Welcome to my Island Batik Blog Hop day…

This month is all about ‘The Storm at Sea block’ a block which vividly depicts the rolling waves of a stormy sea with its simple color palette and wave-like imagery.

Storm at sea block

A few interesting facts about the block… The illusion of waves is created by a few geometric shapes with very simple dimensions. The large center square is twice as big as the small center square. The rectangle is the height of the small square block and the length of the large square block.

Changing the color palette could emphasize different elements within the design, creating stunning stars or wavy lines – creating a new look for an old design.

Such an exciting block… I designed my blocks using the EQ8 program, which enabled me to play around with designs and colours.

My surprise bundle of fabrics was now ready to be torn open, to reveal the new collection ‘Sea Glass’ a beautiful collection a sea greens, blues and purples, with super cute sea shells and fish prints

My quilt is made up of 624 pieces, all hand cut and sewn together…

I used Aurifil thread with Schmetz needles in my Brother sewing machine

Aurifil thread

I was also super excited to try the new fusible cotton batting from Hobbs – wow!! its a game changer!!

No more pins, or basting spray – this you NEED to try

Hobbs fusible batting

I completed my large lap quilt, with some hand sewn binding in a gorgeous dark purple

I absolutely love the backing, it captures all the stunning fabric colours from the top quilt.

My finished lap quilt

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I hope you’ve loved seeing my progress and finished quilt.

To enter this week fabulous giveaway and be in with a chance of winning these,click the link below…

Giveaway Prize

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d463e29d35/

Be sure to head over to https://www.facebook.com/islandbatik to see all the other gorgeous Island Batik Ambassadors quilts

Do you like a vintage look and feel to a quilt? keep reading…

Introducing Vlieseline ECO 150, the first 100% biodegradable voluminous wadding with high insulation performance. Made from renewable resources, 100% Lyocell which is sourced from Eucalyptus trees. This innovative new product biodegrades without leaving any micro plastic contamination in the environment, making it the responsible choice when considering the future of our planet as well as providing excellent quality and performance.

ECO150 can be used with most fabrics and is suitable for garments, patchwork and quilting as well as a whole range of crafting applications. This light, voluminous sew-in wadding has a soft handle and high migration resistance due to its anti-static qualities. It is extremely comfortable in garments and quilts as it is `breathable‘ with up to 45% moisture absorption. It can be hand or machine sewn and quilters should use a spacing of 15-20 cm. Washable to 40°, it can be pressed using a cool iron.  It is 155 cm wide and available in white.

Last week I received a sample of Vlieseline Eco150 wadding – its incredibly soft and cosy AND 100% bio-biodegradable. So soft in fact, that a photo alone wasn’t enough, so I made this short video.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michelle (@michelle_creativeblonde)

• Made from renewable, fast growing resources (Eucalyptus trees), requiring far less water than any other fibre made out of natural polymers. 
• Water used in the manufacturing process is 100% recycled
• Chemicals used in the production process are almost completely recycled (99%) and are not present in the fibres
• Completely biodegradable in natural conditions and soil within 57 days
• Leaves no impact on the environment after biodegrading
• Water repellent and odour resistant.

• Soft handle due to the characteristic of the fiber
• Excellent comfort in garment application
• High resistance to fiber migration due to anti-static properties and spray binding technology

Important note: After 3 wash cycles there can be a 20% higher loss of volume when compared with polyester waddings.

Tilda have also just released their scrap bundles, and I couldn’t resist teaming these up together, along with some Tilda cream solid.

These scrap bundles are from ALL the Tilda collections

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I would love to know if you have used this wadding before…

Happy sewing

Michelle x

October’s endangered animal awareness challenge…

The 2021 Aurifil Color Builders are a capsule of 12 mini-collections dedicated to an incredibly worthy cause that falls in line with Aurifil’s goal to increase sustainability and positive environmental impact — Endangered Species. Each collection contains three large spools of their supple and strong 40wt thread — a warm, a medium, and a dark.

For the October challenge, Aurifil asked the Island Batik Ambassadors to create a piece inspired by the endangered animal featured on their assigned Color Builder box.

I received the Sumatran Elephant…

The Sumatran elephant is native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and are one of the smallest of the Asian elephants, and known for their bright skin. Sadly there are are only between 2400 and 2800 Sumatran elephants left in the world, which puts them on the critically endangered list.

There has been a huge decline recently, largely due to habitat loss and illegal killing of the elephants for their ivory.

