What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

The September Island Batik Challenge and Blog Hop is called Pieced to Perfection. We were required to make a paper-pieced project at least lap sized, using as many different fabrics as possible from our assigned collection.

I received Chromatic. It is an original collection designed by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs.

Chromatic Bundle

Chromatic Fabrics

Bromeliad Garden

I chose "The Palm" block from EQ8 Block Library (under Old favorites). 

The on-point layout uses 24 blocks. I used 21 (out of the 22) fabrics from the Chromatic collection. I used three fabrics ...

School is back in session, so I've lost all my excuses for not finishing things! Here are two of my three grandkids (Lilli is WAY too grown up to stand still for "first day of school" pics) this morning as they got ready to go...

I’ve just finished a couple more really good books that I want to share with you. I’m also repeating a couple of reviews that I did prior to the book’s publication date, and two that I just have to mention again on a dedicated book review post in case you missed them buried in a chat post. Read on, there’s a giveaway today too!

The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan – Historical fiction story of overcoming the austerity of rationing in 1941 England. Four women of disparate backgrounds enter a cooking contest to get the most of ...

We've finally arrived at the end of this year's Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge, and you all did such an excellent job!  At my final count, we had 106 active participants (those who made it all the way to the end of the Challenge), and you all created an amazing number of quilts!  Do you want to know how many?

Marrying someone from halfway across the globe has its perks.  There is always something new to learn. Recently Paul introduced me to the Addams Family.  I fell in love with Wednesday and she is the inspiration for my May project! 

Wednesday Mock-Up in EQ8

Welcome to week eight of this year's Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge!  I've got lots of info to pass on in this post, so be sure to read all the way through, ok?  First off, it's time for another check-in, where you can show off your progress, and cheer others on.  There'll be a link-up for that at the end of this post.  

We've also got an other great guest blogger today - Leanne of Devoted Quilter.  Leanne's been a long-time supporter of the Challenge, and always has something interesting to share.  She's ...

Welcome to Block Mania!! This month’s theme is all about friendship. There are some really cute blocks in this link package, so follow the links on the list below to build the perfect quilt. I have a special treat for you, so keep reading until the end. I went a little deep in thought for my block this month. As I pondered the meaning of friends, how important they are, and how people come in and out of our lives at different points, my block appeared. I just love it. As a modern maker, I took a different approach ...

It was a heavy lift. The net was bursting with a huge catch. 

It took a lot of effort to haul it out of the river.

Ooh it is heavy...

The fish wriggled and pulled against the net and Paul struggled. 

Paul struggled

And finally managed!

Such a proud angler Paul is!!! Now, you may think that catching all these fish on the banks of Potomac is a load of bull. But honestly, it is a fishy story :-D

The one that got away...

Well, here is the true back ...

 I used a random number generator to pick the giveaway winner:  KAWeed  (Though her post came as "anonymous" she included her email, per the giveaway qualifications.)   

# # # # # #

 I tried on-point.  I cut setting triangles and ...

Five weeks in!  Can you believe it?  Seems like we just started this year's Challenge, but things are rolling right along.  We've got several things going on this week, but let's start with the most important one first. 

Today we are welcoming another guest blogger - Nann from With Strings Attached!  Spend just a few minutes on her blog and you'll realize she's a prolific quilter - but she's also a librarian.  Librarians have a special place in my heart, especially these days.  Some of my best times as a child were spent in ...

Designing for the May/June 2023 Issue of Quiltmaker Magazine, I chose the fabric line Celebrate. Designed by Kathy Engle, this fabric line will be available in stores in May 2023.

Imagine my surprise when the magazine was published in March 2023.  It is Island Batik's guidance to release patterns as close to the fabric availability as possible. If the fabric is not available (at the time of pattern release or shortly thereafter), then it feels like a tease or even a torture, especially when the fabric is this gorgeous!!!

For this reason, I have been slow/reluctant to ...

Something awesome happened!! I talked about it on Instagram, but haven’t shared it here on my blog. I am one of seven Michael Miller brand ambassadors. It is so exciting! A big box of fabric was delivered a few weeks ago, and I have been busy trying to decide what designs I will take from idea to written pattern. I think I have narrowed down my list to about five. Fingers crossed I will get to them all written soon.

As I was fretting about getting something new out. I decided to take a breath and make another version ...

Welcome to the first Island Batik challenge and blog hop of the year 2023. 

I received Exuberance collection. This is an original collection by Deb Tucker of Studio 180 Designs.

Like most of the ambassadors, I had the same question - what is a puff quilt and how do I make it? I watched about half a dozen videos on the YouTube and made a list.

A list of all the things I ...

Wish you a very happy 2023!

I have news. Island Batik has selected a new slate of ambassadors for 2023.  And I am honored to have made the cut.

Here is a link to the Unboxing video.

Testing the set-up - Looking good!

Welcome All!! Today I have a special treat for you. This is the latest creation in my Garden Star Quilt Series. I am so excited for you to meet Garden Star 5, the Quilt Pattern. This is a pattern release day, so get ready for some fun!! We have a lot of things to talk about, so let’s get to it.

The Garden Star 5 Design

My Garden Star Quilt series is a unique and fun way to celebrate the simplicity of a half-square triangle. They are one of my go ways to make a larger and more impactful ...