My clue 3 is finally finished! Now to start on 4 and finish 2... those pesky chevrons, I only have one done!

Love those brilliant bright oranges above.

https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/...26387089_n.jpg

I am way behind. However, I bought a 3 1/2 in square ruler yesterday at Joann's for half price. So glad that you have joined Bonnie's mystery.

Chevrons are done! Yeah! Have 10 pinwheels done and HSTs are all cut and ready to sew. Hopefully will have time to work on both clue 3 and 4 this week. I like to switch so I don't get bored. I've sure learned a lot doing this mystery!

For me I have plenty of fabric but one and hopefully we are done with the "orange" or tan for my quilt for now
I always find that I am short of yellows...in my eyes I tend to like golds or a pale yellow but just a clear not too bright yellow I just don't have them. My yellows have a lot of gold in them but afterall it's MY quilt!

I agree that with projects like this you can try out different things and decide if you want to do more in the future.
I love that Bonnie has mixed up different types of units in this project

Pj, your units look perfect, even those pesky chevrons. I have some done but they're not measuring up, if you know what I mean. Haven't even started on my HST. I'm still trying to decide how I want to do them. I know Bonnie's way works great cause I've done it before. But all that cutting! I'm thinking of trying Triangulations or something similar. Comments or suggestions welcome.

Cathienut, I used mostly from my stash then filled in with 1/4 yards. I probably had enough from my stash but didn't have the variety I wanted. BTW, love your tagline, piecefully yours. :)

Yesterday I got all of the 4 patches pieced and have only one strip set leftover. It's the leftover pieces that give me fits and just seem to multiply! I did a quick finger press but I need to take the iron to them so they lay flat. I should have time to trace my appliqué project onto the background this week. I've never done too much appliqué but it is on my bucket list so now is the time.

I did use Bonnie's method for the HST - for the Chevrons -> -> after reading some comments on the difficulty and time envolved, I used the Seminol strip method someone posted on this site earlier - I'll be using that method to complete the chevrons, can't imagine I'd ever get them done otherwise.
Clue 1 used that special ruler set - > I ordered my ruler from AMAZON and it arrived the next day! LOVE AMAZON!

I'm behind due to Christmas projects and other obligations and just did step 2 this weekend. I hated doing the chevrons and am not totally happy with them. I wish I had read this before I started with it!! I may have to redo (I know I hate to think that) them. I'm ironing them tonight and I'll see what I think. Thanks for the post!! I printed it to put with my printed copy of instructions. If I don't use it this time, I may do this one again - you never know!!!

Kay, are you saying if you are using scrappy green for instance, that you will soon have no greens at all?

Well came to brag, finished all 300 of the four squares. All clues are finished, but have to confess its only because all my children are fully grown so my Christmas responsibilities are far less than in prior years.

What's done so far!
 

I'm done with clue 1, 2 (chevrons), 3 (pinwheels), and did a sample for 4 (4 patch). Still have to sew HSTs for 3 and start piecing my 4 patches. Here's pictures of what I've done. I have to tell you I absolutely LOVE my June Tayllor Perfect Half-Square & Quarter-Square Triangles for squaring up the blocks to 3 1/2 inches. I bought it a few months ago and it sure is getting a workout with this mystery. Hugs! Debbie

Looking good, Debbie!

WOO HOO! I've got my 4-patches done. Also got my "orange" for step one almost re-done. You might remember that I used yellow by mistake. Now on to the pinwheels. I've decided to use the Magic 8 method. I tried a sample tonight and it worked really well. Who knows, I just may be caught up by Friday. Will try to post a picture once I'm done.

I'm really enjoying seeing what everyone is doing. Every time I see another color combination I ask myself, "Why didn't you think of that?" Can't wait to see them all finished.

QuiltsRfun: Congrats on the progress. Errors are such a pain to redo but feel so good when their corrected. Good luck with the Friday goal.

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27 four patches down . . . lots to go!

So when we are 'spinning' the seam to press are you all having to pull out one or two stitches to get the center to lie like Bonnie's pictures show?

I haven't done any of clue 2 or 3, but when I finish with these hopefully I'll have time.

Cindy: Love your color choices on the four patches. Didn't have any problems but I used the strip method and pressed the seams opposite directions so they nested.

The seam "spinning" is easy once you have a couple of things down
1. When you do the piecing you HAVE to put together the "twosies" exactly the same each time...for example...
bottom seam pointing down, top seam pointing up when you stitch the middle seam..
2. Spin before pressing after stitching the middle seam...grin!
3. I hold the unpressed block so that the seam I just sewed is facing up and grasp with two fingers just beyond the middle and give it a twist to pop the stitches. Sometimes I have to snip one or two and then it will just spin them into place.
Hope that helps

Thanks, Cathie and Emma!

Love your colors, Cindy. I'm using the same floral as the red on the far left but mine is blue. It's one of my favorites that I've been saving and I decided now was the time. I spin my seams the same as Cindy. But you have to be sure they're all sewn with the same color at the top of the seam. Otherwise they'll spin in different directions. Check Bonnie's instructions.

KalamaQuilts, I have made the decision to use as many scraps as possible in each color family. Then, I went in to fat quarters and half yard lengths for variation. When I have exhausted possibilities within the color family, I will cut the other parts of a clue and put them aside.

