Creative New Quilts and Projects and Giveaway

Hi and Welcome to my day on this fun Blog Hop featuring gorgeous fabrics from Island Batik in the wonderful designs in the 2nd book by Wendy Sheppard, 

Creative New Quilts and Projects from Precuts or Stash.  

I'm honored to be a part of this!

I've been an Ivory Spring fan for years!  Wendy's designs are always so pretty, unique, interesting and fun.  Many of her designs are based on classic blocks and quilts, but she adds her own flair to everything she does.  And you NEED to check out her quilting.  Totally swoon-worthy, and she gives tutorials and hints on how to try to do what she does with a domestic machine.  I've purchased her first book, and knew I wanted this one.  I've also purchased calendars and magazines just because her designs are included.  I even want her Aurifil thread collection!  

So, when a message went out to the Island Batik Ambassadors asking who would want to participate in this blog hop, I wrote back within seconds, begging to be included (really, about 5 "please's and memememe").  I was SO relieved to get the "yes" email back!  

Then the fun began!  We got a preview of the designs in the book, and were asked to pick 3. (Very difficult to pick only 3, I want to make so many of them!)  We were then told which of our choices we could make, and asked to choose fabrics.  I picked Stars over Columbia. 

Talk about fun!  Let's go play in the warehouse at Island Batik and pick from ANY of the current collections, which are now available in your favorite LQS (No? Ask them to order it!)

So, how can I use a collection from Island Batik to make this quilt, but do something a little different?  Which colors do I want to use?  Although I loved the red, cream, blue and grey that Wendy used, I wanted something different.  I picked London Fog.  

(I took a quick picture on my brother's classic Mercedes, because it matched the light teal inner border from Island Batik, lol) 

For the main colors, I picked the aquas, purples, and lavenders.  For the accent color (red in Wendy's) I picked green, SKU 121506022.  My background is Egg White.  I chose to keep it all the same, but you could easily use scraps for yours.  I also wanted to make it larger, and added 2 borders.  Wendy's quilt measures 36 by 45".  Although I've recently had a new great-nephew and a great-niece is due any day, and this would be a sweet Baby size quilt, I wanted to show you that you could take this design and change it to make it your own.  I added 10 extra of the "blue" star blocks, and the first border is 2 1/2" cut WOF (need 5 strips) and the outer border is 6 1/2" wide (finishes at 6", cut 6 strips)  My quilt measures about 62 by 72", which I think is a great Lap size.   

  

I made sure I placed the green (aka red) stars in the same location, even though I now had 30 blocks and a 5 by 6 grid layout, and I LOVE the splash of color and interest.  I know Wendy's used this technique in other designs, and it just adds so much sparkle to the quilt.  

This first fabric above is the detail of the outer border, which I felt would pull all the colors together.  It's SKU 121510004.  The middle is for binding, and that's SKU 121508006.  The backing fabric is Sea Salt Sandy SKU 121500348

You NEED this book in your collection.  There are so many great projects using 2 1/2" strips, general scraps (which is what Stars over Columbia uses, but I used FQs) and charms and FQs.  And there are great suggestions for quilting these.  I'm sure you'll find something you want to make, or inspiration for quilting your project.  

So, to purchase, please Click and order from Landauer or to get a signed copy, email Wendy through her blog.  If you can't wait, or you're outside the US, you can purchase a PDF copy here.

Wendy was also a guest on Pat Sloan's Podcast.  You can listen to that HERE.

To see the other Ambassador's posts on this book and get a peek at the rest of the designs, here's the list.

Monday, March 14 - Island Batik Intro

Tuesday, March 15 - Crossings - Adele Mogavero, The Fit Quilter

Wednesday, March 16 - Flight of Colors Pillows - Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts 

Thursday, March 17 - Care for a Cuppa - Joan Kawano, MooseStash Quilting

Friday, March 18 -  Birds of a Feather Placemats - Barb Gaddy, Bejeweled Quilts

Monday, March 21 - Birds of Feather Runner - Linda Pearl, One Quilting Circle

Tuesday, March 22 - Childhood Memories - Bea Lee, BeaQuilter

Wednesday, March 23 - Winter Blues - Connie Campbell, Freemotion by the River and

Marlene Oddie, KISSed Quilts -

Thursday, March 24 - Stars Over Columbia - Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

Friday, March 25 - Count My Blessings - Patti Bochey, Lemon Tree Snippets

Some of them still have the chance to win a copy of the book available.  Go enter!  

And to win a copy of the book from me, just comment below!  I'll choose one random comment on Monday, March 28, to win a copy from Landauer.  Must be US address to win.  

Since my dad got so sick, I haven't had much time to quilt.  I'm taking my mom to visit him every day, as well as taking care of things for their house.  He's in Rehab now, rebuilding his strength, and we think he'll be home in about 2 weeks.  We can't wait to get him home!

I'll get this one quilted, soon, though, and share the finish here.  I can't wait to show you!  And if you make anything from the book, make sure you share it on Instagram, either tagging @IvorySpring or #Creativenewquilts.  I can't wait to see what you make! 

Thanks for visiting!  

Maryellen