Happy Thanksgiving - Much To Do!

Above average temperatures for several weeks and then suddenly it was cold and windy. I guess it is an indication to stay indoors and sew :-D

Should you need a new pattern, Fireworks is now available in my Etsy Shop as a standalone pattern. You can get it at a discount of 25% for one week.

Fireworks

Fireworks is a simple pattern that requires no special rulers/templates and is NOT paper-pieced, making it suitable for all skill levels. 

Brightness

Walking Foot Quilting

Fireworks was first published in Make Modern's Issue 59.

Thank you, Paul

I used Island Batik's Fire and Ice Collection, but you could make it in any colors of your choice. Picture it as a Quilt of Valor. At 60" by 79", it certainly meets the size requirements for QOV.

In Peppermint Sprinkles

In Breezy, Black Background

But there is more. Two lucky readers can win a copy of the Fireworks PDF pattern. Leave me a comment on this blogpost, mentioning your favorite Thanksgiving Dessert. I will pick the winners next week. Please make sure that I have a way of reaching you.

Update - The two winners are Sara (#2) and Susie (#11). Emails have been sent.

But wait there is even more. 

On account of Thanksgiving, I am offering a 25% off sale on ALL patterns till Sunday, 12/1/2024.

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Earlier this month, I taught a Workshop on Improvisational Piecing.  It included modules on Color Theory, Improv Exercises and Layout & Composition.  The 5-hour workshop went by so quickly.

Using two fabric bundles (Island Batik Collections), the attendees made fabric pairs such that there was enough contrast between each pair.

Wild Blooms Collection

Morris Mist Collection

The workshop included five exercises, but the time limitation only allowed for four. Here are some of the attendees with their work.

Loving it

Your smile says it all

Inspired!

Happiness

I received excellent feedback. The attendees left inspired and energized. Since this was my first time teaching this class, I really appreciate these notes from Brenda and Robyn.

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Every year we travel to see Paul's parents (mom and stepdad) for Thanksgiving. Since Paul's mom passed away earlier this year, some people asked me - "Are you still going to Georgia for Thanksgiving?"

Yes, we are.  In times of turmoil, it is even more important to maintain our rituals and routine. 

Starter Syrup and Candied Fruit

I am baking my 30-day Friendship Fruit Cake plus two kinds of cookies - Chocolate Drops and Cranberry Shortbread. The cookies can change but the Fruit Cake is a holiday tradition and is more than expected at Thanksgiving :-)

Watch this clip from a favorite movie of mine, emphasizing our need to find a semblance of perfection in our random world. 

Life is random. In the middle of that randomness, carve some time to play with fabric, meditate with music and be good to yourself. A semblance of normalcy may go a long way to battle the absurd.

I wish that your Thanksgiving Holiday brings you just what you need. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Lots of Love and Squishy Hugs!

Tesu

Mom asked me to make a quilt for a young girl. Of course I said yes.

What is her name, I asked. She did not know. 

How old, I enquired. Not sure, she replied.

Orange, Pink and Sparkly

At this point, I gave up. There is only so much eye-rolling I can do. I set about picking fabrics. Since I knew nothing about the recipient, my aim was to please my mother.

I chose a simple block using cream, pink and orange fabrics.

Design Wall

25 blocks

Ruby Star and Alison Glass Fabrics

Paul: Who is this for?
Me: Some little girl in India...
Paul: Do you know her?
Me: All I know is that her father helped mom with some hard to find medications.
Paul: That is it?
Me: Mom wants to express her gratitude.

Paul: So she asked you...

Me: From across the Atlantic Ocean...

Paul: Are you going to mail it to India?

Me: No, just to Pennsylvania.

Paul: Your sister is going to India?

Me: Yes. End of October.

Festive Elephants Backing

I have been hoarding this elephant fabric since 2016, I think. I know Mom will love it. In fact, Paul loves it too and has asked me to make him a pillow (he already has mug rugs and zippered pouches) from the remaining 16". That is a separate project and blogpost.  Insert eye-roll here.

