Joyful in July +TGIFF

It is July and the dog days of summer are upon us. 

Me: Must be time for Christmas!
Paul: Christmas? In July?
Me: Christmas in July. It is a statement, not a question.
Paul: Christmas in July is a thing?
Me: For quilters, yes it is. This is when we start our Christmas projects to have them completed by the holiday.

Meet Joyful.

Joyful

This pattern was published in the Special Christmas Publication by Annie's Attic Quilting. 

Published

Special Publication

Nine Festive Projects

Originally designed with black accents, Joyful finishes at 51" by 53". Bright yellow replaced black in the actual quilt.

The Mock-Up in EQ8

I used leftover fabrics from Island Batik collections and Foundations. The background as well as the  binding is Solid White.  The batting for Joyful was provided (so very generously) by Hobbs. I used Thermore - it is my favorite, light batting. 

Red and Green Island Batik Fabrics

The stars are slightly improv resulting in uneven points for a twinkling effect. Do you see it?                    

It wouldn't be Christmas without a twinkle.

Work in progress

Setting Triangles

I completed, photographed and sent Joyful to Annie's last year. It was published recently but it is only now that the publication is available online. It is a good thing I am a patient person (AHEM)!

Honestly, there is so much going on at any time that there is no time to dwell upon any one thing. And if I must dwell upon anything (or anyone), it would be my model :-)

Beautiful Day, on the banks of Potomac

It is not a surprise that he does the same, sometimes catching me mid-shot.

Seriously, Paul?

I am Joyful

Do you have any holiday projects in the works?  Do let me know.

In other news (and there is plenty), I completed my Orange RSC blocks for June. Here they are in their juicy goodness.

Angela has announced that the color for July is Purple. I have gathered my Island Batik Purple scraps. 

Purple for July - Island Batik Scraps

We have received our Island Batik Ambassador boxes, the goodies and supplies for the second half of the year. I will be showing off those beauties soon in both still and video format. That blogpost is next. Stay tuned.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Angela's. See full list on the sidebar.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Bubbles (Dizzy Dolphin)

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 all the machine stitching.

In the process - Marked the Eye

The swish of the tail

The fins and the tail were stuffed first and set aside. Hobbs had provided (in addition to all the batting) a bag of polyester bonded fibers for this exact purpose.

Stuffing for Toys, by Hobbs

It may not seem like it, by the Dolphin needed a lot of stuffing. Slowly, first easing into the farthest corners and then adding some more, till I could stuff no more.

Stuffing

I used a larger black circle and a smaller green circle to make the eye and stitched with Black Aurifil thread in 12wt wool.

And here she is. 

Completed!

She is cute and look at all those bubbles she is blowing. Hence I have named her Bubbles :-) even though Pauline calls her Dizzy Dolphin.

Paul decided to model with Bubbles.

Paul & Bubbles

A few more shots trying to capture the different angles.

Atop the mailbox

Deep Sea Diving

Resting in the Pool

So fun!

Many thanks to Island Batik,  Funky Friends Factory, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz needles and Aurifil Thread for supplying product to make this project.

In other news, I completed the Green blocks for the Rain Scrap Challenge (May). 

Green RSC Blocks for May

June is Orange, said Angela. I have already chosen the fabrics. Look at these yummy Island Batiks.

Orange Fabrics for June

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the side bar.

Honi

Welcome to my stop on the Island Batik + Accuquilt Irish Chain BlogHop. 

Directive - Create a stunning quilt using the GO! Irish Chain Die from AccuQuilt!

Here is my response!

A Stunning Finish, as requested!

But let's start at the beginning. 

The Challenge

These fabrics should be available in stores in May 2025.

Fusion  by Jerry Khiev for Swan Amity Studios

Inspiration Board

Accuquilt Die to make 10" Finished Irish Chain Block

EQ8 Designs and so many of them.

