Welcome to Day 3 of the Starry Seas BlogHop.

Here is my response!

Dawn to Dusk

When Jennifer of Inquiring Quilter asked me to join the Starry Seas BlogHop, I did not respond at once. I needed to see the fabric collection first. 

Hmmm, what does that inspire? Let's take another look.

It reminded me of my commute. My new job requires me to leave home before dawn and return after dusk, meaning that I experience sunrise and sunset (especially during these winter months), through the sometimes murky train windows. It is both sad and beautiful.

Dawn

Dusk

Garden Gnomes symbolize good luck, protection, and prosperity stemming from European folklore where they were believed to be earth-dwelling spirits guarding treasure and helping plants grow at night, bringing fortune and warding off evil spirits.

This panel is by Rubin Design Studio exclusively for eQuilter.com. This panel measures 30″ x 44″. I love this panel. I call it The Mushroom Man. I cut my strips 3.25″ to yield 5″ finished hexes. I cut my equilateral triangles with my First Choice Rulers.

I’m in love with this quilt. Many times while designing, I subconsciously create a ...

Hope you are having a glorious Sunday.  I have a bit of news. This is the current issue of American Quilter.

My picture is from our Hawaii visit

Picture Courtesy - American Quilter

My quilt, Trillium Trail, is published in the January 2026 issue of American Quilter. 

Backing is Island Batik Multi - Marbles

Designed in EQ8, and made with the Island Batik collection Enchanted Flutter, Trillium Trail finished at 60" by 80".  

Enchanted Flutter

Orange Peel Units are appliquéd in threes forming the shape of the Trillium flower, alternating with Irish Chain blocks. A scrappy border ...

This month, the Island Batik Ambassadors have been highlighting traditional quilt blocks in the Timeless Traditions Blog Hop. We were challenged to create quilts that are lap size or larger, incorporating at least five of the following traditional quilt blocks:

• Four Patch Quilt Block
• Nine Patch Quilt Block
• Half Square Triangle Block
• Quarter Square Triangle Block
• Friendship Star Block
• Flying Geese Quilt Block
• Variable Star Quilt Block
• Ohio Star Quilt Block
• Nine Patch Chain Quilt Block
• Pinwheel Mosaic

Meet Sulaxi.

Thank you, Paul!

Sulaxi is my response to the Island Batik Timeless Traditions Challenge and Blog Hop.  This challenge requires us to make a Lap (or larger) Quilt using the assigned Summer 2025 collection with the following stipulation.

Use any or all of the following classic, traditional blocks! Use a minimum of 5 different blocks in your quilt in any combination and size of the blocks. 

1. Four Patch Quilt Block 
2. Nine Patch Quilt Block
3. Half Square Triangle Block
4. Quarter Square Triangle Block
5. Friendship Star Block
6. Flying Geese Quilt Block
7. Variable Star Quilt Block
8. Ohio Star Quilt Block
9. Nine ...

The October Challenge requires the Island Batik Ambassadors to make a bag using Patterns by Annie. We get to choose the bag and the fabrics.

I chose fabrics from the Garden Glory collection and the Leader of the Pack pattern. Here is my completed bag.

Happy Me!

I am in love with this gorgeous fabric collection by Claudia Pfeil. These rich and warm hues sing to me the most melodious Autumn Symphony.

My chosen fabrics

I chose the bright orange as the main fabric, maroon as coordinating fabric and green as ...

For my project, I chose the ByAnnie Two Little Totes pattern to create. ByAnnie, our sponsor this month, generously sent us all the supplies to make this pattern. This pattern allows you to make two different sizes: Small or Medium. I chose the Medium Size.

As for the Island Batik Fabrics, I chose three pretty fabrics from the Frosted ...

 Meet Milo.

Milo

Milo on the Cover!

I designed Milo in EQ8 and used the Island Batik fabric collection Essence and the neutral Egg White.

Milo was completed earlier this year. Pictures were taken in January. See the icy backdrop.

Icy River, Hot Model :-)

I used Hobbs Thermore Batting. The backing is Dark Grey Solid. The binding is Egg White Neutral.  I used walking ...

I absolutely love these two new Spring/Summer 2025 fabric collections designed by Deb Tucker for Island Batik. The names, Aurora and Sunset, perfectly highlight the beautiful ...

I am copying from the document, that Island Batik sent to the Ambassadors for their Program:

Αντιγράφω από το έγγραφο που έστειλαν τα Island Batik στους Ambassadors για το σχετικό πρόγραμμα:

“Aurifil is proud to sponsor the September challenge – Threaded Chaos Blog Hop! This challenge is all about crazy quilts, texture, creativity, and, of course, lots of thread – because crazy quilts are known for their rich, decorative stitching.

