Frolic Mystery Part 1

Yes here I am about to start a new project I can't help myself. Bonnie has selected colours I really like and when I have customers pop in to the shop to top up their fabrics for the mystery. The chatter and excitment of what will be in the first clue is infectious.
Now I was going to use my batik scrap box for fabric but discovered there wasn't a lot of any of the colours I needed. So what does a girl do?H the quilt shop and buy metrage. Now being the owner of the quilt shop helps.

Clue 1 was the classic four patch.

I don't want to make a full size quilt at this stage, so I am only going to make about half the blocks.
Clue 2 featured the raspberry again but with the neutral this time. I wonder what will become of these blocks.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

On Ringo Lake Part 6

We have had the big reveal after Bonnie hit us with some quick fire clues leading up to the big reveal. Once that happened I had to find time to put a few blocks together so I knew what it was going to look like.
In the end I managed 8 blocks the day before the big reveal.

Then we had the big reveal and at this point I had to consider how many more blocks was I going to make. I did finish block 9. To go any further I need to make more blocks.

Anyway I did get an afternoon at the sewing machine to continue a little bit further on this project. I got most of the sashing done and another block and I was ready to lay it out so I could work out how much more did I need to get this to the quilt top stage. I am do a smaller version to see if I can get it to the quilt top stage before the end of January because once February hits it will be put aside for other projects. That is how Allietare and En Provence has ended up in my unfinished project list. If it is at the quilting stage it has more of a chance of being finished within the year.
This is where I got to by the time I have to stop to take care of dinner. In theory 3 more blocks and a few more sashing strips needed then the set in triangles.

 It will be tight to get all that done before the end of January as I am back at work from the 8th. We will see what happens.

I have linked this post to Bonnie's blog post so pop over and check out how everyone is doing on their On Ringo Lake.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

On Ringo Lake Part 5

We are working on clue 5 over the Christmas weekend. We are all busy at this time of the year so squeezing some sewing time can be hard. I did manage to fit a couple of sewing sessions in to work on clue 5.

I did make a mistake cutting when I stop to check my baking. I came back to start cutting the second side of my blocks. I didn't double-check before cutting. Lucky I realized and stopped so I only ruined 5 blocks. The top one is wrong and the bottom one is what I was suppose to cut.

These are my blocks done. So I am ready for clue 6. Believe it or not.

I have linked up with Bonnie's blog to share my progress, so pop over and check out how everyone else is doing.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

On Ringo Lake Part 4

I tell you I was happy to see a easier block this week. I haven't finished Clue 3 yet but I did get stuck into Clue 4. A change of colour and a different block was what I needed to push on.

I always do a test block to check my measurements before cutting and chain piecing. I have been known to mess it.  A slight adjustment in my seam allowance  and I was off and running.

So it didn't take long to whip this batch together.

Starting this year's mystery had me thinking about my Allietare quilt (the 2015 mystery quilt) which I had put aside after I made a big mistake that requires me to unstitch three of the rows and fix my mistakes. I used a directional print for the centre squares and I want to have them all going in the same direction. Of course I stuffed it up. So over a couple of evenings I unstitch them and sewed them back together correctly and before I knew it, the top was done. Now to quilt it.

Back to this year's mystery pop over to Quiltville and check out everyone's progress.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

On Ringo Lake Part 3

Clue 3 was released by Bonnie. What are we making this week? These little matching blocks.

More work for the Simple Folded Corner ruler. Boy I am glad I purchased this ruler. I do find some of these angle blocks challenging. Even with my full attention I am known to get some backwards, twisted, or the wrong way while the whole time thinking I am doing it right. So I made my test block and made sure it was sitting on the cutting table for me to refer to it as needed. Plus I then stack the completed blocks on top to make sure they all matched.

I wasn't able to complete them all but that is ok. I can keep working on them when I have time.

Here are all my parts so far.

I have linked up with Bonnie's Quiltville blog so pop over and check out everyone else progress.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

On Ringo Lake Part 2

We are at Part two of Bonnie's mystery. This week we have flying geese units to make, lots of them.

Now Bonnie said we will have the chance to use the Simple Folded Corner ruler. I purchased mine a while ago but had not used it. So it was time to try it. No more drawing lines on the back of the fabric. Pair them up, line the ruler and trim the corners off.

Finally sewing, then pressing and repeat with the other side.

Then you end up with your Flying geese units. I must say the ruler worked well, cutting out the drawing the line on the squares and because you cut the corner off before sewing you can press straight away. 

Before you know it you have completed your blocks. I can see more flying geese in my future now with this ruler.

I have linked my post with Bonnie's post, so pop over and check out how everyone is going on Clue 2.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

On Ringo Lake Part 1

It's that time of year that Bonnie Hunter starts us on a mystery quilt adventure. So many will I, then I really need to finish what I have before starting something new, followed by maybe I will just collect the clues for later.
Then the colours are released and I think do I have them in my stash. If I have what I need in my stash maybe I should do it.
Well this is what I found just in yardage, so I am going to use it up. Once again I find myself starting a new project.

