Mystery Monday Part 5

Good Morning from a very chilly Minnesota, -8 and dropping. So far we don't have the winds but it is said they are coming. Yippee, not!

Part 5 is complete. I very much hated this part in Orca Bay, could not get it so they looked good. I think that my accuracy and  my scant 1/4 inch have improved since then and these were actually fun to do. It goes to show that practice does make perfect.

In the process of cleaning up for Christmas, I lost my little container of binding clips. Do you ever put something away in a out of the way spot and KNOW that you will remember where you put them? Yeah, so did I and now they are nowhere to be found. It is a bright yellow cloth box that looks like an ottoman, about 2 x3" and matches one of my Mary Engelbreit chair pincushions. If you see it anywhere, let me know!

Here's my parts all ready to go. So glad I decided to make the smaller version and have kept up. Bonnie has surprised us in the past and gave us a clue on New Year's Day. Wonder if she will do so this year? That is the mystery of it!

Linking up to Mystery Monday Part 5 at Bonnie's! See you there.

As Always,

Deb

Stash Report Week 52

Used this week: 2 yards

Used YTD: 144.75 yards

Added this week: 0 yards

Added YTD: 36 yards

Net:  -94.25 yards

A few test blocks made this week for a magazine, a few FQ's as gifts and  2 mug rugs for January gifts.

Well I did not make my goal of 100 yards. In my defense, if there were more hours in a day and days in a week, I would have! Can you hear me pouting...lol

The numbers for 2014 should look good, I have 5 tops (already counted) to quilt with the backings not counted. I will certainly keep track this year because it made me really think about my stash differently and my buying habits. 

Accomplished this week:

Part 5 Celtic Solstice

and parts for another mystery on Facebook "Just Us Quilters"

and cutting out for Retreat late January.

I will leave you with a couple of Christmas pics 

Lucy, a blur as she opens one of her gifts!

They are both telling me not to post it to Facebook! They changed into their new pajamas for the car ride home! Love those girlies!

The girls gift to Grandpa.....

As Always,

Deb

Linking up to Judy at Patchwork Times!

Mystery Monday Link Up

1. Grocery Shopping - Done
2. Presents bought and wrapped - Done
3. Cookies baked - Done
4. Parties attended -Done
5. CS Part 4 - Done

Housecleaning today and early lunch with friends tomorrow and then family arrives!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas 
and joyous Holiday Season from 
our house to yours!

P.S. Don't forget to check on everybody's progress on Bonnie's blog

As Always,

Deb

Celtic Solstice Monday Link Up

Here they are! I'm keeping up so far...

All 3 parts

I am enjoying this mystery so much. I love that I was able to venture into a color scheme for me. This one is not leaving my house. It is for me and only me, no matter how much someone begs.

Thanks Bonnie for doing this and sharing. It really is appreciated and loved by many.

Check out the progress at Bonnie's blog, Quiltville.

As Always,

Deb

Stash Report Week 50

Used this week:  0 yards

Used YTD: 143.75 yards

Added this week: 0 yards

Added YTD: 36 yards

Net:  -92.25 yards

Not that I have not been doing anything. 

Just no pics of the projects and no complete finishes. Working on my test blocks for Quiltmaker along with a couple of other secret projects.

I have been working on Bonnie Hunter's Mystery "Celtic Solstice" and keeping up! Yeah me, although she was easy on us this week.

From right to left, Parts 1,2,3. I am loving my colors and to be fair, I am doing the smaller quilt. This is my third mystery with her and let me tell you, she does not do quilts in a small way and I just don't need a big one right now. A decision I may regret. lol

We had our guild Christmas Party this last week. I apologize in advance, some of the pics are fuzzy and it was operator error. My camera was set wrong and I eventually figured it out but only 1/4 of the pics were usable. So many beautiful projects and I think they were all destined to be gifts.

These ladies can not only make quilts, they can make cookies!

