Monsoon

"It looks like giant raindrops", said Lesley, when I showed her a picture on my phone. Hence, I named him Monsoon.

Work in progress

Working on improvisational piecing helps me destress. The process is the focus - making small decisions - color, shape, size, and setting - keeps me in the moment. The destination will reveal itself.

The first block

For background, I used a white fabric I purchased several years ago from Mook Fabrics in Pennsylvania when Mari and I went to the Lancaster Quilt Show.

Eye-popping price :-D

Working with scraps from a long time ago, I pieced triangle leftovers with white background. Then "tried" matching those very fiddly points, in the base of the triangles. Similar shapes were easy but pairing a long skinny triangle with a lumpy one was challenging.

Decisions, Decisions

Columns of Diamonds

I celebrated well-matched points and accepted those that misbehaved, giving myself permission to just be. Combining small blocks with bog ones and skinny ones with wide ones, I assembled similar sized units into columns, using coping strips to bring them to size.

The batting is Thermore. The backing is scrappy and pieced. I quilted in one direction with squiggly lines. The binding matches the white background.

Monsoon finished at 47" by 60". Time for pictures!

Thank you, Bob

It was a busy day at Lake Anne and I could not get exclusive time with Bob. 

Thank you, Paul

Thank you, Wooden Horse

Monsoon

If there is a mirror-like surface, let there be a reflection.

Mirror Image

Good Picture, Bad Resolution

Easy Being Green :-)

Let get closer.

Get the Point?

A Pointed Discussion

Tall & Short

Small Points

Labelled

Whatever tiny scraps I did not use, I discarded.  This is new for me. I am certainly past the mid-point of my life and I have begun to carefully examine what I need vs. what I need to lose.

In other news, I resigned from my stressful job.  Paul's unwavering support gave me the courage to cut loose. On my last day, I received this card from a sweet co-worker (she understood my reasons).

Yes, Kristen. We are!

I have joined a Yoga class. It is time to focus on my health and well-being. I am anticipating more quilting, blogging and commenting :-) And of course, more cooking for Paul. All's well in this household.

Two quilts of mine were published in two different magazines. That blogpost is next. 

Forget Me Not

Say hello to Forget Me Not.

Forget Me Not

Forget me Not is a modern interpretation of an Irish Chain Quilt.  Designed in EQ8 and made with Island Batik Fabrics, Forget Me Not was published in Quilters World Spring 2026 Issue.

The issue focuses on "Modern Quilts with Classic Roots" and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

Published

Modern Irish Chain

Made using the fabrics from the Original Aurora Collection (by Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design), Forget Me Not finished at 76" by 100". The background is Glaze (Island Batik Neutral).

Forget Me Not uses one block, strip-pieced that creates a lovely secondary design when the blocks come together.

 

Basting

I am loving the gentle progression of blues and secondary designs in purple and green.

Fading Blues

The batting is Hobbs Cotton/Polyester Blend. I quilted using my Walking Foot, following the grid in my favorite squiggly stitch. Why do I use it all the time, you ask. Because it is so forgiving. When the seams are not perfectly matched the squiggle brings them together.

Crushing on You

Spring & Picnic Ready

A large quilt, Forget Me Not needed two people to model it. 

Two Model Job

Here they are. They are my friend's kids and they were properly compensated for their efforts.

My quilt models

Love you both!

And one last look, with my favorite model. He is speaking! Seriously, this is a silent role. My quilts do the talking.

Thank you, Paul!

But wait, there is more. Some scraps left over from strip-piecing were too large to throw away. They were promptly made into a small baby quilt. I have named him Sky. 

Sky, 33" by 36"

At 33" by 36", Sky will most likely go to Premie Baby Quilts donation for the Inova Hospital in Fairfax.

No Scrap Left Behind

Cute and bright giraffes on the back should fascinate some little guy! 

Cute Backing

_________________________________________________________

In other news, I have completed my Green Blocks for February's Rainbow Scrap Challenge. 

All scraps are Island Batik. 

Sharing with Angela's Linky Party and all the others. See full list on the sidebar.

These are strange times. I can't believe I have been saying that since 2020 or even longer. Each other is all we have. I am grateful for and to this community. Lots of Love & Squishy Hugs.

Honi

Welcome to my stop on the Island Batik + Accuquilt Irish Chain BlogHop. 

