Orca Bay Update - Stars and Squares

I've been busy working away on the new Orca Bay Mystery quilt from Bonnie Hunter at www.quiltville.com.  I have completed steps 1,2 and 6 resulting in blue string squares and black and white stars.  Step 7 is coming out Friday, so I'm going to try to do some catch up on steps 3, 4 and 5 before then so that I can have the parts to move forward with the quilt top. 

These are my blue scrap string 3.5" blocks for step 2 of the mystery swap. The colors vary from pale blue to navy, and not quite at purple as the photo shows.

These star blocks are samples of the blocks I have finished for step 6.  If you look closely you'll see that the upper left black square is fabric from the 2000 millenium. I'm so happy to find a use for it!

Just in Time

It was a bit late, but I finished a Christmas gift just in time for my son to wear home tomorrow. The yarn is Country, a blend of acrylic and wool. It is very soft and just the right weight for cool nights in his neck of the woods. The pattern is by Stephen West and was easy to follow. I had a bit of trouble when I started the decreasing and had to rip it back a bit, but I don't think anyone can see the goof!

December = Finished Projects

I am happy to say the I have finished a few projects so far this December. My goal is to have one project complete each month for my quilt guild and Linus Quilts. So far I've met this goal since June.

The first items I completed this month were a couple of baby/child size quilts. They were pre-quilted panels that only needed to be bound.

I really like how the lap robe, below,  turned out and am especially proud of the machine quilting. This quilt pattern is Turning Twenty.

This yellow quilt is a Disappearing 9-patch that includes a variety of dog and cat patches that were in my stash. It measures 42" square and was donated to Linus Quilts. The bright border was inspired by a lecture presented by Gaylene X. Fitzgerald at our quilt guild meeting. 

Also finished is this set of placemats which are a gift for Christmas.  The pattern is called Java Jazz from www.QuiltDesignNW.com. It was fun to work with the positive/negative design feature and the directions were easy to follow. I used mono filament thread to quilt these designs in a meander pattern after zig zagging around the fused detail of the coffee cups.  I picked up a few more of these patterns with different designs at NW Quilt Expo this summer so there are more to come.

Orca Bay Mystery Quilt update: I've nearly completed step one which consists of making 2 1/2" half square triangle squares of black and neutral fabric scraps. I'm up to my elbows in pressing and trimming of little squares but the end is in sight. I have decided to make half of the required pieces so that I can catch up with the group ( which is now on step 5!) and that may be enough to make a nice size lap robe or throw.

Off to the workroom I go...

Making the list

2012 is quickly approaching and I have exciting plans for the new year!  After cleaning up my sewing room for my quilting group to ooh and aah over, I've come to the realization that I have many, many projects ready to be finished. They have been "aging"  like fine wine and it's time to find them homes.  I'd love some clear shelves!

Here is what my UFO inventory looks like today~

*I've joined the Stashbusters 2012 UFO challenge which means I have to actually count the number of UFO's I'm attacking. This could be frightening!  Come join the Stashbusters Yahoo Group if you want to play along.

*I've been preparing mentally for the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt designed by Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville and since they are now on Step 4, it's time I get started. I'm going to make this quilt from fabrics in my stash so I can almost (just barely) justify starting this project now. Can't wait to dig into my strips and strings and choose my colors.  I love this part of the process!