Monday, September 15, 2025

Threaded Chaos Blog Hop ~ the Crazy Cat Lady Quilt

Hello and welcome to my day on the Threaded Chaos blog hop!  This is my quilt, the Crazy Cat Lady Quilt.  

Disclaimer:  The products used to make this project were given to me by Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) and Industry Sponsors.
The Threaded Chaos challenge is sponsored by Lumin Fabric's industry partner, Aurifil Thread.  The challenge parameters were to make a crazy quilt, crib size or larger using the new Island Batik fabric collection we received in our July Box and embellish it with the four spools of Aurifil thread that we were able to choose ourselves for this project.

I received the Everlasting fabric collection, designed by Jerry Khiev.  It's so pretty!  I love the pinks and greens.  A couple of the pink fabrics have a peachy tone to them.  The designs are mostly florals.  This collection should be in local fabric shops this month.

Aurifil is sponsoring this challenge.  We were able to pick out four spools of thread of our choice.  I chose a variegated pink, a minty green, a gold for contrast, and a dark green.  They all coordinated perfectly with the Everlasting fabric collection.


I also used Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 Black cotton batting, Schmetz needles, and my Oliso project iron in raspberry to make this quilt.

This is the second time we've had a crazy quilt challenge since I have been and Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) Ambassador, and I came up with the Crazy Cat Lady idea the first time, but decided not to make it then. This time I was ready!  Here's how I made this quilt:  First, I printed out nine different crazy quilt paper pieced block patterns from EQ8.  I'm sure I could have just made the same block nine times, but where's the challenge in that?  I paper pieced all nine blocks and sewed them together into one big crazy 36" square.

Next I used fusible web to cut out the nine cat silhouettes (also from EQ8), all the letters, and the four cornerstone squares.  I fused everything to black background pieces and did a small zigzag stitch around the edges of all the cats and all the letters.  I used all four thread colors for the zigzag stitching.

I used a ruler to make sure my letters came out nice and straight.

Next I used all four Aurifil thread colors and played with the specialty stitches on my Janome Memory Craft sewing machine and stitched along the seam lines on the cats.  It was a lot of fun!

Oh kitty!

Close ups of a few of my favorite stitches.

So pretty!

Isn't this Greek Key looking stitch cool?  

I used Hobbs Black 80/20 Cotton batting and quilted a loopy meander with black thread.  I went around the cats, but quilted over the lettering and cornerstones.

I like the way it looks with the black quilting thread over the letters.

When I finished, I headed outside for a fun photo session.  

Horizontal view.

Front porch stylin'.

Rolled up binding shot.  I used the same pink for the binding as I used for the outer border.

It seriously only took five minutes to get three cats on the new quilt.  That's Spots on the top, Batman on the left, and their mama, Chessie Blue on the right.  I hung this quilt up in my living room for display afterwards.  This was such a fun project, and I absolutely love the finish!  I hope you like it, too.

Crazy Cat Lady Quilt

Quilt Stats: 
Quilt Size:  44" x 52"
Block Size:  12" x 12"
Fabric:  Everlasting by Jerry Khiev for Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics)
Thread:  Aurifil 50wt, 2880, 2892, 3660, 2134
Batting:  Hobbs Black 80/20
Needles:  Schmetz
Iron:  Oliso
Designed in EQ8

Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) is giving away a fat quarter collection of Everlasting this week!  You can enter to win by visiting the Lumin Fabrics Facebook or Instagram page and making a comment.

Also, be sure to visit all the ambassadors during the hop to see the newest collections and the amazing crazy quilts!  

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today,

Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations


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Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) Hot Stuff Challenge with Oliso

Hello everyone!  Here's my August challenge project for Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) Ambassadors.

Disclaimer:  The products used in this project were given to me by Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) and Industry Partners.
This month we were challenged to glitz up the Oliso iron carry bags that came in our January boxes!  What a fun project.  We were allowed to use any technique or embellishment to decorate our bags.

I used fabric from this set of stash builders, some buttons, and Aurifil thread 12 wt.

Of course I did all of my pressing with my cute little Oliso project iron in raspberry.  I love this iron so much.  It has been a joy to use.  It is lightweight, heats well, and even has a headlight.  

I followed the advice of my fellow ambassadors and used Steam a Seam 2 to back my fusible shapes.  I cut out letters, flowers, and more in these pretty pinks, oranges, and yellows from my stash builder pack.

I adhered all the shapes to my bag and then did some hand stitching to secure them.  I used Aurifil 12 wt. thread in 8605 (gray) and 2530 (pink). With a sharp needle and my favorite thimble, it was fairly easy to stitch around the edges of the shapes with a running stitch.

I personalized my bag with "Jenny's oliso" on one side.

On the other side I added my version of the oliso project iron!

I stitched a "HOT" emoji on the end flap of the bag.  

I put flowers across the top and secured them each with a button center.

I love the way my iron carry bag came out!  Thank you Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) and Oliso for a fun challenge.

For more iron carry bag projects, please visit my fellow ambassadors.  Here's the list:

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations


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Saturday, July 26, 2025

Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) Ambassador Unboxing ~ July 2025


 Hello everyone!  Welcome to my Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) second shipment unboxing.  Please watch my video above to see what I received in my two big boxes!  I'll be using these fabrics, thread, batting, and soon to arrive bag pattern to make my projects for the second half of 2025.  See below for photos and descriptions of my box contents for more info and a closer look.

Disclaimer:  The products shown in this post were given to me by Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) and industry sponsors.
Everlasting collection, designed by Jerry Khiev.  This will be in shops in September.  Coordinating fabrics are Dandelion - Pink Raspberry and Lily Florals - Red Shell.


SS25 Spring Foundations 1/2 yard cuts bundle.
Fabrics from left to right:  Azalea, Pink Solid Batik, Orange Solid Batik, Chartreuse, 
Wheat Leaves-Latte, Bubbles Hole-Leaf.

Aurifil thread 50wt.
Left to right:  Pink 3660, Lt. Green 2880, Gold 2134, Dk. Green 2892

Surprise package ~ to be used in the November blog hop.  

SS25 Summer Foundations Bundle, 1/2 yard cuts.
Left to right:  Red Solid Batik, Yellow Solid Batik, Dandelion-Plum, Paisley Dot-Orange, Sunset, Bumblebee.

Opulent Orange 10" squares precut

Tantalizing Teal 2-1/2" strips precut


Three packages of Stash Builders.  

4 yard cuts of solid Black, White, and Dk. Gray

6 yard cut of Muslin

Sunset 10" squares precut with Pastry and Ocean coordinating yardage

Fabrics from the Fossil Fern collection for my ByAnnie bag.  
Left to right:  Geode-Multi Green Purple, Fossil Fern-Leaf-Teal, Iron Pyrite Cluster-Purple


Hobbs Queen size Poly Down Premium Polyester Batting

Hobbs Queen Size Heirloom Fusible Cotton Batting

Hobbs Queen Size Heirloom 80/20 Bleached Cotton Batting

Hobbs Tuscany Collection Throw Size Supreme 100% Unbleached Cotton
My favorite batting!

Hobbs Tuscany Collection Throw Size Cotton Wool Blend Batting

Here's a pic of all of it together.  My ByAnnie bag pattern and another precut are still on the way.  I'll show you when they arrive.  Thank you so much for watching my unboxing.  I hope you will follow me here and also on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @curlicuecreations.  You can find my patterns, fabric, and more in my Etsy shop at Curlicue Creations Etsy.  Thank you for your support.

Please visit my fellow Ambassadors and see what they got in their July boxes.  Here's the list:

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today,

Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations


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