Chasing the Sun - Clue 6

Happy 1st day of October!  Do you love autumn as much as I do?  On the favorite season spectrum, it has attained number one status.  There's just something about a slightly cooler day and cooler evenings along with the color changes going on all around us that makes my heart happy.  Perhaps it is because I am a redhead and the colors are all "MINE" according to the charts of years ago.  Perhaps it's just that it usually signifies a calmer couple of months.  Whatever the reason, I'm going to enjoy every minute of it and am thrilled to be spending Saturday mornings here with all of you.

I think it's about time to bring all that dark purple into play.  What do you think?  REMEMBER TO READ ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM BEFORE STARTING.  As always, if you are going scrappy, remember to mix it up.

Purple (color 7): Cut 32 - 1 1/2" strips THEN subcut into 60 - 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" bricks AND 92 - 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" bricks.

UNIT A (make 60):

With the 60 - 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" purple bricks, sew one to each of the Unit A's as shown in the graphic above - on the lower edge of the unit.

The Unit A's should now measure 7 1/2" x 8 1/2".

Are you seeing how ALL my blocks are consistently wonky?  It's driving me nuts and I simply cannot believe that I repeated the same mistake EXACTLY 60 times.  Is it an optical illusion?  NO - I have measured and I am exactly the correct size each time but my orange strips are not always straight.  How can that be?  I'm going to live with it, but it sure does confuse me.

September Quilt Update

Any links that you click in this post will open in a DIFFERENT window, allowing you to continue reading this without losing the page.

I have moved the previous posts to the end of the entry.  I hope that you make it that far.

A QUICK NOTE:  I have created a new group for those of you wishing to participate in the Chasing the Sun Mystery which started the 27th of August.  It is NOT too late to join in.   The group can be located by clicking on this FACEBOOK LINK and all information for the mystery will be located in this blog by clicking the Chasing the Sun tab at the top of the page.  I hope you will all join in.  The more the merrier.

Goals:  I am no longer even attempting to comment on those that were not touched.  They'll just stay on the list until they are achieved, even though life jumps in front of them now and then.

Easy Street (ES) - quilted, bound -
Old Tobacco Road (OTR)  - Clues 4, 5 - 

Allietare (A) - Clue 6 sewn, back, label, binding, quilted, bound - All but bound
Round Robin - last one delivered - YES
Roll Roll Cotton Boll - quilted and bound -  
New baby Afghan crocheted and delivered - YES
Chasing the Sun (CTS)  - scrappy quilted and bound -  

1st -  Hello September!  Ooooh I am so excited as we are entering my absolute favorite time of year.  FALL!!!!!   The colors, the temperatures, the overall peacefulness of this season just makes my heart oh so happy.  How about you?  I want to soak up every minute of it ---- allow every fiber of my being to embrace the glory of Autumn.  Try it yourself.  It's pretty amazing.  So to start this wonderful season, I am still in Utah and crocheting like crazy.   I know, I know.  This is a quilting blog.  What can I say?  I actually love various fiber art activities.  Right now, my fingers are flying through the yarn attempting to complete Ava's afghan before her blessing in three days.  I do have to admit that I am really loving this project.  It has tested my capabilities and yet allowed me to do a bit of growing in this genre.  The little engine is in full force --- I think I can, I think I can . . .

2nd - Guess what?  I have managed to finish the afghan for Ava.  I KNOW -- shocking huh?  However, it is true and the biggest shocker of all is that I absolutely love it.  Seriously.  It may just be my favorite crochet project of all time.  Well --- there was the afghan I did for my grandson, Ryan's, birth too --- could be a toss up.  Either way.  It's lovely.  What do you think?

Friends, Food, and Fabric - A Day at Valerie's

It's a play day and I am off to Plano for some fun.  Mister is being a sweetheart, as always, and working from home so that I can play with friends.  Seriously, I feel like a child when these opportunities come up.  Let's go.

