This is a super simple mystery quilt! It is my own design. I designed it for the Boundary Bay Quilt Guild, but I’m going to be sharing it with YOU as well!
There will be 8 clues. This quilt will finish at 43″ x 53″ … unless you decide to make it bigger or smaller.
On Saturday, the guild had Carola from Carola’s Quilt Shop come and teach a free motion class. Amy & I were asked to help. Carola didn’t need our help … but, we pretended to assist!
I had a good chuckle when I saw Nora’s “speed control” for her machine! Isn’t it a great idea?
It was a great class and everyone learned a LOT!
There was a small “pop-up” store … with fabric and notions. But, I was almost good, and only bought a “Silly Moon” ruler! Although, some of the beautiful wide back fabrics were to die for!
New Fabric Sewn!
The Fabric I showed you last week was sewn into buckets! The pattern is “Storage Solutions Bucket Bags” by Among Brenda’s Quilts.
Upcoming Mystery!
This is a super simple mystery quilt! It is my own design. I designed it for the Boundary Bay Quilt Guild, but I’m going to be sharing it with YOU as well!
This starts on Tuesday, October 18!
This quilt will finish at 43″ x 53″
There will be 8 clues. They will all come out on Tuesdays, starting October 18.
Oct 18: Clue #1: Fabric Requirements and Cutting
Oct 25: Clue #2
Nov 1: Clue #3
Nov 8: Clue #4
Nov 15: Clue #5
Nov 22: Clue #6
Nov 29: Clue #7
Dec 6: Clue #8
Dec 13: Mystery Quilt Parade
New Classes
I will be teaching several classes at Essem in November. You can register for them HERE.
Stitching Time
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
With company here, very little stitching happened!
January – September: 234 / 272
Oct : 16 / 16
Total: 245 / 290
Percentage = 84%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
I used the 2 yards I reported last week to make the buckets and there was 4 yards used for the backing of my Pinktober quilt (HERE).
I have a finish to show you. I finished this quite a while ago, but couldn’t show you. It was the latest mystery quilt that the guild did! The pattern is from a book, but I re-wrote the instructions to use strip piecing. It makes it so much easier to construct the quilt. And because the original directions were from a “Mystery Quilt” book, I cannot share them with you! Sorry!
This quilt was made with fabrics from my stash. And I only put on the one border … the original directions called for 3 borders.
Here’s a close-up of the quilting … it sort-of looks like feathers, but in reality, it’s just an elongated swirl – way easier than feathers to do!
Stitching Time
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Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
Not many days of sewing this week.
January – May: 119 / 150
June 1 – 13: 9 / 12
Total: 128 / 162
Percentage = 79%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
Squirrel is sandwiched and I have a plan for the quilting!
2. Once the Island Batik Catalogue quilt tops are done – they need to be quilted.
Island Batik Blog Hop
Have you been following the latest Island Batik Blog Hop? With quilts featuring the New York Beauty pattern? It’s been quite a variety of wonderful quilts!
I posted mine on June 6 … you can read about it HERE.
I’ve had a busy week! And I have gotten lots done! My Macaron Mystery is completed. This was a mystery quilt from Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs. I love her mystery quilts! You can be sure I’ll be following and quilting when she starts the Melodic Mystery in July!
And … did you see Gracie the Gorilla? A Funky Friends pattern for Island Batik’s April challenge. She was so much fun to make! I used Island Batik fabrics, Schmetz needles, and Aurifil thread to make her!
Overhauling the Craft Room
Kim of Persimon Dreams and Kim of Gogokim have joined together and created this Overhaul. If you saw my room, you would KNOW that I NEED to do an Overhaul!!! In a couple of weeks, our quilt guild is having a garage sale … a perfect opportunity to get rid of some quilting junk useful items … I’m not totally following their direction, but I am in the process of going through EVERY container. And I’ll tackle every surface!
Here’s some pictures … as the room was before I started going through things: What a mess, eh? Every available surface cluttered with projects and fabric I need to put away, some baby quilts to be quilted, things to be unpacked from my latest class, fabric to be sorted through, papers cluttering up my computer desk, and left-over batting and fabric on my cutting table!
I’ve already gone through my books … and they’ll be on the free table at the garage sale. I don’t expect the guild library will want them … some are quite old!
