Two For One!

I have lots to share today. 

Let's start with Positivity Grows! Some of you may have seen this finish on Instagram but here it is for the first time on my blog - the Positivity 2023 Finished Quilt.  I have named her Vrinda, which is one of the names of the Holy Basil. 

Vrinda

Vrinda is green and glowing. 

The blocks are sometimes wonky, but you know that straight is overrated :-D

Happy Pride Month! 

Speaking of happiness, I like to celebrate every finish and Paul captured that emotion perfectly.

Happiness is a Quilt

Since I will be sending Vrinda to Mercyful Quilts, it is all the more important to document these happy pictures.  I will be sharing with the Positivity Linky Party on Bernie's blog on June 25, 2023.

Making me Happy

Did you see the pieced backing? Purple and Green, it works well with the front of the quilt.

Pieced Backing

Leaves Grow in Sunshine

The jelly roll strips leftover from making the leaf blocks were used to make the scrappy binding. 

Scrappy Binding

Labelled

Purple and Green = Winning Combination

This post won't be complete without the signature reflection-in-the-water shot.  So here it is - thanks to Paul!

Breezy Day

Although Vrinda will be heading west I will get to keep a piece of the Positivity with me.  That brings me to the Bonus Project.  If you have been wondering what happens to the leftover squares from making the Leaf Blocks, here is the  answer.

Four bonus squares = One New Block

And then there were two

A total of 64 bonus squares were combined (very simply) to make this fun baby quilt. I have named her Jade. The triangles come together like gemstones and she really does glow!

Basting

Using my walking foot I followed the horizontal/vertical seams and the diagonal folds to quilt a grid. 

Quilted

Bound

The binding is the same charcoal fabric as the backing. But there is a special twist. Since Jade finished at about 48" square, I needed to piece the backing. 

Smile for the Camera

The Pieced Backing is inspired by KellyYoung's new book Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs.

With 152 pages including a total of 30 pieced quilt backing designs, this must-have quilt book is an excellent source of inspiration for quilters of all skill levels. A bonus of 18 downloadable quilt front patterns are also included. You don't want to miss it.

My Pieced Backing

Love you so much!

You are mine!

Labelled

Hope you are participating the Positivity QAL. The first linky party is on Sunday, 6/25/23 to share our progress. I will also be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

This post also serves as my entry to the Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs Blog Tour.  Here is a list of the other bloggers that are posting today with their “Perfectly Pieced Backs.” Hope you will visit each blog and see what they made!

• Sandra @ mmm…quilts
• Rose @ Something Rosemade
• Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts
• Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts
• Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal
• Anja @ Anja Quilts
• Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
• Vasudha @ Storied Quilts
• Kris @ Sew Sunshine
• Leanne @ Devoted Quilter
• Rebecca @ Rebecca Grace Quilting
• Preeti @ Sew Preeti Quilts You are here!
• Susan @ Quilt Fabrication
• Kate @ Katie Mae Quilts
• Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts
• Linda @ Flourishing Palms
• Anne-Marie @ Stories From the Sewing Room
• Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
• Gail @ Quilting Gail
• Kat @ Scrapbox Quilts
• Julie @ Julie’s Quilts and Costumes
• Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic

Pattern, Sale & BlogHop too!

I have so many things to share that I could just explode.
Breathe, breathe, just breathe, Paul said.

1. Topsy Turvy is now available as a stand alone pattern in my Etsy Store.

Topsy Turvy in Honeycomb Fabrics

I first made Topsy Turvy using the scraps left over from the Island Batik "Make it Modern" Blog Hop and Challenge.  Many refinements later, making it suitable for 2.5" precut strips, writing and rewriting and then correcting the pattern, Topsy Turvy is now available as a standalone pattern.   

Here are a few more pictures.

Basting and Ironing

Topsy Turvy is a Lap/Throw size quilt finishing at 55" by 68".  I made it using the Island Batik's Honeycomb collection, designed by Kathy Engle for Jackie Kunkle of Canton Village Quiltworks. This collection should be available in your local quilt stores this month.

