>>>>

Thursday, October 09, 2014

Surprise! Quiltville Winter Mystery INTRO: GRAND ILLUSION!!

badge1
((Click HERE for Printer Friendly Version))

I am revealing the colors, background info and yardage requirements for our Quiltville’s Winter Mystery 2014 SIX DAYS EARLY!!

Whoooowhoooo!

Why?

Because when I realized that I’d still be in San Diego on the 15th, and all of the prep work as far as taking photos, figuring yardage and providing background goes –I was going to have to have it all DONE before I left on this trip anyway!

SO why put it in the queue to post on the 15h when I can just let it fly EARLY!?

Okay, and most off all because I love you guys and this is the most fun time of year for me.  The time when I get to give something back to you, as in reader appreciation!

As you can tell by the photo here –our theme is GRAND ILLUSION.

Where was I this past MAY?  at the GRAND HOTEL on Mackinac Island, Michigan!

 Mackinac_May2014 064_thumb

Mackinac in May 2014!

The colors and sights inside this beautiful old historic building have inspired me to combine what I experienced into a very cool quilt that you will love hopefully as much as I do!

I’ll explain the colors and how they came to play together as this post rambles on – but let me give you what I know you’ve been waiting for…COLOR CARDS!

20141008_171350-001

Grand Hotel Awning Yellow!

The most amazing thing is…I didn’t even READ this card until I was taking a photo of it yesterday afternoon!  I just went by the color in my mind and picked these up by color this past weekend…is this a SIGN or what?

These color cards are from Valspar, and mine came from Lowes.  This color card is 2008-1!

20141006_091430

We have ONE constant fabric in this year’s quilt!  You will need  1 5/8 Yards
((More if you choose to bind in this color))

Yellow is prevalent all over the hotel, but especially in awnings and window treatments:
Grand Hotel main dining room Carleton Varney

Dining room windows!

Mackinac_May2014 2227_thumb

Gorgeous fresh flowers  against a green wall in one of the lounge areas!

Check out this décor!

Mackinac_May2014 2083_thumb

But oh yes, those awnings!

Here are some of our other colors so you can see how they play together, they play a big role too!

20141008_171318

Green, Turquoise, Pink and Golden yellow!

Green for the striped back chairs and green accents we found everywhere!

20141008_171122

I choose brighter grassier greens, about the color of the far right darker hue on the card # 6005-10!
1 1/2 yards total

sarahporch

The turquoise is for the ceiling on the underside of the porch

Grand Hotel green tufted sofa

And all of the interior ceilings!
((See the green too??))

20141006_091522

My selection of turquoises!  Card number 5008-10  2 1/3 yards total
I stayed with the two lighter hues on the card.  The darker one was too close to green.

And what is the Grand Hotel famous for?  Their icon that you see on this stretch of carpet and on our soon-to-be side bar badge photo! ((I'm flying today and will get to it as soon as possible. I'll be adding this info to a Grand Illusion tab as soon as possible as well...I just need to land first!))

Mackinac_May2014 175_thumb

Pink Geraniums!

Grand Hotel plaster palm tree lamp

This pink couch against the green wall was quite the icon too!

(Pay attention to the black and white tile, the green wall as well!))

pinkgeraniums

Pink Geraniums!

20141008_173143

My pink fabrics using card # 1003-1
2 yards total
I stayed toward the medium and dark pinks, not wanting to fade out on the light ones.

Mackinac_May2014 148_thumb

My crabapple class against the germanium pink wall in our classroom!

Along with the awning yellow, the ceiling turquoise, the green and the geranium pink we need a couple of other things to make this design come alive!  Remember that black and white tile floor?

20141008_171055

Black!  2 1/4 yards total!

No card number given.  Black is black!

My blacks were mostly tone on tone and small prints...don't use blacks with too much white in them!

20141008_170949

Neutrals!

20141008_171002

And More Neutrals!  3 yards total!

No card number given – you know neutral if you know me!

My neutrals went from white to cream to beige – but keep them from being too yellow or too tan or they may disappear against our constant yellow gold.

Now the nitty gritty and brass tacks:

This quilt finished 88” X 88” 

My quilt is completely scrappy other than the one golden yellow “constant” but this quilt can be made with one piece of yardage in each color just fine.

I will only be providing directions for ONE SIZE of quilt.  If you want it smaller, make 1/2 the units.  If you want it bigger –wait until we are done and add an extra row. 

This year is about going a bit EASIER than last year, and that includes ME TOO.

