Monday, August 15, 2016

Island Batiks Seaside Summer Blog Hop

Hi and Welcome to my day on the Island Batik Ambassador's Hop!  I'm glad you're stopping by. 




My collection is Red Tide.  It's a mix of colors, and I had an assortment of orange and red, purples, and greens.  There are some lovely designs in this collection, and I especially love the purple swirls.  




What would you do if you were given a group of 1/2 yard cuts?  I  wanted to make a quilt.  Nothing too big, as it's hot and my new studio only has fans, so far.  I don't have a long arm, and do my own quilting.  So, smaller works for summer projects.  


I wanted something different, too.  Not a published pattern, but something fun.  I went looking for block designs for inspiration.  Nothing was named for Red Tide, or Seaside.  I didn't want boats, because I was going to use the orange and purple selections.  So, for inspiration, I went to Quilters Cache and found the Triangle Chain block.  I love the look.  It's different.  But I wanted it bigger.  Marsha has it as a 9".  
I played in EQ7 #EQ25 to change the size and make it easier to cut.  I decided a 16" block would work.  That made each quadrant  8".  The lighter purple Half Triangle Square finishes at 4", the sashing and "cornerstones" are 2" (cut 2 1/2"), and the smaller orange HSTs finish at 3".  Large purple HST piece is an 8 7/8 square, cut on one diagonal.  Larger orange HST is a 6 7/8 square, cut on diagonal.  Each section should be 8 1/2" before you join them to make one square.  




Then the fun begins!  What happens when you play with the layout??  


Here's the EQ7 layout.  
 I love it!!  

And then I found the green/purple fabrics I had actually set aside for a different top, and liked them better.  So, change the orange to green.  I made 4 large blocks, added a 2" border (cut at 2 1/2") and a 4" (cut at 4 1/2) border, because that would need 4 strips, and I had 1/2 yard.  






I went to the Island Batik website and downloaded the actual photos from the fabric, to upload into EQ7, and see what the prints will look like.  I also played with a dark blue for the cornerstones, but liked the bright green better.  
I love being able to get an idea of the quilt using only EQ7 on my computer.  I knew I didn't have lots of fabric, and couldn't afford to make a mistake in cutting.  
Although I knew I wanted the quilt to look like a large star, I put the blocks on my design wall to see how they worked in a different arrangement.  I put the border fabrics next to them, just to double check.  While this is a fun layout, and the purple and green sections make really interesting designs, it didn't have the impact I was hoping for.  

Ah, Eureka!  That's it!  I love the purple star points!  Don't be afraid to play with your blocks to see what happens when you change the direction.  The difference here is just turning the block, all pointing a green section to the center.  

So, here's the finished top.  

Here's one of the blocks, with a hint at the quilting.  

Yes, I actually, finally, have something quilted!! It's been a while.


This one finished at about 45" square.  The larger blocks were fast and easy to make, and made a quick top. 

And my summer recipe!  
I love zucchini bread.  Since it's something you can make ahead and freeze, it's the perfect thing to bring to the beach, for a treat after swimming.  Although when I'm eating it at home, I prefer it lightly toasted and buttered, it's great for a quick snack, too.  

Zucchini Bread
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cardamom (optional)
¼ tsp baking powder
3 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups peeled, grated raw zucchini (I always add a little more).
1 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans).
  1. Preheat oven to 350*. Grease and flour 2 large loaf pans (as in photo), or 3 small pans. (My small ones are about 4 x 6).
  2.  Cream eggs, oil, sugar and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Sift together the remaining dry ingredients, and stir into the egg mixture. Add zucchini, nuts and vanilla, and stir until combined.
  4. Pour into the prepared pans, and bake for about 1 hour. Knife inserted in center should come out clean, but moist.
Hints: Double the recipe, and freeze the extras. To freeze, wrap each cooled loaf in aluminum foil, and place in a large zipper freezer bag. It keeps well for about 2 months.

Seaside Summer Blog Hop Schedule
Monday Aug 15 - Rain Forest


Tuesday Aug 16 - Red Tide




Wednesday Aug 17 - Sand Dune




Thursday Aug 18 - Seashore




Friday Aug 19 - Surf Squirt




Monday Aug 22 - Tradewinds




Tuesday Aug 23 - Equinox




Wednesday Aug 24 - Sea Canyon




Thursday Aug 25 - Sea Foam




Friday Aug 26 - Spoolin' Around




Monday Aug 29 - Tide Pools




Tuesday Aug 30 - Wind and Sea




Wednesday Aug 31 - Spring Zing




Thursday Sep 1 - Splash




Friday Sept 2 - Landscapes


Now for the fun!  Island Batiks is sponsoring a sweet give-away.  Follow the directions on the Rafflecopter link below.


I'm offering a second give-away, and I'll use Random.org to choose a winner on Saturday, September 3rd.  US winners only, unless you wish to pay the additional shipping fees.  Just become an email follower of my blog, and follow my Mary Mack Made Mine Facebook Page and leave a comment that you follow, and if you've tried Island Batik fabrics.  You have a chance to win something from my Island Batik Ambassador box.  It will be a surprise!  

Thanks again for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my novel, lol.  Please remember to visit the other Ambassadors!  

44 comments:

Laura said...

I'm an email follower of your blog and a FB follower. Thanks for showing how you went from idea to quilt. Nice pattern and I really like the combination of large and small triangles.

Vicki H said...

I follow your blog with email and GFC and also follow on FB. I haven't tried Island Batiks yet.

