2018 Island Batik Ambassador

2018

I'm happy to announce that I'm an Island Batik Ambassador once again for Island Batiks this year!

This is my fourth year and I'm so happy to be working with and promoting these great fabrics for another year!

Below are some of the projects I made with Island Batik fabrics in 2017.

Four Seasons Blog Hop

The Four Seasons Blog Hop starts today!  I hope you will check out the posts each day and see all the new fabrics and projects and prizes!

My day to post is the 18th, so be sure and check it out that day.

WINTER

January 8 – Blue Moon
Inquiring Quilter • Cheryl Lynch Quilts

January 9 – Mountain’s Majesty
FunThreads Designs • Little Bunny Quilts
 Quilting Affection Designs

January 10 – Alpine Ice
Freemotion by the River • Slice of Pi Quilts
Seams Like a Dream • KISSed Quilts

January 11 – Alpine Jingle
Purrfect Spots Designs • Bejeweled Quilts

SPRING

January 15 – Elementz
Den syende himmel • Inspired Layers

January 16 – Southern Blooms
Yellow Cat Quilt Designs • Quiltologist Treasures

January 17 – Morning Sunshine
Quilt’n Party • Desert Bloom Quilting

January 18 – Season’s Shades
Inchworm Fabrics • Kauffman Designs

SUMMER

January 22 – Paisley Dot
Pamela Quilts

January 23 – Sunflower Serenade
Kathys Kwilts and More • Whispers of Yore

January 24 – City Culture 2
Mary Mack Made Mine • heARTs Creations

January 25 – City Culture 2
The Quilt Rambler • Lizard Creek Quilts • KISSed Quilts

FALL

January 29 – Autumn’s Grace
Seams to be Sew • KISSed Quilts • Ark Angel Creations • Beaquilter

January 30 – Pumpkin Patch
KISSed Quilts • Beaquilter

January 31 – Plum Delicious
Masterpiece Quilting • Adventurous Appliqué and Quilting

February 1 – Northern Woods
Moosestash Quilting • Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

New Year - Old UFO's

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone!  I thought it would be nice to post a photo of some colorful quilts to get everyone inspired.  What I originally was going to post was a photo of a pile of my unfinished quilts....but decided that wasn't a very positive image for the new year!

Several months ago I decided to make a list of all my unfinished quilts (UFO's).  I've done this before, but always seem to lose my list (maybe that's intentional subconsciously?).  What inspired me to do this was the fact that we put new carpet down in our bedroom, which meant we had to move everything out of the room.  I have a cabinet and a table that were full of quilts- both finished and unfinished.  I seem to have quilts all over the house, but this was an undertaking.

I put all the UFO's together into a pile and placed them on my cutting table which is across from my sewing machine area. I made a list and felt rather smug that it wasn't unmanageable.  That is until I began to find more UFO's in other areas.  It seemed like I would find them all over!  My pile grew.  I thought that putting them on the cutting table right in front of me, I wouldn't forget them and I'd work at them slowly but surely.

What really happened was - I moved them off to use the cutting table and put them back.  Moved them off again, then somewhere else, over and over.  What REALLY happened was that they were in the way!  They were a real nuisance!

I did get a couple things finished, but a pile was still looming.  I finally moved them back into the bedroom (and out of sight once again).

What I learned from this frustration?  It was good to make a list.  It's great fun to cross something off once it's completed, and it keeps you on track.  I also made a list during the year of things that I finished- both new projects and UFO's.  That was a challenge to keep up, but very helpful.  I also told myself over and over again not to start anything I didn't think I'd finish - which is much easier said than done!  I did better this past year finishing what I started, so at least the pile hasn't gotten any bigger!

So this new year?  I'll keep my UFO list in mind.  Now I know where my projects are, and will work on something in between other deadlines when I can.  I'll make a new list of finished projects that I complete this year.  I look forward to creating!

What is your New Years resolution?  What will keep you motivated this year?

Christmas Greetings

Christmas Greetings

Christmas is such a special time.  The swirl of Christmas colors, the scents of things cooking, family and friends.  I'm counting my blessings during this special season.  I appreciate all of you that view and comment on my blog- may you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

* Photo is a close up of my  Christmas Table Mat published in Quilter's World Autumn 2015

Table Scraps - Dec Island Batik Challenge

The Dec challenge for the Island Batik Ambassadors was to make some kind of table runner using scraps from our stash.  I have a beautiful stash of Island Batik fabrics, so this was a fun challenge.  I love to use up scraps- so I headed to some 2 1/2" strip packages that I had leftover from other projects.  Quite often I don't use a whole strip  package, so I have these great partial packages of 2 1/2" strips of coordinating colors from different collections.

I decided to make a coiled table mat from a bright collection called Budding Blooms.  I thought it would make a nice colorful table mat.  Here are some of the leftover strips.

Coiled mats are easy to make.  You wrap fabric strips around a cord- many people use clothesline cord, but I had some leftover macrame cord that worked great.  It is softer and sews very easily.  Since batiks don't ravel a lot, I only worked with a single layer of fabric.  Many people take a strip and fold it in half.  I cut the 2 1/2" strips into 3 narrow strips and found that was wide enough to wrap around the cord.

You do need to have your mat coil OUT from the machine so it will lay flat as it gets big.

I wrap the fabric strip around the cord for several inches then hold it with a clothes pin to keep it from unwrapping while I sew the cord with a simple zigzag stitch.  This is very easy and you can use any length and width of strip.  You can also use various cords- just make sure it will move easily under the pressure foot.

Isn't it colorful!  Just what I was hoping for.  You can keep adding coils until you get the size you want.  I decided to make this one to fit a small table my father in law made.

It is December and you may be wanting to make some gifts that are quick and easy.  It is very quick to make coiled hot pad mats.  It doesn't take many strips of fabric or much cording to make a hot  pad.  Here is one with Christmas colors.

I made this one from three fabrics in the Alpine Jingle collection.  I used the same length strips in this hot pad.

Our weather has finally gotten cold and it feels like winter.  It's a great time to stay inside, get out those scraps and make something beautiful with them.  Enjoy!

Rayon Jacket

I love being an Island Batik Ambassador.  Twice a year we Ambassadors receive a box of fabric to create with.  The last Ambassador box had a gift of 2 yards of batik rayon.  Mine was a deep blue and was beautiful!  I haven't sewn clothes for years and never any clothing with rayon, so this was a new experience.  I love batiks, so was super excited to make something I could proudly wear!  I knew right away I wanted some kind of an open shirt/jacket and found a pattern I really liked.  I did have to do some alterations, but I am happy with how it turned out and look forward to wearing this many times.

I do need to mention that I did pre wash this fabric several times.  This is a deep blue print and had a lot of dye in it.  So be aware and pre wash before cutting your rayon fabrics.

Quick Gifts

 Everyone needs a quick gift once in awhile - especially around the holidays!  Several months ago I had some leftover Island Batik fabric and decided to make some little zippered pouches.  I tend to shy away from projects with zippers, so thought these would give me some extra practice.  I found most of the patterns for free on the internet.

These little pouches went together quickly and they turned out well.  I hope you can have fun with some small gift projects.  They are fun and a great way to use up some of those lovely leftover fabrics.