Meet Sulaxi.

Thank you, Paul!

Sulaxi is my response to the Island Batik Timeless Traditions Challenge and Blog Hop.  This challenge requires us to make a Lap (or larger) Quilt using the assigned Summer 2025 collection with the following stipulation.

Use any or all of the following classic, traditional blocks! Use a minimum of 5 different blocks in your quilt in any combination and size of the blocks. 

1. Four Patch Quilt Block 
2. Nine Patch Quilt Block
3. Half Square Triangle Block
4. Quarter Square Triangle Block
5. Friendship Star Block
6. Flying Geese Quilt Block
7. Variable Star Quilt Block
8. Ohio Star Quilt Block
9. Nine ...

The October Challenge requires the Island Batik Ambassadors to make a bag using Patterns by Annie. We get to choose the bag and the fabrics.

I chose fabrics from the Garden Glory collection and the Leader of the Pack pattern. Here is my completed bag.

Happy Me!

I am in love with this gorgeous fabric collection by Claudia Pfeil. These rich and warm hues sing to me the most melodious Autumn Symphony.

My chosen fabrics

I chose the bright orange as the main fabric, maroon as coordinating fabric and green as ...

Meet Nirali!

Nirali

Here is the story or TWO WEEKS AGO (imagine you are watching a thriller on Netflix).

Co-sponsored by Aurifil Threads, Island Batik's September Challenge is named Threaded Chaos, requiring us to make a crib-size (or larger) Crazy Quilt, using our assigned Spring 2025 Collection and Aurifil Threads.

When I made a Crazy Quilt the last time, we were not assigned a fabric collection. I chose solids so that the decorative stitching was better visible.  This time, the fabric and threads were not up to us.

I received the Everlasting Collection, designed by Jerry Khiev.

Everlasting Collection ...

This month, the Island Batik Ambassadors are doing something a bit different. We’ve been tasked with creating stuffed Funky Friends, and our sponsor is Funky Friends Factory. Each ambassador has chosen one of their patterns for this challenge. After visiting Scotland last year, I fell in love with Highland Cows, so I decided to make Harmony the Highland Cow.

Next, I needed to choose the fabrics for making this cute cow. I aimed for Harmony to resemble a real Highland Cow as closely as possible. For the main body, I selected the Red Burgundy Mushroom Time from the Fall ...

Island Batik's June Challenge is co-sponsored by Funky Friends Factory. 

I chose Dizzy Dolphin.

Bubbles!

Let's start from the beginning.

I downloaded and printed the pattern. I chose a light and a dark fabric from an older Island Batik collection, called Exuberance. I had used this collection to make Trevor (the quilt with dimples).

2nd fabric in 1st column, 8th fabric in the 2nd column

The dots gave the impression of playful bubbles.

Pattern and Fabrics

The step by step directions were clear and the pattern was easy to make. I used Schmetz 80/12 Microtex needle for ...

Island Batik's April Challenge requires us to make a lap-sized (or larger) quilt using the timeless Drunkard's Path Quilt Block, making sure that the technique used is curved piecing and not applique.

Naturally, many ideas were considered and discarded. I am saving them to a very long list of possible future quilts.

In the end, I chose the quilt block - Moon Over the Mountain. I have been fascinated by this quilt block for a long time. I looked for tutorials and found few but none of them appealed to me.

It was time to design it myself.

Thank ...

Welcome to my stop on the Sunlit Garden Blog Hop. 

I was thrilled when Jennifer Thomas of Curlicue Creations asked whether I would like to join the Sunlit Garden BlogHop.  Of course, I said YES!

Here is my quilt, named Miracle Fish!

Miracle Fish, 60" by 60"

The red and green together is evocative of Christmas, but this collection has vibes of Spring with floral reds and leafy greens. Christmas made me think of Christ and Christ made me think of Fish.

EQ8 Mock-Up

Island Batik's February Challenge and BlogHop requires the ambassadors to use their assigned Fall 2024 collection (I got Radiant Burst) and the Studio 180 Design Tool (I got Wing Clipper) to make a Table Runner or a Bed Runner.

Sounds simple? Yes. But wait there is more.

1. We must make at least 12 units.

2. Use as many fabrics (from the 20 in the collection) as possible.

NOW, we have a challenge :-)

Well, here is my response.

Glowing Front

And I used leftover blocks from Mirabelle to make the backing, so it is two-sided. 

Moody Back

Double-Sided Runner ...

 I am honored and thrilled to return as an Island Batik Ambassador for the year 2025.

We received a generous shipment of fabric from Island Batik and other supplies from industry partners. 

A Very Generous Haul

Here is my Unboxing Video.

