Blush

Have you seen my Blush?

Paul the model

I made the flimsy as a part of the Pantone Color Quilt Challenge which included three categories - mini quilt, not a mini quilt, and flimsy. The extremely limited guidelines are a double-edge sword. As participants we can make anything we want - no limits to creativity. Since we don't know the judging criteria we cannot make a quilt to win the challenge. 

All the peaches

I chose to participate because I had plenty of gorgeous peachy goodness in my stash. I was in between projects. But most importantly, I wanted to play with peachy fabrics, which turned out to be a nice change of pace from Island Batik fabrics, which I absolutely love.

Making the Blocks

The block is super simple. One 2.5" square framed by 2.5" strips for a finished block of 6" square. But Blush isn't about block construction or piecing details.

Peach by Peach

Blush is about having a single-minded commitment to one color. Choosing one hue and giving it your all. Blush is about gathering every single fabric (in your stash) in one color and arranging them by value.

Value Gradation

Even if it requires you to use the same fabric from both sides, wrong side up for a slightly lighter value, as in the picture below. I did that more than once :-)

Two different blocks from one fabric - can you spot them?

Cute fabrics

Lots of arranging and rearranging.

It was a laborious task, getting that gradation from "caught in the act crimson" in the center to "the thought makes me blush" at the corners. I could not have done it without my design wall.

Design Wall

Oh, but when she was done, she took my breath away...

Blush is beautiful and she is gorgeous. Blush is my love letter to Peach Fuzz, the Pantone Color of the Year. 

Completed Flimsy

Such a show-off!

Blush makes me very happy. It was time to turn the flimsy into a quilt.

Basting

The truth is this - I LOVE to play with value.  I love gradation quilts. So who cares if Blush did not make it to the winning circle in the Peach Buzz Pantomime Challenge Whatever...

I am in love with Blush!

Reflection!

And also with Paul. 

Blush finished at 60" square and she happily rode the wooden horse.

Happiness

For backing I chose this cute cat print.  I quilted using my walking foot with my usual squiggly stitch. The binding is peach.

Labelled

From one childless lady who cannot have enough fabric cats, I wish you happy stitching!

Never too many cats :-)

And one last look. 

Bob and Blush

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Angela chose Orange as the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for August.  I had a difficult time finding orange in nature, until I looked closely.

Not quite the orange I was hoping to find...

Wait a minute...

Blanketflower

Marigold

Moss-rose Purslane

I had no problem finding orange in my stash. Here are my sunshine blocks.

Sunny Vibes

Feeling the Burn yet?

All fabric scraps came from Island Batik. It is good to be an ambassador :-)

I have now completed 63 Hexie Blocks, which will make a 70" by 90" quilt. I am contemplating 5" borders to get to a final size of 80" by 100" although that quilt may not happen for a while. 

I am working on a new quilt pattern. That blogpost is next!

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

Fireworks and more!

Have you seen my newest finish? Fireworks was published in Make Modern Issue 59.

Published in MM#59

Fireworks was designed in EQ8 and made using Fire and Ice, an original collection designed by Claudia Pfeil. 

I love this pattern because it is not paper-pieced and requires no special rulers, making it very accessible to quilters of all skill-levels.  

I like big blocks :-)

Made of 12 large blocks, Fireworks finished at 60" by 79". The background and binding is Egg White, an Island Batik Neutral available all year round. The backing is Dove, an Island Batik Basic from the Bodacious Blacks.

Bold and Beautiful

I used variegated thread and my walking foot to quilt squiggly lines in a 2" grid.

Walking Foot Quilting

And one last picture!

Fireworks!

Issue 59 of Make Modern has several other fabulous patterns and articles. Do check it out.

In other news, I have completed my Aquamarine (Teals and Turquoises too) Hexie Blocks for July's Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Here they parade for your approval :-) 

Light 

Dark

All scraps are Island Batik fabric. It is good to be an ambassador :-)  

Speaking of ambassadorship, I just received the Summer precut (10" squares) and matching yardage. 

Paradise Palms with 4 yards of matching yardage

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

I will return next week with the Island Batik August Challenge - Marvelous Minis!

Please stay cool and hydrated. 

Island Batik Unboxing Plus

July is the wonderful time of the year when the Island Batik Ambassadors receive their second shipment of supplies and goodies for the year.  I need all the help to stay indoors when the outside is like a sauna.

I poked my head outside and felt like I got slapped by the 100 degree heat wave. I quickly shut the door and returned to play with my supplies.

Here is the video. For once it is all about the fabrics. They are much prettier :-)

Here are the supplies.

We received a generous box of batting from Hobbs.  Three Queen Size Batts!!!

Queen Size Thermore Batting

Natural Cotton Fusible and 80/20 Cotton-Poly Blend in Black

Throw Size in Silk Blend

Twin Size in Unbleached Cotton

Island Batik provided all the fabrics that follow.

One Half-Yard Bundle of Spring 2023 Collection - Geometric Symphony for the September Challenge and Bloghop. Designed by Kathy Engle, Geometric Symphony includes 20 fabrics and comes with matching yardage. 

Geometric Symphony

Beige, Pink and Purple

Matching Threads from Aurifil to use in September for the Adventurous Applique Challenge.

Half Yard Foundations Bundle including four solids, four Basics and four Blenders. Island Batik Foundations are available all year round. 

Basics, Solids and Blenders

Spring 2023 Precut - Flower Pot, Signature Collection for Jennifer Fulton of Inquiring Quilter, with Matching Yardage

Flower Pot - 2.5" Strips with matching yardage

Gradations Precuts - Playful Purples in 2.5" Strips and Brilliant Blues in 10" squares

Stash Builders are a set of 5" wide strips, 20 per pack. They are the perfect resource to make a scrappy quilt and easily lend themselves into 2.5" strips, 5" squares and more.

A Kit to make a bag in October, from By Annie. I will be making the Snapshot Bag in two sizes using the cheerful Daisy May fabrics.

Supplies and Hardware from ByAnnie

Interfacing and Stabilizer

One Half-Yard Bundle of Summer 2023 Collection - Peach Blossom for the November Challenge and Bloghop. This will remain a surprise till November.

18 yards of Neutrals. 

Six yards of Meringue

Thanks to a generous supply of Solid Neutrals in Black, White and Dark Grey, we always have plenty of background options. They also make perfect backings. 

I also received supplies from Missouri Star Quilt Company.  If you use this link to order supplies over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I may receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

Sewing and Quilting Round the Clock

The Challenge and Blog Hop in November focuses on Dresden. So I got myself a brand new ruler to explore the possibilities. The Double Wide Dresden is designed by Me and My Sister Designs for Missouri Star Quilt Company.

A new Ruler!

And of course Aurifil Thread in 50 wt for piecing and 40 wt for quilting.

I also received a surprise gift in my box - a travel map that can be filled with Embroidery designs.  I don't see myself using it so if you want it, please let me know and I will send it to you (one of you, to be precise).

Thank you to Island Batik and Industry Partners: Hobbs Batting, Aurifil Thread, ByAnnie bags, and Missouri Star Quilt Company.

I am working on my July blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. It is slow progress and I am blaming it on the heat. 

Will share with Angela's Linky Party on Saturday and all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.