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

My Island Batik Ambassador boxes are open, lets take a look inside…

I’m thrilled to be an Island Batik Ambassador for the forth year running, and I cant wait to show you all the beautiful fabrics and products I will be using throughout this year… so grab a cuppa and enjoy

We receive boxes twice a year, filled with beautiful batiks and other goodies from our program partners, so be sure to hit the follow button, so you don’t miss anything. There will quilts, bags, home decor item to see, along with patterns, blog hops and prizes to be won along the way.

First up is this beautiful new collection ‘Melody’ designed by Claudia Pfeil of Claudia Pfeil Designs.

I have some gorgeous light and dark Blenders to use with the pre-cut strips

Aurifil Thread is one of the Island Batik program sponsors

They have sent 7 spools of thread in two weights

50 wt and 40 wt. – colours are listed below

50 wt is a general all-purpose thread, for quilting, piecing and machine applique.

40 wt is a slightly thicker thread, for machine applique and embroidery

I have some more beautiful fabrics to show you… I think these are my favourite so far, a collection called ‘Jewel Quest’ designed by Kathy Engle for Nan Baker of Purrfect Spots.

Another program sponsor is Hobbs Batting, and this year we received 4 Queen size wadding bundles.

Heirloom premium 100% natural cotton batting.

Heirloom premium 80/20 cotton/poly blend in natural

Heirloom premium 80/20 cotton/poly blend in black

Poly down batting

Some beautiful stash builders, just love those oranges

Next up is Schmetz Needles, they are another program sponsor, and they sent a selection of their Chrome Professional grade needles, along with some other goodies.

Solids are great for making your prints pop, and we received 4 yards of Island Batik black, white and grey

AccuQuilt are another program sponsor, and they sent me a new Die for the AccuQuilt cutting machine ‘ Hattie’s Choice’.

We are filling the whole month of June with projects we create with our new dies.

An array of beauty, with these Island Batik Blenders, Basics and Solids

Did you know Island Batik did Rayon?

Super soft, and perfect for clothing that drapes

New collection ‘Mystery’ designed by Claudia Pfeil of Claudia Pfeil Designs.

Don’t miss February blog hop with a giveaway

Look at these stunning fabrics, I cant wait to use them in my February Quilt.

Available in the shops this February

Can you keep a secret???

Come back in May for Island Batik Blog Hop, and I will share with you the new collection designed by Kathy Engle for Sherry Shish of Powered by Quilting.

Be sure to visit all the Island Batik Ambassadors to see the new Winter collections.

Available in the shops from May.

Here is a list of this years Island Batik Ambassadors, be sure to follow their blogs

Megan Best ~ Bestquilter

Pamela Boatright ~ Pamelaquilts

Elizabeth DeCroos ~ Epida Studio

Jennifer Eubank ~ Archipelago Quilting

Jennifer Fulton ~ The Inquiring Quilter

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts

Jane Hauprich – Stitch By Stitch Custom

QuiltingConnie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese

Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights

Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke, Fiber Artist

Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia

Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

Brianna Roberts ~ Sew Cute And Quirky

Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde that’s me!

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail

Andi Stanfield ~ True Blue Quilts

Jennifer Thomas ~ CurliCue Creations

Suzy Webster ~ WebsterQuilt

Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore

Thanks for stopping by, here is a little video I put together of all the beautiful fabrics and products I received from Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, AccuQuilt and Auriful Thread.

Island Batik VideoDownload

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

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

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 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

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

Christmas in July – Island batik Ambassador challenge…

Welcome along to my Christmas in  July project, this months challenge was all about using the AccuQuilt GO! Me Fabric Cutter Starter Set and the 2 dies included.  

 

We have been asked to give away our project, along with the GO! Me Fabric Cutter Starter Set (which we received in our ambassador boxes) to someone special,  or a quilting friend in my community who would benefit from the GO! Me, or someone i know that has expressed interest in beginning to quilt, but has yet to try AccuQuilt products… so I’m going to do a giveaway, as sadly I don’t know any other local quilter – Watch this space…

‘AccuQuilt is re-releasing their GO! Me Fabric Cutter Starter Set, a small version of their GO! Fabric Cutter that includes a GO! Half Square Triangle-3” Finished Square and GO! Quarter Square Triangle-3” Finished Square. The GO! Me Fabric Cutter Starter Set is ideal for a quilter who is looking for a tool that provides fast, accurate and safe cuts in an ultra-portable and completely affordable package for quilts and applique. It is perfect for a quilter who is interested in trying out our product, the occasional quilter, quilters with small spaces or those who quilt while traveling.’

