2022: First Island Batik Unboxing Video

I am so HONOURED to be chosen again as an Island Batik Ambassador!! It truly is an honour to have all the wonderful support of the Island Batik team and to work alongside so many talented quilters!

On Wednesday night, I did a trunk show for the Chilliwack Piecemakers Guild and they were asking about “What came in the boxes?” So here’s a chance for them to see!

Oh – and apparently there is more coming later this month … I will show you what comes in that package after it arrives!

Here is the video of me opening the boxes.

Here’s pictures and details of what came in my boxes:

6 yards of “Linen.” This is a basic that is available any time.


Aurifil Thread: 40 weight # 6724 (Moonshine), #2375 (Antique Blush), #6731 (Tiramisu)


Foundations Bundle: These fabrics are available all the time.

  • Solid: Yellow, Green, Fuchsia, Turquoise
  • Blenders: Dandelion Crumbs, Dandelion – Bubblegum, Bubble Hole-Tin, Large Netting – Brownie
  • Roast (Breathtaking Brown), Magenta (Precious Pinks), Pebble (Bodecious Blacks), Jute (Breathtaking Browns)

Fat Quarter Bundle: Tantalizing Teals. These fabrics are available in yardage from your local quilt store. There are 20 fabrics in this bundle and I will show you what I’ve made in the next week!


Vintage Lace Fabric Collection: 1/2 yard bundle of 20 fabrics PLUS 2 yards of Snow & 2 Yards of Hunter! These gorgeous fabrics will be available in February.


4 yard cuts of Solid Black, White & Grey. Totally fantastic neutrals! I love these solids!


2 1/2″ strips of Citified along with 2 yards each of “Lavender” and “Blackberry.” Can’t you just imagine something awesome being made with these?


Stash-builder bundles. These bundles are 5″wide by width of fabric and there are 4 fabrics in each roll. Each package of 5 rolls contains 2.8 yards of fabric!


A Surprise Package! This is for the May blog hop. As I am writing this, I have no idea what is inside!


Batting – Lots of Batting!

Thank you very much!

Island Batik Aurifil Thread Hobbs Batting

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

A Wintery Finish!

I have a UFO finish! It is the Any Which Way Mystery Quilt … it was finally trimmed and the binding was added! The first picture was taken in the sun … and the 2nd picture was taken on the snow – just because I could!

The binding was finished today while I was Zoom quilting with fellow Island Batik Ambassadors! It’s so fun to get together and see what everyone is working on!

This quilt used Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs 80/20 batting and was quilted with Aurifil thread using Schmetz needles. It finishes at 44″ x 44.” It’s nice to have this UFO done!

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!

This week, I managed to only sew for 15 min a day …

  • January 1-9 – 9 / 9
  • Total: 9 / 9
  • Percentage =100% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash. 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! However, I am human and I do break down and buy fabric!

I love this meme that I saw recently (but can’t find the source) …

I used 1.5 yards of fabric for the backing of the Any Which Way Mystery Quilt.

  • Fabric Used this week      1.5   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        0 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                  1.5 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week.

I didn’t get a lot done this week. I’ve had a bad back and can only sit for very short periods of time.

The To Do list last week:

  1. Trim & bind “Any Which Way” Mystery√   DONE
  2. Finish Round 3 & 4 of SAHRR (yes, I want to work ahead) Decided I didn’t like Round 2 – so did some un-stitching and re-doing the round X not done
  3. Work on Polar Bear Plunge  √   DONE
  4. Work on Tickled Pink  √   DONE
  5. Work on January’s Island Batik project  √   DONE
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes: no cleaning or tidying done and boy does it show! X not done

This week’s list:

  1. SAHRR: Finish Round 2 & work on Round 3
  2. Work on Polar Bear Plunge: get the top done
  3. Work on Tickled Pink
  4. Work on Secret Project
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

There are a few things on my Design Wall and there is NOTHING I can show you … yet!

#1 SAHRR is in progress … Centre block comes out Tomorrow! Be sure to come back so you don’t miss it!!!


#2 Polar Bear Plunge: This is for a blog hop in January … it should be fun! Of course, I can’t show you until the blog hop!


#3 Tickled Pink: This is for a blog hop in February … and again, I can’t show you until then!


#4 … Island Batik January Gradation project is getting there! and it will remain a total secret for now!

#5 Macaron Mystery by Meadow Mist Designs I have printed off the January clue – but haven’t done any sewing … yet …

Quilting:

Nothing is being quilted at the moment!


One UFO done!

Ms. P. Designs has this nifty colourful tool that you can use to track the tasks you have to do for your PHD. You can access the tool HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Plans for the New Year … and EXCITING NEWS!!!

My husband says every new year, “My New Year’s Resolution is to not make any resolutions.” I sort of feel the same way, but I do have quilty goals in mind and I’ll share them with you.

Island Batik Ambassador

I was again chosen to be an Island Batik Ambassador for 2022! I was beyond excited when I found out! If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you KNOW how much I love Island Batik fabric!

There will be monthly challenges and projects to make! I can’t wait to show you all the fabulous fabric and goodies from the industry partners!

New to Me

This is new to me, but it’s been around for awhile. I have watched other bloggers do this block of the month and thought I’d join in on the fun this year! Check out Jen’s blog post for more details and to get the pattern for this month’s block. Doesn’t “Spicy” sound fantastic???

January’s spice is Saffron. This is the 12 1/2″ block that I made:

I used 2 different oranges from Island Batik. I didn’t have enough of the dark orange, so I pieced the bottom left square.

Here are this month’s bloggers that are highlighting this Spicey month!

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!

Last year I managed to sew 97% of the days. What will this year bring?

  • January 1-2 – 2 / 2
  • Total: 2 / 2
  • Percentage =100% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash. 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! However, I am human and I do break down and buy fabric!

I love this meme that I saw recently (but can’t find the source) …

  • Fabric Used this week      0   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        0 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                  0 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week.

I had 2 weeks to work on my previous To Do list … let’s see how I did …

The To Do list last week:

  1. Finish A&A’s Quilt  √   DONE
  2. Bind the guild Fall Mystery Quilt  √   DONE
  3. Prepare the PHD in 2022 blog post.  √   DONE
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS √   DONE
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

  1. Trim & bind “Any Which Way” Mystery
  2. Finish Round 3 & 4 of SAHRR (yes, I want to work ahead)
  3. Work on Polar Bear Plunge
  4. Work on Tickled Pink
  5. Work on January’s Island Batik project
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

There are a few things on my Design Wall and there is NOTHING I can show you … yet!

