Winter Solstice update.

Oops.  I cut off the corners.  

My Winter Solstice quilt is nearing the home stretch.  This block of the month was organized by Paulette of Sweet P Quilting and Creations. 

The installment this month was the sheep blocks.  I ended up cutting all the extra blocks and assembled the top.  I was having trouble figuring out what fabric to use for the sheep without seeing the entire top so I went ahead and assembled it. 

Up next are the borders.  I think I will just use two fabrics for the checkered border because they're the only two homespuns left.  I have bits and pieces of others but the border would be overwhelmingly the two fabrics shown to the right of the top so why not just use them.

Hard to believe it is so close to the actual winter solstice.  Time picks up its pace this time of year.  Even so, I expect I'll have this done and quilted before November is over.

Pam

Another Year of Schnibbles...

...the October installment.  This month's AYOS is Harvey by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.  Another year of Schnibbles (AYOS) is put together by Sinta of Pink Pincushions and Sherry at A Quilting Life.

Harvey measures 72 inches by 72 inches.  Possibly the first large Shnibbles in AYOS but I'm not positive about that.

I used two charm packs of Independence Trail fabric by Minick & Simpson for Moda. I had to add a few charms left over from a Blackbird Design pack to replace the dark blue squares that blended with the black background too much plus the extra half squares needed for the border.   My background fabric is just a mottled black.  

I can't think that I've ever made a quilt using a dark background before.

I took Harvey outside for pictures.  Today will be our last warm day of 2014.  It's in the 70's which is a fluke for late October in Western NY.  It will snow by the end of the week which is not a fluke for Western NY in late October.

Harvey is all about the triangle.

Pam

Final block of

a block-of-the-month.

Quilt Doodle Design's 2014 BOM.....

The final row...the top one...is done and attached.  My snowmen are still faceless.  I will add wool and buttons after the quilting.

Such a fun block of the month but I'm ready to have fewer monthly projects right now.

As a follow-up to the last post....

I have been fabric shopping matching fabrics to the paint samples suggested by Bonnie Hunter.

I didn't need to buy all of these fabrics....in fact...none of the blacks or neutrals are new.  I mainly needed pinks and turquoises.  I just need a few more turquoises then I'll be ready for the first installment of the mystery.

Excuse the pool table!  I spread them out for a quick picture to share with a couple other Bonnie fans who are also fabric shopping. 

Fall has arrived....

...it's 8:00 in the morning and looks like this outside.

This family wonders through the yard in the morning and back the other way in the evening.  With the fog this morning they're out much later than normal.  Sure keeps my kitties on their toes.

Pam

An early surprise.

This will be the third year that I've participated in Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt.  Each year she releases a mystery quilt....piece by piece....each Friday throughout the holiday season.  It is a fun diversion from the craziness of the holidays and a very enjoyable way to spend time in my sewing room when the post holiday slump hits.  

Typically Bonnie releases the fabric requirements in mid October so we can organize our supplies over the next month or so.  This year she released them about a week early.  Perfect timing for me since I'm hitting the road tomorrow to go pick Buttercup up for midterm break.  I will be driving right past my all time favorite quilt shop and now I have a reason to stop. 

Two years ago the quilt was called Easy Street.  Here are a couple examples.  The first is a sample using Bonnie's colors. 

I changed the colors and made mine using fabrics in my stash.  I went with one fabric for the background instead of the mix called for in the pattern.

The following year was Celtic Solstice.  If you follow the link you'll see tons of samples.  This time I stuck more to the colors Bonnie used.  I toned mine down a little but again, I didn't need to purchase any fabrics!  I don't have a huge stash but when you start picking through your scraps and fat quarters it is amazing what you can come up with.   

This morning I was on my way out to do the weekly shopping when I read the blog post.  Lowe's was right on my way so I stopped in and pulled the cards suggested. 

I am planning to stay as close as possible to the suggested colors.  They are modeled after the lobby of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan.  Visiting Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel are on my bucket list* so I'd like to stay true to the decor even if it's outside my box.

The yellow...the one on the right...should be one fabric.  The rest plus black and neutral can be scrappy.  While I should have enough neutrals and maybe enough black...I can bet I don't have a single piece of turquoise.  That will be my main focus when stopping at quilt stores tomorrow. 

Anyone else planning to play along? 

Pam

*Attending one of Bonnie's workshops is also on my list.  She'll be at an area guild in a couple years.  I'm hoping to wiggle my way into one of the workshops.  She is also visiting another guild at some point that I may try to visit.  I will entertain any invitations.....hint, hint.