There are advantages to being a night owl. The Project Linus 2021 Mystery Challenge QAL began yesterday. The first clue was to be released on Saturday 9/25 at around 8 AM Central Time. (With the Internet, you never know.) Late Friday (actually a bit after Midnight, Saturday morning) I logged into the site to make sure I remembered my password. SURPRIZE!! The clue and instructional video was available. So from about 12:30 to 2 AM EDT I downloaded/printed/read the clues and watched the videos as this week there was Clue #1A & 1B, and quietly sorted through my stash for the required fabrics.

For those who may not be familiar, Project Linus, through a network of local chapters and volunteers, make & donate quilts, afghans & other handmade blankets to children in need. The quilts and blankets are lovingly made by adults and children from all walks of life and many different sources.

The Project Linus Mystery Quilt Challenge is the major fundraiser. For a donation of $20 we have access to 9 weekly clues and instructional videos. The donation can be directed to a local chapter or to the National Organization to help defray their annual expenses and support of the chapters. The Mission of this not-for-profit organization is in two parts:

• FIRST – Provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
• SECOND – Provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

Check out the Project Linus website to learn more about this organization.

I’m using mostly fabrics from my stash. I did buy some background fabric and some accent fabric. Although once I registered, I was able to download the fabric requirements and preparation sheet, I really hadn’t pulled together the additional fabrics. I usually wait until the clue is released and pull fabric as needed.

Clue 1A is Go Fetch and consisted of 4 blocks representing balls. I couldn’t find the paw print fabric I KNOW I have, but pulled out this cute dog-themed fabric for the center strip.

As you can tell, I’m going for bright, colorful fabrics. For Clue #1B – Let’s Take a Spin, I found this colorful fat quarter bundle with bright colors covered with dots. I don’t remember when I bought this, but hadn’t found a project for it. Think it will be perfect for Oliver’s in the Dog House. The clue gave the option of a single or double pinwheel. I chose the double. I’ll share a few tips to making these in another post.

So, here they are all together – Week #1 (8 more to go!)

Well, at the end of Week 3 of my Fall 2021 Current Projects, three of the four have begun. I have been able to complete each of the steps/clues as they have been released! YAY! Now October is another matter and with a lot of non-sewing on my plate it will be harder to keep up, and November won’t be any better. Then December and the holidays will be here. Where has the year gone. It’s moving too fast!

I’m pleased with my stitching yesterday. In addition to the 8 blocks for Project Linus 2021/Oliver’s in the Dog House, I continued working on another top for Fabric Cafe. The pattern is Button Box and can be found in the book Quilts in a Jiffy. I can’t show you a picture of it yet, but here’s the fabric being used.

This one will be a twin size. Instead of just one 3-yard Bundle, I got twice as much, a 6 yard bundle. This consisted of two yards of three different fabrics. Like most of their patterns this one can be made into a Twin-size with two 3-yard bundles (total 6 yards) or a King/Queen with four 3-yard bundles (total of 12 yards). I got the rows all stitched together and the first of three borders added.

Tomorrow’s another day of stitching!

Happy Stitching!

Quilt Mouse