Stitching Time
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Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
January – Mar: 90 / 90
Apr 1 – 10: 10 / 10
Total: 100 / 100
Percentage =100%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
Macaron used 12 yards of stash. I was thrilled to pieces when I realized that I had the perfect backing! It’s nice to be using up my stash.
1. Foodie Blog Hop: These fabrics are from my stash. You’ll just have to wait until May 24th to see what is happening with this fabric!
Quilting:
I have 5 Baby Quilt panels lined up to be quilted and 2 that need binding. Boy, will I ever be glad when I no longer have cute panels in my stash! Some of these were panels that were given to me … I sandwiched them ages ago, but the quilting didn’t happen! And, I did find some of them when I went through a container – part of the Overhaul! 2 of the Baby Quilt panels are partially hand quilted … they will have machine quilting for the finish!
One UFO was finished: Macaron Mystery! That leaves me with 7 more to complete for my PHD in 2022. The New Starts are gradually getting completed! Personally, I really like how completing the New Starts does NOT add to the UFO list! And it is gradually getting smaller!
This is a mystery quilt that was offered by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs. This is the 2nd mystery I’ve done of hers and I have LOVED doing each one. I know that some of you highly dislike doing mystery quilts, but she offers to give you a sneak peak – so you’re not totally doing a mystery. However, since I LOVE mystery quilts, I do it as a mystery! No peeking for me.
Cheryl’s directions are very clear and easy to follow! Here’s a few of the progress pictures of this mystery:
The fabric all came from my stash. As did the backing fabric. It has Hobbs 80/20 batting and I used Glide thread (Mercury) to quilt it. The binding is the medium blue print.
And the completed quilt! (And yes, I did alter some of the setting triangles to make the quilt symmetrical. The quilt insisted on it!)
And some quilting close-ups! Some free motion and some ruler work.
And … Cheryl has announced that there will be another mystery quilt starting in July! I already know that I’m going to join in! It’s called the Melodic Mystery! Are you going to join?
This fall, I supplied numerous members of our guild with weekly clues for the fall mystery.
Some of the quilters sent pictures … Enjoy!
This is Alice C’s. She said, “It was great to finally use the fall fabric I had for years.” Isn’t it a beautiful fall quilt?
Here are Fran’s … both are the baby quilt size and are still in progress. I love how the fabric makes each one very different from the other, yet the pattern is exactly the same!
This is Heather’s! … she says “I love the pattern. I’m going to do a quilt for my grandson And I love this! It’s simple but looks complicated!!!!”
This one is Bonnie K’s, she made the baby sized quilt. What a wonderful soft quilt. Some baby is going to love it!
Here’s Patricia’s: she calls it a “floppy.” The purple is so vibrant!
Here is Dawn’s: along with a picture of the beautiful feature fabric she used! It’s a great way to use that fabric that you really don’t want to cut into!
This is Kathy S’s. I love the bold blue and grey against the light background / focus fabric!
Here’s Patti’s. Isn’t that dark burgundy border just perfect?
This one is from Dawn W. It’s a super cute baby quilt!
This is Carol R’s … with no borders, yet! Of course, I LOVE the Blues!!!
I love how Jill used stripes!!! People are often afraid to use stripes, but this is proof that you can use them and be successful!!
Here’s Heidi’s. I love the solids amongst the busy print!
I have a UFO finish! It is the Any Which Way Mystery Quilt … it was finally trimmed and the binding was added! The first picture was taken in the sun … and the 2nd picture was taken on the snow – just because I could!
The binding was finished today while I was Zoom quilting with fellow Island Batik Ambassadors! It’s so fun to get together and see what everyone is working on!
This quilt used Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs 80/20 batting and was quilted with Aurifil thread using Schmetz needles. It finishes at 44″ x 44.” It’s nice to have this UFO done!
Stitching Stuff
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Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
This week, I managed to only sew for 15 min a day …
January 1-9 – 9 / 9
Total: 9 / 9
Percentage =100%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks! However, I am human and I do break down and buy fabric!
I love this meme that I saw recently (but can’t find the source) …
I used 1.5 yards of fabric for the backing of the Any Which Way Mystery Quilt.
