Inspired by Nature Blog Hop plus giveaway…

During this month, all the Island Batik Ambassadors have been taking part in the ‘Inspired by nature’ blog hop, using the new summer 2020 collections. Head to www.facebook.com/islandbatik/ to see all the stunning quilts and to enter this weeks giveaway.

Welcome to my day, I have an amazing giveaway to tell you about, plus this gorgeous quilt to show you that I made with the new summer 2020 collection ‘Tread Brightly’ designed by Bella Nonna Quilt Design. Which hits the shops this month.

I took my inspiration from Rainbows and a beautiful windmill I often drive past in Kent…

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This quilt is made up of HST, using a beautiful Island Batik cream, paired with the stunning new ‘Tread Brightly’ collection.

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The finish of this quilt coincided with the return of my cat ‘Roo’, he has been missing for 81 days, and last night he returned. We are over the moon to have him home, and still cant quite believe it.

He was super keen to be in the photos of my quilt, so I thought id share them with you.

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This quilt has Hobbs cotton batting inside, and all sewn together using Aurifil threads.

Island Batik are giving away two beautiful bundles of fabrics, enter below to win…

www.rafflecopter.com

Thanks for stopping by, I hope this quilt has inspired you to make something colourful, or simply to stop and spare a few moments to appreciate the beautiful nature around us.

Here is a list of all the Island batik Ambassadors, please head over and take a look at all the beautiful quilts they have made and the stunning new fabric collections

Week 1:November 9
Jennifer Fulton – Bliss
Carla Henton – Bliss
November 10:
Denise Jackson Looney – Coco Cabana
Carolina Asmussen – Coco Cabana
November 11:
Alison Vermilya – Heart to Heart
Janet Lael Pedersen Yamamoto – Heart to Heart
November 12:
Megan Stanionis Best – Just My Type
Jennifer Strauser – Just My Type
Week 2:
November 16:
Joanne Hart – Love & Kisses
Maryellen McAuliffe – Love & Kisses
Jennifer Schifano Thomas – Love & Kisses
November 17:
Gail Sheppard – Ohana
Mania Hatziioannidi – Ohana
November 18:
Sharon Riley – Sweet Hearts
Sandra Walker – Sweet Hearts
November 19:
Carol Moellers – Tickled Pink
Emily Leachman – Tickled Pink
Week 3:
November 23:
Connie Kauffman – Tiki Punch
Suzy Webster – Tiki Punch
November 24:
Pamela Boatright – Tread Brightly
Michelle Roberts – Tread Brightly
November 25:
Vasudha Govindan – Tropicana Twist
Leah Malasky – Tropicana Twist
November 26:
Sally Manke – Venetian Marble
Gail Renna – Venetian Marble

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

Looking for handmade Christmas items?

Please check out the ‘pages’ listed on my home page (or click the link below), you will find all my quilts which are for sale, most of which have been published in UK, American and Australian quilting magazines.

https://wordpress.com/pages/creativeblondeblog.wordpress.com

During the month of November, I’m including FREE UK delivery.

‘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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Island Batik August challenge…

This months challenge was really exciting, we got to try out our new tool from Studio 180 Design that we received in our second Ambassador box. 

I received the Corner Pop 3 ruler,  the challenge was to make any size quilt.

I used the stunning stash builder packs I received in box 2, purples and teals are my favourite colours

Is used Hobbs 80/20 black cotton batting

Quilted using Aurifil threads and backed with Island Batik Tossed feathers in midnight blue.  I used Mosaic Burst to bind this quilt, as I wanted the teal stars to really burst with their colour

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

 #islandbatikambassador #islandbatik #iloveislandbatik #studio180design

 

Hashtags for industry (only if you are actually using the products): #hobbsbatting #aurifil #aurifilthread #accuquilt #accuquiltgo #schmetzneedles #doyoueq #janome #bernina #juki #dritz #olfacreates #junetailor #brothersews #cloverusa #oliso #omnigrid

Island Batik Ambassador boxes have arrived…

Welcome along to the Island Batik Ambassador unboxing blog, can you believe we are half way through the year… I’m feeling slightly overwhelmed by this years boxes – just wait till you see what inside and the challenges we have been set to see us through to the end of year

