SCHOOL HOUSE SAMPLER - 3 ISLAND BATIK BUNDLE GIVEAWAY, 100 - 5" SQUARE GIVEAWAY

I took this picture below on May 2nd of this year.  The reason I am telling you this is because I had no clue as to what the theme was at that time for the Sept Island Batik Blog Hop.

So in May for some reason I had all of this energy which happens once every blue moon.

I had a hankering to use my Accuquilt Go School House die, I have have it for a while now.  Yes...hankering...haven't you ever had one?

 I remember going to my sewing room thinking....today is the day that  am going to use this school House die.  I always loved the red and white ones but for some reason I went to my Island Batik scraps.  

If any of you know me, I do more thinking than actually doing so for me to just jump in and decide on something is amazing and to decide on such a big venture.

As I was contemplating the scraps my mind went to the the fabrics that were set aside for Septembers Hop, Solstic!

Aurifil thread #4012 was perfect for blanket stitching around the schools...ummm ummm good.

Hummmmm I said to my self and that was that, what you see below is what I came up with and in just a short time I had this part done.

It laid in wait for quite a while.  Me trying to decide what to do for the borders.

This is what I came up with, just checker board border.

Laid it all out on the bed and then labeled the top and sides.

Then for months every thing just sat....and sat....and sat.

Til Sept came and I knew I had to get in gear.

102"  x 114"

                                                            This is all that was left.
                                       I decided to make a note pad cover like this one below.
                                        I won it off Marylin's blog many years ago.
                   .

I loved it so much that I took those left over scraps and made me one.  Once again...too much thinking going on.  I couldn't decide if I wanted the pin holder or my name embroidered on it.....

So...I did nothing. Now I wish I had done something.  Oh well...think long thing wrong.

   Here is the inside.  I just used the note pad that Marylin sent and as you can see, I design in it

                                         I had one school house block left so I made myself a mini wall hanging. sorry it is crooked

So for my giveaway I am giving away what you see here.  Over 100 - 5" squares which spans the time of about 3 years worth of Island Batik fabric.  Ummmmmm Ummmmm goodness.

Then the designer of this "Note Pad" is Robin Gallagher

at Robin Quilts,etc.

She was sweet enough to send me a pattern to give  away as well. Talk about one creative person....she definitely is.  Thanks Robin.

Just leave me a comment for my giveaway and use the rafflecopter for Island Batiks...thanks !!

Then Island Batik is giving away three gorgeous fat quarter bundles at the end of the hop! Three different winners will be randomly selected to win bundles from the Captain’s Anchor, Batiks Go Retro, and Abalone collections. Enter by using the Rafflecopter widget below. There are many ways to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Then if you want and have the time go by and check out the creativity of the other Island Batik ambassadors and enter their giveaways....want to be inspired....this is the place to get it!!!

WEEK 1

Monday, September 4 – Beaujolais
Quilting Affection Designs • FunThreads Designs

Tuesday, September 5 – Country Dozen
Cheryl Lynch Quilts • Inspired Layers

Wednesday, September 6 – Bonsai
Little Bunny Quilts

Thursday, September 7 – Sakura
Masterpiece Quilting

Friday, September 8 – Empress Garden
Dessert Bloom Quilting • Slice of Pi Quilts

WEEK 2

Monday, September 11 – Fresh Pick’ins
KISSed Quilts

Tuesday, September 12 – Lotus Blooms
Kathys Kwilts and More

Wednesday, September 13 – Olivera
Moose Stash Quilting • Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

Thursday, September 14 – Rise & Shine
Den Syende Himmel • Sally’s Quilting Corner

Friday, September 15 – Diner Days
Ark Angel Creations • The Quilt Rambler

WEEK 3

Monday, September 18 – Seas the Day
KISSed Quilts • Whispers of Yore • Needle & Foot