Specialty Rulers:

Wrights  Easy Angle 6-1/2'', , hi-res
I will be using the Easy Angle Ruler in the making of this quilt.  Regular rotary cutting directions WILL be given for those who do not have access to this ruler.

You can use EITHER the 4.5" or the 6.5" version of this ruler...but look at it this way, if you have the 6.5" one, you are set for ALL sizes we will ever need.  The 4.5" one will only work up to a 4" finished half square triangle.  So if you have to buy one, go big!

For those who use Inklingo, you will likely find that you already have the basic shapes needed in previous shape collections.  For this reason, there will not be a mystery collection this year.

You can switch colors if you don’t like these, but I am not giving personal advice on color selection.  Remember this mystery is running during my time off from travel and I plan on spending much of it at the cabin, and not being in contact!  We do have an awesome group on facebook called Quiltville’s Open Studio and they will be posting photos like crazy and discussing much mystery stuff there, so join us if you haven’t yet!

Our first clue goes live on Friday, November 28th, with each new clue being released on consecutive Fridays until we are complete. Plan on 6 to 8 clues – I haven’t decided how to break it down yet.  Remember, it’s a mystery for a reason and some things need to be revealed without us knowing every detail first!

It is your responsibility to PRINT EACH STEP as it is given.  A "printer friendly version" link will be at the top of each post.  ((It's at the top of this post too!))

As with previous mysteries, this one will be retired and pulled from the website on June 1st, 2015  to appear in a future book.  I will be unable to provide you missing steps after this point.  That’s the way publishing runs!
 
And let me say something here.  Last year there was an issue with people posting their own steps with piece counts and sizes and basically re-writing my instructions and posting them on their own blogs.  Please don’t do this.  If you want to show your progress fine, but please leave out the sizes, leave out the piece counts and do not turn my mystery into a complete  step-by-step quilt tutorial on your own blog.  Be courteous and share your photos, and simply refer people back here to me, okay?  I really appreciate it.  So much work has gone into these mysteries, and when it is time to retire it, it is time to retire it for a reason.  I don’t want to have to ask anyone to remove my quilt pattern from their blog.  It’s embarrassing. Thank you so much for understanding.
 
The internet is a busy place, and there will be quilters posting pictures of their progress on their blogs, on Facebook, or Flickr groups and other message boards---We will be doing a LINKY so that those with blogs can share their progress each Monday following the Friday clue.  I love seeing how everyone is progressing!   If you are behind and do not want the mystery “spoiled” for you – don’t go surfing!
 
My other suggestion is to keep up with each step as best as you can each week.  When the new clue is released stop the previous one wherever you are on it ---and start the next step.  This should keep you familiar with what is going on and you will have SOME of each step ready by the time the mystery is revealed.
 
nowhining1

Rule #1! NO WHINING!!


I think that’s it for now!  I’m off to San Diego!

Let’s get ready for  our own GRAND ILLUSION!


Click Here to like our Quiltville Friends Page on Facebook for more fun!

Click Here to join our sister group, Quiltville's Open Studio on Facebook, a place to Sew, Share & Grow!!







158 comments:

  1. Wow! that a lovely treat to wake up to! Thanks again Bonnie for another great mystery. Can't wait to get started!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rosemary Kukec6:18 AM EDT

    Thanks, Bonnie. I am loving these colors and the theme is close to home for me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good Morning! I am off to my stash pile !

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for posting the colour early. Im off to the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace, London this weekend - now I'll be able to fill the gaps in my stash effectively.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yay!!! Fun times!! Last year was my first mystery and I loved every part of it! I've been anticipating this all year as many followers have! Thanks for the early reveal!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous6:37 AM EDT

    Love the colors!! I was going to watch until the pattern was revealed, but those colors are too tempting...

    Sue in WI

    ReplyDelete
  7. i'm soo excited! love the colors, cant wait! but i am glad i have time to collect some turqs!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yeah!! Can't wait to get started! Happy trails Bonnie!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you Bonnie....my goal is to complete my Celtic solstice so that I am ready for this mystery. Hopefully pulling fabrics for this one won't be too much of a distraction!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Not a lot of pinks in my stash so I'll have to go shopping - yippee! This is going to be FUN!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the colors. What skill level would this quilt be (or is that part of the surprise?)?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous6:52 AM EDT

    ooohh, Bonnie, this looks scrumptious! I love the color combination! Can't wait to start pulling fabrics and join in the fun!
    Meg in Mich.