Hope you enjoy my unboxing video, my extremely talented son (Jack Roberts Guitar) wrote the melody for the video.. enjoy 🙂

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0.5 bundle of Spring 2020 collection + 6 half yards of coordinating Batik Foundations fabric

 

0.5 bundle of Summer 2020 collection + 6 half yards of coordinating Batik Foundations fabric to use for the November Inspired By Nature Blog Hop

A Spring 2020 precut + 2 yards of coordinating Batik Foundations fabric, precuts are available in shops now

1 FQ pack of a Fall/Winter 2019 collection

 

4 yards each of White, Grey and Black Solids

4 yards of a Neutral SKU

2 Stash Builder packs

A pattern, hardware and Spring 2020 collection yardage for the September

‘It’s In The Bag Blog Hop’

6 spools of Aurifil thread for the October Thread Painting challenge

Studio 180 Design tool for the August Try A Template with Studio 180 Design challenge

Hobbs Heirloom Black 80/20 – Queen Size

Heirloom Fusible 80/20 – Queen Size

Hobbs Heirloom Fusible 80/20 Batting Strips – 2 ¼” x 25 yards

Hobbs Tuscany Silk Batting – Throw Size

AccuQuilt GO! Me Fabric Cutter Starter Set and 2 dies

 

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

Borders and Binding challenge…

Welcome to April’s Island Batik challenge – Creative Borders and Binding…

I completed this challenge just in time (she checks her watch, yep with hours to spare), we have certainly all found ourselves in different and sometime difficult times over the last few months, but we are all a little bit closer to getting back to ‘normal’ times.

I know one thing, I could never be a school teacher – hats off to all teachers out there!

Just this week alone, I’ve revisited the history of the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell, Food chains, Probability and Fractions…

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This months challenge was to get creative with borders and binding, some examples of these were… Easy Braid, Prairie Points, Piping, Yo-Yos, Scalloped Edges, Log Cabin Spiral, Flying Geese or Double Sawtooth

I was super excited to work with my pack of 40, 2 1/2″ strips of Ancient Etchings designed by Jackie Kunkel for Island Batik

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I graded the colours of the strips as they cascaded their way through the quilt

I kept the darker colours to the one side, to create the borders, and teamed them with Island Batik solid black…

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It was time to bring it altogether, to create a 60″ x 60″ quilt…

I may go back and add a silhouette or two to the centre piece, I’m thinking a lizard, a tree or a couple of love birds , would love to know your thoughts…

I quilted using Aurifil threads, Schmetz needles with Hobbs cotton batting inside. The yellow binding really popped against the black border.

I backed the quilt with Island Batik Marbles from their basic range, and Cherio in Lemonade

Thanks for stopping by to see what I’ve been up to this week, hopefully this bright, colourful quilt has made you smile…

Next months challenge is to create something for the home, using a new line of fabric – I’m so excited as I haven’t even opened the ‘surprise’ fabric bundle yet… be sure to keep an eye out to see what all the Island batik ambassadors make next month

Stay safe, stay strong

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 One Die Wonder challenge…

Hey, I really hope this post finds you safe and well…

March’s Island Batik challenge was called ‘One Die Wonder’, and was all about using the truly awesome AccuQuilt Ultimate cutting machine and one die from our first Ambassador box to make a quilt 45″ x 60″ or larger.

I’m been bursting to using the pack of 10″ squares I have from the kaleidoscope collection, and here in the UK, people have been drawing rainbows and putting them up in their windows to show support for all the amazing NHS staff who put their own lives at risk every single day to help others during this Coronvirus outbreak, so these rainbow fabrics seemed just perfect to be working with during these times.

 

The Die I chose was called ‘Chimney sweep’ and is part of the Accuquilt BOB dies collection, this set came with all the pieces I needed to make this block, and with the specialized dog-ears and 1/4” seam allowance for easy alignment and piecing, it made making this block really easy. I love the crisp finish I have on each and every seam.

I made 12 blocks to create my quilt, and I just have to show you each and every one, I simple love Island Batik fabrics

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I added strips of white sashings to emphasize each block, and found inspiration for the quilting from wallpaper. I used Aurifil threads and Hobbs cotton batting.

