Next mystery clue out soon

Is anyone out there doing my mystery? Shelley from Red Quilts and I are lucky enough to be doing program at guild this year. We are doing a mystery and I hope you are all going to join in. The next clue will be out as soon as I return to civilization.
Where am I you may ask. I am driving around moose hunting. Not having much luck :(
Took this picture this morning.
Until the next stitch!

New Sewing machine

The neighbor next door to where I work found the strangest thing.  She came in the other day and showed me a 4 leaf clover!!  And then a 5 leaf clover!!  Wow.  We went in on a lottery ticket but only won the chance to play again. 

How are you all doing with the mystery quilt.  If you are doing it please share pictures of what fabric you chose.  I would love to see some.  I am making 3 and I have all of them cut out, so I am current :)

I got up last Friday morning and decided that it was a great day to buy a new sewing machine.  I had been saving for my new machine for months and months. Designed my own pattern, taught a class on the pattern.  All that saving and I almost had enough.  So I called the dealer, 2 1/2 hours away and away I go.  I got there and was there about an hour and a half for the demo on how to run it.  I bought her at Plourde's in Edmunston and they were great to me.  Encouraged me to come back and email or call if  have any questions.  I bought the table as well and home bound I was.

If I could only combine tractor pulling with sewing machines!!!

I some how got it in the sewing room, but I still need to clear out some room in there.  Oh I bought the Janome 7700.  Here is a picture of her. 

I can't get over how much bigger she is compared to my normal machine.  She is 26 lbs and I called her the Beast all weekend. 

I did some quilting on her.  She works like a dream.  She is quiet, strong and works live a dream!

 There are a lot of different stitches on her.

 And I made this last night :)

I am going to my camp Sunday.  We are moose hunting next week.  We got the camp opened up and the boys did some target practicing. 

Until the next stitch!!!!!

Leah Day mail and Janome Horizon

I got some mail from Leah Day.  I have wanted to order from her for a while now, but just got a couple of things.  I tried the Supreme slider already, and have even lent it to another quilter to test drive.  Leah Day teaches machine quilting on your domestic machine.  Here is her store if you too would like to order.

I sent a special quilt out to be hand quilted.  I also got it back.  I had marked a hatch grid on it, so I took this picture while wetting it to remove it.  Now just binding and a special label in order to get it ready for the quilt show in May.  I am glad I started this early so I can show it before it goes to live with a special little girl. 

  As some of you know I have been sewing machine shopping.  I had the chance to test drive the one I thought I wanted.

I landed at the quilt show with a spool of thread, and a quilt sandwich.  She was very very helpful, set me up and let me go.  I must of quilted on it for 15 minutes.  I was ready to leave and she starts telling me all these other features that I had no idea about.  I almost left with it, but I need just a little more money :)  But it is official, that is the machine for me :P

 Until the next stitch :P

Mystery Quilt Clue 1

Well how about a little mystery???

What is a Mystery Quilt? Well, it’s a lot of fun, that’s what it is!

A Mystery Quilt is:

· A quilt you work on from beginning to end but you don’t know what the finished pattern will look like until the end; you have to trust us, it’s nice.

· Piecing “clues” are given out each month which gives piecing details and instructs you on what section of the quilt to work on for that month. As the months progress, the “clues” instruct you on what sections to piece together.

· An opportunity too for beginners to learn new quilting skills and experienced quilters to refine their skills.

· An opportunity to make a quilt a little bit at a time, over 7 months...

· An opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and try something new and exciting.

This year’s Mystery quilt is geared for all levels of quilters from beginner to experienced. We are here to help along the way. Anytime you have any questions about the mystery clues or need any help, please feel free to contact Shelley Dionne or Janet Wright.

The Mystery quilt is being offered in two sizes. Pick which size you want to make and use the yardage guidelines for that size. You will have to pay attention to the clues as we go along, so that you make/cut the correct amount for your size. We will make sure the clues are typed VERY clearly.

Beginner quilters will learn lots of quilting basics with this Mystery quilt. More experienced quilters can challenge themselves in terms of playing around with or exploring fabric choices along with color value placement of light, medium and dark. This quilt contains no cutting of HST’s or Flying Geese units.  There will be 5 clues.

Oh, it’s going to be lots of fun and we hope you all play along!

Are you ready???

Clue # 1

Yardage amounts required: Based on 42” wide fabric

Size Choice A: 67 ½” x 79 ½”           Size Choice B: 79 ½” x 91 ½”

Color A- 3 1/3 yards, focal print              Color A- 4 ½ yards, focal print

Color B- 2 ½ yards (background)               Color B- 3 ½ yards (background)

Color C- 1 ¼ yards                                    Color C- 1 5/8 yards

Color D- 1 1/8 yards                                 Color D- 1 1/3 yards

Both sizes: thread to match, small Ziploc bags and a large Ziploc bag for each color

These amounts include a little extra for to allow for cutting errors.

Gather all your fabrics, do the cutting as directed for each color. In order to keep your fabrics organized for the Mystery Quilt, you must do the following as you cut:

1. Cut all the pieces for one color at a time.

2. Pin paper labels on your pile of cut pieces stating the size, quantity and color. Ex: Color B, 6 ½” x 42, 3 strips, put in a small baggie and put baggie in Large bag marked Color B. Repeat this for all your Color B cutting.

3. Proceed to cut all the Colors using the above guidelines.

Cutting: All cutting dimensions include ¼” seam allowance

Choice A:                                             Choice B:

From Color B, cut:                                 From Color B, cut:

3 strips, 6 ½” x 42”                               4 strips, 6 ½” x 42”

4 strips, 5” x 42”                                  6 strips, 5” x 42”

4 strips, 2” x 42”                                  6 strips, 2” x 42”

6 strips, 3 ½” x 42”;                              10 strips,   3 ½” x 42”; 

Subcut the strips into

24 rectangles, 3 ½” x 6 ½”                      35 rectangles, 3 ½” x 6 ½”

20 squares, 3 ½” x 3 ½”                          3o squares, 3 ½” x 3 ½”

From Color C, cut:                                  From Color C, cut:

4 strips, 2 ¾” x 42”                                6 strips, 2 ¾” x 42”

4 strips, 1 ¼” x 42”                                 6 strips, 1 ¼” x 42”

7 strips, 2” x 42”                                   8 strips, 2” x 42”

From Color D, cut:                                 From Color D, cut:

4 strips, 2 ¾” x 42”                               6 strips, 2 ¾” x 42”

11 strips, 1 ¼” x 42”                               13 strips, 1 ¼” x 42”

From Color A, cut:                                 From Color A, cut:

6 strips, 2” x 42”                                  8 strips, 2” x 42”

8 strips, 6 ½” x 42”                               9 strips, 6 ½” x 42”

8 strips, 2 ½” x 42”                               10 strips, 2 ½” x 42”

5 strips, 3 ½” x 42”;                              8 strips, 3 ½” x 42”;

Subcut strips into

18 rectangles, 3 ½” x 6 ½”                      28 rectangles, 3 ½” x 6 ½”

12 rectangles, 3 ½” x 5”                         14 rectangles, 3 ½” x 5”

 Here is my fabric choices:  I am making 3

Until the next stitch!!