I think simply calling it scrappy assumes you will abandon all rules and just go for it.

Everyone I do is like that. Some of them seem planned, some don't. None of them actually are.

I think that you are describing controlled scrappy. However, there are other scrappys as well.

I've been trying to use up a lot of my scraps this year.

I've done what you say--by just sewing squares together. However, because I had so many squares, it was easy to separate them into blues, yellows, purples, etc. so I made, for example, blue and yellow squares (alternating squares), browns and greens, etc.

But here are some of the tops I've been working on this year.

I make "Scrappy Arse" and "Scrappy planned" quilts. Sometimes both of them get cut into quilts made for my friends' pooches. They are called "Fugglies". The doggies have never complained. I get to use up a whole bunch of scrap material which will be deficated upon and chewed to bits.

As soon as I realize that something is going "south" or "downhill", I know that there will be a new batch of pups that still don't give a damn what they look like!. Plus, they get to take their fuggly to their new home with them.

scrappy can be as scrappy as you like- some people just have to coordinate no matter what- others can reach in a bag pull out 2 pieces sew them together- grab another- and continue until they have a quilt-
sometimes scraps are sorted into lights and darks-then joined-
what ever suits your fancy will make YOUR SCRAP QUILT.
they all work- and if you put one together- and it doesn't have the spark you want- you can cut it- add white- or black- and bring it to life.
the great thing about scrap quilts---you use up all those scraps- and they pretty much always work out.
abandon everything you've learned about color theory- and make a scrappy quilt!

oh wow I love your scrappy quilt!

I use the scraps that I have saved and when I piece a scrappy quilt together I try to alternate a light piece next to a dark piece.

I also had a stack of 5" charms. I did the 'pull it out of a sack' method, but for me it was a bit too chaotic. I un sewed it into 4 patches, added white sashing and I love it now. It's a personal preference, but looking over the scrappy quilts I like the best, they all seem to have a single color sashing or accent block. Seems to tie it all together for me.

I love, love, love the look of scrappy quilts.

I am new too, and have been reading about scrappy quilts, and looking at lots of pictures.

Here is one thing I have read about that I am going to do: lay out the pieces and get them in an order that I like. It may take extra time, but I think I will be happier with it in the end.

Also, it seems that the ones I like do have some color block that is throughout the quilt as an accent color block.

I have learned so much from the wonderful quilters on this board. AND since I am totally addicted, it's nice that I'm not alone.

I've discovered that too. Somehow, to make them look coordinated, without actually going out and buying a lot of fabric to tie it together is the thing that makes the quilt pleasant to me.