December 2020 Quilt Update

 

Hello December!!  Take a good look at the box.  WE ROAR!!  This has been quite the year.  We have made it to the last month and although our Roaring 20's beginning was not quite what we had hoped for, it has had some definite good come from it.  Take some time to help your spirit this month.  Count your blessings.  Allow your own heart to ROAR with joy.  You've earned it.  I know I have.  We are only a month away from a brand new theme and year.  It'll happen --- and we'll share another journey together.

If you are new to the blog, you may be asking, "just what is a monthly update?"  I decided long ago that I just can't keep up with blogging daily.  I just can't.  Sooooo, what happens is I document a day in my life within one post and if something special happens, a separate post takes place.  See, you can stay caught up with a once a month check and then, if you're interested, see the other posts too.  It's a great system for me.

In years past, I have set goals for each month and I will continue to do that simply to keep myself on track.  I AM still in UFO mode around here and trying oh so hard to use or clean out the stash.  It will be an ongoing project this year.  If I want something to come in -- something has to go out.  That is one goal.  The balances change each month (hopefully) and will always show up at the bottom of the update if you read that far - and they are joined by links to the previous monthly updates for the year.

Now, grab a cuppa and sit back for a fun read and perhaps a new idea or two.   (P.S. I format on a computer, so if you are reading on a phone, well sometimes the pictures will be before or after the story.  It is what it is.)

2020 Finished Quilts

Each year, as I age, I am in awe of how quick the year passes.  This year, even with all of it's challenges is not any different. Zoom!  Even with all the trials, I cannot complain.  I have a sweetie who loves me and is just so dang supportive.  What more do I really need?  Perspective -- such a great word.

At any rate, I didn't finish as much as I had hoped this year, but I'm still please and there is always 2021 to keep on working the list down.

January - My youngest grandson is getting a "big-boy" bed and needs a quilt.  Gammy to the machine.

2020 Finished Non-Quilt Items

Each year I try and create one post that includes all that I have managed to finish.  It's the only way I know what took place and have it in one quick and easy spot.  This post contains all that are not a QUILT or QUILTED Wallhanging.  That doesn't mean these aren't quilted as well, just my way of keeping things a wee bit separate.  Got it?

Here's the month by month:

January - With a granddaughter turning 4 this summer and a trip to Utah on the horizon, I want to deliver a finished tea set.  I can lose the worry of mailing it this way and I'll just hide it downstairs until the time is right.  Mister and I worked together on the box and it is now ready to go.

April - With the pandemic looming -- focus went to masks.  I didn't take pics of the multitude made, but a few were recorded just as a choice for grands.  Some had elastic and some had shoelace ties.  Personally, I prefer the shoe lace ones.

Grassy Creek - Clue 5 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

 Happy Day After Christmas!!  My wish is that all had wonderful day in whatever form that means.  For me and my sweetie --- it was quiet.  Very quiet!  However, today is a happy day as we receive another step in the Grassy Creek Mystery.  I am so ready to cut.  We have some chores today so my first bit of time only allows for the cutting, but it goes pretty quick and I'm thankful to be able to use of LOTS of the bits left from previous clues.

Grassy Creek - Clue 4 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

Week four has arrived and I am blessed to have a friend to sew with today.  We stayed up late last night talking so she is still snoozing, but I am raring to go.  Fresh gingerbread scones are in the oven, coffee is made and I'm ready to cut.  Neutrals and gray.  Easy peasy.  I get down to the last few sets before running out of neutral variety (which is stored in the guest room --- don't analyze me -- yes, I know I have a studio -- the neutrals are happier in the house --- they told me) and she wakes so I can complete my task.  These went reasonably quick and I'm ready to move on, but first I have one block left from yesterday's adventure.  Once it is finished (four hours later), I am ready to move on.  Whew.

Grassy Creek - Clue 3 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

 

Week 3 is here and I'm on top of it this go round.  I quickly set up the cutting area and locate the red (constant) and orange (constant) along with my neutrals (scrappy).  My Companion Angle ruler and I just slice, slice, slice.  I love this week's unit.  It's such a great start, but I have lots of irons in the fire today and move onto cutting a few other things.  Once those are tackled, I am ready to sew.