We exchanged ornaments using Christmas music like musical chairs, but only the gifts moved. We exchanged Fat Quarters using the "Mrs. Wright" game, what a hoot. We laughed, shared, ate and wished each other well until after the new year! All the leftover cookie are given to the staff at church to enjoy and thank them for allowing us to meet there.

Although it is a busy time for everyone, check out what the others are doing to deplete their stash at "Patchwork Times".

As Always,

Deb

Celtic Solstice Week 2

The clue came out on Friday morning, I got it all cut out Friday night....ahead of the game. Feeling pretty on top of it!

Not so fast....Saturday mornings are reserved for can't miss breakfast with a group of friends, then to the bank, hubby quick dropped me off and he went for a haircut, he was late and couldn't get in, so left the shop and did several errands, they called and asked for his cell so they could call him, they had a cancellation. I was giving them his # and looked at the shelf, there lay his phone. No good.....so I called the Post Office, he had already been there, called the hardware store and he had not been in yet. Left a message for him to go back to the shop. This can only happen in small towns, lol

I quick vacuumed as I was having a good friend come over to sew and really felt that she need not walk thru a pile of threads and dog "fluffs", non-shedding dogs you know. He shows up, did not go to the hardware store, I'm yelling as he gets out of the truck, "Quick, go to the shop, they can take you NOW!" As he was leaving, friend pulls up, he felt obligated to help her unload. Just GO!

Now, I'm tired....

We had a great day of chatting, catching up and eating.  I got the privilege of  helping her as she is a new quilter and wanted to make tablerunners for her hubby's side of the family. It is always so fun to watch a new quilter and their unabashed enthusiasm. She is hooked and I am so glad to have a new partner in crime!

I did not get much done. Sunday showed some progress and here it is.

It was probably better that I paid attention. I had to chant to myself "Neutrals together, neutrals together" to keep it straight. 50 totally complete and with a little trimming and pressing, the next 50 will be ready to go. I have a sneaky suspicion that we will be doing more of these...but I've been wrong before!

I'm linking up with Bonnie, so go check out all of the wonderful progress.

Bonus, my friend had a piece of the green(hard to find) that I am using in her stash....now mind you her stash is not that big...yes, of course I asked if I could have it. She gave it to me. There is no shame when you are doing the mystery.

As Always,

Deb

Celtic Solstice Mystery

Part 1 for the smaller quilt - Linking up to Bonnie's Monday posting.

As Always,

Deb

Stash Report Week 47

Used this week:3.0 yards

Used YTD: 143.75 yards

Added this week: 0 yards

Added YTD: 36 yards

Net:  -92.25 yards

Just a quick stop...game is on!

Two projects this week, first up, a Hanukkah runner for some special people in Boston. It is from Quiltmaker Nov/Dec 13 called "Nights of Light"

Second is my Bonnie Hunter's "Leaders and Enders" project. These are all from projects in 2013, cut into 2" squares. Did not want to wait until after the first of January to assemble because I will start a new scrap project.  If you have not seen her system or her books, check it out. These scraps would have all been thrown away in the past. Now, I have a free quilt! 

Consulted DH on borders and I will have to order some black, swirls or small pattern. It will have another white border, a round of 2" and then the black. Won't count this as used yet.

I also got the approval of Chloe, our newest member of the family from a rescue. Boy, she really needs another grooming...

I'm linking up to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times and really think you should check out the progress of the faithful!

I leave you with this:

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
~Grandpa Jones

As Always,

Deb

P.S. Don't forget Celtic Solstice starts Friday!

Stash Report Week 46

Used this week: 7.0 yards

Used YTD: 140.75 yards

Added this week: 0 yards

Added YTD: 36 yards

Net:  -89.25 yards

I am going to make my goal! There will be 2 quilt tops quilted this week and it will push me over 100 used. 

This weeks project, same pattern as last week. Sorry for the photo, dark and dreary this morning and I surely moved while taking it.  The fabrics are "Lovely" from RJR from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I bought 4 charm packs on one of their daily deals. It came with 2 colorways and I chose only the purple pansies. The blue ones will be a different project. The original thought was to enter the "Iron Quilter" contest but you had to use all charms at least once. I did not care for the blues and purples together. I may still do it if I can use the blues on the back and it still counts. Need to check the rules again.

