Positively 3D--Island Batik Challenge

This month's Island Batik challenge had me virtually smiling almost every day.  For the month of December the ambassadors were to create a 3D project and they totally left the definition of 3D up to the creator.  I've seen all kinds of amazing projects, from quilts to actual 3D objects like purses and bags.

I tend to think of creating quilts as a 2D process, much like drawing or painting, even though you can hold a quilt.  So I chose to use the fabrics in my wall-hanging to give the illusion that the pattern on my quilt was popping off the surface.  After doing a little research, I decided to base my wall hanging off of a graphic design I found while surfing.

Digging into my Island Batik box, I knew that the solid black and white batiks would be perfect for allowing highlights and shading to the quilt.  Design wise, the quilt was created by using lots of squares, rectangles and half square triangles.

It didn't take long for the design to come to life.

As I pieced this one, I knew immediately how it would be quilted...lots of straight lines that would hopefully guide the eye adding to the illusion.

The wall hanging was basted together with a gray solid batik for the back and Hobb's Heirloom cotton batting.

The quilting lines were stitched using Aurifil 50wt threads that matched each of the fabrics; 2783 Medium Delft Blue, 2715 Robins Egg, 2692 Black and 2024 White.

To finish things off, I chose to do a flange binding using the dark blue batik and solid gray.  I absolutely love when a project comes together just like I imagined in my head.

I was a bit sad to finish this challenge.  This will wrap up my ambassador term for Island Batik.  I hope that in the future I will be able to team up with them again.  I absolutely enjoyed spending a year creating with their beautiful fabrics.  A huge thanks to Island Batik and their affiliates Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting and AccuQuilt for allowing us to create using their amazing products!

Island Batik--Tool Time

Once again, I'm clocking in as the sand almost runs out on this challenge, but this quilt was worth it.  For our November challenge, we were to use a quilting tool that we might have lying around to create a quilt.  

I decided on the Creative Grids Trapezoid Ruler and this yummy strip set of the newly released Black Pearl line from Island Batik.  I used the book Jelly Roll Quilts (not an affiliate link)by Pam Lintott as a guild to put this quilt together.

From the moment I pulled this strip set from the ambassador box, I was in love with those purples and blue grays.

The Trapezoid ruler made cutting all those units a breeze.  It actually serves two purposes; to cut 2.5" strips and templates to cut the trapezoids.

It even has small circular cutouts so that your rotary cutter can cut down past the fabric with ease when cutting out your shapes.

The French Braid quilt pattern came in very handy for making sure that I got all my pieces laid out correctly and enough trapezoids cut to complete the rows.

A little pinning...

a little trimming and we have a finished quilt top.

I chose to use Aurifil 50wt #2510 Light Lilac to do a large stippling design all over the quilt top and Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 Cotton for the batting.

I couldn't be happier with the out come of this quilt!

This little lap quilt will be traveling with my daughter to school.  There is a thousand quilty hugs for her within this quilt.  A huge thank you to Island Batik for allowing me to play with these fabrics!  Now it's time to get to work on December's 3D challenge.  I hope to make something that takes you to another dimension.

Top It Off-Island Batik Challenge

It's Island Batik challenge time again.  This month we were challenged with Top It Off, create a holiday themed table topper and use applique.

First part of the challenge, assess my Island Batik Ambassador stash and figure out what holiday I would tackle.  A bundle of blenders caught my eye, and I knew when paired with the solid white batik..I could make a beautiful Valentines Day runner.

Look at all those beautiful purples, pinks and turquoise!  It makes my heart go pitter patter.

Pickle's Kaleidoscope--It's Child's Play

I just want to say that the Island Batik September challenge project, Child's Play, has probably been the most challenging project on all levels.  But that is a good thing, it taught me design wise, I can do it.

The challenge was to create a children's themed quilt using the Block on Board die provided to us by Accuquilt and using any of the fabrics sent to us by Island Batik.  Sounds innocent enough.  The block I received in my ambassador box was the Spider Web Block for the Go! Cutter.

Triathlon Gold Quilt--An Island Batik Special Project

I have been waiting since June to tell you more about this quilt, but all good things come with time.  Back in May Island Batik contacted the ambassadors and asked for volunteers to make quilts for members of the Triathlon Gold Team.  What is Triathlon Gold?  Glad you asked.  Triathlon Gold is a team of talented athletes coached by Jarrod Evans training and competing for their shot at an Olympic gold medal.  (read more about them here)  So where do we fit into this?  Earlier this year, Island Batik became one of the sponsors for the team.  As a way to cheer all the athletes on as they work hard and compete, Island Batik asked us to make comfort quilts they could take with them on their journeys.  I said COUNT ME IN!  My own little triathlon endurance race of piece, quilt and bind. This post is my sort of open ended letter to Megan Foley, the recipient of my quilt, on how her quilt came to life.

Geared Up---Island Batik Beat the Heat Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Island Batik Beat the Heat Blog Hop!  

If this is your first time visiting, I hope you have time to stick around and check out some of the other projects I've made this year participating in the Island Batik Ambassador Program.  Today I am literally all Geared Up to share with you Kathy Engle's new line for Island Batik called Geared Up.

Happy--Artsy Fartsy Challenge

Artys Fartsy was the name of the game from Island Batik and Aurifil this month.  The challenge was to create a quilt with thread being our main focus.  They encouraged us to think of it as fabric is our canvas and thread is our paint.  Our only rule was to use at least 3 different weights of Aurifil thread...challenge accepted!

Try It! Scottish Thistle

How do we grow in life if we do not try new things?  This month that is exactly what Island Batik challenged us ambassadors to do.  I had to put some thought into this one...what exactly would I like to try?  My first thought was English Paper Piecing and hexies, but as June rolled around I just wasn't feeling it.  Then it came to me QAYG or quilt as you go. 

Make It Modern-Hearts on Fire

First up a thousand apologies that this post hasn't gone live until June 3rd.  The challenge quilt was actually finished before the end of May but really icky weather and a head cold that came from no where really put the post on hold.  Hopefully all the quilty fun makes up for it.

UFO Busting #62

It's a weekend of celebration in my house hold this weekend.  I've always said if I could get my daughter to the age of 18 and graduated from high school...I would have accomplished something.  And finally my friends, I have done just that.  Even through all the insaneness of school events and the big day itself, I managed to sneak in a bit of sewing time.

The end of the month is quickly approaching and my May Island Batik project isn't finished.  I'm calling it the Lusty Month of May Quilt and I am itching for a finish.  Quilting started this week and it has been all about the lines.  Lines are modern, right?