Clue 5 of Bonnie Hunter's Grand Illusion Mystery was released to the world on Friday. I do not know what time, I slept in. Imagine my relief when I discovered that only 29 blocks needed to be made for the entire clue, really. We were charged with creating 25 teal and gold 4-patches and 4, 4-patches that included black, pink and gold. Even with my crazy schedule, I was able to finish the 29 blocks. Seriously, it is the only clue that I have completed!
The first block I completed was the 4-patch with the pink and black. Since I wanted them to be scrappy, I cut 2 1/2" squares from 4 different pinks and blacks. Then I sewed them together and voila!
I did a modified strip piecing to complete the 25 4-patches of gold and teal. I cut the strips shorter and also included some piecing of individual squares to keep the scrappiness alive!
Since I have yet to start clue 4, perhaps that will be my next step. Since I have completed only one block of each of the other clues, I still have quite a bit of work to do. It is all good, I cannot wait to see how this quilt comes together. It has been interesting to see how Bonnie used the colors she found in the Grand Hotel to influence her color choices for her quilt and the blocks she chose to create.
Since the mystery started, I have had only one goal. That goal is to complete one block of each clue before the next clue is released on Friday morning. I am getting this one in, under the wire, barely!
You see, last Friday, I was heading towards New Orleans with a full weekend of work scheduled. I arrived home, late Monday evening. Actually, early Tuesday morning, after the check engine light on the plane failed to go off!
I have been struggling all week to keep up with my daily obligations, some financial matters, and of course, quilted Christmas gifts. It's been busy around here!
Today I cleared a little space in my calendar and this is what I completed:
This is my one block from Clue #3. Green is probably my least favorite color. I needed to force myself to go out and buy a little bit to complete this quilt.
So far, this is what I have completed:
Now that I have fulfilled my weekly obligation, I am going back to completing mortgage documents, school work, workshop follow-up and, oh yeah, quilted Christmas gifts.
Even though the clues come out on Friday morning, I generally do not attempt to try them until Monday. One reason, my weekends have been a bit busy. Another reason is that I want to wait and see what the reaction from the masses is. I think there are over 700 people attempting the Grand Illusion Mystery presented by Bonnie Hunter. I follow along on facebook and see what everyone is saying about the process. Then, I try. Most people seem to be piecing this block using the 3rd piecing directions that Bonnie provided. I like this choice because of the extra little triangles that you get in the process. Tonight my tiny triangles look like this:
The one completed block I have is not to size and certainly not even matched right. But, it is a sample and it is done.
This quilt is one that I am going to love, I can just tell! I love the colors and I love the different ways the blocks can be used together. Looking forward to Clue #3 on Friday. Next week my sewing will have to take place on Tuesday as I have travel plans for the upcoming weekend!
Crazy is not the word for it, more likely insane. Who else would choose to start a new mystery project right on top of December Daily, just after finishing 30 Days of Gratitude, with report cards needing to be finished in less than 3 days? Yup, that would be me!
But, I was interested in the entire process. I love how Bonnie used the Grand Hotel for her color inspiration and that is really what made me decide to quilt along. Tonight I promised myself that I would get one block done. More if I could, but at least one. That's what I did. You can see pieces of a few holiday gifts being run through the machine as I piece the mystery. Always doing more than one project at a time!
I am still thoroughly confused by the whole easy-angle thing and I have always had a problem with half-square triangles, but I persevered. Since I can be both leftie and rightie, I thoroughly confused myself! In the end, my half-squares ended up the correct size - woohoo!
Since every square space of the studio is filled with Christmas gifts or Christmas decorations, I moved my cutting station into the laundry room. I set up the iron on the dryer and I was in business. And there you see, the first block of my version of Bonnie Hunter's Grand Illlusion Mystery!
Okay, now it is back to report cards! If you would like to follow along with Bonnie, as she presents her mystery, check out the mystery link on her blog. Also consider becoming a fan and liking the Quiltville page on Facebook. There is a tremendous group of quilters there who are always helpful! Since the clock is saying that it is after 10pm, I had better get back to the report cards!
