1. Island Batik's Fall/Winter 2021catalog is out!!! AND I am in it, not only as an Ambassador but also as a Pattern Designer. My new pattern Masala Box is featured in the catalog.
2. Masala Box is now listed in my Etsy Shop :-) It looks like a happy dance of colorful fabrics.
Listed!!!
When I made the quilt "Beg, Borrow and Barter" in March 2021 as a part of the Island Batik Scrapbuster Challenge, little did I know what was to come next. Some of you asked - what pattern did you use, do you have a pattern...
Paul, the model!
I am so grateful to all my pattern testers who made the pattern and shared their completed tops and their generous feedback with me, so I could fine-tune the pattern.
Thank you to Elizabeth and Shirley, who made the baby size.
By Elizabeth Moore
By Shirley Fox
Thank you to Jennifer and Charity for making the lap size version.
By Charity Feit
By Jennifer Odell
And kudos to Kathy and Stevie for making the queen size version. You ladies rock!!!
By Stevie Will
By Kathy Paul
While my sweet and kind pattern testers were busy, I made a baby quilt using a black background.
Baby Size
It looks lovely in all sizes and I am very happy with it.
The pattern is ideal to use as a signature block, perfect for a wedding or a graduation quilt.
If you like it, please head to my Etsy Shop, or just click on the image on the top right of the blog. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.
More often than not, quilt guild workshops are on weekdays and are not conducive to those of us not yet retired from our day jobs. But when the guild arranged a two-part workshop with Gloria Loughman on two weekends (9/11 and 9/18), I wasted no time and signed up for it.
I bought the recommended pattern and downloaded the instructions. I watched the videos and read the downloaded pattern sheets. That was in July.
Come September, I am buried deep in Island Batik October Challenge. It has been rather all-consuming.
Improvisational Piecing
Iberian Lynx Silhouette
So when the Gloria Loughman workshop started at 3:30 on Saturday afternoon, I joined on Zoom but continued working on the Iberian Lynx project (Island Batik October Challenge).
The workshop was terrific. Gloria is an excellent teacher with lots of examples from her work. She would explain a few things and then give 30 minutes for sewing, while she was available to answer questions, give feedback and make suggestions.
Me: I am so torn. Paul: What's up? Me: I really want to work on this "Light up your Landscape" project. Paul: So why don't you? Me: I am in the middle of something else. Paul (looking at the class materials): With all those light and dark colors, it is neat. Me: That is exactly why I want to dive in. Paul: There are so many guns held at your head but the only hand holding them is yours.
He has a point.
I focused the next few days (Sunday - Wednesday) on completing the top for the Iberian Lynx project (Island Batik October Challenge). Then I dropped it to make the Landscape quilt. My hope was to have something done before the second part of the workshop on following Saturday, 9/18.
Tiles Cut
Arranging Tiles
Brick by Brick
Completed Sky
From Thursday through Saturday afternoon, I focused on the workshop project. When it was time for Workshop - Part 2, I was fully focused. No distractions.
Choosing foreground
I showed my progress to Gloria. She approved. I worked on the different elements of the landscape during the 30 minute sewing sessions.
Completed Sky Sewn!!!
Island Batik for foliage
By the end of the workshop, I was so far along that I had to finish it.
I have named it Gul Mohar, because the yellow/orange blooms are like those of the Gul Mohar tree, common in India.
Gul Mohar
Of course, some of you may want to get up close and personal. Here you go :-)
But truly, the effect of light appears best when viewed from a distance.
I am loving it and I am so glad that I took the plunge. I highly recommend Gloria Loughman's workshop. She is an accomplished artist and a terrific teacher.
Gul Mohar finished at 13" by 19", and became my Dreami (Drop everything and make it) for September. Sharing with Sandra's Linky Party and all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.
ByAnnie provided the detailed instructions, a coupon code for online videos, and all other bag making supplies. All this came in a neat package in the second box of goodies.
Fabrics and Pattern
Hardware from byAnnie
There were 11 pages of detailed instructions.
Staying organized
Managing the curves
Checking and rechecking
It was an intimidating task and I was definitely anxious. I made a couple of mistakes and eventually corrected them.
Looking good
Looking like a bag
Was overwhelmed and received good advice from other IB ambassadors. Hit a wall and managed to overcome it.
Th end is in sight :-)
And finally, here we are!!!
Got Your Back Bag 2.1
The successful completion of a difficult task is reason for excitement and celebration. So, I took my newly finished bag out for a lunch date.
On location
Sideways look
Got Your Back :-)
Inside Peek
I wore my brightest hot pink dress and Paul was kind enough to take our pictures.
Bold and Bright
Mine!!!
Happy me :-)
Loving it!!!
Yes, but that is not all...
During one of the online videos, Annie said "this can be used for another small project" referring to the quilted scraps leftover from cutting the bag front and back etc.
Once the big bad beautiful backpack was completed and I started tidying up, I noticed those quilted parts, too big and too pretty to discard. Hmm... small projects.
I downloaded "A Pencil case for Lola" and "Easy Does It" and made these two additional bags all from the leftover bits. Well, except for the zippers (I have plenty of those).
Easy Does It
A Pencil Case for Lola
Two additional bags :-)
So now, I have a coordinated set of a pencil case, a vanity bag and a backpack. Gosh, I am spoiled rotten.
The whole set!!!
Backpack, Vanity Case, and a Pencil Case
I am spoiled!!!
Here is the best part - these two smaller projects came together so quickly, I was absolutely amazed. It was because I now understood how Annie thinks and I understand her process and I could anticipate the next steps. It became so easy and intuitive...that I feel like an expert (somewhat). Truly I am looking forward to making more of these bags.
I recommend going to the website ByAnnie.com and register. Download a free pattern and make it. You will love it and then buy one of her patterns. It will be a breeze!
I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties as I sing Annie's praises :-) See full list on the sidebar.
In other news, we received the summer precuts (and matching yardage) from Island Batik. These were delayed but here they are in their yummy goodness.
Constellations from Island Batik - 10" Squares
Free to Fly 2.5" Strips with matching yardage
Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:
