Easy Street

Step 7 was introduced this morning on Bonnie's blog and I discovered I have not read the directions as well as I should have.  I didn't have 2 x 3.5 bricks cut from Step 2.  I'm kind of scrambling to try and find enough fabric to use for these bricks and for my stacked bricks from Step 6.

I have a confession.  When I was working on Step 4 when we were making the stacked geese, I cut enough wings out of my beige/tan fabrics and it was the wrong color.  At the time I'm thinking  "Oh well, I'll just make some other flying geese with my darker brown fabrics and use them on the back of the quilt."  So it has made me short of fabric in the colors I had chosen. (How many out there have done that one?)

Luckily, as I've been cutting out my strips needed, I cut the rest of the fabric into strips for my Scrap Savers System.  I have cut 5 inch strips that I make charm squares from, but haven't cut the squares yet.  So I have taken those strips, cut off one charm square, and then cut my 2 inch strip needed and two 1.5 inch strips. ( I follow Bonnie's system in that she doesn't cut 3 inch strips.  But she doesn't cut 5 inch strips either and I do. The joy of making something work for you!)

Step 5 - "House" blocks

Step 4 - 3.5 inch squares, 110 shown, the rest have been cut, just not pictured.

Introduction:  Gather fabrics.  (done).

Step One: 194 four-patch blocks. (done)

Step Two: Cut 128 "goose" triangles (done)

                 Cut 256 triangles for the "wings" (done)

                 Make 128 Flying geese units (done)
                 Cut 64  2 x 3.5 inch rectangles ( 30)

Step Three: Cut 64 two inch squares (done)

                  Cut 128 triangles for the wings (done)

                  Cut 64 larger half-square triangles (done)

                  Make 64 shaded 4 patches (done)
Step Four: Cut 64 "goose" triangles. (done)
                 Cut 128 triangles for the "wings". (done)
                Make 64 Flying geese units. (done)
                Take 64 geese units from Step 2 and sew them to the 64 units you just made. (done)
                 Cut 145 squares 3.5 inches (done)
Step Five:  Cut 64 squares 3.5 inches, but not the ones cut above. (done)
                 Cut 128 squares 2 inches (done)

                 Sew the 128 squares to the larger 3.5 inch squares at the corners. (done)

                 Cut 16 -  5.5 squares. (0)  

                 Cut the 16 squares with an "X" for 64 quarter square triangles (0)

Step Six:   Sew and cut 128 Stacked brick blocks. (108)

Christmas

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. 

We went to visit our grandchildren and their parents.  What fun!  My grandson was so excited for all the presents.  He really enjoyed helping us open our gifts too.

It's always so much fun to be around little ones at Christmas.

 

We received coffee mugs.  Our coffee never tasted better.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is almost here,  Unlike other years, I'm not madly trying to finish making Christmas gifts.  It feels kind of weird.  The other thing I miss, no special project to work on from Prairie Star Quilts.  Since the shop closed, it has left a little hole.

But.. a new year is soon to be upon us.  And I'm busy thinking of goals for 2013.  Will post more once I decide on the goals.

I am still in the middle of Step 4 of the Easy Street Mystery Quilt.  I have all of my stacked flying geese done.   I'm ready to start cutting out my green squares.  Steps and progress are listed below.

Introduction:  Gather fabrics.  (done).

Step One: 194 four-patch blocks. (done)

Step Two: Cut 128 "goose" triangles (done)

                 Cut 256 triangles for the "wings" (done)

                 Make 128 Flying geese units (done)

Step Three: Cut 64 two inch squares (done)

                  Cut 128 triangles for the wings (done)

                  Cut 64 larger half-square triangles (done)

                  Make 64 shaded 4 patches (done)
Step Four: Cut 64 "goose" triangles. (done)
                 Cut 128 triangles for the "wings". (done)
                Make 64 Flying geese units. (done)
                Take 64 geese units from Step 2 and sew them to the 64 units you just made. (done)
                 Cut 145 squares 3.5 inches (0)
Step Five:  Cut 64 squares 3.5 inches, but not the ones cut above. (0)
                 Cut 128 squares 2 inches (0)

Step Three Is Done!

Step Three Is Done!

