Nihal

The Hindi/Urdu word Nihal means happy and satisfied in every way.  Imagine a traveler coming from hot and dusty desert, with a parched throat.  They would become "Nihal" after they had a drink of cool and refreshing water. Happy and satisfied in every way!

Meet Nihal. 

Location Courtesy - Kids Play Structure in Mari's Backyard

To make Nihal, I used a pack of 10" squares - Cheers, designed by Carl and Linda Sullivan of Colourwerx. Cheers is from the Island Batik Spring 2022 Collection.  I also used Island Batik Solid light grey fabric for accent and binding. 

Nihal is published in Annie's Special Publication - Fun with Squares. The issue is available now. 

Nihal on the cover!

My friend and fellow Island Batik ambassador Connie says that I am now a Cover Girl :-)  From someone who has many quilts on covers, that is a big deal. No arguments from me.

Quilt Picture on the cover of the magazine, on top of the same quilt

Speaking of arguments, the following conversation happened. 

Me (supremely excited): Look Paul, my quilt is on the magazine cover.
Paul: Well, the way I see it, the magazine is on your quilt.
Me: That is me taking a cool picture.

Paul: Isn't that magazine sitting on top of your quilt?

Me: Yes, it is. But a picture of the same quilt is on the cover of the magazine too. 

Paul (finally getting it): Oh yeah!!! That is cool. Well-done, babe.

Nihal finished at 57" by 66". 

I took the brand new quilt to Mari's place.  She graciously let me model my quilt, while she took the pictures. The grey/beige stone wall provides the perfect backdrop, while the mortar lines echo the pattern in the quilt.

At Mari's House

Raise a glass to this!

I thought this picture was really cool but something was missing.

Cool

Fixed it.

Cheers!

If I am going to raise a tall glass of a refreshing tropical drink and say Cheers, I do need a pair of sunglasses. Don't you agree? I wonder what Linda and Carl will say.

And one more picture - an inside peek.

Win-Win, says Annie :-)

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In RSC news, here are my January blocks for RSC2023.  Linking with Angela's Linky Party.

This being my third year as an ambassador, I had plenty of Island Batik blues from previous collections and stash builders.  

Island Batik Blues

The blue blocks are complete but it is too early to determine the layout. Whether I will complete the stars or if they will be disjointed/deconstructed is a matter of deliberation. I need a few more tropical drinks. May be a brainstorming with Mari?  

January is done. I am ready for February. Are you?

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Speaking of February, the Island Batik challenge for February is Puff Quilt.  I will be posting mine on Thursday, February 9.  I am using fabrics from Exuberance, a Fall 2022 collection, by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs, which should be coming to stores in February.

Make sure you check the Island Batik blog in February, for awesome giveaways.

Puff Quilt in process

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Speaking of giveaways, here are the winners of the Unboxing giveaway - mpv61 and Auntlilly. Emails have been sent. 

Finally, speaking of winners, you know what makes me feel like a winner? 

A comment from you :-)  Truly makes my day.  

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

A joyful beginning!

Wish you a very happy 2023!

I have news. Island Batik has selected a new slate of ambassadors for 2023.  And I am honored to have made the cut.

We have received the first shipment of our boxes and I am so excited to show you the goodies.

Here is a link to the Unboxing video.

Testing the set-up - Looking good!

In February, we will be making a Puff Quilt. I have received the collection - Exuberance. This is an original collection by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 designs. This Fall 2022 collection should be available in stores in February 2023.

Exuberance by Deb Tucker

Matching Yardage

Island Batik Foundations Bundle includes four Solids, four Basics and four Blenders.

Island Batik Foundations Bundle

As always we received solid neutrals - 4 yards each of black, white and light grey, and 6 yards of another neutral. Mine is Pastry. 

Solid Neutrals

I received the Square Squared Ruler from Studio 180 Designs. For the May challenge and bloghop, I will use this ruler to make a quilt, using the Winter 2022 collection, which will remain a surprise till May. 

Winter 2022 Collection for May challenge & Blog Hop

A generous box of batting came from Hobbs. Four Queen-sized batts should be plenty till the next box arrives :-)

Aurifil Threads sent a color-builder box named Frangipani containing three spools of 50wt thread.  We will be using these threads in our Crazy Quilting projects in April.

Aurifil Color Builder - Frangipani

50wt Thread Spools

Schmetz Needles provided an assortment of needles.

