What to do with scraps?

I accumulate a lot of fabric scraps, and so I'm always trying to think of what best to use them for.  When making my handbags I end up with skinny strips so what better way to put them to good use than to make some new notepad covers.

I had already made some for the kids, who are already on week 3 of the summer holidays.  You can easily sew up all your scraps, no matter how small, to cover a notebook.  I'm hoping to get a little 'me' time during the holidays to write an easy tutorial for these covers.

Meanwhile if you don't fancy making these, they are available to purchase here.

How cute is this wee guy?  I was asked by a friend, who works at a local hotel, to make a rucksack for their Teddy.   It has to hold a notepad and pen, with the intention that the Teddy will spend the day with a young guest and any adventures can be noted in the pad.

Although essentially I was still making a bag, which I make rather a lot of, it was a refreshing change to come up with a new design, and figure out how best to put it together.  With the rucksack being a far smaller scale it's more fiddly than the size of handbags I usually sew.

And it was no surprise to me that after Master and Miss World saw the rucksack, I'm having to make another couple.  Just as well I made a template!!

I've set myself a Challenge to inject some 'Spring' into my home and to make the household chores a bit, well, cheerier.  The plan is to make new cushions and a pair of curtain tie backs for the living room.  A new apron for when I have my Chef hat on.  A peg bag to make me smile while hanging out the washing and lastly, and probably most challenging is a wall hanging for the utility room.  I've wanted to create a wall hanging for some time now and just don't know where or how to start.  

Oh and most importantly I do NOT want to buy anything new just simply use up what supplies I have, including those pieces that I love which I seem to be holding onto? - for what reason? I haven't figured out yet.

Now where to start?  I dug out a panel by Wendy Bentley for Timeless Treasures and decided in using this for my cushion.  I didn't use a pattern, just kept adding bits of fabric on until I had (roughly) a 16" square

 And here's my finished cushion.  Being a bit of a rebel I love bright clashing colours.  I remember from when I was little, my Mum saying "Red and Green should never be seen".  ... I'm so chuffed with the end result that I'm happily throwing the rule book out the window.