Monday, December 19, 2016

'En Provence' Mystery Blocks Piling Up



One Possible Combination

Last week's installment is all finished here. It's time to start putting things together to imagine. My thoughts: Did I pick the right combination of colors for this?





When you see the amount of sewing you've accomplished, it starts to get exciting. Bonnie Hunter's designs are composed of similar basic units, and it's not a stretch to look how she uses some of these over and over to make designs. By this time we've made--


Neutral 4 Patches


Tri Recs Blocks In a Constant


Fuchsia-Purple and Orange-Pink 
4 Patches


Fuchsia Tri Recs This Week

There are lots of ideas going through my head about how they'll be arranged, and I've thrown a few together. It's not that I'm dying to know since this IS a mystery quilt, but I DO want to have an idea my color scheme will work. 



Simple Scrappy Stars Perhaps?




A Smarter Way to Deal With 
the Bits and Pieces

I'm becoming more proactive with scraps, and I bust them as soon as I have leftovers. Everything that could go into a square, rectangle, etc. that was a standard size was made first, but the oddball stuff was still laying there on my table, and 'didn't have a home.' It only took a short time to match and stitch, creating a large block which already was color coordinated, by the way. Seriously, why had I not already been doing this when it was this easy!

Added to other blocks made in the same way, this is a scrap quilt without the effort, and no clean up. No sorting and storing, and no redesigning. Easy peasy!




Shiny Brites and Antique Ornaments Only


The Family Tree with Unbreakables
Kids and Dogs Can Explore
*Note the dog toys underneath already.


As a quieter aside, our Christmas trees are finally decorated, but the green one is still 'Leaning toward Fisher's.' (That's the family way of saying it won't stand quite straight.) There are a few little baubles and tchotchkes out, and a holiday tablecloth will soon be on the table. Tonight we are celebrating our 29th Wedding Anniversary together at home with some of the kids, and feel very blessed and lucky to have each other. It's not about stuff, is it?


Be happy.
Be well.
Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.

Linking up with~
Stitch ALL the Things
Fiber Tuesday
Young Texan Mama
Quilter In the Closet Show and Tell Monday
Move It Forward Monday
Quilter's Monday
Love Laugh Quilt
Design Wall Monday
Tweety Loves Quilting
Quiltville Quips & Snips
Cooking Up Quilts

24 comments:

Karen said...

I love your bright colors. Your trees are so pretty. You have more ambition than me! Happy sewing.

Angie in SoCal said...

Happy Anniversary.

AlidaP said...

Really beautiful blocks and trees!! Thanks for sharing!!

The Joyful Quilter said...

It will be interesting to see how your block layout compares with Bonnie's!!

AfterMath Quilting said...

I really like the top photo. Great fabrics.

Marly said...

Great pieces, and definitely a possible layout, but what are we going to do with all those neutrals?

K Hlavaty said...

Your block layout is the best one yet! I may borrow this design for a future project. I also love your colors! I'll have to subscribe to your blog so that I can continue to follow your progress. Thanks for sharing!

Robby said...

Love that Piece As You Go scrap block. Brilliant. That seems more likely to happen than for me to go back and dig through the bits of this and that since I don't have a dedicated sewing space. Thanks for that smart idea.

Cut&Alter said...

Love your bright fabrics. I really need to take a leaf out of your book and use the odd scraps straight away - maybe a New Year Resolution of mine!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Wonderful colour combo Julie, I'm looking forward to the big reveal!

Lena Pugacheva said...

Happy Anniversary, Julie! Your orange-fuchsia color way is so happy and juicy, much-needed cheer for the darkest days in the year! And the scrap-busting idea is very clever.

Stitchin At Home said...

Happy Anniversary Julie and here's wishing you many more! Nice trees and all decorated to boot.

Sharon - IN said...

Sewing up a storm is what it looks like! Happy Anniversary! Hubs and I also have a Dec anniversary! And Merry Christmas! Our tree is only half decorated, so your two are look'n tons better than mine!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

I like your colour choices. Oh the suspense of a mystery quilt..... Happy Anniversary. And Merry Christmas.

TheEclecticAbuela said...

I think your chosen colors are lovely. Happy Holidays.

Tish Stemple said...

Happy late anniversary!! Sounds like a perfect low key evening to me. I'm digging your mystery quilt color choices. I think the best part of the mystery is trying to solve it before the end. I LOVE those antique bulbs on the little silver tree.

Kate said...

Hope you had a wonderful anniversary celebration, 29 years is an accomplishment these days. I think your fabric choices are going to work wonderfully for En Provence. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

YOu have fun and bright fabrics!! I love the color scheme!

Christine Slaughter said...

I am loving the colors for your En Provence mystery quilt! I'd be playing around with the block pieces too, just to be sure I chose right. I think you have, for sure! Happy belated Anniversary! How special to have some of the kids there to celebrate with you! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

evaj said...

Today, says a happy Bambi thank you for your inspiration and link to the Show and Tell Monday and says Merry Christmas! Hug Bambi

em's scrapbag said...

Love the old fashion Christmas tree! Your scrap busting block looks great cant' wait to see them all together.

Jamie @ Sew Brainy said...

The colors you are going with are fantastic! I love the pinks and oranges! I'm not participating in the MQ, but I follow in the FB group and I love seeing all of the progress you ladies are making!

Hilary said...

The bright colors are amazing! Happy anniversary, and I love the Christmas trees!!

Gosia @ Quilts My Way said...

Wonderful work, Julie. Thank you for sharing !
Gosia