Hello 2014

While everyone else is putting together their Celtic Solstice quilts, I focused on finishing up my Back To Square One Mystery. Isn't if fabulous! After our water woes of the last 4 days, I needed to celebrate (my word of the year) with sewing and laundry--sew until the dryer beeps, switch things around, fold, repeat.  And oh did I celebrate getting the water fixed. Happy New Year to us. New water pump and holding tank and some other parts.

Judy L designs the best quilts and she kept us guessing on this one. I need to get some backing for this and hope to quilt it soon.

Tell It To The Stars is her 2014 Mystery and I have my fabric for this already. I am not starting it quite yet. I have one more UFO to finish before I start anything new. It will be the final project I had for December's Getting It Done Challenge. And when that is finished, I will write my post with my January goals.

Now I have to put away a whole bunch of clean clothes.  And smile as I pet my pretty quilt top.

Back To Square One Progress

After being behind for 3 months and finally catching up last month, I decided that wasn't going to happen again with the Back To Square One Mystery. 

I cut it pretty close this month. Today I sat down and sewed this month's clue. Just in the knick of time!

I spread the top out on my bed and it is just gorgeous. There isn't enough room in my bedroom for me to get a good shot of the top so here's a dark shot of it laid out on the couch.  I wish I would have charged the battery in my good camera but I didn't.  

Earlier today I sat down to write this blog post but got side tracked with shopping for new fabrics at Thousands of Bolts. You know Judy L and Vicki are doing another year long project called Tell It To The Stars.  I can't wait!

Back To Square One Mystery

I am ready for November's clue for the Back To Square One Mystery. While at retreat a couple weeks ago, I got all caught up on the past clues.

It was fun sitting by Cheryl (no blog) and chatting about the mystery, giving her tips like pressing and what not to do with your top and bottom row-which she ignored. (Wink wink Cheryl!!!)  It was really fun just chatting about the mystery with her. We we pretty close guessing what the next step would be, just a little upside down. We are both going to have wonderful quilts!

I'm linking up at Patchwork Times and then I'm going to spend some time looking at everyone's mystery projects.

November Getting It Done Challenge

 October goals for the Getting It Done Challenge were:

•  Judy L's mystery for August and September and October
• Bind Orca Bay 
• Bind TUSQLJ
• Make Rainbow Scrap blocks for August and September and October

I am all caught up on Judy L's Back to Square One Mystery

and ready for the next clue.

Orca Bay and The Ultimate Scrap Quilt Like Julie's 

are both finished.

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks were not touched so I'll start November with those.

November Getting It Done Challenge List

• Get caught up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge--I think this will be a great retreat project.
• 10 more Pineapple Crazy Blocks
• Work on Reach For The Stars
• Work on Hexi Wall hanging

See how others are doing with their lists at Patchwork Times.

October Retreat Round Up

This is Royal Ridges Retreat.

Our surroundings are beautiful.

I always go to retreat with a plan of action.

I try to follow my plan...for the most part.

I leave with a big list of new projects I want to do.

First up was to finish the 24 September log cabin blocks 

for Judy L's Back to Square One Mystery.

Next was to do the 12 star blocks.

The half square triangle papers were already pinned to the fabric.

I just had to sew, cut, press, then assemble the blocks.

The first 3 parts were easy. 

I got distracted with the assemble part and ended up unsewing a bit.

But all is well and the October step is complete. 

Yeah me!

The I got busy and sewed the bottom half of the log cabin quilt.

I was a bit a lot giddy with excitement when this was finished.

I love it and my friends loved it and that made me happy.

Sometimes I kind of worry about my scrappiness.

I have the attitude that most anything goes with everything else.

And on here it does. 

Then it was on to the assembly of the Sanctuary blocks.

This went together pretty fast and we all loved how cozy it is.

Now it is on the design wall/bed waiting for the border decision.

Then I worked on the mini quilt on the right called Busy Work.

It was a quilt along at Heartspun Quilts.

You can search her website for this project.

I loved the combination of the black and tan that I saw there so that's what I picked for mine.

The star on the left is block one of Carol Doak's new BOM on the Yahoo group.

You can find the link for the group on her website.

This quilt is called Scappy Scramble.

Perfect for me. 