    ReplyDelete
  13. YEA!!!! What a surprise from my most favorite vacation spot I have ever visited. Love The Grand Hotel with the Dorothy Draper designer who, also, decorated the Greenbrier in West Virginia. I love her use of color and florals. Thank you, I can't wait to start on this years mystery.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This will be my third mystery quilt with you and I am SO EXCITED!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you, Bonnie! When you said there would be a surprise this morning, this did not enter my mind. It is like getting an early Birthday present!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you, Bonnie for the early release!! I'm hoping to follow along as I plan to have Christmas shopping pretty well all done by the time the first clue comes forth :-)
    Not sure if I will play scrappy - not enough time to pull it all together with work - but sure I have yardage I can pull from!! Again... thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that you were posting the colors early. Now I will be able to add any missing colors during the shop hop next week!! Although, I shouldn't have too many gaps; all of those colors are favorites. Oh, and my QFFs and I will be meeting this weekend, so we'll be able to talk about the mystery and maybe do some fabric trading, too. Thanks for all you do for us, Bonnie!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think I am going to give this a try. It will be my first mystery quilt ever and kind of nervous. Hope I can keep up. Thank you for doing this Bonnie!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yay, I've been looking forward to this; it will be my first quilt-along. I'm gonna go small, I think. Thank you for sharing with your readers this way. Have a great trip!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Opening up my blog reader and finding out the Requirements for the mystery have been posted early, well, better than Christmas morning. So very excited, love the colours and can't wait to start. Thank you Bonnie 😀

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you Bonnie, I am heading off to Bali on Sunday and was considering doing the mystery in Batiks. Now that I have the yardage I can really look for those special fabrics that I know will just jump at me. You are a gem!!!!
    Enjoy San Diego

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you, Bonnie, and safe travels!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Bonnie, the colors you chose are what I am using on Celtic Solstice except for the green. It put a smile on my face.immediately. What a nice surprise today. Elaine

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you for your work on this Grand Illusion mystery Bonnie! I appreciate all you do for us quilters - your books, free patterns, tips, QuiltCam, and of course the mystery! Safe travels!
    Now, off to eat breakfast so I can hit Lowe's for color cards before my doctor's appointment!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Bonnie, thanks for keeping the quilting world so interesting. Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  26. I've never done anything like this before so I'm certainly going to give it a try. I love a mystery so looking forward to starting this one :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Loved "our" trip when you shared it with us back in the spring and LOVE the inspiration it gave you for the colors for the new mystery quilt. Time to start digging and prepping. Thanks for the early surprise also!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your surprises are just as much fun as your quilts. Thank you for this one!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you for the wonderful suspense and surprise this morning. I can't wait to start on this quilt. I am so Excited!!! Thanks for all you do for all of us. Your dedication is remarkable.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Awesome, awesome! Thanks for a wonderful post showing your inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I did last years mystery quilt and just loved it. All set to go to Lowe's today to get my paint chips and start pulling scraps. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you Bonnie for a great surprise this morning. Now I don't want to do anything but pull fabrics. Guess I'll wait till the store opens and I can get my color cards though.

    ReplyDelete
  33. LOVE these colors, Bonnie!! I am going to try my hardest to keep up with you.... have not done this before. You inspire me!
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  34. yeaaaaaaaaa,,,,tks bonnie,,happy travels to you

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you so much for posting this today! I am going on vacation for a week and would have had to wait until I got back to see this. Wooo hoooo! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  36. This is scarry. I've never done one of these before. I hope I can get it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I've spent the last year viewing the beautiful Celtic Solstice finishes and wishing one were mine. I'm excited to do this one. I'm from Michigan and spent vacations on Mackinaw Island, so Grand Illusion will be so much sweeter for me. And what do you mean by "this is the time when I can give back". Miss Bonnie, you give back every single day.

    ReplyDelete
  38. YAHOO!!! Now to find that piece of yellow constant. Thanks for the info as I'm heading to Retreat. Shopping along the way.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous9:38 AM EDT

    These beautiful colors really are inspiring me to do at least a wall size version. I moved and downsized by more than half in the middle of Celtic Solstice. I chose my own colors for that and it is #2 on my list to complete. It will move down a notch for Grand Illusion. Plus it will be fun to do the mystery part. Thanks so much.
    Andrea in WDC

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi again, Just to let you know that when I went to the Print Version and printed, it did not print the line, "don't use blacks with too much white" and it printed your sample of too much white alongside the neutral sample.
    I know what you're saying but it may confuse someone who is reading from the print version.
    Again thanks for all the energy and fun you put into your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a beautiful morning! A new mystery to begin collecting fabrics for...I can hardly wait to get home tonight and run to the stash...Thank you Bonnie for gifting us with your talents...Now if I can just wait until the cutting directions are released....

