RSC January 2026 - Week 5 - Blue

January Blues continue into February. 

This post was meant for previous Saturday, but that didn't happen. 

UFO #12 - Star Streams is finished! 

It was supposed to be a RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge), but I changed my mind and made it in blue and white instead. 

Quilted in crosshatch design with 1.5" between each seam

Pieced backing. 

The photo didn't turn out the best. Here's another photo, after the backing was done.

- First blocks made: January 2023

- Flimsy: December 2024

- Quilted: January 2026

- Finished: January 31, 2026

 

A Quilting Life - BOM 2025

This is the block shown on my previous post. 

At the beginning of the week I received the white fabrics I'd ordered and finished up this block and others (below).

A Quilting Life - BOM 2026

Block #2 - February

How is it possible to ignore a blue and white scrappy quilt?

I couldn't, and here is the result: 

The beginning of 'True Blue'  

It's a QAL, but can also be done at your own pace.

I've finished Unit #1. 

5 easy 9-patches pieced together with sashing

...and Unit #2

9 easy 9-patches + borders

... and part of Unit #3

1.5" strips and squares sewn together.

I've made 2, need to make another 4 blocks

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026)

RSC 2026 Week 4 - January is BLUE

 A new year is here, and so is RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge - hosted by Angela at SuperScrappy

I have yet to decide how much I'll participate in the RSC this year. Definitely not as much as the previous years.

I'm drowning in RSC blocks from the last 3 years and my goal is to make those into flimsies (some are done already, it has been some busy weeks sewing). It's even better if they can be finished, at least some of them! 

Last year, I did part of Sherri McConnell's BOM 2025 in RSC colors. I did 6 blocks; orange, green, purple, turquoise/teal, light blue and brown. 

There are 6 more blocks to do and I'll start with the December block in blue.

It's a log cabin block with a small star block in the centre. 

I've done the star block only. Do you know why?? I'm almost out of white fabric! I've used a lot of white lately, that's why. More is ordered and on the way, I should get it by the end of the month. 

I've been going through two plastic bags with HSTs (leftovers from RSC blocks and other projects). They are now trimmed and stored in smaller plastic bags and marked with the size (for another blog post).

What also showed up were 9 blue and white HSTs. I can't even remember what they were meant for, I remember they didn't fit and I put them away. 

A small table topper, measures 16.75 inches / 42.50 cm

I'm working on my UFO/WIP list and happy to say I've finished two UFOs! 

This is #23 on my UFO/WIP list

 I had leftover blocks from 'Keep Believing/Tomten's Quilt', 

enough for a tea cozy and teapot mat

 The other side of the tea cozy

I also finished the wall hanging (UFO #24) 

I had the blocks, it was just to add them together with sashing

Measures 36 x 36 inches / 91.50 cm

I've said many times already and trying to convince myself I'm NOT going to do any BOM this year! Why are there soooo many temptations out there?!

I have sew enjoyed Sherri's BOM's 2024 and 2025. She's doing a new BOM this year, in red, blue and white. You can see the first block (January) here. 

...and here's mine!

 

Blue and red are the colors I have the most of, so why not? It's a chance to use up some of those fabrics. Isn't that a good excuse?! ...and one block a month that won't take much time! 

Fabric requirement is approximately 7.75 yards for the top and 4 yards for the back. That should make a small dent in my stash.

'Star Streams' (UFO #12) is quilted!  

It was thread basted last year.

I got it out earlier this month and discovered THIS!!! 

The highlighted block is the wrong way! 

It's fixed now. I had to undo half of the thread basting, remove that block and turn it the right way. Good thing I discovered it before I started quilting! 

(the photo was taken when it was a flimsy, before thread basting).

....my little helper! 'Helping' me quilt 'Star Streams'! 

Linking up with Angela at SuperScrappy and RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026) 

RSC Week 8 - Blue Cups and Curves

Last Saturday in February already!

