Nihal

The Hindi/Urdu word Nihal means happy and satisfied in every way.  Imagine a traveler coming from hot and dusty desert, with a parched throat.  They would become "Nihal" after they had a drink of cool and refreshing water. Happy and satisfied in every way!

Meet Nihal. 

Location Courtesy - Kids Play Structure in Mari's Backyard

To make Nihal, I used a pack of 10" squares - Cheers, designed by Carl and Linda Sullivan of Colourwerx. Cheers is from the Island Batik Spring 2022 Collection.  I also used Island Batik Solid light grey fabric for accent and binding. 

Nihal is published in Annie's Special Publication - Fun with Squares. The issue is available now. 

Nihal on the cover!

My friend and fellow Island Batik ambassador Connie says that I am now a Cover Girl :-)  From someone who has many quilts on covers, that is a big deal. No arguments from me.

Quilt Picture on the cover of the magazine, on top of the same quilt

Speaking of arguments, the following conversation happened. 

Me (supremely excited): Look Paul, my quilt is on the magazine cover.
Paul: Well, the way I see it, the magazine is on your quilt.
Me: That is me taking a cool picture.

Paul: Isn't that magazine sitting on top of your quilt?

Me: Yes, it is. But a picture of the same quilt is on the cover of the magazine too. 

Paul (finally getting it): Oh yeah!!! That is cool. Well-done, babe.

Nihal finished at 57" by 66". 

I took the brand new quilt to Mari's place.  She graciously let me model my quilt, while she took the pictures. The grey/beige stone wall provides the perfect backdrop, while the mortar lines echo the pattern in the quilt.

At Mari's House

Raise a glass to this!

I thought this picture was really cool but something was missing.

Cool

Fixed it.

Cheers!

If I am going to raise a tall glass of a refreshing tropical drink and say Cheers, I do need a pair of sunglasses. Don't you agree? I wonder what Linda and Carl will say.

And one more picture - an inside peek.

Win-Win, says Annie :-)

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In RSC news, here are my January blocks for RSC2023.  Linking with Angela's Linky Party.

This being my third year as an ambassador, I had plenty of Island Batik blues from previous collections and stash builders.  

Island Batik Blues

The blue blocks are complete but it is too early to determine the layout. Whether I will complete the stars or if they will be disjointed/deconstructed is a matter of deliberation. I need a few more tropical drinks. May be a brainstorming with Mari?  

January is done. I am ready for February. Are you?

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Speaking of February, the Island Batik challenge for February is Puff Quilt.  I will be posting mine on Thursday, February 9.  I am using fabrics from Exuberance, a Fall 2022 collection, by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs, which should be coming to stores in February.

Make sure you check the Island Batik blog in February, for awesome giveaways.

Puff Quilt in process

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Speaking of giveaways, here are the winners of the Unboxing giveaway - mpv61 and Auntlilly. Emails have been sent. 

Finally, speaking of winners, you know what makes me feel like a winner? 

A comment from you :-)  Truly makes my day.  

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

"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!

Ukraine on my mind...

I have been superbusy working on projects that I cannot share at this time.  

To be revealed later

But when Angela announced the RSC color for March, I had to take a break. I rummaged through my box of yellows. 

Yellows for March

And found these two fabrics. Sharing with Angela's Linky party.

Sunflower - Bright

Sunflowers - Subdued

As I incorporate them in to my March RSC blocks, I will be thinking of Ukraine, its brave people and their remarkable President, who finds himself in an unimaginably difficult situation. 

Must start somewhere

Work in Progress

Last week, scared and horrified, I had asked Paul - is the entire world going to just watch and let it happen? Is there nothing that can be done?

Paul: Sanctions are on the way.
Me: They have not worked in the past and I am unsure they will work now.
Paul: Imposing sanctions also hurts other countries, so they have to be careful.

Me: What about help from NATO?

Paul: Ukraine is not a member of NATO.

Me: They want to be. And if this unprovoked aggression is not an obvious reason/time for NATO to adopt Ukraine, what is?

Paul: If that happens, it would mean that entire Europe will be at war with Russia.

Me: So Russia just bulldozes their way into Ukraine?  Who comes next?

Paul: Countries are uniting in solidarity with Ukraine and sending aid and weapons.

Me: Will it work? Can they resist the invasion?

Paul: It ain't over yet.

Me: Can UN do nothing?
Paul(scoffing): Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council
Me: They should be thrown out of the Security Council. These are unprecedented times with an unprecedented problem. We cannot apply old solutions to new problems. Something has to change. 

Frustrated and helpless, I was arguing with Paul, as if he controlled the flow of arms and aid to Ukraine. I marvel that he can be well-informed and calm when I am not.

