Thank you!

The Synergy Quilt Pattern Release Blog Hop comes to an end. 

I am tickled pink and oh so grateful to my pattern testers. Each one of them exceeded my expectations and came up with a version of Synergy unique to themselves.

Sharing all versions of Synergy here. Enjoy the parade!

Mari goes bold with hot pink

Alycia stays true to QOV

Wendy goes minimalist with Blue Skies

Bonnie's Bright and Beautiful Version

Roseanne and Sue's Soothing Collaboration

You can read their original posts here

1. Mari of Academic Quilter - Thursday, April 21, 2022

2. Alycia of Alycia Quilts - Friday, April 22, 2022

3. Wendy of Pieceful Thoughts - Saturday, April 23, 2022

4. Bonnie of Institches with Bonnie - Sunday, April 24, 2022

5. Roseanne of Home Sewn By Us - Monday, April 25, 2022

As Mari, Alycia, Wendy, Bonnie and Roseanne choose the winners of the giveaway, I will reach out to them with their prize - a copy of the Synergy PDF pattern.

Today is the last day to get your copy of Synergy Quilt Pattern at a discount of 25%.

Synergy in EQ8 using Island Batik Woodcut Collection

Synergy in EQ8 using Island Batik Lace and Grace collection

Synergy in EQ8 using Island Batik Playful Purples

The 13-page pattern includes detailed instructions with colorful graphics for every step of the block construction and layout. Tips for scraps and precuts are also provided. And a Coloring Page is included the end so that you can make your own color/fabric choices. As you can see, the possibilities are endless!

Thank you once again to Mari, Alycia, Wendy, Bonnie, Roseanne and Sue. 

Love you so much. Your good deeds will not go unpunished. I will be bugging you next time I write a pattern :-D

Sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Synergy Quilt Pattern Release!!!

It was about one year ago, when I first doodled the idea that became Synergy. I first made Synergy in Rainbow Fabrics on a Light Gray background, provided by Island Batiks.

The second version was in Tantalizing Teals on a Yellow background. 

Since then, I have been playing in EQ8, with different Island Batik collections.

In Lace & Grace (Fall 2021 Collection)

In Playful Purples (Island Batik Foundations)

In Interurban (Fall 2021)

But I am so looking forward to the different versions that are cooking in the following studios of North America.

1. Mari of Academic Quilter - Thursday, April 21, 2022

2. Alycia of Alycia Quilts - Friday, April 22, 2022

3. Wendy of Pieceful Thoughts - Saturday, April 23, 2022

4. Bonnie of Institches with Bonnie - Sunday, April 24, 2022

5. Roseanne of Home Sewn By Us - Monday, April 25, 2022

Make sure to visit their blogs to see their versions of Synergy. Follow the instructions, and leave a comment to participate in the giveaway.

I have been working and re-working on the pattern and today it is ready!!!

Synergy Quilt Pattern is now available in my Etsy Shop!!!

The 13-page pattern includes detailed instructions with colorful graphics for every step of the block construction and layout. Tips for scraps and precuts are also provided. And a Coloring Page is included the end so that you can make your own color/fabric choices.

Synergy is on sale for 25% off till April 27, 2022. 

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Think Pink

Angela announced that April is Pink.  And nature got the memo :-)

Delicate Pink

Hot Pink

Reddish Pink

Pretty Blooms

It is like the sun and breeze shared a naughty joke and all flora blushed. 

Looks like my fabrics are blushing too. I will be sharing with Angela's linky party.

Starting Point

Plus Background Strips

Cut and Sew

Easter Bunny?

When a pink Easter bunny hopped on to my work, I ate him up :-D 

Voila!!!

I have about a dozen pink blocks. All different sizes. How will I put them together? 

With a lot of mixing and matching, cutting and sewing, adding and subtracting. But I am not going to dwell upon that for now. 

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Because, NOW I am getting ready to publish the Synergy pattern in my Etsy store :-) 

My dear friends, Mari, Bonnie, Wendy, Alycia and Roseanne happily agreed to test drive the revised instructions.  They will be sharing their versions of Synergy next week.

1. Mari of Academic Quilter - Thursday, April 21, 2022

2. Alycia of Alycia Quilts - Friday, April 22, 2022

3. Wendy of Pieceful Thoughts - Saturday, April 23, 2022

4. Bonnie of Institches with Bonnie - Sunday, April 24, 2022

5. Roseanne of Home Sewn By Us - Monday, April 25, 2022

Make sure to visit their blogs to see their versions and leave a comment to participate in the giveaway. 

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In other news, Positivity QAL is coming to 2022.  May 29 - September 4, 2022. 

I will share a free tutorial. No registration is required.  To be eligible for prizes, we need to see your completed flimsy (Level 1 Prizes) on your blog or Instagram. Similarly we need to see your completed quilt before you are entered into a drawing for a Level 2 Prize.  

The Beginning of Mercyful Quilts Initiative

Thank you from Mercy Hospital

Mercyful Quilts Update

Wrapped with Kindness (may need tissues)

A Note from Mercy Hospital

I hope that you will sew and quilt along, and send the completed quilt to Mercyful Quilts.  If you are not in the US, and wish to participate, you are very welcome. You may donate the quilt to a local charity or to a cause close to your heart.  In the next couple of weeks, I will be working on the block instructions and other logistics for the QAL. Bernie and I are also organizing prizes for the QAL.    

