Sew Karen-ly Created...

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Wednesday 23 January 2019

Grandmother's Blossoms

Welcome to my day on the Island Batik Getaway Blog Hop!  Today's hop is extra special, as you are being whisked away to Atlantic Canada, to visit with me in Nova Scotia, Leanne in Newfoundland... and a special unscheduled bonus stop (not even Island Batik knows about this one yet!) with Linda in New Brunswick.  This is a long post, with lots of links, but please make sure you click everything, and read to the bottom for a chance to win some prizes!
The products used were all provided by Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, and Aurifil thread back in the second Ambassador boxes we received last July.  We were to keep these fabrics secret until they started shipping to stores, which is right now.  Mine were wrapped in this pretty floral paper.
Here's what was inside:  a beautiful collection of pinks, purples, yellows and greens, fittingly named "Blossom". (Was the paper a happy coincidence, or chosen on purpose?  Hmm...)
 Blossom
The fabrics immediately brought to mind the wild roses which grow prolifically around here. There is great variance in the colour, ranging from pale pink to a dark, almost purple, rose. This shot is from the rose hedge at Jerry's Park in Amherst (which also had a bee visiting while I was there). The leaves also range from very light to very dark green.  Perfect!
I drew and coloured my one-patch design in EQ8, and printed the template.  It was super easy to cut from a strip, with hardly any waste. I had very little fabric left over from the 20, half-yard cuts received; I kept cutting and sewing until it was all gone, saving enough out for binding.
The result is a take-off on a Grandmother's Flower Garden setting, with half-hexagons used for easier machine piecing, and random, wild placement of the blooms - just like in real life.
For my batting, I used my favourite Hobbs Tuscany wool, generously supplied by Hobbs.
For piecing, I used from the large Aurifil cone of white sent in our first box last year. This fabulous 40 weight Aurifil thread collection by Barbara Persing had perfect colours to use in the quilting.
They match the tones of the Blossom fabrics so well!
I free-motion stitched loopy petals in the blooms, and pebbled in most centres, switching here and there to spirals, just to keep it interesting. With no marking, it was super fast (and super fun) to do.
The greens had continuous curves quilted in the hexagon shapes.  Originally, I intended to add leaf veins inside the curves, but decided that I liked how they puffed up with the wool batting, so left them as is.
I took the quilt back to Jerry's Park to photograph on the rose hedge. 
(Yes...those sticks are the rose hedge in winter! Perhaps we are the ones needing a getaway!)
You'll notice I did not trim off the ends of the half-hexies along the sides, as I like the zig-zag edge they create. I really like the old-fashioned, floral look of the quilt; it reminded me of something Gram would put on top of a white, chenille bedspread as a "coverlet". But those edges were bothering me a bit...something was missing. They had an unfinished look about them.  The quilt sat for a couple of weeks while I figured out what it was.
Of course: tassels! I found a bag of 100 on Amazon, with 20 different colours.
I hand-sewed a tassel to each point.
I like lots of colour :)
"Grandmother's Blossoms" measures 69" x 87"and hugs the top of a queen bed nicely. Thanks to speedy pattern editor Cheryl Coville, the pattern is available from my website, or as a direct download here. It's simple enough for a beginner, and can easily be sized up or down.
Please leave a comment below if you would like to be entered into a draw for 2 mini-charm packs of  Island Batik "Paisley Park.".
I'll also throw in a copy of the Grandmother's Blossoms pattern. Draw will be made Feb.3 when the hop is finished. Also MAKE SURE you enter the big give-away on the Island Batik blog - they are giving away TWO, 20 piece FQ bundles!

Leanne from The Devoted Quilter is the other "official"stop on today's hop, and I encourage you to visit her in NFLD. to see what she has made with Blossom. But first, here's a surprise. I had very little Blossom fabric left, so decided to pass along the scraps to my friend Linda in Fredericton who makes gorgeous miniatures from the tiniest pieces. She was sworn to secrecy, and promised not to show or mention the fabrics until today. As I write this, I have not yet seen her quilt, so click here, and let's hop over there together.
Thank you for visiting.  It's been a fabulous, fun year as an Island Batik Ambassador, and I look forward to more of the same for the coming year.  The quilts shown on this hop are phenomenal;  you can find all the links below. Happy hopping!
All links have been updated to each blogger's blog hop post!

