Ready for the spa

My March goal for ALYOF was to finish my Grand Illusion's quilt top - this year's Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt.  All done and ready for the spa (aka my LAQ.)  This will be a gift for a friend.

 I'll be linking up at Another Lovely Year of Finishes .  My goal setting post was here.

Happy Stitching!

Grand Illusions Progress checkin

I've made great progress on Bonnie's mystery quilt (see the big reveal post for Grand Illusions quilt.)

I decided to go with the pattern setting after much, much debate.  I've the border pieces all assembled ready to attach.



Since I went with a 3 by 4 block setup, I did need to great creative on the border.  The border was designed for a 5 x 5 quilt and a 2" inner border.  Each of the side pieces that attach to the corner will be a little bit longer.

Completing the creation of all the blocks was my goal for January's Another Lovely Year of Finishes .   This was my goal setting post.

Linking up to Bonnie's post here.  (edited to add link)

Happy Stitching!

Progress report

Progress has been made on my Grand Illusions from Bonnie mystery quilt.  After the big reveal I assembled a four blocks and laid them down for a photo op - each block surrounded by full sashing.

I got lots of nice comments (thanks!) and also several people thought the extra sashing actually made the quilt look better - somewhat calmer maybe.

I've now have enough blocks to assemble a 3 x 3 grid and sewed this together without that extra row of sashing.  

I don't have enough of the green if I go with the extra sashing but I do agree that it calms things down.  Can always order more fabric - I am a bit torn here.

Which do you think is better - the top photo with the extra row of sashing?  or the bottom photo made true to Bonnie's pattern?

Either way, I've some math to do because I am not going to make the large size quilt she did at 5x5 block layout.  However, the border is a pieced one and the math only works at the size she did.  So improvisation will be required!


Happy Stitching!

Grand Illusions Reveal!

The big reveal!!!  

True to form, Bonnie released the big reveal of the Grand Illusions quilt New Year's Day.  (Linking here.)

Bonnie, fantastic, fantastic mystery!  So much movement in just these 4 blocks.   I'll be linking up here and looking forward to all the other quilt reveals.  Some people manage to assemble the entire quilt top - but I'm quite happy with my 4 blocks.  It give me a great view of the finished product. (Note, there is an extra row of sashing between each of the blocks - probably should have overlapped them in the photo!)

I had trouble capturing the true block color outdoors - the single block below is a truer representation.  

These are a big and beautiful 12" blocks with a 3" sashing.  Still trying to decide on how big of a final size quilt I will go for but it is clear that I'll need to make more of each the clue blocks.  

After assembling my 4 blocks, this is what I have left:  12 of clue 1 (enough for 3 blocks), 8 of clue 2 (enough for 2 blocks), zero of clue 3, 9 pairs for the outer border, zero of the center 4 patch blocks and 2 of the quilt corner blocks. 

Creating these blocks will be my goal for January's Another Lovely Year of Finishes .


Happy Stitching!

Grand Illusions clue 5

Clue 5 (link here)  from Bonnie's mystery called Grand Illusions are a couple of easy 4 patches

I am making roughly 25% of the block required - once the mystery is reveled, I'll decide how big I want the quilt to be and then start making more blocks.

Pretty 4 patches from clue 5

Blocks from clue 4

Block from clue 3

Block from clue 2

Block from clue 1

This is my 3rd year making her mystery quilts.  She often speeds up delivery of the clues post Christmas - can't wait to see the big reveal!

I'm linking up here.

Happy Stitching!

Grand Illusions

Clue 4 was fun and easy (posted here) from Bonnie's mystery called Grand Illusions!

I am making roughly 25% of the block required - once the mystery is reveled, I'll decide how big I want the quilt to be and then start making more blocks.

For this block, you needed 2 version of broken dishes blocks.   So far, I've ten of each variety.   Paired up with clue 1, there are 3 different version of broken dishes block in the quilt - so far!

Blocks from clue 4

Block from clue 3

Block from clue 2

Block from clue 1

This is my 3rd year making her mystery quilts.  She often speeds up delivery of the clues post Christmas - can't wait to see the big reveal!

I'm linking up here.
Happy Stitching!

Grand Illusions Clue 3

Clue 3 is here!

Bonnie posted clue 3 for this year's mystery called Grand Illusions!

I am just loving the green and the brown - made 30 of these.  We've now cut into all the colors.   I'll be linking up here.  (color is more true in the first photo.)

Block from clue 3

Block from clue 2

Block from clue 1

I have chosen a set of fabric from the Moda Somerset line - I just love the rich colors.  While this doesn't map to Bonnie's colors, I think it carries the same element of rich and luxury of the hotel.  

Happy Stitching!

Grand Illusions Clue 2

Clue 2 is here!

Bonnie posted clue 2 for this year's mystery called Grand Illusions!

I used option 3 of her assembly methods leaving behind a whole bunch of 2" HST to be used in another project.

4 1/2 block from clue 2

4 1/2 block from clue 1

I have chosen a set of fabric from the Moda Somerset line - I just love the rich colors.  While this doesn't map to Bonnie's colors, I think it carries the same element of rich and luxury of the hotel.

I'll be posting my progress on Bonnie's blog here.

If you haven't already entered, i've a giveaway underway for a charm pack as part of the SMS giveaway.  Lots of blogs are participating.  To enter my giveaway and for more information, please see this post.  


Happy Stitching!

Grand Illusions!

Happy days!

Bonnie posted clue 1 for this year's mystery called Grand Illusions!

I have chosen a set of fabric from the Moda Somerset line - I just love the rich colors.  While this doesn't map to Bonnie's colors, I think it carries the same element of rich and luxury of the hotel.

Clue 1 was to make Broken Dishes blocks.  I made 30 of them -  a bit more of 1/4 of what her pattern called for since I'll be going for a smaller quilt (at least to start.)

I've also got 24 more HST put aside awaiting further instructions!

How fun!   (To see other fabric combos, visit this Bonnie blog post - I've link up there.)

Happy Stitching!