Dull

Meh

Whatever

I have always used the Irish Chain as an alternate block, not the focus block. Naturally, I was stumped. May be try using it as an alternate block...

Slightly Better (Alternate Stars)

Maybe (Alternate Trees)

When everything else fails, put the blocks on point.

Far from Stunning

It was time to think outside the BOB (Block on Board). The Accuquilt Irish Chain Die cuts these four shapes:

Shape A Square: 3 7/8"W x 3 7/8"H (9.8 cm x 9.8 cm), 
Shape B Square: 2 1/4"W x 2 1/4"H (5.7 cm x 5.7 cm), 
Shape C Rectangle: 3 7/8"W x 2 1/4"H (9.8 cm x 5.7 cm), 
Shape D Rectangle: 7 1/4"W x 2 1/4"H (18.4 cm x 5.7 cm).

Using these shapes, and keeping the overall size the same, can I come up with anything else? After some trial and error, I got here.

EQ8 Block, with Units A, B and C from the GO! Die

And here is the mock-up.

Finally!!! I had a winner. It doesn't look like a traditional Irish Chain. Will I be scolded for not making a "Traditional" Irish Chain? But it was certainly Stunning :-)

First Block Cut

First Block Completed!

Full Steam Ahead!

Piecing in Progress

Secondary Design Emerging!

Basting

Cotton Batting from Hobbs

Binding

I used Schmetz Microtex Needle 80/12 for both piecing and quilting. I used Aurifil 50 wt for piecing and 40 wt for quilting. The batting is Hobbs Natural Cotton with Scrim Binder. I used Oliso Iron to press seams open. The background, border and binding is made with Island Batik Neutral Meringue. I used 18 out of the 20 fabrics in the collection.

I used my Walking Foot to quilt squiggly lines, following the seams.

Lights, Cameras, Action! And lots of Wind!!!

You are a Beauty!

Best Model Ever!

I really, really wanted a reflection shot, but neither the sun nor the water worked in my favor.

We tried

This was fun!

Where did you go?

Yes, I have Tunnel Vision

But you fascinate me...

I am absolutely thrilled with this finish. I have named her Honi. 

Honi (pronounced HO – nee) is the traditional Hawaiian greeting. The English translation is “to kiss”, but actually, the original greeting was touching forehead to forehead, nose to nose and exchanging breath.

Pink Rectangles Kissing or Just Touching...

Quilting Detail

Walking Foot Quilting

And one last look...

Could the Picnic Bench match any more perfectly?

I am in love with Honi and will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Yvonne's Favorite Finish for May.  See full list on the sidebar.

Visit Island Batik Blog for weekly giveaways and make sure to explore all the amazing creations on the Ambassadors’ blogs and join in on their additional giveaways for even more chances to win. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Here is the complete list of Ambassadors, the collections they’ll feature in their projects, and their scheduled post dates:

WEEK 1

May 5:

• Mania Hatzioannidi, Mania for Quilts
• Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

May 6:

• Kimberly Flannagan, Kimberly’s Quilts
• Solomae Stoycoff, Cuddle Cat Quiltworks

May 7:

• Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs
• Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique LLC

May 8:

• Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights
• Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts (You are here)

May 9:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

WEEK 2

May 12:

• Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion
• Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

May 13:

• Connie Kresin Campbell, Freemotion by the River

May 14:

• Denise Looney, Quiltery
• Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany

May 15:

• Susan Michaels, Dragonfly Fiber Art
• Kim Jamieson-Hirst, Chatterbox Quilts

May 16:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

May 19:

• Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting
• Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

May 20:

• Tina Dillard, Quilting Affection Designs
• Carol Stanek, Stitch With Color

May 21:

• Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilt Studio

May 22:

• Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail
• Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

May 23:

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up

In other news, I made some green blocks for the May Rainbow Scrap challenge, using Island Batik scraps. Here they are. Will be sharing with Angela's Linky party on Saturday.

Framed 4-patch Blocks, May RSC