August 31, 2018

The Island Batik Great Outdoors Blog Hop!

The products featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik.

Aaaah the great outdoors. We’re seeing more and more research that says spending time outside is good
for your mental health. (A lot like quilting, in that way!) So, on those days when it’s just too hot to fire up the
iron and sewing machine, we say get outside and have fun walking, tending to your garden, or just basking in
the glorious (hot) sun!


The great outdoors are what inspired this hop’s theme. Throughout the month of August, our Ambassadors
will be featuring Island Batik’s newest fabrics, appearing on shop shelves SOON! See something you like?
Ask for it at your local quilt shop, or request it if you don’t yet see it. We have the most delicious collections to
share with you!


One of the fun things about being an Island Batik Ambassador is being able to sew and create with a fabric
line before it has been released. When I opened my "Surprise!" package of fabric from the box we
received in January, I had received the Spirit Rhythm collection.
To be honest, this is not a fabric line I would have chosen for myself as I tend to gravitate towards brighter,
more rainbow-colored fabrics. Another great thing about being an IB Ambassador is the opportunity to do
things outside my comfort zone. Afterlorking with these fabrics, I've grown to love the deep, rich colors and
the graphic, geometric patterns. Because I wanted the focus to be on the fabrics, I decided to use my HST
Building Blocks plan using AccuQuilt 6.5 inch (6 inch finished) half-square triangles. (If you live in the Omaha/Lincoln area, I'm teaching this workshop at Calico House in Lincoln on Saturday, Sepember 29!)



I was able to use all the fabrics from the Spirit Rythm collection and paired them with an Island Batik neutral I found at my local quilt shop. 


I pieced the back and used  a black and cream stripe for the binding. I used a "Seagrass Braid" edge-to-edge pantograph from Urban Elementz.



I was hoping to get some better quilt pictures using the beautiful Lake of the Wood as the backdrop, but it was
too windy today. Fortunately I have a wonderful husband that helped me get some pictures to share!





Giveaway!

***ETA: Giveaway is closed!***

Check out this Island Batik blog post for the complete hop schedule and a giveaway from Island Batik.
Each blogger is also having a giveaway so there's lots of great prizes to be won! For my giveaway, I'm
going to send one winner a flat-rate envelope filled with some of the wonderful fabric I've been given
by Island Batik. To enter, just leave a comment below telling me your favorite handmade gift to make
and give. If you have links to patterns or tutorials, even better! (Christmas is coming, and I need ideas!)
I will randomly choose one comment on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 after I get home from work
(approximately 9pm CST). Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

50 comments:

  1. My favorite handmade gift to give is a table runner. It is fast and easy to make.

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  2. Love your quilt, the colors remind me of autumn. I love to make microwavable bowls using leftover fabric and batting (has to be 100% cotton). They're great for hot and cold foods. There are numerous tutorials on Pinterest. Thanks for sharing. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

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  3. I like making table runners and mug rugs.

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  4. I enjoy making baby quilts--I've given away more than 30 so far. Placemats are also a fun gift.

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  5. Pretty quilt. Quilt, bag, Tablerunner, neeldle holder, boxes/baskets all depands who it is going to. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  6. this is such a rich and pretty quilt. isn't it wonderful when we go out of our comfort zone and find that we like it? I know it is so for me. i have had fun different years doing something different. example one year i made everyone table runners, another year pillows, table toppers, place mats, tea cozies, microwave bowls. not sure what i will do this year. hmmm September, guess i should seriously start thinking. thank you for sharing and inspiring today
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  7. What a lovely quilt, I always like the stripey binding. Last year I made zippered pouches. Not sure about this year

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  8. Your quilt is really beautiful. Thank you for sharing and for the giveaway.
    I like making candle mats, and mini quilts.

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  9. Table runners is my go-to gift item. They are quick and everyone can use something pretty for their table.

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  10. I like doing mug rugs best as they are quick, easy, and pretty. A good source for that is Sher's Creative Space. She has a Mug Rug of the Month (http://sherscreativespace.blogspot.com/2018/01/free-mug-rug-of-month-patterns.html) where she gives a free mug rug pattern every month. In additon, if you sign up for her VIP club (it's free) (https://sherscreativespace.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=53ff706a607aff8c4740e853f&id=3510a8e23e), she will send you links in your email for a free pattern every weekend. And her shop has the most adorable patterns (https://www.sherscreativespace.com).

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  11. Yopur Quilt is Beautiful!! Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too :) My fave thing for Christmas gifts are crocheted dishrags, & potholders & decorated to match dishtowels. I also, always make new Jamma's for the Kiddo's...and now have Grandkiddo's added to the Jamma List! lol (I do make other things, Throws, and this year a Tablerunner is planned)

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  12. Enjoyed seeing your quilt. The first Christmas I made gifts I made star ornaments using prairie points, it was something I could put in a card and mail. The people who received them appreciated my hand work.
    petuniakr@aol.com

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  13. Thanks for the giveaway of batik treasures. I like to make bags and I have already done the soup bowl cozy as Xmas gifts. This year I will need a new idea.
    djcutting2(@)gmail(dot)com

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  14. I love to make pouches and mini quilts to giveaway occasionally a table runner crayon rollers for the kids or water bottle holders tea towels and hot pads I guess I just like to give handmade where possible

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  15. Great job stepping out of your comfort zone. Your quilt turned out beautifully! (looks like it might be a good Christmas gift!!). I tend to make quick things for the holidays like table runners, placemats or potholders. Thanks for sharing the giveaway!

