For March 2024 the Island Batik challenge was “It’s All Up to You!”. I’ve been wanting to make a modern quilt with arrow blocks for some time and this was my chance to do so using Island Batik fabrics.     While I’ve seen many quilts with arrow blocks online, I couldn’t find any instructions for the type of arrow block I wanted to make so… I asked my hubby (who is better at math than me) to help me design these blocks. They’re easy to make – once you understand the math. Look for an upcoming YouTube video tutorial on making the arrow blocks I used in this quilt.       ..read more

    I’ve never made a log cabin quilt! There, I’ve said it. I know, it’s hard to believe but it’s unfortunately true. I’ve always wanted to make one and have made a large half log cabin block quilt (click here for details on that one) but as for an entire log cabin quilt - never happened. Fortunately, I’m an Island Batik Ambassador this year and the challenge for February 2024 was to make a log cabin quilt. Perfect! Finally the opportunity to make a log cabin quilt.     As an Island Batik Ambassador, I’m provided with fabric to use in these challenges and the fabric for t ..read more

    And the Island Batik Log Cabin Blog Hop continues into Week 3! I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the beautiful and creative projects that Island Batik Ambassadors have been sharing during February 2024 in the Log Cabin Blog Hop. I’ve been sharing these on my Facebook and Instagram pages so I hope you’ve been keeping up with all the wonderful quilts being created by my fellow Ambassadors. This week it’s my turn to share and I’ll be posting what I’ve created using the Woodstock collection by Kathy Engle for Canton Village Quilt Works later this week. Here’s another sneak peek at my pro ..read more

    And the Island Batik Log Cabin Blog Hop continues into Week 2! I’m constantly amazed by the incredible designs that the Island Batik Ambassadors create and it’s fascinating to me that even though we all had the same starting point: create a log cabin block project, there are so many variations on this traditional block. I’m not quite finished my project yet but I’m working with the Woodstock collection by Kathy Engle for Canton Village Quilt Works and enjoying the vibrant colours and patterns of this groovy collection. Here’s a sneak peek of what I’m designing.     Wh ..read more

    As an Island Batik Ambassador I get to work with their amazing fabrics and, in February, all of the Ambassadors are designing their own log cabin projects and sharing them in a blog hop. While I haven’t quite finished my project yet (you’ll see it later this month), I can share a peek at the fabrics I’m working with for my design.   Island Batik “Woodstock” collection half yard bundle with coordinating fabrics and some Island Batik solids   I’m using the Woodstock collection by Kathy Engle for Canton Village Quilt Works in my first project for Island Batik. It’s a thr ..read more

    It’s here: my first ambassador box from Island Batik!   It’s here - all 35 lbs. of it! ?   I’ve been excitedly waiting for this box to arrive and today was the day! I love batiks and Island Batik didn’t disappoint in the fabrics they selected and sent to me. I told them that I liked bright, bold colours and that’s just what I received. And I received a lot more fabric and other goodies than I thought I would - which is also exciting! Thanks, Island Batik! ? Here’s a few photos of what was in the first Island Batik 2024 Ambassador box.   Look at all the goodies i ..read more

I’ve been holding off on announcing some exciting news but can now let the cat out of the bag! Okay, Victor is actually in a bin but I think you get the idea! ?     I’ve been selected to be an Island Batik 2024 Ambassador!  I’m very excited to have been chosen as one of the Island Batik Ambassadors for this year. I’m honoured to be on the team with so many accomplished quilters. I’ve got to admit that I’m a bit nervous about creating projects for Island Batik but it will be the perfect chance to “up my game” in 2024 and I’m looking forward to that opportunity. Look for lots of ..read more

Quilters tend to be caring people who love to share the passion for their craft and often see making and giving a quilt as the heartfelt expression of their feelings for the person they are giving their “labor of love” to. Unfortunately, what started as an act of kindness can result in disappointment for the quilter if the gift is not “sufficiently appreciated” by the person who receives it. Many quilters have encountered this situation. Let me tell you about the first time this happened to me and what it taught me. A Cautionary Tale Many years ago, when I first started quilting, I made a tabl ..read more

One of the common things I hear from quilters is that they are afraid to learn free motion quilting. While it is not uncommon to have a feeling of uncertainty when trying something new, I believe that without the right attitude it will be really difficult to be successful. If you’re afraid to free motion quilt and can’t get past that feeling of fear, you won’t even try free motion quilting – and you’ll have a lot of unfinished quilt tops hanging around in your studio! There are 3 basics reasons why quilters say they are afraid to learn free motion quilting: 1.     I won’t b ..read more

Free motion quilting is a very versatile technique which is great because once you learn it you will be able to apply it in simple ways for simple projects or in complex ways that allow you to demonstrate your creativity. While the versatility of the technique is wonderful for someone who is a master, it can be extremely intimidating for someone who is not quite as proficient. It can be like a writer facing a blank page with no idea of what kind of book they want to write: too many choices and no way to decide where to start. The wide range of applications of free motion quilting also complica ..read more