Island Batik May Modern Challenge

This month the Island Batik Ambassadors were challenged to create a modern quilt project that was bigger than 36" x 36".  We had to incorporate the following characteristics in the modern quilt:

• the use of bold colors and prints
• high contrast and graphic areas of solid color
• improvisational piecing
• Minimalism
• expansive negative space
• alternate grid work

With these parameters,  I had to come up with a design, but I also had to consider the fabrics I had left to use in my Island Batik Ambassador box.  I decided to use some of my Island Batik “Pressed Petals” Strips and a background fabric called “Twilight Bush”.

I'm calling this one "Brick Breaker" was a simple weekend project. I made 9” blocks out of the strips sets.  This pattern only used 10 different strips from the package and 7/8 yard of the background fabrics.  The finished quilt measures 36” x 36”.  For the quilting, I did an edge to edge pantograph with squares and rectangles.

I will be offering "Brick Breaker" as a free pattern in the next couple weeks for a limited time.  So watch your emails and social media!

Also, make sure you check out the other Island Batik Ambassadors Projects:

Nan from Purrfect Spots Designs

Turid from Den Syende Himmel

Stephanie from Quilt’n Party

Pamela from Pamela Quilts

Anna from Ark Angel Creations

Kathy from Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Jessica from Desert Bloom Quilting

Connie from Freemotion by the River

Kate from Seams Like a Dream

Sharon from Yellow Cat Quilt Designs

Tina from Quilting Affection Designs

Jennifer from The Inquiring Quilter

Barb from Bejeweled Quilts

Sally from Sally’s Quilting Corner

Jeanette from Inch Worm Fabrics

Connie from Kauffman Designs

Joan from Moosestash Quilting

Bernadine from Needle and Foot

Bea from Beaquilter

Cheryl from Cheryl Lynch Quilts

Maryellen from Mary Mack’s Blog

Joyce from Hearts Creations

Marlene from Kissed Quilts

Karen from The Quilt Rambler

Marian from Seam to be Sew

Laura from Slice of Pi Quilts

Linda from Inspired Layers

Vicki from Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

Nancy from Masterpiece Quilting

Carol from FunThreads Designs

Terri from Meanderings Along Lizard Creek

Alison from Little Bunny Quilts

Suzy from Adventurous Applique and Quilting

Jean-Sophie from Sophie Junction

Janet from Whispers of Yore

See you next month for another great challenge.

Spring Market 2017

Last Week, I attended Spring Quilt Market in St. Louis. This was my second Spring Market, but my third overall Quilt Market.  I had several reasons for going to this market.  First of all, I had 2 quilts hanging on the showroom floor, so I want to see them. Secondly, I want to learn and lastly, I want to try to make a few more contacts.

Learning began at quilt market started on Thursday with Schoolhouse.  This was my first Schoolhouse I have attended.  You need to arrive early on school house day to plan your day.  Once you have a planned your day, you are ready.  The first session of schoolhouse began with Moda, introducing their new William Morris Collection.  They had a great historical background on William Morris from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England.  After the presentation and opening of the schoolhouse, we received a great handbag with charms packs and a pattern to make a cute little a table runner. 

Once we were done with the first session we had ten minutes to the get to the next session. My second session was with Studio 180 designs, learning what was up and coming with Deb Tucker and her rulers.  Wow! they had some fabulous quilts.  Makes me want to start playing more with their rulers also. 

These were just a few of the quilts in the session.

I not going to talk to about all my session so I will highlight few of my favorites.

The next session I will highlight is Bloc_Loc Ruler.  Janna and Paul Thomas announced their new book and ruler Kaleidoscope. Wow!  I again their quilts was fantastic. Looking forward to playing with the new ruler.

 I attended a few of the Island Batik Sessions.  Tammy Silvers introduced her first ever fabric collection "Batiks Go Retro!"  Her first session was talking about what you can to with making bags with her collection. And her second session was on her patterns.  

I also added a session on some of the Creative Grid Rulers, and Social Media. The schoolhouse is a lot of fun and I learned a lot and one a few prizes through the day. 

At the end of the day, I had a great seminar Social Media Marketing 2.0 by Morna McEver Golletz. It was great to learn how to make social media work for my business.

My second day was the opening of the market floor.  The doors opened at 9:30, it was nice to get there early.  I like to start the first row and work to the other end.  I would stop in several booths, to introduce myself to people I have communicated with via email.  It is always nice to put a name and face together.  

I finally made it down to the Island Batik Booth. I saw my quilts as started down the aisle.  I was too excited.  My Patterns made their debut, now let me introduce you.  I will start taking orders here shortly. So sign up for my newsletter, blog or Social Media to get notified when they are available.

Octagon Gems

Whirlwind

Seeing my quilts was just fun and great, plus I got to meet other designers and Island Batik folks.  

That evening I attend another social media with EESchneck.  I was very informative. 

Saturday morning, before flying back I attended a fabulous Seminar with Kelly Ann Richardson a local shop owner from my area.  She was talking about How Quilt Shop Owners and Designers can work together.  I wish there were more classes like this.  I learned a lot of information from this class and will be starting to work on a lot of this shortly.  

Over the Spring Quilt Market for 2017 was great from me, I think I accomplished everything I wanted to do and came with lots of goodies.  

Have a great day! Now to get some quilting done.

QuiltMaker's 100 Block Winner!

Thank you for all who have entered to win a copy of the QuiltMaker's 100 Block Magazine. 

Raffcopter just selected the lucky winner this morning!

Congratulations to....

 Barbara Dillard Smith Woods

I will email you shortly to get your information. Please remember you have 5 days to claim your prize.  

Be sure to check back often to see what I have been designing with Island Batiks and Bloc_Loc Rulers.

Tina

Last Day to Enter ! Quiltmaker's 100 Block Giveaway!

Today is the last day to enter to win a copy of the Newest issue of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 15, which features this cute little guy. 

What to enter for this Giveaway then check out my blog original post HERE?

Quiltmaker's 100 Block Volume 15 Plus Giveaway!

Guess who made it in the newest issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 15.  It was me, this is my first time in the magazine and I'm so excited and star struck at the same time. 

The newest Issue goes on Sale today, May 1st.

This little, sad guy "Sympathy Bear", is featured in the magazine with lots of other great blocks.   He can brighten anyone's day. 

He is a very easy applique project, made from scraps various fabrics and then machine appliqued to the background fabric.  

He was designed using Electric Quilt 7, using the patchdraw.  Below is the original image of my little bear.

GiveAway

I’m giving a one copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks magazine left. 
Enter Rafflecopter below for a chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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• One copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 blocks magazine will be given away to one lucky winner.
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