I used Aurifil thread and Island Batik strips of fabric to bind this quilt by hand

Head over and visit all the Island Batik Ambassadors on the Island Batik Facebook page to see which dies and Island Batik fabrics they used – full of inspiration and eye candy

 

 

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 February Blog Hop…

Hello… I’m so excited you’ve joined me on this very exciting blog hop, at the end of this blog post you will find an amazing giveaway i’m hosting, head to

https://www.islandbatik.com/log-cabin-blog-hop-and-giveaway

to see all the beautiful quilts so far and to enter the giveaways.

The challenge was to use the classic Log cabin block, but which will we choose… curved, triangle, wonky, star, twisted, classic?

The 25 Ambassadors are showcasing twelve new Island Batik lines that will be available in your local quilt shops this month, and they are all beautiful.

I cant decide if i like the prints or colours better in this collection, they are all simply gorgeous… il let you decide

My collection is called ‘Forget-Me-Not’ designed by Kathy Engle for Island Batik… these fabrics have had me day dreaming of warm days spent at the beach, beautiful golden sands and blue seas… look closely, the prints are stunning…

The cabin log block is simple and fun, perfect for all abilities, and there are so many different designs, the possibilities are endless

The prints in this collection are beautiful, so i wanted to create a design that included some large pieces a well, so i turned my cabin log to enable me to add some HST

Take a look at these beautiful prints up close

My quilt is made up of sixteen 14 1/2″ blocks, so each block really shows off the gorgeous fabrics, sewn together using Schmetz needles and Auriful threads from the Sicily Yellow collection.

To quilt I’ve used Hobbs Cotton Wool Blend, throw size from the Hobbs Tuscany collection

The backing is made up of a piece two pieces from the collection

GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY

I’m giving away 3 x 1/2 yards of Island batik Forget-Me-Not fabrics from this gorgeous collections, I just love the names; Star – Dark Lagoon, Check – Sunflower, and Check – Lemonade.

Enter Here…

 

Good Luck, the winner will be chosen at random and announced Sunday 1st March

Congratulations to Cathy Wilson who was chosen at random and has won this beautiful bundle of fabric

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

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Check out all the 2020 Island Batik Ambassadors below…

Carolina Asmussen ~Carolina Asmussen

Megan Best ~ Best Quilter

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter

Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts

Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts

Mania Hatziioannidi~ Mania for Quilts

Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~For the Love of Geese

Leah Malasky~Quilted Delights

Sally Manke ~Sally Manke

Maryellen McAuliffe ~Mary Mack’s Blog

Carol Moellers ~Carol Moellers Designs

Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs

Michelle Roberts ~Creative Blonde  that’s me !

Gail Sheppard ~Quilting Gail

Jennifer Strauser ~Dizzy Quilter

Jennifer Thomas ~Curlicue Creations

Alison Vermilya ~Little Bunny Quilts

Sandra Walker ~mmm! quilts

Suzy Webster ~Adventerous Applique and Quilting

Janet Yamamoto ~Whispers of Yore

Island Batik Ambassador Unboxing Video…

Its my third year as an Island batik Ambassador, and I’m super excited to of been chosen again…

Every year we receive two boxes of goodies, the first arrives in January and the second have way through the year. Its filled with Beautiful Batik fabrics, and other amazing products from their industry sponsors ; Accuquilt, Schmetz, Auriful and Hobbs.

There are 25 Ambassadors this year, so be sure to follow us all, as we bring you the best from Bali… its sure going to be a year packed full of inspiration and amazing fabrics…

 

Sit back and enjoy my short video – The best from Bali

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Check out all the 2020 Island Batik Ambassadors here…

Carolina Asmussen ~Carolina Asmussen

Megan Best ~ Best Quilter

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter

Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts

Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts

Mania Hatziioannidi~ Mania for Quilts

Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~For the Love of Geese

Leah Malasky~Quilted Delights

Sally Manke ~Sally Manke

Maryellen McAuliffe ~Mary Mack’s Blog

Carol Moellers ~Carol Moellers Designs

Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs

Michelle Roberts ~Creative Blonde  that’s me !

