Hi! I'm gazing into my Crystal Ball and I see that a great adventure awaits you!
I see that you are going on a Getaway Blog Hop with Island Batik Ambassadors.
I predict you'll see lovely fabric, gorgeous quilts, and Interesting Information!
I predict that you will see lots of give-aways and prizes!
I predict this Getaway will take you a month of fun blog visits, from the comfort of your computer.
I also see that you'll be able to find these collections arriving in stores, soon,
or you can ask your favorite store to get it.
Read on for your first glimpse of inspiration.
So, if you haven't guessed, my collection is a stunning group called Crystal Ball.
It's so pretty, and filled with plum purple, lavender, aqua, a little green, some dusty mauve, teal,
and peacock.
I contemplated what I wanted to make with this collection, even considering something with a
Snowball type block, but I just kept seeing all the gorgeous jewel tones, and had to pick
I've had this book for a while, and have wanted to make it. This was the perfect collection.
Island Batik generously provided 1/2 yard cuts of the collection, and yards of Sprinkles for the
background, and fabric for the border and binding.
Look at some of these up close! I love paisley, and there are some Chops that are stunning in this.
And give me a good floral, I'm a happy girl. Purple floral? Even better.
Seriously drooling over that teal/purple and the design.
The gorgeous multicolor is Peacock, one of the basics.
The book has an interesting technique to make the blocks, and the directions are well done.
If you hadn't already seen some of my quilts, you'll know that
Eleanor Burns is one of my favorite designers. Always well done.
So, as easy as picking this was, and choosing the layout for the Lap size,
I decided after I started assembling that I want to make it a queen size, and use it on my bed.
That was on Tuesday.
When it looked like this. I am so glad I have that huge cone of Aurifil 50wt. There's a lot of thread in this.
When it looked like this. I am so glad I have that huge cone of Aurifil 50wt. There's a lot of thread in this.
Knowing I'm caregiver for my mom, who has Alzheimer's, and knowing that her moods can keep me
from sewing, that was NOT enough time to make a queen size top with piano key borders for today's post.
But I can try, and I love purple and need a new quilt for my bed!
This is the layout for the Lap size.
Although I did get a few of the extra blocks started. And a bit of the piano key border.
I need 8 more blocks, and then need to figure out the borders. This is the plan.
So, now that you see my plan, I hope you'll stop back to see my progress.
I do want to mention that I'm also selling Island Batik in my Etsy shop. I currently have 10" Stack Packs of Crystal Ball, and Sprinkles by the yard, as well as Lavender mottle and White solid. If you want another color, let me know. Leave me a message, or click on the link above left for my shop.
If you were given these fabrics, what design would you have picked?
Answer that question in the comments, and you'll be entered to win something, including my latest pattern, Jungle Jumble. Great for 10" Stacks!
Please also visit Sandra today, and Island Batik, for their Rafflecopter give-away. It may seem like a lot of steps, but you'll get lots of chances to win. Do a few each day! Link is after the schedule.
Thanks for stopping, and commenting. Please see the schedule for the rest of the hop below.
WEEK 1
Monday, January 7 - Crystal Ball
Maryellen McAuliffe- Mary Mack’s Blog (You are here!)
