Month: May 2025

Sunday Summary: May 26

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

You know you are a quilting addict when you take a break from a big quilting project and relax by working on a different quilting project.

This is so me!

A Double Finish for a blog hop

These are the 2 quilts I made for the Island Batik Irish Chain blog hop using the Accuquilt die. Read more about it HERE.

And the backs …

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January – April 119 / 120 days
  • May: 25 / 25 days
  • Total: 144 / 145 99 %

Design Wall Mondays

Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing projects:

  • Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Putting the extra blocks together.
  • MMM’s Glowing Hearts I’m using a fat quarter bundle that I bought from Chitterchatter Fabrics called “Bluebird” by Editya Sitar. I used a total of 7 fat quarters for the hearts and 3 different fat quarters for the ‘darks.’

Quilting projects:

  • My priorities have shifted. I’m quilting (slowly) a beautiful quilt that a friend of mine made. I’ll show pictures when it’s done.
  • Swan

Sunday Stash

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

The finished quilt (above) used 10 yards. I did buy the fireside backing.

  • Fabric used in the last week: 16 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2025:     119 yards. {30 yards of non Island Batik fabric}
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    13.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              105.5 yards

To Do

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

To Do from the last week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Finish making the extra blocks to make the quilt bigger √   DONE
  2. Sandwich Swan. XX NOT DONE XX
  3. Plan something for “Green” Rainbow Scrap Challenge. XX NOT DONE XX
  4. Get MMM’s Glowing Heart’s quilt to flimsy stage. In progess
  5. Quilt Friend’s quilt In progess
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE. 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for this week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Web the quilt, get it to flimsy stage
  2. Sandwich Swan
  3. Plan something for “Green” Rainbow Scrap Challenge.
  4. Get MMM’s Glowing Heart’s quilt to flimsy stage
  5. Quilt Friend’s quilt
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Blog Hop

The Irish Chain Blog hop is complete. And WOW!!! There are some beautiful quilts!! Visit Island Batik’s Blog (Lumin Fabrics) to see all of the quilts HERE.

Also on Monday, May 26, visit Island Batik’s blog to vote for YOUR favourite Irish Chain quilt. It’s a Viewer’s choice … so take a look and vote for YOUR favourite!

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Irish Chain Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 32 Comments

I received the blue wrapped “Surprise” package in my January box. I didn’t look at the label and was very pleasantly surprised when I saw what was in the bundle!!! It’s Tinsel Treasures, designed by Jerry Khiev. It is accompanied by 2 yards of Cornflower (blue) and 2 yards of Coconut. I was excited to get started on this quilt! Isn’t it a beautiful collection? (Tinsel Treasures is a signature collection designed by Jerry Khiev for Sarah Fabian of Quilt Basket)

Each ambassador received the 10″ Irish Chain BOB (Block on Board) Accuquilt die. (You can purchase it HERE)

After searching various Irish chain patterns, I decided on the “GO! Scrappy Irish Chain Throw.” It’s a free pattern from Accuquilt and it’s also on the die packaging. You can get it HERE.

I started by dividing the collection into light (with white background), medium blue and dark blue. I chose the “Pine Needles Long-Blu” to be the binding.

Using the die, I started cutting each of the pieces for the main blocks. Each of the rectangles and squares have the corners notched. This made sewing the pieces together so EASY!!!

A decision was made to use Island Batik’s solid white for the sashing and the Dark Blue fabrics for the cornerstones. Wanting the quilt to be a little bigger, I opted to put an extra row of sashing on the top, bottom and each side.

A close up of the quilting:

A picture of the back: I did the ‘magic’ sew a rectangle 4 blocks by 8 blocks, cut it and re-sew and you end up with the blocks on point.

Quilt Stats:

There’s More!

The Irish Cain Accuquilt die actually has a LOT of versatility!

For my second quilt using the Irish Chain Accuquilt die, I was inspired by a quilt on THIS VIDEO (around 39:30) and there is a free pattern HERE (designed by Barbara G Harper).

