Tamarinis Blog Hop

**This give-away is now closed.  Winner will be notified and announced soon!  Thanks for visiting.

Hi!  Welcome to my small corner of the huge world of Quilting! I'm Maryellen, aka Mary Mack, and I've been sewing since I was about 4, and quilting for a long time.  I've probably sewn just about anything, from dresses, costumes, clothes, gifts, chair slipcovers, tents, alterations, and wedding gowns, but quilting is my favorite.  There's just something about seeing what happens when you cut up pieces of gorgeous fabrics, feed them through a machine, and see what it all becomes.  

As an Island Batiks Ambassador, I was contacted to participate in this hop, announcing Tamarini's class on Craftsy.  I'm sure you'll have fun and be inspired by Tammy's ideas.  Go to her blog post for a chance to win the class, and go to Island Batik's launch, for a chance to win some gorgeous batiks.  Other stops on the blog are offering prizes, too.  Take a quick visit and get in on it!  

July 7 – Island Batik
July 8 – Tammy Silvers
July 9 – Freemotion by the River
July 10 – Bejeweled Quilts
July 11 –  Freemotion by the River– Stop #2!
July 12 – Mary Mack Made Mine (You're here! Thanks)
July 13 – Kauffman Designs
July 14 – One Quilting Circle
July 15 – Susan Vassallo Quilting

So, today's my day!  Tammy asked me to preview her pattern, called Mary's Contrary Garden.  



http://tamarinis.typepad.com/.a/6a0192aad16c29970d01a3fd22edb4970b-pi  
I found the name interesting, since I've named one of my quilts the same thing, but it was because it featured 14 different floral prints from my stash (or garden) and my machine was pretty contrary while quilting it.  The designs are in no way similar, but thought it was funny that Tammy gave me, Mary, her Mary quilt design.  

When Katie from Island Batiks asked which fabrics I wanted, I said "Surprise me!"  Anything would be fun.  Katie passed that on to Lilly, who picked these gorgeous fabrics.  When I saw the bundle, I just said "WOW!" 

Look at the colors!  Look at the one at the bottom right.  Gorgeous!  And the top right?? Awesome!

Here's a shot of the bottom right, opened.  And the silky smoothness??  Yes, totally a sensory experience.  Gotta love Island Batiks!  The yellow is Basics Lemonade.  The Pink is BE26-B1.  Red is SS14D-G1, and the multi is IS14S-U2. 

 

I'm usually a more traditional style quilter.  I love pieced squares, so creating something like this flower design is new for me.  I don't usually do something so abstract, but it's always good to try something new.  It pushes your creativity and skills.  

So, here's my trial of the technique Tammy designed to create the flowers.  

Quite fun, and great learning experience.  I need to work on getting the sections to be flat. I started a second.   This idea has possibilities!  Go check out Tammy's class for more info, and her patterns.  I'm sure you'll find some fun things to do! 

The best part for me was playing with these gorgeous batiks.  Seriously drool worthy!  

So, thanks for visiting and I hope you visit the other shops on their days, as well as sign up for Tammy's class.  To thank you for your time, I'm going to give away a small bundle of some Island Batiks fabrics.  To enter, please leave a comment below.  For a second chance, follow my blog, and leave a second comment to let me know.  Since I loved the surprise pack I got for this hop, I'll surprise you.  I'm sure you'll love it!  After all, it's Island Batiks!  I'll draw the winner by random number on Thursday, July 16.  Please make sure I can get in touch with you, to get your address.  Thanks again for visiting.