Lupine Clue 2

Flying Geese, clue 2
Flying Geese, clue 2

I finished Clue 2 FINALLY!

I am very behind, but not giving up. These Flying Geese took a long time, but I was working on the HSTs at the same time. 

Clue 5 will be easier, I think, as it is block making and I might jump to it before I get back to the HRTs and HSTs.

 

 

 

 

 

N.B. Bonnie will remove the posts to which I have linked from her blog sometime in February 2026. Download or save the clues now if you want to make this quilt.

Progress on Lupine

I have been working on and off on Lupine, especially after I finished some gifts. 

Lupine: Clue 1 Finished
Lupine: Clue 1 Finished

A week or so ago, I finished the Lupine & Laughter First Clue. I wasn’t sure how the black would look as a background, but I am pleased with the combination. It has a little bit of a 1954 vibe. I know you are thinking “WTH? How can she be so specific?” I have a book called 100 Years of Color** by Katie Greenwood. It gives a palette for each year for 100 years. While 1954 doesn’t have the black as part of the palette, it does have the feeling that occurred to me when I put the combo together.

One concern I have with the black is that the fabric seems to shred very easily. Not within patches, but as I trim shreds of fabric embed themselves in my rotary mat. As I mentioned before, I have had this fabric for a long time, so it is possible that the quality is different from current fabrics. Fortunately, I have a number of blacks with colored dots that I will use for this project, so not all will be subject to this problem.

Lupine Clue 2 and 3 Progress
Lupine Clue 2 and 3 Progress

I am simultaneously working on Clue 2 and 3. I sewed quite a bit over the weekend. It was kind of rote sewing, but it was good that I didn’t have to think too much. I also did quite a bit of trimming, though not enough. There is a lot of trimming in this quilt.

Bonnie always has different ways to make the various units. Friend Julie says that she likes to try the various methods in order to practice and to find the method she likes best. I usually just use a method with which I am familiar. For the HSTs, I am using the 8-at-a-time method you can find under tutorials. Her comment gave me something about which to think. I did use the Essential Triangle Tool** to make the QSTs, which was new-ish to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N.B. Bonnie will remove the posts to which I have linked from her blog sometime in February 2026. Download or save the clues now if you want to make this quilt.

**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.

Starting Lupine

Yes, I started another project! I know it is crazy, but here we are.

As usual Bonnie Hunter has started her winter mystery quilt. This year it is inspired by a trip to Iceland and called Lupine & Laughter. I wasn’t going to make the project this year, considering all the other quilts and bags I have on the go. I changed my mind and started piecing. 

Of course, before piecing I had to choose fabric. I thought about using one consistent background. I couldn’t find a white piece large enough so I picked out several whites to use. Still I wasn’t happy with the choices. 

I could have certainly used text motifs on white fabric again, but I didn’t want to make the same quilt again. 

Color tryouts for Lupine
Color tryouts for Lupine

Each time I go into my fabric closet, I see a bin of dots on black. I decided that I would pull some out and try them. The first black was called Color Dots by Jean Ray Laury. It has been in the fabric closet for a long time and it was a good time to bring it to the light. 

I thought it looked good with the purple and pink (again!!!) I chose, so I started cutting.

Lupine: QSTs
Lupine: QSTs

I realized pretty quickly that I had selected the wrong color for the QSTs required and pivoted to a blue-green (Carousel by Melody Miller). The combo is fantastic, if I do say so  myself.

I am still concerned that the black will be too dark, but it feels right compared to the whites I felt ‘meh’ about. I do like the pink and black combination. 

So, I am working on QSTs and, of course, am already behind. I am also cutting for Clue 2 and will need to start on Clue 3. I spent the day yesterday piecing, so I won’t get too  much farther behind.