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Thursday, August 29, 2019

Island Batik Ambassador Challenge - Star Light Star Bright

Note:  All products in this post were given to me by Island Batik as part of their Ambassador program.

This month, half of the Island Batik Ambassadors participated in the Beat the Heat blog hop to showcase fabrics from the Spring 2019 collections that will be available in quilt shops soon.  The other half were asked to create a lap-sized or larger quilt using any star block.

I designed this quilt to show my involvement in Girl Guides.  Its name, Make New Friends, is taken from the song of the same name:

Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is silver, the other gold. 
A circle's round, it has no end.
That's how long I want to be your friend.




The friendship stars were made using fabrics from Island Batik Foundations (Spring and Summer), with the red from the Freedom collection.  The colours mimic the Guiding colours as best I could with the fabrics I received in my Ambassador box:
  • Pink - Sparks
  • Brown/Orange - Brownies
  • Blue - Guides
  • Green - Pathfinders
  • Red - Rangers
  • Yellow - Cadets (former branch prior to Rangers)
  • Purple - Trefoil Guild (for adult members not active as leaders)
  • Teal - just because it was pretty and I needed an 8th colour



The stars are set in a circle to signify that Guiding friendships are forever.  The colours are arranged clockwise from Sparks (youngest girl member) to Trefoil Guild (adult member).



The flying geese are in the same colours as the friendship stars in the north, east, south, and west positions on the quilt.  These signify compass points (camping) and showing the way.  Adult (volunteer) members provide programming to assist girls to explore new challenges, develop skills, and empower each other.  Fun. Friendship. Adventure.
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
~ John C. Maxwell



I used Hobbs Heirloom Bleached 100% cotton batting in this 60-inch quilt.  Hobbs batting is the only batting I use, and I often forget to mention it in my blog posts.  It's a great batting.  This was my first time using the 100% cotton, and I really like it.

The free-motion quilting was done with Aurifil #2024 White.  I quilted loops (to signify circles with no end) and stars (showing/lighting the way) in the white background.  And there was a lot of background...it took me two weeks to make a final decision on a quilting plan.  I quilted wishbones in the friendship star points as dreams/wishes come true in Guiding.  Because of Guiding, I have been to places, met people, and done things that I would not have otherwise had the opportunity to do.  I've travelled to England, Scotland, Switzerland, Mexico, and India.  I've stood guard inside the gates of Buckingham Palace and was part of the greeting party when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited our city.  The list goes on and on.


I quilted Girl Guide Trefoils in the centre...it is a Girl Guide quilt.  😊


The quilting gives this quilt a lot of texture.  The colours in the scrappy binding are arranged from Sparks to Trefoil Guild.



I had so much fun designing and making this quilt.  I couldn't figure out how to design it in EQ8, so I resorted to paper and pencil.  I'm looking forward to taking a class at QuiltCon with Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs.  I think next up is to make a mini version to hang on my wall.

Are you (or have you been) a Girl Guide/Scout?  I'm sure you have wonderful memories.

As since it's the end of the day:


Softly Falls
Softly falls the light of day
As our campfire fades away
Silently each Guide should ask
Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honour bright?
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared
Everything to be prepared?



Taps
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the sea
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh


Friday, August 23, 2019

TGIFF - Broken Panes Quilt Along Finish

Have you finished your Broken Panes Quilt Along quilt?  Even though the QAL is over, you can still get the pattern from Jen @ Patterns by Jen.

Here's my finished quilt.  I chose not to include the borders, so it finishes around 50 inches square.


I quilted it with an all-over loop FMQ motif in white thread to mimic the subtle loopy pattern on the white background.


The binding is the same red print that was used in the sashing.


A pieced back to use up my stash.


Thanks to Jen for hosting the QAL and allowing me to blog along with her.  I like participating in QALs as my rule is to use only fabrics from my stash (but I will buy one fabric if needed), and it gives me "homework" to sew.  If I were left to my own devices, I'd probably lose focus and start a new project every day.  Squirrel!!  LOL  There's just not enough hours to make all the things.



My QAL journey:

Head over to Jen's blog to see the parade of finished quilts from the QAL.



I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Work in Progress Girl
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation
Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty 
Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting


Wednesday, August 21, 2019

WIP Wednesday - Medallion Magic Quilt Top

This quilt top has been finished for some time, but it's been difficult getting decent photos.

I enjoyed participating in the Medallion Magic QAL hosted by Leanne @ Devoted Quilter.


I used Kona:  Nightfall, Royal, Tangerine, Torch, Orange, School Bus, and Tiger Lily.


Here's a close up of the centre.


Now I need to put my mind to a quilting plan.


Thanks to Leanne for a great pattern and for hosting the QAL.

You can purchase the Medallion Magic pattern here.


Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter


Sunday, August 18, 2019

Island Batik Beat the Heat Blog Hop Continues

Have you been following along with the Island Batik blog hop?  The fabrics featured in the Beat the Heat blog hop are from the Spring 2019 collections that will be available in quilt shops soon.

There is a new giveaway for week three that starts tomorrow.

Quiet Shades is a new Signature Collection by Kathy Engle for Chris Hoover of Whirligig Designs, featuring a neutral color palette of tender grays, yellows, greens, and purples.



Make sure to visit this week's blog for a chance to win.


Friday August 2
 - Blog Hop Kick off and first Giveaway!

Monday, August 5 - Blueberry Patch

Tuesday, August 6 - Clockworks

Wednesday, August 7 - Electric Desert

Thursday, August 8 - Enchanted Forest

Friday, August 9 - Blog Round-Up Week 1


Monday, August 12 - Garden Party

Tuesday, August 13 - Geared Up

Wednesday, August 14 - Graphic Gems

Thursday, August 15 - Kaleidoscope

Friday, August 16 - Blog Hop Round Up Week 2


Monday, August 19 - Petal Pushers

Tuesday, August 20 - Quiet Shades

Wednesday, August 21 - Seedlings

Thursday, August 22 - Soil & Seeds

Friday, August 23 - Blog Hop Round-Up Week 3


Monday, August 26 - Steam Engine

Tuesday, August 27 - Sunny Side Up

Friday August 30 - Blog Hop Round-Up Week 4

Friday, August 16, 2019

TGIFF - Chain Linx Table Runner

I love testing patterns for designers, especially when they are friends.  This is Chain Linx by Karen @ Sugar Free Quilts.  The pattern has four sizes:  20 x 20 inches, 20 x 40 inches, 40 x 60 inches, and 60 x 60 inches.

I finished this table runner many, many months ago, but I never got around to quilting it.  The background is Kona Ash.  I used scraps for all the chains, including Kona Poppy.


I did an all-over boxy stipple in light grey thread.


Although the quilting is not the most creative, it does give the table runner some texture.


This makes for a fun table runner.


But it could also be used as a wall hanging.


You can find Sugar Free Quilts on both Instagram and Etsy.


I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Alycia Quilts
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation
Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty 
Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting


Wednesday, August 14, 2019

WIP Wednesday - Jelly Roll Waves Quilt

I've been playing along with the Jelly Roll Waves Quilt Along hosted by Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts.

Here are my first set of rainbow blocks.


Next time, I think I'll do a coordinated colour scheme.


The blocks do piece together easily and quickly, but you have to match the seams.


A few more blocks, and then there was a quilt top.



Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter


Friday, August 9, 2019

TGIFF - Flying Confetti Quilt #1

Last week, I shared my other Flying Confetti quilt.  I've enjoyed the Flying Confetti QAL hosted by Teresa @ Sewn Up, Teresa Down Under.  This is the second pattern I've made from her book Turnabout Patchwork.

This version is made with Island Batik fabrics.  I made another baby-sized version, so I was able to use some leftover fabric from my projects as an Island Batik Ambassador.  The bright colours pop on the creamy/yellow background.


In an effort to continue practicing free motion quilting, I used the double flower motif again.


This may be my new go-to baby quilt pattern.  It's quick and easy to make.



I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ What a Hoot Quilts
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation
Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty 
Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting


Wednesday, August 7, 2019

OMG August - Temperature Quilt Catch Up

You may recall from last week's post that I finally starting sewing my hexies together for my 2019 Temperature Quilt.

My Accuquilt made cutting the fabric hexies a breeze.


I have all my fabrics sorted in ziploc bags.  I haven't yet glue basted all of the hexies, but I do have March and April basted and ready to sew together.


Here are January and February.  Both months had the same temperature range, but February had fewer days above 0.


My OMG for August is to piece March, April, May, June, and July.  I won't include August, but that would be a bonus if I fully caught up.

I do need to decide on my background colour before I start piecing the months together.

Head over to visit Patty @ Elm Street Streets to learn more about OMG -- there are monthly prizes.



Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter


Sunday, August 4, 2019

Island Batik Beat the Heat Blog Hop

Half of the Island Batik Ambassadors are participating in a blog hop this month.  There will be weekly round-ups highlighting the Ambassadors and their projects.  There will be a weekly giveaway for one of the featured collections of the week.

The fabrics featured in this Beat the Heat blog hop are from the Spring 2019 collections that will be available in quilt shops soon.

Monday, August 5 - Blueberry Patch

Tuesday, August 6 - Clockworks

Wednesday, August 7 - Electric Desert

Thursday, August 8 - Enchanted Forest

Friday, August 9 - Blog Round-Up Week 1


Monday, August 12 - Garden Party

Tuesday, August 13 - Geared Up

Wednesday, August 14 - Graphic Gems

Thursday, August 15 - Kaleidoscope

Friday, August 16 - Blog Hop Round Up Week 2


Monday, August 19 - Petal Pushers

Tuesday, August 20 - Quiet Shades

Wednesday, August 21 - Seedlings

Thursday, August 22 - Soil & Seeds

Friday, August 23 - Blog Hop Round-Up Week 3


Monday, August 26 - Steam Engine

Tuesday, August 27 - Sunny Side Up

Friday August 30 - Blog Hop Round-Up Week 4