Challenges and Mysteries in 2021

  There are so many quilt mysteries and challenges available online these days. I am someone who easily gets distracted and loves to chase these "squirrels"! So to try to keep them listed in one spot may help prioritize, or narrow down which ones to participate in. Here is my list to entice you.

1. Modern HST 2021 Steph Jacobson is offering another block of the month series. If you like modern settings or want to experiment in this genre, then go for this one. And it is free. 
2. Warmth of Our Stars designed by Scott Flanagan at Quilting Daily. A flannel quilt project that promises to be extra snuggly.
   
3. Home Is... mystery sew along project by Pat Sloan. Because it is a mystery, you won't know the final reveal until June 2, 2021, but you can trust the design work of Pat Sloan.
   
4. Sewcialties by Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Jabber. It comes in three sizes and the block designs are irresistable. A new block pattern is released every Friday until June 25, 2021
   
5. Rail Fences by Stash Bandit
6. American Quilter's Stitch Along by Lisa Bongean will feature 15 blocks that will show our love of our country in this red, white, and blue quilt project.
   
7. Color My World by Wendy Williams at The Quilt Show. This one you have to subscribe to, to get the pattern. So beautiful and features famous world structures. 

 

I'll try to come back and edit this post as I find more that may be of interest. These are my number one sources for distraction! Maybe I should learn to look away or just keep scrolling. 

Home Sweet Homes

I love little house blocks. And there are so many examples of these charming blocks on the web.  I finished my "Be My Neighbor" block of the month in 2018 but here I am again entertaining another quilt made from these simple house blocks.

It is really Kim Lapecek's fault to tempt me so. She is hosting a scrap quilt challenge (challenges are so self-motivating!) and is featuring the house block for the month of April. I have until April 2021 to finish a quilt using the house block and my box of scraps. Minimum size is 45" x 60". Now that is doable, right? 

So which pattern should I choose? Or should I combine different styles of blocks in rows? I have The Villages pattern so I will begin with there. And to commemorate the quarantine year, maybe socially space them further apart than directed in the pattern? Oh how our lives are changing...

I've already made one block as a test to see how well I like this pattern idea. Kim also gives a short tutorial for a version of her house block which has very little waste. I may try both.

I will be linking up at Kim Pacek's scrap challenge party today. And watch these fun little blocks grow into something to snuggle under. 

 Scrappy House Challenge

 

"These are unprecedented times."  seems to be a common phrase we hear repeated these days. So many good and bad examples and effects of this quarantine, and one is the amount of sew alongs that are being offered! I guess the good or bad part comes from whether you are keeping up with them or not. <grin> 

I've been trying to stay focused on my own list of projects but the quarantine mystery quilt project hosted by Edyta Sitar was one that was irresistible! And I am so glad I did NOT resist because it finished beautifully! Thank you Edyta! 100 blocks in 15 days!  I love her quilts! I love her style! I am driven to finish this top this week.

Another work in progress is my Bonnie Hunter Frolic Mystery quilt. I have all the blocks sewn together and am presently working on the border. This should be done soon and ready for my long arm quilter. 

And my Patches in Blue Block of the Month, by Edyta Sitar is past due for a finish. Once the above quilts are off the wall, I can get back to getting this one done to a flimsy stage of completion. 

Has anyone jumped in on Pat Sloan's Traffic Jam? It is a fun scrappy project and sews up fast! I have 25 blocks finished and ready for sashings. 



Scrap Challenges seem to be my weakness. Kim Lapacek of Persimon Dreams has monthly scrap challenges. You link up your committment to finish your quilt within the year. Requirements are minimal: size to be at least 45" X 60", entries must be completely finished, and must be "scrappy" (not matched using precuts). This month's focus is on house blocks. Since I already have the Village quilt pattern, and a bucket of scraps, I'm in!



With all the upcoming outdoor chores, this will surely keep me busy stitching some finishes for this quarter. I will be linking my projects on #2020falq2list

 

First Finish is a Mystery

A mystery solved, that is. Scrap Dash by Pheobe Moon recently hosted a mystery project on new year's day. I just finished mine, minus the final border since I could not find any fabric that would look right from my stash. 

My Round the Mountain Mini Quilt finished at 36" square and is ready for its debut on the table! It is a cheerful little quilt and am pleased with the end result. 

I love how the pinwheels play on the borders. And I think the center needs a little more elaborate quilting rather than just the stitch in the ditch. Any suggestions?

I'll pick that up after I complete another quilting deadline goal. It should only take a few hours.