Fabric Used this week 1.5 yards
Fabric Used this year: 0 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 0 yards
Net Fabric used 1.5 yards
To Do
Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week.
I didn’t get a lot done this week. I’ve had a bad back and can only sit for very short periods of time.
The To Do list last week:
Trim & bind “Any Which Way” Mystery – √ DONE
Finish Round 3 & 4 of SAHRR (yes, I want to work ahead) Decided I didn’t like Round 2 – so did some un-stitching and re-doing the round X not done
Work on Polar Bear Plunge√ DONE
Work on Tickled Pink√ DONE
Work on January’s Island Batik project√ DONE
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes: no cleaning or tidying done and boy does it show! X not done
This week’s list:
SAHRR: Finish Round 2 & work on Round 3
Work on Polar Bear Plunge: get the top done
Work on Tickled Pink
Work on Secret Project
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
Design Wall
There are a few things on my Design Wall and there is NOTHING I can show you … yet!
#1 SAHRR is in progress … Centre block comes out Tomorrow! Be sure to come back so you don’t miss it!!!
#2 Polar Bear Plunge: This is for a blog hop in January … it should be fun! Of course, I can’t show you until the blog hop!
#3 Tickled Pink: This is for a blog hop in February … and again, I can’t show you until then!
#4 … Island Batik January Gradation project is getting there! and it will remain a total secret for now!
#5 Macaron Mystery by Meadow Mist Designs I have printed off the January clue – but haven’t done any sewing … yet …
Quilting:
Nothing is being quilted at the moment!
One UFO done!
Ms. P. Designs has this nifty colourful tool that you can use to track the tasks you have to do for your PHD. You can access the tool HERE.
In this Clue, YOU decide “Which Way” you want your quilt to be. Here are 4 options:
My pattern tester added an 6 extra HST in each colour so she could do pinwheels: Her quilt measures 40″ x 52.”
Which one will you choose?
Add Borders
For an easy and accurate way to add your borders, see This Youtube video:
Quilt as Desired
I always hated this direction … I never knew what to quilt. Well, here’s picture of my quilt – my chosen way. You should be able to see that I did simple brackets on each side of each triangle.
The binding is not on … I’ve got other things that are taking priority at the moment!
Please send me a picture
Once you have your top done, or even quilted, please send me a picture. I realize that not everyone who is doing the mystery has a blog – so pictures are great! If you have a blog, please send me the link along with your picture. I will post a parade of the quilts in the new year. My email address is quiltinggail@yahoo.ca
Support Me
Having a blog costs money each year … and each year, the price goes up. If you have enjoyed the mystery and appreciate that you actually have at least 4 new quilt patterns, please consider giving me a small donation. At the top of the blog there is a page that says “Shopping and Donations.” You can go to that page and make your donation. Thank you!
This is a small mystery quilt. It will be 40″ x 40″ if you follow the directions. Yes, it can easily be made bigger, but wait until the end to see if you want to.
Clue #1
Fabric Requirements:
Fabric
Amount
Background
1 1/8 yards
Contrast #1
½ yard
Contrast #2
½ yard
If you want – you could make Contrast #1 and #2 totally scappy. For example, Contrast #1 could be a variety of purples and Contrast #2 could be a variety of greens. It might be a good way to use up scraps!
These are the fabrics I used. They are all Island Batik fabrics. The Background is Rice. Contrast #1 is an older fabric with turtles and sea grass … Contrast #2 is two similar coloured fabrics.
As an Island Batik Ambassador, I am to make 12 projects, one a month using ONLY Island Batik fabrics. This is my 3rd year as an Ambassador and I have a bit of an Island Batik stash. The projects below are either the monthly challenge or ones I have done on my own. As you might guess, I LOVE Island Batik fabrics!
January
Between Christmas and New Years 2020, I hosted a Holiday Seclusion Mystery here on the blog. You can see a summary of it HERE.
These are the 2 quilts I made to test the mystery. The first one uses an older Island Batik that I bought, but neglected to keep record of the name of the fabric. It is paired with solid white. Although it was started in 2020, it was not finished until 2021.
This one was made with Scrapbuilder bundles in blue, teal and green, along with a solid grey. I love the overall graffiti or wild quilting on it!