#1 SAHRR is in progress … You can read about it HERE.


#2 Polar Bear Plunge: This is for a blog hop in January … it should be fun! Of course, I can’t show you until the blog hop!


#3 Tickled Pink: This is for a blog hop in February … and again, I can’t show you until then!


#4 … January’s Island Batik project and it will remain a secret for now! But, I will show you the stack of fabric that I’m working with! Tantalizing Teals! Aren’t they absolutely BEAUTIFUL? !!!

Quilting:

Nothing is being quilted at the moment!

However, my Any Which Way mystery quilt needs to be trimmed and bound.


My January Island Batik project is started … no finishes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Any Which Way Mystery Quilt: Clue #1

This is a small mystery quilt. It will be 40″ x 40″ if you follow the directions. Yes, it can easily be made bigger, but wait until the end to see if you want to.

Fabric Requirements:

FabricAmount 
Background1 1/8 yards 
Contrast #1½ yard 
Contrast #2½ yard 

If you want – you could make Contrast #1 and #2 totally scappy.  For example, Contrast #1 could be a variety of purples and Contrast #2 could be a variety of greens.   It might be a good way to use up scraps!

These are the fabrics I used. They are all Island Batik fabrics. The Background is Rice. Contrast #1 is an older fabric with turtles and sea grass … Contrast #2 is two similar coloured fabrics.

Have fun picking out your fabrics!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

2021 Island Batik Projects

As an Island Batik Ambassador, I am to make 12 projects, one a month using ONLY Island Batik fabrics. This is my 3rd year as an Ambassador and I have a bit of an Island Batik stash. The projects below are either the monthly challenge or ones I have done on my own. As you might guess, I LOVE Island Batik fabrics!

January

Between Christmas and New Years 2020, I hosted a Holiday Seclusion Mystery here on the blog. You can see a summary of it HERE.

These are the 2 quilts I made to test the mystery. The first one uses an older Island Batik that I bought, but neglected to keep record of the name of the fabric. It is paired with solid white. Although it was started in 2020, it was not finished until 2021.

This one was made with Scrapbuilder bundles in blue, teal and green, along with a solid grey. I love the overall graffiti or wild quilting on it!

January’s Island Batik challenge was to make placemats. I LOVE blue and LOVED making these placemats! You can read about them HERE.

I joined in the monthly Scrap Happy Table Runner challenge hosted by So Scrappy. January’s colour was PINK. Here is the mug rug I made.

February

These 2 baskets were a free byAnnie pattern and you can read more about them HERE.

This quilt was provided as a mystery quilt for the guild. The Designer is Sue Pontifex, from Piece Arch Quilters in White Rock. This is a variation of the original design. You can read more about the quilt HERE.

February’s Island Batik challenge was “Create for a Cause.” Each ambassador was to create a quilt to give to a charity of our choice. The guild I belong to gives “comfort” quilts to a local cancer agency. This quilt is destined to go there when they start receiving quilts (after Covid). You can read more about this quilt HERE.

This quilt used the beautiful “Mystery” collection of fabric designed by Claudia Pfeil.

This month’s colour for the Scrap Happy Table Runner challenge hosted by So Scrappy. was yellow. You can read more about this mug rug HERE.

March

Scrapbusting ws Island Batik’s challenge for March. What a fun fun challenge. My 2 quilts are shown below …

  1. The Scrappy Irish chain with the star was a LOT of fun. Lots of 2″ scraps from every collection that I have had as an ambassador!
  2. Is a quilt that started out small and became bigger as I really liked the colours. It initially started as a sample for a ruler quilting class.

You can read more about these quilts HERE.

This was my SAHRR 2021 quilt. You can read more about it HERE. As well as find the links to all of the steps.

I made this pouch for the Salt & Sand Blog Hop. Read more about it HERE.

Green was this months Scrap Happy Table Runner challenge hosted by So Scrappy. You can read about it HERE.

April

The Island Batik challenge was “It’s All Up to You.” We could make our own project / design, the choice was ours.

First, I made this quilt … More details are available HERE.

And, I made these fun little baskets … SEW fun!!!

This was my monthly table topper for the colour Blue. Details are available HERE. Scrap Happy Table Runner challenge is hosted by So Scrappy.

May

Quilt Modern. You can read the details HERE.

June

This is a quilt, designed by an Island Batik alumni, Sandra Walker, you can read more about this quilt HERE and Here and HERE.

The Island Batik challenge for this month was “Spread Love & Joy with Accuquilt.” Boy, did I have fun! I love using the Accuquilt cutter and the precision cutting. You can read about my 2 quilts HERE.

In March, I took a course “Speed Dating with Improv” by Krista from PoppyPrints. It took me a while to get the facing done, but it was finally finished in June! I used Island Batik solids for this piece.

I finally put the facing on my Story-less Improv and you can read more about it here, here and HERE. This was from a by Krista’s classes @ Poppyprint. It has the super fun title of “Speed Dating.”

Purple is June’s Scrap Happy Table Runner challenge hosted by So Scrappy. You can read more about this coaster HERE.

July

July’s Island Batik challenge was “Never Too Early.” I made a mini quilt and a basket. You can read about them HERE.

August

Try a Tool was Island Batik’s August challenge! Oh! Did I have fun with this one! Check out the details HERE.

Another quilt designed by Island Batik alumni, Sandra Walker. This is “Let your Star Shine.” You can read about it HERE and HERE.

This quilt was created for the “Orange you Glad” Blog Hop. You can read about it HERE.

This month’s scrappy table runner challenge was “aqua.” I wanted to try paper piecing a “Storm at Sea” block and ended up with this 14″ x 14″ square table topper. You can read about it HERE.

September

Island Batik’s September challenge was to make a byAnnie bag. I made this wonderful “Round Trip Duffle.” Read about it HERE.

This table runner was made for the Table Scraps monthly challenge (orange) and the Falling For You blog hop … you can read more about it HERE.

