Mardi Gras Magic

Mardi Gras Magic was published in McCall’s Quilting March/April 2023.   

Mardi Gras Magic

I used the Island Batik Fabric Line, Wild Blooms. Designed by Kathy Engle, it should be available in stores in May 2023. 

I used Hobbs Black Batting, quilted using my walking foot and used a medium purple binding. 

Mardi Gras Magic finished at about 60" by 80".

My favorite picture

Island Batik Fabrics - Inspired by Nature

These colors are so wild and vibrant and they really pop on a black (Island Batik Solid) background.   

Bright Yellows, Shimmering Greens

The backing is Chameleon, available all year round from Island Batiks Basics.

Purple Binding

Quilting Detail

Thank you, Paul!

Thanks to Island Batik for the gorgeous fabrics, thanks to Golden Peak Media for publishing the quilt/pattern and thanks to Paul who is always ready to party with me - rain or shine :-)

According to Angela, the RSC color for March is Green. Absolutely fitting for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.  No green beer for me, just bright green blocks in Island Batik fabrics :-)

Sharing with all my favorite linky parties (see full list on the sidebar), including Angela's.

Wishing you all a very Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Do let me know how you are celebrating - fabrics, food or family?  

My Checkered Past

If I could be doing anything quilty, it would be improv piecing.  It is like taking a journey. "Come hither ye fabric scraps; together we will travel and see where we end up." 

Here is the Island Batik Challenge for March. It reads 

"March brings a free month for you to determine your own project of any size, using any theme and any technique!! This is an opportunity for you to express your creativity without guidelines. Have fun!"

And I did have fun. See how the bits and pieces grew.

Starting Point

And then there were two

Growing

Coming Together

Getting Closer - Are we there yet?

May be we'll go just a bit farther

It is fun to juggle the varied sizes and watch the quilt top come together.  Usually we end up bigger than we envisioned - unexpected twists and turns and scenic routes, you know. A few tweaks, some trimming and some inserts later, we were done. 

Two more seams to a Completed Top

I used Aurifil Thread for piecing (50 wt)  and quilting (40 wt.) I used 80/12 Microtex Schmetz Needle for both piecing and quilting. All the Island Batik fabric scraps work beautifully with the Island Batik Solid White background. A black border was added and I chose black binding. I chose Hobbs Cotton Wool Blend batting. Quilted using my walking foot. 

Hobbs Batting

I completed the quilt shortly before my trip to Atlanta for Quiltcon. Naturally I packed the quilt with me. Remember we journey together - my fabric and I.  Here is my quilt - My Checkered Past enjoying the beautiful city of Atlanta.

Poolside at the Hotel in downtown Atlanta

Just Peachy :-)

Making Ends Meet

Of Course, I remembered the label!

Pieced Backing (using discarded blocks from another quilt)

The Geometrics!

Enough of the hotel. Let's go sightseeing. 

At the Martin Luther King Center

At the Yolanda King Center for Performing Arts

Just love this picture - looking ahead together

Meditating at the Oakland Cemetery. We come and go but life goes on forever

So tired after a long day!

Tomorrow is another day!

I spent one day at Quiltcon and although I took many quilt pictures, the best part is meeting and reconnecting with people.  You can find all the quilt pictures on Instagram at #Quiltcon2023.  Here are the hugs I exchanged :-)

With Nann (With Strings Attached), Anna and Mell

On our way to Quiltcon

With Anja (Anja Quilts)

It was a high point of my visit when a reader of mine recognized me.  Here I am beaming with happiness with Barbara from Philadelphia. Hope you will read/see this.

With Barbara

Quilters of Indian origin - Sujata Shah and Vasudha Govindan

I didn't plan this picture. I was meeting Vasudha and then we saw Sujata and we had to take a picture.  I think I need a jacket before I go to Quiltcon next time. It was the uniform, apparently.

With Stephanie from Hobbs

It was so nice to meet with Stephanie. Stephanie also manages the Hobbs IG account and we already know each other from Island Batik ambassador program, where Hobbs Batting is the industry partner.

Atlanta is beautiful - art and inspiration are everywhere. We were also lucky - absolutely gorgeous weather.  Here are a few more picture s from my trip.

Near the King Street MARTA Station

Such a great image!!!

Rock Paper Scissors - Street Art near Midtown MARTA Station

In full bloom :-)

Piedmont Park Lake

The Dogwood Sculpture in Piedmont Park

Wall Art

Cats Rule, I think.

Don't miss the reflection in the puddle

I am not sure what the artist is trying to say but I am sure it is a struggle between love and money. 

So long Atlanta. Home sweet home!

Angela has announced the color for March. It is certainly a nod to the St. Patricks Day :-)

Here is my fabric pull. 

Island Batik Greens for RSC

I will be sharing with Angela's and all my other favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.  As usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I will close my eyes and pretend that we met at a Quilt Show and you said sweet (or savory) things about My Checkered Past :-)