This is (mostly) a rant!!!

Warning - this is a rant. Proceed at your own risk.

I had neither the time nor the desire to write this post. But I had to because I was so seething with anger and disgust. And if not here then where else?

Let's call her Auntie Marilyn. I am so tempted to use her full name, but I am not going to. Because I am better than that.

Let's start at the very beginning. The year was 2015 when Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company shared this tutorial on youtube.  You can buy the pattern Double Square Star on Missouri Star Quilt Company's online store.

When I saw the tutorial, I thought - I don't care for all that snowballing so I came up with another method to make the same pattern and shared it here, acknowledging Jenny.

A few years passed.  In December 2019, over the Christmas break, I started contemplating the Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks for 2020.  

I considered my take on the Double Square Star tutorial. In the post "Best of 2019" dated January 1, 2020, I shared my audition block for RSC 2020.  It was a variation of the Double Square Star - as I wrote it.

Reversed Colors and Background

The block looked heavy and dense like a fruitcake. The block was then refined with snowballed corners :-D  Guess, I had evolved over the years. Moreover I had received the diagonal seam tape (as a Christmas present from Mari), which made the snowballing less painful. I shared it in this post dated January 12, 2020.

From January through October in 2020 I made these blocks in colors of the rainbow as suggested by Angela. 

Based on readers' request for a pattern/tutorial for the block, I shared rough instructions here and then the full blown tutorial here. 

When I completed the quilts Serenity and Courage and shared on one of the FB quilting groups, I received so much love and comments. And then Auntie Marilyn appeared.  A little knowledge and absolute power - what could go wrong?

Auntie Marilyn accused me of "taking credit for someone else's work", reprimanded me for using the Trellis pattern designed by Cluck Cluck Sew all because my post said "I designed and pieced this quilt".

I tried to explain to her that our patterns only "looked" similar. Specifically I pointed out

1. Trellis uses jelly roll strips. Picket Star does not. In fact, Picket Star carefully chooses two fabrics that are different in value by a few shades. The construction processes of the two patterns is completely different.

2. In Trellis, the Picket Star is created as a secondary pattern. In Leela, Serenity and Courage, the Picket Star is the focus pattern and it creates a totally different secondary pattern - a fat starry shape (quilted beautifully by Rebecca), see below.

Image from Rebecca Grace Quilting, used with permission

3. The secondary blocks created in Trellis have a solid center. Picket Star has a light and airy center. 

Auntie Marilyn was so understanding. NOT.  

If she could see the differences, or if she could read/understand my explanations, I would not be writing this rant now. Would I ?

She responded "a log cabin is a log cabin even if you change the setting. I will not argue this point". 

This was too stupid to dignify with a response.

Somebody please tell Auntie Marilyn - There is a wide variation in log cabins and their design possibilities are endless. See the two log cabin quilts below. 

Sonika (Log Cabin Baby Quilt) 2019

Sun City (Log Cabin Challenge Quilt), 2016

Speaking of variations, take a look at this Modern Flower Quilt pattern from Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts. Do you see the similarity with the Picket Star Block? It even has the same secondary block shape. It is similar but not same. Therefore I am not attacking her or insinuating that she stole my pattern (or Jenny's pattern or Trellis pattern) and then sold it!!!

Not only Auntie Marilyn wrongfully accused me of something I did not do, she grew all preachy on the entire group posting "I will not tolerate..." 

Auntie Marilyn deleted all the comments/conversations where I tried to point out the differences in the two patterns and then Auntie Marilyn deleted me. I don't know if the original posts showing Serenity and Courage were deleted too, because I am no longer part of the group. 

Most importantly, I must ask - what credit did I take?  What profit did I make?

Even if the pattern was same (which it is not), all I had done was share my finished quilt pictures. There were no links to my blog.  No mention of the free tutorial on my blog. I was not self-promoting. I was not trying to sell anything. 

So, Auntie Marilyn, Shame on you. You are a bully and you are ignorant and you disgust me.  You can take your FB group and put it where...

