Christmas in July

Honey Hunt

30 3/4" x 30 3/4"

Accuquilt Go!  is the sponsor for the July Island Batik Ambassador Challenge.  The theme of the challenge is "Christmas in July".  There were several requirements to this challenge.  The first was to use the new Tree of Life Accuquilt Go!  Block on Board die that was sent to each Ambassador.  This is a 14" die where you can cut all the pieces for the block in one pass thru the fabric cutter.  We could be creative and use this die anyway we wanted.

Another requirement was to make a project and gift it to someone to bring a little Christmas in July joy.

With these requirements in mind, I looked at the fabrics I received in the July box to see what I might use.  I immediately picked up the Beehive Buzz fabrics and knew who I would be giving the quilt to.  You'll understand my selection when you see who I give the quilt to.

Beehive Buzz is designed by Kathy Engle.  This is a Spring collection that will be in your shops in September.  Precuts are available now.

Here are some of my favorite fabrics from the collection.  Don't you just love those little bees, flowers, bee hives and honeycombs!  I did add some white and Slate Foundation fabric that were included in the July box for the project.

The Tree of Life block on board die is large and heavy!  I designed a variation of their tree and used parts of the die for different colors.  It did make the cutting quick and easy.

Those half square triangle sew together easily.  I used a variety of colored fabrics from the collection in both the trees and the border.  The new pressing mat from Prairie Spirit Alpacas made pressing a breeze.

 I used yellow Aurifil for all the quilting and white for the piecing, Hobbs Natural Cotton Batting and Schemetz Microtex needles.  

I just had to add some quilted bees in the yellow centers.  

I named the quilt Honey Hunt as it seems like all those little bees are searching through the trees hunting for honey.

The person I gave the Christmas in July gift to was my Pastor Frank Ramirez.  Pastor Frank is also a bee keeper and has two hives that he attends.  I knew this quilt Honey Hunt with the Beehive Buzz fabric was meant for him!

Thanks to Island Batik, Accuquilt Go!, Hobbs Batting, Prairie Spirit Alpacas, Aurifil Thread, and Scmetz Needles for providing the materials for this project thru the Island Batik Ambassador Program.

#AccuQuiltChristmasinJuly

Video correction

The July Island Batik unboxing video might not have come thru for many of you yesterday.  If you'd like to see the video, click on the link below.

https://kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com/2022/07/july-2022-unboxing.html

July 2022 Unboxing

All the Island Batik Ambassadors look forward to the second shipment of supplies for the year that comes in July.  These wonderful products came in two very large boxes.  I was impressed when my UPS man carried them BOTH to the door at the same time!

It really feels like Christmas in July!  Here is a short video of the goodies in the boxes.

Below are some still photos.

First is a sneak peak when the boxes are opened.

Hobbs Batting sent 5 different battings to use.

Natural Cotton

Black and a roll of fusible batting strips

Cotton Wool Blend

Thermore

A new sponsor this year is Prairie Spirit Alpacas.  They sent a pressing mat that is 50% Alpaca and 50% Wool.  They are a company in Canada.  The pressing mat is 12" x 18".  This is a new thing for me.  I've never used a pressing mat.

By Annie sent a pattern and all the supplies to make it.  Island Batik supplied the fabrics.  I'll be making the pattern called Clam Up.

Island Batik yardage of white, black and gray solids

Two Stash Buster Bundles and yardage of a neutral called Almond

A half yard bundle of Foundations- Solids, Blenders and Basics

A beautiful half yard bundle of the Island Batik Collection called Honeycomb and a light and dark Foundation to match.

Deb Tucker's Studio 180 sent each Ambassador a special Ruler to use with the above fabrics in our Sept challenge.  My ruler is Corner Pop II

This bundle is a Surprise!  The fabrics are not in the stores yet, so I can't show them.  You will see what I make with them in November

A 10" Stack of the Island Batik Collection called Beehive Buzz with  light and dark coordinating yardage.

Accuquilt Go!  sent each Ambassador the new Tree of Life Block on Board die.  We will all be making something using this die in July.

It looks like the next 6 months will be very exciting!  Many thanks to Island Batik and sponsors Hobbs Batting, Prairie Spirit Alpacas, Deb Tucker's Studio 180, By Annie, and Accuquilt Go! 

2022 Quilt Garden and Garden Quilt

Nappanee IN is once again part of the 2022 Quilt Gardens & Murals Along the Heritage Trail Tour.  This is a free driving tour thru 6 neighboring towns in Elkhart County. There are 17 quilt inspired gardens, 14 murals and other sites along the way.  This is a great trip - especially when you stop to snack and eat at great places during the day!  This year there are also 23 life size statues by Seward Johnson at many of the locations.  These are so life like that you often think real  people are standing there!

Here is a photo of the Nappanee quilt garden.  This is called Natures Stained Glass.

You can see the Grandmother's Flower Garden mural in the background.  

Here is a photo of the Seward Johnson statue at our garden.

Every year I make a quilt that hangs in the visitor center just behind the garden.  The quilt always has the garden block in the center and I add a border around it.

Here's another photo of a quilt garden.  This garden is also in Nappanee.  I love how the  garden is planted on the ramp up to the barn.  The garden is called Rail Fence Flag and has another one of the Seward Johnson statures beside it.  These make interesting combinations and adds to a fun tour!  If anyone is near Norther Indiana I hope you take a day or two and travel the Garden tour.  The gardens are in full bloom now and look beautiful!

Here is a photo to prove that I helped plant the garden again.   I'm watering plants at the top right.  It takes many hands and is a long day or two- but so worth the effort!

I hope everyone enjoyed the New York Beauty Island Batik Blog Hop last month. The winner from my blog is Dale.  The fabrics are on the way!