman, H for HSTs, and E for Everyone gets a quilt (even the Beanie Babies)!  

Linking up with The Joyful Quilter for the December Table Scraps Challenge.
Also at Alycia Quilts for Finished or Not Friday.
The DrEAMi December link-up at mmmquilts 
ScrapHappy Saturday at SoScrappy 
Oh Scrap at Quilting is More Fun than Housework 




















24 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I know what you mean about the week between Christmas and New Years - most times I barely feel like doing anything! you have some good finishes there

Deb A said...

How fun are those projects! Love the snowman and what a great use for that red dresden. The beanie sure looks happy!

Libby in TN said...

Mug rugs are such a great way to use up scraps. Your little snowman is too cute!

PaintedThread said...

Cute mug rugs all around!

grammajudyb said...

Cute, cute, cute! I’d say you hit all the marks! ROYGBIV! THE SNOMAN IS MY FAVORITE. I’m sure he’ll make your mom happy for a January snow themed mug rug. I noticed some cute pebbles quilted on your little Dresden mug rug! Well done!

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

These little quilts are adorable, Diann! You have had a great week and what a wonderful way to end the year with 3 sweet finishes. Happy New Year. Hugs.

Michele McLaughlin said...

Great little projects Diann! I love all of them! The monkey looks particularly fetching with his! I have the same problem with this week between holidays. It's tough to get motivated when so many things are going on! Happy New Year dear Diann!

Anonymous said...

Such fun little projects! I love the snowman! Gail at the Cozy Quilter

piecefulwendy said...

I'm sure your mom will love that little mug rug, and your little monkey friend looks very pleased with his/her quilt! I feel the same about this week; I lose track of the days!

Kate said...

Very fun mug rugs! I can't pick a favorite, they are all really cute. Such a great idea to play this week. It does seem really hard to focus, though I had a quilt to finish, so that helped.

Linda said...

Your little Beanie with his quilt is just the cutest! I love them all, but the Snowman is perfection, you really did a great job on it! I bet your Mom is the envy of everyone around her.
I feel the same way in my sewing room. Your eyes would widen with pity if you could see all the unfinished projects, but I just can't seem to land on one thing!

Vicki in MN said...

Well you know I would just adore the snowman and tree mug rug!!! I haven't sewn for 5 whole days😉 I have started a new sock instead.

Chantal said...

Bravo, Diann. You checked every Table Scrap Challenge this month. Beautiful way to finish the year. Of course, my favourite is the snowman. Enjoy! ;^)

Sara said...

Those mug rugs are adorable, especially the snowman. The tiny red Dresden is pretty sweet too.

chrisknits said...

Those are adorable! I just love the Dresden one!!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Each and every finish is absolutely adorable! Those scraps made up in cute useable items. Your mom must be tickled. That low volume crumb block was the perfect place for the Dresden block!

karenbbsnow said...

Super cute little finishes!

Sylvia@Treadlestitches said...

Isn't it amazing what wonderful things can come out of a scrap bag? Your "play" has led to gorgeous patchwork. Everyone gets a quilt--great motto!

Anonymous said...

Very cute snowman. For me too, the week between Christmas and New Year is tabula rasa. As if time stops. I mostly read.

Gwyned Trefethen said...

What a great way to spend time between Christmas and New Years. You win the blue ribbon for recycling scraps into seasonal glory.

The Joyful Quilter said...

What fun projects, Diann! Look at you being the overachiever by checking off a rainbow of colors AND a different word for each of the letter prompts, too. Thanks for playing along!!

JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/ said...

Your playing turned out some cute pieces.

Preeti said...

OMG Diann, I want to drop everything and make that snowman. Love the applique scarf :-) If I make one, it may bring snow this weekend. The weatherman has been promising snow but we haven't seen more than a dusting in years.

Sandra Walker said...

Yes! As in I feel that same sort of disconnected, no-direction feeling between Christmas and New Year’s though it also feels a bit freeing too… Love all three happy little projects and that your mom has or soon will have a mug rug for every season, or how about month?! Thanks for being a real queen of squirrels over the DrEAMi years!