Kelly Young launched her newest book “Scrappy Improv Quilting” and I couldn’t help but enlarge this quilt and make a baby sized hot air balloon. You can read about it HERE.

October

October’s Island Batik challenge was to use Aurifil thread related to our assigned Endangered Species. I was given the Pangolin … it was fun zen-doodling the scales … you can find out more details HERE.

Then, I was involved in a blog hop, featuring Kelly Young’s book, “Scrappy Improv Quilting.” I made this ornament wall hanging for the blog hop. See details HERE.

November

The challenge for Island Batik, for November was the “Storm at Sea” block. I made 2 totally different quilts using the same block. You can read about them HERE.

I finished another quilt – with inspiration from Kelly Young’s book “Scrappy Improv Quilting.” This quilt used a lot of orphan log cabin blocks … For more details see HERE.

December

English Paper Piecing was the challenge for December. It was a HUGE challenge for me, but I got it done! And I’m happy with the result! See more details HERE.

This is another hot air balloon from Kelly Young’s book, “Scrappy Improv Quilting.” You can read about it HERE.

Catalogue Quilts

There were 3 quilts that were published in the Island Batik Spring/Summer 2021 Catalogue. You can access the Catalogue HERE.

Left to right: Modern Squares, Feather Chain & Flutterfly Stars.

Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

The Year is Almost Over …

Yes, it seems like the year has gone by quickly! And, with the Covid numbers increasing and talks of future lockdowns, I’ll be hunkering down and quilting!!!

Next week, starting on Boxing Day, I will be hosting a mystery quilt. It’s a quick and easy mystery – and it will be fun! Are you going to join me?

Finally finished!

Do you remember the picture on the left? After lots of procrastination and neglect, I finally finished this hot air balloon quilt. The pattern is from Kelly Young’s book “Scrappy Improv Quilting.”

Before I taught a class, using this book, I wanted to demonstrate a few different techniques in making the slabs. There are many different ways. In this quilt, I used stripes, bargello, “twosies, foursies, eightsies …” and my own invention “random pieces in a line.” I have also use orphan blocks.

The baskets were chain pieced and made all at the same time.

Once the baskets were attached to the balloons, I played around with the layout and positioned them all slightly different … I wanted it to look like balloons were in the sky.

The fabrics were all from my Island Batik stash … bits and pieces of this and that. The background is BE34-E1 Dot Sky from the Blender’s collection. Hobbs 80/20 is used for the batting. The free motion quilting was pretty simple … clouds and meandering in the sky and vertical wavy lines on the balloons. The baskets were a grid of mish-mashed straight lines. It is bound with Island Batik’s Black solid.

The binding looks a little wonky on the bottom right, but that’s because it won’t be finished until after a special baby is born and I can put the label on it.

Design Wall

#1 SAHRR: I have my centre block done! Whoo hoo!!! And plan to work on the other rounds! The SAHRR will start on January 10. I’ll show you the centre block then!

Here’s the Schedule of Events for SAHRR:

SEW … start thinking about what you can use for your centre block. Will it be an orphan block? Will you start something new? something different? Will it be square or rectangle? It’ll be fun to see what you choose!


#2 Polar Bear Plunge: This is for a blog hop in January … it should be fun! Of course, I can’t show you until the blog hop!


#3 Tickled Pink: This is for a blog hop in February … and again, I can’t show you until then!


#4 Monthly Colour Challenge – with Patterns by Jen. Yes, I’ve pulled my fabrics for the first few months. I’m excited to show you January’s block on January 1!


Quilting: 

#2 A&A’s Quilt: This quilt is under the machine at the moment!


Stash Report

The back of the balloon quilt used 2 1/2 yards of flannel – from my stash.

This will be my last stash report for 2021! By the end of the year, I will have used at least another 9 yards of fabric, but I’m not counting it until it’s finished. I will continue with my Sunday Stash report in 2022 – it keeps me honest about what I buy. And, I will often 2nd guess a fabric purchase when I think that I need to report it on my blog! (and that’s a good thing!)

Well, my husband didn’t add any fabric this year. Yes, he was with me on a few occasions when we were in a fabric store, but he didn’t pick up anything for me to buy! Well, the next trip to a fabric store could be another story!

  • Fabric Used this week     2.5   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       104.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                 52.5 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

This is my last Stitchin’ Time for 2021. The “Any Which Way” Mystery quilt is happening next week and I want to focus on that!

As for this year, I think I did pretty good … only missed 9 days in the whole year! Wow!! It does help that, aside from one 10 day trip, we didn’t go anywhere! If Kate continues this next year, I’ll be back with more Stitchin’ Time in 2022!

  • January – Nov –  324 / 333
  • Dec – 19/19
  • Total: 342 / 351
  • Percentage = 97 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

I won’t be posting a To Do list next week, but I’ll be back in 2022 with updated lists!

The To Do list last week:

  1. Get A&As quilt sandwiched.  √   DONE
  2. Finish Scrappy Improv top.  √   DONE
  3. I find it interesting that I had a blank on the list from last week!
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  HA! HA! … I started 3 new projects for the new year … I’d say I was distracted !!! Unsuccessful
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

  1. Finish A&A’s Quilt
  2. Bind the guild Fall Mystery Quilt
  3. Prepare the PHD in 2022 blog post.
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

I have 2 projects to finish before the end of the year. Unless something weird happens, I should be able to get them done this week! The BBQG Mystery #3 just needs the binding done and A&A’s quilt needs the quilting finished and the label and binding … doable … I hope!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Moving right along …

Here’s what’s happening in the studio …

A Finish

This week I posted my final Island Batik challenge for 2021. It’s been a fantastic year! I will soon have a blog post that will show all of the projects I’ve made with wonderful Island Batik fabrics! You can read more about this finish HERE. It was pieced and quilted with Aurifil thread and Hobbs batting was used.

Design Wall

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting 

Absolutely NO change from the last month! None at all! Even though I analyzed why it wasn’t getting done – I still haven’t worked on it! I need to get it finished in order to achieve my PHD in 2021!