    ReplyDelete
  42. ANTICIPATION!!!! Thanks so much for the chance to pull fabrics!! I LOVE your mysteries!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you hard work in putting this mystery together. I love the colors and appreciate the inspiration they came from. I am off to Lowe's!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Love the bright colors! 3 wins for me: lots of these in my stash which I've been wanting to clear out; i'm camping next week and can shop and plan NOW!; my birthday is Nov. 30 so first clue will be a bday gift. Yay, Bonnie!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Love that this mystery has bright colors and black! This is going to be fun! Time to plan the second annual kickoff party!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. OH BOY! I need to clean up my sewing room...now I can stash dive as I clean! That makes it FUN! Thanks Bonnie...we love your mysteries!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Love the colors you chose and the name for this years mystery!!!! Thank you for all your hard work you do in putting together a wonderful mystery quilt each year for all of us . You are the best Bonnie !!!!!!!!! Can't wait to dig through my stash I hope I can come up with the same colors as you in my stash as I love the colors you chose this year. Thank you again.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thanks so much Bonnie. My first mystery quilt ever!!!! I hope I can keep up! Question to anyone: if I have scraps for some colors, but not others is it okay to mix like that? I have lots of blues. No pinks.
    Any advice would be helpful.
    Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous10:41 AM EDT

    Thank you Bonnie for allowing all of us on this journey with you. You are always so giving to your followers online and in person. You are truly a rare gem!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Fantastic Bonnie, I appreciate all the work you put into this yearly event. And am so happy to be a part of it.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Wow, what a great surprise this morning. Love the colors and love a mystery. I can't wait to go get my paint chips and dig through my fabric. Thanks for all you do.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I will need to change up the colors possibly, as most of the colors were used for Celtic Solstice. :-( That's okay. I like changing things.

    ReplyDelete
  53. you're killing me with the colors! how can i resist jumping on the mystery quilt band wagon with all my favorite colors and oh those pictures of the grand hotel. you've wowed me into another quilt. thanks for all you do

    ReplyDelete
  54. Well I do believe a trip to Lowes is in order! I will put my Somewhere In Time dvd and soundtracks next to my instructions and fabric and I'll be ready to roll!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Great to see the colors. I ll start to sort my scraps. I m in!

    ReplyDelete
  56. OMG...thank you so much Bonnie. I have so been waiting for this. On may way to Lowe's. Have a great time in San Diego. Penny

    ReplyDelete
  57. Anonymous11:17 AM EDT

    Thanks, Bonnie! Can't wait to start pulling fabrics for this mystery. Hoping to talk my sister into stitching alongside with me this year. Have a great trip!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Lol....I am using that ruler for the BOM quilt I am doing. I swore I was going to put it in the driveway and run over it when I was done. You gave it new life. Off to figure out what colors to use. Yellow and I don't get along.

    ReplyDelete
  59. This will be fun again, thank you already Bonnie for all the effort you put in it.
    Kind regards, Conny

    ReplyDelete
  60. Today is my birthday, so I took the day off from work and I am going to follow your mystery this year. I really enjoy reading the comments from your group as it looks like you have such fun.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Bonnie, Thank you for doing this again!! The colors are Beautiful!!! Have a Great Trip!! Looking forward to collecting fabrics and cleaning out my stash!! Have a Great Thanksgiving and I'll be looking forward to Nov. 28th!!!

    ReplyDelete
  62. So excited! I was dreaming my morning away trying to decide which one of your classes to take at our local quilt shop in January and wishing 😄 I knew the mystery quilt colors......then the big REVEAL! Yeah! Hoping the mystery lasts for 8 weeks.....the end will be something special to look forward to after the holidays.
    The very best to you. Stay safe! Thank you so much for all you do for all of us!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Thank you so much for this. Never a whine from me. I LOVE this that you do for use. I'll start pulling this weekend!! Maybe even do a second (first time trying this) with another color scheme just for fun. It's only fabric.....use it up and enjoy it! THANK YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  64. maggie pen11:40 AM EDT

    I'd like to do the mystery this winter. where do I sign up?
    Maggie pen
    kwltr@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Very exciting!! I LOVE these colors together. I must admit -- an am showing my age -- my first thought when I read "Grand Illusion" was the song by Stix, way back when. Aww, the memories. :) Thanks for releasing the info. early.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Wasn't sure if I was going to do this years mystery but if I was, I was thinking of doing my own color way this time. But after seeing the colors you have chosen and the name of the quilt...."The Grand Illusion" (reminds of the Styx song "Grand Illusion") and well I like the bright colors you chose so I guess I will have to participate this year after all! Great surprise to wake up to this morning, THANK YOU for all you do for us quilters.

