Varun

I have named him Varun, after the Hindu deity of sea and sky and rain. By now Varun has traveled the width of the country and reached Bernie on the west coast.

Varun  - 60" by 80"

Varun - Green Backing

Each plus block finished at 10" square. 48 blocks were arranged 6 by 8 for a finished quilt measuring 60" by 80". Varun is my contribution to the Positivity QAL and is a Mercyful Quilt. 

Thank you from Mercy Hospital

Mercyful Quilts Update

Wrapped with Kindness (may need tissues)

A Note from Mercy Hospital

Here are the pictures showing the progression from fabrics to flimsy to quilt.

Blues for the Border

Reds for the Main Squares

For the Plus Blocks

I think Varun is one good-looking quilt. Although the reason to make Mercyful Quilts is a somber one, I believe the quilt still needs to be uplifting and life-affirming.

Blue Blocks (see the Christmas lights?)

Red Plus Blocks, Snowballed Corners (Some sparkle is a must)

Finished Flimsy

When I am piecing, I see the fabrics from the wrong side. When I press the blocks/fabrics, the iron covers most of it. It is only when I am quilting that I get to really enjoy the beauty of the fabrics, as the sandwich moves slowly under the needle. 

Walking Foot Quilting

Adding Texture

Red Plaid for Binding

Machine Binding - Swift and Sturdy

All done!!!

As much as I want to get it done, move to binding and then get to the next project, I have willed myself to slow down while quilting. These are handsome fabrics and they look so good together. I should take the time to enjoy them, I tell myself.

On a steep hill

Hello handsome!!!

Best Wishes

Thank you Mauna, my goofy quilt model

One last look...

Go on Varun, Godspeed. Wrap someone in love and provide comfort...I said as I packed him away.

I still have a few triangles left over from snowballing the corners with bright blues. I could just discard these itty bitty pieces. 

Paul: Can you?
Me: Nah!!!

So here is a zippered pouch made from the leftover tiny triangles.  Yeah, I am keeping this :-)

No scrap left behind :-)

Mine!!!

Happiness inside!

On September 5, I will pick out the winners (see the prizes) from all those who entered the Finished Quilt Linky Party. I will then ask Bernie to make sure that those quilts have reached her. If not, then I will pick another till we have five winners.

Speaking of Bernie, did you know she is closing her Needle and Foot Etsy store and offering deep discounts on the clearance sale?

Did I buy anything?
You bet I did.

Here is my haul. I may have bought out some of the items. Sorry, not sorry. 
But hurry and you may still find some beauties at prices that are as good as a steal.

Super cuteness!!!

My floral beauties

Gorgeous Ombre Fabric and some remnants!

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I have completed my RSC blocks for August. Here are my greenish blues.

Greenish Blue - Light

Greenish Blue - Dark

And here are the bluish greens. 

Bluish Green - Light

Bluish Green - Dark

All my Blue Greens

Sharing with Angela's Linky Party and all my other favorites. See full list on the sidebar.

I look forward to your thoughts - be they positive (about the Positivity QAL) or negative (use of negative space) :-)

The Positivity QAL - Finished Flimsy Winners

Bernie joins me in thanking all of you who completed the Positivity Flimsy and participated in the Linky Party.

We also thank all the designers who offered their patterns as prizes. See full announcement here

Here are the winners - Numbers 2, 9, 11, 13 and 19.

• Number 2 is Wendy of PiecefulThoughts- She won Prize #3. One PDF pattern of choice from Denise of For the Love of Geese
• Number 9 is Susie of Knitty Quilter - She won Prize #1. One PDF pattern of choice from Cynthia of Quilting is More Fun than Housework
• Number 11 is Cheree of The Morning Latte- She won Prize #2. One PDF pattern of choice from Jayne of Twiggy and Opal
• Number 13 is Frederique of Quilting Patchwork Applique - She won Prize #5. One PDF pattern of choice from Melanie of Mell Meyer
• Number 19 is Shuba (Instagram Entry) - She won Prize #4. One PDF pattern of choice from Debby of Quilter by Design
• Quilting by Joy went to Number 14, Astrid (Instagram Entry).

Emails have been sent to all winners and the corresponding designers. 

It is time to make binding. Here is mine. 

The Finished Quilt Linky Party is scheduled for August 22, 2021.

The Completed Quilts are due to reach Bernie no later than September 4, 2021.

The Positivity QAL - Finished Flimsy Linky Party

This blogpost is late but I have a very good reason for it...a very cute and furry reason :-)

Louie - our new fur baby

Meet Louie. We brought him home yesterday afternoon.  Louie's rescue dad is moving and could not take him along. We were only too happy to adopt him. The car ride was not fun for him and the thunderstorms did not help. He has been exploring his new environment and is a little skittish. We are getting to know him as he gets to know us. 

Why yes, I live with two handsome males

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Of course, the main purpose of this blogpost is to show off my completed flimsy for the Positivity QAL. Here it is. 

I have come up with a name for the finished quilt, but I will save that for the completed quilt linky party scheduled for August 22, 2021. 

Do make sure you add the link to your blog/Instagram at Bernie's Linky Party. There are several prizes open to all participants in the US and abroad. If you don’t have a blog, please send an email to Bernie, with a picture of your flimsy so it can count as an entry to win!! Linky is open till July 24 and the winners will be picked on July 25, 2021.

Speaking of Positivity, I had made several Plus Blocks to demonstrate how to pick fabrics, the importance of contrast, and the 10-foot rule. I had set these aside for a baby quilt at some later date.

But when Joy mentioned that she was collecting blocks to make a community Positivity flimsy, I quickly mailed them to her. Look what she did with them.

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July is dark blue, said Angela.  Here are my dark blue/navy blocks.  

Monkey Rules

Wild & Festive

Navy Blue Blocks

I later noticed that brown and black blocks belong in July as well.  I picked out the brown and black fabrics but the blocks are not completed at this time.

Lovely Browns

Black is Beautiful

Sharing with Angela's Linky Party. That leaves orange and turquoise. I wonder what color is August?

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A huge THANKS to all of you who visited my Etsy shop, liked it and favorited it. I am very happy with the response to the Novella Wall Hanging/Table Runner pattern. I am working on a couple of new patterns and will be adding them in the next few months.

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Connecting Threads has been having a sale and I bought some wide backings.  

Wide Backings from Connecting Threads

I love love love this wide backing fabric from Connecting Threads. It is charcoal gray (on the right side) but if I so choose I can use the wrong side for a subtle light gray. That is terrific.  

I love this fabric!!!

Everything is 25% off but the Cyber Sale ends today. 

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In other news, we have received the second set of boxes from Island Batik and other industry partners. I will be sharing the Unboxing Video on July 22, 2021.

At this time, I am furiously working on the Island Batik August Challenge (Try a Tool). The Blog Hop begins on August 10 and my post is scheduled for August 11, 2021. 

Sneak Peek of the Island Batik August Challenge

Lots to do and finish.  I'd love to know what is keeping you busy. I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

It is hot and humid and horrible. Please stay cool (unless you live in Australia or New Zealand) and hydrate.

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