Grassy Creek - Clue 2 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

As you know from my previous post, I am working two clues at once.  The first is cut, the Chex Mix is still baking away and I'm onto cutting for the second part.  Gray has been put away and green (constant) along with neutrals (scrappy) have come to play.  I have grabbed any gold or neutral strips that will play nicely and my Companion Angle Ruler and I are ready to go.

Grassy Creek - Clue 1 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

It's taken me a couple of weeks, but I finally have the chance to focus on this mystery.  Starting it also earns me a BINGO mark and if you don't understand that, well ya just need to read my monthly updates.  Bring on Grassy Creek.  I am making Chex Mix this morning so living my life in 15 minute increments and that's perfect for cutting pieces.  With my gold (scrappy) and gray (constant) fabrics in tow, it;s time to slice.  Oh wait, do I have some gold strips out in the studio that will work for this.  Must check and, yes, I scored quite a few.

November 2020 Quilt Update

November is here! Where did October go? This month allow yourself to experience ROAR WARS. Go beyond what you think you can do. No limitations. Get out of your comfort zone - in whatever manner that takes. You've got this!

This month gets us a little closer to the end of our theme for the year and I'm kinda ready for it. At any rate, if you are new to this blog --- here is how it all started.  The 20's are Roaring Again and are you joining in with our own group ROAR?  I posted all the details in a separate post and here is the Theme LINK to get the details if you want to join in.

Lights of Broadway Brazos Retreat

Each November we celebrate our anniversary retreat and this year marks our 7th weekend before Thanksgiving at Brazos.  The theme is "Lights of Broadway" and away we go --

Mairead's Quiet Book

I have a granddaughter turning one at the end of this year.  That means another quiet book to be put together.  For once, I have decided to get a head start on this and make some progress each month.  Will that hold out?  I don't know, but a start is a start.  Here is a little(?) log of how this book came together.  At the end of this post, I will give links to previous books as well.

New Year's Day ---  Yep, January 1st and I've cleaned the solids tub and located fabrics for the page backings AND cut them all.

1/16 -- While cleaning batting stacks and cutting for various projects to be tackled this year -- all the batting for the pages is now ready.  Not too bad for January.

Grassy Creek - Introduction - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

Another fall is upon us and that means that Bonnie Hunter's Reader Appreciation Mystery is about to begin.  This year is it called Grassy Creek and here is the Introduction LINK so that you can read all about it and perhaps join in the fun.

The colors were released yesterday and since Mister needed some chain oil for his chainsaw, we made the annual trek for paint chips so that I could pick out fabrics.

Grassy Creek - Summary - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

 

Bonnie Hunter's Winter Reader Appreciation Mystery is BACK!!!  I so love this time of year.  This makes my eighth year of following her and making the mystery quilts.  I've also picked up and completed many of her other ones that happened before that and along the way in other forms -- Plano classes and Quiltmaker Magazine.  It makes my heart happy to work on these each time I have the opportunity.  In fact, I am down to only ONE mystery of hers that I have not completed and that is Orca Bay.  Stay tuned as I'm tackling it in 2021.

I am gathering all of my posts and placing them here so you can link up and find what you want easily.  They will each open in a new page, leaving you access to this post.  You can also always find this post by clicking the tab at the top of the blog.  Please become a follower and you will always know when a new post is up.  Welcome to you and comments are ALWAYS appreciated.

If you wish to play along, PLEASE click on THIS LINK to get directly to the Quiltville site and all of the information.  I promise, you'll have a great time.

Post 1:  Introduction - Colors

Post 2:  Part 1 - Half-Square Triangles

Post 3:  Part 2 - Hour-Glass Units 

Post 4:  Part 3 - Triangle Units 

Post 5:  Part 4 - Giant Flying Geese 

Post 6:  Part 5 - Nine-Patches, Flying Geese, and Parts 

Post 7:  Part 6 - Snowball Bricks

Post 8:  Part 7 - First Part - The BIG REVEAL

Post 9:  Part 7 - Second Part - The Big Finish

October 2020 Quilt Update

Ahhhhhh  ---

I am so doing the happy dance.  It's OCTOBER!!!  This is my favorite month of the WHOLE year.  The house is decorated for autumn and my heart is happy.

Journey - Clue 9 and REVEAL

Journeys often take routes that are unplanned, such as our trip to Arkansas or have unexpected events which alter one's idea of the planned outcome.  It happens.  It's part of life.  This mystery has taken on a life of its own at several times and I've had to adjust and reroute just as our daily lives have done the same.  If only the road could always be straight.