    ReplyDelete
  67. COLOR CARDSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, YOUR a genius,,,,as well as the great person you are,,,,,,already gone thru my stash and cant wait,,,,,,tks again bonnie,,,,:))))

    ReplyDelete
  68. Anonymous12:39 PM EDT

    Thanks Bonnie.
    I will finish my Celtic Solstice and then start pulling fabrics for this mystery.
    Greetings from the Netherlands, Dini

    ReplyDelete
  69. Woot! Woot! and we are off. What a wonderful surprise....Have a wonderful safe trip.....We will be busy as bee's chatting everywhere about Bonnie gal and her latest Mystery...
    May, Michigan

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hip, Hip, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray!!! Three Cheers for Bonnie and the Grand Illusion Mystery. Many, many thanks!!! I am one happy quilter this morning. I may need to go shopping for pinks!

    ReplyDelete
  71. I thought I had it all figured out, Bonnie, or at least mostly figured out. <>

    But now! Do I follow my plan to use black as Bonnie's neutral (I could use neutral as Bonnie's black). Or do I use my black as Bonnie's yellow? If I do that, what color should I use for Bonnie's black?

    I thought I'd challenge myself by not following Bonnie's colors (though I will still pick up the paint cards) AND by using a "bold" black in place of neutrals. And I certainly will be challenging myself now that you've revealed the colors and yardages. I am SO EXCITED to go through my stash and see what colors I want to use in place of yours and if I need to buy any additional. Good thing I'm off work next week (intending to get my CS top done before Black Friday) and will have plenty of time to play with and pet fabric.

    AndiRaeS in MN

    ReplyDelete
  72. I LOVE YOUR SURPRISES Bonnie! This is the first year that I chose ahead of time my colors, and
    they were almost the same as yours. Green, yellow, turquoise,
    Raspberry, Dark Navy, and Orange!
    Just a couple off! Have a good, safe trip out to CA! Wave to my native AZ as you fly over. Julia still in Missouri

    ReplyDelete
  73. I am so excited! Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! I've been looking forward to this for months!!!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Anonymous1:43 PM EDT

    I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. When you gave the hint on colors back in May I knew green and what I thought was red and black. I'm soooo happy I love the colors and this is my first Bonnie quilt. I'm going to go fabric gathering right now. I feel like a six year old going to Disney World. Thank you so much, YOU are the best. Dang I'm happy. Jean from Wis.

    ReplyDelete
  75. SMALL WORLD!! My husband was a senior research scientist in the R&D division of Valspar paint before he retired ... and those are the paint chips we using this time. When my quilting buddy stopped by at lunch today to drop them off he just rolled his eyes and said that he didn't think that was what Valspar had in mind when they came up with those colorways ... LOL Live in Northern Michigan and have been to the Grand Hotel ... so it should be a fun project, Diving into the stash over the weekend to see what I have to work with!
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  76. Yea!! My second mystery. I can hardly wait.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Today is my birthday, what a great birthday present to wake up to. I have used many similar colours for Celtic Solstice (still in progress, I am hand sewing most of it!) so now have lots of time to choose a colour scheme. Thank you, Helen

    ReplyDelete
  78. Cool lets start picking fabrics. This is my second mystery with Bonnie. I can't wait to get started and I have the ruler too. Bonus. Hopefully some stash busting will be achieved. I'm going to try and be more scrappy this time.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Thanks Bonnie. I can't wait. I went and picked up my paint chip cards and started putting from my stash.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Thank you bonnie!
    I will be picking up the color card later this week. and hope to start pulling fabrics, but before I start the new mystery I have to finish last years,!! it is in the final quilting stage, then just to label and bind, happy sewing and thanks for all that you do

    ReplyDelete
  81. Thanks for the early info. I've never done a mystery quilt - sounds like fun! However, I'm probably going to have to quit the 'Open Studio' FB page for the duration. It's already crazy! 😃

    ReplyDelete
  82. The colors! I am in awe! I will be going through my stash and doing a fabric pull! And we have to wait until the end of November? Gah! I will be anxiously awaiting the first step! Thank you Bonnie!

    ReplyDelete
  83. I made it to Lowe's before lunch time and picked up my color cards. The colors for the turquoise don't look much like the colors in Bonnie's samples on my monitor, though. I double-checked the numbers and got the right card, so maybe my monitor is just poorly calibrated. Either would look great, though, so I won't worry about it! I'm headed to buy some fabric in the morning. :)

    ReplyDelete
  84. Oooo, weeee Bonnie's!! My thanks to you. I had a feeling after your teaser so I made myself wait I until this afternoon to check. Finished my customer quilt and logged on with a big ole smile on my face!! I'm just delighted with Grand Illusion's theme and THE COLORS, oh my! This is going to be so fun. Thank you and big hugs, Allison in Plano, TX. USA

    ReplyDelete
  85. Yay! What a surprise. Thanks for doing the big reveal a week early.

