BULLSEYE ROUNDUP EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!!! 1-19-21

I’ve gotten over 50 emails with pictures of Bullseye quilts! I am blown away! Thank you, thank you, thank you – not only for sending your photos but for making this quilt in the first place. Little did we know this would be so popular! It’s really addictive and like many of you mentioned, you will never be done – all those circles you cut out from behind the back will just keep adding up for more bullseye blocks. Hahaha! I’ve got a whole tub full of pieces.

This time I think I’m going to use use pinks or yellows for my background blocks, not together but one or the other, I haven’t decided.

Connie and I went to Des Moines today to shop at Creekside Quilting and when we arrived at the store the electricity was out. Being desperate fabric shoppers, we got our phones out and shopped by flashlight. It was out for over an hour while we shopped. I have to say that since I’m at home now some of the fabrics I bought were not quite as I imagined them.

Then we were off to Ames to shop and while we were there the weather changed – a shower of sleet with a strong wind happened so we headed for home when the wind gusted to over 50 mph from the northwest and we were driving north. A ground blizzard developed and when we turned off I-35 and headed west, the roads became treacherous. Blowing snow had stuck to the highway making it icy and paired with that strong wind, we crept home at 35 mph.

Whew, we made it and now I will start posting Bullseye photos. Tomorrow I’ll give you a fabric list and your first assignment so that we’ll all be ready to start sewing on February 1.

(I can’t wait to look at my fabric!). But first, here are 10 Bullseye Quilts – thank you to everyone who made this possible!

And here are the other finishes I’ve received:

That’s all for tonight – more Bullseye pictures tomorrow!

39 thoughts on “BULLSEYE ROUNDUP EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!!! 1-19-21

  1. Diane Bauer

    So glad you got home safely!! Ground blizzards are no fun at all when you are out on the road.

    I am so excited to make another Bullseye quilt!! I often tell people it was the most fun quilt project I’ve ever done and, while I haven’t made nearly as many quilts as Mary has made, I’ve made quite a few!! It was a stretch for me in many ways (I’m the matchy matchy type!), but it was so fun and really quite relaxing!

  2. Janet R

    I drove right by Creekside today, but sounds like you were long gone by then. Glad you made it home safely!

  3. Ann In PA

    Shopping with your phone flashlight reminds me of a quilt shop in an old farmhouse in the ‘80’s. We had to take the bolts of fabric to the windows to see the colors. They’ve remodeled so lighting is much better.
    So glad you made it back home safe & sound. Scary weather for sure.

  4. Rhonda in Iowa

    Creekside is my local shop. I was there yesterday but would have waited till today had I known you celebrities were going to be there! In fact I was telling them all about your DD. Love the Bullseye Quilts and such fun DD finishes. Not sure if I can do the Bullseye Extravaganza since I’ll be gone for 3 weeks in February – miss too much of it. Glad you got home safely! It was very windy here but no white outs.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Rhonda in Iowa – So you’re the customer who told Karen about the Dirty Dozen! When I finally told her who we were, she then mentioned you. I had never been there before and it was a beautiful shop – we could see that when the power came back on – haha! I will absolutely go back!

  5. Diana in Des moines

    I love Creekside! Just bought a new Pfaff from them last week. Can’t wait for the Bullseye sew along and I even have the original book!
    Glad you made it home safely

  6. Carol Nichols

    Glad you made it home safely! Sounds like your weather has been a little too exciting!
    I think I must join your QAL for the Bullseye Quilt. It looks so fun and I love seeing the variety of colors that people have done. I will look forward to seeing the rest.
    By the way, I LOVE your jacket! Where did you find it?

  7. Kathy in western NY

    Well those finishes are soooo beautiful. Great shots of their creations. We all just love you in your beautiful jacket. Sounds like a fun day till the drive home which probably was a white knuckle excursion but oh so lovely to have new fabrics to pet and fold up.

  8. Diane and Squeak in Central Ohio

    Whew–glad you made it home all ok. That was some blizzard!! It was sunny and almost 40 here today.
    I will probably not do another Bullseye this time, but I will definitely make another in the future.

  9. Connie R.

    Sounds like you and Connie had a great day until the weather turned ugly. So nice to get out to a quilt shop, even if you have to use flashlights. I was thinking of trying the Bullseye quilt with a black or navy background. I’m hoping someone sent you a picture of a version with a dark background so I can get an idea how it would look. Glad you two girls got home safely!

  10. Sherrill

    Ooo, that would be a scary fabric expedition!! Glad you made it home safe and sound! I LOVE the bullseye with the red and pink circles!!!

  11. Jo in Wyoming

    As I was reading this post, I was so glad the two of you were together. That weather could have damaged your heart! How very scary.
    I did notice, along with many others, you had on the Jacket we all love.
    Fun show today with all the bullseye quilts and the other DD’s. The Christmas log cabin is really cute.
    Stay warm, safe and still.

  12. deborah Grisanti

    They look fabulous!!! I guess I need to buy the pattern!!! Glad you arrived home safely, what we do for fabric!!!!

  13. Katie

    Fun pic, it’s great how u can use phone flash lights, when u want to purchase FABRIC,
    U find a way..❤️Ur jacket ..
    I would like to make the bullseye, w need to get the pattern..
    Like all the fun fabrics in the bullseye quilts..
    Thank goodness u had a safe trip home..
    Katie in Gilbert, Az.

  14. Kim J LeMere

    I hope to join in this time and thanks for sharing so many of the quilts. Glad you were able to make it home safely. Winter ice and blowing can be treacherous indeed.

