"Creative" Christmas Stockings

 The Island Batik Ambassadors challenge for November 2022 is Creative Christmas Stockings.

Me: What is the purpose of Christmas stockings?
Paul: Not to keep your feet warm...
Me: Just a decorative item, then?
Paul: Mostly.
Me: You know how much I hate "decorative stuff". Just another dust collector, in my opinion.

Paul: Well, some people may actually use it for stuffing Christmas presents.
Me: Hmm... I thought about that.
Paul: And?

Me: Only small presents...

Paul (mischievously): Like dollar bills?

Me (realistically): And gift cards.

Paul: Yup, those can be placed inside a stocking.

Me: Small boxes of jewelry too.

Paul (having an aha moment): I see.

Me: I couldn't put your tool box in a stocking.

Paul (eyes as large as saucers): You are getting me a toolbox?

Me (mildly exasperated): No, Paul. I would get you a gift card so that you can buy tools of your choice. I have no idea what tools you want. Seriously!

Paul: Oh babe, you are the best.

Me: Besides a heavy item in the stocking would rip off the hook/loop/hanging ribbon.

Paul (eyes twinkling): Simply, place heavy items under the tree and place light items in the stocking.

Me: NO, NO, NO. That is too much stuff to buy and wrap and open and discard paper. 

Paul: So what do you suggest?

I told him my suggestion but he forbade me from putting it on the blog. 

That man is so easily scandalized ;-D 

Improv Piecing and Appliqué

Paul: This isn't a stocking.
Me: Excellent powers of observation, my love!
Paul (ignoring my jab): Weren't you required to make a stocking?
Me: I was required to make a "Creative" Stocking
Paul: This is creative, alright.
Me: And nods to the Stocking theme
Paul (incredulous): It is a zippered pouch
Me: It can still hold gift cards and small boxes of jewelry, can be hung over the fireplace in true Christmas tradition and can still be used long after the stockings are put away.
Paul: That is a win win win.
Me: I know, but it is so much better when you say it.

Paul: So who gets this one?

Me: I was thinking we could give it to Mom when we see her at Thanksgiving.

Paul: Cool. Wait, what about Dad?

Me: I made one for him too.

Paul: Oh nice.

Me: Which one do you like?

Paul: Generally, I like the blues but this one is busy. The brown one because it says JOY.

Me: I have a feeling that mom will want dad's.

Paul: We will let them fight over it.

Creative Christmas Stockings (Front)

Zippered Pouches (Back)

Paul: Wait, so you didn't keep any for us?

Me: I made us something even better.

Meet my Stocking Ornaments!

Front of the Stocking Ornaments

Angels on the Back!

A tutorial to make these cute stocking ornaments is coming! Here are all my Creative Christmas Stockings, partying together before the zippered pouches fly south for the winter.

Stockings on Parade!

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

The supplies used in making these projects were generously provided by Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, and Aurifil Thread.

Granny Long Legs Digital Quilt Pattern - The giveaway winners are Deb(#13) and Diana K. (#43). Emails have been sent.  

The 25% sale ends in a few hours!

Accuquilt Christmas in July - A Pillow for Kip

The Island Batik July challenge is sponsored by Accuquilt who have recently launched the GO! Tree of Life Block on Board Die! Our challenge was to make an inspiring piece where the GO! Tree of Life pieces are the focus. 

Further, "AccuQuilt’s mission is to bring joy to everyone – especially when they need it. That is why, this month, we are encouraging you to make Christmas come early for someone who could use a little joy."

Also, "when you finish, AccuQuilt would like you to give the project you have made to someone you know who needs a little joy or donate it to a charity of your choosing." 

And remember, "when gifting the completed project, be sure to take photos, so this moment of kindness and love can be shared on social media!"

Block on Board

Paul: What's the matter babe?

Me: Not only I have to come up with an idea using the Tree of Life block, I also must donate it to a worthy cause AND take pictures. Oh and it should be Christmassy!!!

Paul: You could give it to Nikhil and Urjita, since they will be moving into a new home. 

Me: It says Christmas, not Diwali. 

Mari suggested that I send it to "A Doll Like Me", a charity that we have both supported in the past. I could. But I could not insist that they send me pictures.

