A Quilt for Eva

I met Eva for the first time about two years ago.  She is married to Bill who started out as a co-worker but ended up being a friend.  Since his retirement, they live in New Jersey.

On the Design Wall

Eva and I connected over our love of spicy food and gold jewelry.  When I showed her the first of the International Sister Quilt Blocks, her response was immediate. She loved them.

Setting Triangles

This was the first year I participated in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and the International Sister Quilt Block was a perfect block for the purpose.

Piecing the Sisters

After 10 months of block-making I had enough blocks for making two quilts. Of course, I would give one to Eva and make the other for display in the Quilt Show (Quilters Unlimited) in summer of 2020.
The plan was to piece and quilt them over the Christmas break.

32 Sisters

So colorful

If you want God to smile, tell him your plans.

On November 19th, I received the news that Eva had a stroke and that she was in a rehab facility. And I knew that I had to drop everything to complete her quilt. Because she needs it now.

Kristi with Completed Flimsy

Walking Foot Quilting

Christmas inspired backing

The backing was pieced with a Christmas inspired backing and green floral fabrics.
I chose a yellow striped fabric for the binding.

Binding in process

Eva's quilt finished at 57" by 72".

But there was a small problem.
One sister's headdress almost blended/merged with the background so much so that it looked like that a part of her head was missing - at least from a distance.

No, I did not notice it before quilting

BEFORE - Not enough contrast (see left side of the headdress)

I had to think outside the sewing box.  Fortunately, orange fabric marker provided the ideal solution.
I started using the marker on the headdress and then realized that I should take a before picture.

Permanent Fabric Markers

Here is what it looked like after it was touched up.

 

AFTER - Light Orange Headdress

I love the fact that the marker-enhanced print is absolutely perfect and no one would know unless I told them. Of course I am telling you because this is totally worth sharing with my quilty sisters.

Completed

I even found a young model to show it off.

Christmas is in the air

The completed quilt was delivered to Eva the day after Thanksgiving. She was overwhelmed to receive the quilt and I felt overcome to see her.

Sisters in the Sunshine

Love each one

Pieced Backing

Labelled

Delivered

The quilt waits for Eva on her bed in the rehab center where she will stay for the next several weeks.

Quilt for Eva

I just want God to smile kindly on Eva and help her make a complete recovery.
And if she ever feels tired or disheartened in her journey, she has 32 sisters cheering her on.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Sandra's Dreami.  As usual, I'd love to hear from you.

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Remember the baby-maker quilt?  This is the baby that the baby-maker made.  I met him for the first time on Thanksgiving day.

I am still tickled to think (believe) that I made the quilt that made this baby - the cutest baby ever!!!

Neel

I promise I have a quilt finish to share, in a minute.  But first I have some good news and some exciting news, in that order.

Good news - My blog was featured in the top 25 blogs of 2018 on Fave Quilts website.
I am honored to be listed along side several of my favorites. Do take a look.
I feel on top of the world, at least the blogging world. However, if I ever get my head in the air, too much, I know I can rely on you to bring me down to earth. Right?



Here is the really exciting news - Remember Aurora.

Aurora, the baby maker

I had made it for a co-worker's wedding in September 2018 and Paul had called it a babymaker. Guess what, it lived up to that designation. YES!!!
She is pregnant. I am so tickled.
So if you are reading this and would like to get pregnant, I may be able to help :-D



And now for the first quilt finish of the year - Neel.
The word Neel (in Hindi) means blue. But more importantly, Neel is also one of the many names of Lord Shiva, a shortened version of Neelkanth (meaning blue-throated).

Neel

The blue throat was a result of drinking Halahal - the deadly poison that Lord Shiva drank to protect others.

I made this quilt for my brother.
He is mom's primary caretaker and deserves a special quilt of his own.

For my brother

The finished quilt is about 72" by 88".
The final quilt was well-received, shown off to many, and admired by all.  I asked my nephews and niece to hold it up, dangling from the first floor while I stood below to take the pictures.

"You drop it and I will kill you", I said.
They all laughed, but held firm.

Stars and Smiles

Neel - First Quilt of 2019

Black Binding

 Did you notice the shimmering stars on the black background fabric?

Labeled

Hope you like Neel - this manly quilt.  
About these news bits, my bragging or simply about Neel.  I am dying to know.

