May 6, 2010

A little bitty challenge

Stuffed in a drawer, I found a small plastic bag of leftover scraps from a quilt I had made.  The pieces of fabric were all very tiny, the biggest ones just 5” by 1 1/4”.  At that size, they are usually discarded as useless.   I thought, “What was I thinking?”  It was time to toss them…or…hmmm… could I really use them?  The wheels in my head started rolling so I challenged myself and this is what I came up with.

topper

Now, just as soon as I bind it, we have a new topper for the coffee table made entirely from those teeny tiny bits of fabric plus some muslin.  And they aren’t junk anymore. 

Do you see the candy dish full of old Scrabble tiles sitting there on the coffee table?  Our family has so much fun with those.  I’m always finding messages of some sort from the kids after they’ve been here.  They get very creative and make me laugh. 

sunshine yellow tiles

daisy name

29 comments:

Gayle said...

Cute quilt Annette - love the pinks and browns in there. I too have a huge collection of Scrabble tiles - I used them in my blog header in fact - fun to play with!

Tine said...

Great tabletopper, Annette! You get some wonderful ideas :-) Maybe I should have a look at my evergrowing collection of tiny scraps...
Tine

Linda said...

Very cute! You have inpired me to start a new table topper.

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Very nice! Love the scrabble tiles too! So much better than a text message or IM!

MGM

Vesuviusmama said...

Oh, they definitely weren't junk! That is lovely! And I love the Scrabble tiles idea. I wonder how I could put them out for my family without the dog eating them...

Jenn said...

I love that idea! I'm going to have to pick up an old scrabble game at a garage sale this summer... I'm not ready to sacrifice my newer and still fully intact Scrabble game :)

Sandra Henderson said...

Such an adorable little quilt/table topper! ADORABLE! Makes you feel so good to use those scraps, doesn't it?!?! I'm frugal about saving them... now to make something. Thanks for the idea! :)
Love your message!

Sinta Renee said...

Very cute idea... love your little scrappy table topper and I really love your other idea of a bowl of Scrabble tiles. Fun, fun, fun!

Stitched With Prayer said...

OH my gosh!!! So cute and I have so many scraps from a jelly roll of that same fabric collection. I need two new table toppers that match and I know I have enough, so that pretty much solves that issue for me. Thanks for a great idea!!

quiltingnana said...

great topper...I can't throw away little scraps either...it's amazing how they can be used

Needled Mom said...

Great use of scraps and I love your idea of the Scrabble tiles.

Sue-Anne said...

Your little quilt is gorgeous, beautiful reproductions.

I love the idea of the scrabble tiles and your kids leaving you messages!

RG said...

Annette, isn't it wonderful to use little teeny nothingy bits to make something? I love what you've made here... Simply perfect!!
I adore the scrabble tiles.. What a fun idea. Our blackboard in our house gets used the same way, but I do love the scrabble tiles.. such fun!
Thanks for sharing your inspiration.

Suburban Stitcher said...

that is fantastic! love it!

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Hey Annette,

Great way to use up the scraps!

BTW-Love the photos :0)

Have a Happy Mother's Day!

Teresa said...

Absolutely gorgeous Annette... You are so clever! Great photos too!

Lori said...

The little topper is adorable!! I consider a 5x1 1/4 piece usable! So glad you found a use for your itty bitty scraps.

Thelma said...

I'm so glad you saved those scraps, what a wonderful mini quilt you made from them. Great Job!

Love the Scrabble blocks, what a clever idea!

Rose Marie said...

It is always an extra bonus when you make something from tiny scraps .... love your topper!

That is a great idea for scrabble tiles and that your children take the time to dig through to find the tiles for their message. In this age of instant communication, it is heartwarming to see these types of messages.

Tammy Gilley said...

Darling, darling, darling!

Kaaren said...

How did I miss this post? I absolutely love your little table topper!!! The colors are wonderful.

I've been saving scraps and recently I asked myself why? Now I know why!

Thanks for the inspirations, Annette. You're the best!

Heidi said...

Hi Annette! Thanks for finding my blog and leaving a message. I had to come over and see your own hand me down quilt. It is a true beauty!!! I could never throw away that size leftovers and this is proof why. These end up making the very best quilts.

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

julieQ said...

Your quilt is such a great use of the littlest pieces...way to go! I bet it brightens up your table.

Nanette Merrill said...

This is so cute Annette. I always feel so guilty when throwing out scraps. Kudos for using them. I love the idea of the scrabble blocks left out. Fun. Kind of reminds me of the days before non-magnetic fridge fronts and magnetic letters.

Tricia said...

What a cute little piece! Such pretty colors and you put them together so nicely.

Thimbleanna said...

No scrap is too small -- that little topper is adorable! And Wow! What a FANTASTIC idea to have a bowl of scrabble tiles -- I LOVE that!!!

Mel said...

LOVE the scrabble idea!! The new quilt is beautiful!!

Michelle said...

That little quilt is adorable, and the scrabble tiles in the candy dish are a fantastic idea. I've got two or three Scrabble games with missing pieces, so I think I'll copy you.

One for a wish.. said...

Love your table topper - the colours are gorgeous!
I smiled at your mention of scrabble messages. My hubby as me to marry him on a scrabble board that had been left out!

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