Island Batik June Challenge - Novella

The Island Batik Challenge for June 2021 reads as follows:

The challenge for you is to use the 8” or 12” finished BOB dies from your Ambassador box, the GO! Qube 8" Mix & Match Block and create a whole new pattern by combining the two!

Here is my response

Novella, 11" by 66"

And here is the Story.

BOB means Block on Board. In other words, the complete block is on a single die. I received Snails Trails Die.

Snails Trail BOB Die

All units in one place

Cut Pieces

First Block

In my opinion, the best complement to Snails Trails is Storm at Sea (SAS). But I did not want to use SAS because that is the IB challenge for November 2021. SAS is not for the faint of heart and having to do it twice in one year...even I was a bit cutter shy.

The 8" GO! QUBE comes with a book with So. Many. Options. Which one would work with the Snails Trail to create that wow factor?

Loads of Options

But none of them really worked with the Snails Trail Block to create a secondary pattern. This was the real challenge - to create a cohesive design.

Me: It is not working.
Paul: Sup babe?
Me: I am not getting the desired effect.
Paul: What is that effect?
Me: You know - chemistry.
Paul: I definitely do not know Chemistry.
Me: OK, you like mashed potatoes with gravy.
Paul: Yes. That I do know.
Me: So I have the main dish and a whole lot of side dishes but I cannot find the right side dish to enhance the main dish. I am sure it is there. I just need to look harder.
Paul: Some main dishes are great on their own. Like fried chicken - nothing else required.
Me: Yes, I agree. But that is part of the assignment. Must find a block to match.
Paul: Forget the assignment for a minute.
Me: And go the fried chicken route?
Paul: It is worth a try.

My mind kept going to cats' tails that swirled into the Snails Trail Block. I made a test cat block. It worked.

I like this

But but but the need to check that second box - "combine with Go QUBE block" continued gnawing at me.

Paul: What if the side dish was a palate cleanser?

Me: Like lemonade? Or watermelon after fried chicken?
Paul: Sure. Sounds like a perfect meal to me.
Me: YOU are the perfect match for me. I LOVE you.

I had been looking for the wrong block. I needed a separator block, not a combination block.

Finally I got it.

Four Patch Variation

Complete Block

Half Block

Quilting in Process

Completed Runner

I prefer the Wall Hanging Mode

The runner/wall-hanging finished at 11" by 66".

I used four fabrics - yellow, turquoise, green and black for the blocks. One complete cat, one tail and one diamond per color. The background is Yolk and the binding is Dark Gray.

Me: I don't have a name for this runner/wall-hanging.
Paul: YOU??? Struggling for a name?
Me: Yes, I am stumped. WAIT. How about Stumpy?
Paul: How did you get that?
Me: Well, since we have four extra tails here, I wonder about the cats who lost their tails. Hence the name Stumpy in honor of those four tailless cats.
Paul: That is mean. How about Novella?
Me: Novella? Please explain.
Paul: Because it is a very short tale.
Me (after I had stopped laughing): That works too. This is a small project.

Paul: Smaller than a quilt, at least.

Me: I miss Jonesie.

Paul: Once we return from our beach vacation, we will get a new cat. I have been looking at the adoption websites.

Me: Thank you.

Time for some close-ups.

Green Cat

Turquoise Cat

Two Halves 

A few firsts for me here. First time using the Accuquilt Go cutter. First time making the Snails Trails Block and first runner, although I prefer it vertical as a wall-hanging. Not only there is less distortion in viewing, it is also harder to spill wine/food on a vertical surface :-D

I used Hobbs Cotton Batting. Thank you Hobbs. I used Schmetz Microtex Needle 70/12 for piecing and Schmetz Needle 90/14 for quilting and binding. Love Schmetz Needles.

I used Aurifil Thread 50wt for piecing and 40wt for quilting. 

Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:

• Island Batik
• Hobbs Batting
• Aurifil Thread
• Schmetz Needles

But wait, there is more. Once the assignment (WORK) is done, it is time to play (with the SCRAPS)

The fabric carcass left after BOB die was used

Having fun with slivers

Looking good

I played with the slivers to make a zipper pouch or two :-D

The flat pouch finished at 7" by 9". The flat bottomed pouch finished at 6" by 9" by 3".

Two zippered pouches

Turquoise inside :-)

Ready to travel

Take me too!!!

Oh goodness, I love these bright colors. Dark orange zippers and grab tabs to match. Ooh la la!!!

Happiness :-)

The bonus pouches with a touch of improv piecing was super fun.  What is your opinion about improv piecing? I look forward to your thoughts.

Overall, I declare June a success. The challenge for July is Christmas theme. I already have an idea (or two) with a bonus pouch being highly likely :-)

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In other news, I have picked out the layout for my Positivity QAL quilt and I have also cut the fabrics.

