If I thought I was busy in 2017 – and I was- 2018 is going to be a continuous “mad dash to the deadline.” No, no, don’t feel sorry for me. It’s my own fault. I tend to dive headlong into design opportunities especially when there’s company-supplied fabric involved. And so, when fellow designer Cindy Wiens mentioned the Island Batik “Ambassador” program, I had to check it out…and apply…and they accepted!
First, they sent me some nifty artwork to display proudly on my blog:
Next came an email from FedEx that my first (there will be two this year) shipment of fabric was on its way. Another ambassador pointed out that the package weighed 22lbs. Holy Cow!
On the way home the other evening, I stopped for Chinese take-out. This was the fortune in my cookie:
I arrived home to find a very large box on my doorstep.
Before I show you what was inside, I need to point out that the fabrics were supplied by Island Batik, the battings by Hobbs, and the threads by Aurifil.
First was this little bundle of five fat quarters for my first project, a GALentine’s Day mug rug. GALentine. I’d never heard of it, but it’s a thing. More about that when I post the project this weekend.
There was a twin-size cotton batting from Hobbs. It’s wonderful stuff – and I’m not just saying that because they gave it to me.
And there was a queen-size Thermore, Hobbs‘ super-thin poly batting. This should be perfect for my mug rug and other small projects.
Yes, Auri-philes, that is six spools and one huge cone of Aurifil threads. I’ll share the brochures, but not the thread!
Island Batik calls this package a “Stash Builder”. It contains five rolls, and each roll has four different 5″ wide strips of various prints. Imagine the possibilities.
Next came this collection of fat eighths, plus a couple yards of a coordinate. This collection is called “Mountains Majesty.”
Here’s a side view of the Mountains Majesty bundle. My muse thinks he has an idea for this collection.
Then I found this lovely rayon scarf and a couple yards of this aquamarine color rayon print. I’ve never worked with rayon, so this will be an adventure.
There were several yards from Island Batik’s “foundation” collection.
Island Batik‘s collection of 42 10″ squares is called a “Stack”. This one is called “Northern Woods”, and it was accompanied by two coordinates.
And then there was this:
I haven’t opened it, because I am under strict orders not to show the contents to anyone yet, and, well, I know me. I do know this much – it is full of brand new Island Batiks that will be introduced to shops at Quilt Market this spring, so they will be arriving at your local quilt shop this summer.
Yes, it’s all mine, and all Island Batik, Hobbs and Aurifil asked in return is that I produce a series of projects using them over the next few months!
I am proud to be one of the 45 Island Batik Ambassadors for 2018. Each of us will be posting projects on our blogs monthly. Most have already posted their GALentines projects, so grab your favorite beverage, and prepare to be inspired!
I am exactly the same. I am always running to catch a deadline because I want to make everything I like, which is of course impossible
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Way to go, Anne! Looking forward to see what you create!
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How fortuituous to get the appropriate fortune in your cookie! I too am wondering about all these deadlines, but, I think focus and a bit of preplanning will be good.
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Deadlines are my best friends. If I didn’t have them, I would never get anything done.
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Enjoy the beautiful fabrics!
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Beautiful fabrics, you’ll have fun this year, I love being an Island Batik Ambassador!
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