This month the Island Batik Ambassadors were asked to do a Winter Wonderland project. We could do whatever we wanted using the lovely fabrics of Island Batik. Well around the holiday season, I do love Christmas projects, but usually never have enough time!
Not so this year, I finally got to make some lovely fabric snowflakes that I had seen Jennifer Bosworth make on YouTube. I was not disappointed. I made two, but plan on making more as they are so much fun. Actually they are just like cats - you can't have just one!
So here are a few of the steps and then the snowflakes!
I chose my fabrics and then followed the simple steps! See below!
Aren't they pretty? Thank you for stopping by and hope you have a Merry Christmas!
This month the Island Batik Ambassadors are having a Pumpkin Fest! First of all, who doesn't love pumpkins? Their size, their unique shapes, their colors are just too much fun!
I personally love pumpkins especially pumpkin lattes, pumpkin scones, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie (I think you get the idea). So I was delighted with this month's theme.
I used wonderful fabrics from Island Batik that just scream pumpkin. Look at all these beautiful shades.
I thought of a lot of different designs, but decided on this one! It is called "Gibbs in the Pumpkin Patch."
Here is a closer view.
And still another view. Don't you just love how all the pumpkins are not only unique in size, but in color as well?
There is one other thing that is unique about this picture and that is Gibbs, my cat. Do you see that his left ear is tipped?
This is Gibbs and he is a feral cat. His left ear has been tipped which told me that he had been fixed as eartipping is an effective and universally accepted method to identify a spayed or neutered and vaccinated community cat. He just appeared in my neighborhood one day. I have been working with him for a year.
It has been very trying at times because he has been very slow to trust me, but he is slowly coming around.
I thought he would be a "Purrfect" addition to my Pumpkin Fest design as it would be just like him to be in the Pumpkin Patch at night under the full moon. I haven't quilted this yet as I really like it and I want to make sure I quilt it the right way. Getting ready for International Quilt Market in Houston next week hasn't given me much time and I don't want to rush. So I will share when I do get it quilted later this year. I hope you will share your favorite pumpkin treats and also tell me any stories about your kitties.
October is national Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog
Month and some quilt industry professionals are partnering with the Petfinder Foundation to create
awareness of Shelter Dogs (and Cats) that need “ furrever” homes. It is an
unusual combination but one that is working beautifully to help our furry
friends.
Armando from Missouri
These quilters are animal lovers and are helping shelter animals in
ways that are new and unique.
So join us
in the October Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month
and see how we are helping and how you can help.
We invite you to “Piece for Shelter Pets”.
It all began
with The Quilt Pattern Magazine (TQPM) who partnered with the Petfinder Foundation to form the TQPM Small
Kennel Quilt Team after Hurricane Sandy. TQPM helped animal shelters in New York and New Jersey affected
by disasters by sending Kennel Quilts for the displaced animals. Since then the
program has continued to grow and over 8000 Kennel Quilts have been sent to shelters
all over the US and Canada. There are over 900 members on the TQPM Small Kennel
Quilt Team. Join our Team here!
Our little “SpokesKitty”
Pretty Girl is an HSPPR (The Humane Society of the
Pikes Peak Region) adoptee photographed on her Kennel Quilt during the 2013
Colorado fires! Who could resist that sweet face?
There are so many stories about Kennel Quilts and I
wish I could share them all but you would be reading forever. The Kennel Quilts
bring joy not only to the furry friends, but to the shelter staff and the
volunteers. They see warm comfy bright “spots” all around during traumatic times. It also lets
the shelter staff know that they are not the forgotten victims as sometimes animals are.
Making the Kennel Quilts brings joy to the quilters as they are joining a
larger effort to help their
animal friends in times of need by doing what they love.
Toby from Colorado
They say pictures are worth a thousand words, so here are
some that show Kennel Quilts and the happy recipients from shelters all over
the United States. These are just a few of many.
Eunice from New York
Onyx from Missouri
Socks from New York
Pug from Texas
Ori and Ziggy from Louisiana
Puppy from Pennsylvania
To help with
this endeavor, Aurifil Theads became
the first partner and offered a Small Kennel Quilt Thread Kit with Pretty Girl
on the cover. The threads are all pet colors which are neutrals.
They will be
introducing two more Thread Collections at the International Quilt Market in
Houston this month. A portion of sales goes to the Petfinder Foundation.
Holly from Canada
Gary from Italy
Bernina of America was the next partner and created a special
edition Best Friends sewing machine featuring paw prints on the face plate. They have donated
$30,000 to the Petfinder Foundation from the sales of the machine.
Island Batik has joined in the partnership and is introducing two new animal fabric lines at
International QuiltMarket. A portion of their sales will go to the Petfinder Foundation.
Fifi and Fido Kennel Quilt
Happy Hounds Kennel Quilt
Quilty Box is making
up special TQPM Kennel Quilt boxes and the Petfinder Foundation will be the
recipient of a portion of their sales.
Benartex has jumped onboard and will introduce new fabrics
at International Quilt Market which will benefit the Petfinder Foundation.
The Joey Collection
All these
companies are sending the same message that Shelter Animals need our help and
we can “Piece for Shelter Pets” to bring them some peace during a tough time in
their life.
There are so
many shelter animals that want a home. This is a great time to check with your local shelter for your
“furrever” friend or you can check out Petfinder.com.