#2 A&A’s Quilt: This quilt which was started in Mar. is getting pieced into a top. I was suppose to get some direction on how they wanted it pieced, but no direction came, so I decided to do my own thing. … I’m looking forward to quilting some of the negative space …


Quilting: 

Amy and I had another “Playing with Rulers” day at Essem Textiles. I was working on my Guild’s fall mystery quilt. I struggled the whole time. First, I did not have my slip slidey thing for my machine, then I realized that my quilting gloves no longer had any grip on them … If we have more “Playing with Rulers” days, I will definitely choose a smaller project! And I will have my slip slidey thing and some good gloves! In spite of my challenges, it was a fun couple of days!! It is so rewarding to see quilters become comfortable with ruler quilting!!! If you live in the area and would like to join us for a “Playing with Rulers” session – let Simina or Rajan at Essem Textiles know. They will put you on a waiting list.


Stash Report

No finishes that used fabric from my stash.

  • Fabric Used this week     0   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       101.75 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                 51 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

  • January – Nov –  324 / 333
  • Dec – 12 / 12
  • Total: 336 / 344
  • Percentage = 97 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The To Do list from 2 weeks ago:

  1. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #4 √   DONE
  2. Work on December’s Island Batik project. √   DONE
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  Got inspired to make a tree skirt √   DONE
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

  1. Get A&As quilt sandwiched
  2. Finish Scrappy Improv top
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is phd-in-2021.png

OK … I’ve got 3 projects to finish before the end of the year. I think I can get them done! I hope I can get them done.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

I LOVE my TGIFF this week!

Earlier this week, I posted my English Paper Piecing table runner. It was my last Island Batik challenge of the year. If you know me, I highly dislike hand sewing – it hurts! However, I took my time and had fun! You can read all about it HERE.

This table runner was pieced and quilted with Aurifil threads and Hobbs 80/20 Black batting was used.

It has been a great year with Island Batik. Sometime, in the next few weeks, I will show you all of the projects that were made with Island Batik fabrics this year. It’s a post that always takes a LOT of time to put together!

My cousin, Terry, sent me this! I’ve seen it before – a LONG time ago, but I did laugh out loud when I read it again!

This quilt is on it’s way up north. I’m not sure if I showed it before or not. It’s been finished for awhile. Once I had the baby’s details, I made the label, added it to the quilt and finished the binding.

Jennifer, from Inquiring Quilter, featured these two panel quilts that were recently finished! You can read about them HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Linking to:

December Island Batik Project: EPP

Here’s what Island Batik had to say about the English Paper Piecing Challenge:

It’s time to limber up your fingers! Nothing does that like hand sewing. English Paper Piecing is a technique practiced by many who find the hand sewing process wonderfully relaxing.

WHAT IS ENGLISH PAPER PIECING?

English Paper Piecing (commonly called EPP) is a method of stabilizing fabric around a heavy paper shape before sewing the pieces together to create intricately pieced designs. It provides excellent accuracy and precision piecing. English Paper Piecing originated in England and was called Mosaic or honeycomb patchwork. In the late 1700’s, when all things English became popular in the U.S., the term English Paper Piecing was coined. The most popular shape has always been the hexagon because it makes good use of fabric scrap and is easy to assemble. The most recognizable hexagon pattern is Grandmother’s Flower Garden, which became popular in the 1920-1930s.

English Paper Piecing is often referred to as Hand Piecing or hand sewing and is a traditional sewing method that utilizes a running stitch to sew fabric pieces together. The hand sewer sews a ¼” seam allowance with needle and thread by, beginning a ¼” from the end of the shape, loading stitches on the needle and finishing ¼” away from the end of the shape by pulling the needle through the loaded stitches.

OK … so now I know what is expected but ….

HAND SEWING

When I saw this challenge, I almost started to cry!!! Seriously!!! English Paper Piecing??? That means hand sewing! When I sew by hand, my hands hurt! Big time!!! After about 10 minutes, it hurts … by 15 minutes it’s really hurting and after 20 minutes, I’m in agony and my fingers are numb. Oh my … how in the world am I going to be able to do this challenge?

I figured that I best start early. So in January, I ordered a bunch of paper piecing books from the guild library.

The guild librarian is a gem … during Covid, she has stored all the books at her home … a simple email or 2 and within a day, you can go pick them up!!! Awesome service!!

Anyhow, with a bag full of reading material, I attempted to see if anything appealed. I didn’t want to do a traditional Grandmother’s Flower Garden, or stars … One of the library books was “The New Hexagon” from a Canadian author that only lives 4 hours away from me! Bingo! If I have to endure pain, I will make what I want. I promptly ordered my own copy of the book.

I was given a 10″ stack of Island Batik‘s “Cabana” last year and decided that this would be the perfect fabric collection to use. I love the blues and the florals … it’s going to be pretty!

I copied the designs for a table runner from the book. It’s fun with all the blocks named after different women! Unfortunately ‘Gail’ is not one of them!

A friend of mine suggested using Elmer’s Disappearing Purple glue stick to turn the fabric under 1/4″. I tested it on the regular printer paper and it came off pretty easy. Here’s how I organized my pieces once they were glued/pressed into place, ready for sewing. (This was the “Sarah” hexi.) It was super handy to have the diagram of how the hexi went together without going back to the book.

Blue is my favourite colour, so I made sure that each hexi had at least one blue fabric in it.

Here is a picture of gluing the 1/4″ sides down on the joining black triangles (Island Batik black solid).

In the picture below, I’m working on the table runner. I used Aurifil Thread #2370 – Sandstone to do the piecing.

With working on the table runner at least every other day, I found that I was able to hand sew for longer periods of time. I could work on it for about 30 minutes before my fingers started to ache. That made it nicer to spend time stitching!

The borders are on and now, I’m taking out all the paper … lots of little pieces of paper!

I used Hobbs Batting, black 80/20 batting for this project. It was a perfect choice!

After all the hand sewing, I knew I didn’t want to hand quilt this runner. I decided to use my domestic machine (Janome M7) for the quilting! I quilted it with Aurifil 100% nylon (Invisible) on the top and Aurifil #2370 – Sandstone in the bobbin using Schmetz Needles. I tried to do some swirly quilting, but that stitching didn’t fit, so out came the seam ripper and out came the swirly stitching. I settled for “In the ditch” quilting which turned out to be the right choice! After months of hand sewing, it was great to finish it quickly on the machine!

And some close-ups of the table runner …

Disclosure and a Thank you!

Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:

This is the final Island Batik challenge for 2021. Stay tuned: in a few weeks, I’ll have a blog post showing all of the projects that I have made with wonderful Island Batik fabrics!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Scrappy Improv Class – Finished projects!

This was a super fun class to teach. All of the participants were delightful ladies – which made it even more fun.

Here is Joan’s finished project “Prismatic.” Look at her beautiful quilting!

And here is Sue’s Prismatic. Again some awesome quilting with a totally different approach!

And Judy’s Prismatic – with totally different quilting! I LOVE the variety of the mini quilts and the quilting! And Judy added a flange binding! super cool!

Here are Robin’s.

The first is the ornament in reds and greens. I like the simple straight line quilting! It really makes the ornaments pop!

The 2nd is Prismatic in blues purples and teals … again, the simple straight line quilting lets the design show through!

Cathy has completed 3, yes THREE, tops! Go Cathy Go! It was fun to watch her put this one together as she used different fabrics for the background. Who knew that the backside of a blue grunge would be the perfect dark grey?

And these 2 are so sweet!

And here is my Prismatic. I had a bunch of orphan log cabin blocks that I joined together and then cut as directed. I cut a lot more than indicated in the pattern … then joined them in the rows. My intent was not to make a quilt this big … it’s 45″ x 60″, but that’s how big it turned out to be.

It uses Island Batik fabric and Hobbs 80/20 batting. The backing is a lovely light blue flannel.

Design Wall

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting 

Absolutely NO change from the last month! None at all! However, I’ve been questioning why I’m hesitating at getting this one done and I think I figured it out. That purple balloon is too small and I thought I’d just adjust all the measurements and make a smaller one – but I don’t feel like doing that. So, I will do something else for the purple balloon … make it bigger somehow … I haven’t gotten that far in my thinking yet!


Quilting: 

#1  The last Secret Island Batik project is being quilted – and should be finished within a couple of days!


Stash Report

The back of my Prismatic quilt used 1.5 yards of flannel from my stash.

  • Fabric Used this week     1.5   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       101.75 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                 51 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

  • January – October –  292/ 303
  • Nov – 28 / 28
  • Total: 320 / 331
  • Percentage = 96 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The To Do list from 2 last week:

  1. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #4 In progress
  2. Finish Tree Skirt √   DONE
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  Got inspired to make a tree skirt √   DONE
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #4
  2. Work on December’s Island Batik project.
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

DrEAMi

I had 2 DrEAMis this month … I posted about them HERE

Favourite Quilt in November

I’m waffling between 2 quilts. Both of them were “Storm at Sea” quilts that I made for November’s Island Batik blog hop. You can read about them HERE.

Table Scraps

I made a mug rug for the “No Ring” blog hop … so it’s also my Table topper for November. There was no specific colour for this month … so this fits perfectly!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

What’s Happening in the Studio?

First, I need to show you a finish … not a quilty finish, but a finish. While I was at Essem Textiles, I spotted some super cute knit teddy bear fabric. I LOVE teddy bears! Years ago, in the last century, I made a cute nightshirt with teddybears on it. That nightshirt was loved for years and years. This summer, I noticed that it was pretty thread barren and it’s time was near! Well, I might have noticed it much longer than just this summer! When I saw the fabric at Essem, I just knew I had found the perfect fabric to replace the nightshirt with. And the old night shirt is re-purposed as cleaning cloths in the garage. However, I did rescue the button off the old one and put it on the new one!

I’m not going to model it, but here it is on my design wall:

It was fun to use my serger and complete a project in less than a day! That doesn’t happen when I’m quilting!

Island Batik’s Storm at Sea Blog Hop

Did you get to see all of the Storm at Sea quilts? They were all based on the Storm at Sea block. Some people used Paper Piecing (me), some used Studio 180 rules, and some used the Accuquilt Block on Board die. Andi (from True Blue Quilts) made a great youtube video that showcases all of the quilt. Watch it and Enjoy!

Design Wall

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting 

Absolutely NO change from the last month! None at all!

#2.  A Christmas Tree Skirt

These are fabrics from Essem Textiles. I have started piecing the tree skirt … such pretty fabrics to work with!


Quilting: 

#1  The last Secret Island Batik project is being quilted

#2 Scrappy Improv Quilting This is from the pattern “Prismatic … just made bigger … lots bigger … (from Kelly Young’s book “Scrappy Improv Quilting.” This book is SEW much fun … make sure you order yours before it’s too late!


  • Fabric Used this week      yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       100.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  49.5 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

  • January – October –  292/ 303
  • Nov – 21 / 21
  • Total: 313 / 324
  • Percentage = 96 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The To Do list from 2 Weeks ago:

  1. Quilt Island Batik Secret #2 √   DONE 
  2. Quilt Island Batik Secret #4 in progress
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  Got inspired to make a tree skirt  not done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #4
  2. Finish Tree Skirt
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

I have finished enough UFOs for my PHD, but I still have a few “Starts in 2021” to finish …

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Linking to:

November … and the first week is over?

Oh dear … time seems to be flying by this month!

But it’s OK … I’m busy and having fun!!!

Design Wall

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting 

Absolutely NO change from last week! None at all!

#2.  Scrappy Improv Quilting 

This is from the pattern “Prismatic.” This has gone from the first photo to the 2nd. So it is ready for sandwiching. I just need to choose a backing.

#4, #5, & #6 Secret Sewing: Island Batik

I’m happy to report that all of the patterns have been written. And one is still being tested. All of the tops are complete!


Quilting: 

#2  Secret Island Batik project is being quilted

#1 Secret Island Batik is quilted. I can only show you the back … the fabric is a beautiful “Moonstone,” one of the fabrics that is available all the time! It is quilted with Aurifil 2600 – Dove. Hobbs 80/20 batting and a Schmetz Microtex needle was used.


Stash Report

I got “paid” in fabric for the class that I taught. Even though I didn’t “buy” it, it still adds to my stash. I added 11 yards of flannel … all for backing baby quilts. And I did use 1.25 yards on the back of the mystery quilt (see the purple above?)

  • Fabric Used this week     0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       100.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  49.5 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I have been sewing for at LEAST 3-4 hours each day … deadlines add pressure, you know! So my stitchin’ time is good!