Paul: Babe?
Me: Yeah?
Paul: How was your day?
Me: Awful. Some bleeping know-it-all rained all over my parade.
Paul: I am so sorry.
Me: In fact it has been so awful that it can only get better.
Paul: That is my girl!!! Would some dinner cheer you up?
Me: Not any dinner. I want smoked salmon.
Paul: So you want to go to Sweetwater?
Me: Yes.

Paul: You know I am getting a Drunken Ribeye.
Me (eyes rolling): Yes. 
Paul (naughtily): I love when you say YES to me.

Me (smiling): I always say YES to you.

Paul: When can we leave?
Me: Give me 10 minutes to wrap this up.

Trust Paul to rescue me - Every. Single. Time.

In spite of the negative reasons that prompted this blogpost, I have to end it on a positive and uplifting one...even if I must borrow the goodness from elsewhere.  

1. Read Rebecca's post about quilting Courage. What she wrote felt like the first raindrops on parched earth, especially today. Do read my comment too. I hold nothing back.

2. Read Tanuja's poem - Have you ever hugged a tree?

3. Read this very touching story (you may need a tissue) from Bernie about the impact of Mercyful Quilts.

In the end, I am glad that the Rebeccas, Tanujas and Bernies (Cathy, Maya, Sylvia, Mell, Mari and Emily too) in my life way outnumber the bleeping know-it-alls.

Work in Progress

Island Batik March Project in progress

I won't be sharing this post with any linky parties. But you are welcome to do so.

And now I have a quilt to finish and a real blogpost to write. If this blog has ever brightened your day or made you smile, please send me a hug.  I will return it with interest :-)

Leela

One week before Christmas

Me: If Dan has no other plans, ask him to join us for dinner on Christmas Eve. 
Paul: Will do.
Me: Do you know what you want to eat?
Paul (excitedly): Let's get Chinese...like in Christmas Story. 
Me (realistically): Are you sure Dan will be OK with it?
Paul: I dunno. 
Me: Let's just do the regular turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes etc.  We can do the Chinese for New Years, when it is just us.
Paul: OK. Then let me pick up the meal from Harris-Teeter.
Me: How much?
Paul: $50 for turkey and sides.
Me: That sounds reasonable.

A New Finish

However when Paul went to order online, the price was $80. The turkey was pre-cooked and would require re-heating as would all the sides.  I put my foot down.

Me: I do not wish to overpay for mediocre food that was prepared in bulk and refrigerated that I will have to re-heat anyways.  
Paul: Then you have to do the cooking. 

Me: Seriously American food is easy to prepare.

Paul: You are awesome.

Can you guess?

Yellow Backing, Striped Binding

The backing is super fun!

The following convo happened about 4:00PM on Christmas Eve.

Me: I put the turkey in the crock-pot around noon. Should be ready by 6:00.
Paul: Cool.
Me: I am done cleaning and tidying up.
Paul: Looks nice here. 
Me: So I am going to take a shower now and do the rest of the cooking later.  Because I can mash the potatoes in front of Dan but I cannot take a shower in front of him...
Paul: But it is Christmas...

For the next few minutes, I forgot the shower and the spuds because I was laughing so hard.  Paul certainly puts the Merry in my Christmas :-)

Meet Leela. The Sanskrit word Leela means Play(noun). The nine colors are playing beautifully in this quilt made of Picket Star Quilt Blocks. 

Leela

Orange

  

Purple

Rust Brown

Turquoise

Yellow

Medium Blue

Pink

Green (this was the very first RSC block for 2020)

Red

Happiness is a Rainbow

I added a border to protect the points. I chose to have fun with the backing. Continuing the theme of the rainbow scrap challenge on the back I made a few scrappy log cabins. A focus strip of these log cabins was added to the backing fabric to add sparkle :-)  

Pieced Backing with a Strip of Log Cabin Blocks

I was concerned that this pieced strip may not be completely straight/vertical after quilting.  The truth is that it isn't exactly vertical but almost straight is good enough :-)

Fun Fabrics

Embrace the Wonkiness

Cute Kitty (pink) & Lovely Gal (green)

Did you see the elephant?

