I love living in Alaska! I’ve lived here 35 years and traveled the state quite a bit, but I’m not done yet. There’s just too much to see, from the islands of the Aleutian Chain (next year’s trip, I’ve promised myself!) to the northern Arctic Wildlife Refuge to the islands of the south east panhandle. I’ve gone ocean kayaking in Prince William Sound, commercial fishing in the Gulf of Alaska and driven the Alaska-Canada Highway, many times. I’ve flown in jets, small planes, taken the ferry to many towns and driven many roads to explore this great state. Below, courtesy of Google, is Russia, Alaska and Canada, with a tiny bit of the Pacific Northwest USA in the lower right hand corner. The two pink dots are Anchorage and Seward and the yellow path is roughly the path I drove my RV this past year, heading toward Arizona and back north, to Alaska just a month ago.
This is one of my favorite photos of Turnagain Arm, just south of Anchorage, along a road I’ve taken hundreds of times to get to Seward, Kenai, Soldotna, Homer or Seldovia. The Arm, like so many things in Alaska, is gorgeous to look at but can be deadly to the unwary.
As I get older I think more and more about sustainability for our world and our global economy and I love the fact that Clothworks, a company whose fabrics I’ve loved and used for years, is focused on creating their fabric here in the USA. When I traveled through Arizona I saw cotton fields and I often wondered if that cotton would someday be in fabric that I use to make a quilt. Clothworks is introducing their American Made Brand (AMB) cotton, which is from Arkansas (and possibly other locations), spun and woven in South Carolina (I really want to visit there!) and sold out of Seattle (I love Seattle too). I was invited by Candice at Clothworks to join in on her American Made Brand Debut Blog Tour of the United States. 
She asked 50 quilters and bloggers to participate and to create a quilt block based on their state license plate – what a cute idea!
Here’s a pic of me, with my RV, and the RV license plate, which I used for the colors of my Alaska Quilt Block.
I took this opportunity to play with paper and pen (which I love doing) and then take some long overdue classes on using Adobe Illustrator.
Here’s my first draft, in pen on tracing paper. I use tracing paper a lot so that I can keep design aspects I like (just trace over them with a new sheet of paper) and move, resize or discard the parts I don’t like.
From there I started playing with color, matching the fabrics to the actual license plate and trying to decide on the color of the mountains. One of the things that I love the most about the mountains here is how close they are, and how beautiful they look when lined up against each other, fading gradually into the distance. This photo of the mountains in Seward, taken from the northern boat harbor, shows what I mean as the mountains go from dark in the foreground on the right, to faded on the left. The center has the two boats I worked on in 2003 and 2004, when I went commercial fishing for salmon.
I wanted the Alaska State Flower, the Forget-Me-Not, to be part of this block. It’s a delightful shade between pale blue and periwinkle and it’s a delicate, tiny blossom. I found these just down the street from where I’m parked in my RV this summer. Alaska is definitely a place you will never forget once you visit or live here.
When it came time to do some drafting, I went back to a site I’ve been taking classes on: Skillshare. It’s a site that offers a wide variety of technology and business classes that allow you to learn at your own pace. I’ve taken several classes there. I particularly like the fact that they use a lot of videos in the classes, and a minimum of text. The classes encourage students to use their own projects to learn with which is another aid to learning. By working on my own projects, I accomplish two tasks at one time – learning and finishing something I need done. It’s also a lot more fun to learn while working on something you like rather than a textbook lesson. Here’s what I came up with in Illustrator.
After drawing and drafting I was finally able to start playing with fabric – YAY!! What a gorgeous collection Clothworks provided, making it very easy for me to be able to use fabrics in the exact colors I was looking for.
I used the fusible web technique, drawing reverse images onto the paper backing of the Steam-A-Seam and then lightly adhering it to the wrong side of the fabric. After cutting the pieces out, I used a full steam heat setting to permanently set the fabrics. If you are not familiar with the various techniques of applique, I highly recommend Kay Mackenzie at All About Applique and my friend Ruth Blanchet at Academy of Quilting.
I put a little bit of stitching to hold the Aleutian Islands in place and wanted to embellish the Forget Me Nots with some white and yellow thread, but that’s something better done when the block is quilted. If I were quilting this today I would also put some white thread on the tops of the mountains because as late as June this year there was still fresh snow appearing on the mountains around Anchorage. It’s been that cold!