I'm not happy with the center so I'll redo it today.  

All the while,

I'm working the Split 9 Patch leader/enders.

I couldn't believe I got 15 blocks made.

That's a lot of seams!!!

As always, retreat was a blast. 

Good friends,

good laughs, 

good ideas.

Can't wait for the next one.

Only 2 1/2 weeks.

I know, 

Lucky Me!

Design Wall Monday

I made good progress on my Back To Square One Mystery this week. One morning I went into the sewing room to put a couple things away, sat down to sew a couple seams and all of the sudden the side borders for the August clue were all sewn together.  It's still early, might as well sew one on. After the second side was finished, I looked at the clock and it had been over an hour since I put those things away.  So I pin marked to have the other 2 borders ready for my next sewing time. 

Fast forward a couple days and the August clue is finished and the second part of the September clue is finished.  

I cut all the pieces for the September log cabin blocks and for the October star blocks. I planned to take them to retreat next week but instead I got busy.

I wonder if the October blocks will make it to retreat.  I'm thinking not. It's a good rainy day here and I did all my Monday stuff yesterday. I think today is a good day to take a container of soup out of the freezer for dinner and spend the day with my sewing machine.

See fabulous design walls at Patchwork Times. I'm going to sit right here with another cup of coffee and see what is happening around Blogland today.

Design Wall Monday

This isn't up on the wall yet but it is on my sewing table. It's my Back To Square One Mystery. I am behind and hope to get caught up today with Clue 8 and 9. Cross your fingers.

You can see under my Clue 8 instructions is a layout guide for the Log Cabin quilt. Half of that is sewn together and the blocks for the second half are ready and waiting to be made into rows. But I want my forgotten mystery to jump to the front of the line today.

Still up on the design wall is Mae's Flower Garden. I wrote about this yesterday and you can read our cute conversation here. Last night I started putting the remaining green path on the flowers for the top row. She thought it looked funny without green. So what's a Gramma to do but sew green hexies. I'm sure with each visit she is going to want to see if I've made progress. This girl is going to keep me on track.

See other fabulous design walls at Patchwork Times.

She's Keeping Me Guessing!

Who is keeping me guessing?  Judy L is!  I completed this month's step for Back To Square One Mystery -log cabin blocks. When I went to play on the design wall, I can't figure out how these blocks will go. There are 24 blocks and clearly you need more than 6 per side.  Hmmm

I carefully folded the center back up and put it away but I had to play with the blocks a bit.  This is my favorite setting, barn raising.  You know the little wheels in my brain are turning super right now.

I can't wait to see the next step. I hope it solves this little mystery. Thanks for the great project Judy!

Design Wall Monday

Saturday I sewed.

Sunday afternoon I sewed.

Right now there is nothing on my design wall, 

but I accomplished a lot!

  

I completed June's step of the Back To Square One Mystery. 

I used the blades for the Dresden Plate block for my Rainbow Scrap Challenge as leaders and enders.

I have to get out my other machine to use the blind stitch to applique this to the background.

I used the half square bonus triangles from Pineapple Blossom #2 

as leaders and enders for the Dresden Plate Block. 

These will go into the orphan block bin.

Under my Sewing Mates table, you can see the stack of 10 finished 

card trick blocks for my Row Quilt.

When I still wanted to sew, I pulled out my Pineapple Crazy blocks to make a few more.

I didn't get very far with those, just a few rounds on one block.

Go to Patchwork Times to see what others have on their design walls this week.

Waiting for Step 6

I'm finished with Step 5 of Back To Square One Mystery.

With each step I love this mystery more and more. 

I am anxious for the next step.

I'm not even going to try to guess what's next.

Retreat Day, Yeah!

Thank you Bonnie Hunter, this is the perfect.  Today I will surround myself with quilters at our annual spring retreat!  Let the Shenanigans begin!!!

My bag and rolling cart are packed.  I have all my tools in the green handled bin, under the frogs is my beloved featherweight with the foot/cord, iron,power strip and my much needed lamp. And some other very important things.  In the bag is my ironing pad and towel, can't live without Kleenex, strips for the swap, cutting mat, greedy gift and Chinese auction item.