Dragonflies make me smile :-)

The mummy and the all seeing eye

Is it Crawfish or Lobster - I'll eat them both

Used a serpentine stitch with my walking foot to go over the seams. Since the seams are pressed open, I feel that a wider stitch pattern like the zig-zag or the serpentine better secures the seams. 

Quilting Detail

Loveliness

I wanted the multicolored diagonal stripe fabric for binding but I did not have enough of it :-( 

So I combined with a white fabric for a faux piped binding. I got the desired overall effect with the ease of piped binding. What seemed like a challenge turned out to be a blessing in disguise. 

Faux Piped Binding

Leela finished at 53" square and I am happy that I completed at least one RSC quilt before the end of the year.  I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Angela's Linky Party. 

I am in love with the binding!!!

Labelled

One Last Look

Hope your Christmas was Merry, your Holidays are blessed and your New Year is Joyful. 

Should you have any thoughts about the holiday season or my festive quilt, please let me know.  Your comments enhance my merriment :-)

Scraps and Squirrels

Picture the scene at the end of the party.  Empty bottles, missing silverware, dirty dishes, stained carpet, mess everywhere and you don't even know where to begin.

Scraps Explosion

Half Made Blocks

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge feels like a party and it IS a lot of fun...till you get to this time of the year.

Now the party is coming to a close and there are blocks everywhere. How many blocks? Did I lose/misplace some? I was going to redo that one but then forgot. Where do I even start?

Framed Jewel Blocks (Light Borders)

I should start at counting the blocks.  That way I can answer the question - how many blocks?

Will it be enough for one quilt? Or more. May be I will need to make a few more.

Aah Good Intentions!!!

As I opened the box where I had been storing the RSC (Project#2 now renamed Framed Jewels) blocks, something else fell out.

OOPS. It was a squirrel. Actually it was too pretty to be a squirrel. It was a chipmunk.

So off I went chasing that chipmunk cuteness.  Please excuse me Framed Jewels. It is not like you are going anywhere.

Leftover Strip Sets

These strips were left over from Shadow of Light. Like many scraps and block trimmings, they were too small to use and too big to throw away. 

What if...

Becoming Something

Finished Zipper Pouch

Chipmunk Captured!!!

Insides Matter Too

But wait there is more. When I opened the bag containing zippers, five other chipmunks jumped out. Who knew I was housing a whole family of chipmunks in between RSC blocks? 

A Whole Family!!!

I found a few other fabrics, already cut into perfect sizes, ready to become zippered pouches. 

When did I do that?

Fall Colors

Perfectly Coordinated Zippers and Tabs

Sandra, I am sure you have come across a squirrel within a squirrel.  A Dreami within a Dreami. Well, actually I did not drop the first one but chased all six at once.

Colorfully yours

Feed Me, they yell!!!

And here they are - the whole family together. Look at them, so innocently posing for the picture.

A very Big Dreami 

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By now the Framed Jewel Blocks were completely forgotten. But I counted the Picket Star Quilt blocks. Enough for three quilts - one each of small, medium and large :-D

Nine blocks in a small quilt. The next thing I know a flimsy was finished. 

Picket Star Blocks - Finished Flimsy

The Picket Star Quilt Blocks (17" square) are time consuming to make but the quilt top comes together so quickly. I added a border to protect the precious points. The flimsy finished at about 54" square. 

What about the Framed Jewel Blocks? That will have to be in an another blogpost. Did you chase a squirrel? Were you sidetracked? Or did you stay the course. I'd love to know.

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

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Hope you have a safe Thanksgiving.

These are difficult times and we may not be able to see our loved ones. It is hard and it is heartbreaking. I understand. But there is good news. The vaccine will be widely available next year. We have to hang tight for just a few more months. We can do this. Together we can beat this. 

Next year we will have a huge party to make up for all the missed parties.  We will cherish every embrace, every kiss and every handshake. I am sure my arms will ache from receiving and giving big squishy hugs. But I promise to clean up all the mess from that huge party, I promise. It will be worth it!!!