Get It Done UFO Challenge 2018 - March

This is the March installment of the Get It Done UFO Challenge 2018.

The challenge this month is for Number 9. My number nine is On Ringo Lake. It was a risk putting it on the Challenge list, but otherwise I may never finish it. 

I've been working on it between other projects. I pieced all the blocks. This shows them laid out without sashing. 

I finished all the sashing early in the month. Time to get to the assembly.

On point blocks are a challenge. On point, with sashings is even more challenging. I sure hope all those sashings are in the right spot!

I really like how my quilt differs from hundreds of others. Next step: quilting!

I loaded it up and got quilting. I wanted the quilting to run down the length of the quilt, so I loaded it on the frame so a long side is parallel with the rails. 

The back is a great diagonal hash that hides the thread. I used these wavy lines as an all over design. I didn't want the quilting to compete with the piecing. Not that the piecing is perfect. Just that with all that piecing seeing quilting detail won't be easy.

I used So Fine #50 from Superior Threads for the top thread and Omni in a coordinating gray for the bobbin thread. 

I embroidered the label onto a piece of leftover green fabric. Normally I embroider the label directly onto the backing fabric, but I remembered to do it after I had loaded the backing, batting, and top onto the frame. The label came out great, so no loss there. I had about a yard of the green print so it was the perfect choice for the binding. The lighting in this photo makes the fabric look much more yellow than it is in person. 

In this picture the label looks closer to the right color. Labeled and bound makes that a finish!

I wonder what's next on the Get It Done UFO Challenge? Because I'm ready. 

On Ringo Lake

It's been a while since the last update on my On Ringo Lake mystery quilt.

It was chosen as the Get it Done UFO Challenge quilt for March, so I've been trying to get it as close to done as possible before the end of March. I finished all the sashing units and then had to make a decision on how I was going to orient them in the quilt.

Since I changed up almost half of the blocks to make true alternate blocks, and changed the colors, there was room for some play. I decided to use them to extend the alternate block instead of the primary block. I really like the effect. Each diagonal row was an adventure in sashing. The scrappy is there, but a little controlled.

I did manage to get all the rows pieced together. I really like this one, even if it isn't a quilt I would have chosen if it wasn't a mystery. I just love mysteries. This one was a great test of my patience and my skills.

Next is to get it quilted. I wonder if I can do that by the end of the month.

Monday Randomness

Today will be a mixed bag of some of my works in progress (WIPs).

I decided to give the Octavo Fingerless Gloves a try.  Knitting and So On has so many great tutorials for knitting and crochet. Check them out.

I finished the setting triangles for On Ringo Lake. Still plenty to do before this quilt is done. 

I put together the Perkiomen Valley quilt top. I've put the top and the binding in my bag so the next time I stop at a quilt shop I can pick up the backing to finish it. This quilt isn't on the Get It Done UFO Challenge 2018 Edition because I really like to challenge myself by adding quilts during the year. 

I've been working on the Linus Shawl when I have a few minutes.

I finished piecing five more blocks for On Ringo Lake. I think my official count is seven finished blocks.

My friend Melissa started a blog to help her keep track of her embroidery adventure. You should check out I Stabbed My Finger Again to see what she's up to.

What have you been up to? I'd love to hear about it.

Mystery Quilt: On Ringo Lake

The progress report edition!

I've been working on the On Ringo Lake project as my leader and ender project while working on other projects. This is normal for me when a project is a huge Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt. Bonnie hosted Quilt Cam on the 27th and I joined in to work on some projects. A couple flying geese units and sashing units were put together while she shared her sewing time with the quilting community.

I have all the units pieced and it is time to make blocks.

I pieced the setting triangles and have them ready to go.

I'll work on these blocks between other projects. With all the units ready, I should be able to sneak in a couple blocks every evening. Slow and steady is how you make a Bonnie Hunter Quilt.

On Ringo Lake is now available as a a digital download. Check it out when you get a chance.

Mystery Quilt: On Ringo Lake

Time for part 6, 7, 8, and 9! 

I've participated in the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt a few years now. Check out my posts for clue #1, clue #2, clue #3, clue #4, and clue #5. You'll also find links to the link party Bonnie hosts each week at the bottom of each post. My goal is to post a update every Monday so I can link up with the weekly link party. 

Part 6 was joining the units from clue #4 to half-square triangle to make these units.

Part 7 was joining the geese from clue #2 and clue #5 together into units. 

Part 8 was making the block. This is the first one. 

Part 9 - the big reveal - was the full quilt, with sashing construction, and setting the blocks on point. I'm nowhere near that. 

I've been using this project as my leader/ender project. I still think every quilter should try to make a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt at least once. It is amazing what you can do when you have a project broken down into manageable pieces for you. 

Cutting tools: Wrights 4.5" Easy Angle, Wrights Companion Angle, Tucker Trimmer II or Creative Grids 6.5" Square

Linking up with Bonnie's link-party. Check out her post On Ringo Lake Mystery Monday Link-Up (link will be active when I get a chance to link it up) to see all the other links people are sharing. Hundreds of quilters link up to share their progress.

Mystery Quilt: On Ringo Lake

Time for part 5!

I've participated in the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt a few years now. Check out my posts for clue #1, clue #2, clue #3, and clue #4. You'll also find links to the link party Bonnie hosts each week at the bottom of each post. My goal is to post a update every Monday so I can link up with the weekly link party. This week, the link up won't be posted until Tuesday to allow for the holiday. 