The fabrics and products are shown/described below.

Four queen sized batts from Hobbs Batting,  including 100%Wool from Tuscany, Heirloom 80/20 in Natural, Heirloom 80/20 in Black, and 100% Cotton with Scrim Binder.  

Hobbs also sent a bag of stuffing that will be used to make the soft toy from Funky Friends Factory in June.

Thank ...

Island Batik November Challenge requires us to make a Dresden Quilt using our assigned Summer 2024 collection.

Here is my response. I have named it "Like It Or Not" (LION). LION finished at 45" by 46".

Vintage Fans, 45" by 46"

I received Peach Blossom,  an original collection by Claudia Pfeil. 

Fabrics

There are so many options for Dresden Plate designs. I could use a skinny Dresden Ruler (12 degrees) to make 30 blades per circle or a double Dresden (36 degrees) to make 10 wide blades per circle. I chose the 18 degree ruler. 

I wanted to make a ...

Pattern, Fabrics, Zippers, Hardware and more

Interfacing and Stabilizer

Outer Pocket Done!

I started by cutting out fabrics ...

Island Batik's September Challenge and Blog Hop theme is Adventurous Applique and is jointly sponsored by Aurifil Threads.

Here is my response.

Finished!

For this challenge we were to use our assigned Spring 2024 Bundles along with the matching threads provided by Aurifil.

I received Geometric Symphony designed by Jerry Khiev. This collection has beige, fuchsia and navy fabrics in bold geometric prints.  

Geometric Symphony

Aurifil Threads

We knew about the theme of the challenge for months and I had come up with several possible ideas. But when I saw the fabric, I had to discard each one of ...

Island Batik's August Challenge is simple. Make a mini quilt using the fabrics and techniques of your choice in a size not to exceed 24" on any side.

Here is my response #1

Goddess Lakshmi's Feet

It is a simple response to a simple challenge. If you are familiar with Hindu culture, this image needs no explanation. But I want to explain so please humor me.

Goddess Lakshmi is often called the Goddess of Wealth, but that is not entirely correct. She is the Goddess of Prosperity. The difference may seem subtle, but Prosperity includes well-being and happiness ...

Whoever said "Happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end of the road" wasn't making this pattern.

But let's start at the beginning.

In the land of Island Batik, March is Ambassador's Choice Month.  Mine is Lula May. 

EQ8 Design

Lula May

Designed in EQ8, and made with Island Batik's Celebrate Collection, Lula May finished at 62" by 82".

Love this collection!!!

I wanted to step away from square blocks. I designed a rectangular block measuring 12" by 16". The triangle in a square made the basis for the elongated star. The strip pieced alternate block combines the colors used in the stars, using the leftovers and tying the pattern together. 

Design Wall

Alternate Blocks

I used Aurifil Thread to piece ...

Dashing Doors

Dashing Doors is my response to the Island Batik's Log Cabin Challenge and Blog Hop that begins today.  My pun on Door Dash got a huge eye roll from Paul :-)

I received a half-yard bundle of Breezy Collection.  Purples, Greens, Coral and Pink make this a lovely collection.

Breezy Bundle

Light to Dark!

I am excited that I made the cut for 2024. I am one of the 26 brand ambassadors selected by Island Batik. This is where I show off my newest fabrics and supplies generously provided by Island Batik and other industry partners include Schmetz Needles, Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Designs, Hobbs Batting, Oliso Smart Iron and Funky Friends Factory.

Here is the Unboxing Video.

Here are the supplies.

Breezy by Kate Colleran Designs

As the daylight hours decrease and the darkness envelops the northern hemisphere, Hindus all over the world celebrate Diwali - the festival of lights. You may have seen the newish British Prime Minister and his family celebrate Diwali at 10 Downing Street.

I have talked about my Diwali Memories and I made my first Diwali Quilt last year. 

This year when Island Batik gave us the choice to make a quilt project "celebrating" our favorite holiday, I knew instantly that I will be making a Diwali Quilt, using a fabric collection called Celebrate!!! Could there be a more appropriate fabric line ...

Meet Radiance. She is my response to the October challenge.

Radiance!

Let's start from the beginning.

October's Challenge is sponsored by Accuquilt. In our Island Batik Ambassador Box, we received the Accuquilt Block on Board Die - North Carolina Star.

Accuquilt Die for North Carolina Star

Star of North Carolina is a traditional block made with paper-piecing AND partial seams - two of my absolute nemeses ganged up against me!!!

Star of North Carolina in EQ8 Block Library

Fortunately, Accuquilt has simplified the block such that there are no partial seams. However, in doing so the number of fabric pieces ...

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 ...