WELCOME TO MY TREE FARM - FOUR SEASONS ISLAND BATIK BLOG HOP

If you have been following along this week you already know that the Four Season's Blog hop for the Island Batik ambassadors is going on.

Lots of wonderful giveaways from the bloggers themselves, tips, tutorials, and free patterns.  Best of all Island Batik is giving away 4 precuts from the collections you will see throughout this fantastic blog hop, please visit their site to enter.

I have the delightful fabrics "Alpine Jingle"

OH BOY!!!!

So I decided to make a tree farm.  I used all but two of the fabrics from the Alpine Jingle collection.

We had a slight breeze when I took this picture....brrrrrr

Yes, it has been cold in Texas!

                       I got out my trusty Accuquilt Go cutter, using the Holiday Medley die.

                       Remembering I had some of Marjorie Busby's embroidery designs for the Accuquilt tree die, as you see above.  I just used the outline because the awesome fabrics can handle their own in design.

Decided to hand quilt. 

Here is my thimble collection.

You are probably wondering why I have Elmer's Spray Adhesive on here.

With all of these thimbles, not one of them would stay on my finger so I got the idea to spray some of this spray adhesive inside my smallest thimble.  What a difference that made.  I will have to admit the first time you put your finger in after spraying it in, it is a little tight getting it out but after that a breeze.   Well worth it.

This runner you have seen before but I wanted to show you again.  These hearts are what I cut out from the scraps of the trees.  Don't like wasting the fabric or the fabric adhesive.

My Giveaway

Here is 24 pieces of the "Alpine Jingle" fabric.  The pieces range from 5" to 6" wide by 10" to 13" long with a snap bag to hold them.

  Moose Stash Quilting has a tutorial on how to make them, if you are interested.

All you have to do is leave a comment.

Please hop over to Purrfect Spots  she is also posting today using her "Alpine Jingle" fabrics.

Here is the line up for the hop:

WINTER

January 8 – Blue Moon
Inquiring Quilter • Cheryl Lynch Quilts

January 9 – Mountain’s Majesty
FunThreads Designs • Little Bunny Quilts • Quilting Affection Designs

January 10 – Alpine Ice
Freemotion by the River • Slice of Pi Quilts
Seams Like a Dream • KISSed Quilts

January 11 – Alpine Jingle
Purrfect Spots Designs • Bejeweled Quilts

SPRING

January 15 – Elementz
Den syende himmel • Inspired Layers

January 16 – Southern Blooms
Yellow Cat Quilt Designs • Quiltologist Treasures

January 17 – Morning Sunshine
Quilt’n Party • Desert Bloom Quilting

January 18 – Season’s Shades
Inchworm Fabrics • Kauffman Designs

SUMMER

January 22 – Paisley Dot
Pamela Quilts • Seams Like a Dream

January 23 – Sunflower Serenade
Kathys Kwilts and More • Whispers of Yore

January 24 – City Culture 2
Mary Mack Made Mine • heARTs Creations

January 25 – City Culture 2
The Quilt Rambler • Lizard Creek Quilts • KISSed Quilts

FALL

January 29 – Autumn’s Grace
Seams to be Sew • KISSed Quilts • Ark Angel Creations • Beaquilter

January 30 – Pumpkin Patch
KISSed Quilts • Beaquilter

January 31 – Plum Delicious
Masterpiece Quilting • Adventurous Appliqué and Quilting

February 1 – Northern Woods
Moosestash Quilting • Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

CURVALICIOUS QUILTS - ISLAND BATIK CHARM PACK AND SUPERIOR THREAD GIVEAWAY

The month of June is Curvavalicious Quilts for the Island Batik Ambassadors.

We were told we could do anything with curves so here goes.

For those of you that don't know, Jeanette, from Inchworm Fabrics is my sister.

Recently we moved our mother into a little trailer right off my carport so Jeanette came for a visit.

Glad she did because she was able to go through and get rid of a lot of clothes that my mother had collected through the years.

Anyways.....

We had discussed making something together for our June Island Batik project.

You know...two minds, twice the smoke.

She came up with the idea of tuffets.

How exciting....

for me it was...

So we scoured the internet and settled upon "Mini Tuffet Pinchsion" by Sew Colorful LLC, Sylvi Sealy.   just click on that link and it will take you to her craftsy site.

Oh yessssssssssssss

One evening Jeanette came in from my mother's and said...you wanna go to walmart and get supplies for the tuffets?  I said, sure...what time is it.  She said 7:30....why not, it is early still.

We got home at 11:30.....hummmmm  I said...Jeanette, thought it was 7:30 when we left...she looked at her watch and said...yes, 7:30 my time (Washington State time).  Needlesss to say we got a laugh out of that one.

  So we took off with our supply list.

We were able to get everything we wanted at Walmart to make small and larger tuffets.

 

Here is a larger one.  Jeanette is so smart...she just whipped up another pattern larger than the one given to us that enabled us to make us a larger tuffet.  Worked out great.