My idea is to get as far as I can with each clue before shopping for more fabric. I can afford the fabric, but am trying to use from my stash as I "have a great plenty." :-)

Yesterday, I was on a brief road trip with DH and purchased four oranges which fit in very nicely. With that purchase for inspiration, I went through my stash again and pulled more colors including some conversation prints. Yes, I am spending more time gathering versus actual sewing. However, I am enjoying both the process and the results.

Today has been taken up with baking and laundry. The sewing machine is lonely but will have busy days around the end of this year. Merry Christmas!

I remain piecefully yours....

Should have said the same as Cathie.

Oh Caroline I love all your batiks! ?They are so friendly

I think for Bonnie her quilting is her job so that she makes it a priority in her life. She also seems to be one of those people who just get a lot done whatever the situation is in their life.
I have been doing more once I decided not to put things off but just make the time...I love to read and also I am a scrapbooker and could spend a lot of time doing both but I have made quilting and sewing a bigger priority in my life. If I know I only have a small amount of time I will say...I am just doing 5 seams and often it becomes harder to stop LOL
Anyway as so many have been pointing out...it's NOT a race. Do your own speed and it will eventually get done

Kay, over the mysteries I've cut from a knee high stack of mixed neutrals to about 5 blues. 5 isn't enough for a scrappy, and over the years I've come to the conclusion 13 of any color, if that's all you have, is just enough to be scrappy :)

On the other hand, if you can afford it why not? I remember quilters doing this in 1998 and 1999 trading back and forth every where they went to get 2000 different fabrics in their Y2K quilts. Maybe your could start an exchange here of blocks?

I've got at least 5 hours into a paper pieced block today. It would go faster if I weren't being stingy with my cutting. :)
Amazing how much fabric it takes.

While Santa was taking his afternoon nap today, I tip toe'd down to my studio and finished up all of the 4 patches for clue 4. Now I'm all caught up and ready for Friday's clue. Hope we get to work with blues and neutrals this time....I'm really tired of sewing orange fabric!

Princess: Congrats on your catch-up! I think it is amazing how different even the blocks that are using Bonnie's colors appear. Can hardly wait for Firday's clue. One more day to go.

I didn't sew a stitch yesterday so today I have the rest of the pressing to do to be completely caught up and ready for the next clue. I too am amazed at how different the same blocks look just using different orange and greens.
KalamaQuilts...what is your pp project? It sounds intense.

All my four patches are done! I just finished the first chevron - using Emma's method. It didn't line up properly if I trimmed each half first. So, I sewed the two side together first and then trimmed to size.

One chevron down, 99 to go. :)
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LOVE all the fabrics/colors you all have posted!

Cindy: Looks perfect. Glad you found a way to make it work.

The chevrons grow on you, whatever method :)
I'm so glad so many had a chance to catch up this week.

GardenerGal, There is a group here that are starting 50 Fabulous paper pieced stars, (carol Doak) doing one a week together, through the year. http://www.quiltingboard.com/blocks-...w-t235683.html
I bought the book last year I was so bowled over by the blocks shown on the 2013 thread, so I've committed to working with the new thread this year.

I got the software download and was figuring out how to actually print the patterns, and to the size I want, and I thought while I was at it I'd refresh my paper piecing skills. They weren't very sharp :) But I love all things to do with quilting so for me it was time well spent. And it also helped me think about how I'm going to do my colors. I now know I don't want mixed neutrals in the center points, too drab.

Today is our recycle day. Feels good to get all those bags of tin, plastic, glass, out of the garage. a fresh empty spot to fill up again in 2014 :)

I'm thinking of doing the Carol Doaks PP project also. Got the book but haven't picked out any fabric yet. Been way too busy with Celtic Solstice to think about it yet. Better get going, though, since January is the beginning for that project.

im still working on step 2 ,made a big mistake so had to start all over again in 2nd step but I,m not in a big hurry just enjoy sewing and seeing every one,s colors beening used, wonderful work on blocks ladies

Eek! Clue 5 looks hard! If anyone knows an easier way or a shortcut, speak up loudly! I've got errands to run all morning, but couldn't wait to look at the clue. I'll be in my sewing room this afternoon at least getting organized for this tricky step. Maybe once I do a few it won't be so hard???

whoops! Read right over the single half square triangles in clue #3, so I have to make 244 HST then deal with the rest of the block. Be interested to see if anyone has a shortcut. Right now I'm thinking I will piece each side of the triangle, truing up the measurements but always open to other ideas.

I don't know of any short cuts but I have found with regular flying geese, if I always stitch toward where the 3 pieces meet which means the last seam is stitched with the square on top and the triangle on the bottom. For some reason, if I stitch like she shows with the triangles always on top and start by stitching across the first seam, it tends to go a little wonky for me. I'll be waiting to see if there are other suggestions too!

Oh, no! Clue 3 is the only clue I haven't at least started on. Guess I'll have to start that to start today's clue.

be sure you are starting with starched fabric because the two halves are on the bias.
We had these 2 or 3 years ago if I remember correctly. Like everything else in life hard the first time easy the rest ;)

Looking forward to seeing some finished units!

There is a method by Sally Schneider called Mary's Triangles.
We have used this method in my local group to make blocks before.

http://www.treadleon.net/quiltshop/T...eadleonia.html

you still have to be accurate but you don't actually sew on those triangles and thus easier.
Let me know if you try it out and what you think
I will be doing Inklingo for this step