Marvelous Mini Challenge

Island Batik's August Challenge is simple. Make a mini quilt using the fabrics and techniques of your choice in a size not to exceed 24" on any side.

Here is my response #1

Goddess Lakshmi's Feet

It is a simple response to a simple challenge. If you are familiar with Hindu culture, this image needs no explanation. But I want to explain so please humor me.

Goddess Lakshmi is often called the Goddess of Wealth, but that is not entirely correct. She is the Goddess of Prosperity. The difference may seem subtle, but Prosperity includes well-being and happiness, whereas wealth is just riches. And although it is not bad to be wealthy, it is pointless if you don't have health and happiness to enjoy your good fortune.

During Diwali celebrations, Hindus draw Rangoli patterns that sometimes include Goddess Lakshmi's Feet pointing towards the front door of the house, as if She is entering your home.

The following pictures show my process.

Repurposing Scraps

Scrappy Borders Added

I improv pieced bright fabrics from Juicy Mosaics, Celebrate, Lace and Grace, and Flutter Wings collections to make strata which I then cut into feet shapes. The toes were tricky since they are tiny and not much room for stabilizing. I used Steam A Seam 2, purchased from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Appliqued and Layered

I used Hobbs Cotton Batting and Schmetz 90/14 Needles.

Quilted and Trimmed

At this point, I could add binding and call it done. But there has to be more to the Goddess than just a pretty picture. I love this mini quilt and it would be absolutely lovely as a wall-hanging but I wanted to add more meaning. So I used a zipper and leftover vinyl (from Rooms with a View Bags) to make a see-through bag.

Zippered Vinyl Bag

Project Bag

I was so happy with my finish that I decided to make a second one :-D Here is my response #2.

Kalpataru (Tree of Life)

I followed the same construction process. 

Neutral Background, Scrappy Borders

Tree Trunk and Branches

Adding Foliage

Ready to Quilt

See-Through Zippered Bag

What do you think about making Mini Quilts? How do you use them? Do you like my twist to the mini quilt challenge? Do share your thoughts.

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

Island Batik Unboxing Plus

July is the wonderful time of the year when the Island Batik Ambassadors receive their second shipment of supplies and goodies for the year.  I need all the help to stay indoors when the outside is like a sauna.

I poked my head outside and felt like I got slapped by the 100 degree heat wave. I quickly shut the door and returned to play with my supplies.

Here is the video. For once it is all about the fabrics. They are much prettier :-)

Here are the supplies.

We received a generous box of batting from Hobbs.  Three Queen Size Batts!!!

Queen Size Thermore Batting

Natural Cotton Fusible and 80/20 Cotton-Poly Blend in Black

Throw Size in Silk Blend

Twin Size in Unbleached Cotton

Island Batik provided all the fabrics that follow.

One Half-Yard Bundle of Spring 2023 Collection - Geometric Symphony for the September Challenge and Bloghop. Designed by Kathy Engle, Geometric Symphony includes 20 fabrics and comes with matching yardage. 

Geometric Symphony

Beige, Pink and Purple

Matching Threads from Aurifil to use in September for the Adventurous Applique Challenge.

Half Yard Foundations Bundle including four solids, four Basics and four Blenders. Island Batik Foundations are available all year round. 

Basics, Solids and Blenders

Spring 2023 Precut - Flower Pot, Signature Collection for Jennifer Fulton of Inquiring Quilter, with Matching Yardage

Flower Pot - 2.5" Strips with matching yardage

Gradations Precuts - Playful Purples in 2.5" Strips and Brilliant Blues in 10" squares

Stash Builders are a set of 5" wide strips, 20 per pack. They are the perfect resource to make a scrappy quilt and easily lend themselves into 2.5" strips, 5" squares and more.

A Kit to make a bag in October, from By Annie. I will be making the Snapshot Bag in two sizes using the cheerful Daisy May fabrics.

Supplies and Hardware from ByAnnie

Interfacing and Stabilizer

One Half-Yard Bundle of Summer 2023 Collection - Peach Blossom for the November Challenge and Bloghop. This will remain a surprise till November.

18 yards of Neutrals. 

Six yards of Meringue

Thanks to a generous supply of Solid Neutrals in Black, White and Dark Grey, we always have plenty of background options. They also make perfect backings. 

I also received supplies from Missouri Star Quilt Company.  If you use this link to order supplies over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I may receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

Sewing and Quilting Round the Clock

The Challenge and Blog Hop in November focuses on Dresden. So I got myself a brand new ruler to explore the possibilities. The Double Wide Dresden is designed by Me and My Sister Designs for Missouri Star Quilt Company.

A new Ruler!

And of course Aurifil Thread in 50 wt for piecing and 40 wt for quilting.

I also received a surprise gift in my box - a travel map that can be filled with Embroidery designs.  I don't see myself using it so if you want it, please let me know and I will send it to you (one of you, to be precise).

Thank you to Island Batik and Industry Partners: Hobbs Batting, Aurifil Thread, ByAnnie bags, and Missouri Star Quilt Company.

I am working on my July blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. It is slow progress and I am blaming it on the heat. 

Will share with Angela's Linky Party on Saturday and all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.

Smiles and Sniffles

It is a busy time in the Sew Preeti Quilts studio but cannot show anything much yet. So here is a catch up post. Hope you are handling the heat well so far. It is only going to get worse :-(

All Island Batik ambassadors were invited to become affiliates for the Missouri Star Quilt Company, and I was accepted :-) 

This means that if you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

Here is what I got.

Steam a Seam 2 Stabilizer and Rotary Blades

Later this year, we have to make an Applique project and Steam-A-Seam 2 works best for me. 

Rotating Mat

I like that this rotating mat has 1/4" markings.

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Rainbow Scrap Challenge - I have completed all my Pink blocks for May. All fabric scraps came from Island Batik :-)

Light Pink

Dark Pink

June is Blue, said Angela. I am gathering all my Island Batik blue scraps.

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June Challenge - Island Batik June Challenge is sponsored by Studio 180 Designs. We are required to create a fun, simple quilt that falls in the size range for donation to Sleep in Heavenly Peace (50" to 60" wide, 75" to 90" long) using a tool that we received in your January box!

I received the Corner Beam Ruler. 

I am making a scrappy quilt and I will be sharing with you next week. Stay tuned. Here is a sneak peek.

Corner Beam Blocks in process

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The Etsy Shop Sale ends on May 31, 2024.  All patterns are 25% off.

New pattern coming next month.

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I rarely give book/movie recommendations. This one is worth it!

Laapataa Ladies is an Indian movie set in rural India in the year 2001. It is wedding season and several newly-weds are on their way home in a crowded train, to begin a new life with their new partners. Two brides, similarly attired, their faces covered with red veils are mistakenly interchanged. Finding their way home, they discover more than they ever expected. 

I have watched it thrice. I smiled, laughed and cried every time.  

What is making you smile today? Are you feeling sniffly? I'd love to know.