Boxed-Mix

Yes, it has been a while...

It is a challenge to time this blogpost after I am missed but before I am totally forgotten.

Boxed-Mix

This is Boxed Mix, a layer cake friendly quilt, I made for Summer 2026 issue of Quilter’s World.

Made using the Island Batik collection, Enchanted Flutter, Boxed Mix finished at 60" by 84". 

We took the completed quilt for a photoshoot. 

You know that the colors are stunning when you can fool a grasshopper to stop by and examine :-D

I modeled it on my bed. I took pictures of the label and I crushed on it. 

Here is a picture from the magazine.

Screenshot of the online magazine version from my Library

But the quilt never got back to me. The UPS package containing the magazine and my quilt is lost. Multiple phone calls and inquiries have yielded nothing. 

Expected in April, I filed a claim in May and I have given up hope now.  Will you put your attention on Boxed-Mix and wish that it returns to me? I believe in the power of your positive thoughts.

I have completed all my Turquoise blocks for July's Rainbow Scrap Challenge. 

Island Batik Scraps 

Yes, I have been blue... So are the skies. Thank goodness for small mercies.

I will be sharing with Angela's Linky party including all my other favorites. See full list on the sidebar. 

 

Stella is a Star

Stella made the cover!

Published!

Stella is not only published in the We Like Quilting digital/online magazine's September 2025 issue, she made the cover! I am thrilled.

Stella

Designed  in EQ8 and made with the Island Batik collection Midnight Garden, Stella finished at 60" by 80".

Star blocks alternate with Irish Chain blocks. A skinny border and a scrappy border complete the quilt top.

Egg White Background

The background is Egg White (Island Batik Neutral) and provides a perfect canvas for pale blues, ceruleans and turquoise fabrics. The batting is Thermore by Hobbs. I used my walking foot to quilt squiggly lines.

Floral Blues

The backing is Frosting (Island Batik Neutral). 

Frosting Backing

Starry Nights

I love the shimmering blues. 

Crushing on You

Perfect for Outdoors too

Do check out the online magazine. It has a load of fun patterns suitable for every decor. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

In other news, I was in Evanston over the Labor Day weekend, visiting friends.  I took loads of non-quilty pictures. This one taken by my friend's son is the most meaningful. There is a tiniest dip where I stand, as if contemplating my very existence between the sky, the sand and the water. No matter how small or subtle, we make a difference. 

Gillson Beach, Wilmette

Your comments and your thoughts, no matter how brief, make a difference to me.

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.

Mirabelle

Mirabelle was published in Annie's Two Block Quilt Patterns.

Mirabelle in Wild Blooms

Can you spot Mirabelle

I used the collection Wild Blooms, which should be available in quilt stores now.  It is a gorgeous collection with a complete range of values from light to dark, providing the entire spectrum of shades to create a gorgeous quilt.

I don't say this for every collection but I love every fabric in the Wild Blooms collection!!! I used Wild Blooms to make Mardi Gras Magic and Wednesday. I am sure I will be making more :-) 

20 Gorgeous Fabrics

Mirabelle has traveled a long journey. I designed Mirabelle in August 2022 in two different block sizes (8" for Minnie and 10" for Mommy) and submitted for publication.  Sadly, Mommy and Minnie were turned away.

Basting

They came back to me. I hugged them hard and gave them fresh new clothes.  Submitted to Annie's in November 2022 for their Special Publication - Two Block Quilts. I was thrilled when I received the Acceptance Letter. It was stressful because they wanted the completed quilt in their office in about five weeks. I spent my Christmas break with Mirabelle, giving her my all and put her in the mail on the first working day of the year!

These pictures were taken the day before she left.

Mirabelle in the Sun

I have been waiting (?)patiently to share Mirabelle with you. You can buy the magazine at Annie's website, but I have the best pictures right here :-)

Mirabelle Steps Up!

January 2, 2023 was a bitterly cold morning when I dragged Paul out to take these pictures, promising him a big hearty breakfast for all his labors.  I must say that Paul did not disappoint. The low January sun and the perfectly still waters did not hurt either.  

Mirabelle looks in the Mirror

You take my breath away!

Since we were shooting in an office/commercial/retail area right after Christmas, we were greeted with some holiday decorations that served as the perfect props for the photoshoot.

Mirabelle Glows

Mirabelle in the Morning

Mirabelle rides the Reindeer

Mirabelle gets her due!

Following the publication, Mirabelle is reunited with me and we are very happy together.  May be we will make a threesome with Paul but no pictures will be provided :-D

Mirabelle is mine!

But here is some veggie-inspired porn for you. This ACTUALLY happened!!!

Me: Come here. I want to ravish you.

Paul: You want to radish me?

Me (trying to keep up): Why yes. I will radish you.

Paul: I am glad you don't want to beet me.

A few days later, both of us working from home.

Paul (yelling from the living room): I LOVE you!

Me (finally caught up): I know, but will you radish me?

Paul: Don't have thyme for that right now.

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