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Sunday, July 25, 2021

The Positivity QAL - Finished Flimsy Winners

Bernie joins me in thanking all of you who completed the Positivity Flimsy and participated in the Linky Party.

We also thank all the designers who offered their patterns as prizes. See full announcement here

Here are the winners - Numbers 2, 9, 11, 13 and 19.

  • Number 2 is Wendy of PiecefulThoughts- She won Prize #3. One PDF pattern of choice from Denise of For the Love of Geese
  • Number 9 is Susie of Knitty Quilter - She won Prize #1. One PDF pattern of choice from Cynthia of Quilting is More Fun than Housework
  • Number 11 is Cheree of The Morning Latte- She won Prize #2. One PDF pattern of choice from Jayne of Twiggy and Opal
  • Number 13 is Frederique of Quilting Patchwork Applique - She won Prize #5. One PDF pattern of choice from Melanie of Mell Meyer
  • Number 19 is Shuba (Instagram Entry) - She won Prize #4. One PDF pattern of choice from Debby of Quilter by Design
  • Quilting by Joy went to Number 14, Astrid (Instagram Entry).


Emails have been sent to all winners and the corresponding designers. 

It is time to make binding. Here is mine. 




The Finished Quilt Linky Party is scheduled for August 22, 2021.
The Completed Quilts are due to reach Bernie no later than September 4, 2021.


Thursday, July 22, 2021

Island Batik - Unboxing Part 2

As an Island Batik Ambassador, I receive fabric from Island Batik and other supplies from industry partners (Hobbs Batting, Aurifil, Bags by Annie, and Studio 180), twice a year. The first set of boxes were received in January 2021.

Island Batik Boxes and the Video Shoot Setup

The second set of boxes were received in July 2021. Here is my home video showing the goodies as I unbox them.


For the August Challenge (Try a Tool) and Blog Hop, I will be working with Island Batik's Butterfly Blooms collection.


Butterfly Blooms

Foundations to Match Spring 2021 Bundle


Matching Yardage


Studio 180 Design is an industry partner. Our August challenge is to create a quilt using the ruler provided by Studio 180 Design. I received Corner Pop 3. It makes long skinny triangles with a base to height ratio of 1:3. 

Corner Pop 3 from Studio 180


ByAnnie.com is the sponsor for the September challenge.  I chose the pattern Got Your Back 2.1. By Annie provided the instructions, the interfacing and all the hardware. I chose these Island Batik fabrics for my bag.

September Challenge - Fabrics and Bag Pattern

Instructions and Hardware



Aurifil is the sponsor for the October challenge.  In collaboration with Earth League International, Aurifil has released 12 mini collections (2021 Color Builders), each inspired by an endangered animal. Each collection contains a light, medium and a dark thread. For the October challenge, we have to use all three threads to create a project inspired by that animal. My animal is Iberian Lynx.

Aurifil Color Builder inspired by Iberian Lynx


Iberian Lynx; picture from Aurifil 


For the November Challenge and Blog Hop, we have to make a Storm at Sea quilt, using the Surprise Bundle. This fabric line is called Bellingham Bay and will be in stores in November 2021.


Foundations to Match Summer 2021 Bundle

A Stash Builder roll includes four 5” x WOF strips; there are 5 rolls in each pack. A tightly rolled fabric set is pretty but I wanted to open and see the colors in all their glory.

Stash Builders

5" Strips

Neutral Strips

Reds



Colorful!!!

Four yards each of black, white and gray solids are a staple of the Island Batik box, along with six yards of neutral. I received Milk Shake.

Milk Shake

Solid Neutrals


Hobbs Batting is another industry partner. The boxes included one Queen-size Thermore batting, one Throw-size Tuscany Cotton Wool batting, one Queen-size Heirloom Premium 80/20 Fusible Cotton Poly Blend batting, one Queen-size Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton Poly Blend batting, and one set of 2-1/2” Fusible Batting Strips.


Queen Size Battings from Hobbs


Fusible Batting Strips


The Island Batik precuts are delayed and will be sent later in the summer. So there is more to look forward to.  I hope you will stop by on August 11, 2021 when I will be posting my projects using the Corner Pop 3 ruler and the Butterfly Blooms collection.

