Soha and Frogkisser

Me: I avoid cleaning and organizing.  
Paul: Of course, I clean only when it is absolutely essential. 
Me: I am glad you agree. 
Paul: Let sleeping critters lie
Me: Exactly. When I do clean/organize, I get attacked by squirrels.  

At this moment, Paul lost the thread of conversation.

In anticipation of the second shipment of Island Batik Ambassador boxes, I had to clean house, get rid of some scraps and make room for the new supplies. 

In doing so, I came across some star blocks, that date back to 2015, I think. Who knows? It was so long ago. Seven blocks were made. I dropped everything and whipped up two more and completed the flimsy.

Lost and Found

Meet Soha.  Soha is an Arabic name meaning Star of a hidden constellation. These stars were in hiding for long but now they have found their purpose. 

Soha

I received this backing fabric from Julie, when she was destashing.  Love the tightly packed houses. 

Backing

I have been tempted to color some of these houses using fabric pens, but that is a separate post/project!

Color me, please!

Soha finished at about 40" square, and will join other quilts (from my quilt guild) going to the Inova Fair Oaks Hospital's Premie Graduation. These quilts accompany the premie babies when they "graduate" from NICU to go home.  

Stars on a Cloudy Day - Oh Yes :-)

Light-hearted star centers radiate color outwards.  All colors except yellow. Yellow does not show up well against a white background and I wanted each of these stars to pop!

Green & Glowing

Radiant Rainbow Colors

Labelled

I will be sharing with Angela's Linky party.

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I made the next quilt for my former boss' handyman's apprentice's two-year old son, named Leo. I was visiting my former boss, when she mentioned the hardworking men in the front yard.  She also mentioned how Claudio, her trusted handyman of many years had taken the young apprentice under his wing. "He has a two-year old son," she added.

Well, then he needs a quilt. Doesn't he?

Do you remember Meanwhile? Scroll down to the second quilt in that post. Since Meanwhile was such a fun modern take on a scrappy concept, I had saved some flannel strips for making a quickie quilt.

Flannel Strips

Right after I completed Soha, I dived into my bag of flannel strips and started sttiching.

Flannel is stretchy, so precision was too lofty an idea to pursue. I just stitched strips and soon enough there was a flimsy.

Frogs Live Long & Prosper!

For the backing I pieced a transportation themed fabric with yellow borders. No-fuss quilting with squiggles and binding with some newsprint fabric left over from Aurora. 

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Bound

It finished at about 44" by 52" and I have named it Frogkisser. Because I may have kissed (or lovingly caressed) the cute frogs.  No, I don't mind being a Frogkisser because it is a magical ability to turn random scraps into cozy and snuggle-worthy quilts :-D

I kiss Frogs :-)

Frogkisser

Love it!!!

Have Quilt, Will Travel

When Frogkisser was gifted to Leo's dad, he beamed with delight and I was just glad that some scraps found their purpose.  I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

For Leo

Here are my two Dreami (Drop everything and make it) projects.  Will be sharing on Sandra's blog when she posts the next Dreami Linky Party.

I have two more fun quilts ready for prime time and I am dying to show them to you but must wait till July 28 for my turn on the "Covering the World - One Quilt at a Time" event co-sponsored by Accuquilt and Island Batik.

Party On

This is what was advertised

And this is what I received

Same ingredients but a vast difference in appearance. It seems that the avocado slices were tortured and squished into submission before they made it to my plate :-D
Fortunately it was just as tasty as advertised.

Party 1
The Alison Glass Trinket Sew-Along is well underway.  All Lines blocks are completed.  As I work on the Shapes blocks I wonder how will my finish compare with the advertised look.

I am sure it will look nothing like the picture-perfect, glamorized version on the pattern booklet.  That look was so captivating that I am sure there are thousands of quilters (new and old) who purchased the pattern and joined in the sew-along.  Love the pictures on IG. Everyone else's work looks so crisp with bright colors and sharp pictures.

Is it still inspiration if it makes you feel inadequate?

There are 40 unique blocks in the pattern, 10 each of Lines, Shapes, Things and Life; each finishing at a small 4" square. To be able to participate in the final giveaway your flimsy must have at least one of each of the 40 blocks. That would require 41 background blocks, arranged 9 by 9 for a small quilt that would finish at 36" square.

IG inspired do-over of Lines#4

The quilt in the pattern shows 97 blocks with 96 plain charcoal blocks.  So if you want to make a quilt the same size as the pattern you would have to make all blocks at least twice and sometimes  thrice. That is why I chose to use freezer paper.  I can use the same FP template to make a block 3-4 times and it is still usable.

39 blocks

I have "huge" travel plans coming up next month and I will be away from my machine. So I want to make sure that I make the blocks in advance so that I don't miss the block posting dates on Instagram.   Paper piecing is neither fast nor mindless. Feeling pressured to keep up, I realized that I was
devoting too much time to this effort.

Blogging has taken a backseat for that reason.  When Rebecca wrote to me gently enquiring about my absence, it was time to take a break.

Is it still fun when you feel overwhelmed?

Party 2
I saw the block first on Pinterest but there wasn't a pattern or tutorial.  After a few iterations I came up with a design that made me happy. I made a few blocks.