Tuesday, September 19 – Vineyard
The Inquiring Quilter • Inchworm Fabrics

Wednesday, September 20 – Abalone
PamelaQuilts • Yellow Cat Quilts

Thursday, September 21 – Batiks Go Retro
Adventures in Applique and Quilting

Friday, September 22 – Captain’s Anchor
Purrfect Spots Designs • Beaquilter

WEEK 4

Monday, September 25 – Cherry Berry
Freemotion by the River • Mary Mack Made Mine

Tuesday, September 26 – Lobster Bake
Seams to be Sew

Wednesday, September 27 – Solstice
Bejeweled Quilts • heARTs Creations

Thursday, September 28 – Sour Apple
Seams Like a Dream • Kauffman Designs

Friday, September 29 – Zen
Lizard Creek Quilting • Quilt’n Party

Big Shout out goes to Katie and Elizabeth from Island Batik, for this awesome hop and the awesome fabrics.

Who Says You Can't Go Back?

A while ago I was sitting in church listening to everyone sing, I was transported back to Amerika Samoa where the sound of their singing was pure heavenly.

 I was sad because I knew that I would never be back there, never see the beautfiul mountain, ocean, or my wonderful friends.

 Was I ever wrong. It wasn't a few weeks later that my husband comes home and says he has to go To Samoa for work. My heart soared but I also knew it was a great expense to take me.                            

I told him I would stay home but he said, there was no way he was going without me.

 Then I talked to a wonderful friend who said that this chance may never pass this way again and my son told me that as well....so here I go.

 Flying again

I know I said I would never fly again (I made myself out to be a liar).


It didn't take long for news to circulate on that island about me coming (I didn't help much

either...HA!!!)

   Here is the tote I did yesterday for a friend who wants me to bring it with me.  She wants a matching cosmetic bag but....

 Wasn't too motivated so I just read a book.

 I read a book when I have a ton of things to do, what is up with that?

 The Tree of Life quilt needs attention and I read a book!!

 A friend also asked me to teach a class on "Sewing for Profit", so I am trying to come up with ideas for that. I am also trying to keep the supplies to what they can find on the island. So if any of you have suggestions and pattern (not breaking copyright) can you let me know. We leave this Thursday...not looking forward to the flight but what is new?

ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

I am sure a lot of you feel as I do, that you have so much to do that you just chase your tail? So I decided that since I have so much to do....that I should write it down...sometimes the little things get swept out with the threads.

So...that being said...here are three blocks for the Grieving Quilts John a'lee is asking for....go to my side bar and you can get the details. I have more cut out but.......yep....tail chasing again.

I did get this made just in the nick of time for our new little lady that is coming into the Young womens.

My son had a few friends come over.....to my surprise... I had my Go cutter out, scraps on the table....my slice out, cardboard and paper cutter...ironing board....well...you get the picture. I was working on so many things (tail chasing again) that if you were a by stander you would think...is this lady mad???

Well.....it is hours later, the mess has been semi cleaned and before the night is out, all will be in its place for tomorrow.

Won't you join me on "Sew We Quilt" on Tuesday? You will be glad you stopped by there, I am not saying but I think the giveaway will be so worth a drop in.

Notice my mail for the week on my side bar....I sooooo love mail.

DEDICATING MAY TO A MONTH OF FINISHES

This is an on going project. The girls in my class at church are stitching around the initials and then I complete the tote for the new girls coming in. Then they do one for themselves. I planned for the tote to look slanted ( really).



As I looked at April finishes I noticed that I did not finish much....I started alot but no finishes..... Yesterday I went through my UFO's and got out the items that were almost finished....they are in a pile....(we will see how good I do) and am trying so hard not to start anything new.

So.... I had to finish this.....so this was first on my list. I just love the elmers glue binding. I couldn't get a good picture because my design floor was taken up.

How do you like this pattern? I think I do.

As I start my day....I have to remind myself...no new projects....no new projects...

That is like me saying....No sugar today...No sugar today.....

do we see a pattern here?