Curvalicious Challenge

This month the Island Batik Ambassadors were given a Curvalicious Challenge. I decided to play with some of the fabrics from the beautiful Beaujolais Collection.

Back in April I had the opportunity to cruise the Hawaiian Islands and used a sunset photo I took as my inspiration.

I love making curvy picture frame borders. So, the first thing I did was create a two pieced back with an opening for turning the quilt later.

I pieced all my wonderful curvy strips and added my borders. Next I pinned the quilt top and back together with pretty sides touching and cut my curvy framed edge (You’ll see in the final picture that I decided to shorted the bottom border).

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Did you know that you don’t need a curved ruler to piece curves?
 The Gourmet Quilter has a great video showing just how easy it is to do

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The final step was to move this stack onto the batting. Make sure that the backing fabric is facing you. Carefully shift the pins to the top of the stack where you can see them. Trim the batting to match your top and sew all the way around. Turn right side out through that opening you created on the backing. Press, working those lovely curves out neatly. 

I fused my applique palm tree to the front.

 

Then quilting followed the curved piecing to accent it.

I used a pretty variegated Fantastico thread from Superior Threads that picked up all the fabric colors.

My inspiration photo was turned into the label for the back.

What’s inspired you lately?

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Be sure to check out all the other wonderful Island Ambassador projects this month.

Purrfect Spots - you are here!
Den Syende Himmel
Quilt'n Party
Pamela Quilts
Ark Angel Creations
Kathy's Kwilts and More
Desert Bloom Quilting
Freemotion by the River
Seams Like a Dream
Yellow Cat Quilt Designs
Quilting Affection Designs
Inquiring Quilter
Bejeweled Quilts
Sally's Quilting Corner
Inch Worm Fabrics
Kauffman Designs
Moosestash Quilting
Needle & Foot
Beaquilter
Cheryl Lynch Quilts
MaryMack's Blog
heARTs Creations
Kissed Quilts
The Quilt Rambler
Seams To Be Sew
Inspired Layers
Vicki's Crafts and Quilting
Masterpiece Quilting
Fun Threads
Meanderings Along Lizard Creek
Little Bunny Quilts
Webster Quilt
Sophie Junction
Slice of Pi Quilts

 

 

#islandbatik
#superiorthreads
#fantastico
#curvedpiecing

Random Happenings

Summer sewing camps are finally over. Whew!
We took a wonderful cruise to Alaska. The cooler weather was a welcome treat.

Large chunks of beautiful blue glacier ice caused our ship to turn around. 

We flew over glaciers by sea plane. That was an incredible experience. They weren’t what I imagined them to be. The ice had so much “flow” to it.

Sadly this was my only moose sighting. But we did see whales, otters, seals, eagles, and dolphins.

Pre-planned quilt shop locations…I don’t know what you’re referring too. LOL.

Of course I had to collect a few Row by Row patterns. Joan from Moosestash Quilting was visiting Anchorage and grabbed a few more for me. Now I’ll have a fantastic memory quilt of Alaska.

Railway…of course I had to ride the White Pass Railway from Skagway. Such amazing views.

Oh Yeah ~ This says it all!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Just Pause

Remember to slow down, stop, and take the time to enjoy the fleeting moments around you.

March Mini Madness

Island Batik Ambassadors were given their first challenge ~ March Mini Madness.

What would you do if you got Mini Madness and Spring Fever at the same time? Here’s my treatment plan…

Pull out some beautiful 5” stash building rolls of Island Batik fabric, pet them gently (do not skip this very important step), drop in some bits of paper backed fusible…

stir in a large helping of spring inspiration…

and WALLA! Spring Fling Mini!

This pattern will be my March newsletter freebie.
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss it!

Here’s the back view. It was quilted with some quick doodling around the applique and filled in with small meandering.

 

Check out some of the other Island Batik Ambassadors to see what inspiration they’re sharing

• Nan - www.purrfectspots.blogspot.com
• Pamela - www.pamelaquilts.blogspot.com
• Patricia - https://lemontreesnippets.wordpress.com/2016/03/17/leprechaun-laundry/
• Anna - www.arkangelcreations.blogspot.com
• Jessica - www.desertbloomquilting.com/blog/
• Connie - http://www.conniekresin.com/2016/03/coral-reef-swirls.html
• Tina - http://quiltingaffection.blogspot.com/
• Barbara - http://www.stonecottagequilts.com/blog/
• Barb - www.bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com
• Pam - www.forquiltssake.blogspot.com
• Maria - http://www.mariamichaelsdesigns.com/blog/
• Sally - www.sallysquiltingcorner.blogspot.com
• Jeanette - http://inchwormfabrics.blogspot.com/
• Connie - www.kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com
• Joan - http://moosestashquilting.blogspot.com/2016/03/island-batik-mini-madness-challenge.html
• Soile - http://toolontilkkupaja.blogspot.fi/
• Bea - http://www.beaquilter.com/2016/03/march-mini-madness-with-island-batik.html
• Christine - www.madeinscraps.blogspot.com
• Maryellen - www.teachpany.blogspot.com
• Adele - www.adelemogavero.com
• Tracy - www.sewsupportive.com
• Nancy - http://www.patchworkbreeze.blogspot.com/2016/03/island-batik-mini-madness-quilt.html
• Marlene - www.kissedquilts.blogspot.com
• Linda - www.thepatchworkpearl.com
• Vicki - http://knitbug2.blogspot.com/
• Tammy - www.tamarinis.typepad.com
• Carol - www.funthreads.blogspot.com
• Suzy - www.websterquilt.blogspot.com/

HAPPY SPRING!

#IslandBatik
#minimadnessib

Holiday Travels

How was your Thanksgiving holiday. Did you travel? People were so unusually polite and patient at airports and on planes this weekend.

We had a bit of time to spare while waiting for our flight in Philadelphia so we headed over to the Mummers Museum. My grandmother was a seamstress and used to sew these amazing costumes. Have you ever watched the Mummers Parade on New Years day? Here’s a video clip.

Of course I had to give the Mummers strut a try while there. Hahahaha.

We had a whirlwind trip to visit family. I took my mom to Ellis Island to find her mother’s name on the wall. It was warmer in New York than it was here in Texas!!!

I imagine this was quite a sight as they entered the harbor.

This is the Central railroad building they would’ve passed through.

It would have been quite grand in its day.

Have a wonderful week everyone!!

Patchwork Isn’t Just for Quilting….

I was up and out the door before the sunrise on Saturday…

to see my first balloon festival and I got to thinking…

Patchwork isn’t just for quilting. These were like quilts in the sky!!

The owners get to pick the shape, patterns, and colors for their balloons. They even name them.

I want one that looks like a tomato pin cushion:)

Today is day #2 of the Halloween hop.

Be sure to visit my friends!

Charm About You
Quilting Affection
Moose Stash Quilting
Gracie Oliver Arts
Kwilt Crazy

 

Have a fun day!!!

Sew What…..

This weekend was our sewing bee retreat. I just LOVE retreat weekends ~ don’t you? It’s when I finally sit still and finish my UFO’s (unfinished fabric objects).

This was our sewing view. Relaxing or what!

Sundown on day one… but not to worry….we continued to sew until after 1am.

(affiliate link below - I may be paid if you make a purchase)

I recently took a Craftsy class called “20 Fresh Applique Techniques” by Amanda Murphy which was a ton of fun. She had some really lovely projects. I finished my mini wall hanging version of her swirly quilt.

Next I finished my last paper pieced block from Bea’s quilt along.

Then I got motivated to make the entire quilt. Linda encouraged me to try a new technique…a little 1/4” flange around the borders.  It just makes the entire quilt pop. Always try something new!

We always try to include some type of group project in our weekends. This time Janis led the group in making itty bitty pin rests….NOT pincushions…..just a little place to rest your needle so you don’t loose it on the sofa, bed, floor, etc. while working. Aren’t they ADORABLE! They’re hand sewn from 8 little hexies.

Our bee is doing a block of the month together so we all worked on getting our monthly blocks caught up. Lots of lovely batiks were floating around the room. This is going to be gorgeous.

Bev finished my “All Flakes Welcome Here” pattern. She’s did an awesome job!

Sewing with friends….Priceless:)

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Today is also the BIG reveal of projects from the Seasons Row Along. You DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!!!

Did you have fun? Did you collect all your rows? We’d love to see your projects.

You can share in our Flickr group.

• Quilting Queen Online
• Sewhooked
• School House Quilts
• Just Let Me Quilt
• Creatin In The Sticks
• Kissed Quilts
• Sew Incredibly Crazy
• Patchwork Breeze
• Seams To Be Sew
• Quilshop Gal

Museum of Glass

I spent last weekend in Seattle visiting my best friend. We took a little side trip to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA for some colorful inspiration. Sadly, there was a lot of smoke in the sky from all the fires that are burning.

Fluent Steps by Martin Blank

From the Bridge of Glass by Chihuly

Manhattan Sunset by Lino Tagliapietra

Then this wonderful little guy caught my eye because he has the same name as my quilt, “Pig in a Blanket”. The museum has an awesome program where kids under 12 design glass sculptures. Read his sign below.

Find something that makes you smile today!!!