I am pretty sure that this tiny piece of plastic just completely changed my life forever. I've seen pictures and advertisements for it around the internet for quite some time, but didn't give it much thought. Until last weekend, Shelley at Cora's Quilts posted a photo of her's in use when she released clue 3 of her Beguiling mystery quilt. I have to say seeing it in use and knowing that there was a large amount of diagonal sewing in my future, was like finding water in the desert. This tiny piece of plastic would mean no more marking diagonal lines before I sew them. YES!!!
It took a few times before using it felt normal. When sewing diagonals that are marked I'm looking at the needle to make sure I'm on track. With the Sew Straight I am looking to make sure the corner of the square stays in line with the marked line on the Sew Straight. Best purchase ever. I was able to complete clues 3 and 4 in half the time.
So if you haven't checked out Shelley's Beguiling Mystery Quilt please check it out. It is definitely not too late to join in.
I had so much fun participating in her Gypsy Queen Mystery Quilt, I nearly cried with joy to hear about this one.
Next up is a few fabric purchases or additions...
I picked up these fat quarters at a local big box store this week, in hopes of turning them into items for our guild's boutique to be held during out local Strawberry Festival and quilt show. I have no idea what I am going to make with them. So I am open to any suggestions, preferably quick and easy.
I also picked up these three fabrics from our guild's stash to use to create something for the boutique. I'm thinking of adding a few other fabrics and turning them into a table runner. Is there a petition I can sign to add a few more hours to the week?
March 28th through the 30th I will be participating in the Paintbrush Studio 2016 New Block Blog Hop, hosted by Yvonne (Quilting Jetgirl), Cheryl (Meadow Mist Designs) and Stephanie (Late Night Quilter).
I hope you will stop back by on March 29th to see the new block design I have came up with staring these beautiful fabrics from the Ocean Sunrise collection and check out the designs created by my fellow bloggers. Paintbrush Studio and our blog hop leaders also have some pretty cool give-a-ways planned as well.
Since I started this post talking about mystery quilts, let's end on that note as well. If you have ever visited my blog before you know that I love mystery quilts. I am happy to share the news of two upcoming mystery quilt-a-longs that will have me counting down like a kid a Christmas.
At the close of Cheryl at Meadow Mist Design's Midnight Mystery Quilt she announced that she will be hosting another mystery quilt to start in July 2016 and wrap of in the spring of 2017. It will be called the Meadow Mystery.
Midnight Mystery was so much fun, I ended up making two, in different color ways.
You can check the parade of finished Midnight Mystery Quilts here. Cheryl had over 111 different versions enter the parade of finishes. She also had several different give-a-ways for those that entered their finishes. I was lucky enough to be one of those winners and won a pin cushion from her Etsy shop.
I cannot tell you how much I love this little guy.
And last but not least, Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl just announced that she too will be hosting a quilt-a-long July through October called Snowflake Shimmer Quilt Along. There will be five linky parties along the way and give-a-ways. You can read more info about her quilt along here.
Now that all of that excitement is over, I should probably get back to work. I think I read somewhere that I have a block pattern to write and a quilting goal to finish before the end of the month.
And time is ticking, my friends.
Today I'm linking up with Main Crush Monday, and Sunday Stash.
18 comments:
Love those blog hop fabrics, soft and delicate. Cheryl's Midnight Mystery, have you quilted yours yet? I am thinking, as I added a border, and one more to be done, I might get a long arm quilter to do the final work. And, I too was one of the so lucky winners, and got to choose 2 digital patterns from Cheryl's Craftsy ones.She was so generous to add more prizes, and what a wonderful number of people entered, and finished their quilts, and I see on Facebook more have posted their photos. Enjoy your week.
I love it when I find a new tool that helps and simplifies things for me. How awesome that you think you were able to piece in half the time! It sounds like you have a lot coming up that is going to be fun to follow along, and I can't wait to see all the designs for the new block blog hop. Finally, thanks for sharing about the quilt along I will be hosting already! I'm very excited about it and can't wait to get started. July 1 seems like a long time away. :)
You are going to laugh at me...but I've NEVER done a Mystery Along...LOL!! These all look fun though.
You would save a lot of time not having to mark lines on the squares. Two mystery quilts starting at the same time....gotta make sure I don't mix things up. LOL
Oh man, I love that quilt you are going to quilt next! Have you been going a little cray-cray with the plexiglass?! I'm excited about Cheryl's next mystery, not sure I can fit two (although Yvonne's sounds mighty tempting) and keep up, make that catch up AND keep up with the Moda BOM and various other goings-on. Let me know if you come across that petition, okay? I love that Eiffel Tower fabric! Are you going to use just those 3 or add more? I'm thinking one of the FQS free patterns might work, fast and mindless with a great result. I have heard great things about that HST tool; don't you love it when a tool delivers?!
Those cute pink and gray FQ's look like they want to be a divided One Hour Basket, and maybe one of those little Pixie Baskets that everyone's making. Swert, simple and useful for the recipient! Great fabrics and projects! Hope you have a productive week.
Tami
Sewmuchforfreetime.blogspot.com
What a lot of fun projects to keep you busy! Great stash additions, I love the cute Eiffel towers! Thanks for linking up :)
You have a lot of things going to keep you busy. I am seriously behind on so many things I've been thinking of doing that I need to add a full day to the week not just an hour or two.
So many exciting things in one post Tish! The quilt you are getting ready to quilt is gorgeous, as are your THREE mystery quilts! I love Cheryl's pincushions!
The Sew Straight guide is neat! I made something like that for my machine, but just ordered this one to replace it. Isn't it great how it saves you having to mark the blocks before sewing?
Your Gypsy Queen is breathtakingly beautiful.
You liked it so much that you made TWO???
Overachiever :-p
Show-Off :-)
Of course you should get back to work. You are so crazy it is adorable :-)
I am making a few zippered pouches for the Boutique at the Annual Quilt Show this year. They are fast and fun.
Hugs,
Preeti.
I have a tip for your sew straight guide. I have one that is similar, but I noticed the lines were wearing off. I flipped it over so that the printed lines are on the bottom. Since it's clear and symmetrical, I can still sew perfect triangle squares even though the company name is backwards :)
I'm doing the beguiling mystery too! I love your fabric choices. She always has such gorgeous designs! Thanks for sharing the other ones. I'm off to check them out.
Thanks for sharing your experience with this little gizmo Tish. I think I might have to get one.
No more marking diagonal lines - wow! That would be SUCH a timesaver. And since you are saving so much time it's no wonder you made TWO Midnight Mystery quilts....aah, mine is still in the project box. Sending it your way soon..... LOL Thanks for sharing all your productivity on MCM! :)
You've been busy - love the bicycle fabric. I'm looking forward to the shimmer snowflake hop too and must go have a look at that tool - I like the idea of not marking diagonals again!
I swear! You are giving me a run on projects Tish! Thank you for sharing yet another tool I am sure I must have!! Can't wait to see your Paintbrush Studio block! It's such a fun event! Now I'm going to stalk your photos for FMQ inspiration!
You are a busy quilter! Both mystery quilts turned out fantastic, They look like such fun projects. Look forward to seeing your paintbrush studio block next week!
Thanks so much for sharing all your mystery goodies! So glad you're loving your sewing guide too - I know that quilting is supposed to be about the process ... but I so love it when we find things that effortlessly speed that process up. ;)
Post a Comment