“Η Aurifil είναι ο υπερήφανος χορηγός της πρόκλησης του Σεπτεμβρίου – Χάος με κλωστές με την Aurifil! H Πρόκληση αυτή περιλαμβάνει την τεχνική του τρελού και άναρχου πάτσγουορκ, με υφές, δημιουργικότητα και φυσικά ...

I am copying from the document, that Island Batik sent to the Ambassadors for their Program:

Αντιγράφω από το έγγραφο που έστειλαν τα Island Batik στους Ambassadors για το σχετικό πρόγραμμα:

“Aurifil is proud to sponsor the September challenge – Threaded Chaos Blog Hop! This challenge is all about crazy quilts, texture, creativity, and, of course, lots of thread – because crazy quilts are known for their rich, decorative stitching.

“Η Aurifil είναι ο υπερήφανος χορηγός της πρόκλησης του Σεπτεμβρίου – Χάος με κλωστές με την Aurifil! H Πρόκληση αυτή περιλαμβάνει την τεχνική του τρελού και άναρχου πάτσγουορκ, με υφές, δημιουργικότητα και φυσικά ...

Meet Nirali!

Nirali

Here is the story or TWO WEEKS AGO (imagine you are watching a thriller on Netflix).

Co-sponsored by Aurifil Threads, Island Batik's September Challenge is named Threaded Chaos, requiring us to make a crib-size (or larger) Crazy Quilt, using our assigned Spring 2025 Collection and Aurifil Threads.

When I made a Crazy Quilt the last time, we were not assigned a fabric collection. I chose solids so that the decorative stitching was better visible.  This time, the fabric and threads were not up to us.

I received the Everlasting Collection, designed by Jerry Khiev.

Everlasting Collection ...

Head Over Heels!©

It's almost a year to the day that Island Batik was in touch to request design submissions for their new Summer 2025 fabric scans. When I saw this "Colorburst" collection, I knew immediately it needed to become a fun, happy, stress free quilt. The design selections were made within a few weeks by Island Batik, and the fabric arrived here in Amherst in November (2024).  In addition to the fabrics in the collection, I also requested a solid black for the heels (! :)) and a multicoloured batik named Sunset for the backing.

 Meet Westfield. 

Two (too) handsome guys :-D

This handsome quilt made his appearance in make Modern's Issue 64 in May 2025.

Modeled by Paul, Picture by Preeti, Cover by Make Modern

Designed in EQ8, Westfield is made using the Island Batik collection Poetic Bouquet and is Layer-Cake Friendly. One pack of 10" squares plus 3.5 yards of background and he can be yours.

Westfield is now available as a standalone pattern in my Etsy Shop, available at a discount of 25%, that is just $9 but only till Wednesday, 9/3/25. 

On my bed :-)

The pattern is ...

Stella made the cover!

Published!

Stella is not only published in the We Like Quilting digital/online magazine's September 2025 issue, she made the cover! I am thrilled.

Stella

Star blocks alternate with Irish Chain blocks. A skinny border and a scrappy border complete the quilt top.

Egg White Background

Picture this - a completely solar-powered, aerodynamically designed, sleek automobile of the future. Its exterior is so dark and shiny that the passing landscape is reflected perfectly on its surface.

Cool Trees, Scorching Planet

In January, we received a mini Oliso Iron, complete with a matching Solemate (a base for placing the hot iron) and a thick wool carry case. Island Batik's August Challenge is to decorate the carry case for our Oliso Mini Irons.

This was an unusual project. The thick wool carry case would certainly break a needle or two, if I tried sewing on it. The idea ...

Rosemary came home on May 1. She is a short-haired almost all-black Bombay cat. 

Rosemary

She is affectionate and agile. Loves to play, and often zooms around the house. Surprisingly, she is not interested in our food. She neither begs nor does she sniff our plates. 

It has been a while since we had a third family member. After Jonesie passed away and Louie displayed misdirected aggression (and returned to the shelter), we had been a pet-free home for a few years.

When we spotted a mouse in the house on Easter, and the mousetraps did not work, it was ...

It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through the 2025 Island Batik Ambassador program; this year has flown by so quickly! Lumin Fabrics has sent me a new box of Island Batik fabrics and products that will help us create some exciting projects over the next six months. I created an unboxing video, which I've shared in the blog post below.

Next, I have two stunning gradient precut packs: the Precious ...