For the border blocks

For the Plus Units

Although I have started making the blocks, they are not yet ready for prime time. Next blogpost, I promise.

According to the QAL Schedule, I need to make the first 12 blocks by June 20, 2021. Totally doable.

Have you chosen your layout? Did you cut the fabrics? How are you coming along?

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Angela announced the color for June - it is purple. And suddenly I began seeing purple everywhere. Does that ever happen to you?

Mulberries = Yum

On my morning walk

Here are my fabric picks.

Purple can be tricky. There is the reddish purple (turning pink and fuchsia) and bluish purple (closer to blue than to purple) and the true purple, of course. Here I have attempted to keep these three separated. Can you notice the subtle differences in hue?

True Purples

Reddish Purples

Bluish Purples

Linking with Angela's Linky Party. As usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Spring Broken

The best flowers are at the Keukenhof in Amsterdam. A bit out of my reach, mostly.

Tulips in Amsterdam, 2019

Keukenhof Gardens

The Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania are huge and absolutely beautiful, but still a few hours from me.

Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania

Water Lilies

The Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC are more accessible and I don't mind the long train ride although I will avoid the nightmarish parking in downtown DC. 

From 2008. My first time :-) 

So beautiful

Due to their popularity and the huge crowds (then), everyone was photobombing someone else's picture. The best pictures were taken skywards.

My favorite picture, 2008

The buds are pink but the blooms are almost white, with the faintest hint of blush.

Boating in the Tidal basin, 2018

The trouble with cherry blossoms is that they are so short-lived. One week at best and then all the petals compete to become a carpet.

With Kim, in the train to see the blossoms, 2018

Felt like winter, 2018

So I made careful plans. Checked and re-checked the "Bloom Watch" calendar for the peak bloom dates. Coordinated with friends to meet and walk and take it all in on that one fateful Saturday in April. I was looking forward to the picturesque walks around the Tidal Basin.

But then $#{% happened. The National Park Service, in accordance with CDC guidelines, implemented temporary site closures in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. I pouted and I sulked.

My hopes were dashed. My plans destroyed and my Spring Broken.

Scraps

In frustration I turned to fabric. Thinking of pink buds and white blooms, I started cutting and sewing.

Cutting and Re-cutting

Design Wall

Whatever?

Hmm...

Paul: Is this going somewhere or are you just destroying fabric?

Me: Leave me alone. 

Paul: Just checking if you are ok.

Me: Not yet.

Getting somewhere?

Maybe

Likely

After loads of cutting and sewing and arranging and reversing, something is bound to emerge? Right?

At least, my poutiness had subsided. 

Oh yes

AND, we are there!!!

Paul: Not bad.

Me: Um Hmmm.

Paul: Feel better?

Me: Yes.

I had a finished flimsy and I liked it.  It was my destroyed plans for the Cherry Blossoms that prompted the making of this quilt. I have therefore named it Spring Broken.

Not bad, indeed

This is working :-)

Red and Pink? Why not?

OK, we are there. It worked. The pouting was productive. 

I felt like I had captured the blooms (in a deconstructed way) and I wanted to add the effect of water with quilting. I turned to Rebecca. She said YES :-)

I got the quilted sandwich back, added the pink striped binding and forbade Rebecca to share the pictures of the finished quilt (the front at least). The wait is now over.

Meet Spring Broken.

Paul, the model

On the banks of Potomac

Pieced Backing

Breezy Day, Muddy Banks

Brightness = Happiness

Striped Pink Binding

Here are some close-ups to show off Rebecca's quilting.

 

Raindrops on Water

Tidal Basin, captured

Blooms and Blossoms

Eye candy :-)

Quilting Detail

I highly recommend Rebecca for your quilting needs. She knows what she is doing :-)

Pretty in Pink :-)

Peach and Copper

Spring Broken finished at 46" by 48" and I am very happy with her :-)

Spring Broken - 46" by 48"

Spring and Tidal Pool themes continue on the backing.

Backing

Labelled

There are quilters (fiber artists to be precise) who will appliqué and embroider and embellish to create a piece of art that will rival the natural beauty of the cherry blossoms. But deconstructed Spring looks a whole lot different. That is my story and I am sticking to it :-D

And just a couple more...

Hullo My Lovely

You make me Happy :-)

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

Are you having a good spring? Did you enjoy the Spring Break? Or was it Spring Broken? I'd love to hear your thoughts - pouty or not.  

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The leftovers from the red Sister's Choice Blocks were repurposed into these little blocks.  Will be sharing with Angela's Linky Party on Saturday.

The Red Leftovers

These leftovers are growing. I hope I can get a baby quilt out of them :-)

Bonus Quilt

I wonder what color is June. Will it be orange or purple? May be it is time for teal. What do you think?