Schmetz Needles

We also received a generous helping of precut yumminess.

2.5" Strips of Opulent Orange from Gradations by Island Batik Basics

 

A pack of 10" squares of Ravishing Red, from Gradations by Island Batik Basics

A Pack of 2.5" Strips of Juicy Mosaics, a Fall 2022 Collection designed by Kathy Engle, should be available in stores in February 2023.

A Pack of 10" Squares of Celebrate, a Winter 2022 Collection designed by Kathy Engle, should be available in stores in May 2023.

My box also came with stash builders.

It is a challenge to accommodate so many new supplies into an already full studio space. So I took inventory and pulled out some duplicates from my stash builder strips. May be you can help me by taking these extras off my hands :-)

Prize 1

Prize 2

Yes, I am having a giveaway. I considered cutting up these strips into 5" squares. But decided against it. What if you want a rectangle 5" by 10" or you might prefer strips 2" and 3" wide. To be entered into the drawing for these 5" by WOF strips, please leave me a comment telling me what project you are working on. If you follow me on Instagram, you can leave me a second comment, mentioning your IG name. If you show up as Anonymous, please include your email in the comment.

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

With so many fabulous fabrics and lovely notions, I can hardly sit still. Trust me, I am sewing up a storm but that is a separate post :-) Come back on the 28th when I will announce the winners of the giveaway and share my works in progress.

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

In separate news, Angela has announced RSC 2023 and January is Bright blue. I will be playing along. Here is my fabric pull and the strips.

Island Batik Blues

Strip Sets - Ready to Piece

Sharing with Angela's Linky Party.

2022 In Review

As I sat writing about the year 2022, I wondered - what did I say about 2020? Unexpected. 

What did I say about 2021? It was a year marked by assault on democracy, our voting rights and our bodies. 

What can I say about 2022? The most significant world event has to be the unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

The most significant events in the US would include anti-LGBTQ policies and violence, continuing gun violence, and the monumental decision to overturn the landmark ruling Roe v. Wade.

Sadly (or appropriately) I made a quilt inspired (or disgusted) by each of those events.

1. Quilt for Ukraine - In March, I made this quilt to memorialize Zelenkyy's famous words - "I need ammunition, not a ride." It was my attempt to salute the courage of a nation and her leader in the face of most adverse circumstances.

Improv base of yellow

On October 16, I participated in a small local craft fair. I had set up the displays showing off cute zippered pouches, a table runner and some quilted placements. The Ukraine quilt was also displayed - because it just made the perfect focal point. I did not expect to sell it because it is something so specific that unless you are personally aligned with the cause, it is not for you.

Vale Club Craft Fair

That is when I met Luda. Acting the smiling/engaging salesperson, I said Good Morning. Luda mentioned the deep meaning of the words on the Ukraine quilt. Realization dawned on me as I noticed her blue/yellow t-shirt, blue/yellow earrings and a blue/yellow plume in her hair - Luda is UKRAINIAN!!! She, along with others, was representing US Ukrainian Activists, selling post cards, tree ornaments and jewelry to raise money to support Ukraine. I unpinned the Ukraine quilt, handed it to her and said, "this belongs with you." 

US Ukrainian Activists

When Luda asked me to pose at her booth with other activists, I agreed. I hugged each one of them. If I had tears in my eyes during the shot, so be it.

2. Harmony (supporting LGBTQ folks) - In 2022, at least 320 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were pushed through state legislatures. Lawmakers in statehouses nationwide sought to ban transgender youth from participating in sports; criminalize medically necessary, life-saving healthcare for transgender youth; and ban discussion of LGBTQ+ youth and families in classrooms.  I channeled my disgust into a rainbow colored runner.

Harmony

Continuing my support of LGBTQ youth, I donated Synergy Quilt to GSAFE (for a Silent Auction). Thanks to Lisa who pointed me to GSAFE. 

Synergy

3. Father's Day (processing grief) - The shooting at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas was gut wrenching. As details emerged, it only got worse and worse.  How the law enforcement failed the community, how the politicians continued to offer empty platitudes, while making sure their interests are protected and pockets well-lined. The world condemned the shooting, the nation grieved, and most of us moved on. I made a quilt. 

Father's Day

4. We Persist (continuing the fight) - The monumental decision to overturn the landmark ruling Roe v. Wade is the most controversial in American history. 