Tuesday, January 8 - Ditty
Wednesday, January 9 - Elk Lodge
Thursday, January 10 - Feline Fine
Friday, January 11 - Flea Market
WEEK 2
Monday, January 14 - Fortune Teller
Tuesday, January 15 - Gypsy Rose
Wednesday, January 16 - Paisley Park
Thursday, January 17 - Soul Song
Friday, January 18 - Twilight Chic
WEEK 3
Monday, January 21 - Winter Park
Tuesday, January 22 - Bazaar
Wednesday, January 23 - Blossom
Thursday, January 24 - Boho
Friday, January 25 - Brookview
WEEK 4
Monday, January 28 - French Blue
Tuesday, January 29 - Midsummer Night
Wednesday, January 30 - Oh Deer
Thursday, January 31 - Snow Berry
Friday, February 1- Candy Cane Lane and Icicle
Anne Wiens- Icicle - Sweetgrass Creative Designs
Mania Hatziioannidi Candy Cane Lane- Mania For Quilts
Barbara Gaddy - Candy Cane Lane -Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
159 comments:
I love this collection, the purples are stunning. Your quilt is gorgeous perfect for the fabrics 💕 will definitely be following to watch your progress - happy sewing
Gm and yess Eleanor Burns is so cool I like her I also enjoyed Bonnie Hunter two...I think I would try your quilt bejeweled it works well with these fabrics....Or your just so good you sold me on this pattern. ... happyness04431@yahoo.com
These fabrics are gorgeous, and I especially love the purples and blues together. That pattern is a lot of fun, and if I didn't make it, I would choose a kaleidoscope quilt to show off all those magical colors! Hoping your days are smooth sailing, and you get those extra blocks made!
would love to do a Dresden plate just because I have never done one and it's one of my favorite. Doing it in Batiks would be a huge bonus and I think would make such a beautiful quilt.
I am currently working on a Jewel Box quilt and was thinking that batiks would work really well for that pattern. So I would do another Jewel Box!
Your quilt sparkles, no wonder you want to make it larger! Perfect fabrics for your chosen design.
Beautiful quilt Mary! That collection of batiks is perfect for a design like that. Eleanor Burns is a fantastic teacher and one of my favorites also!
I love batiks! Will have to take some time to think about what to make.
Luscious batiks, and you do such lovely quilts with them.
I feel I'm being repetitive, but I must say I love your jewel box quilt using these fabrics! I'm sure if I looked through my patterns I could come up with another pattern. I might choose one from Cozy Quilt Designs since I have a few of them I've been wanting to make.
I think they would look amazing in a feathered star. Though that is a ton of work. I love what you chose!
Yes, I have used Island Batiks, and love them. In fact, I am hand quilting a quilt with them right now. I was afraid to try it, but the needle is flying through the fabric, and the batiks are so pretty!1
Your quilt top is beautiful! The pattern is perfect for the Island Batiks.
I love this collection. Great pattern choice.
I think the design you picked is just perfect for this fabric line!
Who doesn't love batiks? Your Crystal Ball collection is scrumptious! Working exclusively with these batiks, I'd probably make a simple pattern or one with largish pieces to let the fabric have all the room it needs.
One of the first quilts I made was an Eleanor Burns pattern called Tulip Something, and I did indeed make the top in a day...if you count the day as from the time I got up until the time I went to bed early the next morning!
I have used Island Batik and I love the quality and how well they sew.
If I had these fabrics I would probably make a quilt for my daughter who only uses a blanket.
Your quilt is lovely
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Beautiful fabrics! I would have made Patchwork Sky by Thimblr blossoms.
Wow I love those colors. Beautiful!
Lovely colors. I've always like a pretty paisley. I have a quilt pattern by Beaquilter that these fabrics would look wonder in. Thanks for sharing grinnie1961 at gmail dot com
I am not sure if I have used Island Batiks. I select fabrics based on my pattern and colors I want.
Just the perfect choice for those fabrics. The Jewel box is a timeless favorite quilt block.
I will probably make something with randomly places squares and rectangles with colors varying dark to light or by hues from one end to another.
I love Island Batiks, for their rich colors and the quality of their fabrics. You chose a perfect pattern to match to the collection you were working with. Thanks for sharing your process with us. I especially appreciate you acknowledging that caring for your mom kept you from plowing forward to make the whole quilt at once, as you might otherwise have. So many of us have circumstances--whether our own health or our responsibilities to others--that put limits on our ability to immediately accomplish what we'd like to do. We'll get there, just not without taking time out.
