Grand Illusion Mystery

Grand Illusion Miniature

Stars Around Grand Illusion

Last Decmeber and January, I was doing Bonnie Hunter's Grand Illusion Mystery. Having done several mysteries previously, I know that, though most of the time I'm pleased with the results, sometimes I don't care for the finished product. So before I began working on this one, I decided to make it smaller by cutting the pieces 1/2 scale and then I cut only 1/4 of the total piece count.

It all worked out fine until I got to the sashing and after putting the sashing around 4 blocks, it was too busy for my taste and preference. So a UFO (unfinished object) it became. 

This week, I tackled that UFO by finishing the 4 block piece I had done and then I had one more Grand Illusion block and 4 star blocks I must have made from partial blocks when I got frustrated with the project. Now what do I do?

I put sashing around the one block and decided to use the star blocks as corners. I then made some more star blocks from the fabrics I had left. (The star blocks went quickly by my using the no waste flying geese method.) Using these with the 4 corner blocks, I soon had stars all around the Grand Illusion block. This little quilt I named "Stars Around Grand Illusion". I added a border and got this little quilt finished.

 Now I have 2 completed, matching quilts which finished at approximately 20" square. They are labeled and have rod casings on the back so they are ready for hanging. IM pleased with both of the little quilts. It's nice to have them done. 

Grand Illusion Clue 5

Clue 5 came out today. There were 2 more broken dishes blocks to make. For the full size quilt 25 of 1 block and 4 of the other. Could it be that those 4 blocks are the center of something?  We'll see when the final clues come out.  

My blocks are done. Now to await the next clue which will come next Friday. 

Grand Illusion Mystery

Clue 4 - 2 kinds of broken dishes blocks

I'm done with these blocks. Next clue will be Friday. This makes 3 different sets of broken dishes blocks. I really like them but think I'll have to be extra careful when putting the quilt top together as it would be easy to get these mixed up. It's going to be fun to see what this quilt will look like. 

Grand Illusion clue 3

Just finished the set of blocks for clue 3 of Grand Illusion, the mystery Bonnie is doing at quiltville. I'm doing 1/4 of the large quilt so had only 30 of these to make. My greens are darker than Bonnie's but I'm using scraps a d this is what I have. 

Now I'm ready for the next clue. Making a small quilt helps me to stay current as the clues come out. It's especially nice this busy time of year. 

Grand Illusion part 2

3 double diamond blocks

I had the fabric cut and some of the blocks done prior to today. Now all the blocks for this clue are finished. I'm doing a small version so it doesn't take as much time to cut or sew. Don't want to discourage those who are doing the full size quilt. This is an interesting block. It'd make a nice border on a quilt or around a larger block.

Grand Illusion block 1

This month and into early January Bonnie at Quiltville.com is doing a mystery called Grand Illusion. This quilt was inspired by the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Having been there several times and that being my childhood home state, I was interested in doing this mystery. I didn't, however, want to start, much less finish, a large quilt ( Bonnie said hers is 88" square). Considered doing 1/4 of the blocks for a smaller quilt but that would still be 44". So what to do?  I'm still doing 1/4 of the blocks but I'm doing mine 1/2 scale. Example: instead of 4" finished blocks in clue 1, mine are 2" finished. This should give me a nice wall hanging when done (approx. 22"). 

It's December, I've completed a twin size quilt and a little behind on the mystery. That's OK. It'll get done when it gets done. I am finished making the blocks for clue 1 (pictured below) and plants sew block 2 today. We'll see about clue 3 which was posted today.