December 2023 - ABC (Table) SCRAPS Challenge - Link Party

Welcome to the December 2023 edition of the ABC (Table) SCRAPS Challenge here at the Joyful Quilter!!  Thanks for stopping by the Link Party to see what participants have made this month. I am having a hard time believing that this is the final challenge of the year.  I host this event in conjunction with Angela's (RSC) Rainbow Scrap Challenge @ So Scrappy.  It's been SEW much fun to offer the...

Button credit to Susan @ Desert Sky Quilts, updated by me.

Since basically ANY small quilted item qualifies for this challenge, I scrounge through my scrap basket to see what I can come up with.  

Each month I offer a prompt to help get your creative juices flowing.  While you are NOT required to use it in your project, the guiding letters are revealed at the end of each month's LINK PARTY post.  Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the next month's focus.  It, along with the RSC Color of the Month (as soon as Angela releases it - around the 1st of the month) will also be added to the 2023 ABC (Table) SCRAPS Challenge page at the top of the blog.

December's letters were:

S, H, and/or E

I wanted to come up with a design that includes all three letters, as well as the (self-professed) Rainbow Scrap Challenge Color of the Month.  I designated December's color as RAINBOW.  There are always a multitude of those in my scrap baskets.  I considered using the Dark Multi that was in the running for last month:

I began without a plan, but as I thought about what I might do and looked around at some of my other rainbow projects...

Like this mini table runner:

And this mug rug:

I had a glimmer of an idea.  There has been a project on my list for quite a while, but I haven't managed to work it into my schedule.  This gift from my friend Carol sealed the deal:

I went stash diving for the fabrics I would need:

I drew up the design:

Stitched it together and pinned it for quilting:

Soon enough the quilting was done...

And...

It was time to select a fabric to represent the sun:

Which one would YOU use???

For me, that was a "phone a friend" selection process.  Thanks, Britt!

We'll get back to that, but let's fast forward to the binding stage...

This fun fabric presented itself.  I used this print recently and thought it might be perfect for the binding.  If my memory serves me correctly, I believe this was a gift from Mari @ The Academic Quilter:

Then came the question of backing...

I usually like to use something that "feels right" for the project, but this time, I went with something that was in the bin of multicolored scraps.  It was colorful and the right size.  I layered it up and moved on to the quilting... Even if it didn't include ALL the colors!  Diane's scraps (At least, I think that's where it came from.) for the WIN:

I can't believe I finished this before Christmas...

I'm pleased to present my completed ABC (Table) SCRAPS Challenge entry for December, shown below on the cutting table in my studio:

It turned out ~9.25" x 6.25"

How does the quilt fit this month's theme, Joyful???

Like this:

SHE = I stenciled the word with my fine tp POSCA pen.

Rainbow = I used a rainbow of scraps for my new RAINBOW themed gallery wire mini.

What's next, Joyful???

As the year draws to a close, I am thinking about how to play out the 2024 TABLE SCRAPS Challenge.  Follow the link to find out what I decided.  I certainly am hoping that Angela will be continuing her Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  I have enjoyed combining her Color of the Month with our Challenge.

I'll add the color here, once Angela has announced it:

Dark and/or Bright GREEN 

January's theme is:

SNOWFLAKE(S)

NOTE:  I'm excited to see what YOU are inspired to create, but remember, you are NOT required to use the suggested theme!!  I'm not sure what I will make, but I'm sure I'll figure something out before the end of the January!

And now...

It's time for YOU to link up your S,H, and/or E projects in the LINK PARTY below.  All entries MUST be submitted by Wednesday, January 3rd @ 11:59PM (EST).  I've given you extra time since the Link Party fell right between two major holidays!  I hope that will help you finish an entry... or at least start one.  :o))

Until next time...

USE those table scraps!!!

#ABCtableSCRAPSchallenge2023

#tablescrapschallenge2023

SURPRISE!!!

This was given to my good friend Knittingsuek at Evening Quilt Bee on Thursday night and she was beyond thrilled with her new "Joyful original" quilt:

Sharing with Cynthia

for

Oh, Scrap!