It's Mystery CAL Reveal Day!!! YIPPEEE! I am so excited to share what the BIG Mystery was and tell you all about the prizes and rewards for participation! Even if you were only able to do one week, that is ok you can still earn a prize!
For now, let's get to the REVEAL! I will share prize details in just a moment! Drum roll please! AND now for the BIG REVEAL!!!!!!!! The Big Mystery is the "Royal Kingdom Adventure Pack"!
Below are the photos from Each Unit! Unit 1 and 2 was the "Castle" and the "Baby Dragon!" He is such a playful baby dragon and loves posing for the camera! He loves playing around the castle ha ha!
Here is the castle without the "Baby Dragon!" It is super cute and can be made in all sorts of color combinations for any gender!
Unit 3 was the "Little Prince!" He is quite charming with those big brown eyes!
Last but not least, Unit 4 was the "Little Princess!" Her locks are so lovey and her big blue eyes bat for her Little Prince!
But that is not all there is to this Reveal!
While you all were working on the 4 Units over the last 4 weeks I also crocheted up a few more surprises! I designed a new crochet blanket that works really well with this Applique Pack!
This Blanket is called "Gideon's Color Block Blanket" and has a wonderful texture! You can work it up pretty quickly with one solid color or use as many colors as you want!
There are a lot of fun ways to do colors with this 6 Row Repeat Blanket! The Crochet Blanket Pattern comes with instructions for Baby size all the way up to King Size! In the photos below you see the toddler size!
This leads me to the next surprise! While I worked on this blanket I also worked on a "26 letter Alphabet Pattern Pack" that can be used to put names on the blanket!
Here is an idea of how you can lay your applique out with a name on the toddler size blanket!
And here is a photo of all 26 letters laid out on the same size blanket as well! The letters work up pretty quickly and easily using the hdc stitch!
All the letters are 3 inches wide by 4 inches tall and can be made larger or smaller by going up or down a hook size! There are so many ways you can arrange the appliques on this blanket!
What is different about the alphabet letters from other alphabet patterns is that these are made like my applique patterns that you are used to. The reason for this is to help with uniformity of size and shape.
Also, because it's made in pieces and then assembled it makes them faster to crochet and makes the pattern super easy to follow as well!
The letters were so fun to make! I've always wanted to design a set and was so glad I got to do this in conjunction with the Mystery CAL! I can wait to see how everyone uses them!
I will have both patterns on the blog in the near future but if you complete all 4 units by February 19th, 2021 you will have an opportunity to earn both the Blanket and Alphabet PDF patterns!
So let's move onto info on how to earn all 6 PDF's (the 4 patterns in the "Royal Kingdom Adventure Pack," "Gideon's Color Block Blanket," and "The Alphabet Pattern Pack")!
Let me begin by saying I know some of you had a lot of life challenges during this mystery CAL and could not finish all 4 sections and that's ok!
I totally understand that we have a lot going on in the world and this CAL was meant to provide some fun and mental distraction from all the events of 2020 that's carrying over into the new year.
If you can just show a picture of the parts (laid together to form the shape of the applique) or at least one of the units assembled by February 19th in the corresponding "Mystery CAL Reveal Facebook Post" you will qualify for at least one PDF!
To get the prizes you will just need to share a photo showing each completed Unit with the hashtag #MYSTERYCAL in the Orchid and Bee's VIP Facebook group. I approve each post manually so that will help me to not miss your post and better guarantee your prize arrival on the 20th!
Be sure to make a POST in the group. Do not put it in the comments of other posts or I will miss it and you will not get your prize!
Again, if you don't get a chance to sew or glue your pieces together due to challenging circumstances feel free to lay them out to look like the picture that corresponds with that Unit and share that picture with the same hashtag #MYSTERYCAL.
Prizes will work like this:
Finish 1 Unit: Get the PDF for that Unit
Finish 2 Units: Get the PDF's for those 2 Units
Finish 3 Units: Get the PDF's for those 3 Units
Finish 4 Units: Get the PDF's for those 4 Units plus 2 BONUS PATTERNS ("The Alphabet Letter Pack" & the "Gideon's Color Block Blanket Pattern")
Photo Finish Prize: Everyone who posts their finished photos of in the Facebook VIP group with the hashtag #MYSTERYCAL will have a chance to win a "photo finish" "yarn prize!" On Monday the 22nd whoever got the most likes, hearts, unique comments over the weekend will win an additional yarn prize! I will contact them via PM to work out arrangements!
