Quiltville"s Mystery Quilt 2016

Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt has started this year.  This will be the third year that I am going to participate.  

First off, Bonnie just released her latest book, Addicted to Scraps, and along with her book she created a new ruler and offered them as a package deal, and hinted she would be using her new ruler in this year's mystery.  So, I placed my order (sucker) and it came in the mail this week.  I also picked up a set of her playing cards.  A nice novelty to have around, since we all like to play cards.

As like prior years, Bonnie releases her theme name and the paint chip colors around Halloween.  This year's theme name is En Provence from when she went on a tour earlier this year.  You can click on the button I have on the right side of my blog and get all the details for this years mystery if interested.  The goal with the paint chips is to give you an idea of the colors that will be used in the quilt, and since she is all things scrappy it is suggested to pull from your current fabric stash.  I did not think that I would have any, much less enough, of these colors in my stash to follow her color suggestions this year.  But surprise, surprise, surprise, I did have all of what is pictured below in my stash.  I couldn't believe it!!!

The prior two years, I have not followed Bonnie's color suggestions, and used alternate colors (matching values) using Thimbleberries scrappy one year and just four Fig Tree Fabrics w/ a constant background last year.  I am looking forward to doing it this way this year.  Follow along with me over the next 8 weeks to see all the weekly clues, progress and the final reveal of the mystery quilt.

I usually wait until I get finished with a quilt to find a backing.  Sometimes years later.  But, this year while visiting an out of town quilt shop, I found this piece that was pre-cut and discounted.  I pick up 9 yards for under $75.  What a score.  it has all the colors of the paint chips, and I think will work perfect as a backing for this quilt.  It is from the Dowtown Abbey Collection.

I have gotten 8 more UFO quilts back from my long arm quilter, but the weather has been nasty here in the Pacific Northwest, so I haven't been able to get out and take some nice pictures of the finished quilts.  So far, I have 6 of them bound, and have 2 to finish.  I also have 5 quilts at the long arm quilter getting quilted, so will have lots to write about in the next few weeks if I can get pictures.

Warmest...

Blog Update

I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted on my blog.  I have been busy, with various things, but not anything specific or important enough (in my mind anyway) that would make an interesting post.

The weather has been dicey around here in the Pacific Northwest, so I haven't been able to take pictures of finished quilts like I would like.  But, I have gotten binding on four quilts, and will have to  make future posts at a later date.

I have also been working on some BOM's and custom orders for my etsy store.

This is a custom order for a bigger fleece blanket.  Usually I make these fleece blankets in smaller blankets for babies.  The customer saw me making a baby blanket using this fleece print, and wanted to know if i could make one bigger, I said this was the last piece and since the fleece print was "old school" design for this team, it would be difficult to find more to make a big one.  Well I was off across the state visiting a hole in the wall kind of quilt shop, and lo and behold they had this fleece print.  they had about 2 1/2 yards left, so I bought it and contacted the customer.  Of course, the customer was ecstatic and said yes to me making it for them.  It measures 5' X 6', which makes a nice couch throw.

I also have been working on the Vintage Sampler blocks, I got a little behind, I am just now woking on Block 5, which came in the mail last week.

Here is block 3

These are churn dash blocks.  This month they started adding the sashing pieces so when at the end, all the pieces will go together nicely.

This is block 3 fillers that go in and around the major blocks of each month's package.

This is block 4.

Two of the blocks are 12" square, the one on the left is called "Woven Star" and the one on the right is called "Star of Hope", and the filler block is some more Broken Dishes.

Fall is a very busy time of the year.  Just like spring there are so many things that need to be done outside and in all the garden  and flower beds.  Lots of clean up and dead head work that when done, make for ugly pictures.  But, I have wanted to make a pathway from the backyard sidewalk to my greenhouse.  I dug out the dirt and hauled in the filler and hauled in the flagstone to make this pathway.  It was really hard work, but very satisfying to get done.  I know it is a little crooked, but my herb barrels weren't placed perfectly either, so the pathway follows their setting.  I really don't care, I am stating that it is quaint and since it is my work, I will claim it in all it quirkiness!

My rescue dog photo bombed my picture!  

Warmest...