So, why did I call it Blue Alaska? If you look at every photo in this project, your will see multiple shades of blue. Alaska, The Last Frontier, has a big clean blue sky, huge clean blue lakes and is surrounded on the south, west and north by blue ocean. Even the icebergs have a blue tint to them. This land is often green, sometimes (for very loooooong periods of time) it’s white, but always there’s some blue… there’s even a Blue King Crab! Tomorrow brings the summer solstice and on a clear mid-summer night the sky in Anchorage is just a dark blue. On the solstice it never really gets dark like it does in the south, just dusky around 2-4am, and then it’s daylight again.
For quilters who know me, this little block was just a fun side project. I’m still focused on making, writing about and teaching quilt-as-you-go projects and the one I’m working on now ties right into this “Alaska” blog post – check out the T-Shirt I found in, of all places, Las Vegas! I went scrounging the second-hand shops in both Las Vegas (on my way home) and Anchorage for T-Shirts for project testing. I just had to buy this one! Look for more about T-Shirt quilts from me very soon. If you have always wanted to make a T-shirt quilt, gather them up now and sign up for my newsletter on the sidebar here. If you want to take a class with me, check out my schedule on the Classes & Workshops page here.
This was a fun blog tour and I’ve really enjoyed reading about the other states, 
and learning more about the quilters – some I know and some are new to me – and I hope you will too. Take a trip around the USA to visit some very creative quilters and learn about their home states. Many thanks to the folks at Clothworks for inviting me to be part of their wonderful tour and for sponsoring this great giveaway: leave a comment here to be entered to win an 8 Fat Quarter Bundle of American Made Brand fabric from Clothworks – YAY!! To qualify you must live in USA (I’m sorry to my Canadian and International friends). I’ll pick a random comment on June 27th and announce the winner then.
Click here for a comment window…..
Download the Alaska License Plate Block Pattern Download
OUR WINNER is Carolyn Boutilier! YAY and Thank you for reading and commenting on my home and my quilt block 🙂 ~Marguerita
Comments
170 responses to “Blue Alaska!”
This was such a fun and informative hop! I would love to see Alaska some day it is on my bucket list!
What a fun license plate – LOVE the gold ground a la your official license plate. It really works! Alaska is a great state to visit for so many reasons, including the chance to encounter a moose while cross-country skiing or biking in Kincaid Park. With brother who’s lived in Anchorage and now Girdwood, it’s been so much fun to explore. Love the salmon, too!
Your block is lovely! Forget-me-nots are my sister’s favorite flower. I would love to drive to Alaska someday. Thanks for a chance to win.
Enjoyed your review of your beautiful state. We visited Canada and Alaska for 8 weeks in a motorhome caravan a few years ago. It is the most memorable trip we ever made. It is difficult to describe the breathtaking beauty of that region. Your block is a great tribute.
I have loved the blog tour because it has shown a new perspective of each state. Alaska is so beautiful. My little sister and her family have lived in Anchorage for years. Hello from Oklahoma, USA. Loved your block. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
We are flying to Alaska on Monday for the first time, and I’m excited!
Beautiful photos! I so want to visit Alaska someday!
Very creative plate block…and such a wonderful state you come from. I haven’t seen much of Alaska, but a recent article in the latest Sunset magazine really made me want to explore more1
Always wanted to go to Alaska! Hopefully I’ll get my wish someday.
Love your license plate. The many blues are fabulous, and I love the forget me nots. They are one of my favorite flowers. Alaska is on my list of places to visit once all the children are out of the house. I’m a Seattle girl and have dreamed of going up to Alaska ever since having a friend from there in college! Thank you for sharing so many lovely pictures.
I’m from Louisiana and love your block for Alaska. You’ve really captured the beauty and serenity that I imagine when I think of the 49th state. And though I’ve wanted to visit for a long time, your photos really have me yearning! I would especially love to go to Denali National Park.
I enjoyed reading your post. Nice job on the license plate. I’ve never been to Alaska but my sister has and she loved it. kthurn@bektel.com
Love it! I’ve been to Sitka to visit relatives so often that it feels like my second home. I don’t think people can fully understand how amazing beautiful Alaska is until they see it for themselves. Thanks.
Your license plate is the best! I think Alaska is a grand state.
I love your block!! beautiful mountains, and I love the Forget-Me-Nots (I have some growning volunteer in my yard this year!!) 🙂 and my mom said that when I was little I had a birthmark on my forehead that looked like “Alaska, complete with the Aleutian Islands.” Luckily it went away!!! 😛 Have a great weekend, and thanks for sharing your block!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg
I have never been to Alaska but do want to go. The state is so beautiful. Maybe I will get there one of these days. Your plate is wonderful
I loved reading about Alaska through your eyes! We’ve always wanted to visit, but I’m not sure we’ll get there. It looks beautiful. So does your quilt block.