In the middle picture, you can see the back of a block … and if you look closely, you can see where the corners are trimmed at a slight angle. This made strip piecing a dream, lining up those corners! And it reduces a bit of the bulk.

The dark blue is ‘Midnight Blue’ from the Brilliant Blues collection and the sashing is Island Batik’s solid white. The binding is scraps from the medium and dark fabrics in the collection.

Here’s a picture of the quilting on the back. I didn’t have enough of the Midnight Blue, so I added a diagonal piece of solid black as well as on the top right & bottom left corners.

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 60″ square
  • Fabric: Island Batik: “Tinsel Treasures” by by Jerry Khiev for Sarah Fabian of Quilt Basket
  • Hobbs Batting: Heirloom 80/20 Black. (I wanted to make the white solid less bright, but it didn’t work! Island Batik is such a great fabric that even black batting doesn’t dull the colours!)
  • Aurifil Thread: 50 weight
    • Piecing & Quilting: #2600 (Dove Grey)
  • Silly Moon Rulers: Rocket, Drop 2, Drop 3, Beanie, and Cheesie
  • Schmetz Needles: Universal 80/12
  • Oliso Iron

Photo Shoot of Both Quilts

Be sure to visit Emily at The Darling Dogwood!!! She received Tinsel Treasures and her quilt is totally different than my two!

Where can YOU find Tinsel Treasures?

Tinsel Treasures-SPBlue Magic QuiltworksAZ
Checker DistributorsOH
Fiber Art GalleryFL
My Favorite Quilt Store-TXTX
Tinsel Treasures-STBlue Magic QuiltworksAZ
Checker DistributorsOH
My Favorite Quilt Store-TXTX
So & SewTX

Thank YOU!

Thank you to the generosity of Island Batik and Industry partners! They have supplied the products for free as my role as an Island Batik Ambassador! Island Batik, Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, Oliso Iron, Studio 180 Designs, Accuquilt, and Funky Friends.

Island Batik Ambassadors

Visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors to see what they made this month:

Don’t Forget:

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Monday Moments: May 19

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

From the mess in my studio, you can bet there is a LOT of creativity happening!

A Special Finish!

This has been gifted – so I can show it off. It’s a bitter sweet quilt. The reason is bitter, the sweet is who it went to and the quilt itself! Read more about it HERE.

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January – April 119 / 120 days
  • May: 18 / 18 days
  • Total: 137 / 138 99 %

Design Wall Mondays

Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing projects:

  • Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Putting the extra blocks together.
  • MMM’s Glowing Hearts I’m using a fat quarter bundle that I bought from Chitterchatter Fabrics called “Bluebird” by Editya Sitar. I used a total of 7 fat quarters for the hearts and 3 different fat quarters for the ‘darks.’

Quilting projects:

  • My priorities have shifted. I’m quilting (slowly) a beautiful quilt that a friend of mine made. I’ll show pictures when it’s done.
  • Swan

Sunday Stash

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

The finished quilt (above) used 10 yards. I did buy the fireside backing.

  • Fabric used in the last week: 10 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2025:     103 yards. {30 yards of non Island Batik fabric}
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 4 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    13.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              89.5 yards

To Do

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

To Do from the last week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Make the extra blocks to make the quilt bigger in progress
  2. Sandwich Swan. XX NOT DONE XX
  3. Island Batik May finish quilting and do the photoshoot. √   DONE.
  4. Plan something for “Green” Rainbow Scrap Challenge. XX NOT DONE XX
  5. Get MMM’s Glowing Heart’s quilt to flimsy stage. XX NOT DONE XX
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE. 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for this week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Finish making the extra blocks to make the quilt bigger
  2. Sandwich Swan
  3. Plan something for “Green” Rainbow Scrap Challenge.
  4. Get MMM’s Glowing Heart’s quilt to flimsy stage
  5. Quilt Friend’s quilt
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

An Opportunity to Win Fabulous Fabric

Visit Island Batik’s blog to WIN

  • Enter to win a fat quarter bundle of Fusion or Spooktacular ! This Post

Blog Hop

WEEK 2 is over and you can see a recap of the beautiful and wonderful quilts HERE.

