Mystery Time

As I mentioned last time, my pink scrap bins are full, so when Kevin the Quilter announced this mystery in two colors, I knew one of those colors would be pink.

I chose to pair it with brown--another color of which I have an overabundance.  In the first two clues, we made four-patches.


I did a mystery with Kevin last year with this result.

I'm looking forward to the next clue!

I'm also working on another project that I can't show yet, and I'm putting together more scraps for donation quilts. It is, however, time for the semester to begin, so things are about to get very busy.

Happy Quilting. 😸

Spun Sugar

My pink scrap bins were overflowing!

Spun Sugar 70" x 78"

Spun Sugar (backing and binding detail)

Spun Sugar (detail)

Lots and lots of pinks--yet I still have more! Look closely and you might find Waldo. 😊

I called this Spun Sugar because it looks (to me) like cotton candy (candy floss in the UK). It is a spiderweb pattern, so "spun" works too, since spiders spin their webs! Lots of fun bits and pieces went into this--I just love making string quilts!


To continue the sweet theme: PIE! Peach, to be exact.

 Have a sweet day! 😋

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.
 

 

I'm Still Here!

I've been quiet, but I'm still here. I need to take a bunch of pictures to show you what I've been up to, but for today, I thought I'd show you what is under the needle right now.

I've been intimidated by Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay quilt, but I finally decided that I could do it. Here are some of the friends who are helping me:

Waldo (Just in case you have been looking for him.)

Napping Santa and Napping Santa Flamingo

Cardinal

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

As you can see, I'm doing Orca Bay as a Christmas quilt. I've made several Christmas quilts, but I don't have one of my own--until now.

I'll get some photography done and be back with more of my work from the last few weeks/months. Happy Quilting!

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!