Oh my your brief description of Alaska makes me want to get on the first plane there. I would love to visit Alaska (have an Alaskan cruise planned in the very near future) and just see some of the things you mention.
Great license plate for a awesome state.
My dad’s parents drove to Alaska on the Al-Can hwy in the 50’s. They towed a small camp trailer behind their Rambler and shot lots of 8mm footage. I still remember my grandfather sharing the trip with folks at the local college when I was about 14. I stay in touch with two friends who live in Alaska today–one is a musher.
We did a quilting cruise to Alaska 2013, Inner passage , very Beautiful!!!
I love your block! Those are some of the things I love about Alaska. I grew up there and am bringing my little family home this summer for the first time. I’m so excited I can’t stand it! My kids are too I think as each night they ask me to tell them a story from my childhood. Fantastic block!
Beautiful photos, I would love to visit AK! Great post and I enjoyed the visit.
Would love to visit Alaska! Thanks for the wonderful tour of your state.
Your description of Alaska makes me want to visit. Thank you for posting the process to create this lovely block.
I’m glad I discovered your blog. It’s fun to read about people’s travels. I am a long arm quilter with twenty years under my belt, but I would like to learn quilt-as-you-go. I have done a couple that way buy need to do more. I look forward to getting all the state blocks.
Sue
Interesting you showcased pictures of the places I visited in Alaska 12 yrs ago. Such a big state, it could be a country unto itself. I have two friends from AK, and they might leave AK, but AK is home.
I’m drooling to get my paws on some of that fabric.
Love your block and your state. Have been to Juneau a few times.
I love your block and the enthusiasm you have for your state. I’ve yet to visit Alaska, but sure hope to some summer before too long. I say summer, because when I go, I want to be awkhke and able to see all her beautiful sights!
I thought about moving in Alaska once. I’m glad I didn’t, but I still want to visit to see the mountains.
such a fun blog hop! i want to visit all the states and learning bits about each one has helped the urge. thanks for sharing your block!
Great block – you did Alaska proud. I’ve always wanted to visit.
We got to take the cruise up to Alaska for our honeymoon 3 years ago, and I was in awe of the beauty. We have a panorama on our wall from up one of the fjords with the gorgeous blues and specks of white from the ice floating, such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing!
~Brandy
I am impressed with your block, a wonderful statement for Alaska and also with all the thought and effort that went into making your plate………thank you! My Dad was in Alaska during WWII and liked it so much he wanted to move back there. I can see from your tour how lovely it must be.
Beautiful state and beautiful block.
Thanks so much for a tour through your state! I’m from Ohio and I have always been fascinated by Alaska, it is so beautiful and alien to most of us in the continental US. Your block is beautiful and I loved how you put it together. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
What a great state you live in and love the design for your license plate. It has long been on my bucket list to take an Alaskan Insland Cruise. Sigh….maybe some day! In the meantime, thank you for the lovely pictures and descriptions; your post was very enjoyable.
Alaska — seems so far away from me here in Virginia. From your photos, it looks serene and vast and unique. Wow. I enjoyed reading about your wonderful state.
Love your block – it’s perfect! DH is heading to AK on Wednesday to fish for a week. We live in WA.
You live in a beautiful State. Love your license plate
Love your alaska block. Great colors. Thanks
Hi L O V E your block and I am so excited to see you on this tour. I am coming to Alaska on a cruise August 8 – 15. I will be in Seward all day on the 15th are you going to be in the area. We are taking the train to Anchorage and staying until Sunday night. I live in Humble, TX (Houston)
I have always wanted to visit alaska
Your pictures are very inviting– maybe next summer
It’s my favorite place on the planet to visit! The scenery, the wildlife, the water…it’s just spectacular. I do hope to be able to move up there some day! You license plate certainly does it justice. Oh how I love these solids! And American jobs!
Love your Alaska license plate block. Would love to visit your beautiful state one day.
Thanks,
Peggy
Hi!!!! Love your block!!!! Great colors for the mountains and forget me nots!!!!
We made our dream trip to Alaska last year. It was so amazing. Everyday was an adventure. Love your block.
It would be great to take an Alaskan cruise or something similar. My husband is fascinated with shows like Deadliest Catch and Last Frontier and such.
I like the forget-me-nots!
reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com
I’ve never been to Alaska. The wife of a friend of ours is from there. The sister of a past co-worker lives there and at one time worked at Denali park.
What beautiful photos! I would love to visit Alaska. Your license plate is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
I love your block. I have been to Alaska many times and love it. My parents lived in Fairbanks for 10 years, and my sister lived in both Fairbanks and Anchorage. I have really enjoyed the blog tour. Thanks for participating!