Garden City

A new year calls for a new pattern!

Meet Garden City. 

Garden City

Designed in EQ8 and made using the Island Batik collection Shadow Blooms, Garden City is a layer-cake friendly quilt finishing at 64" by 88".

We chose a particularly cold and windy day to take pictures.

Backing is Aruba (Tantalizing Teals)

The collection includes Blues, Teals and Purples.  I used Egg White (Neutrals) as Background. The Backing is Aruba (Tantalizing Teals). I used Hobbs Thermore Batting.

Hi Handsome!

Walking Foot Quilting

To make Garden City, you will need just one Layer Cake and 4.5 yards of Background fabric.  The pattern is available in my Etsy Store. It includes colored graphics and step by step directions. Garden City is on sale (25% off) till Wednesday, 1/15/25.

What is a pattern release without a giveaway? So if you'd like a copy of the Garden City Quilt pattern, please leave me a comment on this blogpost, mentioning the favorite book (and author) you read in 2024.  If you show up as Anonymous, please include your email so that I can reach you. 

I will announce two winners next week.

In other news, Island Batik has announced the slate of ambassadors for 2025. Slashing the number from 26 to just 22, the competition was even tougher this year. Many applicants did not make it. I am thrilled (and relieved) that I made the cut.

We have received our first box of supplies. I will share the Unboxing video and blogpost next week. But here is sneak peek.

I will be participating in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Angela has announced that January is Pink. Here are my selected pinks (Island Batik fabrics).

I am working on my January RSC 2025 blocks. Will show you when I post next time, along with the Unboxing video. Sharing with Angela's and all my other favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Hope you stay safe, warm and dry.

I've Been Better

Recently a former co-worker-turned-friend called me and asked the standard opening question - How are you? Unable to hide my sadness, because I had received yet another rejection email, I replied - I've been better.

I've been better

2024 was a horrible, terrible, very bad year for many reasons. Paul's mom passed. I lost my job. We were in a car crash. And those are just personal reasons. I cannot even begin to fathom the angst of the planet.

In a year so dark, it is easy to pinpoint the two bright spots:

1. Our long-awaited trip to Hawaii.

In Hawaii

2. My very first Improvisational Piecing Workshop. I was truly happy that day and I received excellent feedback.

Improv Class

Quilting wise, there were certainly some memorable moments, listed here in no particular order.

1. Diva was not only published in Make Modern's Issue 58, she also made the cover!  You can purchase a PDF copy of Diva in my Etsy Shop.

Grey Skies, Bright Quilt

2. Pesto Mushrooms was made for a 6-year old boy who loves the color Green and is fascinated with Mushrooms. I enjoyed making it and I am told the recipient is having fun with it. Mission Accomplished!

 

Happy Recipient!

3. Blush - A labor of love, I am thrilled with this finish.

Thank you, Bob

Thank you, Paul

4. Good Tidings was published in Annie's Christmas Pattern Book. I hope that the serene beauty of this quilt brings good tidings in the new year.

5. Aurelia was published in Make Modern's Issue 56 and is also available as a standalone pattern in my Etsy Shop. I am in love with Aurelia. Not my usual colors, but Aurelia has a regal and majestic vibe to her. Check out the Aurelia pattern on Etsy for a different colorway.

Blues and Purples

6. Bluey Boy - Initially difficult to manage (or potty train), Bluey Boy is my pet (pun intended) project of the year. Thanks to Funky Friends Factory and Island Batik for this adorable challenge. I had a great time with this photoshoot.

Walking on the banks of the Potomac

Such a Good Boy

Best Pet Ever!

7. Praying to Goddess Lakshmi - Ending this list with prayers to the Goddess for prosperity and well-being in the new year.

Marvelous Mini

The job search has been stressful and frustrating.  I am grateful for the love and unconditional support of my friends. You have kept me sane when I was going crazy and kept me together when I was falling apart.

With Mari in Raleigh for Quiltcon

Jennifer and Emily

Leah and Emily

With Roli - High school friends reunited after 30+ years

Manveen - You are my rock!

With Ruby and Savi in India

With Joyce on Mothers Day

I have no idea what 2025 will bring. I fervently pray for peace - both within and in the world. 