Last week's version:

I absolutely adore making these blocks, they are a go-to block for me. I can just sit and sew away for hours. 

2 weeks and Celtic Solstice starts....yeah! Check out the button on my sidebar ig you want to quilt along.

Now I need to go see what the others are up to at "Patchwork Times", you should too.

As Always,

Deb

Stash Report Week 45

Used this week: 7.5 yards

Used YTD: 133.75 yards

Added this week: 0 yards

Added YTD: 36 yards

Net:  -82.25 yards

Well goodness, it is already late afternoon as I post this. 

Started the day at an AMVETS fundraiser breakfast this morning with a group of friends, what fun, did the grocery store thing, got home and started a pot of Chili, did a load of wash, finished my book and then decided I had better upload the pics from the camera about 1pm. That is where it stopped. Nothing would upload and after several tries, lots of googling and a very big dose of frustration, figured out the port on the computer was bad. Good thing I have several!

Yesterday was our Guild's "Quilt til You Wilt". The turnout was a little low but we had good food, fun and got lots done.
Here is my project:

The pattern is from Becky Wright, The Civil War Quilter. It is "Jacob's Cot Quilt" although I changed the layout. I love the pattern and already have another one started with RJR's Lovely line that has purple pansies. I'll show you that next week.

Some of the others are hard at work also:

I just realized, I did not take many pictures, missed many people. Some of them would tell me that that was okay. lol

Other projects the last 2 weeks included:

Picking out my fabrics for Bonnie Hunter's mystery "Celtic Solstice" always a challenge for me. I did the last 2 in brights and wanted this one for my house so dragged out the Thimbleberries tote.

Ten setting blocks made for JUQ Mystery on Facebook.

I smell the cornbread so it is time to feed us. Mmmmmm chili and cornbread, just right for this cold, dreary day.

Make sure you check out all of the wonderful "stashbusters" at Patchwork Times.

As Always,

Deb

Stash Report Week 43

Used this week: 9.25 yards

Used YTD: 126.25 yards

Added this week: 14.75 yards

Added YTD: 36 yards

Net:  -74.75 yards

I still have a shot at using 100 yards but I better get off here and head to the sewing room.

I do not know how the weeks fly by but they do and here I am behind again. 

Fall is now upon us and the need to get more done is enhanced by the fact that the holidays are right around the corner.

For Christmas, Moda Aspen mini charms won at Quilt Guild.

 Quilted and out the door for my SIL, It is Moda Icicles, a kit from Firefly Quilt Shop.

A Twister for a swap from Woodland batiks from Keepsake Quilting along with a charm pack from a shop hop done in July. 

Another twister from Minnesota Shop Hop fabrics for my DH nightstand...he asked for it.

Had enough for another twister for me, still hanging on the design wall. I think I am done with the Twisters for awhile, fun but wastes fabric! lol

Block of the month for Just Us Quilters. I am loving these even though as a rule I do not do samplers.

I have also worked on several sample blocks for a patternmaker, several blocks for a magazine and a quilt for a competition, all of which I cannot show you yet. 

I needed to do something different and found this inspiration on the net. My name in Hebrew means "bee".

My obsession has turned to civil war fabrics and have acquired 14.75 yards and it is all waiting until after the first of the year for me to begin playing.

Here are a couple of the patterns from the "Civil War Quilter"

Oh almost forgot...a UFO completed....

It is from a magazine circa 2006.....and for the life of me a cannot find it now. The ghosts are men's hankerchiefs cut in half diagonally, The spiderwebs glow in the dark and candy fits in each pocket along the perimeter.

Finally, I am collecting fabrics from stash to do Quiltville's Mystery, Celtic Solstice. She put a tab on the top of her page for it. I found a bunch of Thimbleberries fabric that I am contemplating. It would be so different than her selections although in the same color families.

Check out the progress of others at Patchwork Times!

As Always,

Deb