WEEK 3

May 19:

May 20:

May 21:

May 22:

May 23:

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

A Secret Project – Revealed

/ quiltinggail / 21 Comments

Early in the spring, a dear relative was diagnosed with cancer. Oh … so young (in their 30s) … a heart-wrenching diagnosis. Of course, once I decided exactly what quilt I was going to make, I plowed ahead, putting almost all the other quilting projects aside. It’s called prioritizing. It’s not often I work on one quilt at a time, but other than a few enders and leaders, this one was worked on … quilted and bound.

My idea was to make a quilt that was cheerful and warm. I wanted it to provide LOVE and HUGS. I wanted it to be big enough to provide warmth during chemo, without toes peaking out.

The quilt has arrived at it’s destination so I can now post about it!

Hocus Pocus by Studio 180 Designs

  • Supply List: This Post [I did not use fat quarters. I used (1) 10″ Stack and 2 yards of neutral) I omitted the border]
  • Video: HERE
  • Tips: HERE

I made the original block and cut it as directed … then I auditioned 3 of the layouts:

And here’s a picture of the layout:

The final quilt:

The Quilting:

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 56″ x 70″
  • Fabric: Island Batik: Floral Fun 10″ stack (by Kathy Engle for Lizard Creek Quilting), paired with “Rice” and bound with Cheerios-Navy
  • Pattern: Hocus Pocus by Studio 180 Designs
  • Hobbs Batting: Heirloom 80/20 Cotton
  • Aurifil Thread: 50 weight
    • Piecing: #2600 (Dove Grey)
    • Quilting: #2600 (Dove Grey)
    • Binding: #2775 (Steel Blue)
  • Silly Moon Rulers: Rocket, Beanie, and Cupid
  • Schmetz Needles: Universal 80/12
  • Oliso Iron

Don’t Forget:

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Monday Moments: May 12

/ quiltinggail / 10 Comments

A Single Finish!

One finish this week … at least one I can show you!

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January – April 119 / 120 days
  • May: 11 / 11 days
  • Total: 130 / 131 99 %

Design Wall Mondays

Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing projects:

  • Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. I got caught up, but decided that I want it bigger, so am making more blocks.
  • MMM’s Glowing Hearts

Quilting projects:

  • Island Batik May
  • Swan

Sunday Stash

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

The train used 4 yards (or more) of fabric! No shopping, so nothing added!

  • Fabric used in the last week: 4.5 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2025:     93 yards. {26 yards of non Island Batik fabric}
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    9.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              83.5 yards

To Do

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

To Do from the last week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Finish catching up and complete the clue that comes out on Thursday. in progress
  2. Get Swan to a flimsy stage √   DONE.
  3. Island Batik May – quilt. in progress
  4. Finish Island Batik June √   DONE.
  5. Quilt Yellow – rectangles √   DONE.
  6. A Secret project – get to flimsy stage. √   DONE.
  7. Plan something for “Green” Rainbow Scrap Challenge. in progress
  8. Cut out MMM’s Glowing Heart’s Quilt (see HERE). √   DONE.
  9. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE. 
  10. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for this week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Make the extra blocks to make the quilt bigger
  2. Sandwich Swan
  3. Island Batik May finish quilting and do the photoshoot.
  4. Plan something for “Green” Rainbow Scrap Challenge.
  5. Get MMM’s Glowing Heart’s quilt to flimsy stage
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

An Opportunity to Win Fabulous Fabric

Visit Island Batik’s blog to WIN

Enter to win a fat quarter bundle of Splish Splash or Jabberwocky by going to This Post

Blog Hop

WEEK 1 is over and you can see a recap of the beautiful and wonderful quilts HERE.