  • January – October –  292/ 272
  • Nov – 7 / 7
  • Total: 299 / 310
  • Percentage = 96 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The To Do list from Last Week:

  1. Sandwich BBQG Guild Mystery #2 & #3 #2 Done, #3 not done
  2. Sandwich Island Batik Secret #4 √   DONE 
  3. Sew top together  Prismatic from Scrappy Improv √   DONE 
  4. Work on Island Batik’s December project in progress
  5. Finish Island Batik Secret #2 top √   DONE 
  6. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #3 not done
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   DONE 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

Is fairly light … priorities only … as I won’t be home for a few days. (I’ll tell you about it later).

  1. Quilt Island Batik Secret #2
  2. Quilt Island Batik Secret #4
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Island Batik Blog Hop

Island Batik’s Storm at Sea Blog Hop is into it’s 2nd week! Check out THIS POST to follow each of the ambassadors and their creative and awesome quilts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

******************

Linking to:

Friday’s summary!

My finishes this week include the quilts I shared on Monday for the Island Batik Storm at Sea Blog Hop. My surprise fabric was the fabulous Bellingham Bay collection by Kathy Engle. Two very different quilts, both using a 12″ Storm at Sea paper piecing block (From EQ). You can read more about these quilts HERE.

Island Batik Blog Hop

To see all of the quilts in this week’s collection, check them out at the Island Batik blog HERE. There is also an opportunity for YOU to win either a strip pack or a stack of beautiful Bellingham Bay fabric!

October’s Island Batik Challenge

A fellow Island Batik Ambassador, Andi, from True Blue Quilts, put together this great video that showcases most of the completed challenges. We were all given 3 spools of 40 weight Aurifil thread and told to create a wall hanging that is inspired by the endangered species. It is well worth the look!

Mine was the Pangolin and you can read about my creation HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! Gail

******************

Linking to:

Storm at Sea Blog Hop!

This month, the Island Batik challenge was to make a Storm at Sea quilt with the following guidelines:

  • Project Type: Quilt
  • Size: Lap size or larger
  • Must use the Summer 2021 bundle, wrapped and labeled “Surprise”
  • Any technique

My Surprise package in Box #2 was Bellingham Bay. I was in LOVE immediately!!!! I LOVE the colours … the rich greens paired with a few deep purple … just wonderful!!! These should be available in stores soon!

I searched for a Storm at Sea that was a bit different. I found several quilts with diagonal waves and I really liked them. I went to my EQ program and came up with this:

I know that I would easily become confused with which piece of fabric went where … so I printed out the quilt outline and numbered the main fabrics. I was hoping that if I took my time, I’d be able to paper piece the quilt with the correct fabrics in the correct spots.

In order to keep all of the fabrics in the correct wave, that’s how it was pieced … one wave at a time. I knew that I would get it all mixed up if I did it by blocks …

Each element is paper pieced – without sewing on the paper. I really dislike removing the papers after I’ve sewn on them.

Here’s a picture of my piecing without sewing on the paper.

The quilting was done on my domestic sewing machine, with a walking foot and a Schmetz quilting needle.

I used Aurifil #2600 (Dove) for the quilting and the scrappy binding was attached with Aurifil #5012.

This quilt is 57″ square. And, I LOVE it!!!

For some reason, I didn’t use all of the fabrics in the main quilt. I have no idea why. So, I made a 2nd quilt using Coconut as the background and 4 of the lightest coloured prints from Bellingham Bay.

You could win …

That’s correct, you have an opportunity to win some wonderful Bellingham Bay fabric … Click on the Rafflecopter link and follow the instructions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

The Photo Shoot

Bellingham Bay is just a short drive from my house. However, since the USA border is closed to Canadians driving down, I had to content myself with going to a local beach to take pictures. It was a blustery windy day … very windy … but I did manage to get some shots!

The Blog Hop

Pretti, from Sew Preeti Quilts also made a Storm at Sea quilt using the Bellingham Bay fabric collection. Make sure you visit her blog!

Here is a list of all the ambassadors participating in the Storm at Sea Blog Hop. I’ve already had a sneak peek of some of them – they are all pretty awesome! Make sure you follow along!!!

November 1:

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail 

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

November 2:

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts

Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

November 3:

Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese

Megan Best, Bestquilter

November 4:

Gail Renna, Quilt Haven Threads

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

November 8:

Mania Hatzioannidi, Mania for Quilts

Jennifer Fulton, Inquiring Quilter

November 9:

Joanne Hart, Unicorn Harts

Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

Jennifer Eubank, Archipelago Quilting

November 10:

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

Janet Yamamoto, Whispers of Yore

November 11:

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

November 15:

Elizabeth DeCroos, Epida Studio

Andi Stanfield, True Blue Quilts

November 16:

Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky

Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde

November 17:

Sally Manke, Sally Manke Fiber Artist

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt 

Thank you!

The making of my Storm at Sea quilts would not be possible without the generosity of Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil Thread, and Schmetz Needles!!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

PHD in 2021: October Report

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How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

Are you slugging away at a project that doesn’t seem to have an end in sight? We’ve all been there. Did you know that as you’re slugging away, it’s OK to switch to something else for a short time, or take a break. If you know me at all, squaring up HST or blocks is NOT my favourite thing. I know it gives good results, but taking those slivers off of a HST is just plain boring. So, one of my tactics is to do 10 and then do something else. Then do another 10. Pretty soon, all 2000 (an exaggeration) are done! And it feels good to have that task completed.

Here’s my tally for the year so far. I have completed 12 UFOs and I just need to finish all of the projects that I started and I’ll have achieved my Phd in 2021! I’ve got 2 months left, so I’m hoping it’s a good 2 months of sewing!

Linky Party



Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

Blog Hop

Island Batik’s November Blog Hop starts tomorrow!!! Come back tomorrow to see my beautiful quilts made with the Bellingham Bay Fabric collection!

In the meantime, you have an opportunity to win either a strip pack or a stack of Bellingham Bay fabric!

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

I have a Finish!

I did finish one of the guild baby mystery quilts … I used it when I took a “Beanie” ruler class from Silly Moon. Nope, I’m not going to show you the front, but here is the back. There is NO way you can tell what the front is! (chuckle) But I learned how to easily make concentric circles, clam shells, circles, and baptist fans. And I played with the ruler in the in the border.