The partisan nature of the decision is particularly distressing. There is no concern for women's health or popular opinion, or any acknowledgement of changing times. When Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973 it was a 7-2 decision, with several Conservative judges siding with the majority opinion. Not today. The decision was split along party lines. 

According to the dissenting justices "young women today will come of age with fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers." Indeed, they said the court's opinion means that "from the very moment of fertilization, a woman has no rights to speak of. A state can force her to bring a pregnancy to term even at the steepest personal and familial costs." "With sorrow — for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection — we dissent," they wrote.

The following image (from the New Yorker magazine) showing the burden of an unwanted pregnancy that many will be forced to carry in a post-Roe America aptly captures what is difficult to put into words.

From the New Yorker Magazine

 

"Nevertheless she persisted" was the slogan of choice. I chose to make it more inclusive in this mini quit where all women wear green, the color symbolic of abortion rights.

We Persist

While there is so much upheaval in the world, in our country, and in our lives, we continued to live and love and hope for a better tomorrow. Here are my favorite quilts that convey love and joy.

1. Innamorato (In Love) - Made as a response to the Island Batik and Aurifil challenge, I celebrated my love for Paul in this mini quilt.

Paul and me - In love

2. Pobody's Nerfect - A row by row quilt made for the Island Batik challenge and blog hop. This quilt just makes me so happy. Every row has a mistake - on purpose!!! It does not have to be perfect to be joyful.

Pobody's Nerfect

3. Bollywood Beats - Made in response to the Island Batik & Studio 180 Design Tool challenge and Blog Hop, I am thrilled with this quilt. 

Thank you Paul - the best model ever!

Bernie supported me in the second Positivity QAL. I was disappointed because the responses did not meet my expectations, initially. Then there was more. I was thrilled and humbled.  

Naman for Mercyful Quilts

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2022 was also the year I got published! Here is a list of the quilts/projects that were published in three different publications - Quiltmaker (Golden Peak Media), Quilters World (Annie's Publishing) and Make Modern.

1. Make Modern #44 - Synergy

Fall Foliage, Rainbow Colors

2. Make Modern #47 - Topsy Turvy.  Also featured as "Meet the Maker"

Topsy Turvy

3. Make Modern #48 - Frolicking Fish (scroll down)

Frolicking Fish. Location Courtesy - Raj & Manveen

4. Annie's Publishing - Stars & Swirls

Stars & Swirls

5. Quiltmaker Nov/Dec 2022 - Diwali Lights. Also featured in "Designer Spotlight"

Diwali Lights. Picture by Quiltmaker Magazine

Designer Spotlight in Quiltmaker Magazine

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And one last thing.

I work as a transportation planner in the DC Metro region. For the last 7+ years I have been working on the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, connecting downtown DC to the Dulles Airport through Metrorail. This project has been in the making for 60 years, when the right of way (in the median of the toll road 267) was dedicated to a future transit line. The project was so large and so ambitious that it was split into two Phases. Phase 1 consisted of five new stations and was opened to the public in 2014. Phase 2 (six new stations and a maintenance yard for the trains) connects the end of Phase 1 to the Dulles Airport was opened for revenue service on November 15, 2022. 

I was there to witness the ribbon cutting and take the inaugural ride. It was a momentous occasion and I was thrilled. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was the guest of honor.  

Here is the NBC news clip. I am in it at 1:34, wearing a hat. Yes, it was freezing. Don't blink, or you'll miss it.

From my seat, I walked up towards the stage, as far as I could, without getting into a scuffle with security.  Handed my phone to a random stranger and shamelessly asked them to take a picture making sure that "Pete and I are in the same frame".  I took off my hat, ran quick fingers through my hair, and beamed 1000 watts into the camera.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Beaming me!!!

In retrospect, 2022 has been a rollercoaster year with a complete spectrum of emotions - love, loss, grief, anger, disgust, joy, hope and more. But if I have to choose just one theme to end this blogpost, it will be gratitude. 

Thanks to friends (Manveen, Mell, Connie, Bernie and Mari) who kept me sane. Thanks to Island Batik for the opportunities to play with fabric, to push me beyond my comfort zone, and for their support in my publication projects.  Most importantly, thanks to Paul! You love me when I am unlovable.

Wishing you joy, peace and creativity in the new year!

Linking with End of Year Linky Party at Meadow Mist Designs.