August Project - Sneak Peek


The Unboxing Video Schedule for all Island Batik ambassadors is as follows:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21

Best @ Best Quilter
Pamela Boatright @ Pamela Quilts
Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter

THURSDAY, JULY 22

Preeti Harris @ Sew Preeti Quilts (You are here)
Jane Hauprich @ Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting
Emily Leachman @ Darling Dogwood

FRIDAY, JULY 23

Denise Looney @ For the Love of Geese
Leah Malasky @ Quilted Delights
Sally Manke @ Sally Manke Fiber Artist

MONDAY, JULY 26

Maryellen McAuliffe @ Mary Mack Made Mine
Claudia Porter @ Create with Claudia
Gail Renna @ Quilt Haven Threads

TUESDAY, JULY 27

Brianna Roberts @ Sew Cute and Quirky
Andi Stanfield @ True Blue Quilts
Jennifer Thomas @ Curlicue Creations

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28

Jennifer Eubank @ Archipelago Quilting
Suzy Webster @ Webster Quilt
Janet Yamamoto @ Whispers of Yore

THURSDAY, JULY 29

Elizabeth DeCroos @ Epida Studio
Connie Kauffman @ Kauffman Designs
Gail Sheppard @ Quilting Gail

FRIDAY, JULY 30

Joanne Hart @ Unicorn Harts
Mania Hatziioannidi @ Mania for Quilts
Michelle Roberts @ Creative Blonde


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Remember the July Challenge and the giveaway? I picked two winners - Donna T. and Sandy Zoo. Whereas SandyZoo responded to my email, I have not heard back from Donna T. So I had to pick another winner. Comment #24 was randomly chosen. MissPat, you won!!! I have sent you an email.
As soon as I have the address from MissPat, I will run to the post office. Thank you SandyZoo for your patience.

Sunday, July 18, 2021

The Positivity QAL - Finished Flimsy Linky Party

This blogpost is late but I have a very good reason for it...a very cute and furry reason :-)

Louie - our new fur baby

Meet Louie. We brought him home yesterday afternoon.  Louie's rescue dad is moving and could not take him along. We were only too happy to adopt him. The car ride was not fun for him and the thunderstorms did not help. He has been exploring his new environment and is a little skittish. We are getting to know him as he gets to know us. 


Why yes, I live with two handsome males

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Of course, the main purpose of this blogpost is to show off my completed flimsy for the Positivity QAL. Here it is. 





I have come up with a name for the finished quilt, but I will save that for the completed quilt linky party scheduled for August 22, 2021. 

Do make sure you add the link to your blog/Instagram at Bernie's Linky PartyThere are several prizes open to all participants in the US and abroad. If you don’t have a blog, please send an email to Bernie, with a picture of your flimsy so it can count as an entry to win!! Linky is open till July 24 and the winners will be picked on July 25, 2021.


Speaking of Positivity, I had made several Plus Blocks to demonstrate how to pick fabrics, the importance of contrast, and the 10-foot rule. I had set these aside for a baby quilt at some later date.




But when Joy mentioned that she was collecting blocks to make a community Positivity flimsy, I quickly mailed them to her. Look what she did with them.

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July is dark blue, said Angela.  Here are my dark blue/navy blocks.  

Monkey Rules

Wild & Festive

Navy Blue Blocks


I later noticed that brown and black blocks belong in July as well.  I picked out the brown and black fabrics but the blocks are not completed at this time.

Lovely Browns

Black is Beautiful


Sharing with Angela's Linky Party. That leaves orange and turquoise. I wonder what color is August?

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A huge THANKS to all of you who visited my Etsy shop, liked it and favorited it. I am very happy with the response to the Novella Wall Hanging/Table Runner pattern. I am working on a couple of new patterns and will be adding them in the next few months.

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Connecting Threads has been having a sale and I bought some wide backings.  

Wide Backings from Connecting Threads


I love love love this wide backing fabric from Connecting Threads. It is charcoal gray (on the right side) but if I so choose I can use the wrong side for a subtle light gray. That is terrific.  

I love this fabric!!!

Everything is 25% off but the Cyber Sale ends today. 

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In other news, we have received the second set of boxes from Island Batik and other industry partners. I will be sharing the Unboxing Video on July 22, 2021.

At this time, I am furiously working on the Island Batik August Challenge (Try a Tool). The Blog Hop begins on August 10 and my post is scheduled for August 11, 2021. 

