Everything, Everywhere, All in One Month

Paul's mom, Krissy passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2024.  

Picture from Paul's graduation in 2007

We went to Georgia for her memorial service. It was a solemn occasion but I could not be sad for long since I was being enveloped in so many hugs from all the relatives and cousins, some I had never met before and some I think I had met once that Christmas.

Lots of Hugs

Paul kept it together and he looked so handsome. 

Love you so much!

Paul spoke at the service mentioning how his mom was a rebel and rarely followed rules. Krissy was feisty and resourceful. Although she did not finish school, she was smart enough to read a library book on accounting and apply for a job. That she lied on her application was but a small technicality. Taking care of two boys as a single and working mom, she did not have a lot of options.

At the church

We drove home and settled into our routines, making sure that we check on Paul's dad more often than ever before. Paul is doing fine, I think.

I was scheduled to present at the Waterford Quilt Guild on Valentine's Day. In the frenzy of preparation (trying to compress 11 years of quilting journey into one 90-minute presentation), I realized that I did not get a card for Paul. 

Me: Did you get me a card for Valentine's Day?
Paul: I will.
Me: But you don't have it yet?
Paul: Correct.
Me: Is it acceptable if we don't exchange cards this year?
Paul (suspiciously): Why?

I told him the truth. 

Paul: I will accept that you don't have a card.
Me: PHEW!!!
Paul: But you can write me a Haiku.
Me: A Haiku?
Paul: Yes.
Me: I can do that.

Across seventeen Valentines

My cold heart and my cold feet

Warmed by your loving touch

Then it was Quiltcon time. I was (still am) frantically working on two quilts for publication and I considered canceling this trip but I had already paid for hotel accommodations in Raleigh and convinced myself that it would be a welcome break with friends and loads of inspiration. 

Quiltcon 2024 in Raleigh

Mari and I drove together. I met Leah and saw Emily. We got together for dinner on Friday evening. We three Island Batik ambassadors chatted about forthcoming projects, ideas and fabrics.

With Leah and Emily

On Saturday morning, we met Jennifer and posed with our ByAnnie bags. ByAnnie is an industry partner with Island Batik and we love her patterns.

Jennifer and Emily

We love our ByAnnie Bags

I saw Vasudha (forgot to take pictures) and chatted about design and deadlines.  Yes, I took several quilt pictures but you can find most of them on Instagram, winners and rejects and everything in between. I did not have a finished quilt, so there wasn't a photoshoot. But Raleigh offers some picturesque backdrops that would be ideal for quilty pictures.

The Capital in Raleigh

The Acorn

Somewhere in the middle of it all, I managed to complete my RSC blocks for February, thanks to receiving some reds from Connie. Although I have a lot of Island Batik reds, I needed just a few more to make eight blocks.

Island Batik reds

Connie sent some :-)

Making Hexies

I will be sharing with Angela's Linky Party, this Saturday.  We will be in March by then!!!  Holy Cow and Thank Goodness!

Red Blocks for RSC February

And four more

I hope I can catch my breath in March. Two new quilt patterns are coming. Yes, there will be giveaways too, so watch this space.

On March 6, 2024, I will be releasing a new pattern - Rainbow Parade, along with a mini blog hop. My dear quilter friends, Cathy, Bonnie, Frederique and Diptee, generously tested the pattern and will be sharing their versions. 

How do I stay sane
Through deadlines, trips, blocks and more
Miracle truly

I hope you will forgive me my Haiku phase, or blame it on Paul. 

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

Island Batik Log Cabin Challenge and Blog Hop

Me: Have you heard of Door Dash?
Paul: Yes.
Me: Now meet Dashing Doors!

Dashing Doors

Dashing Doors is my response to the Island Batik's Log Cabin Challenge and Blog Hop that begins today.  My pun on Door Dash got a huge eye roll from Paul :-)

I received a half-yard bundle of Breezy Collection.  Purples, Greens, Coral and Pink make this a lovely collection.

Breezy Bundle

An original collection by Kate Colleran Designs, Breezy is a bright collection with a beautiful gradation of values and I wanted to show off that aspect of the collection. 

Light to Dark!

I started playing in EQ8. Several designs were made and most were discarded. Here is what was selected. The Door Block is 16" square. 

EQ8 Mock-up

Here are some process pictures, showing green, coral, purple and pink doors.

Making Doors

My colors!!!