No matter how I approached the challenge, I felt I could meet no more than three out of four requirements. Feeling frustrated by too many constraints, I set the thoughts aside.

Few days later, I received a text message from Mary Helen. (I had first met Mary Helen in 2006 at a Toastmasters meeting in Fort Lauderdale.) Here is what it said - "Hi Preeti, Kip is dying of pancreatic cancer. We are having a special meeting on Thursday morning. Hope you can join via Zoom." 

In 2006, I found myself in a new place with a new job and not knowing a soul in town. When a co-worker invited me to a Toastmasters Club meeting, I happily agreed. I had so much fun that I returned the following week and the next. After three weeks, Kip walked up to me, smile on his face, and handed me an application form. "This is just a formality", he had laughed, "since you are attending like a regular member." I was indeed ready to join. For as long as I lived in Fort Lauderdale, I was a regular member of the Early Bird Toastmasters, meeting at 7:00AM every Thursday. Within the year, I completed my first two manuals to become a Competent Communicator and a Competent Leader. Kip was instrumental in my journey as a toastmaster. He was always there and I valued his support and feedback. When I signed up to attend the District Conference, Kip was supportive - "it will be a great experience for you." But just before the conference, I lost my job. Kip made sure that the Club paid my fees to attend the conference. My new job took me to Maryland (and Virginia) but we stayed in touch via social media. Since then, I have attended many toastmasters meetings in many places. But I never found a club like Early Bird Toastmasters or a mentor like Kip!

I attended the meeting on June 23, via Zoom. There were several speakers and they shared many pictures going back over 30 years. Kip was there too but was too worn out to stay through the end.

When it was my turn to speak, I narrated my story of meeting Kip, how he led by example and was always a source of inspiration. By the time my speech was done, my cheeks were wet. I turned off the video so that I could sob. As I wiped my tears, my thoughts firmly on Kip - so energetic, so passionate and so full of life. Life? Tree of Life!!!

I was ready to make the Tree of Life quilt block. Not only because I had to do something to process my feelings but also because Kip could use some joy. 

Scrappy Bits of Blue

Since Kip's favorite color is blue and the mission was to bring joy to the recipient, I chose blue fabrics. The original Tree of Life has a droopy look like the Weeping Willow and I wanted to stay away from all thoughts of sadness.  I modified the block to its more traditional solid form. 

Layout

I decided it would be best to send it to Mary Helen, who could deliver it to Kip in person. I don't think Kip would make it to Christmas. Maybe Christmas could come to him.   

Chain Piecing

Using the BOB die is really simple. All shapes cut at once. I chose a white background and a coffee colored (BE32-F3) batik from the Island Batik Foundations.

The flimsy was done and I really liked it. But it wasn't Christmassy. 

Tree of Life

It was a Tree but not a Christmas Tree. What makes a tree Christmassy, I wondered. 

Ornaments? Too tacky. 

Star on the top? Possibly. I could applique that. 

And then it came to me. I remembered that the Winter Sky collection had an angel print fabric. In Blue!!! Perfect!!! I rough cut the angel shape and ironed it to the sticky side of a stabilizer. Cut it carefully using a pair of sharp scissors, removed the paper, placed it on top of the tree and ironed it in place.  Stitched around the edges to secure it.

Added Angel = Christmas Tree

I used Aurifil thread for piecing (50 wt) and quilting (40 wt) and Schmetz Needles - Microtex 80/12 for piecing and 90/14 for quilting.  I used Hobbs 80/20 Cotton-Polyester batting to make this quilted pillow cover. I used an 18" square pillow form. Making a pillow cover was quick. I used Light Gray solid from Island Batik Foundations. I could have just turned it but a bright blue binding provides a perfect frame and also gives a fine finish. Finally, I was happy with it. But the most important part remained.

Completed Quilted Pillow

Angel on the tree

Quilting Detail

Trimmed to Fit the Pillow Form

I received the GO! Tree of Life Block on Board Die! (along with the Island Batik Box of fabrics, rulers, batting and other supplies) on June 29th. I completed the quilted pillow over the long weekend and on July 5th, sent it via priority mail. There was no time to waste. I called Mary-Helen to give her the heads-up.

Me: Mary-Helen, you should be getting the package before the end of the week.
Mary-Helen: He will love it.
Me: Thank you so much for doing this.
Mary-Helen: Thank you for making it.