January’s Island Batik challenge was to make placemats. I LOVE blue and LOVED making these placemats! You can read about them HERE.
I joined in the monthly Scrap Happy Table Runner challenge hosted by So Scrappy. January’s colour was PINK. Here is the mug rug I made.
February
These 2 baskets were a free byAnnie pattern and you can read more about them HERE.
This quilt was provided as a mystery quilt for the guild. The Designer is Sue Pontifex, from Piece Arch Quilters in White Rock. This is a variation of the original design. You can read more about the quilt HERE.
February’s Island Batik challenge was “Create for a Cause.” Each ambassador was to create a quilt to give to a charity of our choice. The guild I belong to gives “comfort” quilts to a local cancer agency. This quilt is destined to go there when they start receiving quilts (after Covid). You can read more about this quilt HERE.
This quilt used the beautiful “Mystery” collection of fabric designed by Claudia Pfeil.
This month’s colour for the Scrap Happy Table Runner challenge hosted by So Scrappy. was yellow. You can read more about this mug rug HERE.
March
Scrapbusting ws Island Batik’s challenge for March. What a fun fun challenge. My 2 quilts are shown below …
The Scrappy Irish chain with the star was a LOT of fun. Lots of 2″ scraps from every collection that I have had as an ambassador!
Is a quilt that started out small and became bigger as I really liked the colours. It initially started as a sample for a ruler quilting class.
This is a quilt, designed by an Island Batik alumni, Sandra Walker, you can read more about this quilt HERE and Here and HERE.
The Island Batik challenge for this month was “Spread Love & Joy with Accuquilt.” Boy, did I have fun! I love using the Accuquilt cutter and the precision cutting. You can read about my 2 quilts HERE.
In March, I took a course “Speed Dating with Improv” by Krista from PoppyPrints. It took me a while to get the facing done, but it was finally finished in June! I used Island Batik solids for this piece.
I finally put the facing on my Story-less Improv and you can read more about it here, here and HERE. This was from a by Krista’s classes @ Poppyprint. It has the super fun title of “Speed Dating.”
Purple is June’s Scrap Happy Table Runner challenge hosted by So Scrappy. You can read more about this coaster HERE.
July
July’s Island Batik challenge was “Never Too Early.” I made a mini quilt and a basket. You can read about them HERE.
August
Try a Tool was Island Batik’s August challenge! Oh! Did I have fun with this one! Check out the details HERE.
Another quilt designed by Island Batik alumni, Sandra Walker. This is “Let your Star Shine.” You can read about it HERE and HERE.
This quilt was created for the “Orange you Glad” Blog Hop. You can read about it HERE.
This month’s scrappy table runner challenge was “aqua.” I wanted to try paper piecing a “Storm at Sea” block and ended up with this 14″ x 14″ square table topper. You can read about it HERE.
September
Island Batik’s September challenge was to make a byAnnie bag. I made this wonderful “Round Trip Duffle.” Read about it HERE.
This table runner was made for the Table Scraps monthly challenge (orange) and the Falling For You blog hop … you can read more about it HERE.
Kelly Young launched her newest book “Scrappy Improv Quilting” and I couldn’t help but enlarge this quilt and make a baby sized hot air balloon. You can read about it HERE.
October
October’s Island Batik challenge was to use Aurifil thread related to our assigned Endangered Species. I was given the Pangolin … it was fun zen-doodling the scales … you can find out more details HERE.
Then, I was involved in a blog hop, featuring Kelly Young’s book, “Scrappy Improv Quilting.” I made this ornament wall hanging for the blog hop. See details HERE.
November
The challenge for Island Batik, for November was the “Storm at Sea” block. I made 2 totally different quilts using the same block. You can read about them HERE.
I finished another quilt – with inspiration from Kelly Young’s book “Scrappy Improv Quilting.” This quilt used a lot of orphan log cabin blocks … For more details see HERE.
December
English Paper Piecing was the challenge for December. It was a HUGE challenge for me, but I got it done! And I’m happy with the result! See more details HERE.
This is another hot air balloon from Kelly Young’s book, “Scrappy Improv Quilting.” You can read about it HERE.
Catalogue Quilts
There were 3 quilts that were published in the Island Batik Spring/Summer 2021 Catalogue. You can access the Catalogue HERE.