Here is the finished quilt.

Tesu

I have named her Tesu.  Tesu is the Hindi name for the Butea Monosperma flower. Tesu finished at 43" square. The block is made up of 5" squares framed with 2.5" strips. 

Flame of the Forest :-)

Sunny and Warm

Here are some close-up shots.

Hello Birdie!

Pink and Orange? Well, yes!

Labelled

Love the Striped Binding

Tesu was a fun and fast quilt. 

I especially enjoyed working on her after completing the much complicated Radiance.

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

The next Island Batik project is sponsored by Bags by Annie.  I am making Room with a View in three sizes. 

I will be using the Morris Mist collection. I will post on November 9. 

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Paul: We are hosting our next gaming session. Right?

Me: Yes.

Paul: What are you making?

Me: Chicken Biryani

Paul: Will I be able to eat it?

Me: Yes. I will adjust the ingredients. 

Paul: Do you use a rotisserie chicken?

Me: No, I will use drumsticks.

Paul: Bone-in?

Me: Yes. Very much so. The bone keeps the meat moist. Also, dark meat is more flavorful. I never cook with breasts.

Paul (smiling naughtily): Babe, you always cook with breasts!!!

All Spruced Up

I have a new quilt finish to share. It is the modern Christmas tree quilt block tutorial from Diary of a Quilter.

All Spruced Up

I first came across this block when Molli Sparkles included it in the Honey Pot Bee.
It was such a fun block. It has the tiniest bit of improv, because how you make the two cuts are up to you. That is liberating. At the same time, since the overall block has a fixed dimension, the craziness (of improv) is completely controlled.

Honey Pot Bee blocks

Also, it is a simple block that is perfect for beginners. Therefore, I chose this quilt block as a Block of the Month for my Guild last year and it was met with enthusiasm.

More blocks = More fun

But I was still not done with it. So I decided to make a few more blocks and turn it into a quilt.
As I arranged the blocks on the design wall to make sure that there was contrast between adjacent trees, Paul stepped into the area.

On the Design Wall

Paul: These trees are crooked.
Me: That is what a nasty person will say
Paul: Well, what do YOU say?
Me: I'd say that they are gently swaying in the breeze
Paul: Aren't you trying to hide your incompetence with clever words?
Me: Aren't you missing the forest for the trees?
Paul: A whole forest? 
Me: Uh Huh!
Paul: What are you calling this one?
Me (flashing a big smile): All Spruced Up.
Paul: Gosh, you are so full of it.
Me: And you are so out it. Go away.

Speaking of the breeze, it was a challenge to get a good still shot of the flimsy due to the said breeze. Even a gentle breeze is detrimental to photo shoots. Sandra took the next three pictures as I battled the breeze, the flimsy all over me.

Hugged by the Flimsy

The struggle is real

On the banks of Lake Ontario, Canada

I did heed Paul's advice when it came to the backing. Instead of half and half, I made an additional cut and turned it into a quartered layout.

Quartered Layout for Pieced Backing

Even tried quilting it a little differently. Still using a walking foot, I echoed the tree outlines. I think it gives it a modern vibe to the quilt. What do you think?

Echo Quilting

I chose a purple binding to contrast with the reds and greens. The quilt finished at about 49" by 54". I am sure the right recipient will get it at the right time.

Purple Binding

I know that it is late for the "Christmas in July" shindig.
And it is too early for the actual Christmas this year.

Labelled

Which makes it just perfect for me.  After all I dance to my own beat.
I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.


Before I leave to enjoy my long weekend, I have two more things to share

1. Connecting Threads is having a site-wide sale, ending on 9/3/18.

 I just bought wide backing fabrics because they were less than $9/yard. Expected next week.


