Merry Mix Day 10

Well you may have seen on IG that my design wall is filling up with Merry Mix blocks for the mystery quilt-along with Melanie Meyer @mellmeyer. Even though I haven't shown it all on Insta, all my fabric is cut, so now it's just sewing and sewing.

Each day around 3 PM my time, I check to see what the next day's assignment will be. So far, we've made 'trees,' quarter-circles, stars, and stripes. I wouldn't be surprised at all if we have more of at least some of those to sew up in different colorways. We've yet to add in our second neutral, which for me, is a dark gray. I'm kind of looking forward to that!

"I Heard It on the Radio" Exhibit Celebration

On December 2 at the KEXP Gathering Space in Seattle, the artwork of nearly 40 members of Seattle MQG opened to the public for viewing. The exhibit was the culmination of the "I Heard It on the Radio" challenge that we had been given months ago. Works were inspired by a song chosen by the maker, each between 60" and 100" in diameter, with tenets of modern quilting kept in mind. 

Many thanks to the Challenge Committee – Bridget, Chandra, Jackie, Karen, Kae, Kelty, Lorinda and Martha - for making the vision a reality.

During the challenge, a playlist had been made of all the inspiration songs. You can have a listen too, by scanning the QR code above.



I had the pleasure of visiting the exhibit on December 4, the evening of the opening reception, and it was good to gather with members to celebrate and enjoy the exhibit, most of us seeing the quilts for the first time.

You may remember my "Surrounds," made for the challenge earlier this year. I shared the quilt, but not my inspiration song, which was "Seattle" sung by Perry Como. Or as I think of it, "The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle." I remember it often being on the radio here in the Seattle area when I was a kid.

It was actually composed by Hugo Montenegro with lyrics by Jack Keller and Ernie Sheldon. It was the theme song for "Here Come the Brides" TV show, and also sung by Bobby Sherman, my teenage heartthrob. Yeah, I have fond memories around this song, and think of it often when the skies are blue here in the PNW.

"Surrounds," inspired by Seattle by Perry Como, created by Debbie Jeske

I took photos of several other quilts that caught my eye (and that I was tall enough to get a photo of), and I hope you enjoy seeing just a smattering of the gorgeous work displayed.

"Hooray for Hazel," inspired by Horray for Hazel by Tommy Roe, created by Cordelia Nance @notmadebyrobots

"Modern Pop Sunrise," inspired by Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles, created by Karen Braitmayer @kbrtymr

"Into the Woods," inspired by Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim, created by Jackie Benedetti @tinwoman48

"They Say the Neon Lights are Bright," inspired by On Broadway by George Benson, created by Martha Peterson @onceawingnut

"A Day for You," inspired by If I Had Words to Make a Day for You by Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley, created by Linda Kucera @lkhomework

"Hum Along with Me," inspired by Stop by Jane's Addiction, created by Louise Wackerman @imfeelincrafty

"Sunshine and Spider Webs," inspired by Sunshine by Frozen Orange, created by Rachel Berryhill @rachel_lynn000

"Fade to Black," inspired by Fade to Black by Metallica, created by Rachel Singh @liketosew

"They/Them," inspired by Deadname by Flasch, created by Tiffany Muskrat

So hope you enjoyed a little glimpse of the exhibit. Honestly, I was so impressed with the exquisite modern quilts created by my fellow members. The exhibit was a joy to see and experience.

Nocturne

Considering Kona cotton is usually the fabric I use most and stash, it's always fun to see what the new Kona Color of the Year will be. Just a few days ago, it was announced that the new limited edition color is NOCTURNE, a rich deep purple!

Browse through the lookbook, or the Kona IG feed @konacotton, and you'll see several samples of quilts made with Nocturne. I'm definitely a fan, and at some point will be ordering a bit to incorporate into my making for next year. Just for fun.

Mocha Mousse

With very little fanfare, Pantone announced their 2025 Color of the Year yesterday, Mocha Mousse. 

Received with somewhat skeptical reviews - at least on their IG post - I personally kinda love it. And with Sarah @saroy and Elizabeth @elizabethkray hosting the Pantone Quilt Challenge 2025 next spring, I'll definitely be playing with it. Daughter dear, Rachel @snippetsofsweetness has already ordered our official Pantone swatches, so I'll be searching for good fabric matches in the months ahead.

Meanwhile, I can't resist sharing a review of my previous Pantone-inspired quilts. It's tradition! Next year will make 14(!) years.