Directive - Create a stunning quilt using the GO! Irish Chain Die from AccuQuilt!

Here is my response!

A Stunning Finish, as requested!

But let's start at the beginning. 

The Challenge

These fabrics should be available in stores in May 2025.

Fusion  by Jerry Khiev for Swan Amity Studios

Inspiration Board

Accuquilt Die to make 10" Finished Irish Chain Block

EQ8 Designs and so many of them.

Dull

Meh

Whatever

I have always used the Irish Chain as an alternate block, not the focus block. Naturally, I was stumped. May be try using it as an alternate block...

Slightly Better (Alternate Stars)

Maybe (Alternate Trees)

When everything else fails, put the blocks on point.

Far from Stunning

It was time to think outside the BOB (Block on Board). The Accuquilt Irish Chain Die cuts these four shapes:

Shape A Square: 3 7/8"W x 3 7/8"H (9.8 cm x 9.8 cm), 
Shape B Square: 2 1/4"W x 2 1/4"H (5.7 cm x 5.7 cm), 
Shape C Rectangle: 3 7/8"W x 2 1/4"H (9.8 cm x 5.7 cm), 
Shape D Rectangle: 7 1/4"W x 2 1/4"H (18.4 cm x 5.7 cm).

Using these shapes, and keeping the overall size the same, can I come up with anything else? After some trial and error, I got here.

EQ8 Block, with Units A, B and C from the GO! Die

And here is the mock-up.

Finally!!! I had a winner. It doesn't look like a traditional Irish Chain. Will I be scolded for not making a "Traditional" Irish Chain? But it was certainly Stunning :-)

First Block Cut

First Block Completed!

Full Steam Ahead!

Piecing in Progress

Secondary Design Emerging!

Basting

Cotton Batting from Hobbs

Binding

I used Schmetz Microtex Needle 80/12 for both piecing and quilting. I used Aurifil 50 wt for piecing and 40 wt for quilting. The batting is Hobbs Natural Cotton with Scrim Binder. I used Oliso Iron to press seams open. The background, border and binding is made with Island Batik Neutral Meringue. I used 18 out of the 20 fabrics in the collection.

I used my Walking Foot to quilt squiggly lines, following the seams.

Lights, Cameras, Action! And lots of Wind!!!

You are a Beauty!

Best Model Ever!

I really, really wanted a reflection shot, but neither the sun nor the water worked in my favor.

We tried

This was fun!

Where did you go?

Yes, I have Tunnel Vision

But you fascinate me...

I am absolutely thrilled with this finish. I have named her Honi. 

Honi (pronounced HO – nee) is the traditional Hawaiian greeting. The English translation is “to kiss”, but actually, the original greeting was touching forehead to forehead, nose to nose and exchanging breath.

Pink Rectangles Kissing or Just Touching...

Quilting Detail

Walking Foot Quilting

And one last look...

Could the Picnic Bench match any more perfectly?

I am in love with Honi and will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Yvonne's Favorite Finish for May.  See full list on the sidebar.

Visit Island Batik Blog for weekly giveaways and make sure to explore all the amazing creations on the Ambassadors’ blogs and join in on their additional giveaways for even more chances to win. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Here is the complete list of Ambassadors, the collections they’ll feature in their projects, and their scheduled post dates:

WEEK 1

May 5:

• Mania Hatzioannidi, Mania for Quilts
• Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

May 6:

• Kimberly Flannagan, Kimberly’s Quilts
• Solomae Stoycoff, Cuddle Cat Quiltworks

May 7:

• Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs
• Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique LLC

May 8:

• Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights
• Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts (You are here)

May 9:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

WEEK 2

May 12:

• Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion
• Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

May 13:

• Connie Kresin Campbell, Freemotion by the River

May 14:

• Denise Looney, Quiltery
• Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany

May 15:

• Susan Michaels, Dragonfly Fiber Art
• Kim Jamieson-Hirst, Chatterbox Quilts

May 16:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

May 19:

• Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting
• Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

May 20:

• Tina Dillard, Quilting Affection Designs
• Carol Stanek, Stitch With Color

May 21:

• Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilt Studio

May 22:

• Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail
• Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

May 23:

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

In other news, I made some green blocks for the May Rainbow Scrap challenge, using Island Batik scraps. Here they are. Will be sharing with Angela's Linky party on Saturday.

Framed 4-patch Blocks, May RSC