Cheers...I'm Back!

I am finally recovered from exhibiting at Spring's International Quilt Market in Minnesota.

It is now time to resume Sundancer's "Set Sail the Stash and Give~A~Way!"  I know, I know the name keeps changing but then again so do I:)  I am going to select some fabrics today to put in my etsy store, as well, as pick out a give~a~way fabric as well.

I would like to add that I could not be more proud to work for the Bigfork Bay Cotton Co.  Market was a huge success for us.  I am so excited to begin working on the designs for fall. 

Next post will be a give~a~way!

Hooray!

.~Fusible Web Applique' Demo ~

Fusible web applique' is so fun and easy to do.  Bigfork Bay Cotton Company has a wide array of beautiful patterns.  Once you learn how easy it is to do, you will find yourself totally addicted!

I am going to show you how to bring Debi Hubbs pattern Apple of My Eye to life.

Trace the pattern pieces onto fusible web.  I personally like to use Pellon Wonder Under. Bigfork Bay Cotton Company conveniently placed the pattern pieces in their own color groupings.

Cut around your traced color groupings and iron them to the wrong side of the fabrics.  So many times when using batiks you cannot tell which is the wrong side.  So if you can't tell, it doesn't matter.  The reason Bigfork Bay Cotton Company suggests that you use batiks is that batiks has a very high thread count, and when you cut into the fabrics they are less likely to fray.  Also batiks have a most beautiful painterly quality. Batik Textiles has wonderful batiks.  The majority of the fabrics that Bigfork Bay Cotton Comapany uses is from Batik Textiles.

Your next step is to cut out all the applique' pieces right on the line.  It is like cutting out paper dolls.  I reccommend using some very sharp micro-tip scissors.  I also reccommend using an exacto knife to cut out those tiny little legs!

 To keep your applique' pieces organized, label baggies with the applique' pieces names on them.  For example: red apples, crow #1, crow#2, green leaves... .  This not only helps keep you organized, but also keeps you from losing any of the real small pieces!

Now  the fun begins! 

 You place the applique pressing sheet over the layout guide. 

 You can see right through through the applique' pressing sheet.  The Bigfork Bay Cotton Company reccomends the sheet manufactured by Bear Thread Designs.  It is the best one on the market and has a 5 year guarentee.

  Begin by  matching up the letters and numbers then tap into place with a hot iron.  The fabric will stick to the fabric, but nothing sticks to the applque ' pressing sheet.  Eventually, by  ironing all the applique' pieces into place you will have the entire design built on top of the applique' pressing sheet.  Once the fabrics have cooled off, you can peel the entire design off the applique' pressing sheet in one piece and iron onto the background fabric.

The final steps are to sew on the inner and outer border.  Create a sandwich by layering your quilt top, batting and backing. Use a darning foot, put your feed dogs down and free motion one straight stitch around the raw edge of each applique' 

 Sew your binding on and Viola! You have the most adorable wall quilt to keep for yourself or gift to a family member or friend!

.Fabric Give~A~Way #3!

Who willwin this  beautiful fabric?  I do not know the designer or the company that produced this fabric, but I can tell you it is very bright, fun and perfect for a summer project!

Since the name of this fabric is a mystery, I am going to name it Sea Nymph~

If I had enough it, I think I would make pillows for the boat.  But even if I did have enough of it, do you think I would make pillows for the boat?  Probably not.  But YOU might!

So here is what you need to do to win.

The Bigfork Bay Cotton Co. has a licensed artist who has a series of patterns out with a bear and a raccoon.  Name the artist and also name the pattern that has the bear and raccoon floating in the river.

The first person who answers correctly on my blog wins the fabric!

Again, I am sorry but employees or licensed artists of the BBCC or their pets cannot participate.

Ready, Set, GO!

.~Susan Branch Fabric.~

Good Morning!

I am so excited because I recieved a wonderful email from Karri.  She is the one that purchased the Susan Branch Afternoon Teas fabric.  In her email Karri shared with me how much she enjoyed Susan's work and she has great plans for this fabric! 

Kari has a business called "Whimsical Wonderland Quilts."  Be sure to check out her blog!
http://quiltwhimsy.blogspot.com/

I am off to choose the next give~a~way piece of fabric.

Stay tuned!

.~ Afternoon Tea For Sale. 1 YARD~ SOLD

It's Time For Afternoon Tea!
Now that Kat won the give~a~way, it is time to sale another fabric from my special stash.

I chose one from Susan Branch's Afternoon Tea Collection.  Susan Branch is one of my all time favorite licensed artist.  I was thrilled when I saw that she was designing fabric for RJR.

When I saw this fabric immediately bought 1 yard as I just new I was going to go home and create something fun and fabulous out of it.

Have I made something fun and fabulous out of it yet.
Doesn't look like it!  But I know you will!

I can't wait to see where this fabric gets to live.

To purchase it go straight to my etsy store: Sundancer's Art Adventures

Ready, Set, Go!

PS.  As soon as this fabric is purchased, there will be another give~a~way!