WWF Indonesia aims to protect the sustainability of the Sumatran elephants through collaborations with the government and other organizations. They have established elephant patrols, that serves to prevent hunting and dismantling of traps that can endanger the elephants.

Auriful thread have drawn their color inspiration from 12 magnificent animals, currently in dire need of attention, advocacy, and compassion. They are dedicated to highlighting their stories, helping to educate on their struggles, and working to create valuable change via awareness and fundraising. To help achieve these goals, Aurifil are collaborating with Earth League International and are looking forward to a strong and effective partnership, to read more about their work, head to

https://www.aurifil.com/2021-color-builders

I’ve created a wall hanging, using some gorgeous Island Batik fabrics, and the 3 Aurifil threads from my pack

I love the effect of the Island Batik blue fabrics

The light thread added a lovely shimmer to my project

Using the other two thread colours, I added some thread painting details to add depth and shading

Be sure to check out all the other Ambassadors projects, by heading over to the Island Batik Page

This wall hanging was quilted with Hobbs cotton batting and I added some hanging hoops to complete my project

I’ve really enjoyed reading about these elephants along with all the other Ambassadors projects, I hope you have too.

Michelle x

Never too early challenge…

No one typically thinks of winter in the summertime but it’s the best time of all to get an early start on Christmas and holiday projects…

I love a Christmas table, filled with sparkle, so I decided to make some Christmas bauble placemats, using some gorgeous Christmas fabrics including Holly berries and Snowflake

Cute Christmas baubles you can personalize

These placemats are a perfect size for you dinner plate, and can be personalised for that extra special touch at Christmas.

I’ve used some vibrant Auriful thread, the green is 1114 and the purple is 2545 to add the wording details

Each place-mat has Vliseline Thermolam wadding inside, to give it some stability and form, with hand sewn binding, using Aurifil thread and Clover sharps black gold needles.

All finished off with a sparkly silver ribbon and bow, all I need now is the crackers and the Yorkshire puddings

Have you started thinking about Christmas yet?

Michelle x

spreading love and joy with my summer vibes lap quilt…

Welcome to June’s Island batik challenge, this month is all about using our Accuquilt ultimate cutting machine, and combining the 8” or 12” finished BOB dies, with the GO! Qube 8″ Mix & Match Block and create a whole new pattern by combining the two.

I decided to combine the Hattie Choice block with the Go! zero pattern block to make a 31″ square lap quilt. I’ve used some super bright orange and yellows from my stash buster collection, along with some gorgeous Marbles from the basics range and Almond from the neutrals collection

I wanted this lap quilt to give off some summer vibes

I used Hobbs cotton batting inside, along with a super bright yellow Auriful thread to quilt this blanket.

I added a really bright orange binding, to make this summer vibe quilt pop

I couldn’t resist taking this quilt on a little photo shoot around my garden in the beautiful sunshine…

Head over to Island Batik Facebook page to see all the other amazing quilts that have been designed by the other Ambassadors

Enjoy the beautiful sunshine, and spread some love and joy today

Michelle x

Blueberry Swirl Quilt…

This months Island Batik Challenge was a scrap busting challenge…

I was keen to use my 2 1/2″ strips from the Crystal Sea collection, as this collection is bursting with all my favourite colours.

The bonus of using pre-cuts strips is the top quilt will come together quite quickly

I used Hobbs 80/20 black cotton batting , as its perfect when sewing with black or dark fabrics, as it helps maintain the fabrics true colours, and avoid light fibre lint transferring onto your quilt top during the quilting process

My gorgeous 10 stone Newfoundland was only too happy to pose for a photo 🙂

You can download my ‘Blueberry Swirl’ quilt pattern by heading over to my patterns page

https://creativeblondeblog.wordpress.com/patterns/

Don’t have time to sew, please contact me via my website here to place an order.

www.creativeblonde.co.uk

To see more of my tutorials or to place an order, you can head over my website www.creativeblonde.co.uk and/or Instagram page www.instagram.co.uk/michelle_creativeblonde and www.facebook.com/creativeblonde66

Happy sewing, thanks for stopping by, wishing you a lovely weekend

Michelle x

Medallion Quilt challenge…

This challenge is the last one for all the 2020 Island Batik Ambassadors, and is also the first time I’ve made a Medallion Quilt.

I wanted to use what I had left from the ‘Tread Brightly’ collection by @bellanonnaquilt for @island_batik.

“A medallion Quilt is made of a central motif surrounded by multiple borders. … The center and borders can be pieced, appliqued, or embroidered, in any number of combinations.”

