Merry Christmas!
~Deb
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Sunday, December 11, 2016
En Provence - rolling Merrily Along...
We're up to Clue #3 of our En Provence Mystery by Bonnie K. Hunter, and it's a re-visit of Clue #1...check it out:
Yep, we get to sew 4-Patches in lilacs and PURPLE - my Mom's very favorite color. How fitting, since I decided to create this Mystery in her honor and as a tribute to her life. I bet she is lovn' ALL these yummy PURPLES!
Chain piecing these lovelies was simply a Joy!
And there's plenty more where those came from:
Once the sewing is complete - once again, time to do the twist ;-)
And don't they ALL look loverly:
This is only half of what we need. I'm digging through a NEW-found tub of fabrics that has some neat PURPLES. Going to cut some of those to go with. I'll finish and post an update when I do. Right now, fighting a bit of a cold/flu...time for some herbal tea!
To see and enjoy what EVERYONE else is up to w/Clue #3, Please follow this direct link:
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html
Later,
~Deb
En Provence Intro
En Provence Part I
En Provence Part II
En Provence Part III
En Provence Part IV
En Provence Part V
En Provence Part VI & VII
En Provence FINISH!
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| Lilacs & PURPLE 4-Patches...FUN! |
Chain piecing these lovelies was simply a Joy!
And there's plenty more where those came from:
 |
| LOTS of twosies to be sewn into 4 Patches |
 |
| 4 Patches know just how to twist, which creates another 4 patch in miniature...too cute! |
And don't they ALL look loverly:
 |
| Clue #3 lilac and PURPLE 4 Patches |
This is only half of what we need. I'm digging through a NEW-found tub of fabrics that has some neat PURPLES. Going to cut some of those to go with. I'll finish and post an update when I do. Right now, fighting a bit of a cold/flu...time for some herbal tea!
To see and enjoy what EVERYONE else is up to w/Clue #3, Please follow this direct link:
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html
Later,
~Deb
En Provence Intro
En Provence Part I
En Provence Part II
En Provence Part III
En Provence Part IV
En Provence Part V
En Provence Part VI & VII
En Provence FINISH!
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Clue #2 of En Provence Underway w/Updates!
After a brief delay getting started on Clue #2 of our latest Bonnie Hunter Mystery, En Provence, our second clue is now in progress!
Here are the first 25+ completed units of Clue #2:
After a good light pressing, time for some pruning to ensure ALL my units are the correct size:
And just a few more to stitch together and we're golden ;-)
I'll post an update when I finish ALL of Clue #2.
To see ALL the En Provence Mystery FUN, just follow this direct web link http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-2.html
Back to finishing up Clue #2!
UPDATE 12/9/2016: More Clue #2 units finished:
Did you happen to notice anything in the above photo? Can you see that my magenta 'constant' fabrics are different?
Here's a better pic w/close-up of these two fabrics - which are almost a perfect colorway match, btw, just NOT the same pattern design:
There's a very good reason for this...I ran out of fabric! I was two (2) strips short, couldn't find ANYTHING in my stash that would come close to matching up - at least what I can get to right now...in the middle of a major re-organization project that's been going on for months now, hope to finish up in the New Year.
So, being a quilter we make do, right? Especially when there is online fabric ordering w/FREE shipping and a terrific sale...Score!
I also must confess to cutting far too many strips of neutrals for Clue #1:
Not really - I was just in a hurry to get started on Clue #1 and in my zeal, I just kept cutting and cutting and cutting like there was NO tomorrow. I'll be ALL ready for the next Quiltville Mystery for sure ;-) Needless to say, had to add a few neutrals to my magenta order to be able to finish this Mystery!
Another confession - when I saw Clue #2, I started biting my lip with flashbacks of Celtic Solstice. This is NOT one of my favorite units to cut and/or create, sorry Bonnie. (But I am getting better at these, especially after this week!)
The reason being - sewing not one but TWO bias edges together...yikes! It can spell disaster if one enjoys sewing fast (me) AND using too heavy of a hand while sewing and pressing. That's where my trusty stilletto comes in handy - NO pushy/grabby fingers for this touchy job.
No, no - this calls for a nice, light touch:
And Mary Ellen's Best Press in Mint Splash Christmas GREEN can help make the pressing experience a tad more jolly ;-)
I spent the better part of the week, (in between quilting/binding/awarding Quilts of Valor), searching for alternative cutting/sewing methods in addition to what Bonnie generously provided - including Accuquilt Go! dies - and there just happens to be one...yippee!
There was another SALE. I immediately treated myself to an early Christmas present and possibly, it 'might' be here by Christmas...sigh. NO worries - there will be 'another' Bonnie Hunter Quiltville Mystery which WILL include this unit, since it is one of our Bonnie's favorite block units to add to her beloved Mysteries!
UPDATE 12/12/2016: Just heard back from the Accuquilt folks - this die has been oversold and will not ship until January, 2017! Alrighty then, good thing we went to Plan B, which follows...
In desperation, had to start cutting to make sure I could get at least part of Clue #2 finished up prior to Clue #3 being released on Friday. Pulled out the tried & true Tri-Recs tools and got busy cuttin'. And yes, I did know when to stop cutting this time and not cut ALL my fabrics...sheesh ;-)
At least my fabric order arrived just in the nick of time with my NEW magenta:
Clue #2 Complete!
...and additional neutrals:
Clue #3 has just been released and it's FULL of purple - my Mom's favorite color...it's going to be a very good PURPLE day...Enjoy!
And here they are in ALL their Purple Splendor:
Time to CUT...
Later,
~Deb
En Provence Intro
En Provence Part I
En Provence Part II
En Provence Part III
En Provence Part IV
En Provence Part V
En Provence Part VI & VII
En Provence FINISH!
Here are the first 25+ completed units of Clue #2:
 |
| 25+ and counting! |
After a good light pressing, time for some pruning to ensure ALL my units are the correct size:
 |
| Pruning is good! |
And just a few more to stitch together and we're golden ;-)
 |
| The rest of Clue #2 - all cut and ready to be stitched... |
I'll post an update when I finish ALL of Clue #2.
To see ALL the En Provence Mystery FUN, just follow this direct web link http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-2.html
Back to finishing up Clue #2!
UPDATE 12/9/2016: More Clue #2 units finished:
 |
| Half of Clue #2 Finished! |
Here's a better pic w/close-up of these two fabrics - which are almost a perfect colorway match, btw, just NOT the same pattern design:
 |
| Two magenta constants! We will make this work!! |
There's a very good reason for this...I ran out of fabric! I was two (2) strips short, couldn't find ANYTHING in my stash that would come close to matching up - at least what I can get to right now...in the middle of a major re-organization project that's been going on for months now, hope to finish up in the New Year.
So, being a quilter we make do, right? Especially when there is online fabric ordering w/FREE shipping and a terrific sale...Score!
I also must confess to cutting far too many strips of neutrals for Clue #1:
 |
| LOTS of Clue #1 extras - just in case I ran out...right! |
Not really - I was just in a hurry to get started on Clue #1 and in my zeal, I just kept cutting and cutting and cutting like there was NO tomorrow. I'll be ALL ready for the next Quiltville Mystery for sure ;-) Needless to say, had to add a few neutrals to my magenta order to be able to finish this Mystery!
Another confession - when I saw Clue #2, I started biting my lip with flashbacks of Celtic Solstice. This is NOT one of my favorite units to cut and/or create, sorry Bonnie. (But I am getting better at these, especially after this week!)
The reason being - sewing not one but TWO bias edges together...yikes! It can spell disaster if one enjoys sewing fast (me) AND using too heavy of a hand while sewing and pressing. That's where my trusty stilletto comes in handy - NO pushy/grabby fingers for this touchy job.
No, no - this calls for a nice, light touch:
 |
| Sewing two bias edges together, aka "peaky & spike"...slowly and carefully! |
And Mary Ellen's Best Press in Mint Splash Christmas GREEN can help make the pressing experience a tad more jolly ;-)
I spent the better part of the week, (in between quilting/binding/awarding Quilts of Valor), searching for alternative cutting/sewing methods in addition to what Bonnie generously provided - including Accuquilt Go! dies - and there just happens to be one...yippee!
There was another SALE. I immediately treated myself to an early Christmas present and possibly, it 'might' be here by Christmas...sigh. NO worries - there will be 'another' Bonnie Hunter Quiltville Mystery which WILL include this unit, since it is one of our Bonnie's favorite block units to add to her beloved Mysteries!
 |
| Accuquilt Go! Die #55027 - On Sale NOW! |
UPDATE 12/12/2016: Just heard back from the Accuquilt folks - this die has been oversold and will not ship until January, 2017! Alrighty then, good thing we went to Plan B, which follows...