Gail Sheppard ~Quilting Gail

Jennifer Strauser ~Dizzy Quilter

Jennifer Thomas ~Curlicue Creations

Alison Vermilya ~Little Bunny Quilts

Sandra Walker ~mmm! quilts

Suzy Webster ~Adventerous Applique and Quilting

Janet Yamamoto ~Whispers of Yore

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

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Island Batik January Challenge…

January’s Island Batik Ambassador challenge is called ‘Let’s get scrappy’

So what do you make when life gives you scraps… A table runner of course, using the beautiful lattice pattern, its a fantastic way to use up all those cute bits and pieces of fabric you couldn’t bare to throw away.

This table runner is 90″ x 18″, its designed for a 6ft dining table. Its made up of 22 blocks made with the four 2″ squares joined together, and 23 blocks made from four 2 1/2″ blocks separated by the 1″ white strips.

I added a point to each end, and a hand made tassel

I quilted flowers on each block using a bold red thread

Some of these reds and purples were taken from my last years Ambassadors box, and some from this years… I cant wait to show you what arrived in Box 1… be sure to join me here on the 29th January to see my un-boxing video

Check out all the 2020 Island Batik Ambassadors here…

Carolina Asmussen ~Carolina Asmussen

Megan Best ~ Best Quilter

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter

Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts

Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts

Mania Hatziioannidi~ Mania for Quilts

Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~For the Love of Geese

Leah Malasky~Quilted Delights

Sally Manke ~Sally Manke

Maryellen McAuliffe ~Mary Mack’s Blog

Carol Moellers ~Carol Moellers Designs

Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs

Michelle Roberts ~Creative Blonde  that’s me !

Gail Sheppard ~Quilting Gail

Jennifer Strauser ~Dizzy Quilter

Jennifer Thomas ~Curlicue Creations

Alison Vermilya ~Little Bunny Quilts

Sandra Walker ~mmm! quilts

Suzy Webster ~Adventerous Applique and Quilting

Janet Yamamoto ~Whispers of Yore

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

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Island batik Ambassador – November Challenge…

Hello… welcome along to the Island Batik November challenge, this month we have been asked to make a lap quilt or bigger using special quilting tools – rulers, templates and dies.

Earlier this year, all the Island batik Ambassadors received a AccuQuilt ultimate cutting machine  – wow… right!! … I know , I couldn’t believe it either… and oh my goodness, it really is an amazing cutting machine…

As an Island batik Ambassador we receive two huge boxes, filled with gorgeous Batik fabrics, Hobbs batting, and Aurifil threads, twice a year. This year AccuQuilt joined in as a sponsor, and I was blown away with the goodies we received – the Ultimate cutting machine and the dies… So couldn’t resist having a go at using the Cleopatra’s Block…

“90% faster than rotary cutters*, the AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter is one for the quilters, accurately cutting up to six layers of cotton fabric at a time!

With an easy-to-use design, developed to help reduce hand and arm strain, this innovative machine is portable and easy to store – weighing just 15lbs.

The double roller design provides clean cuts, while the rubber feet grip and hold the cutter in place when cutting. But it doesn’t end there – the comfortable roller handle grip is easy and safe, eliminating the aches and pains often caused by using a rotary cutter“

With my fabrics chosen… to be honest with purple and teal being my favourite colours, they literally leaped into my hands, screaming ‘pick me’…

This cutting machine doesn’t just cut up to six layers at a time, but if you look closely you can see the very clever points, which makes matching up your points, a dream.

With beautiful, clear instructions from AccuQuilt, this pattern wasn’t as over whelming as I first thought it was going to be

The Island Batik fabrics I chose for the top quilt were Mosaic Burst, solid black, Fan Mardigras, and Jelly basic in Lilac.

I love the contrast of the black against the vibrant Fan Mardigras and Mosaic Burst fabrics

I decided to create 4 blocks all the same, to create a bold centre to my lap quilt, framing it with the gorgeous jelly basic in Lilac

The backing  I chose was Opal Escence. Finished off with hand made solid black binding. Inside I used the very cosy Hobbs Tuscany 100% wool batting.

An alternative to hand sewing your bias binding, is to machine sew… but have you tried using Gütermann variegated threads… They add a beautiful finished. I’ve used thread colour 4033.

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

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle