Whims And Fancies

Photo of the Milky Way taken during a camping trip at Tioga Pass, California

I was captivated by the night sky when I was about 5 years old.  It is one of my earliest memories.  I remember looking up at the night sky during a power outage and being mesmerized by the pinpricks of light, and that was enough to last a lifetime.  Over the years, I acquired a couple of telescopes and started studying the scientific aspects of the night sky.  I get so much of my inspiration from the night sky, even when designing quilt blocks.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared the star quilt pattern with you called Starlight Converging -

I was pretty sure that was the only block I was going to make with those colors.  Well, as with most well thought out plans, this was promptly replaced by another.  I wanted to make an opposite block – Starlight Diverging!

Pattern on Craftsy and Etsy

This pattern is not hard, but it contains a lot of sections.  Each color has two sections, and there are 12 colors.  However, each section has only 3-4 parts and I had nothing to line up.  That was the pay-off for having that many sections.

Well, how could I have Starlight Converging and Starlight Diverging and not have a New Star?!

Pattern on Craftsy and Etsy

This one was easiest and super quick to make.  I found it very helpful to cut the white pieces out first.

I put all the blocks together to make a wall hanging called Rainbow Star.

Rainbow Star quilt pattern on Craftsy and Etsy

I used a 1.5″ sash between each block and a 2″ border around the blocks.  I wanted the wall hanging to have a feel of a set of framed photos.  I used mitered corners for that reason and was so proud of them since this is second time ever I have done them!

I had a lot of fun putting the colors together.  All of these star quilt patterns are available individually, or as a collection on Craftsy and Etsy.

My love for the night sky is rivaled equally by my love for books.  I saw this advertisement on the wall of a tube station in London when I was there couple of years ago and snapped a photo of it.

My mother was very generous with providing me all the books I ever wanted to read.  Being an only child in a house full of grownups, books very quickly became my friends.

Barnes & Noble in the United States holds a book drive every year.  You can read more about it at this link – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/holiday-book-drive/379003820

My husband and I have been participating in it for the last ten years.  We have so much fun picking a mix of classics and contemporary books that we read either as children or in recent years.  I always walk out with a huge smile on my face after purchasing a stack of books and then leaving them at the register.

This holiday season, while you are out doing your shopping, please consider donating at least one book.  If you are unsure about which book to pick, they have a pre-selected collection to choose from, right at the register.  I believe this book drive will continue through the end of the year.  There is nothing more satisfying than passing on the excitement of diving into a new adventure on to others!

Here’s to the stars and good books!  Two pillars of my life!

I will have a little present for you on Monday, December 24th!

Until then,
Soma