Sneak Peek of the Island Batik August Challenge


Lots to do and finish.  I'd love to know what is keeping you busy. I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

It is hot and humid and horrible. Please stay cool (unless you live in Australia or New Zealand) and hydrate.



This blogpost contains affiliate links.

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Dancing Daylilies

The story of this quilt began in September 2019.

Dancing Daylilies 70" by 90"


It was the long weekend of Labor Day and I was playing with scraps... Moda Scrap Bag scraps, to be precise. The fabric is by Corey Yoder. 


Scraps from Moda Scrap Bag 


Just piecing strips and making large blocks. I ended up with a flimsy of 50" square. Good enough for a large baby quilt. I set it aside and worked on quilts for the Socorro Foundation


Almost Flimsy


In October 2019, I traveled to India. I was tasked to convey a care package to Meetu (my sister's classmate). My sister lives in the US and Meetu lives in India. They went to medical school together and we all have been friends for many years. 

Meetu at our wedding in 2008


Meetu is fighting breast cancer, my sister told me as she handed me a large canvas bag with books, a head scarf and other pink items.  

When I went to see Meetu, I wasn't sure what to expect. Mom's trusted driver drove me to her house and asked me when he should return to pick me up. I told him to wait.  I won't be long.

What if she was asleep or resting, I wondered.  What if she felt uncomfortable about seeing me, I thought. 

Her father-in-law opened the door and greeted me warmly.  I was prepared to leave the bag with him. But he asked me to wait. Shortly thereafter Meetu came downstairs to see me. She looked tired and her head was covered with a scarf but her smile was intact. 

We hugged. I handed her the bag of goodies. I am a courier, I commented.

She laughed. We chatted for a few minutes and I left.

When I returned to the US in November 2019, I knew what I had to do. I pulled out that flimsy. At 50" square it was great for a baby/toddler. Not for Meetu. 


Matching Fabrics


Layered Blocks


Most of the Corey Yoder scraps were gone.  So I found matching fabrics from my stash and made additional blocks. I needed another 38 blocks for a finished size of 70" by 90".  


Adding Blocks



Completed Flimsy


I knew I wanted bright yellow for the backing but how should I quilt it?  I wanted the quilting to be special. I marked the quilt top and  quilted it using my walking foot. I love the design. 

Walking Foot Quilting

Yellow and red are not only bright and energizing they are also considered auspicious colors in Hindu culture. Red and gold striped binding completed the quilt.  

Red and Gold Binding

Labelled and Ready


Dancing Daylilies was completed on January 3, 2020 and I sent it to my sister.  She was scheduled to visit India in April 2020 and I knew she would happily take the quilt to Meetu. Yes, we act as couriers for each other all the time.

And then Covid happened and the whole world came to a standstill...for a long time. 

In May 2020, the Mothers' Day card that we sent to my mom in India was returned to us.  There was no way I was risking the quilt to the postal service.

Completed Quilt


Scrappy and Yummy


Coral, Orange, Green, Gray and Yellow


Peek a Boo


Bright and Beautiful

Ready for You

Waiting...


My sister could not go to India in April 2020 or in April 2021. In May 2021, the quilt reached Meetu's daughter, who is a student in New Jersey.  Last month the Dancing Daylilies reached Meetu. Finally.


Meetu with Dancing Daylilies


Meetu has beaten the cancer. She has also decided on a different career path. Giving up her medical profession as an anesthesiologist, Meetu will be running a Yoga Center - practicing and teaching. 

I wish her well in her new endeavors.  

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In other news, subscriber emails have been successfully migrated from Feedburner to Follow.It.  See the new button on top right.  

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Quilters have been working on Positivity Quilts. Rachel's Positivity quilt reached Bernie. 

Rachel's Positivity Quilt


Thank you so much, Rachel. The Positivity Quilt Finished Flimsy Linky Party (and giveaway) is July 18, 2021.  

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Island Batik July Challenge Giveaway Winners - The random number generator chose comments 53 and 47.  Emails have been sent to Donna T and SandyZoo.


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Who says you cannot herd cats?  Look at mine - all 12 of them, well-herded :-D

Novella - Original in Batiks (left) and in Florals


Inspired by Katrin's floral cats, I made the Novella Wall Hanging pattern in florals.  The Novella Wall Hanging (Table Runner) pattern is available at a discount in my Etsy Shop till July 15, 2021.


I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. As usual, I'd love to hear from you about your journeys - long and short.