Pinktober Plus

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and here is my response. 

Pinktober!

This is the largest improv-pieced quilt, I have ever made. I don't think I will ever do it again because I could not see the whole composition at once, until after it was quilted. 

Made entirely of pink (peach, coral and some fuchsia) scraps combined with low volume/white fabrics, I have named her Rosy Pussytoes, after the pretty pink flowers.

Pink & Peach

Happy Halloween!

While the working title was F*** the Blues, which resembled my mood when I started rage sewing the scraps, the finished product is so beautiful that I have revised the monicker :-)

My cup runneth over...

What do you think?

Speaking of names, when I showed the work in progress to my mom, she called it a "pink tarpaulin"

Basting

Jennifer Fulton of Inquiring Quilter sent me the pattern for the "Ribbon of Hope" block, which I incorporated in the back.

Ribbon of Hope

Ready to Applique

Thank you, Jennifer!

I used Tuscany Cotton-Wool Blend batting by Hobbs. The backing is this cute multicolored dogs - a fabric I have been hoarding for a while :-)

Puppy Love

I used my Walking Foot to quilt squiggly lines in one direction only. The binding is a turquoise fabric from Moda. 

Work in Progress

Binding Completed

Rosy Pussytoes finished at 82" by 94". Before I asked Paul to model her, I added a temporary sleeve, where a curtain road could be inserted to prevent floppy corners.

Atop a Picnic Table

In my backyard

On my bed

Let's take a few close-ups.

There is a saying in Hindi which translates into - Large scrapings from a large pot. As a proverb, it means that even the small remnants, leftovers, or small acts of charity from a wealthy family or big business are more than enough to sustain a poor person.

Rosy & Mini

Translated into quiltspeak, there were enough scraps leftover from Rosy to make a Mini - a small baby quilt, perfect for a little girl.

Mini Pussytoes

Purple Butterflies Backing

Mini Pussytoes finished at 37" by 43".

Pretty in Pink

I used Polyester Batting (Hobbs) and the same/similar turquoise binding.

In my Backyard

I am going to bed with Rosy Pussytoes, and Mini Pussytoes is going to my mom for when she may need a suitable gift. 

See them both?

The festival of lights is around the corner and I am going to India for a visit. There is a baby boy, my newest nephew, who deserves a quilt all his own.

After some thought, I decided to use a jungle babies fabric panel to whip up a quick quilt in a weekend.

Bear Hugs Revisited

Happy Snake :-)

The border fabric came from Mari's scrap basket. The red, green and blue fabrics came from Paul's mom, that I inherited. The yellow is leftover from Meetu's quilt. Many blessings for the new baby!

Border of Birds

Cute Bubbleguppies Backing

For batting, I used the Tuscany Cotton-Wool leftovers (long strips frankenbatting)  from Rosy Pussytoes. The Binding is dark green, made from the leftover backing of Jeni's Colorado.

Happiness is a Hug

Quilts take up a lot of space. I will travel with two large suitcases that can be nested, outbound with two pieces of checked luggage, and inbound with just one, one neatly inside the other...a bit like this one blogpost that contains three quilts :-D

It is that time of the year - Get your shots (prevention/protection from flu etc.) and don't throw away your shot (make sure you vote).

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

The Positivity QAL - Finished Flimsy Winners

Bernie joins me in thanking all of you who completed the Positivity Flimsy and participated in the Linky Party.

We also thank all the designers who offered their patterns as prizes. See full announcement here

Here are the winners - Numbers 2, 9, 11, 13 and 19.

• Number 2 is Wendy of PiecefulThoughts- She won Prize #3. One PDF pattern of choice from Denise of For the Love of Geese
• Number 9 is Susie of Knitty Quilter - She won Prize #1. One PDF pattern of choice from Cynthia of Quilting is More Fun than Housework
• Number 11 is Cheree of The Morning Latte- She won Prize #2. One PDF pattern of choice from Jayne of Twiggy and Opal
• Number 13 is Frederique of Quilting Patchwork Applique - She won Prize #5. One PDF pattern of choice from Melanie of Mell Meyer
• Number 19 is Shuba (Instagram Entry) - She won Prize #4. One PDF pattern of choice from Debby of Quilter by Design
• Quilting by Joy went to Number 14, Astrid (Instagram Entry).

Emails have been sent to all winners and the corresponding designers. 

It is time to make binding. Here is mine. 

The Finished Quilt Linky Party is scheduled for August 22, 2021.

The Completed Quilts are due to reach Bernie no later than September 4, 2021.

The Positivity QAL - Finished Flimsy Linky Party

This blogpost is late but I have a very good reason for it...a very cute and furry reason :-)

Louie - our new fur baby

Meet Louie. We brought him home yesterday afternoon.  Louie's rescue dad is moving and could not take him along. We were only too happy to adopt him. The car ride was not fun for him and the thunderstorms did not help. He has been exploring his new environment and is a little skittish. We are getting to know him as he gets to know us. 

Why yes, I live with two handsome males

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Of course, the main purpose of this blogpost is to show off my completed flimsy for the Positivity QAL. Here it is. 

I have come up with a name for the finished quilt, but I will save that for the completed quilt linky party scheduled for August 22, 2021. 

Do make sure you add the link to your blog/Instagram at Bernie's Linky Party. There are several prizes open to all participants in the US and abroad. If you don’t have a blog, please send an email to Bernie, with a picture of your flimsy so it can count as an entry to win!! Linky is open till July 24 and the winners will be picked on July 25, 2021.

