On Ringo Lake Quilt Finish

On Ringo Lake, the 2017-18 Mystery Quilt Designed by Bonnie Hunter, Quiltville, is done! 

My color choices are red, gray and gold on a light background.  The border is a little different, because I no longer had enough large chunks of gray to follow Bonnie's pattern.

The quilting is a simple free-motion, edge to edge design of circles and swirls.

Linking up with Sarah, at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

On Ringo Lake, Licorice Whip, En Provence

On Ringo Lake -- Along with thousands of quilters, I have been working on my version of Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt.  I did not have a lot of the corals, but had plenty of reds, tans and grays.   All of my units are done, however making the blocks and sashing are being worked in between other projects.

Below is a baby quilt for a new little cousin in Katy, Texas, "Mia Cate" .... I went with one of my favorite patterns, "Licorice Whip", published by Black Cat Creations.  The 64" X 64" quilt is large enough for the baby to grow into.  All  basted and ready for quilting. 

And...below is my completed Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt from last year, En Provence.  This one stayed on the back of my sewing room door for months waiting to be quilted!  Finished just in time to start the New Mystery.

Although very cold outside, the sun was shining which made it hard to see the quilting design -- just simple swirls.

Sunday Sample, Block 12

Bonnie Hunter's Block, "Joyeaux" from Quiltmaker 100 Blocks, Volume 12 is done ....and is my 12th block completed.  I have only three left (which includes the newest recently published).

Above are all the blocks I have completed -- I use Photo Grid to show them all, however it is a little crowed -- I may just start putting them on the design wall.

Linking up with "Oh Scrap" at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.  

Sunday Sample, Block 11

Bonnie Hunter's Block, "Straights of Mackinac" from Quiltmaker 100 Blocks is now one of my favorites.  I could make this one a few more times.  The block is published in Volume 14.

November's Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks will be hitting the newsstands any day now -- I am looking forward to seeing what Bonnie has come up with.  There are 3 more blocks to catch up, then I may start playing with the layout. Since I like asymmetrical, there will be a little modern twist. 

Linking up with "Oh Scrap" at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

Sunday Sample, Block 10

The 10th Block added to my Sunday Sampler, is Bonnie Hunter's "Something Blue", from the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Collectors Edition (Volume 10).  The newest Quiltmaker 100 Block will be on the stands in November....I'm ready.  I have three more of the older blocks and I will be caught up.

Every time I make another sample block, it feels like I have made a miniature quilt...all the parts coming together with a sense of satisfaction.  

Linking up with "Oh Scrap" at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

Sunday Sample, Block 9

The newest block added to the Sunday Sample, Bonnie Hunter's "Scrap Crystals", from the  Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Collectors Edition.

Linking up with "Oh Scrap" at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

Sunday Sample, Block 8

Starting to get REAL!  I now have eight blocks done!  The newest block above, "Hovering Stars" is Bonnie Hunter's block in Volume #9, Summer 2014, Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Collectors Edition.

I do believe a setting has been decided....something non-traditional, but very scrappy.  The next Volume will be coming out very soon, so I hope to have a few more done.  So far, Bonnie has designed 14 consecutive blocks....with my 8, that's more than half-way.

Linking up with "Oh Scrap" at Quilting is more fun than Housework.

Sunday Sample, Block #7

Seven Blocks are done!  I already have another one cut out, and can't wait to sew it together.  The newest block above, "Dancing Dashes" is Bonnie Hunter's block in Volume #11 of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Special Edition, which is published twice a year.

There has been a lot of playtime on the design wall, looking for the perfect setting.  Regardless, it will be scrappy indeed......which brings me to the linky party "Oh Scrap" at Quilting is more fun than Housework.

Sunday Sample, Block #6

Six blocks done!  They are playing so nice together.  The newest block finished, "Jelly Bean Blast" (top left) is Bonnie Hunter's block in Volume #7 of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Special Edition.  For those just joining my fun little project, I am making all of Bonnie Hunter's blocks that she has contributed (and will contribute) to the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, published twice a year.

And......since this a growing Scrappy Sampler top, I think I'll join "Oh Scrap" linky party.  

Sunday Sample, Block #5

Well, here I am....five blocks done.  Loved making the "Big Bang" block, which is Bonnie Hunter's from Volume #6, in the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Special Edition.

I just can't decide which one I will do next -- may need to toss the numbers in a hat to choose.

Sunday Sample, Block 4

With Four of Bonnie Hunter's Blocks, it is starting to look like an invested project!  Block #4 is called "Birthday Girl", published in Volume #2,  Quiltmaker's 100 Block collector's edition.

New Sampler

I am a big fan of Bonnie Hunter (Quiltville), and have collected all of her books and the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.  Bonnie has designed a block for all but the first publication --- so far she has 14! 

Recently, Bonnie published a picture of someone making all of Bonnie's Blocks as a sampler. Well......I love that idea.....so, I am starting a new long-term sampler project.  

My first finish...."Talkin' Turkey", from Quiltmaker's Volume 5.  Not sure why I started with this one, possibly because red is my favorite color!  The pattern for a quilt is also found in her Book "String Fling".

