Mystery Quilt Step 6 Reveal and Viewer Linkup

For those that are still working on the mystery quilt, how are you doing so far?  I hope you've enjoyed this non-traditional mystery quilt.   I'd love to hear what you think of it as you've been working on it.   And  I've included a linkup at the bottom of this post and would love to see pics of your quilt.   Please consider posting to the linkup at the bottom of the page so that everyone can see what you've been doing.

The two things to be added in this step were 5 stars, and a rectangle across two blocks.   I played with the instructions for my quilt and ended up actually adding a total of 8 stars.   But I didn't want just random stars floating around on the top.  So I cut stars in multiple sizes and fabrics, and then added circles out of a yellow & gold plaid fabric.   Then made flowers from them by layering stars and circles.    All of it was fused down and then button-hole stitched.

I took more 'liberties' with my rectangle as well and didn't stick with the traditional rectangle shape - two pairs of equal sides with 90 degree angles.   Yes that is the engineer/math side of me coming out.....lol.  

Instead I made my 'rectangle' a trapezoid......both are quadrilateral figures....and for me that was good.  I then added a circle at the bottom of the figure and made an exclamation point to finish off my saying.   =)  

I have plans for a pieced border that I'll be posting in steps starting next weekend if you want to follow me as I do that.  

To link up for this mystery, add your link by clicking below:

An InLinkz Link-up

Ponderings.....What do you think?

As the end of the mystery quilt instructions approaches, I've been thinking about what to design for posting next.   Another mystery quilt, a planned design, quilt ideas with how to do them, or just some block designs.....or something else altogether?

For myself, I've got a quilt designed that I plan on working on while at a quilt retreat in April that will be submitted for publication.   So that won't get posted on here.   And am working on my next block submittal for QuiltMaker's magazine as well at the retreat.    Do need to get that design decided on so I can pull fabrics for it.

However, I love to design and always have more than one design in the works.   I do want to continue to share designs on my blog and website, but need input from my readers and those that are interested.  

What would you be interested in seeing me design and post next -

• A mystery quilt - traditional, non-traditional?   If so what size would you be most interested in?
• Block patterns - what type (applique, pieced), theme, size?
• One or more quilt design and instructions for them (non mystery) - style/theme?
• Something totally different - if so what?

Thanks in advance for your feedback, it is much appreciated....

Gratitudes:

1. Having the fun of being able to design my own quilts and patterns.

2. Spring break has been wonderful even if I didn't get anywhere near all i wanted to do done.  =) 

2015 Mystery Quilt, Step 6

The final steps before the border:

1. Add a rectangle across 2 blocks in the coordinating fabric of your choice.

2. Add a star on each of the 6 blocks using more than one of your coordinating fabrics.

         Thinking outside the box:
         Try to not place fabrics on a  block that already has the same fabric used on it.

Pumpkin Panel Fused

Swapped out one fabric on the small pumpkin that bothered me and like the results much better.   All fabrics are now fused down and ready to stitch around with button-holing.   Need to get out a spool of black thread and I'll be ready to stitch away on it. =)

Gratitudes:

1. Knowing that God will provide all that is needed (health and finances) as I prepare for surgery on my sinuses in late April.

2. Spring break is next week and the quilt retreat is coming in 3 weeks.....woohoo.............

Mystery Quilt Step 5 Reveal and Viewer Linkup

How are all of you that are working on the mystery quilt doing so far?  Keeping up or lagging behind?  I've included a linkup at the bottom of this post and would love to see pics of your quilt.   Please consider posting to the linkup.

For myself, the first thing I added this round was what I managed to forget to do the last step.   Yes, I'm one who doesn't do well at following patterns - even my own. One of my quilting friends who is doing the mystery pointed out that I had not added the three circles from step 4.   Ooops!!!

So the first thing I added was those down towards the bottom of the quilt.

The first part of step 5 was to think creatively and add 3 numbers into your quilt.   To add the numbers into my quilt I pieced flying geese - there are three of them in a lime green at the bottom left of the quilt.   This strip of geese were inset into the quilt top.

I then pieced another strip of three geese in the same dk greek print I had bordered three of the blocks in back at the start of the project.   I then lopped off the corner of the upper right hand block and added the dk green geese there.  I wanted the effect of the dk green fading into the gees and then back into the strip down the side of the block.   The final "goose" was done in the lime green/blue floral and is appliqued down to the middle block on the right hand.

The final part of step 5 was to add three squares to the quilt.   I used the pink w/daisies fabric to make these and placed them so that they would either overlap the dk green strips or the dark pink triangle.  I'm liking the layered effect that i'm getting by overlapping the pieces.

Pumpkins ready for fusing

Everything is finally laid out on the top panel for my pumpkin quilt and ready for fusing.   Currently pinned in place so that I can lift it up to the ironing board, I'll look at it for a day or two to see if I want to change anything before fusing it all in place.     I'm happy with though, and really glad to be getting closer to having this quilt finished after starting it way back in 2004.  =)

The bags right behind the panel are full of wool sweaters and wool yardage that I was given by a gal I work with.   I'll be felting them to make slippers and other wool gifts from.  =)

Gratitudes:

1. That I was priveledged to know and love my Uncle Charles as long as he was alive.   Will miss him.

2. CT Scan has been done on my sinuses.....Lord willing it will show the infection is gone.

Pumpkin Progess

Pumpkins and a few vine segments and leaves have been pinned to the top panel for the quilt.     More vines and leaves are still to be traced and cut out for the panel.  