Me: I have a selfish request.

Mary-Helen: What hon?

Me: Will you please take a picture of Kip with the pillow?

Mary-Helen: I am sure someone can take a picture.

Me: I'd so appreciate that.

Mary-Helen: What if we cannot get it to him on time?

Me: I understand. We cannot control that.

The package reached Mary-Helen on July 7th and she took it to Kip the same day.  Time is of the essence. We all know that. She was kind enough to send me a picture.

Smiling Kip = Mission Accomplished!

Looks like I managed to achieve all four requirements of the challenge. But seeing Kip smile is the best reward. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. As always, I'd love to hear from you.

Disclosure: The Tree of Life Block on Board die was provided free of charge by Accuquilt. The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Island Batik, Aurifil Thread,  Hobbs Batting & Schmetz Needles.

Diwali Memories

Diwali is the festival of lights - the biggest Hindu festival in India. In terms of fanfare, think of it as Hindu Christmas plus fireworks. Friends and neighbors exchange sweets (akin to cookie exchange), homes are cleaned (like Christmas) and decorated with lights and Rangoli patterns. There are sales on home goods and folks are bombarded with advertisements for jewelry and watches (for the special someone in your life). Everywhere you look there is a sale or a bumper sale. Streets are decorated with lights and shops/markets are dressed up in their glittering best.

When Bernie asked if I have a favorite holiday memory, I said - Yes, oh yes. I sure do.

My dad was a bank manager. In an era when ATMs were unknown and online banking had not been invented, dad interacted with lots of people from all walks of life. Their concerns were as varied as their financial standings and dad went out of his way to help them. Most of his clients were local small business owners and some of them had loans from the bank. There were short periods of time when their accounts were overdrawn when their bulk orders were delivered. As a bank manger, dad had the discretion whether they received a fine or not. Since dad knew them and their businesses he knew that they were good for it. Of course this meant the world to a small business owner. Naturally they wanted to express their gratitude but dad refused all gifts due to ethical reasons. 

Large Welcoming Display at the New Delhi Airport

Come Diwali, all those small business owners had a chance to express their gratitude. Visitors would begin as early as 10:00 in the morning. Most came with a standard box of sweets, some brought a fancy box of dry fruits (cashews, almonds, raisins and pistachios). Dad and mom would greet the visitor and offer tea which was mostly declined. There were many more boxes to deliver, they would say.  Of course they were in a hurry so mom and dad would walk with them to the main gate chatting all the way.

Large Rangoli - Flower Petals, Grass and Colored Powders

This was our golden opportunity. While mom and dad were seeing this gentleman off, us girls (my sister and I) would sneak into the drawing room and attack the box of sweets. If the box contained all one kind of sweets, we'd be disappointed. If the box contained an assortment of sweets, we'd be thrilled. Joyously we'd each pick our favorite and enjoy the syrupy sweetness completely oblivious of the calories or additives. By the time mom and dad walked back into the drawing room, we girls would be elbows deep into the box of sweets. Dad would shake his head and smile while mom would give us the stink eye. 

"Come on girls," she'd say. "Some of these sweets can go to friends and neighbors." Yes sweets regifting (if the box was unopened or the sweets looked undisturbed) is normal and acceptable. 

One time we received a large fruit basket and even mom was impressed. I still remember the sweet and juicy pears. 

In the evening mom would prepare the special meal - matar paneer (peas and cheese), alu gobhi (potatoes and cauliflower), pooris (fry bread) and dahi wada (dumplings in yogurt with sweet tamarind chutney).

Pre-made Rangoli (painted wooden frame)

Rangoli by Paul and Preeti 

Dad would light the firecrackers, while we girls watched from a safe distance away. My sister and I were fine with holding sparklers but rockets and flower pots were too much for us. Mostly we sat happy and wide-eyed as dad went through all the crackers - little noisy ones on a string that went pat pat pat, long rockets that went zoom, and pyramid shaped flower pots - big, bright and colorful.  I remember, one year there was a new cracker/rocket that started as one color and then changed to another and ended with a shower of little stars. 

Then we'd gather for the Diwali Pooja (prayers to Ganesha and Laxmi). We'd all sing the aarti (Hymns to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi) together. After the Pooja it was time to enjoy the sumptuous spread.  We went to bed while the distant sound of firecrackers continued till after midnight.