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

Aurora

Meet Aurora. She is my entry to this year's Bloggers Quilt Festival.

Aurora - Finished at 80" by 96"

The story of this quilt follows below.

We work in the same company but in two different offices. Her bridal shower was at 3:00 PM. 

I was busy trying to wrap up work for a meeting on Monday. I got there just after 5:00 PM.

The party was over and people had returned to their cubes.  Some had already left for the weekend. There was still some leftover cake in the office kitchen.

I congratulated the bride-to-be and gave her the little gift I had put together - something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Me: When is the wedding?

Bride to be (BTB): In two weeks.

Me: Wow!!!

BTB: It is all happening so quickly.

Me: I understand.

BTB: We feel so rushed.

Me: You know, Paul and I got married in a hurry. His parents were visiting for his graduation and we decided to save them a trip. We were married by the justice of peace at Paul's friend's house. With just eight guests, it was a very small ceremony.
BTB: Oh so you understand.
Me: Don't worry about the wedding. The marriage is more important. 

BTB: Would you like to come to the wedding?

Me (speechless for a moment): We'd be honored.

BTB: I will send you the invitation. Make sure you get some cake on the way out.

Me: We will be there.
BTB: Make sure you get some cake on the way out.
Me: Oh yes. In fact, I am taking a piece for Paul as well.

10" squares

Back at home, I told Paul about the wedding invitation.
Me: I want to make a quilt.  

Paul: Do you have enough time to make a wedding quilt? 

Me: Not sure.

Paul: You can give one of the many quilts that you already have.

Me: I have only one queen-size quilt - Esmeralda. I cannot part with her. 

Paul: Why not give one of the other quilts?

Me: Fire Pit is twin size. Most everything else is lap size. Cannot give a lap size quilt to newly weds.

Paul (eyes twinkling): So you want to give them a baby-maker? 
Me: Yes.

Paul: What if you start but cannot finish it in time for the wedding?
Me: In that case, I will give it to her when I finish it.

(Paul was making reference to the movie Proposal, wherein Betty White gives the quilt, she calls baby-maker, to the couple played by Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock.

Selecting fabrics

Work in Progress

Pinned

I had a Kate Spain Layer Cake - Latitude.  But I did not like all the squares in the layer cake.  So I cut up some fat quarters.

I chose turquoise, blue, green, orange and pink, trying to match the colors in the layer cake but picking out brighter fabrics.

The fact that Monday was a holiday, resulting in a long weekend, was an absolute godsend.

My nose to the machine (cutting mat, ruler, cutter) I ignored everything (and everyone) else.

Numbered Blocks

I numbered every block. I was scared that any mistake would cost me dearly.

Finished Flimsy

The flimsy was finished. I took it out for a few pictures.

Looking good

Big Blocks

I chose Carrie Bloomston's newspaper print for the backing. I used black strips for binding. The black would match the piecing, frame the quilt and would be speedy too. 

Basting the beast

The large blocks ensured a speedy finish.  The quilting of a queen size quilt is a whole another matter. As I quilted long wavy lines using my walking foot, I had began to think of a name. Little did I know that I had started speaking aloud.

Walking foot quilting

Me: I love how the bright batiks glow against the black solids but cannot call it Midnight Garden. Already taken.

Finished!!!

Wide backing by Windham Fabrics

Paul: Call it Afterglow.
Me: What???
Paul: It is a wedding quilt. Afterglow is fitting.
Me: You sound snappy. Are you feeling neglected?
Paul: Maybe. I could use some afterglow myself.

Black Binding

Wisdom

Brightness = Happiness

I had been ignoring him.  I must spend some quality time with Paul.

Labelled

Me: What is that phenomenon called when the night sky lights up?
Paul: Meteor Shower?
Me: No. You have to go to one of those Scandinavian countries to see it.
Paul: Northern Lights?
Me: Yes, I think. Doesn't it have a more scientific name?
Paul: Aurora Borealis.
Me: AURORA. Yes, that it is.

You are my sunshine

The wedding was beautiful. The bride glowed and the groom was handsome and confident. No nervousness, just excitement and smiles.

At the wedding

I am glad that Paul and I could be there for the celebration.  We wish them all the love and happiness.

Love & Happiness to the new couple

I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.  Do check out other quilts at the Bloggers Quilt Festival.

I'd love to hear from you, as always.