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Thursday, October 29, 2020

Framed - Island Batik Ambassador October Challenge

 The October Challenge for the Island Batik Ambassadors is

Thread Painting with Aurifl
and
today I am excited to share
Framed.


As Island Batik Ambassadors,
we received Aurifil 50 weight cotton thread in our second ambassador box
to use in this month's challenge.


My decision on what to use was made easy because the threads I received matched
the fabrics from the Island Batik Spring 2020 collection,
William's Garden, designed by Kathy Engle.


These fabrics should be in your favorite local quilt shop now
and the 50 weight Aurifil threads are (left to right)
#2021, #2545, #2692, #1148, and #2890.


The blocks are Hawaiian applique designs from Electric Quilt 7
that I printed and cut out with HeatnBond EZ Print Lite. (no tracing!)


Next, I framed the blocks with Island Batik Foundations Solid in White
and "painted" thread "frames" with black (#2692) Aurifl thread.


Once the frames were finished, I stitched them together and added a pieced border.
The top was spray basted and pinned with Hobbs Premium Heirloom Wool batting in the middle
I chose wool batting to show off the stitching of the frames a bit more
and
the quilting went super smooth with a


I stitched the frames one more time and free motion quilted all the blocks with my Aurifil threads


This direct sunlight picture really shows the quilting.


Framed is a 24" x 24" wall hanging and takes me back to vacation time
 and visiting quilt shops in Hawaii.


This month's Ambassador challenge was a lot of fun.
I always enjoy creatin' with thread and Aurifil makes it easy with all the colors and weights.


Check out the 
2020 Island Batik Ambassadors
HERE.

Monday, October 26, 2020

From the Heart Blog Hop - A Gift from My Heart

 Welcome to the first day of the
From the Heart Blog Hop.

I'm happy to kick things off with
my
Pink Remember Bear.


Carol of Just Let Me Quilt invited bloggers to make a small gift that you would give to someone and share a pattern, tutorial, or link if you have one for the gift idea.

Thank you, Carol, for inviting me to join this super fun blog hop!


This has been a very tough year for all of us.
When the pandemic shut down happened, I was scheduled for my annual
mammogram and had to cancel it.  Now it's way overdue and it's time to schedule it, but the covid numbers are so high here that I keep putting off going anywhere.

The gift from my heart to YOU is this pink Memory Bear that I'm calling a Remember Bear.
I hope you aren't like me and you have had your annual check-up.
But if you haven't, this is a gentle reminder.
It's October and it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.


Think of my Pink Remember Bear and schedule your mammogram today.

To make my bear, I gathered all my pink Island Batik fabrics and the pattern is the


I just love stitching Pauline's Funky Friends Factory soft toys
and this one was super fun to do.  
All the toys are so super cute.
Pauline's patterns are clear and easy to follow with checkboxes as you go.


During the lockdown, Pauline gave away the Calico Memory Bear pattern for free.
In fact, she still has the info on her blog HERE.
She is super generous and has great tutorials on her blog to help with all her patterns.

This bear is not small.  
It sits 12 1/2" tall from the table.  If you stretched his legs he would be over 16" tall. The perfect size, really.


Remember to take care of yourself!


Be sure to check out all the From the Heart projects over at these blogs today:

October 26

Creatin' in the Sticks - YOU ARE HERE :)

Ms P Designs USA

Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel

Websterquilt

Selina Quilts

Cynthia's Creating Ark

Quilting Gail

Scrapdash

Ridge Top Quilt

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

That Fabric Feeling

Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

Here is the rest of the schedule:

 October 27

MooseStashQuilting

Just Because Quilts

Day Brook Designs

Karen's Korner

Quilt Schmilt

Kathy's Kwilts and More

Karrin’s Crazy World

Words & Stitches

Vroomans Quilts

Sew Many Yarns

Songbird Designs

Samelia's Mum

 October 28

Just Let Me Quilt

Quiltscapes

Beaquilter

Seams To Be Sew

Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

Bumbleberry Stitches

Days Filled With Joy

Quilted Delights

Den Syende Himmel

Life in the Scrapatch

Storied Quilts

Kathleen McMusing

Food for Thought


I'm sure by the end of the blog hop, you will have more ideas than time.
There is so much talent in this line-up.

Giveaway Time!

I have 2 Island Batik stash builders of pink strips left
and
I would love to send them to one of you!
(bear not included)

UPDATE:  Congrats to Shirley as the winner of the Giveaway!


I'm covering the postage so this giveaway is limited to U.S. only.  (sorry)
Entries are open until November 2nd
I'll announce the winner by November 3rd.

You'll never regret giving from your heart and a stuffed softy is perfect for everyone.






Friday, October 16, 2020

Scary Cat - Digital Embroidery Pattern

 There's another Scary Cat in town.

That's right, Scary Cat has a digital twin.

photo by Chantell Creations

Chantell of Chantell's Creations has digitized 
Scary Cat
for all embroidery enthusiasts.

Chantell has 2 versions,
Applique or Free Standing 5" x 7" and/or 8" x 8".

photo by Chantell Creations

Chantell offers many formats and has an
 introductory special right now

Just in time for you to have Scary Cat for Halloween.

It's been a lot of fun working with Chantell 
and
 I see a few of her digital quilting patterns in my future.



You can find the original Scary Cat
mini quilt post and pattern information by clicking HERE.

If you want digital, click HERE.

SCARY CAT 
is perfect
in my
Halloween infested home.
Don't you want him in yours too?







Monday, October 5, 2020

Vintage Inspired SCARY CAT Mini Wall Quilt

 Halloween is one of my favorite reasons to decorate the house and porch.

I love stitching Halloween too!

Today I have a free tutorial and pattern to share.


SCARY CAT is a feature over at
today.

I've been so inspired by the vintage Halloween decor I've been seeing
and
wanted to stitch my own.


Scary Cat is 9" x 14" 
and 
is appliqued with


No tracing, the pattern is ready to print.

SCARY CAT
is the perfect complement to the witch stuffy I made last month.


Get the free pattern and tutorial
on the 

UPDATE:

photo by Chantell Creations

Chantell of Chantell's Creations has digitized 
Scary Cat
for all embroidery enthusiasts.
Chantell has 2 versions,
Applique or Free Standing 5" x 7" and/or 8" x 8".

SCARY CAT is comfy in my 
Halloween infested home.
Don't you want him in yours too?