Fourth of July Fireworks 

Big and Bright

After dad passed away we never got firecrackers. Mom still sends sweets to a few close friends and family members but those days of almost non-stop sweets/fruits are long gone. My fond memories remain.

In process

Rangoli 2016 - Completed with the tea lights

Although we did not make Rangoli growing up, I have adopted that tradition as something that Paul and I can do together. We make the Rangoli to welcome the Goddess Laxmi. I perform the Diwali Pooja, while he watches reverently. I feel silly (and off kilter) singing by myself, so we listen while I play it on my phone. We light candles and turn on the festival lights. This year Paul surprised me with firecrackers, "because they make you happy", Paul said. Although he bought them for 4th of July, we saved a few for Diwali.

Modest Diwali Lights

Paul with Sparklers :-)

Rangoli 2020 - Bit Subdued

Fireworks still make me happy. Once we went to Chicago for the 4th of July and watched the fireworks display from a boat on Lake Michigan. Awesome!!! A couple years ago I met Sandra in Buffalo, NY and we watched the fireworks display from the bridge between US and Canada. It was beautiful and I was very happy.

I'll never be too old for fireworks

I got take-out from an Indian restaurant. The only thing missing was the sweets. Paul does not care for Indian sweets so I asked him to get whatever dessert he wanted. He got a Strawberry Cake. 

The next day I called mom and narrated to her how we had pieced together a pandemic Diwali celebration. "As long as you got your favorite sweets, it works. It is important that the festival includes all." She added, "next year I wish that you and Paul can come to India and we can celebrate together."

I agreed.

Paul: But what about Christmas memories?
Me: We did go to a convent school and sang Christmas carols at the morning assembly. 

Paul: No. Not your childhood Christmas memories. Our Christmas memories.

Me: Huh?

Our First Christmas Together (Paul got us a TV)

Paul had created the "Santa Scene" (Jonesie in the background) 

My sense of awe is intact

Paul's gift was a hit

Paul: When we celebrated Christmas in India...

Me: Oh yes. It was 2016.

Paul: There was a little Christmas tree on the table with tiny ornaments.

Me: You know I ordered that from Indian Amazon and had it delivered to mom before we got there.

Paul: That was very sweet.

The little Christmas Tree

With Meetu

Me: Meetu brought the food.

Paul: Didn't you bake the cookies here and carried them half way across the world.

Me: I wasn't sure I would get all the ingredients in India.

Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

On Christmas Morning (see the tree/plant behind)

Paul: Anju and her husband came too.

Me: And they brought my favorite - Black Forest Cake.

Paul: But you are forgetting the best part...

Me: No, I was saving that for the last.

Paul: The tree.

Me: Yes, the big tree.

The potted plant in the picture above became the Christmas tree.

My brother

Mom and Paul

Paul is a huge hit in India. I have lovingly called him my trophy husband. His fair skin and blue eyes are an instant draw. He speaks almost no Hindi and makes for an excellent listener. Savita's son and Ruby's boys are fascinated with him. They will take pictures with him and post on FB and then beam with every like and comment. They will proudly claim him to be their American uncle married to their Indian aunty. So when they realized that Paul would be celebrating Christmas with them, it became a mission. Mom's driver Lalit joined in the scheme and they decorated a large live potted plant.

 

Paul and his young fans 

Merry Christmas

Me: Didn't you make the star on the top of the tree?

Paul: I did. Cardboard and aluminum foil.

Me: With a pencil at its base?

Paul: Yup.

Me: Merry Christmas to you, babe.

Paul: Happy Diwali to you, darling.

Christmas in India

Diwali in the US

I am going to read about all the holiday tales and traditions as narrated by other quilter/bloggers. Won't you join the fun?

Sew Preeti Quilts - You are here
Quilting Jetgirl
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Academic Quilter
From My Carolina Home 
MMM! Quilts
Devoted Quilter
The Colorful Fabriholic
Pieceful Thoughts
Me & My Quilts
Sarah Goer Quilts
Needle and Foot 

And if you have a favorite holiday memory, I'd love to hear all about it in the comments. 

Have a Safe and a Happy Holiday!