According to Julia Ioffe (from an interview with Stephen Colbert), "people of my generation in Russia have never experienced democracy. Ukraine has had it for a couple of decades and they are fighting so hard for it. And we (Americans) tend to take it for granted. We are complacent about it. That is why we were surprised by January 6th, surprised by Trump and if teaches us anything it is that Democracy is work. It is vigilance, it is being educated, it is being a savvy consumer of the media, it is voting, it is paying attention and we already have it. We just have to keep it and make it better. We already have it; they (Ukrainians) are starting from scratch."

You may see/listen to her here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5l2nN0rBpk

Whatever happens and however this shakes out, one thing is certain - Volodymyr Zelenskyy will go down in history as an exceptional leader who rose to the greatest challenge of his lifetime.  With limited resources and minimal experience, he has had to lead a nation, while facing an uphill battle against a seemingly insurmountable enemy.  A relative newcomer to public service, there was no way to know how he would deal with such a situation. His reaction, his stance and his approach is both humbling and heartwarming. Declining an offer to evacuate, the Ukrainian President said this - "I need ammunition, not a ride."

"I need ammunition, not a ride": Zelenskyy proves to be an example of leadership.

Zelenskyy's courage and the determination of the Ukrainian people has led to some unforeseen and remarkable developments.  Germany reversed a historic policy of never sending weapons to conflict zones, saying the Russian invasion of Ukraine was an epochal moment that imperiled the entire post-World War II order across Europe. Even a historically neutral country such as Switzerland has agreed to adopt all the sanctions that the European Union has imposed on Russian people and companies and freeze Russian assets to punish the invasion of Ukraine.

As Russia bombarded civilian areas in Kharkiv, killing many citizens, Ukrainians continue to resist their advances. This is far from over. Let us keep Ukraine in our prayers. 

If you know of any Russian-owned businesses or people of Russian origin, please be kind.  They did not cause this and have little control over it. In fact, most of them are against this aggression. Many Russians in several cities have protested this invasion of Ukraine, while facing arrest and detention. 

I have completed my Island Batik/Aurifil March challenge, but I will share that in my next post. 

As promised here are the winners of the giveaway from February Challenge and Bloghop. The randomly generated numbers are 11 (Katie), 32 (Shirley C), 41 (Quilter Kathy) and 45 (Julie in GA). Emails are  on their way.

Island Batik December Challenge

 The guidelines for the Island Batik December Challenge were simple

• Project Type: Any

• Size: Minimum size 12” x12”

• Any fabric 

• Technique: English Paper Piecing

And here is my simple response. This cutesy little table runner finished at 12" by 52".

Paul, the model

I used Island Batik Neutral Yolk for background (and binding) and various Island Batik fabrics to create the hexie flowers. Neither too big nor too small, I was going to name it Goldilocks but then...Paul suggested that it was "Too Hexie for My Table" and the name stuck.

Did you notice the touch of whimsy? It is in the binding :-)

Too Hexie for My Table

Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:

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

Speaking of sharing, the winners of the giveaway are Comments #31 and #67. That is Mari and Nann. They will each receive five fat quarters of Island Batik fabrics from the Bellingham Bay collection by Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design. The winners have been informed.

Mari's Winnings

Nann's Loot

Speaking of Island Batik fabrics, I bought some from Hancock's.

Paul: Didn't they send you two large boxes?

Me: Yes, they did.

Paul: And they also sent you fabrics to make your Masala Box?

Me: Yes, they did.

Paul: So?

Me: I bought other collections. They were on sale :-)

Melody FQ Bundle

Summer Fields FQ Bundle

Melody and Summer Fields are two yummy collections from Island Batik. At discounted prices, I'd be silly to not get them.

Paul: Was that your Christmas present?

Me: Yes. From me and from you :-p

Paul: How much did you buy?

Me: Two FQ bundles, one pack of 10" squares and some yardage.

Island Batik Mystery -  10" Squares

Island Batik Forecast - Sunshine Ravine

Speaking of Christmas presents, I received an overstuffed package from Bernie. It was so stuffed that it looked like a small travel pillow.

And here is what spilled out...

Yummy Scrappy Goodness!!!

I don't have to be rich when I am blessed with generous friends. Thank you Bernie. You know I will put these scraps to work right away :-)

Speaking of scraps, I completed my RSC2021 quilt.  No, I did not choose pink binding.

It is turquoise but none of the initial choices. You see, the light was too light and the dark was too dark.  

Too light

Too dark

I found the perfect Goldilocks color in my Island Batik box.  It is Marble Aqua.  

Island Batik Marble Aqua - Just right :-)

I will be taking pictures of my newest finish this weekend. That blogpost is next. I am so excited!!! 

But enough about me. How are you feeling? Overwhelmed with the pressure of impending holidays or relieved that the year is over? Do let me know. Your comments are your Christmas present to me :-)