.~Fabric Give~A~Way #2.~

We have a winner!
Kat Norman, who owns Quilter's Combo in Madison, AL, guessed 1 of the 3 Debi Hubbs designs that was on my list:)  The one she guessed was The Hunter.  But please keep on guessing because I will give ~a~ way
more fabric from my stash to whoever guesses the other 2!

.~ Fabric Give Away #2.~

Sundancer's Give~A~Way #2

This 1/2 yard of fabric is from a collection called Cottage Charm by Heather Muider Peterson.  Heather not only designs fabric for Henry Glass Fabrics, but  is also the owner of Anka's Treasures Pattern Company.

I remember the day I bought this fabric. Chances are I was dieting at the time, and it reminded me of mint chip ice cream, but without the calores:)  Of course, I just had to have it!

My plans for the fabric?

Pillows. Yes, I had BIG plans to create pillows with this fabric.  Yes, pillows with this fabric and other coordinating fabrics like mint green and brick red.  The vision was and continues to be a grand idea!  But will I ever do it?  I don't think so.

The question no longer is what I am going to do with this fabric, but what are you going to do with it if you win the give~a~way?  And the only way to find out is to get in the winner in the circle!

Here is what needs to be done if you want to win...

Bigfork Bay Cotton Co. is planning on publishing more Debi Hubbs Art Quilt Patterns.  I have  three designs picked out that I am hoping they will produce. The first person who lists at least 1 of the three designs that I have picked out, will win this fabric!

Step by Step how to find Debi's designs...

STEP #1 Go to  Debi Hubbs' website Debi Hubbs Prints and pick out three designs that you'd like to see the Bigfork Bay Cotton Company turn into art quilt patterns next. If you are unfamiliar with what patterns the Bigfork Bay Cotton Co. has already produced of Debi's,click here: Debi Hubbs Patterns

STEP #2 Leave a comment  listing the three designs you'd like to see.

Again, the first person who picks at least 1 of the three designs I am hoping Bigfork Bay Cotton Co. will make art quilt patterns out of next wins!

I can't wait to see what your picks are!

Oh and sorry BBCC employees or their pets are not elegible to play:)

Ready Set Go! http://www.artblooms.net/

~ 4 Sale Fat Quarter Quartet.~ SOLD!

           Fun Fabric Looking for a New Home

                 For Sale in Sundancer's Etsy Store

Delightful

Definition: Highly pleasing; affording great pleasure and satisfaction

Fat Quarter

 Definition: One-fourth yard cut of fabric that usually measures 18" x 22" instead of the typical 9" x 42" quarter-yard cut.

Quartet:

   Definition: an organized group of four singers or players.

                                                                                  (this fabric does look like it is singing!)

Look at this delightful fat quarter fabric quartet.  The collection is approriately named Eden and is designed by Lila Tueller for Moda Fabrics. Take a look at Lila's blog: http://lilatuellerdesigns.blogspot.com/

Her patterns are just adorable!

If you are interested in purchasing these fabrics visit my etsy store Sundancers Art Adventures

.~ Flannel Fat Quarter Give Away!.~

Ok the person who answers this trivia question correctly wins this wonderful flannel fat quarter that I bought at Patchwork Quilts in Hamilton, MT. It has been stored lovingly on my office desk since January 2010.  I've looked at it every day since I bought it.  Every day I look at it, I think to myself,...you are never going to make anything with this are you?

But it is so soft and so whimsical and it needs to be put in a quilt that will be loved forever!

I am about to ask you the trivia question.  Remember the first person to comment on this blog post with the correct answer wins!

Because this question pertains to a pattern by the Bigfork Bay Cotton Co. BBCC employees, emplyees families, independant contractors or licensed artists are not eligible. Sorry!

Two Part Trvia Question: The Bigfork Bay Cotton Company has a new artist that they recently licensed who was Canada's 2008 Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year.  What is the name of the artist and what is the name of the artists recently released pattern by Bigfork Bay Cotton Co.?

I'll be waiting for your answer.  Remember it is a two parter!

Good Luck!

.~Sundancer's Fantastic Fabric Adventures Sale! ~

Today I decided that I was going to sell some  (ok most) of the fabric that I collected over the years.  I have so much of it, and well, truth be know, I will never use it.  If I don't use it  why do I collect it?  because it is beautiful of course!

And on top of that...

When my friend Sylvia and I create designs for Woolin Rouge, we must always design with current fabrics, that leaves my existing fabric collection untouched and seemingly unappreciated. I think that is just not fair to the fabric. Do you?

So I am going to turn that all around and send my beautiful collection of fabrics on a fabulous adventure!  I'd love for you to be apart of it.  Stay tuned to my blog and more etsy store Sundancers Art Adventures/ Oh and to the Woulin Rouge Facebook page.

Ok off to take some photos of my fabric's!

Audrey Hepburn: Tribute to an Angel

Jules Cheret Father of Modern Poster

Moulin Rouge, Paris, FRANCE

Keb' Mo' - Life is beautiful

.~Becky Bowman.~

Becky Bowman is one of my ALL-TIME favorite Artists.

Visit her blog here: http://beckybowman.com/