Monday, December 30, 2013

Sewing on Celtic Solstice

   This is the week for Celtic Solstice Mystery Step 5 and a more challenging unit.  I used the Easy Angle ruler so cutting was not difficult.   My sewing was slower and more careful because of bias edges.  As Bonnie suggests, I have only finger pressed and the triangles fit together great. 



Even though only part of my step 5 units are finished, I am excited by the possibilities with these units.  This is my first mystery with Bonnie and I am loving it.  While anxious to see what new unit Bonnie has planned and how they will be used, like others I could not help playing with the units. 




While I have used several fabrics in each color family, my choices are much more tone-on-tone than Bonnie usually chooses so I hope that will not detract from my result.

Check out what others are doing at Bonnie’s CelticSolstice Mystery Link-Up Party.

      When I needed a break from chain sewing the triangle units, I worked on another potholder.



I enlarged the pattern and used fusible web so my picture is reversed. 


Saturday, December 28, 2013

Bunny Wall-hanging Finished

      Last night TV time and a few minutes this morning were spent hand sewing the back binding so that the bunny wall-hanging is finished and another UFO can be marked off my list.

I have made great progress the past 2 months in finishing my UFOs.  The only problem is that I keep finding more orphan blocks as I organize.  
     This afternoon I need to get busy on the next step for Bonnie's Celtic Solstice Mystery so I can keep up and it won't become a UFO.  


Friday, December 27, 2013

Quilting on UFO


      This bunny wall-hanging is almost finished after many years.  I adopted this unfinished project from a friend.  I just need to hand stitch the binding which I plan to work on tonight.  I used this project to practice a variety of free-motion quilting designs. 


Around the bunny’s head I free-motion quilted Leah’s  LoopyDoopy Spiral  
Around the dress top I divided the area as Cindy Needham suggests and quilted a variety of designs to fill the spaces. 


 Around her feet I free-motion quilted Leah’s EchoShortcut.  I really enjoy this design as a background filler. 


The middle border is quilted with a simple vine which is very hard to see. It shows up better on  the back. 

In the outer border I quilted free-formed feathers.  I only marked the spine.  They are not perfect but I am very pleased with the look.


I am linking up with Leah Day’s page so hope you check out what others have been working on this week. 

Monday, December 23, 2013

Celtic Solstice Step 4

Bonnie planned well for the holiday activity.  With all the busyness, this week was the easiest step so far -sewing 4 patches.  

Even though I sew with a quarter-inch foot, I did some sliver trimming so my blocks will finish a perfect 3”.  I would rather sliver trim than have them too small. 



Step 4 is ALL finished.

I even had time to work more on step 2: 80 chevrons finished - 40 more to piece.



I have followed Bonnie’s advice so I stopped working on one step to start the new step.  My step 1 needs some work also; but when Bonnie is ready for us to start putting units together, I should have enough to see how this mystery will turn out. 


I’m linking up so you can check out how others are working on Bonnie’s Celtic Solstice Mystery quilt.  I enjoy seeing how some have chosen different colors .  You can also download the directions for later if you don't want to work on this now.  

Friday, December 20, 2013

Finished Before Christmas

      It is getting close to Christmas and the end of the year.  I made a couple of last minute potholders as gifts and got them in the mail.   I like the pocket for your hand.


I pulled out a comfort quilt already sandwiched and quilted so that it will be finished and off my UFO list before the new year. 

I decided to simply meander the middle section instead of trying out a new design.  I did quilt a leafy vine in the border.  This is the back.  It doesn’t show enough from the front with yellow thread. 


*  Update - instead of writing another post, I decided to update this one.  I only had the binding to add and finished this morning. 

Part 4 of Celtic Solstice is up this morning so I will take some time for that.  I’m glad Bonnie chose  easy 4 patches for this week. 

I also linked up with Leah Day's FMQ Friday  .

Monday, December 16, 2013

Finished Celtic Solstice Step 3

     Wow ! I feel great that I actually have step 3 finished.  This was the easiest step so far.  Bonnie always gives several great suggestions for techniques to accomplish the step.   I happened to have printed paper sheets from Quiltime  (www.Quiltime.com ).  I used them last year on a project that needed hundreds of 1 ½” finished HSTs.  I found them easy to use and accurate so I pulled out my left over papers and got to work.


It made for a fast easy process so my 25 pinwheels are pieced and I have all the rest of the HSTs waiting for more directions.  Loving the parts and can't wait to see how they all come together.

You can see more of what others are doing with Bonnie's Celtic Solstice mystery and/or join in. 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Little of This and That

    This has been a week for all types of holiday gatherings and all types of sewing.  I have made some progress on units for Bonnie's Celtic Solstice Mystery with some revisions to my piecing strategy.  I also had to correct my pressing according to her directions.
I sandwiched a quilt but I won't start quilting this week.   I sewed a t-shirt for my youngest granddaughter and appliqued a dog.  She LOVES dogs.

Last night I pieced a couple of holiday mug rugs using scraps and quilted them this morning.
I still need a few small gifts and am looking for more quick sewing ideas.  

I need to take some time to clean and decorate the house and I usually do holiday baking so I doubt much sewing will get done until after Christmas.
Wishing you ALL a safe Merry Christmas 
and Happy New Year !  

Monday, December 9, 2013

Step 2 Bonnie’s Celtic Solstice Mystery

     After a few days with family out of town, Sunday I finally got around to tackling step 2 of Bonnie’s Celtic Solstice Mystery.  I am a faithful Bonnie follower; however, this is my first mystery with her and 2” units are not in my stash so I had a lot of cutting to do with still more to go.  This step was pretty time consuming for me with the additional time to mark the diagonal line on each of 400  2” squares ( 200 neutral and 200 yellow) and I need the line.  I have only completed a couple of dozen so far but I’ve got the rest of the week before the next clue.

If you have not started, it is not too late.  Check out  the progress of others here

Monday, December 2, 2013

Quiltville’s Celtic Solstice Mystery

    I recently finished quilting 2 UFO projects and even though I have several more on my UFO list, I felt the need to spend some time on a piecing project.   Friday when Bonnie posted the first clue, I decided to join in her Celtic Solstice Mystery.  I have followed Bonnie Hunter for years; however, this is my first mystery quilt with her.  I don’t want it to become another UFO.  My success rate with mystery quilts and round robins is pretty good so I have hope.  I don’t have 92 orange or 96 neutral units pieced yet but I have made a good start. I have cut several blues and neutrals but I need more oranges.


This is also my first time linking up. Check it out at quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up-1.html

I hope some more of my guild members will also participate in Bonnie’s newest mystery. It would be fun to share as we work and see them together when finished.