WEEK 1
Monday, January 7 - Crystal Ball
MaryEllen @ Mary Mack’s Blog
Sandra @ mmm! quilts


Tuesday, January 8  - Ditty
Michelle @ Creative Blonde


Wednesday, January 9 - Elk Lodge


Thursday, January 10 - Feline Fine


Friday, January 11 - Flea Market


WEEK 2
Monday, January 14 - Fortune Teller


Tuesday, January 15  - Gypsy Rose


Wednesday, January 16 - Paisley Park


Thursday, January 17 - Soul Song


Friday, January 18 - Twilight Chic


WEEK 3
Monday, January 21 - Winter Park
Jennifer @ Curlicue Creations


Tuesday, January 22  - Bazaar


Wednesday, January 23 - Blossom


Thursday, January 24 - Boho


Friday, January 25 - Brookview


WEEK 4
Monday, January 28 - French Blue
Pamela @ PamelaQuilts


Tuesday, January 29  - Midsummer Night
Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing


Wednesday, January 30 - Oh Deer
Jeanette @ Inchworm Fabrics


Thursday, January 31 - Snow Berry  


Friday, February 1 -
Icicle

Candy Cane Lane




98 comments:

  1. Wow! Wow! Wow! I LOVE it Karen! So colourful!
    So summery. Such wonderful fabrics. Just what we need right now to cheer us up with our snowy cold winter. Well done! What fun this hop is, especially today! Wink...

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  2. This is a beauty. I love the tassels, adds an extra something. Take a bow.

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  3. Fabulous quilt! This is my favorite on this hop!

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  4. Gm very very pretty looking at that quilt would make you feel like summer....happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  5. Now I know why you bought tassels......such a fun idea! Well done, Karen, definitely a great quilt.

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  6. Just fabulous...that is one of the first quilts I made.

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  7. I just knew you had a special intent when you bought those tassels! They add a special surprise touch to your beautiful quilt!

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  8. Karen, your quilt is amazing! It is such a modern way to look at hexies. Adorable quilt design and definitely fits the fabric collection. The tassels are such a treat and certainly adds that zing of colour on the edges. Very creative!

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  9. This is s beautiful quilt that reminds me of my mother!

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  10. Fantastic! Love everything about your hexie quilt. Especially the quilting. Perfect! and those tassels! Have a fun day.

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  11. Love your quilt...and the tassels, great!

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  12. Your quilt is gorgeous! It reminds me of my grandmother's garden from my childhood. The edging with the tassels really make the quilt.

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  13. Oh, my gosh! I thought the quilt was perfect until I saw the photo with the tassels! Such an inspired addition! Karen, you always amaze me.

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  14. Beautiful quilt. Lovely colors. Enjoy your day! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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  15. Wow.....that quilt is a real eye-catcher. I love the tasseled zigzag edge too.

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  16. Gorgeous fabrics in a stunning flower garden. The zigzag edge with tassels is so inspiring. Thanks for giveaway.
    djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I love this Karen....as you well know I love hexies so this is right up my alley. And flowers in winter are the best. Love following your inspiration. Terry

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  18. I love zig zag edges and the tassels. The colors are beautiful, especially that pop of dark. Thanks for sharing. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

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  19. That is one gorgeous quilt! The tassels add the perfect finishing touch.

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  20. Instant love! Think I need a new project ❤️��������❤️��

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Christa! I don't have your address to reply directly, but I appreciate your comment. :)

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  21. This is such a beautiful quilt! I really like the addition of the tassels on the sides. You did a wonderful job with some gorgeous fabrics.

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  22. Hexies, done by machine, what a great idea. The colours are beautiful, a relief from the snow around here. I like the zigzag edge.

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  23. Well, who knew tassels belonged on quilt borders? Something to learn every day.

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  24. Your quilt and your friends quilt are both lovely. Its like walking through a field of flowers. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  25. You quilt is beautiful, and so is your friend's! Gorgeous flowers, they make me warm here in the cold.

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  26. Such a nice cheery quilt - and beautiful colors. Just the thing for our snowy time.

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  27. From the other side of Canada, I say those tassels look amazing! I wouldn't have expected it to work so well, but they look great hanging along the edge of the bed.

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  28. Oh my gosh...where to start. The design is gorgeous the fabrics are stunning, the quilting is incredible...and those tassels...they are perfection! Well done girl!

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  29. What fun those tassels add to the quilt!! Thanks.

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  30. I love those gorgeous blooms, Karen, and the tassels were the perfect way to finish off the edges!

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  31. So colorfully pretty and tassels too? Be still my heart. I love tassels. A coverlet sounds like a great project.

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  32. I love your half hexie flower garden. The tassels are a nice touch.

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  33. Well done - yours is my fav of this hop. The tassels add so much character!

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  34. Karen what a beautiful quilt to look at on a cold nova scotia winter day. It elevates the soul! Lovely and the tassels!! Finishing touch!

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  35. I like the juxtaposition of the beautiful spring colored quilt with the snow on the ground. Your quilting adds a fun modern element to the quilt.

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  36. I love your colorful
    quilt and the tassels
    just finished it off
    splendidly!
    Carla from Utah

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  37. I love your quilt. The tassels are perfect on it!

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  38. What a fun way to make a flower garden quilt!

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  39. Pretty quilt, looks like the paper it was wrapped in, inspired you. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  40. Gorgeous!!! So happy and fun...come on SPRING!

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  41. Love the colours and textures of this prints!

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  42. Wow! You have made a great quilt! And I love the addition of the tassels. How fun!

