Island Batik unboxing #1

I am very excited to be starting my seventh year as an ambassador with Island Batik!  I truly love their fabric and really enjoy working with it.  The biggest perk of being an ambassador are the ambassador boxes sent to use twice a year, stuffed with gorgeous fabrics and goodies from Island Batik's industry partners.

I filmed a video showcasing everything I was sent for the first half of the year.  

If you don't want to watch the video or just want more info, keep reading!  I'll recap everything I was sent.

First, the industry partners

There are so many industry partners this year!  Schmetz needles are my favorite sewing machine needles, they sent several packs of needles.  Aurifil sent 3 spools of their 50 weight thread.  Hobbs sent an amazing four battings, one each of premium cotton, cotton w/ scrim, 80/20 in black, and their Tuscany collection 100% wool batting, plus a bag of their Simply Stuffing for toys or pillow.  And Oliso sent their mini M3Pro iron in Coral, and a carrier for the iron!! I'm excited to plug in my new iron and and use it!

 

There are also some partners who sponsor individual challenges.  Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design sent me their V Block tool; it will be used in the February challenge and blog hop.

Accuquilt is back as an industry partner.  They sent me their Irish Chain die that makes a 10" block: one pass through the cutter creates all the pieces needed for a block.  They also sent a 6' x 24" mat to be used with the die. The Irish Chain block, made with the Accuquilt die, will be featured in May with another block hop showcasing Island Batik new collections.

Not pictured or mentioned in the video is a pattern from Funky Friends Factory.  We each got to pick a toy pattern and will show off our Funky Friends in June.  Hobbs Simply Stuffing will also be used for this challenge, to make our Friends plump and cuddly!

And now for the fabric!

First, there was a half yard bundle of the upcoming collection Botanical Dreams.  Included with the bundle is a 2-yard cut of a dark fabric from the collection and a light fabric from the collection.  Botanical Dreams will be part of the February blog hop featuring new collections.  Fabrics will start shipping to shops in February as well.

Next, there was a strip pack of another collection hitting stores in February, Meadow Hues.  This is a signature collection for former Island Batik ambassador Claudia of Create with Claudia.  I love the pinks and purples with greens in this collection.  I was sent yards each of Mint and Grass to go with it, both from the always-available Basics collection

Speaking of the Basics collection, I was sent two pre-cuts of Gradations collections.  These are sets of 20 fabrics in a single color way that represent the spectrum of that color.  I was sent a 10" stack of Ravishing Reds and a 2 1/2" strip pack of Tantalizing Teals.

The next bundle is a surprise that I can't show yet.  This is one of the collections that will be in stores in May or June, and will be featured in blog hop in May.  These are the fabrics that I'll use with the Irish Chain die from Accuquilt, above.  

I also have a 10" stack of another collection that will be featured in May, thought pre-cuts are shipping to stores now.  I got Essence, a beautiful collection of aqua and purple, as well as 2-yard cuts of Honeydew and Hunter. 

Then there was a bundle of 1/2 yard cuts that coordinate with the full collections I was sent. These are all from the always available fabrics, and include Basics, Blenders, and Solids.

There were also 3 packs of Stash Builder strips.  These are 5" by width of fabric strips and are assorted.  I love how versatile these strips are!  You can cut them into 5" charm squares, 2 1/2" strips, or use for applique or scrappy quilts.  I have done all of those!  Sadly, I didn't get a picture of just the stash builder strips.

And last but certainly not least are the background fabrics.  I was sent 4 yards each of White, Black, and Dark Gray solids, as well as 6 yards of the neutral Bone.  Once again, I didn't get a solo picture, but here is the assortment of everything again, which includes the background farbcis and the stash builder strips.

I am very excited to be creating with all of this over the next 6 months and beyond!  Many thanks to Island Batik for choosing to work with me for a 7th year!