Everything, Everywhere, All in One Month

Paul's mom, Krissy passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2024.  

Picture from Paul's graduation in 2007

We went to Georgia for her memorial service. It was a solemn occasion but I could not be sad for long since I was being enveloped in so many hugs from all the relatives and cousins, some I had never met before and some I think I had met once that Christmas.

Lots of Hugs

Paul kept it together and he looked so handsome. 

Love you so much!

Paul spoke at the service mentioning how his mom was a rebel and rarely followed rules. Krissy was feisty and resourceful. Although she did not finish school, she was smart enough to read a library book on accounting and apply for a job. That she lied on her application was but a small technicality. Taking care of two boys as a single and working mom, she did not have a lot of options.

At the church

We drove home and settled into our routines, making sure that we check on Paul's dad more often than ever before. Paul is doing fine, I think.

I was scheduled to present at the Waterford Quilt Guild on Valentine's Day. In the frenzy of preparation (trying to compress 11 years of quilting journey into one 90-minute presentation), I realized that I did not get a card for Paul. 

Me: Did you get me a card for Valentine's Day?
Paul: I will.
Me: But you don't have it yet?
Paul: Correct.
Me: Is it acceptable if we don't exchange cards this year?
Paul (suspiciously): Why?

I told him the truth. 

Paul: I will accept that you don't have a card.
Me: PHEW!!!
Paul: But you can write me a Haiku.
Me: A Haiku?
Paul: Yes.
Me: I can do that.

Across seventeen Valentines

My cold heart and my cold feet

Warmed by your loving touch

Then it was Quiltcon time. I was (still am) frantically working on two quilts for publication and I considered canceling this trip but I had already paid for hotel accommodations in Raleigh and convinced myself that it would be a welcome break with friends and loads of inspiration. 

Quiltcon 2024 in Raleigh

Mari and I drove together. I met Leah and saw Emily. We got together for dinner on Friday evening. We three Island Batik ambassadors chatted about forthcoming projects, ideas and fabrics.

With Leah and Emily

On Saturday morning, we met Jennifer and posed with our ByAnnie bags. ByAnnie is an industry partner with Island Batik and we love her patterns.

Jennifer and Emily

We love our ByAnnie Bags

I saw Vasudha (forgot to take pictures) and chatted about design and deadlines.  Yes, I took several quilt pictures but you can find most of them on Instagram, winners and rejects and everything in between. I did not have a finished quilt, so there wasn't a photoshoot. But Raleigh offers some picturesque backdrops that would be ideal for quilty pictures.

The Capital in Raleigh

The Acorn

Somewhere in the middle of it all, I managed to complete my RSC blocks for February, thanks to receiving some reds from Connie. Although I have a lot of Island Batik reds, I needed just a few more to make eight blocks.

Island Batik reds

Connie sent some :-)

Making Hexies

I will be sharing with Angela's Linky Party, this Saturday.  We will be in March by then!!!  Holy Cow and Thank Goodness!

Red Blocks for RSC February

And four more

I hope I can catch my breath in March. Two new quilt patterns are coming. Yes, there will be giveaways too, so watch this space.

On March 6, 2024, I will be releasing a new pattern - Rainbow Parade, along with a mini blog hop. My dear quilter friends, Cathy, Bonnie, Frederique and Diptee, generously tested the pattern and will be sharing their versions. 

How do I stay sane
Through deadlines, trips, blocks and more
Miracle truly

I hope you will forgive me my Haiku phase, or blame it on Paul. 

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

Bye Bye 2023, Hello 2024!

It is January 1, 2024. First day of the new year - one day to reflect and introspect before the onslaught of work and responsibilities.

A review post is always tricky. What do I include? What do I leave out? And how do I say it? Should it be just quilting? But my feelings are so entangled with the threads of my quilts. Can you really keep your work and thoughts in water-tight compartments?

Unable to separate my feelings from my work

I will try to focus on my quilts and if my feelings seep in so be it. Here are my favorite five quilts of 2023. Linking with Meadow Mist Linky Party.

1. Radiance (Island Batik/Accuquilt Challenge) - It was a challenge to use a new Accuquilt Block on Board with 56 pieces. I used EQ8 to design my quilt. A long arduous journey (many discards along the way) resulted in a very satisfying finish. 

Radiance was included in the November 2023 EQ8 Newsletter making it the top contender for yearly favorites list. In blogland, where comments are currency, 42 comments are proof that it was also a reader favorite.

2. Wednesday (Island Batik/Studio 180 Designs Challenge & Blog Hop) - The challenge was to use the Studio 180 Design Ruler and the Winter 2023 collection, Wild Blooms to make a quilt. Once again I used EQ8 to design. Several designs were considered and discarded. 

Most people associate batiks with traditional quilts. I am thrilled that I could create a modern quilt, using Island Batik fabrics and the Square Squared Ruler. 

3. My Checkered Past (Island Batik Ambassador's Choice) - This was the first time we had complete freedom to make a project. Any project, any size and any collection (except the ones reserved for the bloghop). I knew, from the very beginning, what I would make. It had to be improv pieced modern quilt. I could call it scrappy but those fabric bits are precious jewels displayed proudly for all to view and admire. No Accuquilt, no EQ8, just me and my machine :-) 

"My Checkered Past" travelled with me to Atlanta where I took many on-location pictures.  This picture where it looks like Coretta Scott King is admiring my work is my favorite :-)

4. Vrinda (Mercyful Quilts) - Made for Mercyful Quilts, a charity close to my heart, Vrinda is the only quilt in the top favorites list NOT made with Island Batik fabrics.  But I will remake this quilt using Island Batik Foundations in 2024, accompanying a pattern release.

