Thanks Santa.....Thanks Bonnie.....Clue #5......

Well folks.........here was my Christmas in one word......

FANTASTIC!!!!!!

I hope all of you had a FANTASTIC Christmas as well????

Let's take a stroll through photos of my Christmas, shall we???

My best friend, Mike, came home with me to celebrate Christmas with my family.

Being a native of Brooklyn, NY, he wanted to share his traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner with us. Seafood marinara, along with fried scallops, butterfly shrimp, and flounder were on the menu.

This was absolutely delicious!  I think we may adopt this tradition for Christmas Eve!

The TRUE Christmas story has been read by my father ever since I can remember!

My sister has requested he read it to my niece and nephew ever since my niece was a baby, and it is something we all look forward to.

On Christmas morning I emerged from my old bedroom to find this!

Sophia and Gracie Lu were curious if Santa had came to visit them!!!

They were really good girls this year, so Santa did in fact leave them some presents!

My mother and father are just like little kids on Christmas morning opening their stockings!

After my sister and her family arrived, it was time for our Christmas feast!

Christmas ham, chicken and dumplings, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, macaroni and cheese (for the kiddos) and rolls!

What can I say?  We LOVE TO EAT!

And our Christmas feast would NOT be complete without a homemade Red Velvet Cake!

Sorry, store bought, nor cake mix will do in this instance!

My mother and sister make the best homemade Red Velvet Cakes!

Gracie and Sophia got some special treats from my niece and nephew!

Then it was time to open gifts!!!!

I can't wait to show you all what I received this year!  Thanks Santa!

But, that will have to wait until next time.

I DO have to show you what Mike received from my mother though.....

You have to understand Mike likes to play practical jokes, ESPECIALLY on my mom...

He also like to run marathons......

SOOOOOOOO........

It was my mom's turn to play a joke on him!

You should have heard the laughs after Mike opened this pair of short shorts!

My momma sure did a good job of explaining to Mike that she went to a running store where

the salesperson told her that these shorts were the latest in running attire for men.

SMOOOOOOTH!

She finally let him know this was payback for all of the times he had gotten her.

Yikes!  I can only imagine what Mike's next practical joke will be on her! 

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

I love spending time with my family!

We had an amazingly blessed Christmas!

Bonnie shared with us Clue #5 to her "Grand Illusion" mystery quilt on Friday.

THANK YOU BONNIE!

This was a really easy clue!

4 patches done in my color scheme.

Red for Pink

Navy for Black

Blue for Aqua

Gold for Gold

2,916 pieces in this quilt thus far if my calculations are correct???

Linking up with Bonnie's Mystery Monday Link Up Part 5!!!!!

I have a feeling there may be one more clue with a rapid fire finish that Bonnie is famous for!

I also have a feeling these gold pieces in the various units are going to be set on point or

running diagonally through the quilt somehow?

What are your guesses?

And, before you think I haven't done anything else.........

My friends Dar of  Dar's Patchwork Garden and

Teresa of A Quilt and a Prayer will probably be salivating over these colors?

I am making a baby quilt for my friends that got married last June.

A baby girl is going to make her appearance in April and her momma chose

purples, turquoises, and grays as the baby room colors.

I have chosen a Bonnie pattern of course!

Emery's Stars

This is a free pattern on Bonnie's website, click the link to find it.

I have substituted turquoise for Bonnie's pink, and grays for the neutrals. 

I have never worked with a color palette like this, but, I am kind of digging it!

I hope the new baby's parents will too!

Here's wishing you the very best in 2015!

What are you looking most forward to in the New Year?

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter

Merry Christmas to all...............

Kevin the Quilter

is

HEADING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!

I may not be wearing bells, but, this song certainly is true from my point of view.....

particularly the first verse......

"I've traveled round this country, crossed the waters deep and wide....."

MANY, MANY, MANY TIMES!

It is always so nice to be able to go HOME to be with my parents where I grew up for a few days, especially for CHRISTmas!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas as well!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!!

from

Gracie Lu and Sophia Annabella

(No Boston Terrier was hurt in the making of this photograph!)

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter

Grand Illusion Clue #4........Gittn'R'Done...........

 I would like to wish each and every one of you a JOYous Christmas!

How does this time of year sneak upon us so quickly?  I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that it seems like it took ages for Christmas to come when I was a child, and now, it seems like only yesterday we were celebrating Christmas and making Celtic Solstice?!?!?!?

None the less.....I do feel somewhat caught up these last few days before Christmas!

Bonnie shared with us clue #4 for her "Grand Illusion" mystery.  Those 80 half square triangles made from clue #1 truly did help make this weeks clue for more broken dish variations a little easier!

Here are all of the clues plus the bonus half square triangles thus far.

GITTN'R"DONE!!!!

Linking up with Bonnie's Mystery Monday Link Up Part 4!

Valentino's favorite spot this time of year!

I honestly have been playing all year long with the RSC14 hosted by SOSCRAPPY.  

  Here is my "Soul Searching" quilt top to prove it!

"Soul Searching" is a quilt design by Kathy Doughty of Material Obsession.

OK, OK, OK,...........you know the drill around here......

The minute I step foot outside to take photos of a quilt,

A WIND STORM BLOWS UP!!!!!!!

GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

You can see it more or less though?  Even with the ripples!

I think I like it though!  I used gray as the final color for the year.

I NEED IDEAS FOR A BORDER?!?!?!?!

ANY SUGGESTIONS????

I have also kept up with my modified maverick stars....minus the last 2 gray ones.

Hmmmm.........I wonder what I am going to do with this one????

I may have a trick up my sleeve for these blocks?

Stay tuned........

HEH HEH HEH

Linking up with Scraphappy Saturday!

I received these wonderful patriotic scraps from my friend Kathy!

Thank you so much Kathy!  Some of these have already been incorporated into "Grand Illusion!"

I was asked by the Missouri State Quilt Guild to come up with an idea for their donation drive for 2014.  I wanted their donation to be different from the block drive blocks, so we agreed upon this string block quilt!  It is a variation of a basket weave and I love the results! And the guild was so giving!  We have enough blocks to make 5 quilts for Quilts of Valor!  I will share these as they are made after the first of the year.

Thanks Madeline and the Missouri State Quilt Guild!

These little girls love watching Rudolph this time of year! 

TA DAH!!!!!!!!

Here is my version of Bonnie's "Blue Ridge Beauty!"

Finally sharing the photo I promised, and you guessed it.......a WIND STORM!

Sorry for the ripples in the middle of the quilt!

You can get the idea of it though!

I REALLY LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS ONE!

I love how scrappy it is, the inner border fabric, and the reason I made it!

Remember, this one is going to my cousin who blessed me with our grandma's treadle!

So much fun making this one!

I have seen this one done in various other colors, and I think I will be trying 

it in other colors as well!

Merry Christmas to all!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter

Giving QOV's and Clue #3..............

Blessed Christmas greetings everyone!

I have to tell you all how proud, honored, and humbled I am to give our Quilts of Valor we created from the block drive to deserving Veterans.  The Perky Piecer's Quilt Guild in Troy, Missouri asked if I would come to honor some awesome Veterans and present some Quilts of Valor from the block drive.  If you recall, this guild really helped get a lot of these tops done.  Some of their members volunteered to quilt and bind them, and my friend Joanie offered to sew the labels on.  Once again, all Quilts of Valor presented from the block drive is in affiliation with Quilts of Valor, Eastern Missouri.

This Viet Nam Veteran was moved beyond words after receiving his Quilt of Valor.

But, he and his wife were most appreciative.

Kim did the beautiful quilting!  Thanks Kim!

This Viet Nam Veteran was surprised by his daughter.  He thought he was going to look at antique fire trucks!  I have to add that this Veteran came to me after the presentations and broke down.  He was so thankful to have received this Quilt of Valor as a thank you.  He was actually spit on when he returned from Viet Nam.

Pat did the beautiful quilting on this one!  Thanks Pat!

This gentleman is a double Purple Heart recipient  and WWII Veteran,... and quite the character!  He was very moved when he spoke after the presentations and couldn't wait to use his Quilt of Valor!

Pat did the beautiful quilting on this one as well!

This Viet Nam Veteran told me he was shy, and didn't want to be in front of anyone for too long.  His smile tells me he likes his Quilt of Valor though!  This is my friend Joanie's husband.  When we were going through all of the blocks to make them into quilts, these blocks were placed to the side because they weren't included in the drawing.  It definitely wasn't that I didn't like them, they just didn't follow the instructions to be entered into the drawing, but, I certainly appreciated receiving them.  I can't remember who made them.....but, here they are made into a beautiful quilt of Valor along with some of the blocks from the drive.  I think it turned out really great too!  

My friend Bev pieced and quilted it beautifully!

It was a really great presentation, and we all had a really nice time.  My parents were able to join me for this one because I brought them to my home to do some Christmas shopping during the week when it isn't as busy in the mall and stores.  After the presentations were over, I was asked to come to the front once again, and the guild as a whole gave me this.........

Kitty Litter?????????  

How thoughtful?????

Then..............

I was told to look inside it!!!!!!!

SCRAPS!!!!!

SCRAPS!!!!!

AND MORE SCRAPS!!!!!!

This truly was so thoughtful of Perky Piecers!  THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

I just may have to join this guild!

Bonnie Hunter shared with us Clue #3 on Friday for her "Grand Illusion" mystery quilt.  This clue is one that allowed me to use a variety of scraps as well as my AccuQuilt Studio!!!!  I am beyond pleased with this investment!  I am getting great cuts, and it IS true what they say........Better cuts, make better quilts!  I have been right on the money with my measurements thus far!  HALLELUJAH!  

Let's take a look at clue #3, shall we?

I am substituting Silver/Grey for Bonnie's Green.  Neutral is still neutral

You all know, I LOVE highlights and low lights, and I like for there to be a little sparkle in there!

I used the AccuQuilt Studio to cut my strip units as well, just like Bonnie does sometimes!

I LOVE THIS TOY!!!!!

This was a lot faster than if I had cut with a rotary cutter.

I love seeing all of the variety of fabrics!

And here is a sampling of my completed Clue #3 units.

Once again, I am using Navy for Bonnie's Black.

It is a little hard to see in this photo, but, the navy shows up nicely against the grey in person.

Linking up with Bonnie's Mystery Monday Link Up Part 3!

2,320 pieces used thus far!!!!!!

Oh.....and...............remember........

Only 10 more shopping days until Christmas!!!!!!

My momma sure does love to shop!

Glad Christmas Tidings to all!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!!!!!

Kevin the Quilter

It's the holiday season..........."Grand Illusion" clue #2........

It's the holiday season........

Do you know how I can tell?????

I attended my sister's annual Madrigal Dinner!

My sister with my niece and nephew.

And, yes, in case you are wondering,  I did make my sister's and niece's costumes.

My sister is a very talented choral director.  I really admire her for all she does for her students.  She allows them to have a little different perspective during the Christmas season by having her high school students present a Madrigal Dinner, complete with costumes, acting and singing.  This is a really cool event to attend, and it is super awesome since my niece is in high school and participates in it.  My sister even lets my nephew get in on the act........and trust me.......he has some mad dancing moves........even to Renaissance music! LOL  You had to have been there!!!!!

My apologies for the blurry photos.......it's hard to get good photos in such a large dark area!!!!!!

 My niece performed as a maiden by the name of "Gossages."

Here she is being scrutinized by the court jester as the Royal Court looks on.

I wish you could hear the beautiful music that was performed!

These students worked so hard, and it really paid off, because now......

I have found my Christmas Spirit this year!

My great room all decked out for Christmas!

The office tree is even up!!!!!!

 My handsome boy Valentino loves sitting under the office tree.

I have to admit, he is a REALLY good cat.....I  have never seen him bat at ornaments

or climb up in the tree.........EVER!  Santa usually rewards him well for being such a good boy!

 Sophia Annabella is in her Christmas bow......for this photo only!

Gracie Lu is such a good model!  LOL

I hope you all are enjoying the holiday season thus far?  I couldn't seem to get in the Christmas spirit this time last year?????

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..............

The second clue for Bonnie Hunter's "Grand Illusion" mystery came out on Friday..........

Linking up with Bonnie's Mystery Monday Link Up Part 2!

DOUBLE DIAMONDS!

This was a fun block to make and I LOVE the variety I am going to get in these blocks!

I cannot begin to tell you how much Bonnie's SCRAP USER'S SYSTEM helps!

I am a firm believer in it, and if you haven't thought about organizing your scraps,

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE follow this LINK!

I was able to cut these rectangles out lickety split for this part of the unit from 2.5" strips that were already cut!

Here is a sampling of the reds I am going to use for this clue's unit.

Truth be told.......this was such a busy, jam packed weekend for me, all I have done is the one test block!  But, I do have all of the pieces cut and marked.  My parents are visiting me, and I am going to take them Christmas shopping this week, so I will just have to work on Clue #2 as I have time this week.  I will definitely have them finished by Friday when clue #3 comes out!

How are you coming along on Bonnie's Mystery?

If you aren't doing the mystery, what are you working on?

Thanks for all of the encouragement! 

Kevin the Quilter