This week was a repeat of clue number 2 with different colors. I'm working with different colors than Bonnie, so if you're using her colors please, please don't make your geese like mine. I cut what seemed like a thousand pieces.

Then, I sewed and sewed. I finished the first flight of geese on Saturday. I cut my geese using the Easy Angle and the Companion Angle. These are great tools for making geese accurately. I admit, I do trim a little after assembly, but very little and I blame the quilter, not the tools, for that little bit of waste.

I trim with the Wing Clipper to cut off the dog ears and make sure everything is square. This is the waste from all that trimming of imperfect units. I don't aim for perfect. I aim for a quilt. 

The second flight of geese is ready!

Cutting tools: Wrights 4.5" Easy Angle, Wrights Companion Angle, and Deb Tucker's Wing Clipper II

Linking up with Bonnie's link-party. Check out her post On Ringo Lake Mystery Tuesday Link-Up, Part 5 (link will be active when I get a chance to link it up) to see all the other links people are sharing. Hundreds of quilters link up to share their progress.

Mystery Quilt: On Ringo Lake

Time for part 4!

I've participated in the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt a few years now. Check out my posts for clue #1, clue #2, and clue #3. You'll also find links to the link party Bonnie hosts each week at the bottom of each post. I was a little behind before the weekend but I managed to catch up. This isn't a race, though. There are people still working on Orca Bay (that pattern can be found in Bonnie Hunter's book String Fling). My goal is to post a update every Monday so I can link up with the weekly link party. 

So many tiny pieces! Head over to Bonnie's blog for all the details on how to cut, sew and press these units. 

These went pretty quick after I worked through clue #3. That one was a challenge. I may have to add these units to some half-square triangle blocks and see how I can work them into a design. They are really easy to do accurately with the right tools. 

I can now add these to the bin with the rest of clues. I always feel like we're making great progress when the bin starts filling up. 

Cutting tools: Wrights 4.5" Easy Angle and Creative Grids 6.5" Square

Linking up with Bonnie's link-party. Check out her post On Ringo Lake Mystery Monday Link-Up, Part 4 (link will be active when I get a chance to link it up) to see all the other links people are sharing. Hundreds of quilters link up to share their progress.

Mystery Quilt: On Ringo Lake

Time for part 3!

I've participated in the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt a few years now. Check out my posts for clue #1 and clue #2. You'll also find links to the link party Bonnie hosts each week at the bottom of each post. Even if I am a little behind with the sewing I'm trying to keep up with the blog posts so I can link up with the weekly link party. 

This week we're making something different. Head over to Bonnie's blog for all the details on how to cut, sew and press these units. I'm only using three different pink fabrics.

I did manage to finish up the rest of clue number two late on Sunday evening.  

Linking up with Bonnie's link-party. Check out her post On Ringo Lake Mystery Monday Link-Up, Part 3 (link will be active when I get a chance to link it up) to see all the other links people are sharing. Hundreds of quilters link up to share their progress.

Also linking up with Love Laugh Quilt.

Mystery Quilt: On Ringo Lake

Time for part 2!

This year I have changed up the colors for the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt. Check out last week's post where I shared my colors. 

This week, we're making tiny flying geese units. Head over to Bonnie's On Ringo Lake Mystery Quilt page to see all the steps and the link-up information. 

Saturday morning I used the Wrights 4.5" Easy Angle and the Wrights Companion Angle to cut my pieces. I don't have as much diversity in the prints for this color, but I think the scrappiness of the rest of the fabrics will keep things interesting. Bonnie provides directions on several methods to make the flying geese units. There are loads more out there. Try a few to see what you like.

I cut what seemed like a thousand (for piece counts you have to go read Bonnie's page). I stacked them all up and am working on them a little at a time. Now that the cutting is done, I can work on these during the week when I have a little bit time. 

I finished a few and I'm really happy with the accuracy I get using these tools. 

All the information on the mystery quilt can be found on Bonnie Hunter's blog. There is a ton of other information there including tutorials and free quilt and block designs. She is an excellent teacher and I recommend checking out her site even if you don't want to join in the mystery quilt fun.

Cutting tools: Wrights 4.5" Easy Angle and Wrights Companion Angle

Linking up with Bonnie's link-party. Check out her post On Ringo Lake Mystery Monday Link-Up, Part 2 to see all the other links people are sharing. Hundreds of quilters link up to share their progress.

Mystery Quilt: On Ringo Lake

Every year Bonnie Hunter shares a mystery quilt with the quilting world. She is generous with her inspiration and her time. She provides the mystery quilt as a wonderful teaching tool that also lets thousands of her followers try one of her patterns for free.

This year will be my fourth mystery quilt with Bonnie. I'm really looking forward to it. This year it is called On Ringo Lake. You can learn about the quilt on Bonnie's blog Quiltville. This is my first post about the mystery.

As happens every year, I break with the provided colors and choose my own palette.

I've chosen some amazing greens that range from a somewhat yellow-green to a fun chartreuse.

Then, we have the pinks. I didn't have a great selection of these in my collection of fabric, but there should be plenty in these three cuts.

I really liked this low-volume print so I bought enough for the project. Maybe I should have bought more.

Finally, the background will be made up of blacks and mostly blacks (white on black prints). I really like this stark contrast.

Last Friday, November 24th, was the first clue. A simple clue that pushes you go be accurate with your cutting and piecing was the perfect warm up for the rest of the quilt.

Linking up with Bonnie's link-party. Check out her post On Ringo Lake Mystery Monday Link-Up, Part 1 to see all the other links people are sharing. Hundreds of quilters link up to share their progress.