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.

KISSED!!!

Do you remember your first kiss?  I can close my eyes and not just picture it, I can relive it.
The moment when every fiber of my being was fully focused on the kiss. That was a lifetime ago.

Completed KISS

The KISS (Keep it Simply Strippy) Quilt that started two years ago is finally complete. I know I should have waited till Valentine's Day to share it...but I could not keep my lips compressed any longer :-D

Vibrant Kaffe Fassett

The pattern uses 6" strips

Alphabet Soup BAcking

This simple pattern became popular, in part, due to the Craftsy Blog Hop. Kat Scribner of Scrapbox Quilts also played a part in directing readers to the tutorial, every single time she made a quilt/flimsy with this pattern.

Labelled

I chose a black border and black binding.  Sewing the black binding using back thread really did a number only eyes. I need to get them tested. Maybe I am getting old.

Black Binding+Black Thread

The finished quilt measures 43" by 52". Now that it is finished. I am relieved.

Finished

Kid Appropriate

KISS!!!

It was time to celebrate my first finish of the year.

And celebrate I did with a piece of good news.
The quilt I made for Paul - Paulitiks - was featured in Top 100 Projects on Fave Quilts website.

Paul with his quilt - Paulitiks

And I am on Cloud Nine that Sew Preeti Quilts also made it to the Top 25 Blogs.

I feel giddy, maybe like the newbie actress who is nominated to the Golden Globes along with the likes of Judi Dench and Meryl Streep.



While I could lovingly linger over the KISS, there is another project that I must pursue passionately. It is a quilt for the victims of the Thomas Fire in California. Here is a sneak peek.

Perkiomen Valley Block

The block was designed by Scott Griffin of Ventura Modern Quilt Guild to make as relief quilts for the Thomas Fire Victims.  I have made 27 so far. 15 to go.

Design Wall

42 blocks will be arranged 6 by 7 to make a quilt measuring 72" by 84".
Here is the backing I have chosen. What do you think?

Backing - Amish Village

The goal is to complete it by the end of the month.  I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties, see sidebar. I'd love to hear from you.