Blush

Have you seen my Blush?

Paul the model

I made the flimsy as a part of the Pantone Color Quilt Challenge which included three categories - mini quilt, not a mini quilt, and flimsy. The extremely limited guidelines are a double-edge sword. As participants we can make anything we want - no limits to creativity. Since we don't know the judging criteria we cannot make a quilt to win the challenge. 

All the peaches

I chose to participate because I had plenty of gorgeous peachy goodness in my stash. I was in between projects. But most importantly, I wanted to play with peachy fabrics, which turned out to be a nice change of pace from Island Batik fabrics, which I absolutely love.

Making the Blocks

The block is super simple. One 2.5" square framed by 2.5" strips for a finished block of 6" square. But Blush isn't about block construction or piecing details.

Peach by Peach

Blush is about having a single-minded commitment to one color. Choosing one hue and giving it your all. Blush is about gathering every single fabric (in your stash) in one color and arranging them by value.

Value Gradation

Even if it requires you to use the same fabric from both sides, wrong side up for a slightly lighter value, as in the picture below. I did that more than once :-)

Two different blocks from one fabric - can you spot them?

Cute fabrics

Lots of arranging and rearranging.

It was a laborious task, getting that gradation from "caught in the act crimson" in the center to "the thought makes me blush" at the corners. I could not have done it without my design wall.

Design Wall

Oh, but when she was done, she took my breath away...

Blush is beautiful and she is gorgeous. Blush is my love letter to Peach Fuzz, the Pantone Color of the Year. 

Completed Flimsy

Such a show-off!

Blush makes me very happy. It was time to turn the flimsy into a quilt.

Basting

The truth is this - I LOVE to play with value.  I love gradation quilts. So who cares if Blush did not make it to the winning circle in the Peach Buzz Pantomime Challenge Whatever...

I am in love with Blush!

Reflection!

And also with Paul. 

Blush finished at 60" square and she happily rode the wooden horse.

Happiness

For backing I chose this cute cat print.  I quilted using my walking foot with my usual squiggly stitch. The binding is peach.

Labelled

From one childless lady who cannot have enough fabric cats, I wish you happy stitching!

Never too many cats :-)

And one last look. 

Bob and Blush

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Angela chose Orange as the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for August.  I had a difficult time finding orange in nature, until I looked closely.

Not quite the orange I was hoping to find...

Wait a minute...

Blanketflower

Marigold

Moss-rose Purslane

I had no problem finding orange in my stash. Here are my sunshine blocks.

Sunny Vibes

Feeling the Burn yet?

All fabric scraps came from Island Batik. It is good to be an ambassador :-)

I have now completed 63 Hexie Blocks, which will make a 70" by 90" quilt. I am contemplating 5" borders to get to a final size of 80" by 100" although that quilt may not happen for a while. 

I am working on a new quilt pattern. That blogpost is next!

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

Feeling Blue

It is just the beginning of summer but the northern hemisphere is already scorching with record temperatures. Please stay cool and drink lots of water. 

Should you need any encouragement to stay indoors and sew, all my Etsy patterns are on sale - 20% off through July 8, 2024.

And click on the link to get 20% off on all Missouri Star Quilt Company purchases over $50.

Arabella's Garden - Pattern on Sale

It is Mari, the mild-mannered professor by day and a fierce quilter by night, who often begins her blogpost with a weather report. I have teased her about it. Thinking of Mari today, as she takes care of her family, while her blog/readers eagerly await her return. I am sending good wishes her way. 

Since Angela announced Blue for June's Rainbow Scrap challenge, my eyes have been searching for instances of blue in the nature. This is all that I found.

Robin's egg. More aqua than blue

Penny Mac, Bluish Purple

I could not find any true blue flowers. The Blue Jay never let me get close enough (for a decent picture) and the Bluebirds were never still to capture with my iPhone camera.

Blue Jay

I am working on my Blue blocks but they aren't done yet.