However if you can’t adopt at this time, there are numerous other ways to help as you can see by our blogsPlease join
us in this effort and Remember to Adopt –don’t shop!
We hope you will read all the stories from the different
companies.
The schedule is below:
Blog Hop Schedule:
10/5 – The Quilt Pattern Magazine/Nan Baker of Purrfect Spots
Welcome to the Island Batik Bountiful Table Toppers Hop! This is the September Hop and since this is the last day of September, I am coming in under the wire!
As an Island Batik Ambassador, we are sent an assortment of lovely fabrics and then given a theme to follow each month. While we have had some lovely and wonderful projects all year long, the autumn season is my favorite. Do you see the bundle of fabric in the left corner with the orange?
I love all the wonderful colors that burst upon the scene from the leaves to the pumpkins to the chrysanthemums. It is harvest time and the season when crops are gathered from the fields. Many of those crops end up on our tables, so we need a table topper for that purpose. It is kind of like the finishing touch, the icing on the cake, etc.
So with the bundle of fabric with the orange on the top, I designed my Bountiful Table Topper. Here is a closer look so you can see the gorgeous fabrics. I felt they were just "purrfect" for this project.
I designed a block leaf pattern several years ago so thought I would use that as these colors look like leaves to me. Don't you agree? I had thought about making place mats as they are table toppers, but then decided to go with the table runner.
And here it is? What do you think?
There is a tutorial available for the block and the link is below.
It is time once again for a fabulous blog hop from the Island Batik Ambassadors! There are so many great projects and you won't want to miss a single one! But that is not all, as there will be giveaways of lovely Island Batik fabrics and patterns to some lucky winners. I will be sharing all the details, so keep reading!
I have looked forward to this hop for several reasons as I leave near the seaside and I also live near Seaside on the beautiful Emerald Coast of Florida! So this is going to be a fun hop to share!
Now to get in the mood, we need some ocean waves. So click on the link below and listen while you look. Just to let you know these sounds last more than an hour so enjoy!
Aren't they beautiful? I just love all the browns, greens, oranges, etc.
Here is the box with lots of goodies! Note the fishnet fabric!
And more goodies!
But this was a real challenge for me as the Emerald Coast looks like this. I wasn't exactly sure how I could come up with a Seaside theme with these colors! Granted, we have the grass on the dunes, but that isn't the real attraction here, is it?
After much thought, I finally realized that there are certain times of the year when we get Seaweed in our lovely gulf. It has all the various shades of browns, greens and even some rusts. That was it and so I introduce mySeaweed Swirl.
Now I ran out of one of the light greens as I had used some in another quilt. But I found a green that was just "purrfect" to take its place from one other of their collections. That is one of the great things about Island Batik fabrics - they blend so well with each other!Here is another view on a Sand Dune! Very appropriate since it uses that collection!
Seaweed Swirl measures approximately 40" x 40".
Here it is against some driftwood on the beach. Don't you love our "sugar white" sand? It is a good backdrop for this quilt as it makes the white fabric in the quilt really pop.
I would like to thank Tyler K. Miles of TKM Designs for the photographs of the quilts on the beach.
I have to add that some of the fabrics in this design look like fishnet. (See the top fabric in the box near the beginning of this post.) It is great for this quilt, but it is not great for marine life. It can get twisted in seaweed among other things and be a real hazard for our marine animal friends. Please be respectful and help protect our marine life, seas and sands. Leave only footprints behind. Thank you.
Now
after some time on the beach, you are ready for something cool with some snacks! That ocean air really makes you hungry!
I suggest a tall glass of Ice Tea with some Tortilla Chips and Salsa. And we have a wonderful recipe for Salsa. This is our neighbor's recipe and it is the best!We call it "Jack's Salsa".
1 large can whole peeled tomatoes 2 medium sweet onions 4 large stalks of celery 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar 1/3 cup white vinegar 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh cilantro (optional) - we don't use it as I don't like cilantro 1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno peppers with seeds (more or less to your taste)
Use food processsor. 1. Drain juice from tomatoes into a large mixing bowl. 2. Place tomatoes in food processor and chop (medium). 3. Pour chopped tomatoes into mixing bowl. 4. Peel onion, cut into quarters and chop (medium) in processor. Add to mixing bowl. 5. Cut celery into large pieces and chop (medium) in processor. Add to mixing bowl. 6. Remove stems for jalapeno peppers, cut in half and chop to relish size in processor. Add to mixing bowl. 7. Add salt, sugar, vinegar and cilantro (if you use it) to mixing bowl. 8. Stir mixture in bowl and make sure all ingredients are mixed together. 9. Let stand about 10 minutes and add more seasonings or peppers to taste. 10. Place salsa in glass jars with lid and store in refrigerator. 11. When chilled, serve with chips and Enjoy! Now for those fun details: Please leave a comment on my blog and be sure I have your email as I will be giving away 3 of my "Copper Clockworks" patterns using the Sand Dune Collection. This quilt was introduced at Spring Quilt Market.
I hope you enjoyed your trip to my ocean. Thank you for stopping by and Good Luck in winning some of the wonderful prizes. I wish only gentle sea breezes for you. Below is a link where you can sign up for some lovely fabric bundles from Island Batik plus a list of all the Island Batik Ambassadors and the days they will be sharing their blogs. Here is a complete line up of our blog hop.