GranChris said...

I follow both ways. I love these fabrics, the colors and feel is wonderful.

QuiltShopGal said...

I absolutely love your design packed with #CreativeGoodness. Lovely fabrics too! Thank you for the recipe. I am fond of zucchini bread, but haven't made it in years. Definitely want to make it with your yummy recipe.

QuiltShopGal
www.quiltshopgal.com

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

great design. I liked on FB and will follow via email. Thank you!

Barb Neiwert said...

That's amazing how the block came together - completely different look. I love it!

Barb Neiwert said...

I follow your blog and like your FB page. I do seem to recall that I have some Island Batiks in my stash. Hmmmm...guess I need to make another project!

Aimee said...

I follow on FB & by email. I don't think I've used Island Batiks yet

Lori Smanski said...

your quilt is lovely. I love how batiks make a quilt pop. I do enjoy using batiks, they are so wonderful to sew with. thanks for the recipe. I love zucchini bread.

Sally said...

Waving Hello ME!!! I already am a follower on email but came by to tell you how well I like all those triangles you work with one each project! We will keep the number of Island Batiks in my stash our little secret!

Anna brown said...

I got you on facebook and on e-mail....Yess i have tryed batiks in a quilt... happyness044312yahoo.com

Miriam said...

The island Batiks are beautiful! I find them at my local quilt shop mixed in with other batiks. I really liked your design process and was surprised to see only 4 blocks made your quilt--your final layout is a winner! I follow on e=mail and have visited Facebook.

MissPat said...

I follow your blog by email. I don't do facebook. I do use Island Batiks. I love the colors and the designs.

Createology said...

Thank you for Island Batik Hopping. Your Red Tide Star quilt is gorgeous. Love zucchini bread and your recipe. Embracing Creative Bliss...

mumbird3 said...

Lovely top - i like the purple and green combination!!! I follow you on Facebook and now on email too!! Have a wonderful day!

JANET said...

I enjoy being an email and facebook follower. I have some Island Batiks, but haven't gotten the chance to use them as yet. A family situation came up that has taken most of my time this summer. But I do have a project in mind for them!

Calicojoan said...

Love your quilt. It's fun to sit down and find just what your looking for in patterns and fabric.

Pam Geisel - For Quilts Sake said...

That quilt looks amazing with those colors!

Carol Ann Johnston said...

I subscribed by email to your blog. Love batiks, it's almost all I use any longer

Kathy Kinsella said...

Great colours and design in this little quilt ... I love it!

Quilting Tangent said...

Following on Bloglovin. Don't see a way to follow with email. Not on facebook. 24Tangent@gmail.com Looking forward to working with batiks, such a pretty collection.

CaroleM said...

I am a Facebook follower and email subscriber. I have used Island Batiks before and loved working with it. I made a quilt for my dad for his 70th birthday.

Donna W said...

I follow you on FB and follow your blog via email. I only have used batiks a few times. Mostly for applique.

Sally said...

Delightful quilt (in both colorways!) I think I may just have to make this one!

Joyce Carter said...

The quilt is beautiful. I follow you on Facebook and through email as c carter13@windstream.net I am a new follower via GFC with my current email address. I haven't made anything with Batiks yet, but I do have a gorgeous quilt pattern that I would love to make. Thank you for the giveaway.

@lutzcats said...

I like you on Facebook and LOVE Island batiks, use them almost daily!!!

Cecilia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cecilia said...

I already follow you via email and I like you on Facebook. I have used Island Batiks and I love them! Thanks for sharing your beautiful quilt and for the giveaway.

Maria said...

That is an oustanding line of batik fabrics and colours and your quilt is outstanding, too!

Kathy E. said...

I'm a new email subscriber, new FB liker and yes, I've sewn with Island Batiks before and loved them! I made a bed runner for my guest room and it is so pretty!

Susan said...

What is the cut size of the light purple half triangle square? What is the cut size of the smaller orange HSTs?

OhioLori said...

The Green & Purple one is my Favorite!! Love the Fabrics you used on both! Thank you for sharing the Pattern too...& for chance to win your give-a-way :)

I follow you thru Email & GFC. (but don't do FB, etc stuff...hope I can still enter?)

Thanks too for the Recipe!! Definitely plan to use our zucchini's here!

Allison said...

I follow you via email and on Facebook. Love the colors!

cjmont said...

i follow by email and on fb. i love sewing with island batiks.

Janie said...

I am a follower on Facebook.

beaquilter said...

great quilt, love the line of fabrics! and great recipe, I have never made zucchini bread but should next summer when we grow more, this year we hardly got any.....

Unknown said...

Love the block design MaryEllen - it came out fabulous.

Barb said...

Love the design and the fabrics....yummy

Anonymous said...

I'm an email follower of your blog, and follow on Mary Mack Made Mine Facebook Page: Nicole Sender. Lovely quilt design.
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

Michele T said...

I am already signed up via email and FB, thanks!! Your quilt design is great!!!

Rachell said...

I already follow you on Facebook!
I'm working on happyquiltingmelissa's Summer Solstice QAL with Island Batiks: I won their SuperBowl giveaway with a lovely Navy, Green, grey and cream bundle for Seattle Seahawks. The units are coming together nicely.
reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

Monica said...

I'm an email follower of your blog

mlcquilts said...

I will be following you via email and also will check in on facebook. Thanks for doing this.

LInda Pearl said...

Hi. I love the quilt...and your adaptation to your surroundings. Great job!