First stop is at Allison's where I run into Janet.  Oh yes, an added bonus and I even took a picture of her but can't show it cos there is something in the background that I just can't show yet.  So sorry.  I can, however, show my Allietare quilt which Allison has quilted.  Oh yummy.  (Remember that if you need a top quilted, she is amazing and will love your project as much as you do.  You can get her info at this LINK).  I am SO excited and yet scared at the same time.  Now to scallop the edges and put the bias binding on.  How long will I let it intimidate me?  Time will tell.  After some delightful tea, it's time to depart for our sew day at Valerie's.

Sleepover and MCM Day

Okay, just let me start out by saying that when Allison and I get together, I completely forget that a camera exists most of the time.  We just have so much fun together and not every minute of that needs to be documented.  Okay?  Now, moving on.

I have not seen Allison in a couple of weeks and have missed her dearly.  Her absence at the beach was felt by all and I am so super glad that she is coming over this morning for a day of sewing, a sleepover, and another day of sewing tomorrow.  I think I have that teenage feeling again.  My friend is coming over to play and she gets to spend the night --- you remember that feeling, right?

Chasing the Sun - Clue 5

It's Week FIVE!  This is just flying by.  I am  home from a wonderful time at the beach and already looking forward to the October retreat.  Yes!  This is by far my favorite time of year and today we are going to play with some color combos that even fit the fall theme.

Let's get started.  Oh, but first.  In the first mystery we worked strictly with 2" strips and this time we have varied the sizes a bit but we are also going to do couple of triangles just to make things interesting.  I will give directions for the way I made them, but if you prefer a different method, go right ahead knowing that it might change your cutting requirements and you may need to cut additional fabric.

REMEMBER TO READ ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM BEFORE STARTING.


White (color 1):  Cut 21 - 1 1/2" white strips THEN subcut into 60 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" bricks and 60 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" bricks.  (A hint here:  I found that if I used WOF folded, I could cut 2 - 7 1/2" pairs and 1 - 6 1/2" pair out of each strip with very little leftover.  When you have enough 7 1/2" strips then just go exclusively for the others.
Orange (color 3):  IF SCRAPPY:  Cut 2 - 3" squares and then subcut in half diagonally to have half square triangles (HST's).  You will have two waste triangles (or use whatever method you wish to cut 2 HST's)
Orange (color 3):  IF CONSTANT:  From a leftover 3 1/2" strip, cut 1 - 3" square as shown on the right.  Then cut in half diagonally, leaving you two triangles.
Red (color 4):  IF SCRAPPY:  Cut 2 - 3" squares and then subcut in half diagonally to have half square triangles (HST's).  You will have two waste triangles (or use whatever method you wish to cut 2 HST's)
Red (color 4):  IF CONSTANT:  From a leftover 3 1/2" strip, cut 1 - 3" square as with the orange.  Cut in half diagonally, leaving you with two triangles.
Lavender (color 6):  IF SCRAPPY:  Cut 8 - 2" x 7" bricks
Lavender (color 6): IF CONSTANT:   Subcut 8 - 2" x 7" bricks from your 2" strips.
Purple (color 7):  IF SCRAPPY:  Cut 4 - 2" squares
Purple (color 7):  IF CONSTANT: Subcut 4 - 2" squares from your 2" strips

Second Beach Retreat - Surfside 2016

Are you ready?  Round Two is about to begin.  My "tweeners" have moved on, the linens are clean (thanks to the mighty Val), and we have cleaned as much from the refrigerators as we can.  It is CRAZY how much food is in this house.  Crazy, I tell you.  Arrivals begin and as they stake out their temporary homes, several of us make a mad dash for the water in order to get a swim in today.  It's a now or never type thing and I really need my time in the water to help keep me grounded.  Now, back to the house and get ready for the evening plans.  We are off to the Red Snapper again for our welcome dinner.  It's a great chance to connect with those you may not have met before and for old friends to reconnect once again.  