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I had been eagerly waiting for the Kwanza Cherry trees to bloom. Two weeks ago the buds were tight and on their marks.

On your marks

Get set and Bloom

I love to walk here

Majestic

I love spring :-)

I  brought some home

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. 

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For the next Island Batik challenge (May 2022) and another new quilt, to be published in July 2022,  I needed pictures.

Setting up a Quilty Photoshoot is a small production.  Of course, I try to turn it into a date. I make an appointment with my quilt model including plans for inclement weather.  Some breeze is fine, snow is welcome but rain is an absolute spoiler.

On location

Choosing location is always a challenge. So I pick two or three.  To bribe  compensate my quilt model for his time and effort, I pick a restaurant of his choice.  

Just the back for now

Me: Would you like to eat first?
Paul (groggy): Nah, photos first.

Me: I don't want you to be hungry or grumpy.

Paul (grumpy): I am fine. 

Me: You sure? I don't want you to faint and drop the quilt in the water.

Paul (mildly exasperated): I won't. Do you want leftovers sitting in the car while we take pictures?

Me: Excellent point. Silver Diner ok?

Paul: Yeah.

Me: Shall I drive?

Paul: I can drive.

Thank you Paul!

Is this a better backdrop?

I love this location. The tall/blah buildings serve as the perfect backdrop for bright quilts. On the right, you can see the bridge over the small pond, perfect for quilty reflection pictures. 

After the photoshoot and the meal (pancakes and sausage), Paul was more Ted Lasso than Roy Kent.

Paul: What do you think of the new Bridgerton season?
Me: It got more Indian.
Paul: The cast, you mean? 
Me: Brighter fabrics, better jewelry, not enough steaminess.

Paul: The first season was steamier.

Me: Oh yes. I'll just have to rewatch it.

Paul responded with smiles and eye roll, as expected.  Surprisingly, the first season of Bridgerton also coincided with the pink month of RSC2021. 

Wish you a Happy Easter. Hope your weekend is the right mix of brightness and steam :-) 

Gertie is Naughty

The Island Batik April Challenge is to make a Soft Toy.  

This challenge is generously sponsored by Pauline McArthur of Funky Friends Factory.

Since I had Island Batik (gecko is their logo) on my mind, I chose to make Gertie, the Gecko.  

The instructions are well-written. Video guidance for newbie toy makers is available at the Funky Friends Factory blog.

The pattern

I used bright yellow and bright blue from Island Batik Foundations. Schmetz 90/14 needle worked well. 

The Body

The hind legs

The Flat Gecko - Ready to Fill

One Paw at a time

Is she moulting?

I used Polyfill to stuff the toy. It was tricky to fill the curvy tail.  Made a quick run to the local sewing store to get yellow buttons. They are a bit larger than I wanted...but they will do.

As soon as I was done making the eyes, Gertie began exploring her new surroundings.  From the cutting mat, she leapt on to the design wall and then on to the couch.

The newborn Gertie

Climbing the design wall

On the Couch, with Paul

Of course, Paul was taking a nap, his favorite quilt (The Invisible Sun) close by.  But he was happy to pet Gertie and she seemed to be happy on his belly. I totally get it. If I was a gecko, I would be very happy there :-)

Aah to be Paul's pet :-)

But she did not stay there for too long. Last week, I had to attend a conference out of town. As I stepped out, I saw Gertie on the front path, dressed up in a snazzy yellow ribbon around her neck. 

All dressed up???

What are you up to missy, I asked. She looked at me with her big googly eyes, imploring me to take her with me.  When I ordered her to get back inside, she jumped on to the car's windshield. 

Gertie is ready to travel

I decided she needed an outing and so she came with me to the conference in Philadelphia. I stayed at the Marriott in downtown Philly. My room was on the 17th floor.

View - looking outside

View - looking inside

Gertie happily occupied the second bed in my room. But in the morning she was up bright and early. I found her on my keyboard - naughty as ever.

Well, good morning to you too!

For now, Gertie is exhausted from her travels and is taking a nap. Should she try any new antics, you can read about them here. 

I had a great time at the conference, meeting colleagues and learning about new developments in Passenger Rail.  The carpet at the Marriott was so beautiful that I took several pictures.

Gorgeous Chandeliers

Orange Peel?

Quilty Inspiration

Happy Me Selfie

April is pink, said Angela. As soon as I returned, I dived into pinks. 

Medium Pinks

Light Pinks

Dark Pinks

I am sure this will be fun, as soon as I can find some order out of this chaos.  Will be sharing with Angela's RSC 2022 Linky Party. 

I also completed a quilt. Unfortunately, I can show only so much. The pattern will be published in July 2022. But here is a sneak peek.

A new finish - sneak peek!!!

But I can show you the Island Batik Celestials 10" Square Pack I acquired recently.

What have you been up to? Did you go somewhere, make something or just acquired new stuff? Do share.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.