I love the colors so much!  Fall is my favorite time of year and these colors just make me feel so good.

Last night we had a Blizzard Warning and it was tricky coming home from work.  We had rain, then freezing rain mixed with snow changing to snow.  The roads were slick and the wind was picking up.  I was glad to be home, safe and sound.  Today we had a "Snow Day"  which converts to "Sew Day" for me. (Thanks Nicki for that verbiage!)  That's why I was able to finish Step 3.  The rest of today I'll be cutting out Step 4 while I finish wrapping presents and maybe even do a little baking.  Tomorrow I'm sure I'll be back to work and Step 5 will be posted.  I'm hoping during Christmas break I'll be able to catch up on some things.

Easy Street Step Two Is Done!

I finished Step 2 of Easy Street Mystery Quilt this morning!  Yeah!! 

  My colors are kind of a dark red and beige/tan for the wings of the geese units.

Now to cutting out Step Three.  I'm even thinking of cutting out step 4 just to have that much done.

Introduction:  Gather fabrics.  (done).

Step One: 194 four-patch blocks. (done)

Step Two: Cut 128 "goose" triangles (done)

                 Cut 256 triangles for the "wings" (done)

                 Make 128 Flying geese units (done)

Step Three: Cut 64 two inch squares (0)

                  Cut 128 triangles for the wings (0)

                  Cut 64 larger half-square triangles (0)

                  Make 64 shaded 4 patches (0)
Step Four: Cut 64 "goose" triangles. (0)
                 Cut 128 triangles for the "wings". (0)
                Make 64 Flying geese units. (0)
                Take 64 geese units from Step 2 and sew them to the 64 units you just made. (0)

Quick Note

Just a quick note, I have 78 of my flying geese units from Step 2 done.

 I haven't even started Step 3.

And come Friday, Step 4 will be out!

Slow and steady wins the race, just like when I did Orca Bay.

Quilt Day!

Yesterday, Saturday, was Quilt Day for Quilts From The Bluffs.  And it was our Christmas Potluck.

 We all had a wonderful time! 

The only downer was after lunch.  Everyone went back to work on whatever they were in the middle of before lunch, and one of the quilters cut her finger with the rotary cutter.  Thank goodness one of our other quilters is a nurse.  They ran her to the ER.  She is doing well, but they told her it would be about 3 months before it was fully healed.    After that, everyone was very careful when they were cutting.


So here is a public service announcement:  Watch what you are doing and be very careful when cutting fabric.  You may even want to invest in some cutting gloves.  It would make a great gift for Christmas, so add it to your wish list!

Step 3 Is Here!

Step 3 is here and I'm still on step 2!

But, I do feel good about what I have gotten done.  

All my flying geese are cut out and grouped together so I can sew them up.

The interesting thing I noted while cutting up my fabrics was that a number of them have this little corner piece cut out.  I know that is from the days of crafting and craft fairs.  Not sure what I made that I needed such a little piece.

Another golden oldie from the stash.  I get such a good feeling from using those now.  It reminds me of when I was a little girl about 5 or 6.  In the days before air conditioning in the summer time. (yes, I'm that old) I would take my crayons and coloring books out on the front porch and color.  One summer my goal was to color all the pages in my coloring books.  I did color all the pages in 2 books that summer.  And I would get such a feeling of accomplishment as I colored each page, getting closer and closer to my goal.  Amazing to get that same feeling now and have it bring back that memory.

And a finish to the week!  I gave my co-worker the Advent Calendar I made for her.  She will start using it next year.  This year she is giving her daughter a Christmas book each night before Christmas.  Next year she can add a note to the mittens as to which book they will read on that day.  What a great idea!

Introduction:  Gather fabrics.  (done).

Step One: 194 four-patch blocks. (done)

Step Two: Cut 128 quarter square triangles (done)

                 Cut 256 triangles for the wings (done)

                 Make 128 Flying geese units (0)

Step Three: Cut 64 two inch squares (0)

                  Cut 128 triangles for the wings (0)

                  Cut 64 larger half-square triangles (0)

                  Make 64 shaded 4 patches (0)

Step One Is Done!

Step one of the Easy Street mystery quilt is done.

All 194 of them!

I even took them all for a spin, a la Bonnie Hunt.

