Joyful in July +TGIFF

It is July and the dog days of summer are upon us. 

Me: Must be time for Christmas!
Paul: Christmas? In July?
Me: Christmas in July. It is a statement, not a question.
Paul: Christmas in July is a thing?
Me: For quilters, yes it is. This is when we start our Christmas projects to have them completed by the holiday.

Meet Joyful.

Joyful

This pattern was published in the Special Christmas Publication by Annie's Attic Quilting. 

Published

Special Publication

Nine Festive Projects

Originally designed with black accents, Joyful finishes at 51" by 53". Bright yellow replaced black in the actual quilt.

The Mock-Up in EQ8

I used leftover fabrics from Island Batik collections and Foundations. The background as well as the  binding is Solid White.  The batting for Joyful was provided (so very generously) by Hobbs. I used Thermore - it is my favorite, light batting. 

Red and Green Island Batik Fabrics

The stars are slightly improv resulting in uneven points for a twinkling effect. Do you see it?                    

It wouldn't be Christmas without a twinkle.

Work in progress

Setting Triangles

I completed, photographed and sent Joyful to Annie's last year. It was published recently but it is only now that the publication is available online. It is a good thing I am a patient person (AHEM)!

Honestly, there is so much going on at any time that there is no time to dwell upon any one thing. And if I must dwell upon anything (or anyone), it would be my model :-)

Beautiful Day, on the banks of Potomac

It is not a surprise that he does the same, sometimes catching me mid-shot.

Seriously, Paul?

I am Joyful

Do you have any holiday projects in the works?  Do let me know.

In other news (and there is plenty), I completed my Orange RSC blocks for June. Here they are in their juicy goodness.

Angela has announced that the color for July is Purple. I have gathered my Island Batik Purple scraps. 

Purple for July - Island Batik Scraps

We have received our Island Batik Ambassador boxes, the goodies and supplies for the second half of the year. I will be showing off those beauties soon in both still and video format. That blogpost is next. Stay tuned.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Angela's. See full list on the sidebar.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Signal Sam

Do you remember Lula May?

The scraps leftover from Lula May became Signal Sam.

Signal Sam

Signal Sam is my response to the December Challenge which states "December brings another month to embark on your own project, regardless of its size, theme, or technique! Seize this chance to unleash your creativity without constraints. Enjoy the process!"

Leftover Strip from Lula May

There is something very satisfying about taking the scraps from a completed quilt and making a brand new one. I definitely enjoyed the process.

Bold and Beautiful

Signal Sam uses the Island Batik collection Celebrate, designed by Kathy Engle. The background is Solid Black.

The batting is Hobbs Cotton. I used Schmetz Microtex 80/12 Needle for both piecing and quilting. 

I used my walking foot to quilt squiggly lines 2" apart. The binding is a scrappy mix of Sunset, Lemongrass and Bumblebee from Island Batik Basics.

Scrappy Binding

Signal sam finished at 40" square and I am loving the bold, modern and minimalist vibe. What do you think? Isn't he handsome?

Handsome Finish!

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties and Yvonne's Favorite Finish for December. See full list on the sidebar.

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.

I am published!

No, this isn't the first time, but I still feel giddy every time I see my name in print, even if it is digital. 

Kashvi was published in Make Modern #55. 

Kashvi, 60" by 80"

It is a jelly-roll pattern made using Island Batik collection Vintage Charm.

It is a lovely floral collection - airy, delicate and bright. Start this quilt now and you will be celebrating Spring in style.

Instead of choosing a white/black or gray background, I chose the Island Batik Solid - Cobalt Blue.  Isn't it refreshing?  

Bright & Beautiful

The backing is Frosting from the Island Batik Neutrals. It has light grey flowers on a white background, supporting my desire for Spring.

Frosting Backing

Labelled

Kashvi is an easy, beginner-friendly pattern. All you need is a jelly roll of your choice and a contrasting background. Detailed instructions and colored graphics will ensure that you have a quilt in no time. 

Get your copy in my Etsy Shop. And if you order by Monday, February 5, 2024, you can get it at a 20% discount.

The promise of Spring

On my bed!

Granny Long Legs and Arabella's Garden are also on sale. In case, you had your eye on these patterns, this is the time to get them. Sale ends on February 5, 2024.

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My Sunshine Garden was published in Annie's Scrap-Happy Quilts.

It is the one on the top left, with yellow and orange suns. Here are some pictures showing the quilt WITH the magazine :-D

I am published!

Scrap Happy!!!

Do you see the shimmer?

Although My Sunshine Garden is a scrap-friendly pattern, I used the Island Batiks Flutter Wings Collection, designed by Kathy Engle. It is coming to stores in February.

This is a bright and cheerful collection, perfect to capture happiness in a quilt.  Here are some more pictures.

Thank you, Paul!

My Sunshine Garden

Inspired by Nature?

In my backyard

Here comes the sun :-)

Love these colors!

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I completed my January RSC blocks. Here they are.

I have a feeling that the contrasting centers in the Hexie flowers will create a lot of interest in the finished quilt. 

I decided to make all the green blocks together. The Avocado, Mint, Grass, Spinach, Pea soup, Pine and even Hunter. Because it is hard to work with Hunter (Pine and Forest don't help) alone. I will be sharing with Angela's Linky party. See full list on the sidebar. 

Angela said that February will be Red.  Let's see if I can find enough red scraps. Hope you found some joy and inspiration here. Won't you let me know? Please, pretty please :-)