Left to right: Modern Squares, Feather Chain & Flutterfly Stars.
Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:
This mystery is a quick and easy quilt. The first clue (and fabric requirements) will be announced on Boxing Day, Dec. 26. There will be 5 clues and I’m 100% positive that many of you will have it totally completed before 2022 rings in!
It will be 40″ square … and the rest is a mystery!
SAHRR
5 Blogging Friends and myself will be hosting another Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR). What’s a Round Robin, you ask? Well, typically, in the quilting world, a round robin goes like this:
Quilter #1 creates their own centre block
The centre block is passed on to Quilter #2 and they add a border, depending on what the directions are.
The centre block, plus border 1 is passed on to Quilter #3, who adds the next border.
And on it continues
With the SAHRR, the blocks and rounds stay home with you. You are the one that is in charge of your Round Robin.
There is nothing to join … you just need to follow each of our blogs so that you don’t miss a thing!
If you go to this post, you will see my completed top from the 2021 Round Robin. And This Post shows my completed tops from 2020.
We haven’t decided on a start date … but we have all decided what is chosen for each round. And, no, I’m not going to tell you. Of course, we are all working on our Round Robins so that they’ll be ready at the start! AND … I’m laughing and laughing because we all have good intentions … but the follow through does not always happen!
What is a PHD??? In the quilting world, a PHD is a Project Half Done. As a former academic, who did not get a PhD in nursing, it’s just a play on the initials.
In order to get your PHD in 2022, you have to complete at least 12 UFOs (Unfinished Objects / or projects) AND … here’s the big catch: You MUST complete everything you start in 2022. Yes, EVERY new project. Otherwise your UFO list will just increase and we’re trying to get rid of them, right?
There are a few exceptions to completing what you start in 2022. If the project carries over into 2023, such as a BOM or Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt, then it would be impossible to complete it in 2022. And, those last minute projects that are started in December 2022? They don’t count either. But all of the projects you start in 2022, must be completed. This includes labels and quilting and binding – not just completing a top!
In the meantime, you can gather up your UFOs to get ready.
Monthly Color Challenge
I will be participating in this monthly colour challenge! I plan to make the entire quilt, but have signed up to be part of an occasional blog hop with the monthly blocks. The first block will be announced on January 1. You’ll be able to see the block at Patterns by Jen. The block patterns are free for the month they are posted. If you miss a month, they will be available for a nominal fee. Will you join me?
Blog Hops
I often participate in various blog hops. They are so fun! And full of lots of eye candy and ideas. So far, I have signed up for 2 in the new year.
Here’s some pictures of quilts from people who are unable to link to the Linky Party:
This is Robin’s – all quilted! The star points certainly pull out the pink in the focus squares. Lovely!
And here’s the back of Robins … she made some extra stars … plus you can really see the quilting on the back!
And here’s Deb R’s quilt … she says “I went with baby quilt size so there will be a total of five rows with one border around all. The border will be the flowered material (shown). Won’t it be a lovely baby quilt?
This is Donna H’s … the middle of the stars is from a Moda digital print. Donna says, “I didn’t fussy cut them so there are a wide range of hues. The 3 contrast fabrics are batiks that pulled some of the colours from the print.” I Love the variety of the star centres …
Here’s what Alice C says about hers, “I have really enjoyed it and learned a new technique with the flying geese. That was a cool way of doing it.” She has perfect flying geese!
Here’s Judy’s … I love the contrast between the dark and light!
Linky Party
Link up and show us your mystery quilt! It doesn’t matter if it isn’t completely finished! It’s just fun to see all of the different looks that fabric choices make!
Arrange blocks as shown below. Ensure that Contrast #2 goes in one direction and Contrast #3 goes in the opposite direction when matching seams.
Web quilt together. If you don’t know how to web a quilt, see my tutorial HERE.
Clue # 10b
Add Borders to the quilt. For a quick easy way to add borders, see my tutorial
And here’s my pattern tester’s quilt! Thanks, Barb! Same quilt, different fabrics. Different fabrics make for a very different looking quilt!
Watch for the Linky party on August 24-30 and show us your quilt top. If you can’t manage to link up – email me your picture and I’ll put it on the blog!