Labelled

Walking Foot Quilting

The binding matches the background. The blocks may look precarious as they float on the background. But there is one bit of whimsy in the binding  - a pop of color. It makes me smile. Do you see it? The pop, not my smile.

In the wind

I am in love with Topsy Turvy because it is so versatile. You can make it with one collection, a few fabrics or go completely random and scrappy. 

The reflection!!!

I am sure you would like to see this done a few different ways. And that brings me to my awesome pattern testers.

Ahead of the pattern release, Nancy, Wendy, Karen, Turid and Yvonne agreed to test drive Topsy Turvy and they will be sharing their versions beginning today. Please visit their blogs  - for they may have giveaways. Here is the line-up.

BlogHop Schedule

September 9, 2022 - Nancy

September 10, 2022 - Karen 

September 11, 2022 - Turid

September 12, 2022 - Wendy

September 13, 2022 - Yvonne

The Topsy Turvy pattern is on sale (25% off) till September 15, 2022.  I am dying to hear your thoughts.

2. Frolicking Fish is published in Make Modern #48. 

Here are some pictures from the Photoshoot. 

Fish at the Dining Table?

How do I look?

Do you see the texture?

These pictures were taken at my friend Manveen's new house. The quality of the light in this house would cause a major battle among quilters. Fortunately I can use the house without having to pay the rent/mortgage :-D

Raj, Manveen's husband, who has a home office wondered aloud - "How would those fish look like in my office? Like a wall-hanging, you know." I was only too happy to gift the wall-hanging/table runner to him. 

With Manveen. Raj is the photographer

And one more picture of these fabulous frolicking fish!

Scrappy & Yummy

So my love affair with Make Modern continues. This is my third pattern in the magazine. If you have not met Make Modern, you are missing out. Published every other month, it is 100+ pages of patterns, tips, techniques, interviews and so much more.

3. Remember when I was feeling disappointed at the rather lukewarm response to the Positivity 2022 QAL, because there were only six link-ups?  Me of little faith...tch tch tch.

Bernie informed me that there were nine quilters/contributors who made 10 quilts. Adding one from Bernie and one mine (Naman) brought the tally up to 12. Just when I was beginning to feel okay, I received an email from Jenn, with three quilt pictures, which she will be delivering directly to the Mercyful Hospital.  I know Paulette is working on completing hers. That is 16!!! 

From Jenn, #1. Puppy wins!!!

From Jenn, #2

From Jenn, #3

I am ashamed and thrilled.  

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But enough about me. What rare combination of feelings are you experiencing today?

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

Don't forget the Topsy Turvy Blog Hop. Here is the schedule, once again!!! You don't wanna miss it.

BlogHop Schedule

September 9, 2022 - Nancy

September 10, 2022 - Karen 

September 11, 2022 - Turid

September 12, 2022 - Wendy

September 13, 2022 - Yvonne

Prizes, Prizes, Prizes!!!

Today, the Positivity QAL comes to an end with the announcement of the winners. 

Thanks to the unexpected generosity  of our sponsors - Art Gallery Fabrics, Benartex and Island Batik, we had enough prizes for everyone who completed a Positivity Quilt.

Here are the winners:

Mari, Lisa T, Katie May, Roseanne, Sue Hoover, Danielle, Cynthia, Sylvia, and Wendy F.

Emails have been sent to all winners. While I wait for your addresses, I am stuffing goodies in padded envelopes. So excited!!!

Sunday Update - Prizes have been sent to Katie May, Roseanne, Sylvia and Sue. Mari and Lisa have received their prizes. I drove north to meet with Mari and Lisa. Totally worth it!!!

Congratulations to all of you and thank you so much for making this QAL a success.

Thank you, Bernie. You are my partner in crime.

Thank you Mari. You keep me sane.

Ladies that Lunch - Lisa (hand only) and Mari

Hello Lisa. You are my new quilty friend. What else do I call you if you begin with cute fabrics and end with peach tart?  

From Lisa, for me!!!

Peach Tart +Vanilla Ice cream = Taste of Summer

We happily ate with vanilla ice-cream :-) A perfect way to celebrate summer and the end of a successful QAL.

