Winter Has Returned

In the form of cold rain which will soon turn to sleet and then to snow...

So I thought that I would work on my fabric challenge piece...

...but I am stymied as to the next step.   I want to first anchor all the pieces before adding the batting and backing a quilt.  

My problem is that I am not sure how to do it.   I have never had luck with clear (see through) thread.   I'm also not looking forward to changing thread several times to fit the color of the fabric.

Someone suggested a multi-colored thread and that may do it.   But I'm also thinking that maybe I will use black thread and outline the houses using a decorative stitch.   Using black thread will certainly allow the houses to stand out against the background. 

For the rest of the areas,  I will use a light blue thread for the sky and water, yellow for the sun, green for the ground and brown for the dirt.   What do you think?   Fewer thread changes at least.

I have another challenge for myself...what to do with these...

...scraps left over from cutting the shapes for the quilt piece in the top picture.   And believe me there's lots more than is shown.   The pieces are tiny, but I still hate to just throw them out.  

I was thinking of maybe using them as a book cover, applying the scraps with glue and finishing with a glaze like Diamond Glaze or Mod Podge.   Any other ideas out there?   Please share them.

Well, keep warm tonight
Thanks for checking in on things here at baskets...
See you tomorrow...