Re-evaluating and Remaking

Sometimes, our first impulse is the right one, and we should go with it.... other times not so much.  I made a block for Pat Sloan's 'Childhood Games' block-of-the-week project, but it bothered me... a little bit, at first.  I used black as accent strips, but I wasn't happy with the lack of contrast with the purple blocks.  Today, I finally decided it was bothering me enough to be worth ripping out some seams, cutting some new fabric to replace the accent strips and resewing it all together.  Here is the remade block, all shiny and new.  This one makes me happy!

The original block looked like this (not bad, but it didn't make me happy):

Now, back to making a quilt for my fave radio personality!  (more on that later, there's a story behind it)...

Look, Ma! No Cats!

Well, I made the second block for the Childhood Games Quilt-a-long.  It's called 'Chinese Checkers' and I used a spotted fabric to represent the marbles...  I decided not to use a cat fabric on this block... but I will use more cat fabrics in the quilt... just because I love 'em!

I always wanted to learn how to play Chinese Checkers as a kid, but had no one to teach me... because there was always a board for the game in those multipacks of games.  The marbles were fun to play with though and my sister and I made up our own games to play with them...  I kinda miss those carefree days with lots of playtime... oh wait... is quilting considered adult playtime?  If so, I guess I never outgrew them!

Well... back to borders on Frolic!

Another block and mystery progress...

I finished another quilt-a-long block for Pat Sloan's 'Out West' project...

I really like this block, not sure if it conveys anything about yummy western food, but it sure does have a southwest vibe.  I put in some horseshoe fabric and some kokopeli fabric as well... (probably spelled that wrong)...

I got 2 borders added to 'Frolic', but can't decide on cornerstones... might take some pics later and try to use them to decide how to do the cornerstones.

Made 2 more of my kitty hexagons for the never-ending hexie project as well... so progress is being made...

Tomorrow is my mini-group sew-in, so might get those borders on Frolic at last.

Too many pots spoil the cook

Sometimes I just overwhelm myself!  I am starting yet another quilt-along for the year, plus all the blocks of the month (which I promised I wouldn't do this year).  Sigh.  This morning, I started Pat Sloan's quilt-along called 'Childhood Games'... The first block is called 'Hide and Seek'.  I fussy cut kitties and made the block.

Now... back to Bonnie Hunter's 'Frolic' mystery, which is a mystery no more.  I've got the first border on, just have to decide what to do about the last 2 borders... the sawtooth borders don't exactly appeal to me, so I think I may decide on something different.  Time to do some designing.  I will still, I'm sure, use the half square triangles originally designed to be the sawtooth borders, but I may re-configure them, maybe pinwheels?  or pointy lozenges?  I'll figure something out.

More Mystery...

I've been so busy with just well, everything... that I it's taken me longer to complete my Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt top than usual... Of course her clues went longer into January than last year or the year before, so not finishing the top til later in the month makes sense I guess. I've still got to trim and sew on borders, but I'm glad I got it to this stage.

 

I'm also glad that even though the pile of 'parts' looks very 'pinky-raspberry, the finished top does not share that look... I think the aqua and green helps tone down the pinks. 

I wish it weren't square... and if I had enough fabric and time and all, I could make another row and add it in, but I think I'm just gonna finish this one and donate it.

Also, I have lots of other projects in process, so I"m not lacking in things to do, just have to get to them... like this teacup sampler quilt... Have to figure a way to put it all together...

A Mysterious start to the year

Well, I finished one of last year's mystery tops... The Meadow Mist Mosaic Mystery.  I have to say I really like how this one came out... love the 'chain' and the 'on-point plaid' look of it.  And off it goes into the UFO pile til there's time to make a backing for it.

 I started another mystery quilt this year.  It's called the Murder Mystery Quilt 2020 ... I'm looking forward to this, as it sounds fun.  I've got my fabrics chosen, and the first block is finished.   This should be interesting because it's an actual murder mystery with a story and clues and a solution at the end that includes more than just a finished quilt.  This is my first block:

And Bonnie Hunter is up to date... the latest clue is finished, though I've a bit more cutting to do once the final clues are released (my methods differ from hers, so unsewn pieces are uncut as well).  Here are a couple of my sewn sets from the last clue:

Two complete sets laid out with all the pieces, and a bunch of other completed sets off to the right hand side, waiting for the next clue.

Yet another mystery quilt, Out West by Pat Sloan... first block done:

This morning I will be attending one of my guild meetings, returning library books and trying to relax.  It's been a busy sewing weekend, with a forecast of more sewing as the week progresses. 

And so it begins...

Another year... another chance to get things right, or at least better... another 365 day trip around the sun.  I have so many projects I'm working on, I don't even know where to begin...  I'm making a whale quilt ('Whale you be mine', no pics yet), a mystery quilt (Meadow Mist Mosaic Mystery), the last clue of which just got released... I just need time to put it all together (maybe Sunday?), another mystery quilt (Bonnie Hunter's 'Frolic') which I'm far behind on now, and have lots of catching up to do (I had to get more fabric today, and order one piece on line, so I'm stalled), and a new mystery quilt-along by Pat Sloan called 'Out West'.  Here is my first block for 'Out West':

\Lots of catching up to do in the coming weeks.... Wish me luck!