Grand Illusion - Finished

I am so excited to have finished the latest mystery by Bonnie Hunter, Quiltville.  The Grand Illusion Quilt was introduced through clues beginning the day after 2014 Thanksgiving.  This one has already been delivered to the 2015 Relay for Life Team (Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana) and will be gifted Saturday night.  I always wonder who wins these quilts and hope they know how special one of Bonnie's designs are -- after all, Bonnie is Hollywood among quilters!

After a long absence from posting (very special projects behind the scenes), I am looking forward to joining Sarah at her Whoop Whoop Party.  See you there!

The Mystery Begins!

Yep, I have a thousand projects going on, but I would never miss the Bonnie Mystery!  Like many others, I could hardly sleep Thursday night waiting on the first clue.  I am making the smaller quilt, because I just finished a large 96 x 96 quilt for a Christmas present.  My colors are green, yellow, pink and purples...with white on white background.  I'm done with step 1, so now I have to wait patiently for the next clue.

For a look at the others -- beware, there are lots of them -- visit Bonnie at Quiltville.

Ella's Quilt

Finally, I can show the baby quilt for Ella, who is due to meet the world in September.  This past Sunday, the quilt was delivered to her Mommy's at the Baby Shower.  

Her name is quilted into the border .... first time I've tried this.  Will have to do it again. 

Pattern:  Bonnie Hunter's Pinwheels and Patches

Size:  56 x 56

FUN!

It is now time for a story, A Quilt Story that is .... Join us for Fabric Tuesday, with Heather and Megan.

Utility Quilt #2, Geese Have Landed

It started with the string blocks left behind by my Grandmother and what would have been her 100th Birthday coming up.  My goal is to finish as many quilts as possible using the string blocks Nana started.  A little more of the story is here.

While watching Bonnie Hunter's Quilt Cam over at Quiltville one night, inspiration struck like a bolt of lighting.  Bonnie had picked up an antique quilt using string geese blocks and was using it to reproduce in her own style.  I was in love!  And with the string blocks already done by my grandmother, I started cutting the wings -- mine in brightly colored scraps.  

The Geese have flown into a bright green lake and settled nicely into a finished top of 64 x 80.  I can see more quilts done in this style --- with the geese flying into various other colored lakes.

I have two major projects behind the scenes and this is the perfect "Ender and Leader" Project.  I cannot thank Bonnie enough for her helping me celebrate Nana's year!

Easy Street Blocks on Design Wall

Well!  All the blocks are done for Easy Street, and as promised, Bonnie kept it "EASY" this year.  I do need to sew the blocks together and decide if a border will be added.  It is late and the sun has gone down, so the colors are showing darker than they really are.

A close-up helps show off the colors, but when I am done, an outside shot will help.  I have a feeling we will see MANY Easy Street quilts all done, but mine will come in time.

I am working on other projects as leaders and enders -- including a second quilt from a new pattern coming out later from Black Cat Creations; a pink quilt for a Breast Cancer Awareness function (using another new Black Cat Pattern); and the annual Relay for Life Quilt I donate.  I also have several tops waiting in line for quilting and a few needing binding --- I sure wish I was two people.  I hope to work in Easy Street for a big finish.

It is now time to link up -- Patchwork Times (Monday Design Wall) and Quiltville for the Easy Street Sharing -- see ya there!

Grace's Quilt off the frame.

Quick little update -- Grace's quilt is off the long arm.  I used an all-over pattern of circles, finishing at 60 x 60".  Perfect size for a growing 3-year old.  Now for the binding!

Pattern:  Bonnie Hunter's Patches and Pinwheels

Grace's Quilt, Singer 306K

In 2012, three year old Grace lost her Great Grandmother -- someone she will remember in the future from stories passed on.  Her Grand MaMa loved her blouses, leaving behind a quilter's dream of florals and plaids.  Two quilts were initially made for the two grandchildren by a family friend (Sandy).  I had this idea to  make a smaller version for Grace -- not wanting to leave her out.  Amazingly, there was enough plaids and stripes from the left overs.  To keep the top "girlish", I pulled the border from my stash of plaids.  

Working with sentimental fabrics and blocks over the last few weeks has made me think about my own grandmother's Singer 306K. My sisters and I have all sewn on this machine when we visited Nana.   I pulled her out, cleaned her up, oiled and greased and ordered a new bobbin case and hook system.  She is running great, but needs a little work on the timing.  I sure hope our local guy can take care of a 306K-- which as it turns out is a very DIFFERENT machine -- something I have learned from researching on the web.  Special bobbins, special needles were just the beginning -- this model was one of the first "Zig-Zag" machines using the Cams.

Sarah's Finish and Start of Grace's Quilt

Mary's quilt for Sarah is done -- I will add the binding and ship off this week.  The pattern is "Turning Twenty, by Tricia Cribbs".  

A close-up of the end to end feathers -- I am learning to control the Gammil with each quilt, but I still have a ways to go.  

Grace's Quilt:   I will share more of the story tomorrow about this very special quilt made from blouses of Grace's Great Grandmother. The pattern is from Bonnie Hunter's (Quiltville) Collection: Patches and Pinwheels.  

Fridays are also for sharing -- Sarah with Confessions of a Fabric Addict is the host of the Friday Whoop Whoop Party.  Heading over there now for a little fun.