 

More blue blocks have been made for the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) hosted by Angela at Superscrappy. 

Curves for 'Eclipse'

3 big blocks

...and 3 small blocks

Cups for 'Coffee with Dad'

I LOVE the gecko fabric and I had just enough left for one cup! 

Two scrappy blocks

These will go together with the accumulation (!) of 36-patches (made from 2.5") I've made earlier. You can see some of them here (UFOs/WIPs #2) 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

RSC Week 5 - February is BLUE and a Squirrel popped In

Happy February!

Where did January go?!

February; it means a new RSC (Rainbow Scrap Color). Angela at SuperScrappy has chosen BLUE for this month. 

Three blue cups are made. 

I'll make maybe two or three more.

I didn't expect the squirrel to visit! It was good in a way, I needed a short break from quilting ten place mats for a customer. 

This is what the squirrel got me to do:

 

5 scrappy blocks using pink (January RSC color) in the center. 

...and three blue. 

Do you see the pink and blue cats? 

I got to use a few more pink (5" squares trimmed to 4.5"), a variety of 2.5" squares and bits and pieces of white and cream. Everything counts to reduce stash!

Does this block have a name?

My idea is to use these together with some of the 36-patches I've already made.

UFO / WIPs #2 - UFO list 2025 

I have made so many 36-patches using 2.5" squares, now I'm running out of variety. I had a lot from swaps (all used up after making bed quilts!) as well as my own cut squares. I have cut squares from 1.5" to 5". This was March 2016, and I'm happy to say quite a lot has been used!

Linking up with Angela and RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2025) 

Linking up with Melva Loves Scraps for Sew & Tell Monday

This photo was shot a few evenings ago. Fog rolls in at Corps de Garde mountain.

I never get tired of watching clouds / fog, especially during the rainy- and cyclone season when it can be quite impressive.  

 

RSC Week #26 - Last of the Blues

 ...for this month, that is.

It has been a busy sewing week, working on Advent Calendars for my Etsy shop.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I ran out of Silver Metallic thread for the Blue Holidays calendar. It was delivered a couple of days ago. I got to it right away and now they (3x) are waiting for binding to be attached. 

4x 'Tomten's Forest Friends' - binding to be attached

2x 'Tomten's Village - binding to be attached too

...and finally...

 ...the table runner for the buffet!

I bought a charm pack some years ago; 'Indi-Glow' by Studio Mousseau / Wilmington Prints. Never knew what to do with it, until recently. The buffet needs a new table runner and these prints are perfect. I had to trim the squares to 4-7/8", since none of them were 5x5", they were 5x4-7/8", some even smaller! So irritating! That's why I seldom buy precuts. 

As you can see, binding is missing on this one too. I found one print in my stash that can go. 

All blues stored away for this time! Waiting for Angela to announce the RSC color for July.

Update: July's color is AQUA. 

'Winter' has definitely arrived. It's raining almost every day and with the high humidity it feels sooo cold! It was +16C / 60.8F and 72% humidity this morning. BRRR! You are allowed to laugh! lol

Keep sewing, it keeps my fingers warm! 

Linking up with Angela and RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

 

RSC Week #25 - Never ending Blues

 How did it come it's midsummer already?! 

This year, so far, has flown by with record speed.

I missed last Saturday's RSC posting. We took advantage of the sunny weather and did some (never ending!) yard work. I'm glad we did, Sunday it was pouring rain, and rain showers ever since. I did grocery shopping and went for a walk this afternoon, it was pouring rain just after I returned home.

What has been going on the last two weeks? 

I've quilted and added pockets to 6 blue Advent Calendars for my Etsy Shop. Sleeves are added too. I ran out of red for binding, re-ordered and it was delivered yesterday.