    ReplyDelete
  86. YEAH! Can't wait to drive to town (an hour away) to shop! This will be my 2nd mystery and am excited to start. I did your Celtic Solstice last year and loved it. Hopefully bloggers, seamstresses, web page owners, etc. will be more respectful of your property this year and not steal! Honestly people, Thou Shalt Not Steal ~ 8th Commandment...

    ReplyDelete
  87. Oh boy! Thrilled to have the fabrics a few days early, what a lovely surprise. Fabulous colors, definitely going with your suggested palette this year!

    Even the name is wonderful! My grandmother always told us not to wish our lives away... Obviously she wasn't waiting for a Bonnie Hunter mystery to start!

    ReplyDelete
  88. This will be my first of your Mysteies that I will do. I LOVE the colors and am so excited that you posted early I am already going thru the stash pulling things out.........now to wait for the clues.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Hurray and Thank You!
    I immediately went into my stash and started pulling fabrics. I sure am looking forward to this mystery!

    ReplyDelete
  90. Thank You Bonnie!! When you teased us last night, I was hoping, hoping, hoping it was the color reveal!! And then this morning, work got in the way of checking the blog until lunch time. I told my DH go ahead & have leftovers for dinner - I was headed to Lowe's straight from work. Love the colors! Love the geraniums!! Love the name - Grand Illusion!!! This year I'll be sticking to your colors - a bright pop of Spring colors in the middle of winter. May need to hit the quilt shop if the stash doesn't yield the yardage - oh, darn.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Wow ! Looking forward to getting out of my comfort zone with some of the colours. Thank you for a great start. Just missed Celtic Solstice last year, so not happening this time. Very excited.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Anonymous9:03 PM EDT

    My gut just knew you were going to post this early. Thanks Bonnie!!! If there is anyone that can't get to a Lowes I picked up 6 extra sets of paint chips to help you to be able to join in with.Bonnies color selection. Post your need and send me your mail address to me at tornado_alley@hotmail.com and I will get them off to you!
    Safe travels Bonnie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  93. This will be my first mystery. Love the colors. I thought I'd try because so many woman I've met at the mouse creek quilt shop love doing your mysteries. I'm having fun already.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Thanks for the early release! I will be in your class in Mineola later this month and now have a reason to shop while I am there (like I really need a reason!!).

    ReplyDelete
  95. Wow just love this. I may have to go shopping...or darn! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  96. Can't wait until the first clue comes :)
    I love the colours, and will be enjoying myself going to quilts shops getting my fabric selection ready!
    Inge from Denmark

    ReplyDelete
  97. Anonymous11:14 PM EDT

    Thanks Bonnie for giving us the colors already. Tears came to my eyes when I saw them. I think because I have no trepidation with them - these are my colors! I am still working on Celtic Solstice but hope to have the top together by the 15th. You know how life happens! I love,love,LOVE the colors for Grand Illusion!
    Anita in Hebron, Ky.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Thanks, Bonnie! You're such a sweetie to think of us as you're traveling and being so busy! I love those colors. That is the most beautiful hotel I've ever seen! How fun that must have been to stay there!

    Vickie in Cleveland

    ReplyDelete
  99. Anonymous12:43 AM EDT

    I still have 2 years back to finish.
    Better get a stitch-en and a pic ken out some fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Thanks Bonnie!! You are such a
    special part of my quilting life.
    This was certainly a surprise to make my day. I can't wait until November.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Yay another year another quilt! I have done all your mystery quilts and loved each one of them as well as stayed with your colors for most of them. I am just finishing the binding of last year's quilt. Love the colors of this year's quilt, can't wait to start gathering my material! Thank you so much for all you do Bonnie, it has been such a fun ride with you! From one of you fateful fans in So. Ca.

    ReplyDelete
  102. I watched Celtic last year and wished I'd started it. So much fun!
    This year I'm going to do it. Thanks for all the inspiration. I feel like I've gone on these trips with your posts!

    ReplyDelete
  103. thank you off to Lowes this morning.

    ReplyDelete
  104. Yipee, my first mystery with Bonnie. My friend Joyce and I are doing it together this year. Joyce has done many. Being from Michigan this is especially close to my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  105. For those without an extensive stash but wanting to do scrappy, what minimum number of fabrics should we shoot for for each color? Would fat quarters work?