:: Peach Fuzz 2024 :: "Keen"

:: Viva Magenta 2023 :: "Verve"

:: Very Peri 2022 :: "Red Cross Meets Very Peri"

:: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating 2021 :: "Some Like It Medium"

:: Classic Blue 2020 :: "Utterly Blue"

:: Living Coral 2019 :: "Timeless"

:: Ultra Violet 2018 :: "Grape Fizzy"

:: Greenery 2017 :: "Evergreenery"

:: Rose Quartz and Serenity 2016 :: "Pantone Meets Bias Tape"

:: Marsala 2015 :: "Sizzling"

:: Radiant Orchid 2014 :: "Radiancy"

:: Emerald 2013 :: "An Emerald Table"

:: Tangerine Tango 2012 :: "Tangerisk"

So what do you think? Like it or not, do you anticipate dabbling with Mocha Mousse in the new year? If you haven't joined in the Pantone Quilt Challenge before, I encourage you to. It's always a fun challenge with amazing results.

QuiltCon Entries

So yesterday, QuiltCon acceptance notices went out and I was 0/5. None of the quilts I submitted were accepted. A tiny bit disappointing but honestly, I understand that if 2269 were submitted and only 460 (about 20%) were selected, my odds were not good. And I'm ok with that! I've had several turns at showing at QuiltCon, and am grateful for that.

Meanwhile, here's what I submitted this year....

Side Chairs, one of my new creations this year. I kinda thought it wouldn't 'fit,' but I love it, so worth a shot.

Albersesque, my latest Bee Sewcial group quilt, which was entered last year and didn't make the cut so wanted to give it one more try.

 

Keen, another new make this year, and one a lot of folks really liked, so I thought why not?

Split Second, which was made for the Windham Artisan Cotton 2024 Challenge, but not accepted. I love it so I figured I'd try one more time.

And finally, Diamond Cut, which  I entered at the last minute, just because I sometimes have better luck in the small quilt category. Not this time. 

So oh well. I thoroughly enjoyed scrolling on IG last night and seeing gorgeous quilts that both did and didn't get in. It was quite the excellent show, just as I expect the one at QuiltCon 2025 will be!

November Fabric Usage

Brace yourselves. Worse than October, I brought in A LOT of fabric last month....

First a stack destined for Christmas gift-giving bags + a solid needed for Block Studies Collective this month + that top black and white stripe, which was stash-necessary, and I'd used it up on those black and orange potholders.

Knowing December would be busy, I treated myself to the Tara Faughnan-curated bundle for BSC. I committed to that a couple of months ago, so what can I say?

And then, after rummaging through stash for what I wanted/needed for the upcoming Merry Mix  Advent quilt along, I placed an order for several more solids. One downfall of normally purchasing half-yard cuts is that you don't have enough to really do a project such as this. Hubby and I actually worked together to choose colors for this quilt, so at least I'll be making something that coordinates with our other holiday decor and that we'll both appreciate. In fact, there were two of the lighter teals here (pictured below), so we could see which we liked best, so the other will go into the stash. And then that aqua star print was a bonus, since I'm liking that print so much. 

So yeah, that's a lot. I feel better knowing it all was (mostly) purchased for a specific project, but still. Hoping December is spent just using it up!

November Fabric Usage

Used up: 13.97 yards [10.17 projects + 3.8 recycled/donated]
Brought in: 19.25 yards 
Net: 5.28 yards

Merry Mix

In addition to the Oh Christmas Tree Advent embroidery project, I also joined in the Merry Mix mystery quilt-along with Melanie Meyer @mellmeyer, a quilt-loving friend in Germany. My goal is a throw-sized quilt top (54″ x 66″) that coordinates with our other Christmas decor. Hubby and I worked together to choose fabrics, finally selecting these five (l-r): Kona Pewter and Quicksilver, Kona Emerald, Bella Solids Scuba, and Kona Wine.

I don't remember ever doing a quilt-along this quickly, so I'm excited for it and concerned just a bit about keeping up. But, the more community the better, right?  That said, I've successfully completed our assignments for Day 1 - some fabric cutting....

and Day 2, our first blocks!

I just received Day 3's task, and I see that quarter circles are involved. Uh-oh!

Oh Christmas Tree Advent

Though I know I'll be a little jealous as I see folks opening and sharing their sewing-related advent calendars, I decided that I'd instead, join in an advent stitch-along, and chose the design by Stitchdoodles. 

Based in Gloucester, UK, I went ahead and ordered the printed 100% ivory cotton fabric panel, which came backed with a calico fabric stabilizer. Each day, directions will be released for stitching one particular tree. 

I'm going to use my own thread stash, so I'll figure that out as we go. I'm thinking mostly greens and teals, and maybe a variety of threads - perle cotton, Aurifil 12wt and embroidery floss. But then again, we'll just see.

I did stitch tree #1 right on schedule using Aurifil 12wt for the tree and floss for the trunk. I'll be back periodically with status updates!