The original panel shows two more pumpkins on each side, but I'm debating on putting anymore on the panel at this point.   Am waiting to make up my mind until I see how just the vines and leaves look.    I'm thinking tho that adding more in will over power the words.   I am going to swap out some of the letters for different colored fabrics because they are blending into the vine and I want them to stand out more.   Have lots of left over fabric from the blocks so that won't be a problem.

Am happy to see this starting to come together, not sure i'm looking forward to all of the buttonhole stitching on the panel tho.  

And yes, before you ask, the words I have on the panel are my design and were not a part of the original design.  =)

Gratitudes:
1. Second class of three in the Driver's Ed Instructor training is now finished up.

2.  Spring break is but a week away!

Fog Delays Mean Time to Play Wth UFO's

Heavy fog today gave a 2-hr delay for the start of school and that means I got to play a wee bit with my quilting this morning before I had to leave for the drive school.   

Decided I'd pull out a UFO to work on, namely my Pumpkins Thru the Year quilt.   The top has been together except for the top panel for almost a year.  And the top panel was pieced but the applique not added as well.    The applique has been waiting for me to decide what kind of words I wanted to put in the panel.  

The quilt finally spoke to me this week and told me what to put there, so I've been able to make some progress on it this morning.  Letters are cut out, but not fused down yet.   I'm not convinced I like the fabric I used for the 'Y' but I still have other fabrics that I can used to recut it if I decide to do that.  There are pumpkins of assorted sizes (big one in the middle), vines and leaves yet to be placed on the panel.  I'm now in the process of tracing the patterns for the pumpkins, vine sections, and leaves that will be going in there.   Once everything has been stitched down I'll be able to add the final outer border to it and the top will be done.

Other UFO's that I've had out this week include some string blocks made with oodles of batiks and Moda marbles.  I made a couple of test blocks to see what they might look like as alternate blocks.   there are over 100 of the string blocks, so I'll have enough for 2 quilts if I use alternate blocks with them.   The block I used here for the alternate is a 3D Bowtie block the the center part in a second color and all 4 of the other squares in a WOW print.  Am still debating if I like it or not.

The final UFO is a piece of my cross-stitch that I've put into a crazy quilt square.  I add a flowering vine several years ago, but then couldn't figure out what to add next.   So it was put up and has sat there for several years now.  The cross-stitch has been done for a lot of years.

Thanks to an idea offered by an internet friend, I found an idea though that I like and am going to sketch up for use on this.  You can see it on Pinterest here - Wisteria Branch.    At this point it will most likely end up in the upper left of the block.   Still to be added some sort of flowers for a bee charm to be savoring, and a wee snail somewhere on the bottom in more flowers or grasses.   Ultimately this will be finished as a wallhanging after all embellishment and final border is added.

What kind of UFO's are you working on these days?

Gratitudes:
1. Delay at school due to fog means a safer drive there.

2. Short day at school due to having the follow up CT Scan on the sinus infection.

2015 Mystery Quilt, Step 5

The two parts to this step include the following -

1.   Using your choice of your coordinating fabrics add a number to three of the blocks.  

      Challenge - think outside the box here.   How can you represent a number without actually using numbers?  Words, an actual number, pick an item or shape that you like and do it in multiples - what other ways can you come up with to represent a number?

2.  Using a single coordinating fabric, add a square to three different blocks.

      Thinking outside of the box - will you add three squares?   Have one square that touches more than one square?   will it be flat or have texture?   What kind of fun can you add to a simple square?

Getting caught up..........

Got the block made that I'd missed a couple of months ago.   And since I won't be trading it, I decided to personalize it with a sign with the name that I use for my business.    =)  And lest you think I used a pink background, it's just the picture that is funky - the background fabric is actually a white-on-white fabric.

Have also finished off the American Hero quilt.   Used a Moda Marble for the border.

Gratitudes:
1. The weather is warming up.  =)

2. Am almost done with the second of the three classes for DE certification.

Freezing Rain Means Time to Sew

The storm arrived right on the predicted time this morning bringing with it freezing rain, sleet, and generally a wintery mess.   Thankfully no snow yet with it, but I'm still not venturing out, even across the street to get my mail with everything iced over.

Instead I've been busy sewing away here in my nice warm house.  First project today was to put together the blocks for the current quilt in progress and then put the top together.   The blocks were based on the Indiana star pattern.

At this point the quilt top measures 54" by 72".  Blocks are 18 inches in size.   Next for this quilt I need to go stash-diving and see what I have that would work for the border.  There's gotta be something somewhere in three boxes of blues, 1 box of reds, and at least one box of patriotic fab's.   lol.............

Gratitudes
1. Did not have to go into school today with the freezing rain and ice

2.  Platelets were up even more last time I was in for check.

Mystery Quilt Step 4 Reveal and Linkup

From the first when I started this sample quilt, I had the phrase "You are Loved" stuck in my head.   I playing with the fabrics I added it to the middle of my quilt.

I used the same daisy fabric that was used in the bottom triangle, same green as the largest triangle, and then a bright pink zebra stripe for the words.  They are fused down and button-holed stitched around by machine.

This quilt will either end up donated to a kids charity or given as a gift so either way it will fit.  =)

What did you end up adding as your message?   I'd love to see a picture if you've got one posted online.  Add a link below to share it with everyone.

An InLinkz Link-up