The Island Batik Challenge for June 2021 reads as follows:
The challenge for you is to use the 8” or 12” finished BOB dies from your Ambassador box, the GO! Qube 8" Mix & Match Block and create a whole new pattern by combining the two!
Here is my response
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| Novella, 11" by 66" |
And here is the Story.
BOB means Block on Board. In other words, the complete block is on a single die. I received Snails Trails Die.
Snails Trail BOB Die 
All units in one place 
Cut Pieces 
First Block
In my opinion, the best complement to Snails Trails is Storm at Sea (SAS). But I did not want to use SAS because that is the IB challenge for November 2021. SAS is not for the faint of heart and having to do it twice in one year...even I was a bit cutter shy.
The 8" GO! QUBE comes with a book with So. Many. Options. Which one would work with the Snails Trail to create that wow factor?
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| Loads of Options |
But none of them really worked with the Snails Trail Block to create a secondary pattern. This was the real challenge - to create a cohesive design.
Paul: Sup babe?
Me: I am not getting the desired effect.
Paul: What is that effect?
Me: You know - chemistry.
Paul: I definitely do not know Chemistry.
Me: OK, you like mashed potatoes with gravy.
Paul: Yes. That I do know.
Me: So I have the main dish and a whole lot of side dishes but I cannot find the right side dish to enhance the main dish. I am sure it is there. I just need to look harder.
Paul: Some main dishes are great on their own. Like fried chicken - nothing else required.
Me: Yes, I agree. But that is part of the assignment. Must find a block to match.
Paul: Forget the assignment for a minute.
Me: And go the fried chicken route?
Paul: It is worth a try.
My mind kept going to cats' tails that swirled into the Snails Trail Block. I made a test cat block. It worked.
I like this
But but but the need to check that second box - "combine with Go QUBE block" continued gnawing at me.
Paul: Sure. Sounds like a perfect meal to me.
Me: YOU are the perfect match for me. I LOVE you.
I had been looking for the wrong block. I needed a separator block, not a combination block.
Finally I got it.
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| Four Patch Variation |
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| Complete Block |
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| Half Block |
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| Quilting in Process |
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| Completed Runner |
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| I prefer the Wall Hanging Mode |
The runner/wall-hanging finished at 11" by 66".
I used four fabrics - yellow, turquoise, green and black for the blocks. One complete cat, one tail and one diamond per color. The background is Yolk and the binding is Dark Gray.
Paul: YOU??? Struggling for a name?
Me: Yes, I am stumped. WAIT. How about Stumpy?
Paul: How did you get that?
Me: Well, since we have four extra tails here, I wonder about the cats who lost their tails. Hence the name Stumpy in honor of those four tailless cats.
Paul: That is mean. How about Novella?
Me: Novella? Please explain.
Paul: Because it is a very short tale.
Me (after I had stopped laughing): That works too. This is a small project.
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| Green Cat |
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| Turquoise Cat |
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| Two Halves |
A few firsts for me here. First time using the Accuquilt Go cutter. First time making the Snails Trails Block and first runner, although I prefer it vertical as a wall-hanging. Not only there is less distortion in viewing, it is also harder to spill wine/food on a vertical surface :-D
I used Hobbs Cotton Batting. Thank you Hobbs. I used Schmetz Microtex Needle 70/12 for piecing and Schmetz Needle 90/14 for quilting and binding. Love Schmetz Needles.
But wait, there is more. Once the assignment (WORK) is done, it is time to play (with the SCRAPS)
The fabric carcass left after BOB die was used 
Having fun with slivers
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| Looking good |
I played with the slivers to make a zipper pouch or two :-D
The flat pouch finished at 7" by 9". The flat bottomed pouch finished at 6" by 9" by 3".
Two zippered pouches 
Turquoise inside :-) 
Ready to travel 
Take me too!!!
Oh goodness, I love these bright colors. Dark orange zippers and grab tabs to match. Ooh la la!!!
Happiness :-)
The bonus pouches with a touch of improv piecing was super fun. What is your opinion about improv piecing? I look forward to your thoughts.
Overall, I declare June a success. The challenge for July is Christmas theme. I already have an idea (or two) with a bonus pouch being highly likely :-)
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In other news, I have picked out the layout for my Positivity QAL quilt and I have also cut the fabrics.
For the border blocks 
For the Plus Units
Although I have started making the blocks, they are not yet ready for prime time. Next blogpost, I promise.
According to the QAL Schedule, I need to make the first 12 blocks by June 20, 2021. Totally doable.
Have you chosen your layout? Did you cut the fabrics? How are you coming along?
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Angela announced the color for June - it is purple. And suddenly I began seeing purple everywhere. Does that ever happen to you?
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| Mulberries = Yum |
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| On my morning walk |
Here are my fabric picks.
Purple can be tricky. There is the reddish purple (turning pink and fuchsia) and bluish purple (closer to blue than to purple) and the true purple, of course. Here I have attempted to keep these three separated. Can you notice the subtle differences in hue?
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| True Purples |
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| Reddish Purples |
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| Bluish Purples |
Linking with Angela's Linky Party. As usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