Initial sketch

The first blocks

Won't this be perfect for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge? I had seen many quilters/bloggers participate in the RSC over the past years. With this fun and easy pattern, it was time for me to jump on and join the party.

Yes. So many colors, so many dresses.

January's color was red

We all covet flawless skin but that is so unreal. So my next "lady in red" is rocking freckles :-)

Every freckle has a story

February was yellow.  Here are my ladies in yellow.

Flowery dress

Dazzling

And finally March is green and here are my ladies in green.

Prancing like a peacock

Lounging with Llamas

The more outrageously loud (and busy) the fabric, the better. Hullo Angela, I am late to the RSC 2019 party but then you don't mind.
I will be posting my blocks at least once a month (highlighting the color of the month) to show off a new line of dresses and headwear. Check out what others have been up to this month at the linky party here.

No-longer a Party
I miss Sunday Stash linky parties.
No, I do not buy (or acquire) fabric every week but when I do I want to show it off.   Look, look what I got.  The Winter Flurries fabric line which not only caught my attention but held it firm.

Gorgeous Blues

Deep Turquoise

Midnight Blue

Circles and Diamonds

At 30% off, it teased and taunted me from the shopping cart but when Connecting Threads announced an additional 20% sale, it was time to say yes to it all.

The Real Party
There is no party like an Indian wedding and I was fortunate enough to attend one last week.

The ceremony

The lovely couple

As much as I wanted to make them a quilt, I did not. I understand that most couples these days prefer non-boxed gifts. And this was one day when it was not about me. But you can still see my lovely green bangles in the picture below :-)

Wedding Program

We had a great time with mouth-watering food, lively music, and spirited dancing while surrounded in an ocean of colors, perfume, silk and glittering jewelry.

Lisa and I

Lisa chose to go the more traditional route in a saree complete with matching blouse, jewelry and a bindi (forehead dot).  I chose the easy way out in a salwar kameez outfit.

Selfie before Reception

I am still recovering from all the merriment as I pick out tiny bits of sequins from my underwear. I have no idea how it got there.

What would you want - Single minded devotion to a single party (or project) or balance?
I choose single minded devotion to multiple projects - but one at a time.
For now I must make some chili for hubby dearest. And you can be sure I will give it my undivided attention.

How is your weekend progressing? Do let me know.
I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

A new relationship...

In summer, I long for a chilly breeze; in winter I long for a fire.
At desert, I dream of the seven seas; at sea, it is the dry land I desire.
Since it is winter, I am naturally dreaming about Spring. Here is a little mini, I made - A trio of Tulips.

A Trio of Tulips

Garden Blooms

Blogland: It has been a while.
Me: This happens when one is on a honeymoon
Blogland: Honeymooning with Paul - You are such lovebirds.
Me: Not with Paul.
Blogland: Someone else? Does he know?
Me: Yes, he was the one who insisted on it.

Late last month, I bought a new sewing machine - the Elna eXcellence 730 Pro.

The on/off switch on my very faithful Janome 4120 QDC fell off on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.  Since then I struggled to make do with a basic (non-computerized) Kenmore machine, while I
1. researched how to fix my Janome (or find someone who can) and
2. searched frantically to find a suitable new machine.

After several less than pleasant experiences, disappointments and frustrating ordeals (including visits/calls to repair mechanics, sewing machine shops, and reaching out (sometimes unsuccessfully) to other sewists/quilters), I ended up in Pocono Sew and Vac in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

The fact that they had an answer to all my sewing machine questions, an excellent staff, prices to die for and plenty of yummy fabric to swoon over more than made up for the fact that they are four hours away.

I spent several hours in the store, test driving machines and asking questions. And while I was leaning towards the Janome Skyline S3 (affordable), Paul insisted that I get the bigger, better, fancier, more stylish Elna (more expensive, but still a steal since it was marked down).
Pocono Sew & Vac will also fix my Janome at a cost much more reasonable than quoted by others. (In fact, it is all done and ready to be picked up)
If I do not like my new Elna, I can return it for a full refund in 30 days. No questions asked.

My newest...

She is big and beautiful

Storage for feet - Love that attention to detail

Protecting the spool from the cat - Terrific

I cannot talk (too much) about my new Elna yet. We have just met and this relationship is too new to be discussed openly. But I can say without any doubt that Pocono Sew and Vac had the largest selection of machines (yes, you can try them all), the best customer service (they will answer questions but will not bug you while you are test driving), and their prices are the most reasonable. I highly recommend them for all your sewing machine needs.

Yes, I bought some fabric too.

Droolworthy

From February 7 through February 25, I was starved. I am binge sewing now.  I also completed these two doll quilts - Patrick and Patricia. Yes, they are twins.

Blue Doll Quilt - Patrick

Owls on the Backing

Pink Doll Quilt - Patricia

Will be sending them soon to Amy for A Doll Like Me.

Sweet Patricia

Handsome Patrick

I did not win the giveaway at Needle & Foot. But that was hardly the point. I am sure these doll quilts (making and sending) will be an ongoing project for me.

I have a few other quilts in the works.  Some secret - some not. Here is a sneak peek at one of them.

Coming soon

I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties (see sidebar). As usual, I'd love to hear from you. What has been keeping you busy - fabric or gadget?