You have chosen a great pattern to use for these fabrics. I would make a New York Beauty quilt
Hi Maryellen! I don't think you could have made a better choice for your pattern. As soon as I saw the picture, I though look at those rich jewel tones. PERFECT pattern. Aren't you just thrilled with how it turned out? Ooh-la-la, I think it is gorgeous. And I love Eleanor Burns. Her patterns are always so well written, yardage exact - she is a go-to designer for me. I used to love to watch her show, and still remember her tossing scraps over her shoulder. ~smile~ Roseanne
I also have a weakness for purples - these are gorgeous! I think you picked a beautiful pattern. I have a small bundle of batiks that I'm planning to make a paper pieced dragon with. I've never paper pieced before, but there will be a dragon, someday.
I love the colours and the pattern, they work beautifully
Oh gosh! I am not sure what pattern I would use for these gorgeous fabrics! I do like those travel quilt blocks over at mmm quilts! though! so cool! I've used batiks before and they are so sensuous to sew with!
That is a beautiful collection, love your quilt
That purple/rich turquoise is my favourite of the bunch! Lovely quilt, one I've wanted to make for a long time too!
The pattern you choose is gorgeous with these fabrics! And kudos for getting even as much as you got done while caring for your mom. Alzheimer's is not easy. I know.
So if you press me, I'd say I probably would have picked something very similar to the pattern you chose. It's perfect!
That is going to be a beautiful quilt! I love the fabrics you chose! I won a drawing of some Island Batik fabrics last year, and they are lovely to work with.
Wonderful opening paragraph about the hop. Preety beginnings to a quilt. As for me, Don't have a clue which pattern I would choose, the fabric would have to inspire me. 24Tangent@gmail.com
Haven't made a batik quilt, yet, planning on a queen/king size quilt.
What a lovely quilt this is, and will be.
I have no idea what I would have made. I would likely have stared at the fabric for a day or two until inspiration struck. Or, maybe it would have happened immediately.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Batiks in my favorite colors! Oh my, who could ask for anything more. I love the pattern you used and would likely use the same if I won. Thank you for an opportunity to win and your quilt is beautiful! Happy New Year!
I use batiks 95% of the time and Island Batiks are CERTAINLY represented in my stash! Love them...to pieces!
Such gorgeous fabrics! I have an idea for a quilt, and I have been "creating" the design in my head for a couple weeks. Now that the holidays and chaos are over, maybe I can make it a reality. Of course, these fabrics are perfect for the project.
I have this pattern and have not used it yet. I would like to make this pattern in Island Batik!
Cork@pa.rr.com
Definitely a winning combination! Crystal Ball has done Your Jewel Box quilt some serious justice. :-)
I just love these colors!! I would make a pattern called Fire Burst with it!
I'd find a pattern for hydrangeas, maybe applique. They are perfect! Thanks for hosting the hop and giveaway!
Beautiful fabrics - am working on a batik version of New York Beauty at the moment!
Stunning fabric collection! I would be tempted to use the same pattern as yours is gorgeous.
Your quilt is gorgeous! I love the colors in Crystal Ball so much. I would make a floral applique quilt with these beautiful Island Batik fabrics. Have a lovely day!
This collection is fantastic. And, I love your quilt, so I think I might try to make the Jewel Box Quilt.
You have chosen a beautiful pattern for this quilt ... and who wouldn't love those colours. Very pretty!
Gorgeous quilt. While finding time for sewing amidst caring for your Mom might be hard, it is nice that you are able to do so. Happy Monday.
I love the colors in Crystal Ball. Your quilt is going to be BEAUTIFUL!!!!
yes, the purple and teal is amazing!
Love the fabric and love your quilt! I can't think of a better pattern, so I would use it too.
I have used batiks but have no idea if they were Island Batiks.
I love these fabrics, the colors are luscious! I have a pinwheel pattern that would look beautiful in these!
Jewel Box was a great choice! There is a pattern called Tatami from Beyond the Reef that would probably be lovely with these fabrics as well.
I would use them to make one of the quilt challenges I am doing
I would use them to make one of the quilt challenges I am doing
I would use them to make one of the quilt challenges I am doing
I love what you have done! I think I would have to try the same pattern!
Beautiful fabric! I think I would make a baby quilt for a special little girl from this collection.
I love the b
Crystal Ball collection. Like you, I would use these fabrics to make Jewel Box or perhaps a new design I am working on. Another Hop is the perfect way to start a new year. Thank you for being part of it.
Carol Andrews
https://quiltschmilt.wordpress.com/
I would love to make
a tote bag with these
fabrics. I have used
some in a quilted bag
I made.
Carla from Utah
Jewel Box is the perfect quilt pattern to show off these wonderful Batik fabrics! Thank you, Susan
I think these beautiful colors would make a beautiful braided quilt.
I have not used Island batiks in the past. I think I would use them to make with Lemoyne Stars or Dresden Plates.
Your quilt iw so beautiful and a perfect choice for island batics fabrics! Also, I could like to make the Kate Quilt Pattern!
Your quilt iw so beautiful and a perfect choice for island batics fabrics! Also, I could like to make the Kate Quilt Pattern!
Lovely Fabric! I truly love these Hops. As a beginner it's the perfect way to be introduced to so many fantastic patterns. This is one I'd definitely make with this fabric!
lstangl482 at aol dot com
I am joining the perfect half squares BOM and these would be perfect.
Thank you for hopping. Island Batik Crystal Ball fabrics are stunning and your quilt is gorgeous.
Your Jewel Box quilt is lovely, a great choice for those rich jewel tones. I love working with batiks and blues, greens and purples are my favourites. NOt sure what pattern I would choose, but Jewel Box is a good possibility! I am working with some Island Batiks right now... :)
Thanks for sharing your project with us. Hops are such fun!
Just love the designs in batiks. Crystal ball batiks are lovely. I am still looking for ideas to use my blue and green batiks in a lap quilt.
djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com
Storm at Sea speaks to me for these fabrics, and using the mauves in the borders. What a gorgeous quilt for yourself, and looking after your Mum, makes this so much more special.I will look again to see more progress. Meantime, many fond greetings from a hot day down here in NZ. ( New Zealand ).
Comment #2. Not sure if any were Island Batiks, but batiks are my favourite fabric for every project.
Yes and they are buitifull to work with I live the colors....happyness04431@yahoo.com
You are juggling a lot on your plate. Your quilt has turned out terrific and I do love the colors. I would probably make some sort of half square triangle/neutral quilt with these colors. They play off of each other so nicely. Thanks for sharing the giveaway and best of luck with your mother.
Wow, these colors are GORGEOUS!!!!! Can't wait to see your finished Jewel Box. Great choice for these fabrics. I'm not sure what I would have done with them, I would have to stare at their loveliness and see what spoke to me!
Love, love, love the colors. Well done!
Just so glad to be back to my desktop computer...so I could tell you how fabulous this quilt is! Bright colored Island Batiks and SPRINKLES...my favorite 'solid' white...what could be better!
This is serendipity. I just picked up the Jewel Box quilt book from the free table at my quilt guild last week! I can't wait to make one!
The batiks are so pretty! I love all the blues!
Oh dear, this is so hard. I love 9 Patch, Log Cabin and Stars so would probably choose stars or a log cabin design of some sort. And I love, love these colors, second only to my beloved jades. This would make a lovely winter set and the jades for summer. Also need a new comforter and bed skirt, but have limited time and very limited budget. Going to be so hard to choose. Haven’t used Island Batiks before, so that’s something lovely to look forward to, especially since I just got an interim sewing machine. My old one from the mid 70s was showing its age and I can’t yet afford what I really want yet. Never done one of your hops before, either, so that’s exciting as well. Thank you for all the information!
I always love Pinwheel blocks and a quilt of them with batiks would be gorgeous!
I think your choice of pattern was genius. I, too, love Eleanor Burns, and dived right into her log cabin book the first time it was printed. I've made a couple dozen of them by now, and don't even need the book. LOL I actually did tear all my strips for the very first one! I might have made the exact choice you did, but it might also have been something with a dark background and Sister's Choice or Churn Dash, my two favorite blocks. Thank you so much for the giveaway. I'm happy with anything that resembles batik. =) I didn't know about your Etsy and next month will have to check it out (since this month's budget is already spent!). Thanks for the link in your sidebar.
I love what you have done with this collection. I would make a disappearing nine patch quilt.
Beautiful colors and designs! I have not yet used Island Batiks in my projects but I have some set aside for a butterfly block of the month.
Sandy a
These fabrics are so beautiful! I would pick a simple quilt design to showcase the fabrics, maybe Stacks! by Me & My Sisters. I LOVE the pattern you selected, it's fantastic!!! Can't wait to see it up to your bed size.
The pattern you chose for this collection was the perfect one! I would have chosen it as well! And yes, I have used Island Batik fabrics in some of my projects. I have to order those as my LQS doesn't carry them, unfortunately!
Some of my favorite colors in batiks! I think I would have to do some sort of wonky star design. Love your choice.
I love using Island Batiks.
I have used island Batik fabric..looove the colors & quality!! My Daughter & I are both working on quilts.. and both of us are using just Batiks :)
Yes, I've used Island Batiks in more than a few projects. While Jewel Box is a nice pattern, I'd probably make a nice Rail Fence quilt if I were to win these fabrics. -- soparkaveataoldotcom
Tranquil Waters or Fading Skies patterns would both work well with this beautiful palette. pjrquilter at msn dot com
I love Island Batik fabrics. I like your choice. It highlights the fabrics. I might have done a Twisted Ribbon quilt on Black but yours is great.
Cool colours - my favourites are purples
Lovely quilt! Can't wait to see it with the piano key border. I think this bundle would look awesome as a Palm Beauty--here's to paper-pieced perfect points!
My favorite block is the Hunter's Star. Since this fabric is so beautiful, I would make something using that block. Thanks!
Oh those purples are gorgeous! Your quilt is looking great I would want a queen size too. I love stars so something with stars.
I have been wanting to make the jewel box pattern, this fabric is perfect for it. This fabric would be fun to work with. It is beautiful!
I think the jewel box pattern was a perfect choice for the luscious fabrics!
This is a beautiful collection. I'd love to try the jew box pattern. Love it.
What a beautiful spray of fabric. I would have had a hard time cutting it and could sit and stare at it for hours.
Wonderful combination! The fabric is perfect for Jewel Box
All my favorite colors are in Crystal Ball. I would use them in a Storm at Sea pattern. I have used Island Batiks and have quite a few in my stash.
Your creativity is amazing. This worked out to be such a lovely quilt. I would love to use these fabrics in floral applique.
This is one of my all time favorite quilt patterns. It is a scrappy, happy pattern. I love the Island Batiks in this pattern.
What a gorgeous project! I really love how you chose to work with the Crystal Ball Collection.
Beautiful quilt, love your colors!
Gorgeous colors Mary, which are going to look beautiful in this quilt. I have recently been thinking that I would love to do a Dresden Plate for one of the guest room beds, and with all those yummy batiks, it would be perfect.
I might make another plus quilt.
I have so many patterns that I could choose from but I normally have to look at fabric for awhile and decide what to make - probably something with stars in it.
Your quilt is beautiful, and the colors in this collection are so beautiful! I have not used Island Batiks before, but really do love all the ones I've seen. I would make a baby quilt.
That's gorgeous! I once made a jewel box quilt, too :) Good luck getting it to queen size!
I have used Island Batik fabrics before. They are premium batik fabrics and sew up beautifully.
I have used Island Batik fabrics before and I love the colors and prints and quality of the fabric! I love this particular collection and I would like to use it in a Lone Star pattern. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work!
I don't know what pattern I would choose. I would have to pet them awhile before making a decision.
Yes, I have used Island Batik fabrics and love sewing with them. I save every scrap and have used them in amny scrappy projects. The colors are always so beautiful!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com
A beautiful quilt and it is certainly hard to decide a quilt. But I love Stars and I love flying geese. So something like that, I think.
Truly, I think your pattern choice was perfect! I'd use the Jewel Box Quilt pattern with such lovely fabric!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com
The jewel box pattern is cool, so id try that! Gorgeous quilt and fabrics! Enjoy your day!! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
I love this quilt! I think you picked the perfect design for the fabric!
