A Bit More Retrospection (Bonnie Hunter Designs)

As I was looking back at my Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilts (see previous post), I thought it would be interesting to remind myself of the other BH patterns I have made. I have included  Bonnie's name for the pattern and my name for individual quilts [in brackets], if they differed. The year indicated was the year that I completed the project.

Carolina Chain (2015)

Patches and Pinwheels (2015)

 

Bricks and Stepping Stones [AKA Autumn Path] (2015)

 

These were three of my first efforts. I was afraid of the small pieces, so I made the units a bit bigger than the pattern indicated.

 

 

Spiderweb [AKA Flowing Flowers] (2015)

 

This was not a BH pattern--I've done several Spiderweb-type quilts; however, the idea for the offset blocks came from Bonnie's blog as she was constructing her own version.

Random Ohio Stars (2015)

This was a favorite of mine--the little stars were just SO CUTE! 😸

 

Jamestown Landing (2016)

Jamestown Landing (in red rather than blue) was my first complex BH pattern--lots of little pieces. It took me quite a long time to make the millions of HSTs required (okay, not really millions, but it seemed like it!). Finishing this one felt like an enormous accomplishment. 

 

Pfeffernüse (2016)

This is still one of my favorites--so warm and cozy in brown and red with its flannel backing.

 

Carolina Chain (2016)

Another Carolina Chain, but this time I made it in Christmas fabrics. This is a great pattern to show off fabric prints.

 

Twirl Around (2017)

As soon as I saw this quilt pattern, I knew it would be my next project! I switched out the colors, making mine green and rust.

 

Sand Castles (2019)

This was the most fun I've ever had making a quilt. Sand Castles went together so well that I felt like an expert. I love the way it turned out.

 

Winter Blues [AKA Summer Sunshine] (2021)

When I saw the pattern for Winter Blues, nothing would do but that I make it in yellows. I don't know why--yellow isn't my favorite color, but I'm so pleased that I went with my impulse. This quilt is on my bed now, and it simply brightens my day every time I look at it! 😎

So, in looking back, I find that, including the mysteries, I have completed twenty-one Bonnie Hunter patterns! Wow--I wouldn't have believed that possible when I began. 😺

I'm not sure what my next BH project will be (other than this year's mystery), but I'm ready to make another quilt. Stay tuned!

 

Happy Quilting! 😸

 

Time to Catch Up!

I finally got some photos of the work I've been doing.

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Donation Quilts

I cut flannel scraps to make donation quilts. You can see the first batch HERE. They were kid size and made with kids' prints. The next ones were for adults.

Two with many florals

Three with plaids, stripes, and more

I layered them on the fence to take photos. They aren't identical, but they are made with the same mix of fabrics. All five are 60" x 72" and are backed with flannel.

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I've been using my 3.5" squares as Leaders/Enders this year. Here are three more I've put together for a total of eight. I don't have pictures of all of them, but they are all made the same way with a wide mix of scraps. They are 62" x 74" and are backed with solid colors.

Leader/Ender Project

I'll be continuing with the same leader/ender project this year. Though I've reduced my 3.5" square bin, it still has plenty of fabric left!

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I mentioned that I've been making Bonnie Hunter's quilt Sand Castles. You can see my previous posts here: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Here she is--

Sand Castles (a Bonnie Hunter design) 84" x 84"

Sand Castles (backing and binding detail)

Sand Castles (detail)

Sand Castles (detail)

Though the design is titled Sand Castles, for some reason, the string squares remind me of birds' nests; thus, I used a backing fabric covered with birds on branches. This was a fun quilts to make--Bonnie Hunter writes great instructions, and it went together without a hitch!

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As I mentioned HERE, I have  been intimidated by Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay pattern. I loved the quilt, but I was afraid to start it. I have overcome the fear and now I have my own version of the beautiful quilt. 

Meet my Orca Bay: The Christmas Edition.

 Orca Bay 80" x 90"

Orca Bay (detail)

Orca Bay (detail) The fabric with the beaver is from Christmas outfits I made for my kids over thirty years ago!

Orca Bay (detail) Look closely and you will find Waldo.

Orca Bay (detail) Santas, Cardinals, Snow People,...

Orca Bay (detail) Nutcracker, Peppermints, Christmas Goose,...

Orca Bay (detail) Musical Cat, Stripes, Dots,...

Orca Bay (detail) Santa Flamingo

Orca Bay (detail) And a partridge in a pear tree

I have made many Christmas quilts, but I never had one of my own--now, I do! 

Lesson Learned: Take one step at a time, and you can create something amazing, even if you are afraid.
 

 

Sand Castles Quilt Top

I have put my blocks together for the Sand Castles quilt from Bonnie Hunter's String Frenzy.

This isn't the greatest picture, but I don't like to handle tops too much before they are quilted to avoid stretching the edges (even though I stay-stitched them). So, I simply draped her over the countertop (she's a BIG girl) to give an idea of how she looks. After quilting, I'll hang her outside and get a better photo.

She will likely wait until the end of the semester for quilting--I'm pretty much overbooked for work until then! I'll show her again when she is completely finished.

Still Building Sand Castles

I'm continuing to work on Bonnie Hunter's Sand Castles quilt from her latest book String Frenzy.

I finished all the parts, so I'm now assembling blocks.

Here's a sample block.

 I love the way these are fitting together. The sashing provides a perfect fit for the seams pressed towards it. Everything ends up very flat and neat--front and back.

 

This is the back of the sample block.

For a little extra fun, I included this block. It may be a challenge to find amid the many four-patches when the quilt is done.

Where's Waldo?

This is a project that I'm really enjoying. As soon as I finish making the last few blocks, I'll start assembling them into the quilt top.

Happy quilting!

Beginning to Build Sand Castles

Though I live nowhere near the beach, I'm starting assembly on the Sand Castles quilt from Bonnie Hunter's book, String Frenzy.

Putting together the block centers (The stiletto is a gift from a quilting friend. Thanks, Carah!)

String triangles added, though not yet trimmed

I think I've got the process figured out now, so full steam ahead!

Happy String Break!

I'm enjoying String...errr...Spring Break this week.

I cleared the decks of projects, so I could start an new one during this week of time off from teaching.


My new project, you ask?

Sand Castles

This quilt is from Bonnie Hunter's latest book, String Frenzy. It includes string blocks and lots and lots (and lots and lots!) of four-patches.

As you can see, I've been working on the string blocks. Today, I'm sewing strips together for the four-patches.

String Blocks and Strips for Four-Patches

I'm enjoying a new project--and I've a long way to go!