    ReplyDelete
  106. Diane, last year I did not have a stash to work from. I used fat quarters and chose about 8 for each color. That worked well for me.

    ReplyDelete
  107. I just want to say Thank You Bonnie for the new mystery! We appreciate all the work that you put into it! I love the colors! Stash shopping starts now!!! :) let the fun begin! I'm so sorry I missed you when you came to Charlevoix.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Those colors remind me of the 30s repros and it looks like a great excuse to bulk up on the prints at the Houston quilt show. I've always wanted to do a quilt in the 30s repros and now I have the perfect one. I'm looking forward to the reveal of the mystery.

    ReplyDelete
  109. So excited about this! A couple years ago in May I got to stay at the Grand Hotel with my daughter and some other graduate students in the Historic Persevation Dept at EMU. We got to see all the rooms and it was an amazing experience.

    ReplyDelete
  110. I've never done a mystery quilt before, and I LOVE those colours! So I am going to DO IT!! I assume I can use scraps from my stash in those colourways.

    ReplyDelete
  111. Lovely! I've never done a mystery quilt before, either, but it's high time I did. My printer is on the fritz. Is it necessary to print off instructions, or can I just save them? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  112. Charlene Guffin3:25 PM EDT

    Thank you Bonnie and I Love the Colors! Stepping of my color comfort zone and loving it! Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  113. Kathleen3:37 PM EDT

    I am new to quilting, just started this year, and don't have much of a stash. I also don't have much cash! I would like to do the Mystery Quilt, and do the half the units - so if I buy half the fabric amounts will that be enough?

    ReplyDelete
  114. I planned to participate in this mystery anyway but now I'm super excited about it!! I live in Michigan. My husband and I went to Mackinac Island for our Honeymoon almost 15 years ago. Thank you for all of the work you put into this!

    ReplyDelete
  115. I am looking forward to this & I'm going to go gather fabrics from my stash as soon as Wheel of Fortune is over!

    ReplyDelete
  116. The store near me is out of the teal paint card, but I found by chance a blue called Grand Hotel Mackinac Blue! (5007-9A). Looked online and there's also a Grand Hotel Geranium Pink I think I'll check out (1005-1B)

    ReplyDelete
  117. Anonymous7:19 AM EDT

    nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com
    ...........

    LOVE THE COLORS ... LOVE GRAND HOTEL ... I am hoping my guild sisters will be wanting to do this mystery with me. I plan to start sorting stash into a bin to get ready. The TURQUOISE is the exact colors I have been collecting for my niece's quilt this past couple of months.... I guess this will be the pattern I use. Looking forward to seeing all the pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  118. I did a mystery quilt years ago on a quilting retreat. We paid for the kits and I absolutely hated the colors and swore I would never do another one. After seeing the beautiful colors of this quilt, you've changed my mind about mystery quilts. I'm very excited and going out today to get the paint cards. Thank you for all the time and effort that you put into the organization of this quilt and sharing it freely with fellow quilters! Can't wait to meet you since I'll be taking your sister's choice class at the end of the month.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Thanks Bonnie. I am almost finished with the Celtic Solstice and for once most of my fabric for this years quilt is in my stash. Thank you so much for this mystery every year!!!

    ReplyDelete
  120. I picked up my paint cards, but I was wondering if I had picked up the wrong card for the blue. It looks more green than turquoise. My card says Simply Aqua 5008-10A. Can anyone tell me if that is the right card?

    ReplyDelete
  121. You have come up with a winner as always. I am going to do this and finish along with clues as revealed. Earlier I wanted to do the orange crush but could not get the fabric in time. Have saved it though. With this I intend to complete.
    Thank you Bonnie for giving us a chance to make such beautiful quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  122. I saw this the other day and was so thrilled to catch it before starting instead of after! Love the Grand Hotel as an inspiration!
    I am going to try to keep up as you say, and drop the step wherever I am when the new clues come out. Just a dumb question- is this mystery on your blog or in QM? I konw you ar flying, so I am in no hurry for an answer, unless a commenter wants to pipe up :)

    ReplyDelete
  123. I'm so excited to take part in the Mystery Quilt! I've never made one before, so I think it will be fun!

    ReplyDelete
  124. Can anyone join in? Do we have to sign up?

    Thanks

    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  125. Bonnie, this looks scrumptious! I love the color combination!

    ReplyDelete
  126. Thanks Bonnie I love your patterns. I love the colors for this one so I'm going to try this one.