 

• Ultra portable – allows quilters to take the GO! Me with them anywhere
• New quilter gains confidence in their art form faster
• Elevates workmanship of the quilter
• Same cutting performance as the GO! – Fast, Accurate, Easy and Safe
• Includes two GO! Dies, cutting mat and pattern book
• A great gift for any quilter

My table runner is made using the Island batik collection ‘Seasons Splendor’ by Kathy Engle, along with some white and black solids.

I added a simple boarder to the smaller block, to make them all 6″ squares

Finished off with simple quilting, and hand binded using Island batik solid black

I can just imagine my table runner on the table this Christmas with candles and a plate of mince pies

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my Christmas in July project, I decided to give my project away to my very special mum, she is into mixed media – take a look at her Instagram page here www.instagram.com/shirleyceramics/

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 May Blog Hop, plus Giveaway…

Welcome along to the May blog hop, this month we get to use our ‘surprise’ fabrics, they are new fabrics from the Winter 2019 collections.

I received ‘Northern Lights designed by Kathy Brett Engle for Island Batik.

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–> See the full collection here <–

Be sure to check out all the Island Batik Ambassadors to see which new collections they are using, see what they’ve made, and be in with a chance of winning some fabulous fabrics along the way. See the full list of Ambassadors at the end of the post.

The challenge this month was to make something for the home…wall hangings, cushions, rugs, linens, and decorative craft projects like bowls, wreaths, lampshades and baskets.  I choose to make a cushion cover, and as the collection is called ‘Northern Lights’, I wanted to create something that looked like stars. I decided to use my periwinkle paper piece sets from www.linapatchwork.com/.

The 9 fabrics I chose from the collection were…

Tossed feathers – cotton Candy

Sun – Hot Pink

Saskatoon – Berry

Vertical feathers – waterfall

Star – Lilac

Beads – Blackberry

Triangle – Merlot

Star – Mystical Berry

Triangle – Tournaline

 

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After removing the papers, I machine sewed them to the cushion cover (rice – neutral) using a silver metallic thread from Gutermann.

My backing fabric was Tossed feathers – midnight blue

Here is my finished ‘Northern Lights’ Cushion Cover…

Island batik are giving you the chance to win this incredible bundle of fabric ,this time they will select TWO winners, each getting a FQ River Valley pack each.

–> Enter Here <–

I’m hosting a little giveaway of my own, I want you to be in with a chance of winning 4 half yard bundles from this gorgeous collection… I’m giving away; Blanket Diamonds in Iris, Tossed feathers in Midnight blue, Star in Pool and Blanket diamond in Universe.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

To enter to win, simply click on my Rafflecopter link below…

(Please note these are two separate giveaways)

–> Enter My Competition Here <–

Congratulation to Michelle @peetmichelle, you have won my giveaway 🙂

Below is a list of all the other Ambassadors taking part in the blog hop, I’m so excited to see what everyone is going to make with the new 2019 Winter collections

May 4:

Janet Yamamoto American Frontier

Carol Moellers American Frontier

May 5:

Carolina Asmussen Cascadia

Suzy Webster Cascadia

May 6:

Megan Best Glacier View

Emily Leachman Glacier View

May 7:

Connie Kauffman Nordic Nature

Denise Looney Nordic Nature

Week 2:

May 11:

Pamela Boatright Northern Lights

Michelle Roberts Northern Lights

May 12:

Leah Malasky River Valley

Sandra Walker River Valley

May 13:

Gail Sheppard Santa Fe

Maryellen McAuliffe Santa Fe

May 14:

Vasudha Govindan Season’s Splendor

Carla Henton Season’s Splendor

Week 3:

May 18:

Jennifer Thomas Smooch

Joanne Hart Smooch

May 19:

Mania Hatziioannidi Sundance

Sally Manke Sundance

May 20:

Jennifer Fulton Whispering Feathers

Jennifer Strauser Whispering Feathers

May 21:

Alison Vermilya Winter Forest

Sharon Riley Winter Forest

Week 4:

May 25:

Gail Renna Wonderland

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