Vrinda was sent to the palliative care unit at the Mercy Hospital where it may bring some solace to the terminally ill and then kept by the family in their memory.

5. Avantika Cool (Island Batik Ambassador's Choice and Rainbow Scrap Challenge) - I first made Avantika (Original) for the Island Batik Spring/Summer 2023 Catalog. But then I used the same block for Rainbow Scrap Challenge throughout the year. Avantika Cool uses only the cool colors. Click the link above to see her warm and sunny little sister (Avantika Baby). 

Avantika Cool uses 96 different Island Batik Fabrics in the top and is truly a celebration of color and joy! It is good to be an ambassador :-)

2023 was an eventful year. My quilts were published eight times. Nihal, Paroma, Mirabelle and Stairway to Heaven in Annie's Publishing; Mardi Gras Magic and Bourbon Street Bash in Golden Peak Media publications; and Window Dressing and Kashvi in Make Modern.

I released five new patterns including A Fishy Story, Avantika, Window Dressing, Nilsa and Olivia.

But the best part of the year is all the hugs I exchanged with quilty friends.

At Quiltcon Atlanta with Nann, Anna and Mell

With Sujata and Vasudha at Quiltcon Atlanta

With Anja at Quiltcon Atlanta

With Emily in Charlotte

With Bonnie in Fredericksburg

Mari and Me in Baltimore

There is one more bit of news. International news, actually! Topsy Turvy appeared on the cover of Norsk Quilteblad, the Norwegian Quilt Magazine. Thank you, Turid. Someday I will get to hug you in person :-)

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The most significant happening of the year is my new job. After 8+ years working with one firm on one project, I was anxious about making a change.  There were several stressful weeks, some nights of anxious tossing and turning and one very public outburst of tears.  Paul was holding my hand in a restaurant while I wept salty tears into my salad. 

The Model & me

Paul did not steer me one way or another, did not make any suggestions, but insisted that he supported my decision, whatever that may be.  I started my new job in August. I get to work from home which translates into zero commute time and more quilting time :-)  No complaints so far.

Professional Shot

Our house was built in 1970. The fabric storage/computer room worked just fine if I went there as needed. But if I spend eight hours working, it needed new non-drafty windows. This shift to "work from home" expedited the need for upgrades.

New windows installation

And here I am, happy in my new office space, cozily working from home.

Working from Home :-)

Me: Paul, my readers love our witty conversations and your funny comebacks.

Paul: Oh yeah?

Me: Would you like to say anything to my readers?

Paul: Live long and prosper!!!

 

May All Live Long & Prosper

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The time and place of my birth are two immutable facts that were chosen for me. Two things that govern every aspect of my life and I cannot do anything about it. This isn't a problem when I lead such a charmed and privileged life. But if I was born in Ukraine in 1990 or in Gaza in 2010, my life would have been so very different. Would I even have a life? It could have been me maimed by a bomb in Ukraine or buried under rubble in Gaza.

I am so blessed and I am so disgusted. This sentence sums up my feelings for the year 2023. As cliched that may be, all I wish from 2024 is World Peace. 

Pink Blooms and Turquoise Maidens

It is that time of the year - SPRING!!!

Washington Monument in Washington DC

Cherry blossoms get all the hype.

Cherry Blossoms

But this is my favorite flowering tree this time of the year in this part of the world.  Do you know the name? Please let me know.

My favorite tree/flowers

I love these deep pink, thick and fluffy blooms. 

The tree in full bloom

The color is brighter, the flowers are more substantial and the blooms last days longer than the ephemeral cherry blossoms.

Thick blooms

Imagine these buds at the edge of a sweetheart neckline. You see? 

Gorgeous pink

If I could clothe myself in anything, I'd be wearing a gown and a headdress made out of these pink flowers. But the April ladies are wearing aqua (or turquoise) because Angela said so.

Fabrics and Complexions

Meet my aqua (or turquoise) maidens. If you can tell me who is wearing aqua and who is wearing turquoise, you will be the winner :-D

April Blocks for the RSC 2019

AquaMaiden

Daisy Queen

Flora May

Bold & Beautiful

OK, this may be teal

Flora Nay

If you read the bloopers post, you know that the closed palms was a mistake. I have decided to make it a deliberate decision choice.  Check out Flora May and Flora Nay above :-)

And although most ladies are willing to dance, a few are not. They indicate their choice by keeping their palms open (yes, please) or closed (no, thank you).

Check out all the other lovely aqua (or turquoise) blocks in the RSC here.


In other sew-along update, I have completed all my blocks for the Trinket Sew Along.
Insert happy dance emoji here.

Things Blocks

I wanted to finish my trinket blocks before I left on my trip and this last weekend was the giant push and they are done. I will be posting on Instagram according to the schedule, even if remotely.

My best attempt so far

Of course I am excited about my trip and the main reason for that excitement is my quilty buddy Melanie. My bag is so chock-o-block full of fabric that there is barely room for a change of clothing.  But then who needs clothes when you can drape yourself in fabric :-D

With Melanie, May 2017

I first met Melanie when she was visiting US in 2017.  Now I am going to Germany to meet her. So excited!!!  You can read all about our first meeting here.  And I promise to write about our 2019 adventures after my return.

I will be linking with my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.
As usual, I'd love to hear from you. Your comments are like the pink blossoms on my blog tree.