Nihal

The Hindi/Urdu word Nihal means happy and satisfied in every way.  Imagine a traveler coming from hot and dusty desert, with a parched throat.  They would become "Nihal" after they had a drink of cool and refreshing water. Happy and satisfied in every way!

Meet Nihal. 

Location Courtesy - Kids Play Structure in Mari's Backyard

To make Nihal, I used a pack of 10" squares - Cheers, designed by Carl and Linda Sullivan of Colourwerx. Cheers is from the Island Batik Spring 2022 Collection.  I also used Island Batik Solid light grey fabric for accent and binding. 

Nihal is published in Annie's Special Publication - Fun with Squares. The issue is available now. 

Nihal on the cover!

My friend and fellow Island Batik ambassador Connie says that I am now a Cover Girl :-)  From someone who has many quilts on covers, that is a big deal. No arguments from me.

Quilt Picture on the cover of the magazine, on top of the same quilt

Speaking of arguments, the following conversation happened. 

Me (supremely excited): Look Paul, my quilt is on the magazine cover.
Paul: Well, the way I see it, the magazine is on your quilt.
Me: That is me taking a cool picture.

Paul: Isn't that magazine sitting on top of your quilt?

Me: Yes, it is. But a picture of the same quilt is on the cover of the magazine too. 

Paul (finally getting it): Oh yeah!!! That is cool. Well-done, babe.

Nihal finished at 57" by 66". 

I took the brand new quilt to Mari's place.  She graciously let me model my quilt, while she took the pictures. The grey/beige stone wall provides the perfect backdrop, while the mortar lines echo the pattern in the quilt.

At Mari's House

Raise a glass to this!

I thought this picture was really cool but something was missing.

Cool

Fixed it.

Cheers!

If I am going to raise a tall glass of a refreshing tropical drink and say Cheers, I do need a pair of sunglasses. Don't you agree? I wonder what Linda and Carl will say.

And one more picture - an inside peek.

Win-Win, says Annie :-)

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In RSC news, here are my January blocks for RSC2023.  Linking with Angela's Linky Party.

This being my third year as an ambassador, I had plenty of Island Batik blues from previous collections and stash builders.  

Island Batik Blues

The blue blocks are complete but it is too early to determine the layout. Whether I will complete the stars or if they will be disjointed/deconstructed is a matter of deliberation. I need a few more tropical drinks. May be a brainstorming with Mari?  

January is done. I am ready for February. Are you?

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Speaking of February, the Island Batik challenge for February is Puff Quilt.  I will be posting mine on Thursday, February 9.  I am using fabrics from Exuberance, a Fall 2022 collection, by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs, which should be coming to stores in February.

Make sure you check the Island Batik blog in February, for awesome giveaways.

Puff Quilt in process

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Speaking of giveaways, here are the winners of the Unboxing giveaway - mpv61 and Auntlilly. Emails have been sent. 

Finally, speaking of winners, you know what makes me feel like a winner? 

A comment from you :-)  Truly makes my day.  

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

A joyful beginning!

Wish you a very happy 2023!

I have news. Island Batik has selected a new slate of ambassadors for 2023.  And I am honored to have made the cut.

We have received the first shipment of our boxes and I am so excited to show you the goodies.

Here is a link to the Unboxing video.

Testing the set-up - Looking good!

In February, we will be making a Puff Quilt. I have received the collection - Exuberance. This is an original collection by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 designs. This Fall 2022 collection should be available in stores in February 2023.

Exuberance by Deb Tucker

Matching Yardage

Island Batik Foundations Bundle includes four Solids, four Basics and four Blenders.

Island Batik Foundations Bundle

As always we received solid neutrals - 4 yards each of black, white and light grey, and 6 yards of another neutral. Mine is Pastry. 

Solid Neutrals

I received the Square Squared Ruler from Studio 180 Designs. For the May challenge and bloghop, I will use this ruler to make a quilt, using the Winter 2022 collection, which will remain a surprise till May. 

Winter 2022 Collection for May challenge & Blog Hop

A generous box of batting came from Hobbs. Four Queen-sized batts should be plenty till the next box arrives :-)

Aurifil Threads sent a color-builder box named Frangipani containing three spools of 50wt thread.  We will be using these threads in our Crazy Quilting projects in April.

Aurifil Color Builder - Frangipani

50wt Thread Spools

Schmetz Needles provided an assortment of needles.

Schmetz Needles

We also received a generous helping of precut yumminess.

2.5" Strips of Opulent Orange from Gradations by Island Batik Basics

 

A pack of 10" squares of Ravishing Red, from Gradations by Island Batik Basics

A Pack of 2.5" Strips of Juicy Mosaics, a Fall 2022 Collection designed by Kathy Engle, should be available in stores in February 2023.

A Pack of 10" Squares of Celebrate, a Winter 2022 Collection designed by Kathy Engle, should be available in stores in May 2023.

My box also came with stash builders.

It is a challenge to accommodate so many new supplies into an already full studio space. So I took inventory and pulled out some duplicates from my stash builder strips. May be you can help me by taking these extras off my hands :-)

Prize 1

Prize 2

Yes, I am having a giveaway. I considered cutting up these strips into 5" squares. But decided against it. What if you want a rectangle 5" by 10" or you might prefer strips 2" and 3" wide. To be entered into the drawing for these 5" by WOF strips, please leave me a comment telling me what project you are working on. If you follow me on Instagram, you can leave me a second comment, mentioning your IG name. If you show up as Anonymous, please include your email in the comment.

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

With so many fabulous fabrics and lovely notions, I can hardly sit still. Trust me, I am sewing up a storm but that is a separate post :-) Come back on the 28th when I will announce the winners of the giveaway and share my works in progress.

Disclosure: The fabrics, needles, ruler, thread and batting were generously supplied by the following companies:

In separate news, Angela has announced RSC 2023 and January is Bright blue. I will be playing along. Here is my fabric pull and the strips.

Island Batik Blues

Strip Sets - Ready to Piece

Sharing with Angela's Linky Party.