...And Geese Gotta Fly - Another Week on Easy Street

Bonnie Hunter revealed step 2 of Easy Street on Friday and I was beyond thrilled - mainly because by Thursday night I had started two more versions of her wonderful mystery quilt.

Yes...Two!

Perhaps now is the time to come clean and admit I have a slight addiction to starting new projects. Finishing is another story...this will prove interesting.

I've also discovered I love the thrill of NOT knowing how this mystery will turn out...which prompted me to try some different color/fabric schemes. Below is my version 2 - perhaps I will call it 'A Visit with Jo on Easy Street' since it will be made with Jo Morton fabs.

I'd love to show you the 3rd version...alas...my four patches are at the quilt shop and I am at home...next time, promise. I should note that I'm making version 2 & 3 'half size' - as in 'half the # of blocks" - I may be addicted...but I do recognize my limits. lol

SPOILER ALERT!!!

If you are planning to play and haven't started strolling down Easy Street yet...you might want to stop reading now - lest you ruin the thrill of surprise! 
But there's a sweet little story "un-street" related at the end you might like. Just close your eyes and scroll down fast..lol

 For those of you playing along or at least following the steps...you know what step 2 involves.
As I sit and write this post...let's just say my geese are pretty much still grounded. 

I'm playing with purples for my original plan... 

...and even tho Bonnie posted so long ago about supplies needed, I just plum forgot about her suggestion to use the Easy Angle and Companion rulers - as shown here in step 2. That's why you see my purples cut as 4-1/4" squares in preparation to make flying geese. This method is easy...and no waste... there are tons of sites out there that will show you how...Bonnie shows you  in her post today.

So far I have a whopping 32 geese finished...which sounds pretty good except we need 128 (oh dear, Bonnie...are you reading this? I'm NOT whining, really I'm not - just stating a fact - haha).

I will admit that tho the 'no-waste' method is easy to do I'm not really lovin' having to stop and mark guidelines on every black and white square. My machine at home is not 'adoring' this either - having some 'issues' with needle placement, I'll continue with the purples I've cut and then when I've used them all up - I will follow Bonnie's advice because Guess What?
(a little drum roll please)

It's my dear dear DEAR friend Marcia...to the RESCUE!

Lookie Look!!! We're holding the sacred rulers! Can you see me jumping for joy? Oh, right...it's a still picture, no video (gosh what you missed -  maybe that's not a bad thing afterall - lol).

Late one night - in the wee hours of the early morning actually, I was checking my facebook page one last time and spied Marcia in 'chat'. I am the night owl...Marcia is the early bird...so it was very unusual for her to be on her computer at 1AM. 

But...It was fate!

She was coming to the shop the very next day...later that morning and I asked her if she by chance had the rulers (Marcia usually has everything!). She said she would look. A little later she popped back up and said not only did she have the rulers - she had two of each!  So now guess who has her very own Easy Angle and Companion ruler? How lucky can one mouse get? Thanks Marcia!

A little side note...on another of my late nights of blog prowling...I happened upon a post by Bonnie - back in 2008...it was one of her "You Might Like" dealies....I saw the word Florida and had to look...it made me giggle and wiggle in my chair (again, no video..haha..and no pic for that matter...be grateful..haha)...but take a quick read HERE - the Marcia mentioned is none other than my friend above...and the 'quilt shop'...that's US! whoo hoo!

Meanwhile....I have quite a few friends that are on the way to Easy Street. They have no blogs - I invited them to send me their progress pics to share with all of you. I've received one pic from my friend Sandie who is just starting out...

She visited Lowes and mapped out her colors...it's a start.
I guess the others haven't hid the road yet.

Be sure to check out Bonnie's Linky Party HERE and see what everyone else has been up to!
* * * * *
Before I go, I have to share a Quilt Moment with you.
As I've mentioned many times, my Mom is 93 and lives nearby in an assisted living facility. She moved to the memory care unit almost 2yrs ago - same building. By the way - since her hospital vacation back in October, she is doing well - thanks for those of you who have kept her in your prayers.
For the last 2 years, on my way to visit Mom, I have passed by a room - the door is always open and I stop a moment every time to gaze upon this beautiful quilt.

I've often wondered who belonged to this quilt. A few days ago as I passed by the room, I finally saw a sweet little lady standing beside the bed. I walked a few more steps down the hall...stopped...thought about it...turned around and poked my head thru her door.
I introduced myself - told her my Mom was a 'neighbor' of hers...and told her how much I loved her quilt.
Her smile was SO BIG...she was truly surprised I think, that anyone would notice or even care about her precious patchwork. When I asked her if I could take a picture to share with my quilting friends - she was over the moon!

I learned that my new Friend made this quilt over 40 years ago. The fabrics used were scraps she had saved from clothing that HER Mom had sewn for my friend and her siblings as they were growing up - she was from a family of eight!
I mentioned that I've never made this block, but have longed to give it a try...and I will...and I will take it back to show my new Friend....perhaps she'll give me some pointers.
As I was walking away from our impromptu visit - I smiled when she followed me out into the hall and I heard her say to another 'neighbor' of hers passing by...."I was just showing her my quilt...have you seen my quilt...let me show it to you...."
And to think...I almost kept walking right by...instead I made a new Friend.
Try it.
Til Later
Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<