Unity Mystery Quilt Along

April 23 Update

The little stars are all sewn on!

It’s coming along - maybe I can get to the next round tomorrow 🙃.

‘Til next time,

QB

Unity Quilt Mystery Progress

UNITY QUILT ALONG

by Bonnie Hunter - Quiltville

Four weeks ago I started the Unity Quilt Along and thought I would update you on my progress.

WEEK 1

Wow, it seems so long ago since I started this!  I'm losing track of the days and weeks 😒

I remember how fun it was to start digging around in all of my scraps and getting the colors that I needed.  Sorting them into color piles and labelling little scrap bags with the size of each of the strips.  Some of these fabrics have been around for eons and it is time they either were donated, get used up or hit the dump.  It really felt good to start some organizing on the scrap mess I have.

Great sewing directions from Bonnie Hunter ensured that everything squared up to the correct size.  I am noticing on Instagram that there are people joining all the time so it is not too late to get your scraps pulled out and get started😀.  It is fun and sure keeps your mind occupied!

 WEEK 2

Here is my quilt after week two additions.  Just a little (lot) more cutting and organizing .... getting behind just a little bit ...

I am liking the scrappiness - although a little concerned it might be looking a little more U.S.A. than I wanted.  Maybe I can pump up the gold fabrics more in future weeks?

WEEK 3

Oh, my, the cutting of tiny squares and rectangles! This took a while.  Getting all the little pieces cut and organized on my big design board - I LOVE these boards that I made using the tutorial by Lori Holt (there is also a YouTube video).

I made both the little ones and the bigger one and use them constantly.

Then the sewing .... 36 little 4.5" stars to make 😐- I am getting a little further behind for sure.

This is not my only project I am working on and I'm still doing orders and deliveries, so these little darlings are getting a few seams here and there when I can get to them.

They are cute though and as each one is finished and set in place there is a little flicker of happiness in seeing it coming together.  I hope to finish these little stars today (April 22) - fourteen are complete and the rest just need the top and bottom rows sewn on - then attached to the quilt center.  Easy peasy - right?

The new clue came out on Monday - so I'm already two days behind on that one.  The blocks for this week are a bit bigger so maybe that will help me out in getting them done this week.  I do need to do a few other things that are pressing so I need to remind myself to take everything as it comes and RELAX.  Life is not a race!

I have a couple of more scrap bags/bins that I have my eye on that also need organizing so maybe I will get sidetracked with that and find even more golds, reds and blues.  We have the luxury right now of doing things that we have been putting off - answering to ourselves for the most part.  Just a little bit freeing maybe?

I'm still having fun making this quilt and really appreciate how well-written Bonnie Hunter's instructions are.  I have noticed on her blog that she has some other beautiful FREE patterns and also some interesting books that she has written.  After this project is done I think I will continue working on downsizing my scrap bin and try another scrap quilt at some point - maybe one a year just to keep things interesting 😁.

What are you doing in your quilting space?  Cleaning?  Sorting? Sewing?

Be sure to keep busy and happy!

'til next time,

QB

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‘Til next time,

QB

Keeping Busy

Occupying the Mind

I got busy the other day and stacked up some fabrics and other items in the studio for some good old photo therapy.  Always fun to pull items from this corner and that corner and make a nice little header for the website.  I love the kitty peeking out from the one side .... did not realize he would be so fun until I looked at the photos.  Nice surprise there!

Don't Forget About Easter!

Even with all the upheaval in the world we still need to take the time to celebrate the occasions that come along as they happen.  This year, for my husband and myself, Easter will be very different even without the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last Easter my mother-in-law and my father were with us ... this year they won’t be.  We miss them terribly, but I'm glad they are not here to see what is going on in the world right now.

My little Chocolate Bunnies wallhanging, and the bunnies on a stick, are in the dining room, right near where my dad always sat for special suppers.  Special bunnies!

I have received photos from a few gals who have made this pattern ... the color combinations have been wonderful.  Bunnies do not need to be chocolate 😀!

Quilt Alongs

To keep myself busy .... although really I didn't need any help with that 😔...... I started two quilt alongs.  In my own defence though, it was so very difficult to see all these announcements coming out and not join one or two.  I was feeling like a nice diversion from computer work would be just the thing to keep my mind occupied.

So I chose the Bonnie Hunter Unity Mystery quilt along to use up scraps and then I chose Melissa's Mystery quilt-a-long to use up some yardage (join Melissa's Facebook page).  I am enjoying both and kudos to both ladies for doing a fabulous job.

Here is the center of the Unity mystery quilt which was the first clue on Monday.  The next clue will be on Monday the 6th.  This mystery quilt is going to be a medallion style quilt so you can see it through to the very end for a big quilt or stop at any round along the way.  I have dragged out scraps from many, many years ago and am pressing and cutting as we go.  It is super fun trying to place all these different colors and prints into some semblance of order.  My color choices are red, blue and gold, plus neutrals ....  but of course, in true scrappy style, the tones are all over the map!  If you are on Instagram it is truly amazing to see how many people are participating and posting their completed center block.  Wow!

Now Melissa's Mystery, using the yardage and only three colors, is a true mystery for me!  I'm wracking my brain trying to think where we are going with these pieces 😃.  So much fun!

I have had yardage of this green print for years .... always liked the tone of it and the understated print but never used it .... not sure why not.  And then the cream (which isn't showing very well in the photo) felt like the right tone to go with the green.  The third fabric we were to choose was to be a "pop" fabric ... something that really stood out from the other two prints.  I think the orange fits the bill for the pop.

I hope you will follow along with my progress on these two projects and I also hope that you are also doing these or one, two or three of the many that are currently being offered.  If you are on Facebook, Instagram or even just google “quilt alongs” you will find all kinds of other options.  Turn off the news, turn on some quilting videos or a music station (that doesn't have news), and keep your hands and mind busy with creating something .... anything.  It doesn't have to be something that you will use .... it is the process .... you can always donate your quilt to Christmas Cheer or another organization.  Keep busy and be happy!

'til next time,

QB