Part 1 - Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt 2013

Well we're off!

I can't begin to tell you how excited I have been in anticipation of this quilt. I enjoyed doing my Easy Street Quilt last year so much, I have pretty much been counting down the days since the Easy Street Big Reveal back in January!  

Part 1 Completed - Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt

As I write I have stitched all the units for the star points for Part 1 of Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt, I just need to trim the rest of my blocks to tidy them up, so they look as neat as the blocks above. 

Bonnie has offered us plenty of options on how to approach this quilt, and I have opted to use the speciality rulers. I am using the Creative Grids 2-in-1 ruler to make my blocks, which does the same job as the two Tri-Recs rulers. The cutting was quite straight forward, and if you have any problems, visit Bonnie's website to see her videos.  

Creative Grids 2-1 Ruler - Tri Recs alternative

The only difference I have notices with the Creative Grids ruler is that it does not have the same special 'notch' as the Tri-Recs for alignment. 

So far we have had to cut strips in the neutral, pink and green, and then using the ruler to cut the appropriate shapes.

Front - Aligning Star Point Triangles

I had a few goes at aligning the pieces without much luck, but then finally got into my groove.  I found that if you align them, with the tip of the green piece filling in the missing tip of the pink triangle, making sure there is a VERY tiny bit overlapping at the bottom, everything was OK. 

Reverse side - Aligning Star Point Triangles

You can see this more clearly by looking at the reverse side, as I have shown above.  My finished block is only just the right size, despite checking my seam allowance, and placements carefully.

For the record - I am going for the smaller version, and as you can see, I have switched the colours around for my Celtic Solstice Quilt, with my colour choice listed below on the right

BLUE - GREEN

GREEN - YELLOW

YELLOW- ORANGE

ORANGE - PINK

NEUTRAL - NEUTRAL

 



Suzi - Celtic Solstice Quilt Assistant

Suzi is joining in - just a bit camera shy today.

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 56

Block 56 Nearly Insane Quilt

Life has been busy here, so getting my Nearly Insane blocks done has been more of a challenge lately, so this block really does deserve a Whoop Whoop.  I managed to get most of it done at a new quilting group that I have joined at Busy Bees Patchwork, Newport.  We are called 'Worker Bees', as we meet up after work, once a month.  We all stitch on different projects and it is great to see what everyone is doing.

Block 56 , Salinda Rupp Quilt

Each block I do becomes my new favourite, and this is no exception.  Pretty fabrics, pretty block, and pretty easy to put together.  This is the last one of the latest draw, so time to start thinking about the next batch.

I was going to head down to the West Country Quilt Show in Shepton Mallett, today, but instead felt I would get more value from my time if I actually sat down to do some stitching - there are so many projects needing to be done.  Bonnie Hunter has released the first part of her Mystery Quilt, there are Christmas projects half done, and Christmas presents to be made ... see you later.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  64
DIFFICULTY: /10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 3/4" (18mm) x 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 2" (50mm) x 1 3/8" (36mm) x 1 3/8" (26mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Cream Bias Check Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5495 11
Lazy Daisy Red by Mama Said Sew Collection by Sweetwater for Moda (M 5494 21)
Friendship (Tonal Red) by Howard Marcus for Moda (Collections For a Cause) # 46130
Red Sprig print (unidentified)
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 95

Edge Block 95, Nearly Insane Quilt

I tried to make something of the original pattern for this half edge block, but it was coming to nothing.  Instead I have adapted it (again).  It has ended up as a scrappy half square triangle fest, which is just fine for me.

Red and Cream fabric scraps

My pot of scraps is always staring at me, so whenever possible I try to use them.  As it is, I tend to make more scraps in the process!


Sewing thread for Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt

Speaking of scraps - it is only 4 days until Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt starts.  As you will know, I have raided my fabric stash for my alternative colour scheme , and yesterday, I went through my thread collection to pull out some spools of thread to use them up for the project, before I go out and buy some more. 

NUMBER OF PIECES:  16
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 1/8"  (54mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/2" (38m)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 1/8"  (54mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm) x 1 1/2" (38m) (they are all the same size!)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Scraps

Nearly Insane Quilt - Edge Block 88 (Basket Block)

Block 88, Basket Block, Nearly Insane Quilt

This is the final basket block for this quilt.  I have used the same fabric combination as I used for Block 47 back in March.  The fabrics are really pretty, but they have a pink element in them, so I have avoided them for most of the quilt.  I just didn't want Block 47 to be on its own. 