My Favourite Quilt this month!

My favourite quilt has got to be the Pangolin that I made for October’s Island Batik challenge. I absolutely loved doing all the zen-doodling in the scales! This piece is 20″ square and you can read about it HERE. I will be linking to Meadow Mist Designs.

Design Wall

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting 

I’m still working on a Hot Air Balloon quilt from Kelly Young’s “Scrappy Improv Quilting” Book. I decided that I would use different techniques for making slabs and have 4 balloons … I haven’t gotten too far … Obviously my balloons need baskets and the sky around them … And my Island Batik scraps isn’t much smaller!

#2.  Scrappy Improv Quilting 

This is from the pattern “Prismatic.” I had some scrappy Island Batik log cabin blocks that were languishing in a pile. What to do with them? I sewed them all randomly together and made a large slab. Then I cut it up. The log cabin blocks were 3/4″ finished … so there are a LOT of tiny pieces in these blocks. They will be sewn together with white fabric surrounding them.

#4, #5, & #6 Secret Sewing: Island Batik

I’m happy to report that all of the patterns have been written. 2 of them are tested and ready to roll. And 2 of them are still being tested.


Quilting: 

#1 Secret Island Batik project is being quilted


Stash Report

I got “paid” in fabric for the class that I taught. Even though I didn’t “buy” it, it still adds to my stash. I added 11 yards of flannel … all for backing baby quilts. And I did use 1.25 yards on the back of the mystery quilt (see the purple above?)

  • Fabric Used this week     1.25 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       100.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  11  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  49.5 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I have been sewing for at LEAST 3-4 hours each day … deadlines add pressure, you know! So my stitchin’ time is good!

  • January – October –  292/ 272
  • Total: 292 / 303
  • Percentage = 96 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The last To Do list: (from AGES ago)

OK … even though I had a LOT of time to complete everything, pattern writing and making the secret quilts took a LOT of time!

  1. Continue working on Island Batik’s November project DONE!!!
  2. Work on 3rd Project from Scrappy Improv Nope … in progress
  3. Work on Island Batik’s December project ... in progress
  4. Complete top for Secret Sewing BBQG mystery quilt #2 All 3 quilt tops are done, one is quilted.
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   DONE 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes       I need to start doing this daily!  

This week’s list:

  1. Sandwich BBQG Guild Mystery #2 & #3
  2. Sandwich Island Batik Secret #4
  3. Sew top together  Prismatic from Scrappy Improv
  4. Work on Island Batik’s December project
  5. Finish Island Batik Secret #2 top
  6. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #3
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Linking to:

Island Batik … what you want to know

Island Batik Ambassadors

For those of you that have been following my blog for awhile, you’ve heard me talk about being an Island Batik Ambassador. Twice a year we get fabulous Island Batik fabric and lots of goodies from Industry Partners (Aurifil, Hobbs batting, Schmetz needles, Accuquilt, Studio 180, byAnnie). Then, once a month, we are given a specific challenge to complete using the fabric and/or tools that we have received. It is a lot of fun to create and make items to address the challenges. An added bonus this year was that a few of us organized a few Zoom sewing days! Talk about a lot of fun! And a great way to get to know each other!

Here are the main challenges that I’ve completed so far this year: (I have also made many other projects using Island Batik fabric, but that’s for another post!

You could become an Island Batik Ambassador!

If you would like to become an Island Batik ambassador, click HERE.

Island Batik Fabric

But, what is Island Batik? It is a company in California that distributes the fabulous fabric around the world.

This is from their website: Island Batik is a manufacturer, importer and distributor of cotton batik, rayon batik and hand-printed cotton from Indonesia. Originally established in 1997, Island Batik’s mission is to share the ancient cultural art of batik and hand-dyed fabric with our many valued customers around the world. You can read more about it HERE.

Here is a video that explains the process of how the fabric is dyed:

Island Batik Designer

I am one of several designers. I don’t design any of the fabric, but I do get a sneak peak of the upcoming fabrics for the next catalogue. Then I design quilts using the new fabric collections. The Island Batik design team chooses which quilt designs will be in their next catalogue and then the fabric is shipped to the designers. We usually have a short time frame to make the quilts and send them to California for their professional photography shoot.

These 3 quilts were in the Spring / Summer 2021 catalogue. You can see it HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Scrappy Improv Quilting Blog Hop

In July, Kelly, of My Quilt Infatuation, emailed me and asked if I would be willing to participate in a blog hop promoting her new book. I felt honoured and of course, I said, “YES.”

She asked me to make an improve ornament mini quilt! This is the quilt she asked me to make! Isn’t it cute?

Sew … I gathered a bunch of blue and purple Island Batik scraps.

Then I sewed them together sort-of following the directions in the book. A lot of my scraps had weird angles in them … so mine aren’t totally square … more improv!

I followed the directions for making the ornaments. They were very clear and easy to follow. As directed, I did use my Tri-Recs rulers for making the purple ornament.

I used Island Batik solid “Turquoise” on the purple ornament and “Amethyst” on the blue ornaments. The strings were made with “Dark Grey.” And the background is “Rice.” I absolutely LOVE Rice!!!

This mini quilt is quilted the same as in the book … stippling in the background and organic straight(ish) lines on the ornaments. I used Aurifil 2600 – Dove to quilt it. And yes, I did stitch in the ditch around the strings and the ornaments.

This was such a fun quilt to make! I’m sure I will be making more mini quilts from this blog!

I have already made “Up, Up and Away,” using Kelly’s instructions on enlarging the quilt. I made it baby sized. I posted about it, and your can read about it HERE.

To me, Kelly’s “Scrappy Improv Quilting” book is one that EVERYONE should have in their book collection! There is a HUGE variety of mini quilts and you can make them bigger as well! I know I already said this, but the book is very well written. The directions are clear and easy to follow!

I actually have 2 more quilts from this book in progress … and I will show you them when they are completed!

If you want to buy the book, I know that Essem Textiles has a few in stock. As well, I will be teaching several quilts from this book at Essem later this month. Contact them to sign up for the class.

Blog Hop

Here is the Schedule for the Blog Hop: (All links up to Oct 11 are direct links to the original post, so you won’t have to hunt through the blogs! … you’re welcome!)

