Why do I do things the hard way-finishing clue 2-and moving onward.

Sometimes I wonderful why it takes me so long to get a clue done, and then I wonder why the heck I did not figure it out sooner. I swear I worked on clue two for three days. I decided to go ahead and sew those bonus triangles. I did this when I made a quilt for an aunt, and I used the bonus triangles as a border. The thing is that quilt did not have so many triangles. I mean four extra triangles on each block times 100 blocks. What was I thinking? These things are about 1 inch. Again, what was I thinking. I think I had a lapse in my good sense!

I thought I would use them. I actually have some orphan Blocks from Easy Street that have the same purple and teals. I figured I could add them to that and make something fun and funky. I did not count on how much time it would take to do that extra sewing.  It finally dawned on me and I STOPPED. I completed my last forty in record time. Finally that step is complete. This is what I have left to show for my work. I just stuck them into a zip lock bag. After all that I may use them...someday.

bonus triangles-  about 240 sewn. Then I came to my senses.

This is probably not how Bonnie is using these block, but I will in another quilt.

I moved ahead to step 5 because Bonnie said it would be easy. I had it completed in no time. I had already cut my strips, so it was easy to sew together. Most of my quilt is not scrappy, but my neutrals are. I used as many fabrics as I could find, and followed Bonnie advice with no more than four or five four patches of each set. Yes, my four B blocks are upside down in the picture. I made these all the same. I am feeling more confident about my color changes as everything comes together.

Step 5

Going backwards, I started on Step 4 this afternoon.  We have done this block, so it was not a matter of difficulty. Frankly I thought I had miscalculated my purple and white half square triangles from Step 1. I had to borrow some from my extras to complete the step. I assumed I would run out so I deferred working on this step until now. Funny thing is I had more than enough purple half square triangles. I guess I made extras?  So far I have cut out, and made 42 kits for the first block. I hope to put these together tomorrow, and maybe even get the kits for the second set made. I love making up the kits so when I have some extra time I can head down to my sewing space and power sew.

Layout of step 4

It's been a while since I've had several days off work, with nothing scheduled, to just sew. It has been wonderful. If I am lucky I may be caught up by Sunday night. If not that is okay too. I have New Years Day off work, another chance to sew.  I'll probably go through and make sure all my units are the correct size and do any needed trimming as some of those clue 2 blocks are a little wonky.  Here's hoping and waiting for Friday. Do you think we will start putting a block together this Friday?
Here is the link to Monday's link up http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-5.html

Easy does it, not always that easy-Grand Illusion- Clue 3

Hello Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt fans.  Another week of piecing, work,  and holiday preparation. While I have finished 80 of Clue three, I have not hit my target. However I am off work today and will not go to sleep until I finish those last 40 blocks. This is an easy block, but as Bonnie has told us over and over, if your seam is off just a little and it's multiplied by many seams, you can be off a lot in the end.  In my excitement I was a little too speedy sewing some strips, and did not pay enough attention to my seam allowance. You guessed it, I had to redo some block.

80 down- 40 to go

My progress so far is respectable. I have finished Clue 1, only done four of  clue 2 (was out of town that week) and will finish Clue 3 before the next Clue is released. I am proud that I'm keeping this in perspective, the last few Mystery Quilts I sewed like a mad woman the minute the clue was released.

This year I am relaxing and enjoying the process. I think since I have changed some fabric on my quilt I am being a little more thoughtful as I work through this quilt. An example of this is my decision to use a constant green fabric. Now I warn you that I have an imagination when it comes to fabric. For example my blues remind me of the water of Lake Erie and the green are the lily pad or grasses with the light reflecting off them. Yeah, I know that's a little out there. However, that is why I chose this fabric. I had a preference for a lighter fabric, but did not have enough and did not know if I would get the look I was after by going scrappy. I also thought the lighter it might look too washed out.

Which green to use?

Today's goal is to take my time sewing strips so I have a consistent seam and finish those 40 blocks. I want to straighten my sewing area and organize my fabric so I'm ready for the next clue. Oh yeah, I almost forget, and I'm getting a new furnace today. How much excitment can one girl take?

Be sure to check our Bonnie's link for Clue 3. I know it's the same block over and over, but it is fun to see what colors everyone is using and check out some quilting blogs at the same time.
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.htmlhttp://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html

Pride goeth before the fall-Clue #2

Ok, I admit it, sometimes I think I know what I am doing. I get in a rush and bulldoze my way through a step. This mostly happens when I'm in a hurry. After all I've seen and done this block before, kind of. The single version of this was one of the borders in Bonnie Hunter's Lazy Sunday Quilt. You can see how nice they turned out in the picture below. In case you can't tell it's the purple border.

Lazy Sunday Detail-

So one would think if I have done hundreds of these babies in the past this would be a snap. I am doing method three and hey, "I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING"!  Uh oh, spoke too fast. The first one came together okay, but as I sped up and I got sloppy (has anyone else done that?) I lost control. Head hanging, I saw my mistake and took a step back. Okay, I have to take my time. I should draw the line on the squares and not just wing it. I need to PAY ATTENTION!  The goal for me, is to do it right, not to be sloppy. I can do it either way, my choice, but I will kick myself every time I see it if I can do better, but don't. Since I only got four done I am showing my good and not so good work. I'll redo the not so perfect blocks and add it to my orphan block bin for a future really scrappy project.

Can you spot the "bad" block?

If you have checked into my blog before you know that I had changed pink for purple,brown for black and swapped the neutral and turquoise. So the blue watery print in my neutral. I am absolutely in love with this fabric. I was apprehensive about my decision to make this change, but as I see this block come together I am feeling better.

I am using some constants: the turquoise, brown and yellow. Regardless of whether my fabrics for each color are scrappy or constant I am making sure they play well with this watery fabric.  Did I already say I'm in love with it?

I am also in acceptance of lack of my progress. I only have 17 Clue 1 completed. On the good side, the rest are made into block kits and ready to sew. I hope to spend a hour each night this week, and have this step completed before #3 is released.

Step one kits.

Getting ready to kit a few of step 2

At least it is cut into strips.

My progress plan is to cut one or two strips for clue 2 at a time. Each strip gets about 8 blocks. That way it does not seem as overwhelming. Soooo if things go as planned Friday will find step 1 completed, and some progress toward step 2. In the past I was obsessed and had every step finished before the next clue was released. This year is different. Perhaps I'm learning patience.

So if you are finding it impossible to keep up, no worries. Follow Bonnie's suggestion of doing a few of each clue. I do enough to feel comfortable with the block. That way if I get stuck I can get help from the great groups working on this project.

Also check out the linky to see the progress everyone it making. That is the most amazing part of this project. Quilters around the world (yes around the world), are quilting together. As of this morning over 162 quilters have linked up for Clue 2. Yeah for Bonnie!

 http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-2.html