Don't you just love the tuffets???

We made the larger ones the next day while my grandson was running around the sewing room getting into stuff.  Were we crazy or what?

My mother did entertain the little buggar for us so we could finish up a few more.

Every so often he would come and go UP...Up...so of course, up he came and the work stopped.

                                                     Have you ever seen such a fun sight?

                                       She did the sewing and I did the stuffing, cutting, and gluing.

One thing that worked out good was making cardboard round pieces that matched the wooden pieces for the bottom.  We glued the fabric to the cardboard round piece, put the button on and and pulled it through,  then glued the wood circle over that so we could glue on the legs.  Worked perfect!

   I can only say how fun this was working with my sister and how clear the pattern was to follow.

                                   We gave one large one to our sister Beverly, it was her birthday.
                          Gave one small one to my mother and then we both got a large and small one.

                           This is what mine looks like right now..... No losing this pin cushion.

           If you want, go check out my sister's blog, she is having a giveaway and so I am.

Here is what I want to give away:

One Superior Threads Fantastico #5084 

One Island Batik Charm pack "BluShing Blooms"

It truly hurts to give these items away but why not share the fun  RIGHT????

I do love Superior Threads, I have used them numerous times and have even ordered from them, I just happen to have duplicate of the orange thread because I loved the Fantastico line so much that I ordered me some and then Island Batik sent me some of the same not knowing.

Now the Charm pack is loaded with vibrant delicious colors, if you can put delicious onto a charm pack?  Only a quilter will know and understand that comment.

Just leave a comment and do go and visit my sister.

CHRISTMAS EVE PROJECT - GIVEAWAY of EIGHT FAT QUARTERS OF lA BAMBA FROM ISLAND BATIK

THE WINNER OF THIS GIVEAWAY IS KAHOLLY......KAHOLLY.......COME ON DOWN!!!

Trust me it truly was not easy cutting up these fabrics....sob sob...

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Today I got up to my husband doing dishes.  He even made lunch.  So I have the whole day to sew.

Sew........I am using this Omnigrip  3 1/2" square ruler

To square up these squares

Using these awesome fabrics!!!  I just love these Island Batik fabrics  called La Bamba.  I am working on a project for the Island Batik Sock Hop Blog Hop starting Jan. 12.  My day is January 14th.  I do hope you join us then.

So in the mean time, I am going to giveaway eight fat quarters of this amazing fabric.  Don't think this will be an easy task for me to do.  I just love these fabrics and I am crying inside on choosing to give some away.

So....Merry Christmas to all of you.  Let's say Dec. 30th will be the end of this giveaway.  Just leave a comment!

Oh, before I forget......This is all that is left of the carmel bars I made yesterday....now you know they truly are the family favorite....you can find the recipe below or here:

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW WHAT A LAPEL STICK HAS TO DO WITH BINDING A QUILT! (giveaway)

I have had a few people ask me what I use my Lapel Sticks on.  So I am going to show you.

Come with me while I bind my quilt.

Here I am getting my binding ready....no lapel stick needed yet.

Now...don't look at my ironing board cover, I actually think it is time for a new one.


 Folding my strips in half with steam

No Lapel Stick needed yet...but I promise, I will be getting to it soon.

Sewing the binding on one side.

 Here is my trusty binding tool that I got at Missouri Star Quilt Co., they even have a tutorial on how to use this tool...but we are talking about Lapel sticks today...so let's get to it.

 After I sew most of the binding on one side I need to join the two ends together....

How you ask?

Get my amazing Lapel Stick.

See where I have put the Lapel Stick on the edge of this fabric.  It is great.

Here it is glued together.  All it took was a line of glue, finger press the two pieces together and there you have it.  No pins to mess with.  Trust me, using pins is a pain when you are trying to do this.

 Sew it together...and WAAAAALAAA    Then to finish sewing it to the quilt.  But we are not done with the Lapel Stick yet so keep it out.

 Remember to turn off your steam on your iron (steam is not good on the fingers).

See how I put the Lapel stick on the binding part....So I apply the stick, iron, apply the stick, iron.  This is such a great way to get your binding on so nicely.

I flipped the binding towards the backside. (I think my mother does it opposite of what I do..but hey...she loves it her way and I love it mine).

 Then I flip the quilt over and sew in the ditch, it catches the binding on the other side right nicely...no pins or clips needed.

Now for the fun part.  

I know that some of you have asked..."Where do I get these Lapel Sticks?"

Keith who created the Lapel Stick is offering

40 Sticks for 50 dollars, shipping is included in this!!

That is such a deal.

Go here to purchase your Lapel Sticks

This offer is good until October 20th!!!

Tomorrow I will show you some other ways I use these Lapel Sticks.

I would love to give one away to a few readers, just comment below and we will see what we can do...(I am talking like there is a mouse in my pocket...hummmm)

THE TIME IS HERE, THE TIME IS NOW!!!