I really wanted something striking for my central motif, so I designed this star… and I was super pleased with how is turned out. I do love a crisp sharp point…

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It was time to add my first border, I went with something simple, so as not to detract from the center star. I used the gorgeous Cobblestone – Forest, from the Tread brightly collection.

My next border I wanted to be eye catching, so I decided on some Flying Geese. I wanted it to appear as they were moving around the centre star, so I arranged them in groups of 6.

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My final boarder was another simple stripe, using the Cobblestone – Pinecone, from the Tread brightly collection.

I used Hobbs Cotton batting inside, and backed my Medallion Quilt with a lovely Vanilla – neutral from Island Batik.

I decided on a bit of crazy binding, which I thought would complete this quilt perfectly, I chose Texture Stripe – Marble from the Tread Brightly collection.

Would to love to know what you think of my first Medallion quilt, please leave me a comment, they really do make my day.

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Wishing each and everyone of you a really special Christmas, and I hope you get to spend time with those that mean the most to you.

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find/tag me on Instagram and Facebook with your makes.

‘Do what makes your heart smile’
Happy Sewing


Michelle

Thread Painting – Aurifil threads…

Welcome to the Island Batik October challenge – Thread painting using Aurifil threads

Island Batik are celebrating art this month. With the fabric as our canvas and Aurifil thread is our paint. we need to create an art quilt or project using Aurifil thread and our beautiful Island Batik fabrics.

The threads I chose were mauves, purples, navy’s and blues, and having just celebrated my birthday which had a purple theme, my project was decided

Inspiration….

My threads and fabrics…

My birthday cake had a beautiful quilt theme in purple, and I wanted to capture the theme, so I decided to make a mini quilt using paper piecing

I had so much fun, drawing with my machine and the Aurifil threads, adding a few decorative stitches into the finished piece.

I even like the reverse …

I love the idea of creating a quilted piece, as it will bring back memories of my special day for years to come.

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I hope you like what I’ve done, be sure to head over to the other ambassadors pages this month, there is some really beautiful work.

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

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A little weekend inspiration…

Welcome to October… a month that’s a little bit special, as its my birthday!

With the sewing/quilting magazines back up and running in the UK, I was thrilled to get two of my quilts featured inside, one in this months and one in last months issue of British Patchwork & quilting.

My Marrakesh bohemian quilt is a great geometric quilt, a great alternative to a flowery quilt, made using the stunning new collection from Petal Signature for Spoonflower. 48″ x 48″ finished size. Using Gutermann threads and Vlieseline 278 soya mix batting. Find it inside the September issue.

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My Colour Brush quilt is a simple, classic nine patch block, using the modern new collection from Stoffabrics. Sewn together using Aurifil threads and Vlieseline Cotton mix batting. This quilt is a lovely 54″ square, perfect for a cosy night in. Find it inside the October issue.

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Thanks so much for stopping by, wishing you a lovely weekend.

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Island Batik Blog Hop bag challenge…

Hello, thanks for stopping by, today is my day to share the bag I made for the Island Batik blog hop bag challenge, over the next four weeks, all 25 of us Island batik ambassadors will be show casing the ‘by annie.com‘ bags we have made using some of the brand new Island Batik fabric collections.

The new collection I used is called Deco Revival by Kathy Engle .

Buildings – Olive Deco Revival for the main fabric

Columns – Opal Deco Revival for the lining

Circle – Jelly bean for the coordinating fabric

I will be honest with you, when I first received our second box from Island batik with the products and information to make the bag, there was panic on my face… I’ve only ever made simple tote bags and pencil cases, so this sure was going to be a challenge…

The pattern I chose from ‘by annie.com‘ bags, was called ‘Take A Stand’ (stand up tote bag, a zippered tote that opens wide for easy access)

The instructions were amazing, and I really do recommend them to anyone who wants to make their own bag, really clear step by step instructions, with the option of an add on video tutorial if you get stuck. I was overwhelmed with the amount of pieces, but with clear labels and instructions it came together really well.

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With all the pieces made, I was ready to start constructing the bag…

This pattern comes with two sizes, the size I chose was the smaller one

8 3/4″H x 12″W x 6 1/2″D, the larger size is 12 1/2″H x 16″W x 8″D

Two outside zippered pockets, 5 internal mesh pockets, and an adjustable strap.

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Island batik are giving away two FQ packs, one to each of the two winners, to enter simply click on the link below…

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d463e29d16/

Best of luck…

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle