Joyful in July +TGIFF

It is July and the dog days of summer are upon us. 

Me: Must be time for Christmas!
Paul: Christmas? In July?
Me: Christmas in July. It is a statement, not a question.
Paul: Christmas in July is a thing?
Me: For quilters, yes it is. This is when we start our Christmas projects to have them completed by the holiday.

Meet Joyful.

Joyful

This pattern was published in the Special Christmas Publication by Annie's Attic Quilting. 

Published

Special Publication

Nine Festive Projects

Originally designed with black accents, Joyful finishes at 51" by 53". Bright yellow replaced black in the actual quilt.

The Mock-Up in EQ8

I used leftover fabrics from Island Batik collections and Foundations. The background as well as the  binding is Solid White.  The batting for Joyful was provided (so very generously) by Hobbs. I used Thermore - it is my favorite, light batting. 

Red and Green Island Batik Fabrics

The stars are slightly improv resulting in uneven points for a twinkling effect. Do you see it?                    

It wouldn't be Christmas without a twinkle.

Work in progress

Setting Triangles

I completed, photographed and sent Joyful to Annie's last year. It was published recently but it is only now that the publication is available online. It is a good thing I am a patient person (AHEM)!

Honestly, there is so much going on at any time that there is no time to dwell upon any one thing. And if I must dwell upon anything (or anyone), it would be my model :-)

Beautiful Day, on the banks of Potomac

It is not a surprise that he does the same, sometimes catching me mid-shot.

Seriously, Paul?

I am Joyful

Do you have any holiday projects in the works?  Do let me know.

In other news (and there is plenty), I completed my Orange RSC blocks for June. Here they are in their juicy goodness.

Angela has announced that the color for July is Purple. I have gathered my Island Batik Purple scraps. 

Purple for July - Island Batik Scraps

We have received our Island Batik Ambassador boxes, the goodies and supplies for the second half of the year. I will be showing off those beauties soon in both still and video format. That blogpost is next. Stay tuned.

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Good Tidings & Austin

I have two new quilts to share.

Austin was published in Make Modern #60.

Good Tidings was published in Annie's Christmas Pattern Book.

Good Tidings

Both quilts were made using Island Batik Fabrics collection Peppermint Sprinkles. 

Peppermint Sprinkles is a beautiful collection - perfect for Holiday sewing. I love that it has elements of the season such as reindeer and snowflakes but it isn't so Christmassy that the quilt/decor becomes outdated by January 1.  It has year round appeal.

That was my thought process as I designed Good Tidings in EQ8.  A fellow quilter/blogger once said that "Artwork means that art is the result of work". Those who cannot see the process, may think that art/design just comes to us magically :-) 

That is why I often document my progress, showing the steps and the rejects that led to the final design. For Good Tidings, I wanted to capture the cold snowy season (blues) which carries with it the promise of warmth (red). 

First Attempt

My design was well-received but came with a request. 

"Is there something other than red you could use – silvery blue? We’d like to see this with more of a winter feel."

Changing colors/fabrics in EQ8 is easy. 

Revision #1 - All Blue

It was certainly wintry. It lacked the warmth. So I tried two more options.

Revision #2 - A touch of red

Revision #3 - Warm-hearted

Oh yes. This was it. Not only the design was approved, it perfectly conveyed the holiday theme. Come home to the warmth of the season. 

I am so happy!

White Borders, Aqua Binding

Swirling & Whirling

I remember felling dizzy after that photoshoot. Time to lie down for a nap.

Oh yes!

Why yes, I sparkle!

Crushing on you!

And one last picture...

Thank you, Paul

The Peppermint Sprinkles collection is also an ideal choice for Quilts of Valor, which brings me to Austin.

Austin

I wanted a modern take on the Quilt of Valor theme. Using turquoise instead of traditional blue was one way of achieving that objective. A longitudinal design, instead of the usual square blocks, helped get me there. Long borders (only on the sides) and vertical quilting lines emphasize the design. 

Walking Foot Quilting

Quilting with Variegated Thread

Labelled

Love you!

Many thanks to Island Batik, who provided the fabrics for both quilts. Hobbs provided the batting. Paul, the model/photographer, was well-compensated for his efforts. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Favorite Finish (September 2024). See full list on the sidebar. As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Naman

I have completed my Positivity 2.0 Quilt. I have named him Naman. It is a Sanskrit word meaning salutations.

On the banks of Potomac

Walking Foot Quilting

Labelled

The end of life is generally marked with grief, a sense of loss and even confusion. Although Naman is intended as a comfort quilt for the terminally ill and their family, it is my hope that it will be a salutation to the life lived and memories made.

Good use of the Picnic Table :-)

I used an Island Batik Layer Cake (Whimsical Wings) and Island Batik White Solid for the top and Island Batik Solid Light Gray for the Backing. 

Whimsical Wings by Island Batik

The batting is Hobbs Thermore. I used a purple variegated thread for quilting, from Connecting Threads. Speaking of Connecting Threads, did you know that wide backing is 25% off :-O

Purple Variegated Thread

As we come to the end of the Positivity QAL, I appreciate all of you who participated in this worthy cause. I am overjoyed by the sponsors' generous contributions. And special thanks to Bernie - there is no Mercyful Quilts initiative without you.

Remember the Completed Quilt Linky Party is on Sunday, August 21, 2022 on Bernie's Blog.

Early next week, I will be mailing Naman to Patty, after I hug him one last time.  He is a handsome finish!

A backdrop of Black-Eyed Susans

Speaking of Finishes, I have a not-so-new-to-me finish which I can finally share with you. I completed Stars and Swirls in March and shared a sneak peek here. I decided to take a few quick outdoor shots before mailing it to Annie's Publishing. Gosh, was it windy?

Hairy Me, Almost Horizontal Quilt

Naughty Wind, Patient Paul

Getting better

Stars & Swirls is my first in-print pattern published in Annie's Catalog. It uses the Sunset Plains collection by Kathy Engle, expected in stores in September. But you can get the Merry Quilted Christmas magazine with 11 Festive projects right now. 

My copy :-)

Picture from Merry Quilted Christmas Magazine by Annie's Quilting

This is the best we got

And one more picture showing mostly Paul and some quilt :-D

Love you, so much!

Speaking of Paul, I am sharing the transcript of an actual conversation. But first take a look at the picture, for context.

Mouthwatering Picture!!!

Paul (eyes sparkling): Ooh what comfort food are you making?

Me: Well, it is a big heavy book...

Paul (still excited): Yes, glossy paper and lots of recipes.

Blocks for the Island Batik September Project

Me: That is why I was using it to press my blocks flat.
Paul (crestfallen): You are a horrible tease.

Me: I am so sorry. May I take you out on a date, my love?

Paul agreed :-) And here we are at our favorite Mexican restaurant. 

Date Night :-)

Paul got Carne Asada and I ordered Chicken Quesadillas with a side of refried beans. Since Paul was driving, I allowed myself to celebrate with a margarita. 

Celebrate what, you wonder.  Well, I managed to completed my orange blocks for August's RSC, in time... possible because Orange is my favorite color :-) 

August is Orange

Start

Middle

Finish!!!

Wonder what color is September? Medium Blue or Bright Green. 

Paul: Positivity Quilt ready to mail, RSC blocks completed and your first in-print publication. Sounds like there may be a bit of a lull...

Me: Ha, not even close. After I finish two quilts for two separate magazines, I will be tackling the Island Batik September Challenge and Blog Hop Quilt, featuring the Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design Tools.

Work in Progress

Fabrics for a new Quilt!

What are you working on?

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