There’s been a lot of ScrapHappiness at The Snail of Happiness this month.
The lovely Sew Social ladies who came for a class at the end of January really enjoyed experimenting with some sashiko. We used new sashiko thread, but all the stitching was on the same cream-coloured scrap fabric that I mentioned in last month’s post. Anyway, everyone seemed to have fun and I hope I’ve inspired future use of scraps.
Back in the land of crochet, there had to be bollard covers for Dydd Santes Dwynwen and Valentines day. As usual, these were made entirely from scrap yarn…
During the first covid lockdown I made some curtains for our bathroom out of a saree. The remaining fabric has been languishing in my scrap collection ever since. I use a small amount of it to make a gift bag last year, but in the past month I have finally got around to some more curtains for two small windows in the shop.
And finally, I’ve started work on another rag rug. For this one I’m using an old coffee sack kindly sourced for me by Conti’s Ice Cream. Their coffee supplier will send boxes of coffee sacks for re-use. I selected one with a lovely bird design on which to base my latest rag rug. I dug out lots of bits of beige/brown fabric and some bright blue and am making a simplified version of the bird in the original colours.
We are continuing to encourage the love of scraps and there are several more projects in the pipeline. Watch this space!
-oOo-
I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate, Tall Tales from Chiconia. On the fifteenth of every month lots of folk often publish a ScrapHappy post, do check them out:
Kate,  Gun, Eva,  Sue, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Edi, Susan, Cathy, Tracy, Jill, Jan, Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Claire, Jean, Jon, Dawn, Jule, Gwen, Sunny, Kjerstin, Sue L, Vera, Nanette, Ann, Dawn 2, Carol, Preeti, Debbierose, Nóilin and Viv
If you fancy joining, contact Kate and she’ll add you to the list. It would be lovely to see more non-sewing posts, but any use of scraps is welcome.
The Snail of Happiness 
Quimper Hitty
/ February 15, 2023I think it is sew lovely to have a sew social group to stitch with! And I look forward to the Tuxpal coffee bird!
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Susan Nixon
/ February 15, 2023I do love the idea of coffee sacs becoming inspiration, and even being incorporated. The bollard covers are always fun to see. I never realized how intricate the sashiko could be, those are lovely examples!
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Wild Daffodil
/ February 15, 2023Fabulous examples of scrap happiness!
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DawnGillDesigns
/ February 15, 2023I love a rag rug, and I’m constantly in awe of the amount you create.
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katechiconi
/ February 15, 2023I shall have to pick your brain about making rag rugs, as I’m told I have to make one for the new caravan. Both Husband and Dog say they require something cosy under foot, and Dog has added that it needs to be large enough to sprawl on… I do love the colours in the coffee sack version you’re making, look forward to seeing more progress on that.
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Going Batty in Wales
/ February 15, 2023Your Bolladr covers are becoming a Lampeter institution! Love all the makes.
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nanacathy2
/ February 15, 2023I love that you have started a group of sewing ladies in your shop. The curtains are lovely as are the bollards. St Davld’s day next I guess.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2023The sewing ladies actually came from Kidwelly… I’m just about to launch our own group. And you are quite right, I’m currently madly crocheting daffodils!
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onesmallstitch
/ February 15, 2023I am in awe of how much you achieve while running the shop. Love the bollard covers, what a delight just to walk down the street.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 17, 2023I do seem to have been extra productive recently!
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arlingwoman
/ February 16, 2023I love the bollards. That rag rug looks as though it will be stunning. I have no idea how to make a rag rug (I know about braided ones) but the idea of making my own is appealing. Teacher google will be getting a consult.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 17, 2023There are several ways to make rag rugs – I use a clever rugging tool to draw the short pieces of scrap fabric through the holes in the hessian. No knotting is required, the rags stay in place because they are so tightly packed.
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rutigt
/ February 16, 2023Oh, I love Sashiko! Your coffee rug looks like a great experiment.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 17, 2023I hope the bird on the rug will be clear, but we’ll see.
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cedar51
/ February 24, 2023now haven’t you been a busy bee – everything looks great
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