2. Quilters Meet and Greet begins on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. Miss it at your own risk.

Hope you have a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

Double Dipping

I have not one but two finishes to share :-D  But first the background story.

Quilts 15 and 16 for '17

Specifically the cream background. You see, the Wild Nectar fabrics with a cream background did not make the cut for Esmeralda, because they would not stand out against the white background.

Poor Contrast with White

But they are too pretty to ignore. Just need a better setting to highlight their beauty.
I also had some fabric left over from the border, binding and the backing.

4-patch blocks from backing, binding and border

And these leftover squares now beckoned to me - constantly. Come get me. Don't you want to make something with me. How do you deal with the siren song of the scraps?

I gave in.

Enjoying the contrast

See how much alive these cream fabrics are against the blue/teal/aqua 4-patch blocks.
But it still needed something - a pop.

The pop of orange

After a few iterations, addition of orange solid from my stash, sewing and trimming, I came up with this little beauty.

Charlie's Birds

The cream squares are in good company with teal/aqua/navy four-patch blocks.  The orange makes it pop and the tangerine binding makes it all come together. Ta da!!!

This Peanuts Easter themed fabric was perfect for backing and the tangerine binding complements the green beautifully.

Easter with Charlie Brown

Because of Charlie Brown on the backing and humming birds on the front, I have named this quilt - Charlie's Birds. Yes, I am smiling too.

Labelled

The finished quilt measures about 36" square and it makes me very happy :-)

Happiness

To be able to squeeze out a second quilt from these gorgeous fabrics feels like double-dipping :-D


Let's continue to double-dip. Shall we?

To make the corner triangles for Esmeralda, I had to trim the layer cake into 8" squares, leaving me with several 2" strips left over.

2" strips - Scraps from Esmeralda

Do you know the trouble with 2" strips that are 8" and 10" long?
They are SHORT!!! Meaning they are too big to throw away and too small to use.
I had just the perfect plan - a simple and free tutorial to use them up!!! Here you go.

1. Take three strips, 2" by 10", and stitch them along the length, using a scant 1/4" seam. You should have a unit measuring 5" by 10". Cross cut into five sections, measuring 2" by 5" each. Repeat the process for all 10" strips.

Three strips 2" by 8"

Cut into 2" sections

2. Similarly, take three strips, 2" by 8", and stitch them along the length, using a scant 1/4" seam. You should have a unit measuring 5" by 8". Cross cut into four sections, measuring 2" by 5" each. Repeat the process for all 8" strips.

Peach and Aqua = Loveliness

3. Cut background fabric into 2" strips. Sub-cut into 2" by 5" rectangles.

Background Strips 2"

4. Place the background strips one on either side of the strata strips and sew. You should have a block measuring 5".

Trimmed Block

Now make some more.

5" Blocks

Arrange the blocks alternating direction. Sew blocks into rows and rows into columns.  For a 41" square quilt, you will need 81 blocks, arranged 9 by 9.  Here is a handy little graphic for your use, showing finished sizes.

Using all of my leftover strips, I ended up with 90 blocks.

Finished Flimsy

Arranged 9 by 10 and added skinny borders.  Used this Nursery Rhymes Fabric for the backing.

Quilted simply with wavy lines using my walking foot.

The turquoise binding works perfectly with both the front and the back.

Finished

The finished quilt measures about 42" by 46".

Paul, the model

I am calling this one Nectar Drops.

Labelled

A second quilt (top) from Esmeralda's scraps is Double Dipping, but a third flimsy - now that is Triple Dipping.  Or Double Dipping - Twice!!!

Two finishes!!!

Bright and Joyful

Charlie's Birds and Nectar Drops

That completes my October OMG. Time to celebrate and set November goals.

Fabrics for Christmas Quilt

I am making a Christmas Quilt and hope to finish the flimsy in November.  I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties.

Hope you enjoyed the simple tutorial for Nectar Drops. What is on your mind and on your goals list? I'd love to hear from you.