Island Batik January Challenge - Placemats

The Island Batik January challenge is Placemats. 

The Island Batik box included a pack of 10" squares of "Blinded by Science" designed by Jackie Kunkel of Canton Village Quiltworks.  The solid gray yardage was also provided by Island Batiks.

I used the 70/10 Microtex Sharp Needle by Schmetz Needles that was part of the Island Batik Box. 

Schmetz needles 

The four placemats finish at about 12" by 18" each. And I tried appliqué for the first time. 

Placemats 

Well that was the executive summary. The story follows:

Paul: What are you making?

Me (smiling): I am making eggs.

Applique in progress

Paul: Do we have bacon?

Me (trying to control my giggling): Yes and it is looking crisp.

Making Breakfast :-)

Paul was disappointed that none of the breakfast items were edible.  But once he was fed, his mood brightened.

Eggs and Bacon

Paul: I like this font.

Me: It is so happy. It makes me smile.

Paul: If I ever become a teacher, you can come decorate my classroom.

Me: You should ask Wendi Gratz.

Paul: Who is she?

Me: I got these letters from her website - Shiny Happy World.

Paul: Nah, I prefer to outsource it to the Indian woman.

Me: You bet.

Toast and Milk

Paul: That "o" in "bacon" looks different.

Me: And so does the "o" in "toast".

Sharing is Caring :-D

Paul: What happened?

Me: When we go out to eat, and let's say you get crab cakes and I get shrimp and grits.

Paul: Yeah?

Me: I let you taste my shrimp and you let me have a bite of your crab cake.

Paul: So?

Me: So that is exactly what happened here. Bacon and toast are sharing :-D 

Paul (mildly exasperated): But eggs and toast are not sharing the letter "s"?

Me: I wanted to add a touch of whimsy. Too much and it loses the impact.

Breakfast is Served!!!

At this point Paul rolled his eyes loudly and walked away.  But don't you walk away without telling me how you feel about bacon and eggs. Of course if you are a vegetarian, I'd happily welcome your thoughts on milk and toast.

Disclosure: The fabrics and needles used in making this project were generously supplied by the following companies:

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The Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for January is Pink! After thinking, re-thinking, evaluating and discarding some (more than a few) options, I decided to follow Angela (well, almost).

I will be making the Sister's Choice blocks with a small difference. Instead of using a 2" grid that would yield a 10" finished block, I am using a 3" grid to yield a 15" block. 

Blushing

Crimson

Lots to Find :-)

Contrasting Center

I chose the center square such that it is in contrast to the rest of the block.  I am sure it will create loads of interest in the completed quilt.

So here are my Pink blocks for January 2021. Whether you blush at the thought, or you turned crimson cause you were caught in the act, there is a pink for you :-)

January 2021 Blocks

I have been watching Bridgerton on Netflix and these colors mirror the entire range of my thoughts. 

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties plus Angela's Linky Party, see full list on the sidebar.

Too beautiful for a placemat...

Two things just go together - scraps and improv blocks. In fact, when you have scraps and are not sure of how to put them together , you just start with one and watch the design evolve as you add each scrap. That is exactly what I started doing after I finished Bear Hugs.

I had scraps leftover from strip tube blocks - the triangles left over at the edges, some left over binding and scraps of batting.

Step 1 - I joined batting scraps together, using a zigzag stitch. There is a tutorial here

Step 2 - Cut the pieced batting to a size of a placemat - 18 by 22 inches.

Step 3 - Add a backing and spray basted in place. This is the fabric I used. Love the rich dark colors.


Step 4 - Pull out the scraps and start playing. See the pictures below. I started with two leftover triangles and placed them in the center, RST. Stitched, flipped and ironed.

Triangles placed RST

Stitched with a scant 1/4" seam

Flipped and Ironed. Looking good, already!

Now, I had the center established. I kept adding strips and flipping and ironing - quilting as I went adding fabric strips. See pictures below.

Once I got to the corners, I added triangles to finish the placemat. Added a black binding - one that would go with both the front and back. After I finished one, I was so hooked, I made three more. It is that addictive. Here are the finished placemats.

And now I have to share with you the biggest problem of this exercise. These placemats are too pretty to be covered by a plate of food. And if I was a world-renowned chef, I would not want these pretty placemats to distract from the gourmet food on the plate.

In my opinion (biased, as it may be) they are stand-alone pieces of art. What do you think? Should I just frame them and use as wall art? Please help.

Hello 2014 - Starting small

A very happy new year to you!!!

Now that I have finished documenting last year's journey, I am all caught up and now this blog can be current. Well, more or less. I decided to start the new year small - by making place mats using the quilt as you go technique. Thanks to Jenny of Missouri Star Quilt Company. Click here for the tutorial.

I had a jelly roll, fabrics in red and black and bits of batting that are too small to be used in a quilt but too large to throw away. Here is the outcome

I know it is eye-popping!

It is like making very small quilts - piecing, backing, binding - the whole deal. Although QAYG makes it a breeze. And I love the bright colors.

When I was making these, I showed one to my friend Iris and she squealed with delight.
Oh, you like it, I said. Can I make you one?
One? I need four.
Of course, you do. Well, I'll happily make them for you. But, first you must visit my blog and leave me a comment.

She has not been to the blog and I am still keeping these babies. I will update when she gets her act together. Oh Iris!

And they are reversible.