Guess the Title of the Pattern Prize: the person closest to the exact name of the pattern pack wins a "yarn prize" I will contact them via PM to work out the arrangements! I will announce the winner in the VIP Facebook Group where everyone entered their guesses!
So however many appliques are in the photo or photos in your POST in the VIP Group is how many you will be awarded via Facebook PM! Do not forget the hashtag #MYSTERYCAL in your post to get your prizes!
Oh my goodness isn't this so much fun!
Ok so are you ready to assemble your Units so you can start taking pictures?
I know some of you have been itching to put them together! Remember you have until February 19th to assemble them so that is a week from the date of this post! Woo Hoo!
Also since you have an extra week to assemble feel free to change up any of your colors or adjust any parts if need be to get your desired final looks!
Alrighty then (oh my goodness I just realized I used one of my dad's phrases lol)! "Anywho" let's get to assembling!
Here are the instructions for how I assembled the Castle (Week 1 - Unit 1)! Remember you can hot glue/fabric glue these together for "quick" assembly or use the traditional method and sew them together with your needle and yarn tails.
How I assemble my Castle:
Note: See Photo grids below step 6 for assembly assistance.
I lay out all my pieces to get the look I want first. You can use pins to hold it together if you desire and/or take a picture of your layout with your phone to reference as you are putting it together.
Starting with the bottom center wall (part 1) I attached the drawbridge door (part 2) and then the bottom center battlement (part 3 - 6 ridges).
Next, I attached the two front tower columns (parts 4) to the sides of the center wall and then attached their battlements (parts 5 - 3 ridges on each). Last I attached the two small windows (parts 6) to the towers.
I then attached the two tower torrents (parts 7 - the two small triangles) behind the battlements.
Then I attached the top center tower (part 8) to the back of the bottom center battlement (part 3). Next, I attached the top center tower battlement (part 9 - 5 ridges) and window (part 11). Behind the top center battlement, I attached its corresponding torrent (part 10 - the largest triangle).
To finish the castle I attached the flag poles (parts 12) to the backs of the three torrents and their flags (parts 13 & 14).
See the photo below for parts 12, 13, 14.
Here are the instructions for how I assembled the "Baby Dragon" (Week 2 - Unit 2)!
How I assemble my Baby Dragon:
Note: See Photo grids below step 7 for assembly assistance.
Note: If you plan to put your dragon around the castle you can assemble the head section, tail section, and hands/feet section separately and place them around the castle without the tummy; see the second set of photos under the main assembly photo grid below step 7
I lay out all my pieces to get the look I want first. You can use pins to hold it together if you desire and/or take a picture of your layout with your phone to reference as you are putting it together.
Starting with the head section I first attached the nostrils (parts 3) to the snout (part 2). Then I attached snout to the bottom of the head section (part 1). After those two sections were attached I put the blacks of the eyes (parts 5) on the whites of the eyes (parts 4) and then attached them just above the snout on the head section. Last for the head section, I attached the horns (part 6) at the top right and left of the head.
Next, I attached the inner tummy section (part 8) to the main tummy section (part 7).
Then I attached all the footpads (parts 10) to the feet/ hands and then proceeded to attach the spikes (part 12) to the tail (part 11).
Note: if including the flame on your applique you will want to attach it under the snout section before proceeding.
After the hands and feet were completed, I attached the head section to the narrow top of the tummy section that looks like a neck.
To finish I attached the tail to the bottom left of the tummy and then put the hands and feet on. Note: the tail can be attached on either the left or the right side of the dragon.
Remember if you want your baby dragon to be "hiding" behind the castle you can omit the tummy section and place the head, hands, feet and tail around the castle like in the photos below.
You can also add the optional part which is the fire like shown in the bottom left photo.
Here are the instructions for how I assembled the "Little Prince" (Week 3 - Unit 3)!
How I assemble my Prince:
Note: See Photo grids below step 10 for assembly assistance.
I lay out all my pieces to get the look I want first. You can use pins to hold it together if you desire and/or take a picture of your layout with your phone to reference as you are putting it together.
First I assembled the eyes by putting the blacks of the eyes (parts 3) onto the side of the outer eyes (parts 4). With a needle and white thread, I did two overlapping stitches to make a big highlight. I made a single stitch just to the left of the large highlight to make a smaller highlight. You can choose any positions desired.