This is another gorgeous Island Batik line and I love the quilt you are making with it! The pattern looks like beautiful jewels and I am partial to jewel tones. - Hmmm . . . what would I make with these fabrics? Well, the shore of an island with the ocean beyond it. That's what immediately comes to mind.
Seriously beautiful fabric. Your quilt pattern is lovely and wow! You made some serious progress on your quilt! Good for you! It will be a lovely finish!
I am picturing an art quilt featuring a pond with insects like dragonflies and other pond life.
These fabrics are SO gorgeous! I love the "Jewel Box " pattern you chose - and I think I would make the same one.
Your quilt is going to be wonderful when finished! I think I'd be making a quilt, maybe a sampler, using some of the many block designs that I've drawn up and have yet to make into a quilt. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love this quilt!
Beautiful quilt. I will have to put this on my to-do list.
Your quilt is beautiful! I am not sure what pattern I would use with these fabrics but something that would really show them off.
Well, I thought I did this earlier - apologies for the late comment. I love what you did with this collection. That pattern is timeless, but everytime I see it - I love it - and BLUEs are just one of my favorite colors for quilts! You made one terrific quilt.
I love this pattern and your colours. A Mexican Star pattern would also look awesome. Thanks for the opportunity to win your draw.
I would make the Garden of Love without photos it's so pretty. It was in Quilt It for Keepsakes quiltersnewsletter.com
On news stands until 03/17/2009.
I love the colours that you have choose. And the pattern is awesome. Thank you for sharing all these and for the opportunity to win. If i win i wll try to do the same pattern.
I want to get some of these fabrics to make a kaleidoscope quilt. I think the blues and purples would turn out really pretty. Thank you for this opportunity! ljbisme at msn dot com
perfect colors
Beautiful colors in those fabrics, perfect for that quilt!
Heck ya! I use them in a quilt. And this is the perfect fabric for this quilt pattern!
Julie.mirdoch@shaw.ca
Love these Batiks. Thank you for the post
I'm a purple lover too and your choice of patterns is perfect for this collection of Island Batiks! I have a pattern in my stash that I've loved for a long time and I think it's called Coin Change that I know would work well with this! You do deserve a new quilt for your bedroom and this is going to look awesome!
I love these fabrics and the colors. I especially love the Jewel box quilt that you made to display them.
A queen size jewel box quilt is quite the goal--especially with your other responsibilities! Good Luck!
I love the Jewel Box pattern, and these fabrics are just perfect for it. Great choice for these beautiful fabrics. :)
Beautiful quilt! I think I would make some flying geese to start with and then just play with other blocks until it felt "done". I like to just play with different blocks and fabrics and not always stick to a pattern. Many times I will start with a pattern but then things tend to go off in other directions.
So beautiful! I would love to make a baby quilt! Lots of babies coming!
i would like to make a storm at sea in these fabrics.
Yes I have made quilts with Island Batik! I love Island Batiks!
I have used some Island Batiks. Batiks are my favorite type of fabric. Great choice of pattern. I think they would also make a nice log cabin or landscape quilt.
Beautiful collection! Love jewel tones. I don't know what pattern to use at this point.
LOVE the colors you chose! I have never used island batiks before! I would LOVE to give them a whirl.
The jewel box is a great choice for these fabrics. I may have gone with a simple disappearing 9 patch.
I have never used Island Batik fabrics in my projects. I used a batik once for a binding and it was the most difficult fabric to get a hand needle through that I have used in my life. It was on a double wedding ring quilt and where the circle came together had to mitered. It was quite a challenge. I understand that this line of batiks is quite soft, so I would love a chance to try the line.
I have not used Island Batiks, but love the color!
I love this pattern and you the fabrics you have make it shine. Can't wait to see it finished with the borders.
Fabulous fabrics!
Such a pretty quilt! The Island Batiks fabrics are beautiful as well, and sew fun to create with!
Post a Comment