This month's Island Batik challenge was to use the new Accuquilt Tree Of Life Die. Since it is Christmas in July, we were asked to give our homemade item to someone who needs a little joy or smile. We were provided the die and asked to come up with a new design or something unique. I decided to make two designs with the die.
This die is called a block on board die. It is called this because everything needed to make one block is on the board. All you need to do is choose your colors and get cutting. It is quite easy. I have an Accuquilt Go! and love it. It makes cutting your pieces very easy and quick. For both designs I chose the colors and theme. I designed each one on Electric Quilt 8 and went from there.
I immediately envisioned the space shuttle or space ship and a Christmas Tree (©Sew Cute And Quirky).
Materials List:
Accuquilt Tree Of Life Die And Stars Die
Hobb's batting (I used Hobb's cotton fusible batting.)
Let's blast off with the first design. Starting with the space shuttle, I chose the colors and fiddled with placement of the colors on Electric Quilt 8 software. I used several Island Batik foundation color fabrics. These are available all year round. I then cut my pieces and arranged them.
After quilting it, I made it into a pillow. It measures 17" x 17". I would love to give this to a girl or boy that loves space, astronauts or NASA. If you know of a girl or boy that would like it.
With Accuquilt, the pieces fit flawlessly and sewing is more accurate. I love this aspect about the dies. The system is easy to use and takes the guess work out of precision cutting.
After cutting all the pieces now its time to sew. The pieces fit together perfectly and sewing is a breeze. Putting together the block went quickly and the block has directions on piecing as well. There are also free patterns on Accuquilt's website.
Once I completed the block. I decided to make a pillow with it. I also felt it needed something else so I added appliqué stars on it. The stars are also an Accuquilt die called, Star 2", 3" and 4" #55028.
After quilting it, I made it into a pillow. It measures 17" x 17". I would love to give this to a girl or boy that loves space, astronauts or NASA. If you know of a girl or boy that likes space, let me know.
For my second design, I had the perfect person in mind to give the gift of joy. It is so fitting with the theme, Christmas in July, so I call this make the, "Christmas Tree Of Life". I used several shades of green from Island Batik's foundations within the gradations line and a few from last year's Farm Fresh line and this year's Tranquility line. Adding some bits and baubles decorated the tree to give it a fun and festive look. Getting trim was fun, because it adds a little extra to a piece. It provides dimension is easily added too.
I designed the block to look more like a Christmas Tree. I did this because I thought of my sister. She loves Christmas and absolutely loves Hallmark Christmas movies! Yes, I know, they are cheesy but they are cute and fun to watch. She remarked that she was watching Christmas movies for Christmas in July. I thought making a wall hanging would be a nice gift of cheer for her. It measures 20"x20".
Last year, my sister had a difficult year. She was dealing with illness, in particular, breast cancer. It was a very hard on her and the treatments are not easy. She had surgery last March, 5 months of chemotherapy and 1month of radiation. These treatments, although lifesaving and helpful, are daunting and exhausting. She was a trooper and fought the whole way. I love her very much and am thankful she is here with us today. I wanted to share some joy and cheer with her so I figured a Christmas tree wall hanging would go perfectly with her Hallmark holiday spirit. She lives in Connecticut, so once I finished the wall hanging, I sent it up to her from here in Florida.
Thank you Island Batik, Schmetz Needles , Hobbs Batting, Aurifil thread , Schmetz Needles and Accuquilt for providing the supplies for this project. I had with this challenge.
#islandbatik, #accuquilt, #accuquiltchristmasinjuly, #islandbatikambassador, #hobbsbatting, #aurifil, #aurifilthread, #schmetzneedles, #berninausa, #bernina
Check out my fellow Island Batik Ambassador's projects. Their projects are fun and unique. Thank you for reading my blog and have a great day.
Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs Megan Best ~ Bestquilter Pamela Boatright ~ Pamelaquilts Elizabeth DeCroos ~ Epida Studio Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter
Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch By Stitch Custom Quilting Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs . Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood Denise Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine Anorina Morris – sameliasmum.com Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads Brianna Roberts ~ Sew Cute And Quirky Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail Andi Stanfield ~ True Blue Quilts Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
These are both great projects, Brianna. I'm so thankful your sister is a survivor. I was an oncology nurse in my early nursing career and know those treatments can be so hard on a body. A dear friend went through all of that last year also. Have a great week!
Both projects are wonderful Brianna! I love the spaceship idea - so creative! And the trim on the tree is just perfect. Much love and hugs to your sister. I've been through breast cancer, too. It's so traumatic. Both of your makes definitely bring the cheer! Have a great day.