So Clue 1 was released late Friday night our time and I can tell you I was in bed as I was working on Saturday with an early start. It wasn't until I got home late Saturday that I had the time to look at what the first clue was.

With more work on Sunday it was not looking good for me to start, but I did find a little time in the sewing room after lunch to make a start on Clue 1.

I managed a couple of strip sets.

Followed by completing 10 of the  nine patch blocks out of 50. If I have some time during the week I will continue but I'm not promising anything.

I have linked my post to Bonnie's post for the link up so pop over and check out the progress of the other Quilters participating in this year's mystery.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

En Provence # 8

 I am going to show you where I am up to on the En Provence quilt.I am a little disappointed that I am not further along but there hasn't been a lot of sewing time lately.

So here we go, after stitching the first couple of blocks together I decide 6 blocks would be enough for this quilt. Knowing sewing time has been and will be short until April I think a smaller quilt will hopefully help me get closer to a finish than a large version. I counted out the blocks I had already made and set about making the balance needed.

The sashing strips will look a bit like this once I sew them together.

The plan is to finish the last two blocks then start on the sashing.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

En Provence Post #7

I had a little sewing time to work on my En Provence quilt. The last two clues still needed to be made. So I made some of each because I wanted to sew one block together. What I have so far. There is some trimming still to do.

Look my first block made up. Now to work out how many blocks I can make from what I have made.

My sashing strips will look like this. I ran out of time to sew one together.

Now I have to decide how many blocks I want to make. I have  enough to make four blocks so far. I am thinking 9 or 12 blocks.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

En Provence Post #5

We had a little head start this week with Bonnie releasing the clue early for us Aussies so we had the clue on Friday. Guess what we have to make this week. Just a few half square triangle units.  They seem to pop up in all sorts of projects. After just finishing piecing a quilt full of these unit I am wondering how many HST units would I make in a year? I might have to count them up in 2017 and see how many I make in a year.

Still have a few more to complete and trimming to do.

Still we haven't touched our green or yellow fabrics I was sure this was the week for them. Never mind it will happen when Bonnie wants it to happen. Enjoy and check out the progress others are making on their En Provence.  

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

En Provence Post #4

We are up to Clue #4 already. We have another repeat, it is Clue #2 in a different colour way. I am still working on my purple four patches in between finishing another quilt top so there is progress on the mystery as my leader and ender for the other project. So progress on two projects really.

Still need to make a few more but I am under control for a change.

All my blocks so far. I need to make more of Clue#2 but I am happy with my progress so far. I'm looking forward to the next clue. We must be about to use some green or yellow as we haven't yet used them.
Pop over to Quiltville and have a look at some of the other En Provence quilts in the making.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

En Provence Post #3

I am still working on clue #2 but clue #3 has been released, so what do I do. Start clue #3 while still working on clue #2. Nearly done with clue #2.

Now onto Clue #3 and out comes the purples.
This is my first batch of purple four patch blocks. There will be more to come but sewing time has been limited this week. Maybe next week once I am on holidays.

Once again I have linked up with Quiltville to share my post so click on this link to see how everyone else is going.  A big thank you to Bonnie Hunter for creating this project for us.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

En Provence Post #2

We are up to Clue #2 already. After last week easy  four patch clue Clue #2 needs a little more care  in getting it right. Then again anything that has a left and a right in a block requires me to take extra care.
Now since the clue was released I haven't had any sewing time, so while watched the rerun of Quilt cam tonight as I missed it live due to having to go to work😢 I cut a set to make a test block and check my sizing.

All good so I started cutting a bunch more ready for me to sew Tuesday night when I get in from work if I'm not too tired.

Maybe I might even get a few more Four patch blocks done.
Now there is a whole bunch of us sewing along with Bonnie's mystery quilt check out their progress here.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

En Provence Post #1

It is that time of the year where we have our fabrics selected and we are all ready to start Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt. This year it is En Provence and here is my fabric selection for this year mystery. I am working with my batik stash this year. I haven't work enough this year with batiks so it is time to pull some out.

Clue 1 was released after Thanksgiving and we get to start with our neutrals and make lots of neutral four patches.

Some strip cutting. They are all different lengths but I will pair the strip with similar lengths together.

I am having a go at spinning my seams too. So far so good.

Here is the first batch of neutral four patch blocks. Not sure at this stage how many I will be making as the plan is to make mine a little smaller than Bonnie's. It will all depend on the layout. So I will be making fewer block each step and after the reveal I will make the balance of what I need.

Now it is not too late to join in. Here is the link to Bonnie's post on this year's mystery, where you can find the details to get you started. http://quiltville.blogspot.com.au/p/en-provence-mystery.html
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Allietare Mystery Quilt #8

I have reached my final goal of 20 blocks, no more will be added as there is too much work on other projects that needs to be done.