In other news, Angela has announced the color for September and I just might complete my blocks before the end of the month. Here are my fabrics - at least a start.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge - September is Bright Blue

Island Batik has announced the Tool Talk Challenge and Blog Hop. Check the IB blog for the complete schedule and fabulous giveaways.  

I have completed the flimsy and will begin quilting soon. I am working with Honeycomb collection, an absolutely yummy collection designed by Kathy Engle for Jackie Kunkel of Canton Village Quiltworks, coming to a fabric store near you in September.

Gorgeous Fabrics!!!

Work in Progress

I will post on September 14. Will there be a giveaway of my own? Hmmm... only one way to find out :-)

Sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. 

Hope your long weekend is just as peachy and sweet.  

Unboxing Positivity

The second shipment of boxes from Island Batik arrived in the last week of June, loaded with gorgeous fabrics and other goodies/supplies from Island Batik's industry partners.

Last weekend, I shot the video. 

The setup below shows off my Island Batik projects from this year - Syzygy, Pobody's Nerfect and Harmony.

Ready to Roll the Camera

Here is the link to the unboxing video.
https://www.facebook.com/preeti.harris/videos/3339563136370078/

I received Batting from Hobbs. Cotton Queen Size, 80/20 Black Queen Size, Cotton Wool Blend Lap Size, Thermore Polyester Queen Size, and fusible batting strips.

Tree of Life Block on Board die from Accuquilt for the Accuquilt Christmas in July Project

Tucker Trimmer Ruler from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Designs for the September Project

Instructions, Supplies and Hardware from ByAnnie for the "Its in the Bag" October Project. I chose the  Ultimate Travel Bag 2.0. 

To make the bag, I requested fabrics from the Sunset Plains collection. Sunset Plains is designed by Kathy Engle and will be available in stores in September 2022.

Island Batik Fabrics (Sunset Plains Collection) to make the bag

A new industry partner - Prairie Spirit Alpaca sent us a pressing mat. 

If you knit, you must check out their blog.

Here are the rest of the fabrics from Island Batik.

Neutrals - 6 yards of Rice, 4 yards each of black, white and light grey solids.

Top - White, Black and Light Grey. Bottom - Rice

Spring 2022 Collection - Honeycomb, a signature collection by Kathy Engle for Jackie Kunkel of Canton Village Quiltworks, expected in stores in September 2022. 

Honeycomb by Kathy Engle for Jackie Kunkel

This collection came with four yards of matching yardage.

Daffodil Yellow & Imperial Red

Foundations Bundle - 4 solids, 4 blenders and 4 basics, half yard each.

Island Batik Foundations Bundle

Spring Precut - Stack of 10" squares of Cheers, a signature collection by Kathy Engle for Carl and Linda Sullivan of Colorwerx. I also received four yards of matching yardage in Aqua and Blueberry.

Spring Precut and Matching Yardage

The Summer Pre-cut and Aurifil Thread will be coming later and I will happily show you, once I receive them.

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Instead of writing a separate blogpost for the Positivity 2022 QAL, I am going to piggyback my completed flimsy on this post. Hence the title of this post :-) See what I did there :-)

Thank you, Paul

The fabric is Island Batik, including the white solid. Here are a few more pictures because she does look so lovely.

Beautiful Day

Ironed and Ready to Baste

I already pieced the backing (Island Batik Light Grey) and made the binding too. The binding is Turtle (by Island Batik). It will frame the purple and green blocks beautifully :-D

Dark Green Binding

Linking with Bernie on Sunday, 7/17/22 for the Positivity QAL Finished Flimsy Linky Party. You must link-up to be eligible to win the Level 1 Prizes.

Also linking with all my favorite Linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

I know, I know I am behind on my RSC assignments. June took the car and got stuck in traffic, caused by all the fabric rain (it has been pouring). Since there is only car in the household, Julio is stuck at home. Trust me, he is fuming.  Once June gets outta this mess, they both will have to get to their destinations together - Dark Blue for June and Purple for Julio!!! That blogpost is next, I promise.