Speaking of Positivity, I had made several Plus Blocks to demonstrate how to pick fabrics, the importance of contrast, and the 10-foot rule. I had set these aside for a baby quilt at some later date.

But when Joy mentioned that she was collecting blocks to make a community Positivity flimsy, I quickly mailed them to her. Look what she did with them.

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July is dark blue, said Angela.  Here are my dark blue/navy blocks.  

Monkey Rules

Wild & Festive

Navy Blue Blocks

I later noticed that brown and black blocks belong in July as well.  I picked out the brown and black fabrics but the blocks are not completed at this time.

Lovely Browns

Black is Beautiful

Sharing with Angela's Linky Party. That leaves orange and turquoise. I wonder what color is August?

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A huge THANKS to all of you who visited my Etsy shop, liked it and favorited it. I am very happy with the response to the Novella Wall Hanging/Table Runner pattern. I am working on a couple of new patterns and will be adding them in the next few months.

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Connecting Threads has been having a sale and I bought some wide backings.  

Wide Backings from Connecting Threads

I love love love this wide backing fabric from Connecting Threads. It is charcoal gray (on the right side) but if I so choose I can use the wrong side for a subtle light gray. That is terrific.  

I love this fabric!!!

Everything is 25% off but the Cyber Sale ends today. 

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In other news, we have received the second set of boxes from Island Batik and other industry partners. I will be sharing the Unboxing Video on July 22, 2021.

At this time, I am furiously working on the Island Batik August Challenge (Try a Tool). The Blog Hop begins on August 10 and my post is scheduled for August 11, 2021. 

Sneak Peek of the Island Batik August Challenge

Lots to do and finish.  I'd love to know what is keeping you busy. I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

It is hot and humid and horrible. Please stay cool (unless you live in Australia or New Zealand) and hydrate.

This blogpost contains affiliate links.

Positivity Plus

April is almost over. Did I forget my RSC blocks? Of course not. Meet my light/bright blues.

Light/Medium Blues

Bright Blues

Sharing with Angela's Linky Party.

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I am happy to share my newest finish with you. I have named it - "The Positivity Quilt"

Strangers in a Park - Happily Helped Me :-)

Blues to Beat the Blues

Green Grass - Bright Red Binding

Positivity means Affirmative Willingness. Yes, it is so AND I am willing to do something about it.

Lately positivity and positivity rates have been associated with Covid-19 infections. The overwhelming feelings of loss, sadness, helplessness and negativity abound. 

Step 1 - I accept those circumstances and acknowledge those feelings.

Step 2 - I am going to do something about them.

Positivity Quilt - 60" by 80"

What is Life without Whimsy?

Love in Low Volume

On location

As a quilter, I quilt my feelings. (Some of us eat our feelings but that is a separate blogpost.)

The Positivity Quilt is headed west to Bernie for the Mercyful Quilts initiative. 

Walking Foot Quilting

Ballerinas in pink :-)

As I buried the knots and trimmed the threads, I pictured a family receiving a Mercyful quilt. To a dying person and their family a quilt is such a small thing and yet it can mean so much. I was then reminded of the card I received from them earlier this year.

Three brain clicks later, I had an idea - a quilt along to make Mercyful quilts. Bernie completely supported my recklessness :-) Rebecca, Alycia, Cathy, Joy, Cynthia, and Vasudha have egged me on. 

Mari and Joe in PA heartily agreed to join in the QAL.

Fueled by all this positivity, I am announcing the Mercyful Positivity Quilt Along!!!

What is a Mercyful Quilt?
The Palliative Care Unit in the Mercy Hospital gives quilts to their terminally ill patients to bring some measure of comfort to the person and their family as they go through the difficult process of dying. The family then keeps the quilt in the memory of the person who passed away. The need for such quilts is never ending. With a raging pandemic and limited family visits, these quilts have become even more meaningful for a sense of home and peace.

• Suggested size - 60" by 80"

• Suggested Colors - Gender Neutral colors (avoid/limit pink)

• Quilting - Avoid dense quilting

• Fabrics - 100% Cotton (avoid/limit juvenile fabrics) 

What is the purpose of the QAL?
To make Mercyful Quilts because the need is ongoing. If you have wanted to make a Mercyful Quilt but life got in the way, here is an opportunity to participate and stitch some love, along with others. 

The Beginning of Mercyful Quilts Initiative

Thank you from Mercy Hospital

Mercyful Quilts Update

Wrapped with Kindness (may need tissues)

A Note from Mercy Hospital

What does it cost?
There is no cost to participate. The simple block pattern and layout options are provided free of charge. 

How much fabric do I need? 
For a simple Plus Quilt, you will need 16 strips (2.5" by WOF) of focus fabric and about 4 yards of background fabric (I used low volume scraps). 

What is the QAL schedule?
The QAL will begin on Sunday, May 30, 2021 (Memorial Day Weekend) and will end on Sunday, September 5, 2021 (Labor Day Weekend). 

Questions?
Ask away and I will respond in the comments.

In the next couple of weeks, I will be working on the block instructions, layout options and other logistics for the QAL. Bernie and I are also organizing some prizes for the QAL. 

My Favorite Picture - Greasy Hair and Wrinkled Tee notwithstanding :-D

If you are a pattern-designer or a fabric shop and would like to sponsor a prize for the Mercyful Positivity Quilt Along, please reach out to Bernie or me.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.  If you have a thought about positivity, do share. If you are burdened by negativity, don't hold it in; let it out. We are in this together.