Christine's Blue Kitchen {Finished Quilt}

This weekend, I was able to quilt my blue Island Batik version of our Christine's Kitchen pattern! As an Island Batik Ambassador, I am provided with samples of various lines of Island Batik fabrics to use and share with you!

For the quilting, I briefly considered using multiple thread colors but ultimately decided to use the same thread throughout. I used Connecting Threads 50 wt. in Silver.

Like my original Christine's Kitchen quilt, I did meanders in the background. In my original quilt, I did loops inside of all of the dishes, but this time around, I used a variety of simple free motion quilting motifs in the cups, vases, and pots. I did a lot of loops, swirls, and squiggles, but I tried to mix it up a little bit.

Working with the small spaces was a little limiting but other than the sugar and creamer pair on the bottom shelf, the rest of the dishes are all quilted differently.

The backing fabric is the larger floral print (used in the teapot above!) and the binding fabric is the speckle print (used in the coffee pot below!). I also used the floral print for the hanging sleeve. Because this quilt finishes at 36" x 39", you only need a single width of fabric for the backing!

I didn't do any quilting in the applique sections to help it stand out. For the border, I used a larger swirly flower filler.

I used one of my decorative stitches to stitch down the binding so it will be extra secure!

Originally I had planned to give this as a gift, but now I'm feeling a little selfish and might want to keep it. 

Don't forget to check out the Island Batik Facebook page to see what all of the other Ambassadors are working on this month!

Project Stats:

Name: Christine's Blue Kitchen
Pattern: Christine's Kitchen by HBD
Size: 36" x 39"
Fabrics: London Fog by Island Batik and grey solid
Quilting: Various motifs in grey thread from Connecting Threads
Future: Might be a gift, might not!

Sharing at Let's Bee Social, Needle and Thread Thursday, and Brag About Your Beauties!

Christine's Kitchen 2.0 {Finished Quilt Top}

My Chrstine's Kitchen top -- version 2.0! -- is now ready for quilting!

I sewed together the three out of four of the rows of blocks right away. The last remaining row is the row containing the two flower blocks which stick out of the vases.

For my two applique blocks, I decided to make white daisies with blue centers. I made my flowers larger than the applique templates in the pattern, so I made two flowers for each block instead of three for each block. These fabrics, as well as the green stems and leaves, came out of my stash of Island Batik scraps. As an Island Batik Ambassador, I am provided with samples of various lines of Island Batik fabrics to use and share with you!

For the machine applique, I used a blanket stitch around my flowers, stems, and leaves. For the leaves, I used a dark olive green Aurifil thread. For the flower centers and petals, I used a navy blue thread. I used a wider stitch width for the petals and a narrower stitch width for the centers.

After adding the applique blocks to the second row, I added the set of sashings that are added before the pieced border.

Instead of using the background fabric in the pieced border, I decided to alternate between the light and dark colors from the strip pack. I had to cut down the strips from 2.5" to 2", but strip piecing the pieced border was a very quick process. I was able to use up the scraps I had from paper piecing and I think I used about 10 different fabrics in the pieced border.

I'll be using the remainders of my two blue yardages for the backing, binding, and hanging sleeve. This is the next top that I'll be quilting -- I have a batting from Hobbs that was provided in my July Island Batik Ambassador box that I'll be using. I am leaning towards quilting this one with grey thread and I have a few different grey options.

Happy Wednesday!

Sharing at Let's Bee Social and Needle and Thread Thursday!

Needle, Paper, Scissors {Paper Piecing with Island Batik!}

As an Island Batik Ambassador, I am provided with samples of various lines of Island Batik fabrics to use and share with you!

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I absolutely LOVE foundation paper piecing! I've been looking forward to this challenge since we got our project calendar all the way back in January.

When we got our July shipments, I decided that I wanted to use the London Fog fabrics to make a new version of our Christine's Kitchen pattern. This pattern was our 2017 QAL -- when I made my original version, I also used Island Batik fabrics in greens with a cream background.