Chasing the Sun - Clue 4

Welcome to Clue 4.  Was it a long week for you?  Not me, I'm still soaking up every wonderful minute that this beach retreat can provide.  I know, I know -- stop bragging.  Okay.

Since I am still away, this clue is also fairly straight forward and easy.  Enjoy and REMEMBER TO READ ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM BEFORE CUTTING.   If going scrappy, don't forget to mix it up.

Yellow (color 2):  EVERYONE:  Subcut 60 - 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" bricks AND 60 - 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" bricks from your 1 1/2" strips.
Lavender (color 6):  EVERYONE:  Subcut 60 - 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" bricks AND 60 - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" bricks from your 1 1/2" strips.
Purple (color 7):  IF DOING SCRAPPY: Cut 4 - 3 1/2" squares
Purple (color 7):  IF DOING CONSTANT:  Subcut 4 - 3 1/2" squares from your 3 1/2" strip.
Black (color 8):  EVERYONE: Subcut 4 - 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" bricks AND 4 - 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" bricks from your 1 1/2" strips

Tweener Time

9/13 Whew!  One weekend retreat group has departed and we are into the downtime and my "tweener" group.  For the rest of today, tomorrow, and most of Thursday we will be down to 10 people in the house.  It's definitely quieter and yet not all at the same time.  I have to laugh as I look around the almost empty house and see what is taking place now.  Lydia is attempting to mark quilting lines on some fabric and appears to have the same problem I had with the cinnamon rolls last night.  Cans of food to the rescue.  We are nothing, if not inventive here.

First Beach Retreat - Surfside 2016

The September beach retreat in Surfside, Texas has finally arrived.  Dang, but waiting a whole year for things sure seems to take a what feels like a year or so.  I have prepared my gifts, packed the ingredients for some fun baking, and FILLED my hallway with supplies and "stuff."  Now to sit and wait for Lydia to pick me up.  Will everything fit?  I even have things stacked on the front porch from a late night shopping trip last evening.  Call me crazy, but we NEED this stuff.

Chasing the Sun - Clue 3

I used to teach a class once a month.  I was always shocked at how quick the month went by and it was time to teach again.  I'm feeling the same thing with these weeks.  Is it really Saturday already?  Of course not --- this is an EARLY release but still ---- tomorrow is Saturday right?  Onto week three.  REMEMBER TO READ ALL THE WAY THROUGH BEFORE STARTING.

On your mark, get set, cut --- (When I say LEFTOVER, I mean the little ends that are left from cutting previous bricks and squares, not strips that are still remaining to be cut.)  These cutting directions are for everyone.  If you are doing scrappy, remember to mix it up.

White (color 1):  From 1 1/2" strip, cut 6 - 1 1/2" squares
Yellow (color 2):  From leftover 1 1/2" strips, cut 10 - 1 1/2" squares
Orange (color 3):  From the leftover 1 1/2" strips, cut 8 - 1 1/2" squares
Red (color 4):  From the leftover 1 1/2" strips, cut 8 - 1 1/2" squares
Pink (color 5):  Subcut 32 - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" bricks from your 1 1/2" strips
Pink (color 5):  From the leftover 1 1/2" strips, cut 8 - 1 1/2" squares
Lavender (color 6):  Subcut 32 - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" bricks from your 1 1/2" strips

Yes, this is an easy clue.  I am at the beach retreat and pretty much unhooked from the internet leaving me unable to answer many questions.  As a result --- you get an easy week.

Once again get your Unit B's.  We are going to add the pink bricks onto it.  Make 16.

One brick will go on each side as shown in the graphic.  Your finished unit should measure 6 1/2" square.

Chasing the Sun - Clue 2

Welcome to week 2 of this year's mystery.  It's so bright and cheery.  May it rub off on each one of us so that our attitudes are the same.

Today's cutting requirements are:  (Everyone cuts everything unless it states differently - scrappy remember to mix up your strips).  Oh yeah --- PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM BEFORE STARTING TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND,