I’ve been doing a happy dance in The Quilt Rambler studio ever since I received this email a couple of weeks ago…
Thank you for applying to become a 2017 Island Batik Ambassador!Congratulations! We would love to have you join the team.
I couldn’t be more thrilled or honored to be included in this prestigious group of quilters who share the same love of fabulous Island Batik fabrics!
So What Exactly Does This Mean?
For YOU my dear readers it means lots of blog posts and tutorials using gorgeous fabrics and sharing the FUN Â – not only on my blog but with links to the other Ambassadors and all their projects!
For me, it means eager anticipation of my first shipment of fabrics to be used in the monthly events planed by the Island Batik Marketing Team.
ohhhhh….I can’t wait to share with you all the fun things they have planned!! And I can’t wait to get creative interpreting the themes into fun projects!
Introducing My Favorite Fabric Line
Island Batik!!!! Â I can’t imagine that you aren’t already familiar with them, but just in case let me give you a little company background.
Island Batik, located in Carlsbad, California, has been a leader in the batik industry for over 14 years. The fabrics they produce are handmade in Bali, Indonesia by skilled artisans using a wax resist method which gives the fabric outstanding depth and range of color.
They are a wholesale only operation whose customers are mainly independent quilt shops in the United States, but through distributors, their fabric is finding its way to quilters all over the world!  They launch new seasonal lines twice a year corresponding to International Quilt Markets that occur in May and October.
As a side ramble….The Fall International Quilt Market is held in my home area of Houston just prior to the Houston International Quilt Festival. I have been faithfully been attending Festival since 2000 (when we moved back to Texas) and Market since 2004 (when I started my quilting business).  While attending the 2013 Fall Market I actually was blessed to meet Island Batik’s CEO, Caleb Willis.  Each fall I look forward to visiting with him and his capable staff. Talk about a company that believes in customer service….well, I can’t say enough about the good people at Island Batik!
Interestingly enough even though the fabrics are launched and ordered by independent quilt shops in May and October at the International Quilt Markets, they are not delivered to stores until August/July and January/February respectively due to the fabrics being “made to order” by those skilled artisans who have perfected their craft. Perfection can’t be rushed you know!
Note: That’s why when you see a fabric in your local quilt shop you need to purchase it right then and there because it could be gone in a few short weeks. My philosophy is to always purchase a little more than I think I will need because when it’s gone it’s gone.  And yes, your husband called and said you could add as much as you want to your stash!!
There’s more I could tell you about the company but I will save that for a future ramble…
What’s Going to Be In My First Ambassador Box??
Well…I’m eagerly awaiting for it to arrive! Any day now!!!! One thing I do know is there will be fabric from the Fall/Winter 2016 line – fabrics that are arriving in your local quilt shops this month!!
Here’s a sneak peak of the Fall/Winter 2016 Catalog to get you all excited!
How About A Small Giveaway!!
Okay, this is a true sacrifice as I have just made the executive decision to give away something from my own personal stash….Yep…going to be a little unselfish here…I picked up a really cute little 5″ square precut from the Fall/Winter 2016 line of Dotalicious at the Fall Market this year that I am willing to part with for one of my faithful blog readers!
Here’s an idea – I have NO IDEA which fabric from the Fall/Winter 2016 line I will be receiving in my box – so let’s all give it our best guess. Why not! A winner will be chosen from among the correct answers left in the comments below. But wait there’s more! Well…more as in the way of contest rules…
Giveaway rules:
(1) Like and follow  us on  Instagram and/or  FacebookÂ
(2) Share on your social media tagging #thequiltrambler
(2) Subscribe to our blog and comment on this post your best guess of what fabric I will receive from the Fall/Winter 2016 line in my first Ambassador Shipment. One guess per email address, please.
Here is the choices for the answer:
Coastal Mist
Dotalicious
Drizzle
Fifi and Fido
Fresh Catch
Glowing Embers
Happy Hounds
Lake Life
River’s Edge
Sweet Nectar
Blushing Blooms
Bubbles n’ Tiles/Heart’s Desire
Frost
Gone Fishin’
Happy Harvest
Jolly Holly
Merry and Bright
Pressed Petals
Surf and Sand
Twilight Blush
Share with friends!
Share the fun ~ and yes, there will be more giveaways! Remember to be eligible to win this giveaway you have to leave a comment below of your best guess for the name of the fabric line that will be in my First Ambassador Shipment. Watch for my future post of unpacking the box to see if you guessed correctly.
Ready set go!!!! Time is of the essence as my box could be here any day!Â
This is Karen Overton, The Quilt Rambler AND New Island Batik Ambassador, Telling YOUR story one quilt at a time.
Comment Below Your Best Guess to Enter the Giveaway! Subscribe to our blog to keep up with all the Island Batik fun and future giveaways!
Lake life
Oh that’s a good one Suzanne! I especially like the blues in this collection! We will see….
Glowing Embers
I like that one Gloria – I actually have some cuttings from this collection – did you read the blog post on scrap quilts last week – I used those fabrics. Good luck – you might be a winner!
Oooooooo! I love Drizzle! Those blues and greens are yummy! I also love the catalog with ideas for quilts…..
I agree, the catalog is full of fabulous ideas and beautiful quilts. I’d be happy if my box had Drizzle in it – and that would mean you picked a winner. Actually, I think all the fabrics are a winner don’t you Debbie?!
River’s Edge.
That one has some pretty browns in it Donna – good choice!
Coastal Mist…just like it is most evenings here on the Island!
I agree Pat – Coastal Mist would be a perfect fabric line to make something beachy! Good luck.
Sweet Nectar
That one is truly “my colors” – glad you like it too Donna
Pressed Petals
Those are pretty colors! Good choice Pam
The contest is now over – congrats to Pam S. for correctly guessing the fall/winter fabric line included in my Island Ambassador Box – see the blog post for the big reveal
Thank you to all who participated – there will be more giveaways in the future.
Pam, I will email you for your address.