October Quilt Update

Previous 2014 posts:  First of year quilt update  (There are individual class posts for 4 Bonnie Hunter classes as well if you click on Feeling Crafty label and go to older posts.)
                         End of January quilt update
                         February quilt update
                         March Quilt Update
                         April Quilt Update
                         May Quilt Update
                         June Quilt Update
                         July Quilt Update
                          August Quilt Update
                         September Quilt Update

Goals:  I may be in Telluride to see my daughter and son-in-law's new dental practice and home so once again I need to be careful here.  Finally got a screaming deal on some batting -- 45 yds for $150.00.  woot woot --- time to quilt.

Roll Quilt -
UFO - Ceramic Tea Set -
Sandwich, Quilt, and bind both Celtic Solstice (CS) quilts  - yes
Sandwich, quilt, and bind Old Kentucky Album (OKA) quilt - yes
Sandwich, quilt, and bind Jacob's Log Cabin (LC) quilt - yes
Mark Sew Squared (SS) and Peaceful Paisley (PP) quilts -
Sandwich, quilt, and bind Lazy Sunday (LS) quilt -
Remainder of spool doilies for retreat -
Work on bookmarks - yes
Crochet hats - yes
Round Robin (RR) row finished, attached, and in mail - yes
Set My Favorite Things (MFT) top - yes
Pull Fabrics for new mystery quilt - (Grand Illusion or GI) - yes

1st -  It's October!  Oh my goodness.  I literally blew off last month and really need to regroup if I am going to finish what I set out to do this year.  Today is my LAST lazy day and so I bask in it and finish book 7 of the Harry Potter series.  Whew -- that is behind me now.  Since it would be way too much to make an entire switch in one day and actually sew something, I opt to work on the Monthly Blog Update from September so that it can post.  Okay, I think I am ready now.  Let's see what one determined redhead can accomplish this month.  Do you feel the cheerleader in me?  Someone's gotta spur me on.

2nd - First thing this morning I make a "Get on Track" schedule for both quilting and the dang house,  I have absolute need for this as I feel so much better when I can see what needs to be done each day.  Here we go.  I am off to the studio and quilt 2 quadrants CS I before realizing that a couple of weeks away certainly makes a difference on the arms.  I am beat so head back into the house and cut strips for my RR blocks.  That's a good start for the month AND I was able to check off all that I planned for today.  Yes indeed, I am pretty hot stuff (cheerleading continuing).

Grand Illusion - Let the Party Begin - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

It's TIME.  Yay!  Bonnie surprised everyone today (10/10 - and what a cool anniversary gift for me) with an early release of the colors, yardage, and name of this years mystery quilt.  It is called Grand Illusion and is based on the Grand Hotel where she stayed during a visit to Mackinac Island, Michigan.  I LOVE the colors!  Should I say that again?  I LOVE THE COLORS!

I send Mister an email asking him to pick up paint cards on his way home from work and I head for the studio to pull colors based on what I see online.  It looks like I have a healthy start in my stash which makes me pretty excited.  It'll be nice not to have to spend much.  I know that I will have to pick up some yellow, but hopefully that is all.  As I'm sitting in the house, I remember the scrap bucket out back from the "treasure trove" that I was the recipient of earlier this year.  Well goodness me -- I'd better go see what is in there and if anything can add variety.  By the time I am finished, there are scrap piles everywhere but I am not sure just how many will actually work - we'll see after they are pressed.

Here is what I have:

I am being pretty picky and select a few of them before adding the rest to my fat quarter bins.  Here are my final selections with their cards and the blacks/neutrals.

A quick stop  on Saturday (10/18) to pick up yellow somehow nets me a few others as well.  I have no idea how that happens.  One minute there is just the yellow in my hand and the next . . . . well I just can't explain it.  I think I am ready.  How about you?

Celtic Solstice Summary

I am gathering all of my Celtic Solstice (Bonnie Hunter 2013 Mystery Quilt) posts and placing them here so that you can link up and find what you want easily.  They will each open in a new page, leaving you access to this post.

Clue One

Clue Two

Clue Three

Clue Four

Clue Five

Clue Six - The Big Reveal

Finished Tops - Yep 2

The Backs

Ta Da - The Finish

Celtic Solstice Duo --- Finished!

All quilting is a simple meander using "Annie," my beautiful mocha 301a and the only difference between the two is in the bindings -- one is a lighter blue, the other more the jewel tone.  Also, after taking the picture, I discover that my four patches are going different ways thus creating my green and orange lines being opposite.  Oh well, the best laid plans . . .

The last stitch on the second quilt was taken this afternoon.  I am officially finished with the girls.  I still stare at them and think -- "I did that" -- in awe.  So amazing.  Thank you Bonnie Hunter for one very fun and truly educational mystery.  First stitch was taken December 2, 2013 and the final stitch today, October 17, 2014.