In desperation, had to start cutting to make sure I could get at least part of Clue #2 finished up prior to Clue #3 being released on Friday. Pulled out the tried & true Tri-Recs tools and got busy cuttin'. And yes, I did know when to stop cutting this time and not cut ALL my fabrics...sheesh ;-)
 |
| Mystery cutting tools...remember Celtic Solstice? |
At least my fabric order arrived just in the nick of time with my NEW magenta:
Clue #2 Complete!
 |
| Clue #2 ALL finished - almost enough for two En Provence Mystery Quilts! |
...and additional neutrals:
 |
| Mystery neutrals replenished...check! |
Clue #3 has just been released and it's FULL of purple - my Mom's favorite color...it's going to be a very good PURPLE day...Enjoy!
And here they are in ALL their Purple Splendor:
 |
| Clue #3 - PURPLES! |
Later,
~Deb
En Provence Intro
En Provence Part I
En Provence Part II
En Provence Part III
En Provence Part IV
En Provence Part V
En Provence Part VI & VII
En Provence FINISH!
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
We Will NEVER Forget...
What Happened 75 Years Ago Today.
Thank You to those who survived and fought to defend America from ALL her enemies.
~Deb
Monday, November 28, 2016
Clue #1 of our En Provence Mystery is HERE!
The first clue of our En Provence Mystery has been released and we're off to the sewing races...yippee!
And this is what resulted - LOTS of neutral 4-Patches:
These 4-patches came out great via Bonnie's explicit instructions w/NO pinning!
And several hours of piecing later:
Once the sewing and 'snipping' are complete, time to twist & press:
All tucked away, ready for Clue #2:
And that, as they say, is that for Clue #1!
If you'd like to see what EVERYONE else is up to, including getting to view ALL their yummy fabrics, just follow this direct link: http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/11/en-provence-mystery-monday-link-up-part.html
Back to quilting!
Later,
~Deb
En Provence Intro
En Provence Part I
En Provence Part II
En Provence Part III
En Provence Part IV
En Provence Part V
En Provence Part VI & VII
En Provence FINISH!
And this is what resulted - LOTS of neutral 4-Patches:
 |
| Neutral 4-patches from Clue #1 of our Mystery |
These 4-patches came out great via Bonnie's explicit instructions w/NO pinning!
 |
| Chain piecing the 4-patches w/NO pinning! |
And several hours of piecing later:
 |
| ALL the 4-patches are sewn and ready to 'twist' |
Once the sewing and 'snipping' are complete, time to twist & press:
 |
| Pressing is good ;-) |
All tucked away, ready for Clue #2:
 |
| Clue #1 tucked safely away |
And that, as they say, is that for Clue #1!
If you'd like to see what EVERYONE else is up to, including getting to view ALL their yummy fabrics, just follow this direct link: http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/11/en-provence-mystery-monday-link-up-part.html
Back to quilting!
Later,
~Deb
En Provence Intro
En Provence Part I
En Provence Part II
En Provence Part III
En Provence Part IV
En Provence Part V
En Provence Part VI & VII
En Provence FINISH!
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
It's Almost HERE!
Yes - I'm not ONLY talking about Thanksgiving, I'm also referring to the annual Bonnie K. Hunter Mystery...Yippee!!!
And this year, it's:
And this year, it's:
Every year for the past several years, our fearless Mystery Leader, Bonnie, shares a Quilt Mystery with us - an original quilt pattern designed by her and released with each clue, that she shares w/ALL us faithful quilt followers for FREE for a limited time. The first Clue will be released on Black Friday, as it has been since the inception of this exciting Quiltville Mystery.
Bonnie generously gives us time to assemble the necessary Mystery Quilt fabrics well in advance of this annual mystery start. Here's a pic of mine:
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| Mystery fabrics chosen! |
Most of the year, Miss Betty & I spend a considerable amount of time creating gifts and volunteering our time to create and quilt for several worthwhile projects, including Quilts of Valor. We are honored to do this incredible volunteer work for such a worthy cause. In November we have already quilted almost twenty (20) QOVs and counting, and over one-hundred for this year of 2016. While we feel so fortunate to be able to participate in such an important venture, we take time each year to sharpen our quilting saw and refresh our creative spirit.
Bonnie's annual Mystery fills the bill and then some in allowing us some much-needed quilting 'down time', and most importantly - this quilt mystery helps keep us from turning into a Quilting Grinch!
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| Don't turn into a Quilting Grinch - join in ALL the Mystery FUN! |
To join in ALL our annual Quiltville Mystery FUN, it's NOT too late...just follow this direct web link for ALL the Mystery details: http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/en-provence-mystery.html
Time to finish putting up that Christmas Tree so we won't miss a minute of our Quilt Mystery!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 11, 2016
Why I Stand - 2016 Veteran's Day
A Tribute to Honor our Veteran's and Service Members on Veteran's Day:
Thank YOU.
May God Bless the USA on this, Our Veteran's Day.
~Deb
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