Artsy Fartsy with “Island Batik” part 2

I’m back, and I'm betting you thought I fell off the face of the earth.
Well, not quite, but my computer crashed and I felt like I pretty much had.
It was only supposed to be a couple of days...
Apparently I have become a slave to technology!
Over a week without a computer...well, is just cruel and unusual punishment.
LOL!!

I've been dying to tell you just how much this  “artsy fartsy” 

theme has really grabbed in attention this month.

This time, I’m sharing a summertime favorite...

This is "Lets Picnic" from "Applique Garden"

Every good picnic should have all these goodies, don't you agree?

LOL!!!

This months challenge is sponsored by "Aurifil " thread. We want to

show you just what you can do with the different weight of threads.

This photo is a great place to start. 

A 40, 50 or 80 weight is perfect for stitching down appliques, when you don't want 

the thread to be the center of attention.

The higher the number the finer the thread.

When I want the details to pop, I use a 28 weight,

Example: the sesame seeds on the hamburger bun and the lines on the onion.

(you know, every hamburger needs onion)

;-)

Or the froth lines in the whip cream on the shake above.

 The pickle details are also done in a 28 weight.

Don't you love how the colors in these "Island Batik" fabrics pop.

These corner appliques are compliments of my Accuquilt GO cutter and dies.

Just a little way to add some additional pop to things, and make a project "yours"

"Aurifil" floss...is a perfect way to attach the buttons.

I love the fact, that "Aurifil" thread has such a wide variety of weights,

 in so many colors.

 I used a Hobbs wool batting, for a fun dimensional look.
I love the loft it has and how it makes my appliques pop off the background.

Here's a little eye candy for you.

Makes your heart go pitty-pat doesn't it?

Oh, how I "LOVE" the wooden spools their floss is wrapped on.

Such a fun, retro feel!

:-)

A big thank you to  

and

Our fabulous industry partners.

And of course 

I hope I've inspired you add a little "Artsy Fartsy" into your life.

til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

Artsy Fartsy Challenge with Island Batik and Aurifil Thread

I have to admit, when I saw the title of this months challenge,

I got quite a laugh out of it.

Being that I raised a house full of boys...the word "Fartsy",

 would have brought out hours of giggles and inappropriate conversations.

Oh, those were the days, one minute they were driving you crazy and the next,

they are all grown up. How I'd love to hear "Fartsy" chatter again!

Getting back on subject here...

I'm going "Artsy Fartsy" this month with

and

:-)

These challenges usually make me think on them a bit...

But this time, I knew exactly what I was going to use anyway.

Do you remember awhile back, I made "scrap" fabric cloth?

I shared that adventure HERE during the "Quilt Qwazy Queens" blog hop, 

celebrating International Quilting Day, in March.

Yes, I get a little crazy with those leftover bits and pieces of

"Island Batik" fabrics!

        

But it's a great way to recycle and reuse, as well as using up

leftover bobbins and bits of thread.

I use any weight thread that I can make run through my machine or bobbin.

The different weights, add so much to the texture of things.

After trimming up my piece I adhered it Timtex.

 Lining on one side and my scrap fabric cloth on the other.

I cut it into 4,  5" wide pieces.

It seemed like such a great idea in my head...

but I got carried away with the thickness when making the scrap fabric...

and on top of Timtex...

Well, I didn't think that one through!

:-O

With a ton of patience and a denim needle in my machine, 

I was able to stitch through 2 layers and attach a binding, that later was 

hand stitched down, to finish it off.

You have to be wondering, just what the heck I am up to????

It's a scrap fabric vase.

Pretty Artsy Fartsy, I'd say!

Having "Aurifil" cotton floss, a curved needle and a pair of needle nose pliers,

was invaluable for attaching the bottom.

Every good vase needs flowers.

These "Island Batik" fabric flowers were just the ticket.

If your needing a fabric flower fix...

I found this quick and easy tutorial, on "Pinterest"

HERE

Yep...I'm loving this "Artsy Fartsy" challenge.

A big thanks to "Aurifil" for sponsoring us this month.

Your threads of many colors and weights are perfect for any project you stitch.

...even a vase

;-)

If you want a good laugh...google the meaning of Artsy Fartsy.

I do believe I might just "resemble" one of two of those meanings!

HAHAHAHAHA

I'm really enjoying this months challenge

and it isn't the only project I've done for the month...

Check back in a few days!

(If your not too scared, that is)

tee hee hee hee

til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

Try It with "Island Batik"

This month the Island Batik Ambassadors trying something new, 

or showing you techniques, you may not have tried before.

This is always one of my favorite challenges.

I inspires me to get out of that "box" I put myself into

 and give something new, a whirl.

Well, not exactly like this though!

No, for this one I'm going to talk about binding irregular shaped quilts.

This is "Hen Party".

And these "Island Batik" fabrics make these "chicks" come to life, don't you think?

I was able to use part of a "stack" of "Paisley Dot" for the background.

This is one of my favorite fabric lines.

These are just a sampling of the beautiful fabrics in this "Stack".

I've used much of it, in other projects.

I've not personally ever added little wings to my quilts before, but

wow, does that give it some pizzazzzzzz!

It's really as easy as stitching your "wings", 

by matching the centers and pressing them out.

Where the trick comes in, is with binding it.

While I took this photo before it was quilted...

You will want to reinforce stitch the inner corner once that has been done. 

Stitch, just a few threads inside of the 1/4"seam allowance.

Then clip to your stitching line.

When attaching your binding, stitch to the center of the clip and stop.

Raise your feed dogs.

Give things a tug, until it's your piece is straight.

Lower your feed dogs and keep on stitching. 

You will want to check that corner once your past it to make sure

you kept that quarter in seam. It's easy to jump in a bit there. 

If so, just go over it again. The second time is usually the charm!

LOL!!

When pressing your binding out, 

press in a little pleat at each inner corner.

Before you start stitching down your binding,

 flip your project over and stitch a tuck

 about half way up from your stitching line

 at each inner corner, on just the underside layer of your binding.

As you can see, you will get beautiful results on both the top and bottom,

at those inner corners.

A big thanks it "Island Batik" for supplying these fabulous fabrics.

As well as to "Hobbs" for their batting. I am a huge fan of

"Thermore" batting. It's great for those project you want to lay perfectly flat.

Of course it goes without saying...

"Aurifil" thread is a must for stitching any project.

:-)

So you love those crazy hens as much as I do?

Well, you can find them and lots of other fun animal projects in this book

from Annie's Craft Store

Animal Attraction

Price: $7.99

Pattern in a downloadable format

• Animal Attraction
• 
• Price: $14.99
• Or in a book format.
• *Please note these are affiliate links*

til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'