Celebrate safely. I will be back soon with new quilts and patterns too.

Sharing with all my favorite linky parties (see full list on the sidebar) and Meadow Mist Designs' Best of 2024 Linky Party.

Signal Sam

Do you remember Lula May?

The scraps leftover from Lula May became Signal Sam.

Signal Sam

Signal Sam is my response to the December Challenge which states "December brings another month to embark on your own project, regardless of its size, theme, or technique! Seize this chance to unleash your creativity without constraints. Enjoy the process!"

Leftover Strip from Lula May

There is something very satisfying about taking the scraps from a completed quilt and making a brand new one. I definitely enjoyed the process.

Bold and Beautiful

Signal Sam uses the Island Batik collection Celebrate, designed by Kathy Engle. The background is Solid Black.

The batting is Hobbs Cotton. I used Schmetz Microtex 80/12 Needle for both piecing and quilting. 

I used my walking foot to quilt squiggly lines 2" apart. The binding is a scrappy mix of Sunset, Lemongrass and Bumblebee from Island Batik Basics.

Scrappy Binding

Signal sam finished at 40" square and I am loving the bold, modern and minimalist vibe. What do you think? Isn't he handsome?

Handsome Finish!

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties and Yvonne's Favorite Finish for December. See full list on the sidebar.

Happy Thanksgiving - Much To Do!

Above average temperatures for several weeks and then suddenly it was cold and windy. I guess it is an indication to stay indoors and sew :-D

Should you need a new pattern, Fireworks is now available in my Etsy Shop as a standalone pattern. You can get it at a discount of 25% for one week.

Fireworks

Fireworks is a simple pattern that requires no special rulers/templates and is NOT paper-pieced, making it suitable for all skill levels. 

Brightness

Walking Foot Quilting

Fireworks was first published in Make Modern's Issue 59.

Thank you, Paul

I used Island Batik's Fire and Ice Collection, but you could make it in any colors of your choice. Picture it as a Quilt of Valor. At 60" by 79", it certainly meets the size requirements for QOV.

In Peppermint Sprinkles

In Breezy, Black Background

But there is more. Two lucky readers can win a copy of the Fireworks PDF pattern. Leave me a comment on this blogpost, mentioning your favorite Thanksgiving Dessert. I will pick the winners next week. Please make sure that I have a way of reaching you.

Update - The two winners are Sara (#2) and Susie (#11). Emails have been sent.

But wait there is even more. 

On account of Thanksgiving, I am offering a 25% off sale on ALL patterns till Sunday, 12/1/2024.

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Earlier this month, I taught a Workshop on Improvisational Piecing.  It included modules on Color Theory, Improv Exercises and Layout & Composition.  The 5-hour workshop went by so quickly.

Using two fabric bundles (Island Batik Collections), the attendees made fabric pairs such that there was enough contrast between each pair.

Wild Blooms Collection

Morris Mist Collection

The workshop included five exercises, but the time limitation only allowed for four. Here are some of the attendees with their work.

Loving it

Your smile says it all

Inspired!

Happiness

I received excellent feedback. The attendees left inspired and energized. Since this was my first time teaching this class, I really appreciate these notes from Brenda and Robyn.

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Every year we travel to see Paul's parents (mom and stepdad) for Thanksgiving. Since Paul's mom passed away earlier this year, some people asked me - "Are you still going to Georgia for Thanksgiving?"

Yes, we are.  In times of turmoil, it is even more important to maintain our rituals and routine. 

Starter Syrup and Candied Fruit

I am baking my 30-day Friendship Fruit Cake plus two kinds of cookies - Chocolate Drops and Cranberry Shortbread. The cookies can change but the Fruit Cake is a holiday tradition and is more than expected at Thanksgiving :-)

Watch this clip from a favorite movie of mine, emphasizing our need to find a semblance of perfection in our random world. 

Life is random. In the middle of that randomness, carve some time to play with fabric, meditate with music and be good to yourself. A semblance of normalcy may go a long way to battle the absurd.

I wish that your Thanksgiving Holiday brings you just what you need. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Lots of Love and Squishy Hugs!