Oasis

I have a finish.

New Finish

Glimpses of Blue

Rolled Up

But first the back story.

This was the second year that I was the Block of the Month (BOM) coordinator for my quilt guild.

The concept of the BOM is simple. I share a tutorial for a quilt block (from the internet, a classic block or something that I whip up).

Two strips 2.5" by WOF

Stitched along the length

Open Seams

Cut in half 

Sew again, press seams open

Cut in half again

Cut each half into half

Rearrange and sew

Folks make that block. Every block gets them one entry in the BOM raffle
One person wins all the blocks.

Two blocks finish at 8" by 10"

This was the BOM for February 2019.
I so enjoyed making these two blocks that I made a whole quilt.

Playing with Strips

On the Design wall

Quilting

Zig Zag Quilting - Walking Foot (always)

Binding in process

And here it is - meet Oasis!!!

Oasis

Oasis finished at about 64" by 70", which is the right size for a Mercyful Quilt.

Blues on Green

Sewing up 2.5" strips is fast and fun.  After all the strips were sewn and all the blocks were cut, they were arranged on the design wall and I began playing with the layout.

I arranged them in such a way that the lighter ones were at the top, medium hues in the middle going to the navy and dark blocks at the bottom.  This created a sort of ombre effect.

Ombre Effect

Now if I had decided on the ombre effect BEFORE I made the blocks, the result would have been much more striking. Ah well, may be next time.  For now, I will settle for this gentle suggestion of Ombre Effect.  What do you think?

Paul: What happened to the hot pink and yellow block?
Me: That was for the guild. The winner took it.
Paul: And what happens to this quilt?
Me: It is going to Bernie.
Paul: Who is Bernie?
Me: My quilting, blogging buddy on the west coast who is friends with Patty
Paul: Who is Patty?
Me: Patty works at the Mercy hospital and she needs quilts
Paul: For?
Me: To comfort the terminally ill patients
Paul: Oh
Me: The family will keep the quilt in memory of the person
Paul : That is sweet of you
Me: Well, thank you, Paul.
Paul: Do you need me to hold it?
Me: Nope. Rekha already modeled it for me
Paul: Who is Rekha?
Me: She is my co-worker/quilt model.
Paul: And what am I?
Me: You are a holder-upper :-p
Paul: That sounds menial
Me: Since Rekha is leaving, I can promote you to a quilt model
Paul: Ooh a quilt model. Do I get any benefits or perks?
Me: Maybe after your 6-quilt probation period.
Paul: BRAT!!! 

Rekha the model

Rekha has found another job and she will no longer be able to model for me. At least not on regular basis. I am sure we will get together every now and then at weekends.
So we took a few extra pictures. And had a farewell picnic with more pictures.

She will be missed

We wish her well

The card

Saying good bye to Rekha was not easy.

But it is so much harder to say good bye to a dear family member who is leaving for their final journey, as is the case with the recipients of Mercyful quilts.

Celebrating the time spent together and reliving the memories can be an oasis of comfort in the desert of loss. Hence the name - Oasis.

Pieced Backing 

The backing is a big irregular four-patch, using last of the giant tulips fabrics that came to me from Mary. So generous of her. I am happy just being one small part of the giving universe.

Labelled

All the Blues - Singing Together

Here are a few more pictures. I need to drink in these blues a bit longer before I say good-bye to Oasis and send her westwards to Bernie.

I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.
As usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Your comments are my oasis too :-)

Savanna

Finished!!!

I decided to do my part towards the effort of making relief quilts for those affected by the Thomas Fire in California.  The Perkiomen Valley Block pattern was suggested by the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild.

Perkiomen Valley Block

I wanted a soothing (but not dull) color palette.  I chose green for dark and white/neutrals for the light.

How green is my stash?

Once I dived into my stash, I realized that I had plenty of fabric to make not just a few blocks, but a whole quilt.

Design Wall

And why not? I had made one block and I really like it. I needed 42 blocks for a quilt measuring 72" by 84".

Piecing in Process

If thoughts on a single subject were a ball of yarn, my brain was playing with several different strands.
1. My thoughts kept drifting to those who lost their homes to the fire and were then devastated by the mudslides that followed. The mudslides would not have happened if the fire did not happen or if it was not as widespread.
2. What caused the fire? Can it be prevented? What can we do now to prevent these fires in the future or at least reduce their impact?
3. If I had to evacuate what items would I take with me?
4. What should I name this quilt?

Green and Greener

Naming the quilt yarn rose to the top.  Well, it is very green. California is famous for avocadoes. Should I call it Guacamole & Chips?
No, that sounds so cheesy.

Birds and Cactus

Cannot call it Greener Pastures. That name is already taken.
What else would you call a pasture? A meadow? A veld? Savanna?
Yes, Savanna sounds like a good name.
That yarn ball was now rolled and put away.

Sheep & Ladybugs

I was still thinking about the fires.  When I was in gradschool, we went on a site visit to the Tall Timbers facility. I remembered the discussion on Prescribed Burning that not only helped manage the undergrowth but also maintained the ecological balance of the system.
Why would California not follow these practices?

Sand Dollar Fabric

Enough mulling already.

I turned on the NPR radio. It was Reveal - the story of a Mountain Jane Doe.  I was so fascinated and gripped by this story, I decided to look up other episodes from the Reveal podcast. 
My eyes landed on an episode called America's Ring of Fire from October 2016.
How is it possible? Just when I am consumed by this very topic, I came across this podcast!!!

Savanna

I listened to every word as if it was a raindrop on parched earth. When the presenter/interviewee said that a landscape like a Savanna is fire-safe, I almost dropped the ruler.
My choice of the name came from the green color, but the Savanna like landscape is also fire-safe???
Once again the universe communicates...are we listening.

Pop of Purple 

Please please please just listen to it. The Savanna is mentioned 40 minutes into the podcast.

Amish Village

I found the perfect fabric for backing. There was but one problem.  Since the fabric is directional, it would require five yards and I had just four.  And although I could make the backing from just four yards, the village would appear to be lying on its side. No, no, no - that is not a good metaphor. Not when I am trying to send a message of hope and life and revitalization.

Love Grows!!!

I auditioned other fabrics. My stash includes a few 4-yard cuts which are not directional and would work just fine. But but but I really want the village scene.   A few scribblings later, the design was finalized.

Backing Designed

What do you think?

Finished Back

Now the Amish village is framed by a florescent green (near) solid and then the "Love Grows" leafy green fabric. It is not be what I first intended. But that is fine.

"There is a divinity that shapes our ends. Rough hew them or how we will."  Shakespeare.

I chose a purple binding because it makes a nice contrast with the green.

Purple & Green - So bright

Labelled

And a few more pictures...just because.

Wishing you comfort

and Joy

May this family have peace

and a bright future

Ooh Purple

Rolled Up

Ready to go places

One last look at the backyard

I have also urged my Quilt Guild members to contribute to the effort. I will be coordinating and sending all items to Superbuzzy in Ventura, California.

I wish I did not have to make this quilt.  I wish I never have to make a relief quilt again. I wish we can learn from our past and invest in more resilient and sustainable communities. I look forward to your thoughts.

I will be sharing this post with all my favorite linky parties (see sidebar) and also with Sandra's Dreami Linky Party.

Temptations

I had plenty of temptations but I forced myself to focus on Savanna and make her first.


Update 3/19/18 - Savanna reached its destination and Annie of Annie's Quilt Orts was on the lookout for it. She then posed with it and posted a picture on her blog. Made me so happy. Take a look.