Monsoon

"It looks like giant raindrops", said Lesley, when I showed her a picture on my phone. Hence, I named him Monsoon.

Work in progress

Working on improvisational piecing helps me destress. The process is the focus - making small decisions - color, shape, size, and setting - keeps me in the moment. The destination will reveal itself.

The first block

For background, I used a white fabric I purchased several years ago from Mook Fabrics in Pennsylvania when Mari and I went to the Lancaster Quilt Show.

Eye-popping price :-D

Working with scraps from a long time ago, I pieced triangle leftovers with white background. Then "tried" matching those very fiddly points, in the base of the triangles. Similar shapes were easy but pairing a long skinny triangle with a lumpy one was challenging.

Decisions, Decisions

Columns of Diamonds

I celebrated well-matched points and accepted those that misbehaved, giving myself permission to just be. Combining small blocks with bog ones and skinny ones with wide ones, I assembled similar sized units into columns, using coping strips to bring them to size.

The batting is Thermore. The backing is scrappy and pieced. I quilted in one direction with squiggly lines. The binding matches the white background.

Monsoon finished at 47" by 60". Time for pictures!

Thank you, Bob

It was a busy day at Lake Anne and I could not get exclusive time with Bob. 

Thank you, Paul

Thank you, Wooden Horse

Monsoon

If there is a mirror-like surface, let there be a reflection.

Mirror Image

Good Picture, Bad Resolution

Easy Being Green :-)

Let get closer.

Get the Point?

A Pointed Discussion

Tall & Short

Small Points

Labelled

Whatever tiny scraps I did not use, I discarded.  This is new for me. I am certainly past the mid-point of my life and I have begun to carefully examine what I need vs. what I need to lose.

In other news, I resigned from my stressful job.  Paul's unwavering support gave me the courage to cut loose. On my last day, I received this card from a sweet co-worker (she understood my reasons).

Yes, Kristen. We are!

I have joined a Yoga class. It is time to focus on my health and well-being. I am anticipating more quilting, blogging and commenting :-) And of course, more cooking for Paul. All's well in this household.

Two quilts of mine were published in two different magazines. That blogpost is next. 

Newington

Meet Newington.

A New Finish!

Designed in EQ8 and made with fabrics from Island Batik collections, Newington is a Christmas quilt finishing at 76" by 100" published in "Let's Make it Merry" (A Quilter's World publication). 

Published

On News Stands

I used the Greens from the Everlasting collection and the Reds/Pinks from Everlasting and Hello Sunshine collections. 

Everlasting

Hello Sunshine

EQ8 Original Mock-up

It was a joy to play with these beautiful pinks and greens. While the red/green color palette is definitely evocative of Christmas, the softening of the reds into pinks makes Newington a fitting quilt for both Valentine's Day and Spring.  

Of course, if you are not fan of pinks, here is a different version for you :-)

You are welcome

12" blocks plus a 2" border. The swirling secondary blocks create the rectangle shapes adding movement around the stars - like a celebrity surrounded by a throng of fans.

Basting the Beauty

The batting is Hobbs. I quilted using my walking foot and the squiggly stitch following the 2" grid of the piecing. 

Quilting

A Pistachio Green binding was the perfect finishing touch.

Green Binding

These pictures were taken in February when the snow was packed tight after an unusually cold spell. 

Cozy Inside, Frigid Outside

Location Courtesy - Manveen's Home

Cozy Quilt + Christmas Tree + Snow Outside = Lifestyle Shot

Bundled in sweater, jacket, hat, scarf and gloves I modeled the queen size quilt, while Mari took the outdoor pictures.

Thank you, Mari

Isn't she a beauty?

I'd happily take her to my bed :-D

Crushing on you!

Paint Splatter Backing

And one last look at her.

Warm & Inviting

When you think of holidays, what color palette speaks to you - Red/Green or Blue/White? Let me know in the comments.

In other news, I have completed Rainbow Scrap challenge Purple Blocks for September.  Sharing with Angela's Linky Party.

Purple for September

I wish that your weekend is rejuvenating, allowing you time to recover before that dreadful Monday comes knocking. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Jeni's Colorado

Hello, my quilting/blogging friends.

Once again, it has been a while. I wish I was in a better place and I wish it could be different. 

But I do have a new quilt and we will focus on that, for now. 

With Marcia

It began with Marcia, who is my former boss. She retired after her 81st birthday. Kudos to her, because I am sure I can't make it to my 60th before calling it quits. 

When Marcia learned about my quilting hobby (obsession), she introduced me to her neighbor - Lesley. Lesley is an art quilter. I need a whole separate blogpost to describe Lesley's work. She takes her inspiration from nature and excels in applique and embellishments. 

Lesley (notice the elephants in the quilt behind her)

We, Lesley and I, admire each other's work. She appreciates my sense of color and composition and I am totally floored by her microscopic attention to detail and excellent workmanship.

When Lesley's daughter, Jeni, got engaged,  Lesley asked me to make a quilt, embodying the feel of Colorado, Jeni's after-marriage-new-home-state. Jeni's favorite colors are green, purple and crimson. 

I shared several mock-ups with Lesley, inspired by my previous quilts/patterns. 

Shanvi/Phagun

Yamini

Niko

Honi

Fireworks

Arboretum

Lesley had also seen and admired my interpretation of the Moon over the Mountain Quilts.

This is what Lesley picked, a combination of Arboretum and Moon over the Mountain.

Final!

A queen size quilt with curved piecing, lots of angles and a scrappy border. My work was cut out for me. 

I knew that Green and Purple would have a sufficient contrast against the white background. But I wasn't sure about the Yellows.

I chose Solid White instead of Egg White, due to better contrast. Background confirmed, it was time to pick out Purples and Greens.

Island Batik Purples

Island Batik Greens

Sufficiently excited, I decided to make one each of the blocks and show it to Lesley.

Tree Block

Sunrise Block

Once all blocks were made, I sent another picture to Lesley.

I sent her several in-process pictures. I wanted to make sure she was with me on this journey.

Once the top was completed, I asked Lesley if she had a preference for the backing color.

She chose Green. I chose Dark Purple for Binding. And here are the pictures of the finished quilt - Jeni's Colorado.

Finished!!!

Since it is a Queen-sized quilt, I knew taking pictures will be a challenge. For Paul's ease, I added a temporary sleeve wherein a curtain rod was inserted. Hence the perfect pictures and a much happier quilt model.

Island Batik Fabrics

Crushing on you

Sunny & Labelled

When I took the finished quilt to Lesley, there were oohs and aahs. Marcia and Lesley posed with it and I took some more pictures.

You two are adorable!

One week later, Lesley sent me a picture.

From Jeni

I am told they love the quilt!

My work has been stressful and I have been struggling. While Paul has been very supportive, I feel like I must carry on for now.