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Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Back to School Blog Hop with Island Batik

Back to school time...
and the Island Batik ambassadors are cracking open the books!

Homework assignment...
I need to find the perfect project to show off just how fabulous, Kathy Engle's 
 "Olivera" line of "Island Batik" fabrics really is!
You can see more of this incredible line right
After searching thru my shelves of books...
the perfect project, for these gorgeous fabrics was in here.

I put myself "back to school"a few years ago.
Every quilter finds that a class from time to time, 
really opens up their creative juices
 and...
of course as we all know, we never "stop" learning.
It's a time when we are "called" on our bad habits and taught new and fun techniques.
The class I took, was from the "Nickel Quilt" lady Pat Speth. 
WOW, does she know just how to teach and provide for a fun filled day.
(You'll find more on her at the end of this post)
I can't wait to share my "Back to School" project.
"Morning Star"
Skill level...easy
 (That's what we all, want to hear)
;-)
This quilt really shows off the depth and incredible array of color
in this line, don't you think?
(with the help of "ye old car pond" of course)
LOL!!
When you make stars, you have lots of half square triangles you trim off.
There was quite the pile, of these left over, but they are just too small to piece. 
I couldn't help but keep them, as it's my
"no scrap of batik left behind" motto.
hahahahaha
The next challenge...what to do, what to do???

I found my perfectly matched "Aurifil" thread, and went to work,
 stitching down these little guys.
A skewer really helps keep those tips in place under the feed dogs
I know you've got to be thinking...
what the heck???
I'm not the kind of quilter who sits down and plans a project on paper.
No, that would be way to easy. I  just start cutting fabrics and sewing willy nilly.
There was a vision, but no "concrete" plan in my head.
I know it's silly, but what better than this frilly little pillow!
When it was all over,  there were still triangles left.
"sew"...
I went back to my old favorite, making scrap fabric.
I'd like to think it's my way of "saving the planet". The ultimate recycling...
but it's just plum crazy, I know!
:-)
If  your up for a little of that "crazy" yourself, check out  
"Dog Ear Fabric" under my tutorials link on the right hand side of my blog.
It's amazing what you can throw in, to make your own "unique" piece of fabric!

With the help of my Accuquilt GO "Sun Bonnet Sue" die,
I've got a little wall hanging to go along with everything.

Even if I feel like being outside, it's perfect for my glider by the pond!
 I can sit and keep an eye on those fish of mine.
Yes, apparently someone needs to...
I see there has been some hanky panky going on again this year.
I've got more baby fish.
A "School" I believe that is!
LOL!!!!
I promised a little more info on Pat, the Nickel Quilt Lady...
Pat has designed loads of fun quilts and written numerous books 
on just how to use those fabulous 5" squares.
(Stamps, as Island Batik calls em)
There's nothing better, than a class though, where she shares the best tips 
and short cuts. She's a stickler for a perfect 1/4" seam and teaches just how to achieve that, too!
You can read up more on her 
...and if you ever get the opportunity to attend one of her classes, I highly recommend it!
She'll get you on the road to busting thru your scraps.
It's giveaway time...
Island Batik is giving one lucky winner a fat quarter pack of "Anchors Away".

The moose, here in the stash "seam" to think we should have a give away too.
So one of you will win
4 fat quarters of these beautiful "Olivera" fabrics.
We will pick a winner here, on Friday Sept 29th. The last day of this hop!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
One final note:
There was a very unexpected bonus here...
This quilt, matches my living room wall hanging,
 done with some of my hand dyes perfectly.
It's been hanging up there for years!
How did those folks at Island Batik know that??
Could there be spies among us?????
:-)
All I can say, is spy away...cause I'm one happy girl!
Thanks Island Batik.

47 comments:

  1. I love the gorgeous colors of Island Batiks. So beautiful!

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  2. Island Batiks have such a wonderful array of colors & patterns. So nice to be able to find "just the right color" for a project. akronne17@gmail.com

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  3. I missed this on FB! and you've been busy and used every scrap!! that's awesome, what a fun frilly pillow and I love the quilt and sunbonnet sue!! great job...

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  4. I have always loved batiks, and these colors are so gorgeous! My, you've been busy--way to go using up all the leftover bits! I can't bear to throw them away, but have yet to make something of my scraps.

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  5. I love Batiks first because I can reverse them. Island Batiks offers a variety of bold colors that stand out.

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  6. I love the colors of batiks and the fact that they can be reversed. I also like working with batiks, they feel so rich!!

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  7. Gorgeous! and I love your "frilly" pillow, too cute!

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  8. Love your post! The quilts and fabrics are gorgeous!

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  9. I love the colors and prints of the batiks. Great little side projects. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  10. Beautiful projects! Amazing colors! Cool pillow!

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  11. Love the pillow idea!!! Wow - so cute!! love batiks because they loook and feel so wonderful!!!

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  12. What a fun post! I love the way you used your leftover triangles. Your projects are absolutely gorgeous and I love your fish wallhanging.

    hijoffeATgmailDOTcom

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  13. I love Island Batiks because their colors and designs cover such a wide range, it's amazing! You can alway find the color you're looking for.

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  14. I love the depth of color and texture of batiks.

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  15. I love the colors, the feel and the way they slide through the machine.

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  16. The Morning Star quilt is so pretty. It just looks so soft and cozy on that glider. cknapp3626(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  17. What I love about Island Batiks is the many color variations. I love batiks anyway, and it seems they have everything covered in their line. cknapp3626(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  18. I love the depth of color in Island Batik fabrics.

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  19. Wow! You really went to town with the quilt and pillows..how resourceful you are! I love the richness of the colors in the batiks..they make every project look great!

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  20. wow your projects are gorgeous. I love that pillow
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  21. I love how batik fabrics have rich colours and textures!!!

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  22. I love the rich colors, designs, and the hand of the fabric. It's soft but sturdier than non-batiks - very little fraying and easy to piece. You post is delightful. The quilt is beautiful and so are the bonus projects. I'm like you - I use every tiny bit.

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  23. ISLAND BATIKS have very rich and yet calming colours that blend well together.

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  24. Island Batiks have such a beautiful range of colors and patterns!
    Thanks for introducing Pat Speth to some new quilters. I have that same book--it was one of my first quilt books and I remember poring over it, learning so much about quilting and quilt patterns just from reading the instructions.

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  25. The beautiful colours and patterns of the batiks.

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  26. Your pillow is amazing. I love it. Batiks are a joy to cut and the colors are so vibrant and easy to combine. Thanks for sharing your projects. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

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  27. What a lot of work with beautiful results. They must have spies in their midst in order to match the colours of the hand dyes so well. And that is what I love about Island Batiks - the colours. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  28. They have such amazing colors and patterns to them!

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  29. I love batiks for all the individual personalities each has. And the Color!

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  30. I love batiks - there are so many colours and shades to choose from

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  31. I absolutely love the colors and feel of Island Batiks. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  32. I just love how rich and vibrant they are! And they are always showing off new lines of fabric. AND I always get inspired seeing what you guys make with them :)

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  33. I love the feel of Island Batiks and all the gorgeous colors and patterns! Your quilt is just amazing, so beautiful!

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  34. I just find them fun to look and sew with.... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  35. I love the colours, the patterns and the texture. So lovely!

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  36. I would love to win those beautiful colors!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  37. Island Batiks always has just right color or motif for the next project. Your quilt is beautiful! I love the way the colors blend and show each other off at the same time.

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  38. I love, love your pillow, now I want to go jump into a new project and make one too. Although I don't think I have enough batik triangles to make one. LOL Thanks for the draw. raydeer@memlane.com

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  39. Love the many colors in the batiks. Love your frilly pillow and quilt.!

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  40. Joan, you always amaze me with the things you come up with. Your quilt is beautiful. I really love the colors. And the pillow looks frilly just like something for a girl. Love it.
    I love batiks because they are so rich in color.

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  41. What a fantastic photo of your quilt beside that old rusty car! You are so creative! It's a gorgeous quilt in so many ways. I love Island Batik fabrics because of the huge range of colors and patterns. There is something for every project and it will always be beautiful!

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  42. Wow, you really outdid yourself! I love all of your projects, but your pillow is adorable! I love the saturated colors of batiks. Thank you for sharing your work and for the giveaway.

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  43. You have been busy!!! Very creative.

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  44. I just discovered your blog and am really enjoying it...lots of great ideas, tips and inspiration. The Olivera fabrics are gorgeous. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  45. I love batik because of all the vibrant and muted colors the patterns and raw edge appliqué is perfect for batik

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  46. So many colors, all so rich. Thanks.

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Thanks for stopping by today. Your comments really do make me day!
;-)