DID ANYONE SAY SNOW? ALREADY???

My sister lives in Washington and she has already gotten snow this last week-end while I am here in Texas sweating it out.

This is my pattern "SNOWFLAKE"

The Island Batik Challenge this month is table runner or topper using applique.

I used the blanket stitch.

Here is a peek at the black Hobbs batting.  I just had a piece big enough.

I used Aurifil Thread #2720 to quilt this round topper.  I didn't have any navy Aurifil  for the blanket stitching but you can see the stitching in the background.

Island Batik  Blueberry Blender, Coral French fabric that came in out last box, and Island Batik white.

This pattern I made up for the "Desire to Inspire" Challenge that Henry Glass puts on.  

 I was inspired by a design on the fabric "Holiday Magic" by Jane Spade.

I love doing runners and especially round toppers.  I believe I have about 11 topper patterns which at one time were on crafty and etsy.  I keep thinking about reopening up my etsy account.  They closed me down because I wouldn't give them my bank account number.  Do any of you have a problem with that?

BLACK BATTING (HOBBS BATTING)

I have to confess that I had not ever heard of Black Batting before until I received some in my Island Batik Box in January.

I was kinda leary about it.

I used the black batting in this quilt above (my phone takes better picture than my camera, this is a camera shot).

I have had several questions and concerns from others about using black batting.

So....

Several years ago I was teaching the girls at church (ages 8 to 12) how to embroidery.

So far only two have completed theirs, two sisters.

The oldest sister made a pillow out of hers and entered it in the State Fair and won a blue ribbon.

That being said, she came over to my home to make a pillow.  You should have seen the back of her embroidery....  Oh my gosh.  I am not telling you this to shame the girl.  I was so proud of her for completing the project and being a first timer...well...who expects perfection?

We spent a good hour trimming her back.  I attached the heat n bond to the back to keep the stray threads in place so they would not come through.  It is not easy to explain but we got the tangles down to a minimum.

FAST forward to last week.

Her sister comes in and she wants to make a wall hanging.

 

Trust me, this back looks great compared to the oldest sister.  This is actually not bad.

But.... while I was thinking on this.  I remembered I had some remnants of Hobbs Black batting.

Here is the front.  You can not see a single thread shinning through.

So you see, the black batting hides any colorful lose threads that might be hanging out in your quilt.  Or hides the shadow from the seams that might occur.

It truly is awesome batting and I am so glad I was able to try it out.

My October project is using Hobbs black batting as well.

Have a fantastic day!

STAR LIGHT STAR BRIGHT!

STARS IS THE CHALLENGE FOR THE ISLAND BATIK AMBASSADORS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

Who doesn't like stars?

So as I was looking for ideas, I came across my little stash of Missouri Star Quilt Company's  

BLOCK magazines

I saw this pattern and loved it.

I ordered this  Rhombus ruler and loved it.

I loved it so much that I made two quilts but the second one will have to wait for it's appearance another time.

I used the Island Batik 5" stash builders, this strip was totally perfect for this ruler.  Unfortunately Island Batik no longer carries these 5" strips.  POOOOOORRR ME!!

Aurifil white 50 weight thread

Hobbs Black batting

I have to say, there was no shadowing of the seams at all or any stray threads that happen to show through after quilting..  I did enjoy using this batting 

Now......this was not my first idea for this months challenge so.....

 tomorrow I will show you that quilt.

This month The Island Batik Ambassadors are having a blog hop with the 

Spring/Summer 2019 Collection.  I don't have that line but....here is the schedule for it.

Monday August 5

Leanne Parsons - The Devoted Quilter

Sherry Shish - Powered by Quilting

Tuesday August 6

Bill Locke - Studio BIll Locke

Lisa Nielsen - Lisa Lisa and the Quilt Jam

Wednesday August 7

Sandra Walker - Mmm! Quilts

Terri Vanden Bosch - Lizard Creek Quilts

Thursday August 8

Pamela Boatright - Pamela Quilts

Kathleen McCormick - Kathleen McMusing

Monday August 12

Karen Neary - Sew Karen-ly Created

Carol Moellers - Carol Moellers Designs

Tuesday August 13

Michelle Roberts - Creative Blonde

Laticia "Tish" Stemple - Tish's Adventures in Wonderland

Wednesday August 14

Anne Wiens - Sweetgrass Creative Designs

Gene Black - Gene Black

Thursday August 15

Tina D Dillard - Quilting Affection Designs

Bea Lee - Bea Quilter

Monday August 19

Joanne Hart - Unicornharts

Carla Henton - Creatin’ in the Sticks

Tuesday August 20

Connie Kauffman - Kauffman Designs

Vasudha Govindan - Storied Quilts

Wednesday August 21

Vicki Schlimmer - Vicki's Crafts and Quilting

Mania  Hatziioannidi - Mania for Quilts

Thursday August 22

Gail Sheppard - Quilting Gail

Monday August 26

Maryellen McAuliffe - Mary Mack's Blog 

Jennifer Strauser - Dizzy Quilter

Tuesday August 27

Connie K Campbell - Freemotion by the River

Joan Kawano - Moosestash Quilting