Wednesday, April 27, 2016

April Showers for Island Batik

I just love being an Island Batik Ambassador as there is always a challenge for creativity. Every month this year, we are given a theme for a quilt or project and we are to run with it.
It has been so nice as I feel I am being pushed (in a good way) to try new things. I am learning so much finding that "old dogs can learn new tricks". For those that don't know, I am very much an animal lover so this is a compliment.

When I received my new fabrics at the beginning of the year, I had no idea what they would turn out to be, but when I got this theme for April, there was no question of what I had to do. 


Do you see those wonderful blue fabrics? They are from the Tinsel Collection. Do you see the way the fabrics are featured? 
It looked like rain and it gave me a great idea!











 The colors were just "purrfect" for this quilt.













Now there are some snowflakes in this collection, but I think it is very fitting as this April has had a lot of snow for many here in the USA. I also used some fabrics from some of their other collections as well.









I started with 1 1/2" strips and started sewing them together and I didn't match the strips as I wanted to give the illusion of falling rain. This is on my fabric wall. Please pardon all my threads on the bare space.







So I kept going and I ended up with my quilt which I am calling "Getting out of Harm's Way".
What do you think?



Here is Mama Duck with three little ducklings.  The one right behind her is a little girl with a pink umbrella. 






 

A little boy is next and he looks like he has been splashing in mud puddles. He is made with the Sea Salt Sandy Collection as is the grass.  He is being followed by his brother. Can you see the snowflakes in some of the fabrics behind the ducks?
The reason I named my quilt "Getting out of Harm's Way" is because it is important to be prepared in case you have to evacuate from your house. And when you prepare, you need to also make provisions for your pets as well. As a former member of the Disaster Animal Response Team for The Humane Society of the United States, I know how important this preparation can be. I have written a plan called The CASEY Plan (Caring for Animals Safely in Emergencies during the Year). Please feel free to download it and share with your friends who have pets and even those who don't. Hurricane season is right around the corner starting June 1 so it is good to make arrangements now and have a plan in place. 

So I am hoping these little ducks with their mom will encourage you to make a plan. Thank you for stopping by. And may all your April Showers bring May Flowers!

All of the Island Batik Ambassadors are posting April Showers projects on their blogs. You don't want to miss any of the projects. The list of the Island Batik Ambassadors and their blogs are below. 


April Showers Ambassador Posts