Month Six Purple--Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Purple strings 

Angela at So Scrappy is the one behind the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC). This month, she chose purple as the color to stitch blocks. My friend, Martha, loved purple. She sewed many quilts with purple fabrics. She had a variety of purple strings in her scraps.

I started stitching the string blocks late Friday. I almost forgot to take a photo of the scraps at the beginning of the process! By the evening, I had completed four blocks. I had a good start on the second set of four blocks. Yesterday, I finished stitching the blocks. 

After six months of playing along with the RSC, the string bag from which I'm using, is no longer overflowing. As I've made blocks, I've separated the leftovers by color in quart zip lock bags because I'm thinking it might be easier to play along in a future RSC. I do have a plan for another string quilt which I plan to begin soon. 

Blocks before trimming

I continue to be awed at how quickly the blocks go together. Yes, there is some prep time. I cut enough black and neutral strips and then I sort the appropriate colored strips. Finally, I prepare the newsprint squares. Then, I'm ready to piece the strings!

I am amazed at how well the various shades of purple look when they are assembled in blocks. Red purple, blue purple, lilac, dusty purple and pink purple strips made their way into the blocks. If the strip was the right length, I used it without paying attention to the contrast or trying to make a coordinated block!

I did manage to cut one newsprint square incorrectly, so I "got to" make an additional block. I'll use the incorrect square as the label or as part of the back. It won't go to waste!

The few leftover strips

I'm linking to Angela at The Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I'm also linking to Cynthia at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework.

Regarding COVID:

Worldwide: 1.78M cases; 3.86M deaths

United States: 33.5M cases; 601K deaths

Oregon: 207K cases; 2,783 deaths

Because of the uptick in COVID cases with the latest variant of the virus in the UK, Biden has kept flights from the UK to the U.S. grounded. The Canadian border remains closed.

Sixty-five percent of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine in the United States. Meanwhile, the number of people infected with the virus has increased. Most of the cases are of people who have chosen to not be vaccinated. 

Finished purple string blocks

In Oregon, 57% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Last night, the Portland soccer teams could have 80% of the fans in the stands. People were excited to be able to attend the games in person. Many of the fans attended their last game March 1, 2020!