Basket Blocks, Nearly Insane Quilt

Here are all the basket blocks together, with one full one and two edge blocks. It ended up as one fruit basket and two flower baskets. These are the only blocks which require applique, and you can see how I made the bias handle strip by visiting the post on Block 41.


NUMBER OF PIECES:  19
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 5"  (126mm) x  3 1/2" (90mm) x 3 1/2" (90mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle, 1"  (25mm) x  11/16" (18mm) x 11/16" (18mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Tried and True Raindrops Garnet(04273) by Nanacy Halvorsen, Benartex
Northcote Range, by Cabbages and Roses #35204 -21 by Moda
Tiny Flower Print (Unidentified)

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 14

Hand stitching with red thread ...

I really am making progress on this quilt.  Look at that spool of red thread.  There were 500 metres on it when I started, but there can only be about 3-4  metres left.  I always feel that reaching the end of spool of thread is a sign that I really DO do a lot of sewing, and it is justification for buying more fabric!


Block 14 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Moving onto Block 14.  I have used a lot of the 'Mama Said Sew' collection by Sweetwater, which was the collection that really got me going with the whole red and white theme for this quilt.  I originally had a layer cake, and I am near the end of my Red Hoops for that one.

Just 33 pieces, so quick to come together.


Block 14 - Nearly Insane Quilt

  Also working on secret Christmas gifts at the moment ...

NUMBER OF PIECES:  33
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 3" (76mm) x 1 7/16" (40mm) x 1 7/16" (40mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1/2"  (13mm) x 1/2"  (13mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Christmas Past  (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Cream Bias Check Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda  #5495 11
Red Hoops (5493-31) Mama Said Sew Collection, Sweetwater for Moda
Red dot (unidentified)

Nearly Insane Quilt - Draw 16

Salinda Rupp Quilt Blocks (Nearly Insane)

Here are Blocks 49, 66 and 81, and with the latest round of Nearly Insane blocks finished, it is time for the next draw, which are ....

14 - 29 - 56 - 95

 

I haven't had a chance to look at them yet, but over the weekend, I hope I will be able to make a start on them.

November 2013 - Red Berries

Unusually for mid-November, most of the trees still have their autumn colours, and we have had a few unexpected sunny days where they have looked really beautiful against the blue sky.  The bushes are also thick with red berries. However, we have had our first frost this week, and it looks like we finally have the start of winter here I the UK.



Fabadashery - Celtic Solstice Quilt Fabric Stash

Along with the winter comes Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt.  This is what my fabric stash for the quilt is currently looking like, since I last wrote about it.  Plenty of green, yellow and pink, but struggling on softer / tangerine oranges.  However, over at Sparrow in Flight, there is a Givewaway - FOR INTERNATIONALS ONLY, sponsored by Fluffy Sheep Quilting, where I see they have a great range of orange fabric.


Suzi the Cat - waiting patiently ...

Suzi loved doing the Easy Street Quilt last year and can't believe that there are still two weeks to wait before we can print off the first set of instructions!

Joining up with Crazy Mom Quilt!

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 66

Block 66 - Nearly Insane Quilt

I have a lot of 'proper' work to do today, so I thought I would just finish this block off quickly at the start of the day, so that my sewing fix was satiated.  I started it last night during the final episode of Downton Abbey, but was too tired to get the whole thing finished, despite the extended episode.


'Nearly Insane' book by Liz Lois, Block 66

This is what the pattern of this block looks like in the 'Nearly Insane' book by Liz Lois. I was a bit disappointed when this block was drawn as it only had a few pieces, but somehow I think I have managed to turn it around.  I think the key is to use a good variety of different fabrics, which makes the block look more complex than it really is.  Although the block only has 29 pieces, I have used four different fabrics.


Cherry Sketch, Timeless Treasures

That Cherry Sketch fabric is in there - look out for a lot more of it the forthcoming blocks too!  Looking online that particular print comes in a wide range of colours, some tone on tone, others with a white background.  For this quilt, in particular, it is working well as a medium tone blender.

I have a few Christmas projects on the go at the moment, and I am cranking up for the Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt in a few weeks, so I am pleased that I have still managed to keep churning these lovely little blocks out. 

Today I am joining up with a new Link PArty  - the Splish, Splash Stash EPP linky party, recommended to me by Kristin, and also Judy at Design Wall Monday.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  29
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 1/2" (38m) x 1" (27mm) x 1" (27mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square,  1 1/2" (38m) x 1 1/2" (538m)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Somerset Shirtings c 1890 by Julie Hendrickson and Nancy Gere, Windham Fabrics # 35205
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Days Gone By for Exclusively Quilters
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 30 (Revisted)

Nearly Insane Quilt - Progress October 2013

I have shown you this picture before, it is the latest review of my Nearly Insane Quilt progress.  I have looked at it a gazillion times, and each time the block which is marked, jumps out at me. 

BEFORE: Block 30, Nearly Insane Quilt

Block 30 is a nice block on its own, but when placed with the other blocks, the red is dominating.  The block needs to be sorted, and I have known this for a long time.



Unpicking Block 30 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Finally I have got around to unpicking it and redesigning it.  There are a few of the early blocks which I have considered doing differently, but this one in particular was not working visually with the overall quilt.  I hope this is not the thin end of the wedge, with regard to redoing blocks!

AFTER: Block 30, Nearly Insane Quilt

So here is the block after its makeover.  It is much lighter, but still maintains its contrast.  It is easy to put off this sort of thing, but it actually only took a short time to change the strips and sew it all back together. I am looking forward to the next Nearly Insane review to see how it looks.
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 81

Block 81, Nearly Insane Quilt

Here is another red and white block for the Nearly Insane Quilt.  They are quietly getting done, and with just 41 pieces, this one was relatively painless.  My new 'favourite' fabric is  the 'Sketch Basic' cross-hatch fabric by Timeless Treasures.  It is a great medium tone for the blocks.  Medium tones have been quite hard to find on this journey.


Reverse - English Paper Piecing

For a  bit of variety, I have included a picture of the reverse of the block, showing the English Paper Piecing (EPP), and all my numbering to make sure each piece is put in the right place.

I have also spent some time this week building up my stash for my 'Celtic Solstice' Mystery Quilt, starting on 29th November.  I'm still looking for 'tangerine' orange, but it is quite elusive in the shops in my area.

Sparky 1995 - 2013

Sadly this week I have also had to say goodbye to one of my feline quilting helpers.  Sparky was over 18 years old, but pretty much 'lived the dream' in cat world throughout his whole life.  He will be missed.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  41
DIFFICULTY: /10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 1/2" (38m) x 1" (27mm) x 1" (27mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square,  1 1/2" (38m) x 1 1/2" (538m)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Holiday Treats Red Packed Peppermints by Timeless Treasures
"Days Gone By" Exclusively Quilters (Rose Print)
Red Star on white
Red with white pindot (unknown)

  

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 49

Block 49 - Nearly Insane Quilt

I said that the blocks from Draw 15 did not have many pieces.  I was clearly deluding myself, as this block has taken more time than I thought it would to put together.  No wonder, as I count up the pieces they total 100.  Just for being time consuming it gets 5/10 for difficulty.

English Paper Piecing, Nearly Insane Quilt Block 49

The half square triangles in the centre are half inch square, so just that centre block has 64 pieces in it.  I find that at half an inch, the pieces are just about easy enough to handle, but if they get any smaller it does become a bit tiresome, in which case I have tended to switch to foundation piecing.

When I am covering the template pieces, I always trim off as much as possible to reduce the bulk and weight of the final quilt - every bit counts.  After all, this quilt is going to need quilting one day ...


Looking at the original pattern for the block, it is another which I have altered.  The HST combination in the original is all over the place, so I have twisted and turned some to make a new pattern.  It's amazing what you can do in Electric Quilt software. Indeed, this is quite a clever block, and if you had the whim, by rearranging the direction of the centre half square triangles, and the colour combinations you could make a whole quilt using this block, with each one looking very different.  I can't currently think of a reason why I would need to do that, I guess I am just stating its potential.

Since it has taken a while to finish, I am joining up with Crazy Mom Quilts.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  100
DIFFICULTY: 5/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 3/4"  (18mm) x 1/2" (12mm) x 1/2" (12mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle, 3 3/8"  (86mm) x  7/8" (21mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Designer Beads (Red) Freespirit for Westminster Fibers
Polka Party III by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods #03035
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics