Laughing at Myself

My youngest Grandchild, a boy who will turn 12 in June, lives in MN. I discovered that kids love getting treasure hunts for their birthday about 2 Grandkids ago. So today, I spent time online looking for 'clues' that my Son will help me hide in their condo come June. Why so early? 

I have the clues but now, need to find 11 small gifts and one larger one for the the last of the clues. AND I need to find ways to print the clues. They were not easy to find, even online. I wanted a mix of riddles, puzzles and rhymes that are age-appropriate and worked for places in the condo I wanted to use. 

All this needs to go out by the end of May so it falls in place for my Son to help facilitate the event. I know. Four months away. 

Meanwhile I worked on Medallion round 2. Jeeze. It has been a challenge. It is ok that pinks (& red) are in the center. After seeing this pic, I re-did part of it to align the dark teal.

Then onto the other BOM Mystery. Each month a different quilter submits her suggestion. This is done now after a few twisty-turned wrongs. This measures 12.5".

I Love a Good Mystery

I love reading Detective Mysteries and I join quilting Mysteries. And yet, I can never figure out how the crime is done and solved. Furthermore, I struggle with Mystery Quilts.

Yes struggle. Yet, I join one or two every year! February is month #2, & that means round #2 of the Mystery Medallion Quilt. 

I know it is supposed to take a month to complete; some participants have posted photos. What is nice about that is seeing how they work with the colors. 

Last month, I succumbed to using red because the host or author of the project recommended red. She lists the colors on the pattern as a suggestion and I take it as the rule. I thought it was ok to use red in the center block or medallion has those 4 hearts in it. 

So Okay, I used a red heart print to do that part of the block. I don't have many reds. And I was falling out of thinking for myself.

I selected colors and fabrics for this project so I could USE them up. I pulled greens and blues and pinks and yellows. What I also learned from a real-time teacher here in town is that when I use a fabric in one block, the flow is easier on the eye if that fabric is used in the next block. 

My light pink on an off-white is in the center and now in the 2nd round, as is the dark teal print. 

New to round 2 is a print that has pink, red, orange and yellow. 

I still do not know how to use the fabrics to make them work in the quilt and so it is round by round using that one suggestion for flow.

Scraps

I know. It seems like that is all I write about. Scraps. Today, I did several rounds on a One-Block Log Cabin. It is my intention to keep all  darks on one side & all lights on the other side.

I've made a comfort quilt this way and will keep adding rounds until it is as wide as I like and then will add more rows on the top and bottom to extend it lengthwise. It doesn't need matching because, as the photo shows, it has a good light/dark value. AND what is great is that it uses up the random strips. It may end up being a back where I can either add or subtract according to the measurement on the top. Because most of it will be done, when it is ready to be matched, it will not take long to do the additions. And it is nice enough that if I create more backs than I can use, I will partner it will muslin and make it a quilt unto itself.

The other task I worked on was to simply cut squares out of the fabric leftovers. I have printed off the next round to the Medallion BOM. I have designated colors/fabrics, and because it is a mystery, I just have to trust that they will all work. My next thing is to press everything. 

Rescue Report

When I first took out the scraps leftover from a tote I made, I had nothing in mind for them. Then I realized that I join a monthly Stocking Stuffer exchange on Swapbot. Technically folks are supposed to save the gifties until December so with that guideline in mind, I decided to use these scraps and make Spring mug rugs. I will keep a list of the people so I don't duplicate but have half a year's worth of gifts ready to go.

I can finish the last two tonight. I spoke with my Grandson and Son earlier today and told them I would be sending Valentine's cookies soon. I asked the boy what his interests were currently and he told me his favorite color was Yellow and favorite animal is the Octopus, and he likes both Spiderman and The Flash. 

Well, perfect! I am going to make a couple of mug rugs to go along with his cookies. Pics to follow after they are made.

Rescuing Orphans

Orphans, in quilting jargon, are the blocks that didn't get used in a quilt. Leftovers. Just as good as the others, but leftover.

I went through that scrappy bag and pulled out pieces that are ok to use in scrappy things. Mug Rugs are supposed to be larger than coasters and smaller than placemats, so any size.

These are two made for a couple of Swap Bot exchanges. The bottom one joins two small blocks with similar color values. The top one is strips that measured 1.5-2" in width. They are clipped for hand sewing that I like to do in the evenings. Easy work that doesn't need much attention.

The bag that held the leftovers has been getting overfilled. And ignored. With a little piecing, and using a couple of fabrics (not designated) for vertical spacers, I put this back together. It is relatively long so can be cut at either top or bottom and wide enough that it may work that way, and if not, additional borders can be added. I have to say that I was really excited to use these fabrics and get some projects done.

When it Rains

After too many years of drought here in California, it is a joy to see the gentle rains. Thing is, it means darker skies and lights on in the studio. When I moved in here, I painted the ceiling a dark blue and walls a robin's egg blue...light. At the time of painting choices, I paid attention to where the Sun rose and set. Trees in back are leaf-free so what light is there comes through.

However, like the song says, 'rainy days and Mondays get me down'. I sorted the next quilt tops, backs and batting for basting and have three ready to go. (Just a very cute pic I found, not a quilt I am making)

Then I went into the scrappy scrap bag to pull out floral prints for a mug rug I plan to make for a swap. I need to go through that bag and toss the scraps that are essentially non-unusable for me. I may either toss them in the trash (ugh) or in a baggie to go to the thrift store. I want to be a bit more realistic about what I want to use. 

Meanwhile, the audiobook I am listening to is THE CROSSING by Michael Connelly and takes place in LA. Fun detective genre.

Basting a Mystery

The quilt I basted this morning was a mystery BOM. I knew the theme when I signed up, but did not know how the blocks would look. I chose to do a scrappy quilt (hah) which meant each block was a color theme unto itself. The more colors, the easier it fits into any home.

I really thought I had the back cut to fit too, but when I laid it out, one side needed to be cut off and the top turned on it to fit all four directions. An hour job took an extra half hour. More basting pins were used because I am unsure how I will quilt it yet and wanted everything to stay in place. So glad I can come into the clubhouse rather than try and do this on my floor space.

I found one of the appliques was not done and now will be a bit more difficult to do with the fullness of all 3 sandwich layers. Experience has taught me to wait until it is quilted so it doesn't pucker around it.