I used Aurifil Thread for piecing (50 wt) and quilting (40 wt). I used a 80/12 Microtex Needle from Schmetz for both piecing and quilting. The batting is Hobbs Tuscany Cotton-Wool Blend. 

I chose a dark purple (Boysenberry) backing from Island Batik Basics and the binding is Light Grey Solid. 

Here are some pictures from the photoshoot.

Dashing Doors in front of Staggered Windows

What door will you pick?

Rock Star Backing and Binding :-)

It is a Sunny Vibe!

Paul suggested this "ART" location. 

Not only the colors match, it is a nod to my creative pursuits. 

I did not argue. After all, he has excellent taste :-D

No arguments from me :-)

Of course you want to see close-ups.  Of course I will.

Juicy

Walking Foot Quilting

Labelled

Once Dashing Doors was completed, I started tidying up the scraps. There were several 3.5" and 2.5" strip segments left over. The work was done. May I play?

I am allowed? Right? So I did. 

Here is the result of playing with scraps left over from Dashing Doors. Meet Aprajita.

Aprajita

The blocks in Aprajita are 7" by 12". The quilt finished at 42" by 48".  I did not design Aprajita in EQ8. But it is not an improv quilt either. It is really a design-build project :-)

Work in Progress

Using the scraps, I designed three types of blocks, each measuring 7" by 12". Then I made a few of them and added to the design wall. To prevent the project from getting out of control, I decided that I would limit myself to the scraps leftover from Dashing Doors, but it was acceptable to add neutral (Almond) and coordinating solids. 

Design Wall

Aprajita uses the following Island Batik Solids - Dark Grey, Red, Fuchsia, Pink, Lime Green, Amethyst, and Orange. Each solid is used once.

A second finish!!!

Walking Foot Quilting

If I love Dashing Doors, I am completely besotted with Aprajita.  She is fun and modern and so cheerful. She has this intimate, minimalist wedding in a botanical garden vibe about her. How do I capture all that in a name? 

You are my sunshine!

I chose Aprajita because it is the name of a flower that is usually purple but also comes in pink and coral colors. Aprajita flowers not only embody the spirit of Spring but are also considered auspicious and used as offerings in prayers. 

I used Aurifil Thread for piecing (50 wt) and quilting (40 wt). I used a 80/12 Microtex Needle from Schmetz for both piecing and quilting. The batting is Thermore by Hobbs. 

I chose Platinum (Island Batik Neutral) for backing and the binding is Fuchsia Solid.  

Cheerful!

Ah Spring!

Labelled

I am so happy with my quilts. I love them both.

Purple with Grey, Grey with Purple :-)

Paul: I thought you were too busy to even make one quilt.
Me: I was. I am.
Paul: But you made two...
Me: I did
Paul: How?
Me: Let's see. When you are too tired from working you go play...
Paul: Yes
Me: But you work and play at the computer...
Paul: Two different computers, but yes. 
Me: In this case both work and play happened at the sewing machine and resulted in two quilts.
Paul: I see. 
Me: Thank you for the photo shoot!

Paul: Oh you are very welcome.
Me: Silver Diner?
Paul: Sounds good.

What sounds good to me is a comment from you. And if you tell me which of the following Island Batik collections you like the most, I will enter your name for a chance at a giveaway (Island Batik fabric packs).  I will pick two winners on February 13, 2024. 

UPDATE - The two winners are Heather (#1) and Nancy (#26). Emails have been sent.

The Blog Hop continues. The full list of Ambassadors’ names, collections they will be using in their projects, and their post dates are as follows:

February 6:

• Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts (You are here) 
• Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique LLC
• Megan Best, Best Quilter

February 7:

• Pamela Boatright, Pamelaquilts
• Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs
• Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

February 8:

• Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights
• Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

February 9:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

February 12:

• Carol Stanek, Stitch with Color
• Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

February 13:

• Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany
• Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting

February 14:

• Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting
• Victoria Johnson, Forever Quilting for You

February 15:

• Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilt Studio
• Connie Kresin Campbell, Freemotion by the River

February 16:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

February 19:

• Lana Russel, LanaQuilts
• Julia Schweri, Inflorescence Designs

February 20:

• Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations
• Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

February 21:

• Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs
• Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

February 22:

• Denise Looney, A Quiltery
• Kim Jamieson-Hirst, Chatterbox Quilts

February 23:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 3 and Giveaway

February 26:

• Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts
• Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

In other news, Angela has announced that February is Red. Here are my red fabrics for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and I am ready to paint the blogland red :-) Will be linking with Angela's Linky Party. 

February is Red!