I really love Bonnie Hunter; her scrap users system is awesome, and her leaders and enders concept has totally changed the way I quilt. I love watching quilt cam and I even visited the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in the 1960s, so I could not resist jumping into her 2014 Grand Illusion mystery quilt. It has been so much more work than I expected! You know it is bad when the hand piecers finish a clue before you, but I am glad to say I finally got clues one and two done. It only took me about three months longer than most everyone else, but I will get there eventually.
Clue 1
I had not gotten around to blogging about getting clue one done yet because I had not finished ironing all <<insert VERY large number>> of the pieces. At least they are all complete. The first two clues were SO much work. As I recall, the next two clues are fairly time consuming, but the final two are not so bad.
Clue 2
I had high hopes for this year's quilt and I really, really liked the colors, but I am just not in love with the final design. I guess I am not alone, because probably one in four or five quilters in Quiltville on Facebook has drastically changed the design, either with sashing or some other significant alteration. In comparison, I cannot ever remember seeing a single Celtic Solstice that was altered in any way but color. Do not get me wrong, Grand Illusion is an interesting, unique pattern, with what I think is a more sophisticated modern spirit than any of Bonnie's other designs. I just find myself yearning for something more like Celtic Solstice. Oh well, live and learn. I am sure my Grand Illusion will be beautiful when it is done, just like all the ones I am seeing on Quiltville, and Bonnie is still my hero!
Happy quilting
2 comments:
Hi Susan. I caught your blog from your recent trip to the 2015 quilter's festival. Beautiful Dear Jane quilts. Anyway, I am making the GIMQ as well and find that I agree with you. I think it is too busy and I wish now I had not done it scrappy. But everyone who sees my progress lives it and I have soldiered on. I am in the final gate now and was ready to finish when I discovered that had not made enough checkered smashing. Only a few more an it will be finished. Good luck with your quilt.
P. S. I downloaded the Celtic Soltice clues last year but am waiting to make it. Someday!
Darned smart iPad changed love to live and sashing to smashing.
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