I thought I had enough silver metallic thread for to quilt three other blue calendars. I'm quite organized when it comes to sewing threads, they are all in plastic containers, sorted on brands. When I found one almost empty silver metallic spool, I knew that is what I have left. It was just enough to quilt one calendar, not enough to stitch down the pockets. More is on the way, I should get it by next week. (Sorry, no photos of the calendars yet).

More Step blocks have been made for Star Streams

'Of course' I ran out of white-on-white background fabric! More is on the way, not sure when I'll get it. 

Some Zipper blocks were made too.

I'm also working on a blue table runner for the buffet in our TV-room. Hopefully I have photos for my next 'blue' blogpost. 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

 

RSC Week #23 - More Blues

June is a busy month here at Grandma's Red Needle. 

BLUE was selected by Angela at SuperScrappy as the RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge - color for June. 

I have several blue WIPs and with the head start last week, I made several blocks for some of the WIPs. 

This week I've made 

4 Scrap Jar blocks

New BOM block from Sherri McConnel, 'A Quilting Life'

I'm currently working on BLUE Advent Calendars (no photos yet) for my Etsy Shop 

I like to start early, to avoid 'stress-sewing' closer to the Advent Season. 

Linking up with Angela and RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

 

RSC Week #22 - BLUE for June

Welcome June! 

Goodbye PINK - Welcome BLUE

Angela at Super Scrappy has chosen BLUE for June's  RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  

Since the last Saturday in April was on 25th, we got an early start on blue! 

All the blocks for 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' are done:

4 Bowties

4 Nine-patches

1 Pinwheel

3 Friendships

6 Four-patches

...and then over to other blocks: 

8 Split-Nine blocks

182 Day Solstice Challenge

Block #4 - Cobble Stones

Block #7 - Tidy Rows

Some of you may remember I worked on 'Star Streams' last year? 

Today (Wednesday), I dug deep in the box containing UFOs and pulled out the already made blocks. I have a few more blocks to make before I move on to the 'Step blocks'. 

These are the six different Star blocks

Update Friday; all 28 star blocks done! 

I've also made 5 'Step blocks', I was curious how they would turn out.

I have to make 23 more, total 28. 

I still have a few blocks to do; zippers and scrap jars. 

This month my goal is to get the 'Star Streams' into a flimsy. 

Linking up with Angela and RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

RSC - February, PINK all over!

How did it happen we're a few days into February already?! Where did January go? I'm sure we all have been busy, I know I have! 

February is the PINK month. RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge - hosted by Angela at SOS Scrappy

When I sorted (some of) my fabrics the other day, I had the RSC in mind. There are certain (fabric) colors I don't have a lot of. Pink, I thought, I don't have a lot of pinks, or browns, or purples. Was I wrong? When gather them all together, sorted on colors, I'm sure I have more than I knew! I roughly measured the pinks; approximately 13 yards.  

I've been pondering what to make...

First is the big block for the scrappy 'Swirling Stars' Quilt. The block measures 22.50" square. 

The smaller blocks; I've made two only. The pattern calls for 16 small and 8 big blocks. I've already made a big block in blue

I couldn't leave it there with those 3 blocks only, more yardage has to be used. 

I got the bright idea to make a pink quilt to a little girl who turns 7 in April! (If her Mom or Grandma read this, it is top secret! lol) Here are a few 5.50" squares I've cut.

I decided to go for 'disappearing 9-patch' blocks. So far I have 5 blocks. Not sure about the quilt size yet. 

My previous post was last Sunday, still a few days left to make more blue blocks. I did some progress on the Split Star blocks for the 'I've got the blues' quilt and  5x 'Fair & Square Star' blocks for the (blue & white) Star Streams quilt.

As you can see, I've been busy. We have had rainy days, best weather to stay inside sewing. From now on I should work on some UFOs! Actually I pulled out UFO #13; 'Woodland Advent Calendar' today. I ran out of thread while quilting it (last year). I've got the thread, time to finish it! I was thinking I start with one of the smallest UFO to finish! lol 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2023

HAPPY PINK FEBRUARY!