I've spent time organizing my projects so I don't pack everything I own. On the left is project 1, the Batik UFO I have been working on-today it will become a finished top!!!  In the pink box is my Carol Doak BOM ready to make into a top.  In the green, a new project with all the flannel cut (strips from previous retreat swaps) and ready to sew. and the blue box holds step 5 of Judy L's mystery, along with 9-- yes 9!, cut and ready to sew Grandmother's Choice blocks (these are projects 2 and 3).

If I run out of things to do, I can always grab something more when I come home to check on things during the day.  I have 2 more projects ready just in case. I love retreating so close to home and being able to sleep in my own bed.  I will miss the shenanigans of the cabin life but I will not miss those Army bunks-I have a hard enough time sleeping in my own bed.  And I must check on my babies.

Don't worry about me, I'll be having fun.

Happy Mail

The other day I hurried to finish my Back To Square One Mystery step so I could link up to Patchwork Times for a chance to win a fabulous stack pack from Vicki Welsh.

Guess what?  I won!!!  I was shocked!!!  If you haven't looked at Vicki's fabrics, you must.  They are gorgeous!  It took a long time to choose but I finally did. This is called Woodlands.  I have a project already in mind for this pack.

Thank you Judy L for the mystery and Vicki Welsh for sponsoring the mystery.  I'm thrilled!

April CatchUp

 

My Gramma Maple used to say "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get."

I say that too.

I was a little behind on my April step for Judy L's

Back to Square One Mystery.

  

Now I'm caught up and ready to start steps for May.

I'm linking this post to the April Progress post at Patchwork Times.

Design Wall Monday

Who ran away with April?  I was shocked when I looked at the date the other day and I only had a few days left of the month and hadn't touched my Back To Square One Mystery other than to print out the instructions and the paper pieces. Sunday was a nice calm, relaxing day so I spent a bit of time with my sewing machine.

I have 2 blocks finished and on the wall, a few with round 2 trimmed and several more that need trimmed.  I'm gong to finish this today so I can show it off when the next step comes out Wednesday.  

See great design walls at Patchwork Times. 

Friday Fun

  

This morning I sat down and spent some quality time with Back to Square One Mystery.  

You can find everything you need to know about this mystery right here at Patchwork Times.

I cannot wait for the next clue but I have to.

It's due April 1st.

Design Wall Monday

Ready for my sewing day today is 

Judy L's Back to Square One Mystery. 

When that is complete,

I'll work on the remaining purple blocks for

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Row Quilt.

Or I'll sit and knit.

It's one of those kind of days already. 

See other inspiring design walls at

 Patchwork Times.

Friday Fun

My sewing mojo has come home.  This morning I have been hard (not really) at work catching up on my monthly projects. I made a few purple blocks for tomorrow's post and then got out the Back to Square One Mystery box to do the steps for February.

Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezie!  Make these, add these parts to this part and make this.  Ready for March!  I am already in love with this quilt!

Last night Ernie brought home a load of gravel. Our driveway is in sad shape and I want a gravel path to the chicken house.  Today the kiddos showed up and without even a Hi Gramma, they were on the rock pile being mountain goats.  How fun!  This weekend the pile will disappear.  There will be 3 sad mountain goats.

January Quiltathon-Day 1

Judy L is hosting another Quiltathon. You can see the dates on the left sidebar of her blog.   After not spending much time in the sewing room this week, I really looked forward to this weekend Quiltathon.

I made a list of goals for today.

• sew 16 Easy Street A blocks  
• do step 1 for Judy L's BOM
• make 2 Midget blocks
• make 2 Grandmother's Choice blocks
• cut batting for Ultimate Scrap Quilt

I think I can do it.  I took a spaghetti casserole out of the freezer--part of my clean out the freezer plan--so dinner will be whenever Ernie wants to eat.  Easy Peezy.  I'll check in at lunch time.........

Afternoon Update.........Easy Street A Blocks are DONE!!

Judy L's JAN BOM steps DONE!!

Ernie has been getting up at 0 dark thirty to plow snow for the log truckers so that means he's home just after noon...... Messes with Quiltathon.  He has a craving for fish and chips instead of the casserole I took out of the freezer that turned out to really be taco soup instead of spaghetti.....so we'll have soup tomorrow and go to town for fish and chips.  I'm hoping to be able to sew after he goes to bed tonight.