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  43. Your quilt is so pretty! Loving all those colors - and the tassels, what a wonderful finish! Thank you, Susan

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  44. Pretty quilt! I like thé Idea of half hexies to allow easy machine piecing. But the added touch of the tassels is what I like best.

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  45. LOOOOVE your Quilt!!! BEAUTIFUL!! Very cool way to make the flowers... Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too :)

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  46. Such a colorful and beautiful quilt! Love the added touch of the tassels, something I haven't seen before. Very unique.

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  47. Absolutely gorgeous quilt , awesome use of these pretty fabrics!

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  48. very colorful & a breath of fresh air, in Jan...

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  49. I would love to win a copy of your pattern and fabric. Those tassels really put the finishing touch on that quilt!

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  50. So pretty! And fun with the tassels. Don't enter me to win.

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  51. I love your flower garden and the tassels were the perfect finishing touch...a perfect spring and summer quilt!!!

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  52. I adore your quilt - the pattern, your quilting, and the tassels! Please enter me to win. thank you.

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  53. Absolutely beautiful!! I love your quilt. Thanks so much!

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  54. Love love love this quilt hexes and the tassels

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  55. It is always so much fun to see what everyone chooses to create with the wonderful Island Batik collections. Your quilt is so pretty!

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  56. I love your quilt, and the tassels are the perfect way to finish it off! Beautiful.

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  57. Your quilt is just beautiful. And I was super impressed by your friend's project. Thanks for including her in this adventure.

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  58. Your quilt is absolutely beautiful! The tassels are the perfect finishing touch. It is a pleasure to discover another Canadian blog to follow (I live in Alberta). Thanks!

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  59. Awesome & colorful quilt with tassels too. Love it. rozz01atcoxdotnet

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  60. Can't believe how beautiful this is! I love the way your put the colors together.

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  61. Your quilt is very fun and was a perfect pattern for the collection of fabric you got. Thanks for sharing!

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  62. What a great quilt and the tassels are nice touch.

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  63. A lovely modern version of an old favourite

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  64. This is absolutely beautiful!! The tassels are a really fun addition!

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  65. Your quilt is beautiful and the tassels really make it outstanding! Yes, I'd love to be the winner. Fairly new quilter, so haven't made any large quilts yet, but they will come in due time.

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  66. Those tassels complete the quilt! Your idea is genius!

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  67. Beautiful quilt Karen. This has been quite a year. I loved Linda's little hexie quilt as well. Now you are off on another adventure with Island Batiks. 2019 is going to be a great year.

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  68. I love your quilt! Those tassels are positively inspired and the quilting and colors are beautiful! Thanks for sharing this.

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  69. Wow, the piecing and the quilting are fabulous! This is such a lovely quilt reminding us that summer is not far away.

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  70. Your quilt is beautiful. I love the rose inspiration as they grow around my house too. The tassels are what elevate the entire thing. Brilliant idea ��

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  71. Love all of the colors you used in your Grandmother's Blossoms quilt.

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  72. OmyGosh! Those tassels look so modern on the Grandmother's Blossoms and I love it!

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  73. Your quilt is lively and the tassels are such a cute whimsical touch for the quilt. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

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  74. Your quilt and these colors are absolutely fabulous. I love that you left the "zig-zag" sides - and added the tassels! I would love to be in your giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity to win this pattern and the fabric squares!

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  75. Amazing quilt! The zigzag edges and the tassels are just perfect to frame it. And thanks for the detour, I enjoyed that side trip too! :)

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  76. I absolutely love the quilt. The colors and the design are wonderful. A bucket list quilt for me.

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  77. Love your quilt--especially those tassels!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  78. Love this, have been busy working on hand pieced hexagon flowers, think I'll give this a go to fill that gap before I get the other one finished!

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  79. I love piecing by hand! Beautiful colors in your work!

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  80. What a beautiful piece of art and craftsmanship. Looking forward to making my own someday. You are certainly a clever lady.

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  81. Your quilt is fabulous. Love Hobbs Tuscany Wool and Aurifil thread.

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  82. Beautiful as always, Karen. We all love batiks.

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  83. I recently attended a presentation on the making of batiks. I was amazed to learn that these colourful fabrics are all handmade. The attention paid to the quality of the cotton was impressive. Your choice of pattern to show these fabrics is beautiful.

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  84. I recently attended a presentation on the making of batiks. I was amazed to learn that these colourful fabrics are all handmade. The attention paid to the quality of the cotton was impressive. Your choice of pattern to show these fabrics is beautiful.

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  85. Absolutely love these fabrics and pattern and thanks for chance to enter, and perhaps win!!

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  86. Everything about this blog hop and Island Batils says Springtime Delight! The creativity which you envision always impresses. The vibrant colors certainly give us hope for spring to arrive and bring with it warmth and sunshine. Always enjoy your work, Karen. And so nice to have a very special friend, Linda, join in the fun as well.

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  87. Beautiful fabrics! Love batiks. Thanks for a chance to win.

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