Monday, December 30, 2013

I love Mary’s Triangles!

    I’ve switched to Mary’s Triangles for making the shaded 4-patch units for Clue #5 of Celtic Solstice. Why? Honestly, I was struggling for accuracy with the individual pieces cut with the EZ Angle ruler. I’m sure it’s my cutting. I have trouble seeing the edges clearly against the color of my mat. Also, the light isn’t the best.

    With Mary’s Triangles (MT), you use squares and rectangles, or in our case, half-square triangles and rectangles.

    I used a chart in a book, Triangle Tricks, published by Martingale & Co. It’s a whole book devoted to the unit known as Mary’s Triangles or the shaded 4-patch. I‘ve had it for some time but never made anything from it. Lucky for me that I remembered it because it’s really helped me with this stage of the CS mystery.

    For a 3-inch finished block, the chart in the book calls for two 2-inch squares (our HSTs), two rectangles cut 2 x 3 inches and one rectangle cut 3 1/2 x 4 1/2. The description of how to make them sounds much more difficult than it is to do them. I made 30-plus units the prescribed way over the course of two days. Using this method I've made 36 in an afternoon.

    And, they're more accurate! I couldn't ask for anything more. If you're interested, here's a link to a tutorial on making a block using four of these units.

    The book came out in 2003 and is available on Amazon, here.

I'm certain I'll be able to finish Clue #5 on time and probably catch up with Clue #4 (4-patches) I'm doing those as Leaders and Enders while working on the MTs.

    This mystery has been a lot of fun so far! I haven't done many of these because I've had unpleasant surprises a couple times. I feel confident that Bonnie's design will be wonderful in my colors. Wish me luck!

    And, my wish to you is a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

    I'm linking up with Patchwork Times and also Bonnie's link-up. Check out the creativity!

Jeanne in Ohio




Thursday, December 26, 2013

Clue #4, here I come!

Pinwheels
I’m nearing the finish line on my previous clues, so I plan to begin cutting Clue #4 tomorrow. Clues 2 and 3 are done and I’m almost done with #1. I've chosen to go on and finish #1 because that's a difficult unit for me and I wanted to get it out of the way. The 4-patches shouldn't be hard, although 150 is a lot!
Clue #1I have some gray squares precut because I goofed on the second clue (Bonnie’s green is my gray). I have a few yellows also, so I think I’ll make 4-patches with those as Leaders and Enders while I strip piece the majority of my 4-patches. I’ll need 150 to continue my plan to make half of the number for the large sized quilt.

Wish me luck! My wish for you is a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

I’m linking up with Bonnie and barely in time. I’ve had the sewing done for a couple days, but had holiday responsibilities so waited until the last minute to write this post. I’ve got to stop procrastinating!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Clue #3 is mostly done

Celtic HSTsI’ve made great progress on Clue #3. My HSTs are all done (I made 280) and pressed. After I trim them, I plan to make 30 pinwheels.

I’m making about half the number of units for the large quilt. Then I’ll decide how to set them if I cannot use Bonnie’s layout. I still haven’t begun Clue #1 other than some preliminary cutting. I’ve finished Clue #2 and made 120 chevrons.
 
Celtic chevronsI like to summarize what I’ve learned with each quilt I make because I always try to learn something new with each project. So, here goes:
1. It’s OK to use what I have. I don’t have to have 50 yellows. I have about 12 that I think work in this color scheme. They’ll be fine. (I just have to keep telling myself that so I don’t go shopping. . .)
2. I must stabilize my rulers! I was struggling with the Easy Angle. It kept moving on me. Once I applied InvisiGrip on both sides of the ruler, I was fine. It’s a wonderful product. Why did I wait?
3. I’m a process quilter. I love the various parts of making a quilt, from picking out the fabric to the very end. I’m not in a race, so it doesn’t matter that I’m behind. I will do the best I can within the restraints on my time that the Holidays impose. (I really need to get out and do some shopping!)

I’m having a great time with this mystery, my first with Bonnie. I love my colors and also that I’m using my stash to make it.

I'm linking up with Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday and Bonnie's Monday Link-up. Check out the inspiration!

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Celtic Solstice: I caved!

I wanted to join in on the Celtic Solstice Mystery, but I was afraid I’d be disappointed or I’d never finish it. However, I love Bonnie’s patterns, so I was sorely tempted!
Celtic Soltice colors
I went back and forth several times until I was drifting off to sleep on Thanksgiving eve and the color team came to mind. That was it. I was hooked. My color scheme was born and I began plotting when I could start.
I was MIA for Clue #1, but I’m about 3/4 done with Clue #2. I’ll go back and pick up Clue #1 now that I’ve decided to make half the number of units for the Large sized quilt.
Celtic Soltice Pt 2
Bonnie’s Blue is my Teal. Her Green is my Gray. I kept her Oranges and Yellow gold. Her Neutrals are my White. I’m loving my colors and they’re all from my stash!
(Thanks, Deb, for encouraging me to post again.)
I’m linking to Bonnie’s link-up today.