Let It Shine

 Let it Shine was published in Quilter's World Winter 2026 Issue.

Let It Shine

Let It Shine was designed in EQ8 and made with the Island Batik collection Hello Sunshine.

It is a spectacular collection and I am absolutely in love with it. The beautiful fabrics do all the work and I get all the credit.

Let it Shine finished at 60" by 84".

Basting

Delightful :-)

Starry Eyed!

When I received the quilt back from Annie's along with a copy of the magazine, I quickly turned the pages to find my name, obviously :-D

Winter 2026 Issue

Found it!

Picture & Quilt

But there were two extra surprises in there. The magazine also included patterns from Leah Malasky and Solomae Stoycoff, fellow Island Batik ambassadors.

The ambassador program was discontinued in 2026 and I am not sure if there is going to be one in 2027. I miss the dose of fire under my behind that caused the spark of creativity resulting in gorgeous new patterns/projects. Alas!

So when I spot my fellow ambassadors in the blogland, in magazines and elsewhere, I relive the joys of our fellowship.

In other news, I am basting a huge, very scrappy, pink flimsy that will be the next quilt and blogpost.

F*** the Blues

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

Monsoon

"It looks like giant raindrops", said Lesley, when I showed her a picture on my phone. Hence, I named him Monsoon.

Work in progress

Working on improvisational piecing helps me destress. The process is the focus - making small decisions - color, shape, size, and setting - keeps me in the moment. The destination will reveal itself.

The first block

For background, I used a white fabric I purchased several years ago from Mook Fabrics in Pennsylvania when Mari and I went to the Lancaster Quilt Show.

Eye-popping price :-D

Working with scraps from a long time ago, I pieced triangle leftovers with white background. Then "tried" matching those very fiddly points, in the base of the triangles. Similar shapes were easy but pairing a long skinny triangle with a lumpy one was challenging.

Decisions, Decisions

Columns of Diamonds

I celebrated well-matched points and accepted those that misbehaved, giving myself permission to just be. Combining small blocks with bog ones and skinny ones with wide ones, I assembled similar sized units into columns, using coping strips to bring them to size.

The batting is Thermore. The backing is scrappy and pieced. I quilted in one direction with squiggly lines. The binding matches the white background.

Monsoon finished at 47" by 60". Time for pictures!

Thank you, Bob

It was a busy day at Lake Anne and I could not get exclusive time with Bob. 

Thank you, Paul

Thank you, Wooden Horse

Monsoon

If there is a mirror-like surface, let there be a reflection.

Mirror Image

Good Picture, Bad Resolution

Easy Being Green :-)

Let get closer.

Get the Point?

A Pointed Discussion

Tall & Short

Small Points

Labelled

Whatever tiny scraps I did not use, I discarded.  This is new for me. I am certainly past the mid-point of my life and I have begun to carefully examine what I need vs. what I need to lose.

In other news, I resigned from my stressful job.  Paul's unwavering support gave me the courage to cut loose. On my last day, I received this card from a sweet co-worker (she understood my reasons).

Yes, Kristen. We are!

I have joined a Yoga class. It is time to focus on my health and well-being. I am anticipating more quilting, blogging and commenting :-) And of course, more cooking for Paul. All's well in this household.

Two quilts of mine were published in two different magazines. That blogpost is next.