It’s a Mystery Day!! So I need to show you how I did on clue #3…but that can wait. I want to show what I’ve been up besides the mystery.
I finished and gifted by food quilt. You can read about that HERE.
I also finished up the top for a baby quilt for the new little neighbor I have across the street. Let me show you how it evolved.
This is the neighbor’s second kid. First they had Winnie and I made her a baby quilt…
Then along comes little sister. They didn’t find out if it was a boy or girl so I didn’t make a specific quilt in advance. I have a baby quilt almost finished that I can personalize and I had a different baby girl quilt but decided against gifting it. I figured being Winnie had a quilt with her name, maybe the new baby Millie, should have a quilt with her name.
As many of you know, I’ve been busy making quilts for Christmas presents for in childcare children. I had leftovers from the quilts and thought I might be able to pull them all together and make a special quilt. I laid things out….
Flying geese from Geese on a String, Hourglass block from the Hourglass quilt, a block from Wild Child…. I roughly laid it out but decided to make the name first. If did this before bed one night.
The next morning I added the blocks
…and this on the top
I added the hourglass blocks below the name and then sent a couple layout pictures to Connie and Kelli. What did they like better? This…
Or this??
We all liked the purple on the top. I could see I needed more though. I was short a couple half square triangles and it needed to proportionately be longer.
That night I went upstairs and started working on it again. I ended the night here. As I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep, I calculated what I needed….4 more hourglass blocks and a row on each side. I thought I had enough pink and would use that.
The next morning I was up showered and into the sewing room quick before childcare. I had about a half and hour to get it together…and I did. Here it is…
I’m content with it. I have a solid purple binding cut for it. I think that will frame and bring it all together making the letters pop and little more.
I’m hoping by Friday I can show it off here on the blog as a finish. That would be so nice. I had grandkids here this weekend but was able to get it loaded on the frame. We’ll see if I get time to machine quilt it.
I’ve been digging into my shirts. I’m a big collector of shirts and I’m currently collecting for a couple of different quilts I plan on making. BUT…more than that, I want the sewing room cleaned up and shirts just seem to explode everywhere. So the quickest way to tidy the sewing room is to get control of the shirts…and that is great because it brings me closer to tackling a couple of the shirt quilts I want to make. Here’s the current state….ugh.
As for the mystery…I’m plugging along. With clue #1 and #2 so easy, I was worried we would get hit hard this week…but no, not hard at all. I was up early on Friday morning and had the clue cut out before the childcare kiddos arrived. That means all I had left was to get them sewn. Saturday was my birthday. The house was busy with no time to do anything but be with family so late Saturday, I snuck in some time and ran them through the sewing machine and then ironed them before bedtime.
I’m glad I was able to complete it quick. I have several other Christmas things that I’m working on and need time to finish those projects so another week with an easy clue was appreciated. I keep thinking we’re going to get nailed with a hard clue pretty soon though…although Bonnie did say that the mystery might be a little extended this year. I’m okay with that…(not that my opinion matters)
If you’re looking for all things mystery, you can find that HERE.
I have to admit, I’m almost (just a little) tempted to start another one. The clues are easy and I need a quilt to donate to the firemen in March. Hmmm. Tempting for sure. I keep telling myself NO!! Stop even thinking about it. Are any of you making two? Curious minds want to know.
I think Millie is going to love her quilt and its adorable and colorful. Your left over pieces really look great together.
I love reading your blogs. Millie’s quilt is great. Maybe I will get organized this coming year. After the Holidays, you should have time explore and sort through the package I have sent you for you and all of your friends.
Merry Christmas
Love the Millie quilt…your colors are a great choice!
Not working on the Mystery quilt – I have one going and can’t seem to get that one done let alone start another! :-D!
Love and prayers
You are so talented! I like “ row” quilts— all the colors and designs. It’s so fun to study all the prints. The baby will love laying on it and looking at al the colors.
You are so creative, love your impromptu quilts!
Maybe you have a quilt that is half done in a pile for a firemans donation quilt?
Love Millie’s quilt! I always wonder what to do with extra units so now I need to gather them and keep them together for inspiration to strike. I also love that you use small amounts of time to get some quilt stuff done. I need to do that on a regular basis. I have my clue 3 units cut and ready to sew so I need to get down to the sewing room and sew. I should be able to do that today and since I am only doing half size I should be able to get that finished.
Millie’s quilt is adorable!!! I wish I was a clever with my leftover blocks! Happy birthday Jo!
Millie’s quilt is adorable!!! I wish I was a clever with my leftover blocks! Happy birthday Jo!
Millie’s quilt is just adorable!!! Wish I could be as creative as you with my leftover blocks! Happy birthday Jo!
Millie’s quilt top is so cute! So creative! I love it!
On another note, in regard to all your men’s shirts, have you ever made the “Shirt Cuff Pockets” with all the cuffs you have? Here’s the idea I found from Pinterest. (No affiliation) http://lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.com/2012/07/appliqued-shirt-cuff-pouches.html
Or if you have an abundance of them, maybe you can sell them on the blog at your next auction. They make cute gifts.
I love the “wonkie” lettering you used for the kids’ names. Could you explain how to do it or where to find information on making them.
Millie’s quilt is adorable! I love it! Thanks for sharing your thought process.
I’m making the mystery quilt, too. I would not start another; they’re usually a lot of pieces. Do you have another quilt started that you can finish and donate?
Happy Quilting!
I made THREE Good Fortune’s. Learned my lesson. Will only be making one! …..for now, anyway!
Great use of pieces and part, Jo!! Best of luck on finding time to finish Millie’s quilt this week.
Wonderful original design! Millie’s quilt is so very pretty! I love it & all the colors! I think it’s such a smart idea that you make baby quilts that can used beyond infancy!
Wonderful original design! Millie’s quilt is so very pretty! I love it & all the colors! I think it’s such a smart idea that you make baby quilts that can used beyond infancy!
What suggestions do you have for cutting the shirts into the best usable pieces? Have you done a tutorial? I am rather new at checking out your blog.
Here is a blog post about that Nancy. http://www.joscountryjunction.com/ask-jo-about-using-shirts/
Millie’s quilt is so perfect if you hadn’t said it was orphan blocks and rows. No one would have known. It has what used to be called pazazz. As to having several quilts in the process, yes! I have one to put the blocks together. One blocks cut. One planned material pulled together center applique cut and pieced together. It’s called having fun.
I am enjoying the easy pace of the mystery. I really hope Bonnie extends the mystery this year, rather than fire out several clues just before New Year.
Jo, what pattern do you use to make the cute letters on your quilts? Maybe tell us in your next Ask Jo? I’ve never been brave enough to try that but I so love yours!
LoriG
i would love to know about the letters too. I love them!!!
I’ll be doing a tutorial of sorts about them coming up.
I’ll be doing a tutorial of sorts about them coming up.
That is an adorable quilt. Millie is going to love it. Her Mom, too.
Millie’s quilt is so cute and a great way to use up leftover parts! Better than having them enter orphan block
status! I admire your creativity!