Everything, Everywhere, All in One Month

Paul's mom, Krissy passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2024.  

Picture from Paul's graduation in 2007

We went to Georgia for her memorial service. It was a solemn occasion but I could not be sad for long since I was being enveloped in so many hugs from all the relatives and cousins, some I had never met before and some I think I had met once that Christmas.

Lots of Hugs

Paul kept it together and he looked so handsome. 

Love you so much!

Paul spoke at the service mentioning how his mom was a rebel and rarely followed rules. Krissy was feisty and resourceful. Although she did not finish school, she was smart enough to read a library book on accounting and apply for a job. That she lied on her application was but a small technicality. Taking care of two boys as a single and working mom, she did not have a lot of options.

At the church

We drove home and settled into our routines, making sure that we check on Paul's dad more often than ever before. Paul is doing fine, I think.

I was scheduled to present at the Waterford Quilt Guild on Valentine's Day. In the frenzy of preparation (trying to compress 11 years of quilting journey into one 90-minute presentation), I realized that I did not get a card for Paul. 

Me: Did you get me a card for Valentine's Day?
Paul: I will.
Me: But you don't have it yet?
Paul: Correct.
Me: Is it acceptable if we don't exchange cards this year?
Paul (suspiciously): Why?

I told him the truth. 

Paul: I will accept that you don't have a card.
Me: PHEW!!!
Paul: But you can write me a Haiku.
Me: A Haiku?
Paul: Yes.
Me: I can do that.

Across seventeen Valentines

My cold heart and my cold feet

Warmed by your loving touch

Then it was Quiltcon time. I was (still am) frantically working on two quilts for publication and I considered canceling this trip but I had already paid for hotel accommodations in Raleigh and convinced myself that it would be a welcome break with friends and loads of inspiration. 

Quiltcon 2024 in Raleigh

Mari and I drove together. I met Leah and saw Emily. We got together for dinner on Friday evening. We three Island Batik ambassadors chatted about forthcoming projects, ideas and fabrics.

With Leah and Emily

On Saturday morning, we met Jennifer and posed with our ByAnnie bags. ByAnnie is an industry partner with Island Batik and we love her patterns.

Jennifer and Emily

We love our ByAnnie Bags

I saw Vasudha (forgot to take pictures) and chatted about design and deadlines.  Yes, I took several quilt pictures but you can find most of them on Instagram, winners and rejects and everything in between. I did not have a finished quilt, so there wasn't a photoshoot. But Raleigh offers some picturesque backdrops that would be ideal for quilty pictures.

The Capital in Raleigh

The Acorn

Somewhere in the middle of it all, I managed to complete my RSC blocks for February, thanks to receiving some reds from Connie. Although I have a lot of Island Batik reds, I needed just a few more to make eight blocks.

Island Batik reds

Connie sent some :-)

Making Hexies

I will be sharing with Angela's Linky Party, this Saturday.  We will be in March by then!!!  Holy Cow and Thank Goodness!

Red Blocks for RSC February

And four more

I hope I can catch my breath in March. Two new quilt patterns are coming. Yes, there will be giveaways too, so watch this space.

On March 6, 2024, I will be releasing a new pattern - Rainbow Parade, along with a mini blog hop. My dear quilter friends, Cathy, Bonnie, Frederique and Diptee, generously tested the pattern and will be sharing their versions. 

How do I stay sane
Through deadlines, trips, blocks and more
Miracle truly

I hope you will forgive me my Haiku phase, or blame it on Paul. 

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

My Checkered Past

If I could be doing anything quilty, it would be improv piecing.  It is like taking a journey. "Come hither ye fabric scraps; together we will travel and see where we end up." 

Here is the Island Batik Challenge for March. It reads 

"March brings a free month for you to determine your own project of any size, using any theme and any technique!! This is an opportunity for you to express your creativity without guidelines. Have fun!"

And I did have fun. See how the bits and pieces grew.

Starting Point

And then there were two

Growing

Coming Together

Getting Closer - Are we there yet?

May be we'll go just a bit farther

It is fun to juggle the varied sizes and watch the quilt top come together.  Usually we end up bigger than we envisioned - unexpected twists and turns and scenic routes, you know. A few tweaks, some trimming and some inserts later, we were done. 

Two more seams to a Completed Top

I used Aurifil Thread for piecing (50 wt)  and quilting (40 wt.) I used 80/12 Microtex Schmetz Needle for both piecing and quilting. All the Island Batik fabric scraps work beautifully with the Island Batik Solid White background. A black border was added and I chose black binding. I chose Hobbs Cotton Wool Blend batting. Quilted using my walking foot. 

Hobbs Batting

I completed the quilt shortly before my trip to Atlanta for Quiltcon. Naturally I packed the quilt with me. Remember we journey together - my fabric and I.  Here is my quilt - My Checkered Past enjoying the beautiful city of Atlanta.

Poolside at the Hotel in downtown Atlanta

Just Peachy :-)

Making Ends Meet

Of Course, I remembered the label!

Pieced Backing (using discarded blocks from another quilt)

The Geometrics!

Enough of the hotel. Let's go sightseeing. 

At the Martin Luther King Center

At the Yolanda King Center for Performing Arts

Just love this picture - looking ahead together

Meditating at the Oakland Cemetery. We come and go but life goes on forever

So tired after a long day!

Tomorrow is another day!

I spent one day at Quiltcon and although I took many quilt pictures, the best part is meeting and reconnecting with people.  You can find all the quilt pictures on Instagram at #Quiltcon2023.  Here are the hugs I exchanged :-)

With Nann (With Strings Attached), Anna and Mell

On our way to Quiltcon

With Anja (Anja Quilts)

It was a high point of my visit when a reader of mine recognized me.  Here I am beaming with happiness with Barbara from Philadelphia. Hope you will read/see this.

With Barbara

Quilters of Indian origin - Sujata Shah and Vasudha Govindan

I didn't plan this picture. I was meeting Vasudha and then we saw Sujata and we had to take a picture.  I think I need a jacket before I go to Quiltcon next time. It was the uniform, apparently.

With Stephanie from Hobbs

It was so nice to meet with Stephanie. Stephanie also manages the Hobbs IG account and we already know each other from Island Batik ambassador program, where Hobbs Batting is the industry partner.

Atlanta is beautiful - art and inspiration are everywhere. We were also lucky - absolutely gorgeous weather.  Here are a few more picture s from my trip.

Near the King Street MARTA Station

Such a great image!!!

Rock Paper Scissors - Street Art near Midtown MARTA Station

In full bloom :-)

Piedmont Park Lake

The Dogwood Sculpture in Piedmont Park

Wall Art

Cats Rule, I think.

Don't miss the reflection in the puddle

I am not sure what the artist is trying to say but I am sure it is a struggle between love and money. 

So long Atlanta. Home sweet home!

Angela has announced the color for March. It is certainly a nod to the St. Patricks Day :-)

Here is my fabric pull. 

Island Batik Greens for RSC

I will be sharing with Angela's and all my other favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.  As usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I will close my eyes and pretend that we met at a Quilt Show and you said sweet (or savory) things about My Checkered Past :-)