I then attached the eyes overlapping the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the headpiece (part 1), and the smile (part 5) below the eyes at the bottom of the 3rd round of the head (part 1).
Next, I attached the hairpieces (parts 6) to the back of the crown (part 7). I laid the hair and crown on the top of the prince’s head (part 1) and trimmed it to my desired length.
To finish the head section I attached the neck (part 2) to the back of the head, giving the head a little tilt for extra cuteness.
Then I assembled the coat section by starting with attaching the hands (parts 12) to the backs of the sleeves (part 9) and the epaulettes (parts 10) to the shoulders of the sleeves (top side).
Next, I attached the sleeves to the top left and right corners of the main coat section (part 8) and then attached the epaulette chain (part 11) between the two epaulettes.
After completing the coat section I attached it to the neck, putting the base of the neck on the back of the coat.
Next, I attached the pants (part 13) to the back of the coat section.
To finish the prince I took 4 pieces of yellow yarn about 4 inches in length each and made a double knot in each. I then put two on each boot (parts 14) by pulling the tails through and hot glueing them. *You could alternatively use a french knot method. After the boots were complete I attached them to the bottom of the pants, covering the last two rows of the pant legs.
Here are the instructions for how I assembled the "Little Princess" (Week 4 - Unit 4)!
How I assemble my Princess:
Note: See Photo grids below step 8 for assembly assistance.
I lay out all my pieces to get the look I want first. You can use pins to hold it together if you desire and/or take a picture of your layout with your phone to reference as you are putting it together.
First I assembled the eyes by putting the blacks of the eyes (parts 3) onto one side (edge) of the outer eyes (parts 4). With a needle and white thread, I did two overlapping stitches to make a big highlight. I made a single stitch just to the left of the large highlight to make a smaller highlight. You can choose any positions desired.
I then attached the eyes overlapping the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the headpiece (part 1), and the smile (part 5) below the eyes at the bottom of the 3rd round of the head. I placed the eyebrows (parts 7) just above each eye.
Next, I attached the crown (part 10) just above her eyebrows on the edge of the last round of the head section. Once the crown was where I wanted, I manipulated the hair curls (parts 6) to fit just behind the crown so they would flow down the sides of her face. You can add more hair if desired or even make it look like she has a side part by putting more on one side than the other. Have fun with this!
To finish the head section I attached the neck (part 2) to the back of the head and then attached the dress (part 8) on top of the bottom row of the neck.
Moving down the princess applique I then attached the arms (part 11 & 12) to the back of the dress and neck section and folded them in touching one another.
Next, I attached the leaves (part 14) to the back of the flowers (part 13) so that they showed between flower bobbles. I then attached the flower bouquet on top of where the two hands met in the middle.
To finish the princess I attached the sc row (row 1) of the lace piece (part 9) to the bottom backside of her dress. You can use either side of the lace to achieve the look you like best.
Congratulations! You just officially finished the New Year Mystery CAL! I hope this was a fun start to your 2021! I know 2020 was a crazy emotional and mental year and I really wanted to find a way to do something fun for everyone to get 2021 started a little better!
This was a ton of fun for me too but I will be honest, I need a vacation now ha ha! I pushed myself super hard to do some really big things and I am excited I was able to reach my goals and do something special for my Orchid and Bee's VIPS!
I think the next time we do something like this will be in the summertime so stay tuned for announcements towards the end of springtime!
This was the first time I have run a CAL through the blog and I think it worked out pretty well compared to how I've done it in the past using the Facebook Events so I think we will stick to this format with a few more tweaks to perfect it!
Lastly, you are welcome to post your final photos anytime between today through Friday, February 19th! I will start sending out prizes via Facebook Messenger on the 20th!
In order to claim your prizes please remember to post your photos in the VIP Group with the hashtag -----> #MYSTERYCAL <----- . If you do not have the hashtag there is a chance I could miss your post and then will not get your prize to you! So please include the hashtag so it will be easy for me to find you and get your prize(s) to you!
Thank you again for participating in this CAL! I hope it was fun for you and look forward to doing another CAL with you later this year!
I am thankful for all of you who support Orchid and Bee's and motivate me to keep creating fun new easy-to-follow patterns!
Have a wonderful week assembling and stay tuned for these new patterns on the blog!
Blessings & Love to each of you,
Karen E.