  15. Jeanie S, Central Illinois

    Sounds like wretched weather and white knuckle driving today. Like all the others, I am so grateful you arrived home safely.
    We watch PBS Newshour, and my husband even comments on the Bullseye quilt on Nick’s sofa. I love his appreciation for quilts. I am excited abt the quilt-along!

  16. Sandy

    Hi Mary, think l might have to do the bullseye sew along too, along side getting rid of stuff in preparation for some renovations.now I have to go back and look at your jacket! Take care everyone, best wishes from sandy

  17. Betty Klosterman

    Oh, I remember going back to Des Moines on the bus in bad weather. A 2-hour trip took at least 4 hours, and a lot of us were standing up the whole way. Nobody offered their seats to us! We could rest our butts on the arm rests part of the time. The good old days? They probably wouldn’t allow that these days, but what happens when the bus is full?
    The bulls eye quilt looks like fun.
    Sure glad you made it home alright. White outs are not fun. And ice! Monday we had a 12 vehicle crash between Sturgis and Spearfish on I 90. Started by a semi going too fast and he ran into the back of a snow plow.
    Don’t we just love quilt shops! Even when somebody else goes there. Guess we’ve all got the same problem. Maybe we should all get together and trade fabrics.
    Take care and be safe. And pet your fabric and the critters.
    Betty in Rapid City

  18. Beryl in Owatonna

    WOW! The weather looks nasty, glad you made it home safely. We had some snow in southern MN, no wind or blizzard!
    I will keep an eye on the Bulls Eye instructions…I move into my apartment, FINALLY, the 30th…doubt i will have it all together to start a quilt the first.! My sister-in-law has made one, I love it!!
    Thanks for all of the pictures…makes me want to make one for sure.

  19. Pam W.

    I’ve been watching PBS News Hour and have noticed a bullseye quilt in the background when correspondent Nick Schifrin is on the air!! So the bullseye quilts are getting national attention!

    Mary, I wonder if the little green pitcher might be for syrup?

  20. Charlotte Shira

    So glad you made it home safely! I would love to go to a quilt shop!!!
    It was so windy here today. My 3 person swing blew off the patio and into the yard. I left it there till the wind stopped tonight. When I tried to pick it up, it was in pieces. Hope I can get it back together or I’ll have to wait until my son comes by. The poor hummingbirds tried to land on the feeder but they couldn’t. At least the electricity only went off for 5 mins. It was a crazy windy day!

  21. Carla

    I have to tell the makers of the featured DD quilts; they are gorgeous! Sheryl, those houses are precious. And Gayle, I love the bird fabric and the Xmas log cabins. So pretty! I doubt I’ll try the bullseye at this time. I am finally feeling like I’m making progress on my ufos. Don’t think I will add in another thing to finish.

    1. Gayle Shumaker

      Thank you Carla. It’s my first finish piecing since some major back surgeries. I see my mistakes but knowing what I’ve been through I’m very happy with it.

  22. Lorraine McGeough

    So glad you got home safely. Those blizzards are the worst. We had about 4″ of snow here in northern Arizona and expecting 20″ more thru out the week. Good times to stay home and sew.
    How fun was it to go fabric shopping with a flash light!!! At least you got out and got some new fabrics for your projects. Anxious to see how you make the Bulls Eye quilt.

  23. Cindy Nelson

    I am interested in how the Bullseye quilters are finishing their quilts. It might be helpful to see the back quilting if possible. I am afraid I send out my quilts to be quilted. Thank you, Cindy

  24. Sue in Marion, IN

    I haven’t made a bullseye quilt but have wanted to for years. I found “Quilts from Aunt Amy” online yesterday and ordered a copy…one of the few Country Threads books I don’t have. I can’t remember why not, except that I had my first child when I was 37 and the second when I was 40, and was teaching special ed full time, about the time the book came out. Anyhow, I have ideas for three! I’m retired now and have plenty of time to sew!

  25. Nancy TD

    Glad you made it home safely. What we won’t do for a chance at a trip to buy fabric.
    The bullseye is a great idea to use up some of the treasured pieces that I can’t part with, Got out my book and am thinking about the dent I could make in my piles of treasures. LOL
    It is cold but, the sun is shining today. We have the tree service here again today. Cutting down our green ash trees that became infected with the ash borer. They keep destroying even in the winter. Wood has to be hauled away and destroyed properly. Expensive!
    Have a great day.

  26. Mrs. Goodneedle

    This is a terrific post; you hit the jackpot with these Bull’s Eye quilts! Those driving conditions!! Yikes~ what we’ll endure to shop for fabric, I’m glad that you were able to get out for a change of scenery.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Mrs. Goodneedle – if the weatherman had even mentioned the possibility of those road conditions, we wouldn’t have gone. I also forgot to mention that the temps went from 38 degrees to 18 by the time we got home. Such a sudden drop in temps the sun dogs were in the sky!

  27. B. J. Berlo

    I made a BullsEye wall quilt a year ago using Australian Aboriginal fabrics with earthy-looking batiks for the backgrounds. It turned out very well. I actually designed it as I went along. I’ll send a photo. To anyone who’s thinking about making a BullsEye, go for it! It’s not difficult at all!

  28. Billie Munn

    Have a question – the pattern calls for 9 inch square to be a dark fabric and the rest light. How come it looks like all the above quilts look like the 9 inch square is a light?

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Billie Munn – the original from the book had light backgrounds and when I made it again, I used dark. Either way – just opposite.

    2. Mary Etherington Post author

      Billie MUNN – if you send me a SASE I’ll make a copy from the book for you!

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