WEEK 2

May 12:

May 13:

May 14:

May 15:

May 16:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

May 19:

May 20:

May 21:

May 22:

May 23:

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

A Yellow Finish

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

Rainbow Scrap Challenge for March was Yellow. I didn’t have a ton of Island Batik yellow scraps (not like my blue and green stash), but I made these rectangles and sashed them with Island Batik’s solid black.

As you can see in the picture, I did a double loop-d-loop quilting.

Quilt Stats:

Don’t Forget:

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Sunday Summary: May 4

/ quiltinggail / 10 Comments

Two Finishes!

I finished these 2 ‘BLUE’ scrap quilts for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Yes, I know that blue was February’s month, but they are finished now!

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January – April 119 / 120 days
  • May: 4 / 4 days
  • Total: 123 / 124 99 %

Design Wall Mondays

Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.

Piecing projects:

  • Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. I got caught up, but decided that I want it bigger, so am making more blocks.
  • Swan – still piecing it
  • A Secret project

Quilting projects:

  • Yellow – rectangles
  • Island Batik May

Sunday Stash

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!

The train used 4 yards (or more) of fabric! No shopping, so nothing added!

  • Fabric used in the last week: 8 yards
  • Fabric Used in 2025:     88.5 yards. {24 yards of non Island Batik fabric}
  • Fabric Added in the last week: 0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:    9.5 yards 
  • Net Fabric used:              79 yards

To Do

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.

To Do from the last week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Finish catching up and complete the clue that comes out on Thursday. XX NOT DONE!!
  2. Get Swan to a flimsy stage in progress
  3. Island Batik May – sandwich and quilt in progress
  4. Finish Island Batik June in progress
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE. 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   DONE. 

To Do for this week:

  1. Canuck Quilter Colour Value Mystery. Finish catching up and complete the clue that comes out on Thursday.
  2. Get Swan to a flimsy stage
  3. Island Batik May – quilt
  4. Finish Island Batik June
  5. Quilt Yellow – rectangles
  6. A Secret project – get to flimsy stage
  7. Plan something for “Green” Rainbow Scrap Challenge
  8. Cut out MMM’s Glowing Heart’s Quilt (see HERE)
  9. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  10. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

2 Opportunities to Win Fabulous Fabric

Visit Island Batik’s blog to WIN

  • First – go and vote for YOUR favourite Drunkard’s Path quilt! HERE
  • Second – enter to win a fat quarter bundle of Bright Tidings or Earthy Enchantment! This Post

Blog Hop

Island Batik (Lumin) Irish Chain Blog Hop Starts this week! It promises to be a wonderful blog hop, full of lots of eye candy and ideas!

WEEK 1

May 5:

May 6:

May 7:

May 8:

May 9:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

WEEK 2

May 12:

May 13:

May 14:

May 15:

May 16:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

May 19:

May 20:

May 21:

May 22:

May 23:

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:  

Irish Chain Blog Hop … with Accuquilt

/ quiltinggail / 4 Comments

Blog Hop

Island Batik (Lumin) Irish Chain Blog Hop Starts on Monday, May 5! It promises to be a wonderful blog hop, full of lots of eye candy and ideas!

WEEK 1

May 5:

May 6:

May 7:

May 8:

May 9:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

WEEK 2

May 12:

May 13:

May 14:

May 15:

May 16:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

May 19:

May 20:

May 21:

May 22:

May 23:

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

An Opportunity to Win Fabulous Fabric

Visit Island Batik’s blog to WIN a fat quarter bundle of Bright Tidings or Earthy Enchantment! This Post

Don’t Forget

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Blue Finishes

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge for February was ‘blue.’ I made a few flimsies and finally have them quilted and bound. They will both be donation quilts for the guild. The first picture is them on the line together and the next is individual pictures.

Quilt Stats:

April’s Favourite Finish

Yvonne, from Quilting Jet Girl, has a link party each month where bloggers can share their favourite finish! Island Batik’s April Challenge was a Drunkard’s Path … I had a LOT of fun making this quilt. You can read more about it HERE.

Don’t Forget:

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to: