I would like to thank Carla from Creatin’ in the Sticks who is the hostess for this month’s quilting adventure. January usually brings us a winter related theme and this one is a particular favourite of mine; shades of blue.
One of my favourite quilts I made was for one of Carla’s hops and it was another one using blue. Glacier Ice, 90” x 90”, was made in January 2020, my project for the Winter Blues Blog Hop. Pattern by Sharla of Thistle Thicket Studio. Quilted on the frame with E2E feathers. Binding finished July 9th, 2021.
I knew I had an idea for this hop from a photo I had seen while scrolling the internet one day. I didn’t make note of the website where I had seen the project so I had no pattern to work from, but here is the fabrics I wanted to work with:
I pulled out paper and pencil and made some rough sketches, did some math and started cutting my fabric:
Have you ever had a project just not work? That’s what happened to me. This one just wasn’t making me happy. The border print was not only not having the effect I wanted but most of the blocks looked washed out and kind of boring. Needless to say, it got put aside and I had to decide on another project.
That was the perfect time for one of my Guild mates to call and request a quilt for her grandson. She wanted something with water and sea creatures and not a standard block setting. The light went on for me as I remembered a couple of orphan blocks I had from some pattern testing I had done and my collection of patterns from Sandra Healy Designs whose patterns I really enjoy making. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. I only had to make 5 more blocks 😉 In three days had a finished flimsy in time for a trip to the studio. After moving my longarm frame and re-levelling the machine I was ready to go. I made a backing with a lovely length of blue and white herringbone print that seemed to fit the theme. I loaded the backing and batting on the rollers and then floated the quilt top. Because the theme was blue skies, blue water and fun creatures I did an edge to edge free motion swirl and hook design which made me think of waves. 😃. Finished size is 68” x 100” which should cover this young man’s bed nicely.
Then I seemed to be in a “blue mood” so I decided I needed to find another project which had shades of blue in it.
It wasn’t too difficult, because when I was at the studio I had started playing with our embroidery machine. I had fun and created this block;
Out came my blue scrap bin to finish this little block in to a wall hanging. Once again I had to do quilt math, but only had one little mistake which was easily remedied. I’m not sure why my photo is skewed, but the wall hanging is actually perfectly rectangular. The quilting was a minimal amount of stitch in the ditch since I have decided that this will become another hand work project since I want to add some hand quilting to make the blocks pop a bit more.
With some of the leftover fabric bits from my first project, I decided to add some other recent leftover scraps and complete a new set of runners for my daughter’s bathroom. She has just had her home painted so it was time for a new runner for the top of her toilet tank and the little shelf. It just so happens that she likes blue so they also worked for projects for this hop:
My final Shades of Blue project was to finally decide what I am going to do for my RSC blocks this year. It was decided by a recent purchase, the Gnome die from Accuquilt. Here is my first block using the die;
Here is the list of bloggers I am sharing my day with. They all have been busy creating projects and posts that are sure to inspire you:
Wednesday, January 25th
Quilt Schmilt That’s me! 😃
Thank you to all of the amazing participants on the hop and a big Thank you to you for stopping by to visit. While comments and following my site aren’t required, they sure are appreciated. Have a wonderful month creating and fondling fabric. 😃
I hope to see you in February for the next blog hop:
😉 Carol
Quilt Schmilt 
You definitely got the blues, in a good way! So many cute quilts!
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Thank you Wendy. I’ve really been having some blue days😉, but in a good way as you said.
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Wow! I love all your projects! Aren’t emb machines fun?!!
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Thank you Sandie. I’m just starting to play with the embroidery machine and think it just might be addicting! 😉
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You sure have been busy Carol. Such great projects, and the quilt celebrating some things of the sea will i am sure become a treasure for that young man. Thanks for inviting us to share your work
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Thank you Lynn. Apparently he liked the quilt. It sure was fun to make. 😉
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Who could possibly have the blues after seeing these projects! You rocked the shades of blue, all the way around!
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Thank you Joan. It’s so nice to be sewing again and such a fun theme. 🤗
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I love your nautical quilt and your embroidery! Both are so pretty and so much fun!
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Thank you Elizabeth. They were so much fun but I’m thinking the embroidery machine could be an addicting tool 😉
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Lovely blue projects! That quilt will surely be loved. Thanks for sharing everything!
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Thank you Carol. It was so much fun to make. 😃
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Carol your array of projects is astounding! I love them all, the quilt is perfect for that young man, your embroidery is beautiful, and that gnome is too cute! I love the toilet topper too, such a great idea I might have to steal it. 🙂
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All your projects are lovely. I love the gnome! Thanks so much for sharing1
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Thank you Karrin. I think the Gnomes will be a fun RSC project 😉
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So many amazing blue quilts. I especially love the under the sea one. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much. 😊
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Lots of blue projects!!! The quilt is fantastic!!!
I don’t want it to snow here …
The gnome is darling!
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Thanks Gail. I know snow is an issue down there, but I’ll take it up here. I don’t like the gray skies when it’s raining. The Gnomes are so much fun to make with my Accuquilt die. 😉
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All your projects are wonderful. So sorry the first didn’t work but I expect you to change a thing or two and get back to it. Loved the ‘grandson’s’ quilt and the embroidered snowmen quilt is so cute. I love the look of hand-embroidery so it’ll be fabulous once you’ve added that.
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Thank you. All of these projects were so much fun and now I have more handwork for evening fun. 😃
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You have outdone yourself! That is a great quilt for a young man who loves the sea. Your snowman play turned out well, and having that space actually adds to the quilt, so it’s all good. All of the projects will be appreciated by recipients, I know! Do love the gnomes.
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Thank you Susan. I had fun with these projects and am enjoying some handstitching on those cute little Gnomes and will finish the snowman soon. Hope you are doing well this week 🤗
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I just love your gnome block for RSC! That will make such a cute quilt. Good for you to use up the scraps from the ‘by the sea’ quilt – wow, terrific blocks by Sandra – and I do love your Let it Snow (which it has been here all day finally) little wallhanging!
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Hi Sandra. Thank you for your sweet comment. It was fun playing with leftovers and scraps to make these projects. You got some snow? Us too. It was nice having the rain stop. We are heading back in yo the deep freeze this weekend so we might get pretty blue skies. 🤗
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Oh my goodness, Carol, look at all the beautiful blue you created. Your by-the-sea quilt is amazing and the quilting is so perfect. A gorgeous snowman and a fun little gnome bring smiles. Thanks for sharing all your shades of blue!
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Thank you Carla. I always enjoy these hops, but anything with blue seems to spark my creativity. Your comment made my day! 🤗
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Wow! You have a LOT of great blue quilts. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much. They were all so much fun to make.😊
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All of your projects are great, but your ocean theme takes the prize!
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Thank you so much Charlene. Using Sandra Healy’s block patterns made the project possible. I’m so glad you liked it. 😊
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Lots of fun beautiful blue projects! Love those embroidered snowmen.
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Thank you Leah. 😊
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Wow, they are all just lovely! xx
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Thank you Joy 😊
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