Have you enjoyed this journey?  Has the path been straight for you?  I hope so and that you have walked away with a positive experience.  I know it is challenging to blindly follow someone else's vision.  Thank you for having enough confidence in me to do so.

So, without further ado, this post is our REVEAL.  Yep, we're finishing it up.  It's time as my friend, Bonnie Hunter, has colors coming out for her mystery today and I want everyone to be able to focus on that if they choose to.  Let's get going and I would suggest reading all the way to the end first --- now, how many zipped to the end FIRST when they knew it was the reveal??  Come on, be honest.

Journey - Clue 8

Roads and more roads.  Have we journeyed enough so far?  Let's take a break and just look at the stars in the sky.  That's important too, right?  

Quilter's Cottage Spotlight - Eureka Springs

 We've been in Eureka Springs the last couple of days and are leaving this morning, but not without a stop at The Quilter's Cottage.  Come along for a fun stop and so much more.  As we walk in the door, our arrival is announced by the cutest Pomeranian that I have seen in years.  She is darling and her job is to let the owner,  Shirley, know someone is in the store.  She then comes over to say howdy to us with a quick sniff of the feet.

Piece of Heaven Quilt Shop - Mountainburg, AR

 Driving along during our vacation in Arkansas, right on the road in Mountainburg, I see Quilt Fabric on a building.  My sweet man is wonderful at accommodating me and quickly stops and turns the car around.  Yay!!!  The shop is Piece of Heaven and the owner is Patty.  Come along and peek in to see her own little share of heaven on earth.

Journey - Clue 7

Woah!!  I'm still out doing a bit of my own journey and enjoying time with my sweetheart.  Have you figured out where I am?  All I can say is that nature always provides eye candy to us and we are soaking it up.

Can you believe how far we've come on this journey?  I hope I've kept it low stress for you.  I LOVE seeing your progress photos.  They just make my heart happy.  We're about to begin week 7 and, as always, PLEASE READ ALL THE WORDS before starting.  It's a lesson I have to remind myself of quite often as well.

Sometimes, on our journeys, we come to a "Y" in the road.  Which way do we go? 

Journey - Clue 6

It's my anniversary!!!  Where am I?  Such mysteries abound, right?  After last week, y'all should be caught up and ready for some real fun.  We're going on fast forward this week.  Please make sure to READ ALL THE WORDS before starting and so on your mark, get set, READ.

Sometimes it feels as though life is just going in circles.  While traveling, we run into roundabouts now and then and this week, we're going to be circling.  Hey, it's a reach but a definite method of travel --- vultures do it all the time.

Welcome to French Silk Pie.  Yep, that's the name of our block.  Sounds yummy, I know.  Well, it is.  Even with fabric.

Block A - make 41

First up, we need to cut the center squares.  From 3 1/2" neutral strips, cut 41 - 3 1/2" squares.

Just like this, lickety split.

You will need Units 3 and 5 from previous clues.

Here is your layout --- gray squares in the corners, red bricks out.

I stack mine all up on a small design board so that I can just work one right after the other.

My normal method of putting together blocks is to web - however, this time I opted to work in rows due to REALLY watching my points.  I could turn the pieces the way that was best to see what I was doing all the time. Press top and bottom rows to the center piece  and the center row towards the outside --- I know, it stinks for the flying geese.

Now it's time to sew the rows.  Here is a HINT!!  In order to watch all three points as you sew the top row to the center, one has to be on the bottom.  I hold it up to the light so I can see just where that seam needs to go and pop a pin in there.  Yes, it takes time and I'm not usually this careful, but . . .  it does help.

The top and center rows are together.

Now to add that lower row.  I laid the new section on the bottom and did the same process as above.  There is NO hard and fast rule that the smaller piece has to be on top when we sew.  Press each row to the center - this time it stinks for the middle row geese, but there really isn't any way around it unless you prefer to press everything open and then you'll still have some interesting spots.

Measure time -- do you have a 9 1/2" square?

If so, have fun and create this lovely stack of beauty.  I'll see you next week and I hope to see you posting how much fun you're having.  If you haven't joined the Facebook Group yet, here is your LINK.  See ya on the 17th.