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Saturday, December 21, 2019

Welcome, Winter Solstice!


December 21st may be the shortest day of the year -

But from here on out it gets lighter and brighter – and we are nearly ready to turn the page into a brand new decade.  I don’t know about you, but it is all pretty exciting to me!

I finished my holiday table runner.  In the nick of time, as the saying goes.  And I am really quite pleased with how it turned out, considering no yardage was harmed in the making of this quilt.  LOL!

That is unless you count the backing and the binding – but not much was needed of each, really!


I’d had that piece of red with birds FOREVER.

And same with the green binding.

Some things were just meant to be.

I loved including SOME Christmas fabrics in this runner – not too many, just a fair sprinkling.  And some of those are quite old and bring many good memories close to my heart.

With this finish on the table – I’ve been working on some other “little” stuff behind the scenes.


I have a stack of sample blocks that have been returned from my Addicted to Scraps column with Quiltmaker – something has to be done with them.  And I wanted something simple, so I pulled the two blocks with the pink  triangles.  I pulled out a bag of pink bonus triangles that had been left from a previous project.

The nine-patches were also left from an earlier quilt, and contain pieces from my grandfather’s shirts.  I’ve been thinking about him quite a bit while working on this little ditty.


Two orphan blocks became three.


And before I knew it, there were nine.



I pulled out the bag of leftover string sashing bits from our Good Fortune mystery – last year’s Quiltville Winter Mystery project.

Once I put my head down that rabbit hole – it’s a quick descent into “Where can I go from here?!”


Sewn together – but not sure I was liking it yet.


Laying stuff down – just trying some things out.


And all the while –

Keep those Shoo Fly Shoo leader & ender blocks going!


Main block behind -

Shoo Fly block in front -


We got this far last night -

Liking it better with that pop of pink!


6am this morning -

I just couldn’t leave it alone!

The color is off in this photo – it’s dark outside still at this time and the overhead light isn’t helping the camera read true – but I have a finish.

Not enough of one pink yardage here at the cabin, so use MANY.  All that is left now is to piece a backing, get it quilted – and I’ll have the next thing to bind sitting at my comfy chair for evening stitching time.


I think a darker pinky fabric to finish the edge would be nice.

I love the masculine touch of my grandpa’s shirts mixed in with all of this girly pink from his eldest grandchild – a girl – ME.  we were quite the time when I was little.  We called him Superman.  I miss him.

Where will this go?  I have no idea.  Maybe on a wall.  Or maybe as a spring table topper.  I only know that it quietly called “Make me.” 

And so I did.

December Things to Remember:

Our Hunter’s String Star PDF pattern is 1/2 price through the month of December at only $4.00!

My newly released Bavaria/Austria project, Warm Hands, Warm Heart is available for download, in the digital pattern section of the Quiltville Store where you will also find the Hemming Chenille needles, size 24. 

We are out of the Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch, but more is on the way!

I am shipping out Quiltville Quilter’s Date Keepers left and right! Thank you, thank you!

They are on sale for just $9.99 through December – feature more than 70 of my quilts, full of my favorite quotes, hints, helps and tricks and perfect for gift giving.  Regularly priced at $16.95, this is quite the discount.

I also have all of the rulers on hand that we are using in our Frolic Mystery, as well as many different styles of Karen Kay Buckley Scissors in the Rulers, Notions & Tools category if you are wanting to treat yourself (Or someone else!) to something special.


Quiltville Quote of the Day

Vintage quilt shared by Kevin the Quilter.

However you choose to celebrate today -

Have a wonderful Winter Solstice, everyone!


18 comments:

  1. I love the pink with the dark plaids. It is a great quilt

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  2. I am working on this block with red and purple bonustriangles. It is fun making them. Thank you.

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  3. Love the pink girly stuff with Grandpa's shirts. It's a win. It's amazing what we can create out of virtually "nothing." Our quilting ancestors would be proud. Happy Solstice!! I'll be working on Frolic today.

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  4. You just make my mornings! Merry Christmas! Marilyn Marks

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  5. Perfect solution...the pink borders did it! Happy Solstice.. good evening for turning out the lights and having a fire in the fireplace..

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  6. Really looking forward to longer days again. This gal is solar powered! Feels like so many hours of darkness draw away my energy.
    Pinks and plaids looking good.♥

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  7. too funny....'no yardage harmed'...pretty sure i could make more than a few without yardage harming myself....

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  8. Grandpas are Great for little Granddaughters. Nothing much better than using up those Orphans! Good idea to mix pinks on the borders. A Spring Table Topper for sure.

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  9. What is that block called? I've checked out my guesses, but I cannot identify it. It is fun to watch your creative process, Bonnie. Thank you.

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  10. I was thinking the same thing about the pinks mixed with the grandpa plaids - unexpected and fun and sweet. I'm glad you had a chance to just sit and sew and let a project go where it led you, with no specific parameters or destination or deadline. It's lovely!

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  11. Such a prolific quilter! I love your quilts!

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  12. Happy Winter Solstice! This is my second favorite day of the year (Christmas is my favorite) because I know that the days are going to get longer! I just love your table runner!

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  13. I love your orphan block inspirations....You amaze me at how fast you can make something come together. You are truly my idol when it comes to quilting designs and you made me a Happy Scrapper...Big Hugs to You.

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  14. You could call it "My Grandfather and Me"

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  15. Here in Australia most of the men's shirts I can find, buy, beg are poly cotton. Is this the same in USA and do you still use the shirt fabrics even if they are not lure cotton?

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  16. I love what you did with the nine patch,I would never thought to put them with pink, but it works great. you are such a inspiration to me. Have a Merry Christmas.

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  17. Love the darker pink with the plaids... what a great little project- and using your grandfather's shirts (love it love it love it). And I was so excited to see your leaders and enders - I have that neutral with the red stitched sun bonnet girls. It's always fun to recognize a piece of fabric in someone else's work. It's like the fabric is saying "hey, here's a kindred spirit." Merry Christmas. Enjoy the time. Thanks for everything you do.

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  18. I loved this quilt from the very first look! Just something about it, and I now have a SQUIRREL moment myself to make one!

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