    ReplyDelete
  127. can't wait! have to see what'sn my stash
    Joyce

    ReplyDelete
  128. Thank You Bonnie! I am so excited to do this mystery. My husband and I spent our honeymoon at the Grand Hotel, so this will be our anniversary quilt! Soooo excited!!!

    ReplyDelete
  129. Delighted to do another of your Mystery Quilts!

    No sign up needed, and yes Bonnie posts the clues here under the same Grand Illusion tab each week for those asking.

    Will grab the cards, but saw a comment on their turquoise card (the A at the end makes me think its not the right color?) and from Easy Street, Turquoise really is bright and pretty like her fabrics shown if that helps?

    Thanks for the early color scheme and yardage time to shop stash this Mystery :-Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  130. Okay....I started sewing 3 years ago and I have only been quilting since late June...but I have made 1 twin quilt and 3 baby quilts. I LOVE IT!!!!

    I am joining in on this challenge and am super nervous. But my mentor is a big Bonnie Hunt fan and she is going to do the challenge with me...I am ready and excited!

    My husband's family is from Michigan, so the coolest thing is that I can go visit this place next time we go!

    ReplyDelete
  131. Sue/Michigan10:50 PM EDT

    Thank you for this mystery challenge. My friend Jan loved your site she passed away 2 years ago. Another friend got me to go see your trunk show in Davison and here I am. Wish Jan was here so I could tell her she was right. You have a great Blogand I can't wait to start THE GRAND ILLUSION. Thanks again

    ReplyDelete
  132. Anonymous4:07 PM EDT

    Just finished my Celtic Solstice and put it on my bed. So excited to start another mystery! Thanks Bonnie. Carol

    ReplyDelete
  133. Bonnie, I guess I will need to pick up paint color cards. This is a new game for me and I am ready to play. I love the color scheme although I will need to fill in my stash, huge as it is. I need greens and teals. That will be fun to search out.

    Alice
    lonestaralice@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  134. Anonymous11:39 PM EDT

    Count me in! This will be my second mystery quilt but the first with Bonnie's beautiful scrappy style. Love the colors and found a lot in my stash; just need more greens and teals so I'll be checking out the Fat Quarters at my local quilt shop tomorrow. And counting down the days until the first directions come out.

    ReplyDelete
  135. I've only participated in one other mystery challenge. I'm joining in on the fun with my friend Sonya Anderson. I love your quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  136. My friends are completing last time's mystery quilt. I was excited to find out about your blog. I would love to join in for the Grand Illusion!
    How do I sign up?

    ReplyDelete
  137. Hi Bonnie, not sure if my last comment went through...I would like to join Grand Illuisions, how do I do that???
    Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  138. Diane in Moscow, pa12:39 AM EDT

    I quilt with friends three days a week and four of us are doing your new mystery quilt. We are having fun getting our fabrics together... Can't wait to start. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  139. Thanks Bonnie,
    I do look forward to sew along with you again this year.
    Grand Illusions! Wonderful!
    Liebe Grüße
    Bente
    in Germany

    ReplyDelete
  140. Anonymous10:31 AM EST

    I've never done this before, and look forward to this experience!! I love quilting, and this will be so fun!!

    Natalie Christensen
    boydandnatalie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  141. I am trying hard to stay out of this but those colors keep calling my name! Lol so just recorded all of the yardage and will delve into my stash which is sparse right now!

    So will contemplate! Lol

    Betty

    ReplyDelete
  142. Hi Bonnie,
    I looking forward to the M.Q. This is my first, I feel very honored ~ Thank you ~ Happy Sewing ~ :)

    ReplyDelete
  143. Andrea O5:05 PM EST

    I can't wait to start this! I have watched your posts about the mystery quilt and didn't see any cutting instructions yet, just the colors. I hope I'm not missing anything already! Looking forward to participating!

    ReplyDelete
  144. Oh my goodness... Only three more "wakes ups" and we get the first clue. :).
    (I know, can you tell I'm e cited.)

    ReplyDelete
  145. My first mystery quilt of any kind!

    ReplyDelete
  146. Anonymous3:49 PM EST

    One of my friends friend suggested we clean and oil machine , wind lots of bobbins. Change our rotary blade and get out our rulers. My cutting table is clean. I'm READY.I feel I'm getting a early Christmas present. Lucky US

    ReplyDelete
  147. Count me in Bonnie. This will be my first M.Q.

    Renee King
    antionetteking@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  148. As a Michigander, I love that the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island was your inspiration. Thank you for showcasing one of Michigan's beloved jewels! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us.

    ReplyDelete

If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.

Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.

Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)