Island Batik Four Seasons Blog Hop City Culture

Hi, and welcome back to my second day on this hop.

Today's Summer feature is City Culture 2.  I received a bundle of Fat Quarters and 2 2-yard pieces of this to create something for this hop, in my Island Batik Ambassador box.   

This was one of "those" bundles.  I looked at it.  I set it out.  I waited for inspiration.  I looked to see if I had other pieces in the box that would work with this, and even thought about some of my older Island Batik Ambassador boxes, or Island Batik I've purchased.  I petted it a few times, and pulled out certain designs.  There were colors that didn't make my heart flutter, but the purples, burgundies and wines caught my attention.  I wasn't sure what to do with them, though.  

I had been working on a new design project, and set this aside.  Then I realized that the request to use as many of the fabrics as possible in our project reminded me that my Zen Basket pattern needed to be done in other colors, and that I could cut strips from the Fat Quarters.  So, that is what I decided to do.  I used the yardage pieces for the Stakes (the uprights in a basket) and made this top.  

Pieced with Aurifil 50wt, 2324, the large cone I received as an @AurifilArtisan. 

The designs in this collection are interesting.  There are some simple sketched stripes, the grid-like design that almost mimics a giraffe (but more geometric), some round stone look designs, and the grass-look and leaf-look prints. 

This is one of my favorites, but it's purple and gray, so that's obvious, right?  

As much as I had hoped I could get borders added, and have this quilted for today, that didn't happen.  Although my brother and sister-in-law were here for 10 days, and left early Monday, and I did get more sewing time than usual (because they could visit with Mom so I had more free time) it didn't quite get me to where I hoped to be.  I should be able to get borders on and get it quilted, soon, though.  I even have a great place to do some photos planned.  Since I live near a city with lots of culture, lol

In the meantime, while you wait for me to finish it (because you all need to see more, right?lol) please visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors that are sharing more about City Culture today and tomorrow.  

January 24 – City Culture 2
Mary Mack Made Mine • heARTs Creations

January 25 – City Culture 2
The Quilt Rambler • Lizard Creek Quilts • KISSed Quilts

My give-away today is a copy of my Zen Baskets pattern, and some 5" squares of City Culture 2.  Just leave a comment below.  What's your favorite thing to do in your nearest city?  I love going to the Empire State Building, and to Broadway shows, but that doesn't happen often.  I think it's been over 5 years since I went for a show, but I've been to Quilters Take Manhattan more recently. 

Original Zen Basket quilt.  It works in other colors, too. 

And please check the Island Batik Blog for links that you may have missed, as well as Fall, coming next week.  Remember to enter their give-away, too!  

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Four Seasons Blog Hop

Hi, and welcome!  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you've been enjoying all the inspiration and eye candy along the way with the Hop.  Today's posts kick off 4 days of Summer, with gorgeous fabric and lots of give-aways.  

Today's group of fabrics is called Paisley Dot. It will be shipping to stores soon, so please ask your favorite shop for it!  

Last Winter, a call went out to the Island Batik Designers to use this (or any of the new collections) in a pattern we designed, and wanted to create.  Island Batik accepted my idea, and I created this quilt and pattern to feature the Brights part of the group in an easy quilt for Stacks, 10" squares.  I now have published the pattern, and I'm selling copies in my Etsy Shop, Mary Mack Made Mine.  You can also contact me or Island Batik about wholesale purchases for your shop.

First, I need to tell you that this group is just stunning.  The colors are bright, rich, and joyous, and the design of the dots is just fun.  It adds a great texture where you need a blender or supporting fabric to mix with a pretty screenprint (non-batik), but also works so well as a group.  There are a few multi-colored designs, too.  I used one in the border.  

As for my pattern, you need 42 10" squares, border, binding, and just a little bit of the border or binding yardage to finish the blocks.  This is a perfect beginner quilt, because there are no major seams to match, just the actual squares.  It's fast, too, and great to feature larger prints within a Layer Cake.  

Wouldn't this be pretty as a picnic quilt?  Or on porch swing? 

I have a give-away today.  Comment below about something you love in Summer, and I'll choose a winner on Feb 2 for a copy of my Stack Tiles pattern, and some 5" squares of this collection, that I'll cut from the fabric provided for the pattern.  

Also, please remember to enter the Island Batik give-away, with the Rafflecopter widget.  Even if you don't have a Facebook account, you can still visit, and get credit for that action.  

And, please visit today's Bloggers 

January 22 – Paisley Dot

Pamela Quilts • Seams Like a Dream

If you've missed any of the previous posts, please check the list on the Island Batik blog page.  

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