Island Batik Blue Hexies

Light Blue

Dark Blue

Whenever I see blue and yellow together, I think of Ukraine and her courageous people. 

Speaking of Blues, how can Blue mean both good and bad? We want blue skies but we don't want to feel blue. English language befuddles me everyday. 

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

Smiles and Sniffles

It is a busy time in the Sew Preeti Quilts studio but cannot show anything much yet. So here is a catch up post. Hope you are handling the heat well so far. It is only going to get worse :-(

All Island Batik ambassadors were invited to become affiliates for the Missouri Star Quilt Company, and I was accepted :-) 

This means that if you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

Here is what I got.

Steam a Seam 2 Stabilizer and Rotary Blades

Later this year, we have to make an Applique project and Steam-A-Seam 2 works best for me. 

Rotating Mat

I like that this rotating mat has 1/4" markings.

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Rainbow Scrap Challenge - I have completed all my Pink blocks for May. All fabric scraps came from Island Batik :-)

Light Pink

Dark Pink

June is Blue, said Angela. I am gathering all my Island Batik blue scraps.

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June Challenge - Island Batik June Challenge is sponsored by Studio 180 Designs. We are required to create a fun, simple quilt that falls in the size range for donation to Sleep in Heavenly Peace (50" to 60" wide, 75" to 90" long) using a tool that we received in your January box!

I received the Corner Beam Ruler. 

I am making a scrappy quilt and I will be sharing with you next week. Stay tuned. Here is a sneak peek.

Corner Beam Blocks in process

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The Etsy Shop Sale ends on May 31, 2024.  All patterns are 25% off.

New pattern coming next month.

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I rarely give book/movie recommendations. This one is worth it!

Laapataa Ladies is an Indian movie set in rural India in the year 2001. It is wedding season and several newly-weds are on their way home in a crowded train, to begin a new life with their new partners. Two brides, similarly attired, their faces covered with red veils are mistakenly interchanged. Finding their way home, they discover more than they ever expected. 

I have watched it thrice. I smiled, laughed and cried every time.  

What is making you smile today? Are you feeling sniffly? I'd love to know.

Ambassador's Choice

In the land of Island Batik, March is Ambassador's Choice Month.  Mine is Lula May. 

EQ8 Design

Lula May

Designed in EQ8, and made with Island Batik's Celebrate Collection, Lula May finished at 62" by 82".

Love this collection!!!

I wanted to step away from square blocks. I designed a rectangular block measuring 12" by 16". The triangle in a square made the basis for the elongated star. The strip pieced alternate block combines the colors used in the stars, using the leftovers and tying the pattern together. 

Design Wall

Alternate Blocks

I used Aurifil Thread to piece (50 wt) and quilt (40 wt). The batting is Premium 80/20 Black Cotton/Poly Blend. I used a Microtex Schmetz 80/12 Needle for both piecing and quilting. Microtex needles are "sharp" needles which is an absolute must if you want the needle to pierce the tightly woven Batik fabric. 

Quilting in process

I used my favorite squiggle stitch with my walking foot to quilt Lula May. I added a skinny border to make sure that my binding did not eat up my star points. I chose a yellow binding for maximum contrast with the black background. 

My favorite - Model and Picture :-)

Paul - This looks like a Gay Jewish quilt.
Me: It kinda does.

Paul: Intentional?

Me: Nah, just happened.

Paul: I like it.

Me: Yup, she has pizzaz!

She walks in beauty...

Lula May was claimed by Ted, a former co-worker turned friend. 

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The Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for March is purple and I have gathered my geraniums, lilacs, irises and violets. All fabrics are Island Batik scraps. It is good to be an ambassador :-)

March = Purple

 

Looks like Mother Nature got the memo too.  I plucked these tiny blooms on my morning walk.

Grape Hyacinths

I am busy making my purple blocks. These yellow hexies will become the centers of the purple flowers. 

Flower Centers

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Angela's. See full list on the sidebar. As always I'd love to hear from you!

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 :-)