You might remember Bonnie's grey/gray crackle fabric.  I have the same fabric only in beige. 

I am so happy to be using some of this fabric that has been in my stash for years.  As I'm cutting up the strips I need, I'm also cutting up the last of each piece and adding it to my Scrap Saver's System.  Soon it will be used in other projects....

What A Week

What a week!  I've been fighting a cold all week long, so didn't do more than my 15 minutes every night.  You can get a little done, but I didn't make my goal of having all of my 4-patch blocks done.

I worked on those most of Saturday and on the Advent Calendar I'm making for a co-worker.  I know, December 1 was Saturday.  I hope to finish it today.  Right now I don't have any pictures, but I'm hoping to by tonight!  See you later!

A Start

I have a start to my four-patch blocks.  I have some "twosie" done.

 I love sitting down to the machine with a goal in mind.  I hope to have these well on the way to being the number I need by the time the next step is introduced.

Too Quiet

It's too quiet right now.  My son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren have left.  I miss the sounds of the kids fighting, of running up and down the hall and the laughter.  But it is a good time to get busy with Step One of the "Easy Street" mystery quilt.  I have been cutting strips to make my four-patch blocks.

It's hard to tell in the picture, but I'm using a dark brown for the "background" fabric and lots of beige/cream prints for the other side.  This is in place of Bonnie's gray and the black and white prints.


Introduction:  Gather fabrics.  (done).
Step One: 194 four-patch blocks. (0).

Lots to Share

I have lots to share with you!  First, these are my fabrics for Bonnie K Hunter's new mystery quilt "Easy Street".

I decided to go with Autumn colors as I have wanted to make an Autumn quilt for some time.  I've been collecting fabrics and I decided that this is the pattern I'm going to do it in.  I love the color choices Bonnie used, but I just don't have that in my stash.  And as much as I would love to go buy new fabric, I decided I wanted to make the Autumn quilt now.  I want a new quilt for my bed by next Thanksgiving.

My other project that I've been working on is an Advent Calendar.  This one is for a co-worker.  I'm loving how it's coming along.  I don't have a pattern, but have seen some on Pinterest that are similar.  The first few numbers:

I'm off now to stitch some more numbers and to cut strips for the first clue of the mystery quilt, "Easy Street."

Wonky Log Cabin Blocks

My wonky log cabin blocks are done!

I took my blocks outside since the sun was still shining, but the light didn't really show them off at this angle.

So I took a picture standing on one of the chairs.  You can see the blocks better now.

These blocks are part of a quilt being put together through The Quilting Gallery.  You can go here to sign up to make some blocks or to be a Team Leader and put the blocks together.  Anything you can do, even one block will help.  THANKS!

Wonky Log Cabin Blocks

I got a good start on my wonky log cabin blocks tonight.

I'm using fabric from my string bin, so we'll see how they go.  If I'm not happy with them once they're done, I might redo them in a more contained color combination.  But they are fun to do.  Very easy and fast!

Quilt Day

Tomorrow is Quilt Day for Quilts From The Bluffs.  And we're going to join everyone in the big effort, Hurricane Sandy Quilt Relief.

We are signed up to be a Team Leader through Quilting Gallery and I signed up to do some blocks.  The tutorial for the blocks is now on the Quilting Gallery site.  Please consider making a couple of blocks for such a worthy cause.

As for tomorrow, we will work on our quilts to send to eQuilter, a part of the 5,000 quilts needed.

A Finish

I finished my paint chip challenge for my Quilt Guild.  I'm really happy with the way it came out.

The pattern was in this publication: "Modern Patchwork.   It was a special issue, but I hope it becomes a regular publication.  I would subscribe to it.  Lots of great ideas! 

I have to share a picture I took this weekend from my laundry room window.  I haven't ever seen a buck this big around here before.  And it was just like he was posing for me.

Easy Four-Patch Blocks

I'm working on a quilt, "Four-Patch Plaid" from "Nickel Quilts" by Pat Speth and Charlene Thode.  I thought I would show to the super easy way they have you make four-patch blocks.

First you start out with two 5 inch blocks:

Place them right sides together and sew a 1/4 inch seam on two sides.