If you have been following Tamarinis Blog hop, you will know that today is my day!!!

First off....go to here to win five, one yard cuts of Island Batik Fabrics

Then go here to win a free class with Tammy Silvers "Quick Quilted Gifts"

Then if you missed the wonderful post by Freemotion by the River showing an awesome Halloween Wall hanging by Tammy Silvers you can go here.

I know, that is a lot to do but will be soooooooooooooooo worth it.

So are ya ready for my project by Tammy?  DOUBLE DUTCH CANDY!!!

We all know how much I love candy!!!

I have to say that this looks more awesome up close and personal and that Island Batiks made this project so yummy and fun.

I have taken a few classes with Craftsy (still have a few waiting for me to finish taking....) and they are so worth it.  If you want to learn a new technique (which Tammy will show you some awesome ones) or if you just want to butter up on some old ones craftsy is the place for you.

Tomorrow is Freemotion by the River again, you can find the link on this post or on my sidebar.

Hope you are enjoying the hop so far.

So I am giving away this snap bag and key fob, the fabrics I used was Witch's Brew by Island Batik.  I love love love this fabric.

 soooooooooooooo I made me one but my gosh...I made mine inside out....pooey...I wanted the two toned bag..oh well....I still love it.

All you have to do is comment and tell me just one thing you enjoy about Tammy Silvers Hop.

Tamarinis Blog Hop - Island Batik Fabrics (Giveaway)

What an exciting week this will be....


Tammy Silvers has just begun a class on Craftsy "Quick Quilted Gifts" and that is what we are celebrating.  She uses the amazing Island Batik's in her projects as well.  She is an amazing designer and teacher.

We are starting off the week with a wonderful Blog Hop.  Island Batik is first on the list and they are giving a summary of the weeks events.  Island Batik is giving away Five, one yard cuts, of their most awesome Batiks as well.  


 I don't need to tell you how much I love their Batiks....if I sound like a broken record, I am so sorry but...I just love them!!!


Here is the list of bloggers involved....doesn't this look fun?  So Hop on over there, put your name in the hat, and enjoy Tammy's wonderful designs.

July 7 – Island Batik 
July 8 – Tammy Silvers
July 9 – Freemotion by the River
July 10 – Bejeweled Quilts
July 11 – Freemotion by the River – Stop #2!
July 12 – TeachPany
July 13 – Kauffman Designs
July 14 – One Quilting Circle 
July 15 – Susan Vassallo Quilting Art

For your convenience I have placed a list of the blogs on my sidebar.

EDUCATION IN "HEAT N BOND" - THERM-O-WEB ADHESIVES

In my quest for finding another source of fabric adhesive since the JoAnn's here was sparse on the Steam A Seam

 I wrote two previous articles here and here

During which time Julia from "Heat n Bond"  had sent me the following items to try out.

  I have to admit that I have been so busy that I have not been able to try out much except for the
Heat n Bond iron on fusible which I had purchased in my quest.

I also have to say that my eyes bugged out of my head when she sent me to this website.

  You can call it ignorance,

a gal having her blinders on

whatever but I truly did not know that "Heat n Bond" had so many items that would make a quilters life so much easier.


I looked through the website with a drool rag.


So let's take a look at some of the things that were sent to me.



Three different fusibles.....for three different abilities.

 Like I had mentioned, I am mostly in for applique and what fusible is best for me and I have found that I do like the "Heat n Bond" lite for that purpose.  I have used it in several projects since first posting about it.



Fusible fleece and Sew in Fleece....wonderful for those of us who make totes



Sew in interfacing and batting tape.

 To be honest I have not heard of batting tape (or were my blinders on)....and it is for piecing your batting together for small or large quilts.  Great use of your batting scraps.  I won't tell you how I put my batting together....trust me it is more time consuming than using this tape.



Adhesive by the yard, this is lite.    I usually don't by fabric adhesive by the yard and I am asking myself, WHY NOT?  I saw a lady buying some the other day, is it cheaper?  You can buy it in the rolls as seen in this picture but never dawned on me to buy it by the yard.

I do remember using iron on vinyl in Samoa and had it shipped in but for the life of me can not figure out where I got it or what brand.  Oh well....my son lifts weights and needs a bag for his chalk....so I think this will work perfect (more on this later).




Then two brochures on the products themselves and what they can do.  This is so valuable to me because I NEVER KNEW!!!  And now I do....

So Thank you Julia in helping with my quest to find a fabric fusible that will do what I want it to.  As you can see here, there are many options....and many items that go beyond the fusibles.

Finished the octopus and I used Heat n Bond lite on it, except for the" G".  I used Steam A seam, it was easy to reverse the "G" that way.

Would any of you like to try the Heat N bond lite or heavy?  I will send one person a yard each and I just might throw in a half yard of vinyl....just leave a comment.