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Announcing Flutterfly Stars: for Island Batik

Photo credit: Jerry Khiev, Island Batik

Please contact me if you would like to purchase the pattern. This quilt uses a Tri-Recs or a Deb Tucker V-block ruler. There is an option of using a pre-cut Stack (10″ squares) to make this quilt.

Flutterfly Stars appeared in Island Batik’s Spring/Summer catalogue. You can see it HERE. Check out page 9 for a close-up and page 56 for the whole quilt. And there are tons of other beautiful quilts in the catalogue … lots of quilty eye candy!

This quilt used the awesome collection, Flutter Fly, by Kathy Engle and is available at select stores now.

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 65” x 83”
  • Hobbs 80/20 batting
  • Pieced and Quilted with Aurifil thread

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

  • Midweek Makers @  QuiltFabrication
  • TGIFF @ Rebecca Grace Quilting
  • Wednesday Wait Loss @  Inquiring Quilter
  • Happy Needle  and Thread @  My Quilt Infatuation
  • Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks @ Quilting & Learning – What a combo!
  • Put your Foot Down @ For the Love of Geese
  • Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @  Confessions of a Fabric Addict
  • Finished or Not Friday  @ Alycia Quilts
  • Sherry @  Powered by Quilting
  • Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
  • Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts and More 
  • Island Batik: Endangered Species

    This year, Aurifil Thread has a Color Builder program. It is a total of 12 different mini-collections that, for 2021, are based on Endangered Animals. Aurifil’s goal is to “Increase sustainability and positive environmental impact.” (source: Island Batik).

    For the October challenge, Aurifil is asking you to create a piece inspired by the endangered animal featured on your assigned Color Builder box. Use each one of the 3 provided colors somewhere in the challenge piece, how the thread is used is up to you! (source: Island Batik)

    I received the Pangolin bundle. The 3 threads in this collection are: #2312 – Ermine, #6010 – Toast, #2360 – Chocolate. They are all 40 weight.

    I had to look it up …

    Photo “Borrowed” from Aurifil: https://www.aurifil.com/pangolin

    The Pangolin is sometimes used for it’s meat, but mostly the scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine. There is a huge amount of illegal trafficking and the pangolin is considered Critically Endangered. Source.

    I literally spent a few months thinking about what I would do.

    I finally decided that I would go to the Internet and search for royalty free colouring book pages and pangolin. Bingo! I found one at THIS SITE.

    Below is the pangolin print out and fabric (Buttermilk) on my light board. My light board happens to be a window. You can see where the pages are overlapping and taped together. The Buttermilk fabric is taped on top.Then a picture of me tracing it out with a brown sharpie. (Inspired by Helen Godden and the Flower Power Quilt-a-long)

    I used Hobbs Polydown batting and Odif 505 temporary adhesive spray and got to work. First I stitched over the brown sharpie lines with #2360 – Chocolate.

    I quickly realized that I needed to have a fabric on the back: the polydown was catching on the lowered feed dogs. Previously, when I used this technique, I was able to use Hobbs 80/20 with no difficulty.

    Then, I was not pleased with how it was stitching out! So, I cleaned my machine (it needed it) and changed to a Schmetz needle. That helped a bit, but then I took off my ruler quilting foot and put on the regular free-motion quilting foot. I’m not sure why, but my quilting was WAY better.

    The pangolin is outlined with Aurifil #2360 – ChocolateI. The Zendoodling is Aurifil #2312 – Ermine. Aurifil #6010 – Toast, was used for the organic echoing around the pangolin. It took 3 full days of zendoodling to get to this point. Then I needed a break!

    For the spikes around the border, I used several pieces from the Autumn Wings collection, along with Large Netting-Sand (a blender) and Citrine (Marvelous Multis). The spikes were all fused with steam-a-seam light. And appliqued in place with #6010 – Toast. Then the feet were “coloured” in using Aurifil #2360 Chocolate. It is bound with Wavy Dots – Cappuccino.

    Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    PHD in 2021: September Report

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is phd-in-2021.png

    How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

    I was reading a post from Bustle: “Ways To Get Things Done When You Don’t Wanna” The title certainly caught my eye! There were lots of tips on “How To.”

    Here’s my comments on some of the points as it relates to me and quilting

    • Think of the end goal. Remember that wonderful feeling when a quilt project is finished? It feels pretty good, right?
    • Focus on what you can control. OK … so you might not be able to finish your project today, but you can sew a few seams, cut out some of the fabric … That’s doable, right?
    • Start With The Most Loathed Bits First. You might as well get it out of the way and then the rest will be easy. (Well, this won’t work if binding is what you loath, but I’m sure you can find something!
    • Work Out What You’re Afraid Of. Cut out the excuses and just get started.
    • Bribe Yourself Shamelessly. I’m on a serious fabric diet, but maybe I could go shopping. At least I need thread, right?
    • Do It For Just 10 Minutes. We can all work on a project for 10 minutes … set your timer if you need to!

    Here’s my tally sheet. You’ll notice that I have 3 Island Batik Secret projects to work on. I actually had 4, but one is completed. These include writing patterns, organizing pattern testers and making the quilts. I’m going to be busy for the next while!

    Linky Party

    Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter
    https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

    My Favourite Quilt this month!

    Meadow Mist Designs hosts a link up for a Favourite Quilt each month. My favourite is from a new book “Scrappy Improv Quilting” by Kelly Young. You can read about it HERE. I will be teaching this quilt (and others) at Essem Textiles later this month. Contact Simina at Essem to book your spot!

    This quilt used Island Batik fabrics, Aurifil thread and Hobbs batting!

    So Scrappy

    My Scrappy Table Topper for September was 2 – both featuring orange … you can read about them HERE. October’s colour is Lime Green. Hmmm … wonder what I’ll make?

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

    ******************

    Linking to:

    Favourite Quilt of the Month @  Meadow Mist Designs

    So Scrappy @ Scrap Happy

    Sunday Stash @  quiltpaintcreate

    Oh Scrap @  Quilting is More Fun than Housework

    15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces

    Frédérique  Quilting Patchwork Applique

    Monday Making @  Love, Laugh, Quilt

    Design Wall Monday @  Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

    To-Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal