To clear up any confusion . . it must be me and that turnip truck again (or it could have been the wild ride we just took through the woods on the RTV . . Vince was driving ) . . a mystery is a quilt you have not seen before and will not see til you’re finished with it. A Quilt-Along is a quilt you see before you start and then we all work along at about the same pace. If you see the quilt, it’s obviously not a mystery so the choices were Mystery or Quilt-Along, either or . . not a mysterious quilt-along!
The second area that generated confusion . . kits will not come from my stash. I am NOT selling my stash. If I do kits, I will order brand new, never unwrapped til they get to my house bolts of fabric and the kits will come from those. It’s not second hand fabric or second hand prices. The prices would be similar to quilt shop prices but you would see everything coordinated before ordering. It doesn’t make one bit of difference to me if you go buy the same fabric from your quilt shop, buy something completely different or if you use fabric from your stash (or someone else’s) but it ain’t gonna be fabric from my stash! Not now . . not ever . . unless Vince or Chad give away or sell my stash when I’m gone so . . I’m still here . . you’re not using my stash! I’m greedy like that.
The question some of you had asked earlier — the Texas fabric I showed is this:
For those wanting fabric from your state . . I have one suggestion — move to Texas! 🙂 Don’t say no just yet! I lived in Texas once before and didn’t like it at all so every time Vince mentioned moving, my response was always the same (and you can’t imagine how many times a day he reminds me). I always said: “I’ll go anywhere in the south except Texas!” All of my friends knew I’d move anywhere but Texas. I’m so happy that we decided to give Texas another shot and honestly .. how many states have so much of their own state themed fabric? Just sayin . . .
Now, about that Mysterious Quilt-Along, based on your responses, here’s what I’m thinking I’ll do. It may not work but it’s how I’m leaning right now. About September 1 we’ll start this project. A picture will be posted on some hard to get to website (I’ll have to figure that one out) and if you want to see it, you can see it but it won’t be right there where you accidentally see it. I’ll give as much description of the fabrics as I can without giving away too much but remember, I only work with tone on tones so getting fabric descriptions from me is almost as scary as asking me for directions for getting from here to there!
Each week a set of instructions will be given and I will hopefully break those down similar to the Quilt for an Hour projects. I anticipate that it will run for 7 – 8 weeks. I will give more details about the quilt later. It’s not a plain jane quilt but it isn’t hard either. I don’t think there’s a single half square triangle in the whole thing. There is a pieced border. Surprised?
If you’ve seen my Morning Splash quilt, I think that’s one of the prettiest quilts I’ve made and I think Road to Llano is even prettier!
Since I have such a terrible time naming quilts, I’m going to do a series based on the places we visit. I’ve done the Road to Brownwood quilt before we ever moved here. The quilt designs that I come up with that I think are worthy to be included in my Roads through Texas series will be named accordingly. The Mysterious Quilt-Along coming up will be named Road to Llano.
In 2010, I had planned to start doing the Stars & Stripes Sampler as a group project. Details are here. There was a major interruption in our lives but you know that story and then I totally forgot about this project. I am not finding the book on the Fons & Porter site so the link on my older posts is no longer working. If you didn’t get the book back when we first talked about it and if you want to participate, you might check ebay or other used book outlets.
A blog reader asked about it last week and had to remind me what she was talking about! Darned that turnip truck! I really want to do this project and believe it or not, I unpacked my book yesterday. The plan is to start that the last quarter of this year so I guess that would be starting in September too but there will only be a few blocks to get made the first quarter. You can click on the link and see the breakdown of what will be done when.
You don’t have to remind me that September – December is a terribly busy time for most folks but so is spring with planting and summer with harvesting/canning for me so we’ll just have to work in what we want to do and maybe forget about Christmas shopping and holiday cooking and parties . . or maybe not! 🙂
Just to keep everything straight that’s going on around here (probably more for me than for you), I’ve added a tab at the top entitled “Group Projects“. If I get confused or off track, please straighten me out.
meg says
perfect! you have found a way to make everyone happy! you rock!
Doreen says
I am still giggling after I read this post!!!! You have definitely solved the dilemma (I feel!). You keep your stash……I need an excuse (really?) to head for the LQS so will wait for the September “starting gun”!! Have never done a “Mysterious Quilt Along”!!!!ROFL!!! Hugs for sure! Doreen
Quilter Kathy says
Thanks for the smile today! Sounds like a great plan so far!
Diana says
there are plenty of used and five new books here at amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Stars-Stripes-Sampler-Liz-Porter/dp/0967631025/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335131853&sr=8-1
Regina says
You may call it Road to Llano – but I think my finished quilt’s name will have something to do with turnip trucks when all is said and done!!! Actually makes me look forward to September (which is rare!!!)
Lynne says
Thanks Judy, you make me smile, sometimes I feel lazy with all you get through. But most of all you inform and inspire me. I don’t comment very often but I do read your posts every day. Thanks to you, I persevered and have now completed my 4 th pair of socks, planted some herbs and veggies into containers and of course I keep on quilting
marion usborne says
Sounds good. I made half the Stars and Stripes quilt in a quilt for my daughter using only some of the blocks for a wall hanging and loved working on it–great directions. I think I got the last book before it was discontinued.
Linda Buzan says
I have just started following your blog and I enjoy it so much. I am hoping to join in on some or all of your group projects.
WiAmy says
Fantastic! I am working hard on the UFO challenge (actually I hope to finish the list before July). The feather project is actually one of my UFO challenge quilts. I hope you don’t pick #2 for May, but if you do I will just work on another one. My curoisity is peaked for the September project. I think September is a great time for a new project. You always provide lots of inspiration.
Angie SoCal says
I was chuckling through that whole post, Judy. That turnip truck indeed! And I can report I found my book too! I’ll be ready for September. Glad I asked and glad you still want to make it. Now where can I get that Texas fabric online?
Just a Texas girl living in California
Joan in NE says
This one sounds like fun, I am going to see if some friends will do it with me (and you). I already have one friend following you and really enjoying the design wall. She just retired and is finding out what fun it is to surf. Will be waiting for the yardage lists to show up in June. I’m thinking the stash will have plenty of fabric to pick from.
Penny J Holliday says
Oh, Judy this post is so funny and I do think this is going to be so much fun! I am ready! Turnip truck!?! I think anyone that can be so accomodating as you certainly didn’t fall off the “turnip truck!”Thanx so much,
Penny in So CA
Jan says
Let’s ALL get on board the Turnip Truck with you and follow your lead! Sept. is perfect for me…can’t wait! You Rock, Girl!
Carla in Ma says
The Mysterious Quilt-Along sounds great to me.
I enjoy your Quilt-Along’s and a good Mystery is always fun.
Putting them together is a great idea.
I was just looking through your book “Weekend Quilts” looking for my next quilting project. You have some really beautiful quilts in the book, I’m not sure how I’m going to pick which one make. I just might have to make all of them.LOL
Diane S. says
Sounds wonderful! Can’t wait!
Mel Meister says
I started receiving the Fons and Porter “Stars and Stripes” BOM with an online quilt shop. I haven’t actually started making the blocks yet, so maybe I’ll wait until you start working on it, too.
I think you need a “turnip truck” quilt. *grin*
Trudy says
Your Turnip Truck Road quilt along sounds fun!
Texas has more State pride than anywhere else. I am a native
Texan, altho I chose to move to Northern Oklahoma. I absolutely love it here. We also have 60 acres with a 7 acre pond we overlook.
The difference is here we have large Oak trees. Actually we cleared a few acres in the woods!
But my ingrained Texas pride runs deep. It is truely a state of mind!
Oh, and I will be getting chickens soon! Your posts have inspired me to give it a go!
vickie van dyken says
I can’t wait 🙂 I just ordered your Borders Book. I am also known as Liberty Truck Lines, so in case you wondered….It’s me 🙂 not sure if they give my name or our Company name. I have recieved packages both ways so????
I also think you need a Turnip Truck Quilt. Probably a straight truck (Peterbilt) flatbed with sides. That’s how I used to haul onions out of Texas, only I had an 18 wheeler, but I think a straight truck is long enough for turnips . ROFLOL
Pam K says
Oh good, I’ve wanted to do the Stars and Stripes Sampler quilt since you first posted about it. I’ve got the book and am looking forward to making it.