Now that was what I thought at the beginning of my day as I planned to sew my set in triangles blocks. Boy did I get it wrong. What happened I can't say, beside the fact I should be working on something else. I should know better, it is not the first time I have set blocks on point. So what could I do?
As far as I could see there was two options for me. First option is make a skinny quilt, which meant I had enough blocks but it just didn't look right. The second option is to make more blocks and really it was the only option I could live with.

 What got me was I had cut enough for the set in triangles for the larger layout without realising I had stuffed the amount of blocks I needed up. So it was meant to be this size. So now I need to make 5 more blocks to complete this layout. Then I will be able to sew the blocks into rows.
                                          Until Next Time
                                          Keep Stitching
                                          Cynthia

Allietare Mystery Quilt # 7

There has been lots of finished tops and quilts posted. Where do these quilters find the time to sewing so much. I wish I could report more progress here but it just hasn't been possible with returning to work last week and the other stuff that need to be done. I did manage to get 4 blocks sewn together by Friday. I really wanted to see what the blocks were going to look like together.

Hopefully I will get some blocks made. There is some UFO projects that need my attention. I want to get a couple of projects pinned and quilted before February Project Uninterrupted session on the 6th February. One is my Grand Illusion quilt. It will be a challenge quilting it due to the size but I am ready to do it.
I wrote this a week ago. Too much to do and not enough sewing or blogging time. I sat down at the machine on Friday night for some sewing.
By the time I was ready to published this post I have finished  6 more blocks. The plan was 16 blocks for my Allietare quilt but I ready like this pattern and I now find myself considering an extra row.

Until next time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Allietare Mystery Quilt #6

The big Reveal happened this week just as I caught up on the last clue. So I was a happy quilter knowing I had some of all the clues to make up the blocks. The last clue made up.

I have been seeing so many beautiful versions of this pattern and I have loved them all. I was very happy with this reveal and if I can get it all together nicely it could be my favourite Bonnie Hunter pattern for a while until the next one I make.
So I did lay out the two blocks so I could see what they would look like and hopefully I can find some time to sew them together before the link up but it wasn't possible with Project Uninterrupted starting and work on the Cynthia's Ark Christmas Reproduction Sampler. Time was disappearing fast over the last week. At least you can get some idea of what my blocks look like.

I was never going to get my top completed before today anyway as I think I will need to go shopping for the black outer border as I don't think the large piece of black in the project box is big enough. As I am typing this I justed looked up at the fabric shelf and spotted a bolt of black that has a little red and blue design over it. I can't believe I hadn't spotted it before, maybe it was destine for the outer border and not the blocks as it is a larger piece. So I will check it out later.
Here is the link so you can have a look at all the beautiful Allietare quilts in all the different colourways and I can't believe how many have completed their tops already. Hopefully I can finish mine sooner than later this time.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Allietare Mystery Quilt #5

We are up to Clue #5 and I am still a week behind. I know last week I was going to try and catch up but somehow it didn't happen. So with one more week off from my day job I am hoping to catch up this week. Here is Clue #4 there is still a few more sets to go but they are cut ready for sewing.

I have linked this post to Bonnie's linky party so pop over and have a look at what others are up to.
http://quiltville.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-5.html
I love a good mystery and I can't wait for the big reveal.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Allietare Mystery Quilt #4.

We are up to Clue #4 which means I am working on Clue #3  They are Four Patch blocks but I still have some of Clue #2 to finish as well. Now that I have finished my day job for the year I have a few days planned to finish a few projects and catch up on some and this is one of them. With the weather in the mid 40's  (100 + for my US readers) here in South Australia it has been hard to find the motivation to do much of anything. I did spend a couple of hours on the sewing machine to piece the backing for a table runner and finish sewing a matching quilt top after I had to unpick the last seam because I had pinned it wrong big time. With this happening I was able to complete my Four Patch blocks so I now just need to complete the last of Clue #2 and I can start on Clue #4 which looks interesting.

I am using blue instead of the gold. Not a big fan of yellows/gold, so there is very little of that colour in my stash. That is the only colour I changed.  I promised myself to working from my stash and the only fabric I bought was the yardage for the grey as it was the constant fabric.

 Hopefully I will be caught up by the time Bonnie releases Clue #5.
Here is the link to see where everyone else is up to.
http://quiltville.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/sewing-parties-are-best-kind-of-parties.html

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Allietare Mystery Quilt #3

We are already up to clue #3 in Bonnie Hunter's Allietare Mystery Quilt.  Unfortunately I am still a clue behind most people but I hope to do two clues over my Christmas break and catch up with the main group. Clue # 3 is four patch blocks so they should easily get completed but not before clue #4 is released I am thinking but I should get some cutting done so I am ready for sewing.
So here is what I did get done on Clue 2.

At the moment I'm not sure exactly how many I will need as I am doing a smaller version of the quilt. So I will make some of each clue and once we get the big reveal I will them top up my blocks to the numbers I need. A few more set by my machine ready to sew when I get 10 minutes.

Here is the link back to Bonnie's post so you can take a look at some more versions of this project.
http://quiltville.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia