Open Wide 2.0 Bags in Floralicious {It's In The Bag Blog Hop}

 Today is my day to share for the It's In The Bag Blog Hop, sponsored by Island Batik and By Annie!

The collection I got to use for my project is the new Floralicious collection!

If you remember back to my unboxing post from this summer, I got all of the pieces and parts to make a set of the Open Wide 2.0 bags from By Annie!

I have long avoided three dimensional sewing, but this was my chance to try something totally new and I am so happy with how the bags turned out!

I started with the largest size bag and worked my way through one entire bag before starting on the next one. I used a lot of different colors of Aurifil thread too! Each bag had a main color, lining color, and accent color designated for each particular size.

I free motion quilted meanders for all of the bags. It was a different feeling for sure quilting the foam stabilizer rather than batting! 

I had never ever sewn a zipper before so that was also a big adventure! I really appreciated how clear the directions were in each step -- especially for someone with a fear of three-dimensional sewing and zippers like me!

One very nice aspect of these bags is that they perfectly nestle inside of one another for storage if you make yourself the entire set! 

Now I am totally addicted to the idea of making more of these bags as gifts! I have quite a bit of fabric and supplies left over other than the zippers, so I am going to have to buy some more zippers to make more of these bags (maybe in some sets!)

Thank you to Island Batik, By Annie, and Aurifil for graciously supplying the supplies for this project! I had so much fun making these and if you are like me and things like zippers freak you out -- definitely try out a By Annie's bag pattern!

It's In The Bag Blog Hop with By Annie and Island Batik! {Giveaway and Schedule}

The September blog hop featuring the latest collections of Island Batik fabric (shipping to stores soon!) started yesterday! This month's theme is -- It's In The Bag! All of our projects use patterns and notions supplied graciously by ByAnnie!

I will be showing off my project tomorrow! Here's the full schedule and previews of the new fabrics:

September 8:

• Janet Yamamoto
• Suzy Webster

September 9:

• Michelle Roberts
• Gail Sheppard

September 10:

• Sharon Riley
• Alison Vermilya

September 11:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

September 14:

• Sally Manke
• Gail Renna

September 15:

• Mania Hatziioannidi
• Emily Leachman

September 16:

• Connie Kauffman
• Leah Malasky

September 17:

• Vasudha Govindan
• Joanne Hart

September 18:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

September 21:

• Carolina Asmussen
• Sandra Walker

September 22:

• Jennifer Fulton
• Pamela Boatright
• Jennifer Strauser

September 23

• Denise Looney
• Maryellen McAuliffe

September 24:

• Megan Best
• Jennifer Thomas

September 25:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 3 and Giveaway

September 28:

• Carla Henton
• Carol Moellers

September 29:

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 4

To celebrate the start of It’s in the Bag Blog Hop, we are giving away two fabulous Fat Quarter bundles of Buttercup and Floralicious collections by our very own Kathy Engle!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Best of Moda Bake Shop -- Pillow Parade Hop {Finished Pillow and More Big News}

 Yesterday was my day to share on the Best of Moda Bake Shop Pillow Parade on Instagram, so today I thought I would share my finished pillow!

If you have the book, I made a pillow out of a single block featured in the quilt without additional sashing. I made the block using scraps left over from the original quilt and added in a solid green background fabric that coordinated with the prints in the collection. 

I used some scrap batting and scrap white solid fabric to quilt the the block for the front of the pillow.

I quilted the block with the same chrysanthemum motif as I used for the quilt. I then trimmed the quilt block into a square.

For the envelope back, I used the same fabric that is used for the backing for the quilt. 

Now my lovely quilt has a lovely pillow friend!

We are nearing the end of the pillow parade, but if you missed any of the posts, check out the hashtag #mbspillowparade on Instagram. Each designer from the book made a pillow using the block(s) from their quilt. 

If you missed my other "big post" on Instagram, here's an update:

Not only did my sister have a baby in June, I am having a baby in October! This picture is from about a week ago when my nephew made his first trip to Aunt Alison's house. I have had to give up my dedicated sewing room and move my sewing space into our guest room, but I think that this compromise was definitely worth it.

I'm also planning to list some quilts for sale via Instagram later this week if you are looking for a gift or special treat for yourself! 

Happy Tuesday!

Split Stars Quilt Top {Try A Tool with Island Batik}

 Finally an update for my August Island Batik project!

I finished up all of my blocks and turned them into a top! I'm not sure what kind of border this one will have. Maybe light blue?

While it was a bit of a learning curve to use the V-block ruler, it did work out well for these blocks. I liked that I could also use the V-block ruler to trim my HSTs too instead of needing to switch between rulers.

This might be as far as this project gets this month; I have two blog hop projects to work on that are scheduled for early September that will be my main focus for the next two weekends. But this will go back to the top of the to do list once those to the blog hop projects are done!

Have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Up in the Air {New Applique Pattern!}

 We've added another applique add-on to our Etsy and Payhip shops for use with our Ready Set Soar and Boot Scootin' Baby patterns!

Our "Up In the Air" hot air balloon appliques are another perfect baby quilt option!

Inspired by the hot air balloon fabric she used in this quilt, Amanda made this baby quilt for a good friend last year! The PDF includes applique templates for three different sizes of balloons and two different sizes of clouds.

Don't forget our other add-on applique options! Both Whales on Parade and Slow and Steady are perfect for little boy quilts!

All of these appliques are interchangable with our Ready Set Soar and Boot Scootin' Baby patterns! And of course, the options for the quilt bases are only limited by your own imagination!

As always, thank your for your support of our Etsy and Payhip shops!