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  16. I’ve made all sorts of gifts over the years and a favourite is table runners!

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  17. I love making potholders, table runners , and mini decorative quilts! Sometimes lap quilts and twin ones for kids! tks!

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  18. I love your quilt! It can be very hard to have a vision for something that is not what you would normally choose, but it turned out great! I like to give handmade ornaments for Christmas.

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  19. Great use of your collection. Stepping out of our comfort zone usually makes us realize we needn't let ourselves get stuck in a rut. I love making table runners, toppers and placemats for gifts. Thanks for sharing your project.

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  20. I like to make tote bags as gifts. Love your quilt design. Thank you for sharing it.

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  21. I love making and gifting baby quilts. I also like making throw size quilts for the couch.

    Sandy A

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  22. I like making knitted scarfs for gifts. Great travel project, as 10 minutes in the car or at an appointment and I can make serious headway. I've also gifted mug rugs, but find people think they are too pretty to use.

    Jeanne LeBron

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  23. Your quilt is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I like giving quilts for Christmas, but I also like giving table runners as gifts.

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  24. For me, it depends on the age, gender, and circumstances of the recipient. I like to give pillowcases, zippered pouches, mug rugs, table runners, and Christmas tree ornaments.

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  25. Hubbies sure come in handy when photographing quilts, don't they? I enjoy making table runners or toppers for friends, personalizing them with their home's colors. They are always enjoyed and used...warming my heart!

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  26. I suppose it depends on the person. Pothoders are great gifts, placemats etc. Lap quilts for other, wall hangings are fun, key chains, dog leaches.

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  27. I usually make a quilt for someone on my list.

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  28. Very pretty quilt. I love the graphic design and the colors are so interesting. Ambassador

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  29. Love the quilt, HST are great! My go to quilted gift are placemats, easy to make & customize to the recepient.

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  30. Striking quilt Steph. i'm glad we got some neutral batiks in our second box for backgrounds. And wind is often a factor where I live too!

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  31. I love those fabrics. Your modern vibe quilts are beautiful, relaxing and chic at the same time. thanks for sharing. I'd love to win!

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  32. Nice quilt. I like to make table runners/toppers, quilts and pillowcases.

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  33. My favorite gift to make is a pillowcase--always fun to pick out the fabrics!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  34. My favorite gifts to make for friends and family is pillowcases and fleece blankets. For the pillowcases, I use the burrito method from APQ Pillowcase Challenge.

    For the fleece blankets I usually buy 1-1/2 yards of the main print and 1/2 yard of a coordinating fleece (solid or print). I cut the coordinating fleece in half and add to the ends of the main print. They make fun lightweight throws for TV watching or napping.

    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  35. Thanks for sharing...this is just lovely!

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  36. Hi Steph! Thanks for sharing your beautiful quilt. I love how the colors dance across it, and the binding is perfect for it! My go-to gift is zipper pouches. Here is a tutorial by Luann Kessie for a quick project: https://luannkessi.blogspot.com/2009/12/quilted-zipper-bagtutorial.html

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  37. Gorgeous quilt! I so love the versatile half square triangle. So much fun being an ambassador with so many talented folks!

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  38. I love making quilts using HST's!! Yours is great! For Christmas gifts I love making throws, mug rugs, table runners, and my new favorite quilted bucket holders and mason jar holders. There are links to these free patterns on my blog here: https://songbirddesigns.biz/fabulous-freebies-blog-hop/ Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!

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  39. I like the rich colours of this line. Your quilt shows them off very nicely! I like to make useful things for Christmas gifts like table runners, placemats, bowl cozys, pouches and bags. And if you've been very good, you might get a bed quilt.

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  40. I like to make baby quilts (because they can be so darn cute) and throw size quilts (because they make nice gifts and don't take a lot of time to make.)

    I think your quilt is beautiful. I like bright fabrics, but my heart is with those rich colors.

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  41. Love your quilt, especially the binding.

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  42. Sometimes being forced out of our comfort zones is a nice thing! I really like the binding fabric on this. My favorite quick gift, especially for kids, is a pillowcase. I use the "burrito style" tutorial from the Million Pillowcase Challenge.

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  43. I love your quilt, the half square triangles are a fun idea for showing off the fabrics. I have made a number of throw quilts and pillowcases for gifts, as well a few doll quilts.

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  44. My go to gift for all occasions is a table topper or table runner. I have a binder full of patterns. I too like bright colored fabrics but I do admire other color ways. Your quilt is one of them!

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  45. My favorite gift to make is a large tote bag, great for a shopping trip, or as an overnight bag.

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  46. Love your quilt!
    I like to add appliqué to T-shirts. A personalised gift that is done quickly

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  47. It's beautiful! I agree that the challenge of using colours/prints we might not have chosen is part of the fun of being an ambassador :)

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  48. Steph, my apologies for missing you on my Island Batik list. I will be following from now on....don't know how this happened!@#@!*$#*

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