This time around, I pulled out the yardage and strip pack of London Fog and decided to use a grey solid for my background.

This is one of the projects that I started while I was at quilt camp in August. I used the larger cuts of two different fabrics from the line for the piecing of the larger pieces and used the dark strips for the accents in each block. Here are the first three blocks that I made:

For the largest blocks, I made half with the floral print and half with the speckled print. For the smaller blocks and the center coffee pot, I used just the 2.5" strips for the piecing. This meant that for a few of the blocks I had to get creative in piecing the blocks -- like for the sugar bowl and creamer where I made them look "dip dyed" instead of just one color for the majority of the block.

Here are most of my paper pieced blocks for this project all laid out together:

Next up will be making the applique flower blocks and then putting the whole quilt top together. I cut all of the background setting pieces before I started the blocks, so putting together the top will be quite quick!

Interested in the Christine's Kitchen pattern but scared to commit? We have a two block preview that is free on our Craftsy site! The preview only contains the pattern for one teacup and one coffee pot and has no setting directions, but is a good way to practice paper piecing with scraps until you're undertake the full pattern!

Sharing at Let's Bee Social and Needle and Thread Thursday!

Here in the Real World {Retreat Round Up}

I'm back in the real world after a few days in the happiest place on earth -- Quilt Camp!

I was able to make a TON of progress on the projects that I took to Michigan with me!

1. Secret Test Quilt

This quilt top is done, and I can't show it off, but here are some work in project pictures.

2. Jolly Bar Meringue Quilt

This quilt top is done and I can't wait to share more about it! The quilt is made up of half square rectangles and I took a little bit of a creative detour with my color placement to give the appearance of pinwheels!

3. Christine's Kitchen 2.0

Lots more pictures of this one will come in October, but I am absolutely in love with the the London Fog line for this project! I've used the larger cuts of yardage for the paper piecing of the teapots and pitchers and grey solid for the background.

4. Radiant Jewel Quilt

This was my "just in case" project -- I ended up making more progress than expected on my other three projects and got to start some of the blocks for this quilt! I managed to finish nine of the 17 "diamond" blocks and start on the flying geese and HSTs for the next two. This was a mystery quilt at Craftsy about 5 years ago and my mom bought the kit on clearance for me. I have the "Jewel" colorway and the fabrics in the kit are a mixture of Kona solids and Grandeur prints from Robert Kaufman.

Now I have two tops ready to quilt, I'm ready to make the applique blocks for my Christine's Kitchen quilt, and I actually got to start a project just for fun! But here in the real world, I'm back to prioritizing deadlines, making do with what I have on hand for finishes, and having to fit in my sewing in between work and chores!

Alison in Wonderland {Retreat Prep}

Saturday I fly to Michigan to spend some time with family and go on retreat with my mom! Quilt retreat is the perfect combination of my favorite things: quilting, massages, junk food, and wearing comfy pants all day.

I've been making a serious effort over the last month or so to finish up a bunch of projects before I go on retreat. I have finished my Donuts quilt top and my Breezy Blooms quilt top over the last week and I also finished my Pansy Garden quilt and my Jungle Cruise version of Summer Patio which I will finally get to show off on August 28th!

Last year while on retreat, I worked on the piecing for my two Blue in Bloom quilts. This year I have three projects that  I am going to be working on.

1. Secret Test Quilt

The details of this quilt that I am testing are still a secret but I will at least tell you about all of the fabrics! I pulled everything out of my stash and the color scheme is orange/coral, brown, chartreuse, and purple with a Kona Oyster background. This one is actually baby sized so this should be a relatively short project. All of the cutting is done, so this will hopefully go together quickly.

2. Radiant Jewel Quilt

A long, long time ago, I managed to get my hands on a kit from Craftsy on sale for what was at the time a mystery quilt along. The fabric has sat in my stash all of this time, and I thought it was the perfect project for retreat! The quilt is called Radiant Jewel by Kimberly Einmo, but it looks like most of the original links are now expired. Here's the fabrics in the kit:

3. Christine's Kitchen 2.0

Our Island Batik Ambassador theme for October is paper piecing. My current plan is to use the London Fog fabrics that came in my most recent Ambassador box to make another version of our Christine's Kitchen pattern. My original version is green and cream; this version will be grey and blue!

4. Jolly Bar Meringue Quilt

I just got the supplies to make this upcoming Fat Quarter Shop Shortcuts quilt and I'll be showing off the finished quilt in early October! I'm using the Sweet Marion line.

I know that these are all new projects and I am trying to cut down on the new projects, but both the Jolly Bar Meringue and Christine's Kitchen 2.0 quilts will be done before the end of October. The Radiant Star Quilt is my "maybe" project -- but you can't go on retreat and then not have enough projects to work on!

What do you think of my project list? Which fabrics are your favorites?

Summer Patio Pattern Premiere {Giveaway and Sale!}

I'm excited to share our newest Honey, Bunny, and Doll pattern -- Summer Patio!

This pattern is perfect for the jelly rolls you've been hoarding in your stash! This pattern includes a twin size option (68" x 91") and a full size option (77" x 91"). Rather than using a background fabric for the sashing, this pattern uses a single fabric for the borders and the sashing to make the blocks float like tiles! You can get the pattern on Etsy or Craftsy.

We've also reached a huge milestone -- over 900 likes on our HBD Facebook page! Thank you for showing such support for us over the last few years! We love designing patterns and selling fabric. As a little thank you to all of our friends and followers, our Christine's Kitchen and Starburst patterns are $9 on Etsy for a short time only! (Regularly $12!!)

So let's also do a Summer Patio pattern giveaway! As is our normal MO, leave comments to enter!

1. Leave a comment with what fabric line you'd use to make your own Summer Patio quilt. I think it would be great in any Bonnie and Camille line!

2. Leave a second comment if you are a follower of Little Bunny Quilts (blog, Instagram) or Honey, Bunny, and Doll (FB page, FB group, Instagram)! We couldn't have gotten to where we are without you!

I'll pick winners (YES WINNERS!) next Monday and update this post when I do!

Here are our winners!

Happy Tuesday!

Honey, Bunny, and Doll Updates {Patterns + Upcoming Sale}

Today I have a few "business items" to share!

First, I am very excited to share that the FREE one page pattern for the Ombre Everest mini quilt is now available!

If you make your own version of this quilt, make sure you share on social media with #OmbreEverest!

The complete pattern of Christine's Kitchen is now also available!

Finally, we are excited to share that we are a sponsor of the Magnolia Mystery QAL hosted by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs! At the end of the quilt along, one quilt finisher will be able to chose a pre-cut or bundle of their choice from our Etsy shop!

Happy Friday!

Christine's Kitchen QAL {Quilt Parade}

Welcome to our Christine's Kitchen quilt along quilt parade! We are so excited to share the finished quilts and quilt tops from our participants!

Update: The QAL Is now over and the entire pattern is now available for purchase.

If you haven't yet sent me a picture of your finished quilt or finished quilt top, please email a picture to me at littlebunnyquilts@gmail.com or tag me in the photo on Instagram @littlebunnyalison! I will add them as more come in throughout the week.

My finished quilt: I have a full post about my finished quilt here, but I can't help but share it again because it is so cute!

Amanda M. (@honeybunnyanddoll)

Tracy (@tracysbitsnpieces)

Di (Quilting is Blissful)

Lori (@lorikonarske)

Sheila (@budsmam)

Denise (@quiltsbydenise)

Alice (Alice in Quilterland)

These are all SO lovely! I'll be updating this post in a few days with our giveaway winners! Don't forget to send in a picture if your quilt isn't featured in the parade!