Cut the square in half, using the stitching side to the outside.

Then press open to the darker fabric.  Using 2 different halves, pin together butting the seams together.

I like to pin.:-)

After you have sewed the pinned edges, cut in half again.  

 You have 2 four-patch blocks made!  Love how easy this is.  And it works great as a "Leader and Ender."

New Mystery Quilt

Today Bonnie K. Hunter has the fabric requirements on her blog for the new mystery quilt.

Yes, even after the length of time it took me to make last year's mystery quilt, I'm going to jump in and try this year's quilt.  I'm so excited.  I'm hoping that I can find enough fabric in my stash so that I don't have to go out and buy more fabric.  But I'm not ruling that out. L

I have been working on 4-patch blocks using my charm squares, nickel squares or 5 inch blocks.  (Whatever you want to call them.)  As I said, I have cut up lots of my fabric so it's time to make something with them.  And I can do this as leaders and enders as I work on the mystery quilt, sewing 2 quilts at one time!

Are you interested in the mystery?

I Know....

I know... I haven't been blogging like I should.  But I've been working on some fun things.  Still cutting up my grey/gray fabric from box number 7, still hand quilting the backing for my pillows and still playing with fabric.

Yesterday, our Quilt Guild had another Mini Retreat.  So much fun!  And I love seeing all the things that people are working on and getting to know fellow guild members better.

And Jill (in the pink) was leaving early to go home and finish packing as she was leaving on a Bus Trip on Sunday to go to Dallas.  To Quilt Market!  That would be a fun trip!

I got my paint chip challenge project pin basted and started a quilt from the book "Nickel Quilts" by Pat Speth and Charlene Thode.  I've been cutting up so much fabric that the drawer I put the 5 inch squares in was getting too full.  I decided it was time to do something about that.

Quilt Guild

Tuesday night was my Quilt Guild meeting and I love "Show and Tell".  The first "Show" was a wonderful 1930's quilt.

 And I really love quilts from the 1930's and 40's.  

A close up of the center of the pink square. 

All the wonderful quilting.

Hand quilted, look at those stitches.

I'm feeling inspired to get at my hand quilting projects.  I have to finish that one leaf first.....

Gray or Grey? Box Number 7

I decided to start in on another box in the closet, Box Number 7.

This box has all of the gray/grey fabric I have bought over the years.

Sunday Sewing

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at my friend Patti's house as we finished up some potholders from this book, Zakka Style.  We mainly added bindings as the rest was already done by other helpers.  They came out so nice.

Every year we work on a small project to give at a breast cancer survivors dinner called  "Women Helping Women".    You should really check out this book, it has some really nice and easy projects that would make great gifts for your special loved ones.

I Can't Believe It!

I can't believe it!  It's been three weeks since I sat down at my sewing machine.  That's how long I've been back from the Quilt Retreat.  I have been working on projects, just not projects that needed my sewing machine.

I set up the machine this morning and made a couple of string blocks.  I have cut out my Paint Chip Challenge table runner and I've done a little sewing on it.  Hope to have some pictures to show you tomorrow.

I also have been doing hand sewing.  Working on a hexie, hand quilting the backing of the little pillows I'm trying to finish up from Box Number 6 .  And I'll soon be working on hand quilting my big quilt.  I know that Bonnie Hunter is doing a hand quilting for an hour a week challenge. Not sure I'm ready to join the group, but I am going to try to quilt a little on it every night.  Slow and steady wins the race, just like my Orca Bay quilt.

The AQS Show

Last Saturday I went to the AQS show.  What an amazing display of incredible quilts!  There were signs on all the quilt displays asking that you do not take pictures, so I didn't.  Here is a link of the quilt show winners.
There are images of just a few quilts, but I'm sure they will be in quilt magazines soon.  The Des Moines Area Quilt Guild had a show and I took pictures of quilts there. Enjoy the mini show!

An interesting setting for a log cabin block.

I loved the colors.

I love turtles.

Old neckties

Look hard to see the cats and mice.

Love that the background is all scrap, but the sunflowers give it  a very different look.

Black, white and red.

Another interesting background for the applique.

Over the top applique.

Another wonderful example of applique.

I loved the way this quilter handled the corners on this string quilt.