Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Parade!!!

First off, if you are looking for the giveaway it is here.

It's here!!!  The Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Parade!!!  I want to start by thanking all those that quilted a long with me.  I can't believe how many we ended up with.  It was so fun to get to know you all through this little quilting trip.  Some of your have been sewing for years and some of you this was your first quilt-a-long, and some even their first quilt!!!  I just had so much fun doing this quilt-a-long!!! THANK YOU to all of you that participated and made it so very enjoyable!!!

I love all the different prints.  Isn't it just amazing how different a quilt can look when done in different fabrics.  Each top is individual to its owner and they all look amazing!!!  Congrats to all!!!   These are the finished tops but there are many more in various stages of completion.  (no, worries, we can always have another parade in the future for those :)   So, let get to the parade!! 

Amy's from Vermont

Christine from New York

jbird05001 from Flickr

 Karen Riddell 

 Karen Vail from NW Washington State

 Kelly Chilmark from Orange, Massachusetts

 Linda from Greeley, Colorado

 Lindsay Dunn from Ivins, Utah

 Marta Antoine from Florida

Sandy Rowe 

Sarah Johnson  from Texas

 Shannon from Idaho

 Sharon Vrooman from New York

Staci in Arizona

Wasn't that fun!!!  I just love everyone's finish!!!  Once again, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for quilting-a-long with me!!  We will have to do it again in the future :)

And now for the moment these ladies have been waiting for . . . The winner of the Burgundy Buttons Gift Certificate.  Your top had to be completed to be eligible to win these ladies above are in the running.  I put all of your names in a hat and my daughter drew one out.

And the winner is . . . .  Sarah Johnson from Texas!!!  Congrats Sarah !!!

And one final Thank You to all those that have been quilting-a-long with me.  It has been so much fun!!  And if you aren't finished keep those machines a running.  We will have another parade some time down the line :)

It's another Giveaway.

First off, I want to thank those that left kind words and comments about my two newest tutorials.  I know it takes time to stop and say something and I want you to know that it really makes me happy to know that my tutorials are appreciated and liked.   ( I wish I would get as many comments on my tutorials as I do on my giveaways . . . but we all know it doesn't work that way, tee hee hee :)

So onto the 600 follower giveaway.  Let's keep this super simple.

Up for grabs . . .  A copy of Perfect for Precuts . . A brand new magazine full with yummy pattern goodness.

You remember when I posted how excited I was to have my quilt on the back of this magazine that I ran right out and bought one.  Well the lovely ladies at Moda were so excited for me as well that they also sent me a copy.  So sweet huh!!!  So now I find myself with 2 . . . so there is an extra for one of you :)

How to enter . . . Be a follower (or become a follower) and leave a comment.  Any comment will do.  That's it :)  Just one follower per person please.  And make sure I have a way to contact you.  

The giveaway will close on April 10th and I will announce a winner on April 11th.  (This is a little long but I am going to be offline next week so you have to wait till I am back on again :)

Snuggly Squares II

So you might not remember, but my very first Moda Bake Shop tutorial was this super adorable little baby girl quilt called Snuggly Squares made with the adorable Lily and Will line.

So when I heard that Bunny Hill Designs was coming out with a second Lily and Will line I knew immediately that I wanted to make a "fraternal twin boy" quilt for Snuggly Squares. Something similar but slightly more boyish :)

So with that,  I am super excited to introduce my newest Moda Bake Shop tutorial Snuggly Squares II

I am so excited about this tutorial.  It is super easy, goes together quickly, and just turns out adorable!!!  I love the Lily & Will II line every bit as much as the original!!!  

I just love that little bunny backing!!!  I had so much fun making this project and hope your will love it also.  So take a second and head on over to the Moda Bake Shop and leave me a little comment love :)

And if you just love it, want it, and need it . . . You know where you can get it at.  Don't you just love Leah over at Burgundy Buttons!!!  She has put together a super adorable Snuggly Squares II quilt kit for this little tutorial!!  She has made kits for both color ways in the line so you can choose between the  blue or the yellow.  Sweet huh!!  And, the kit also comes with an adorable quilt label to add that finishing touch to your quilt.  Super Sweet!!!  So hurry over, as always, supplies are limited :)

And as a complete side note  . . but somewhat related . . . I am so super excited to announce that the owner of my original Snuggly Squares quilt (that super cute pink one at the top) arrived in the world late last night!!  Ya for my newest niece Nancy!!!  I wish I had a picture but hopefully I will get her parents to send me one soon :)  

Oh, and it looks like we made it to 600 followers . . . check back tomorrow for a giveaway :)

A Stroll Down Penny Lane

It's here!!!!  My first Riley Blake Cutting Corners Tutorial.  I am so very excited to share this project!!

This amazing line of fabric is called Penny Lane and designed by Deena Rutter for My Mind's Eye.  Isn't it just adorable!!!  And the quality of fabric is fantastic.  It was so enjoyable to work with!!

So click on over to Riley Blake Cutting Corners and check out this project tutorial.  It is really beginner friendly and a quilt that goes together quick.  So fun!!!

And if you just love it, want it, and need it . . . You are in Luck!!  Because the amazing Leah at Burgundy Buttons has put together an adorable A Stroll Down Penny Lane quilt kit (with a pink or blue label) and as always, it is all you need and at an amazing discounted Burgundy Buttons price.  And, it even comes with a super adorable quilt label for that perfect finish to your quilt :)  So hurry over and get yours while supplies last :)

And check back tomorrow for a second tutorial.  Yup, 2 tutorials in 2 days.  I have been busy :)

And since completing this tutorial was my "One Thing One Week" challenge - I am linking up to Amy :)  And to AmyLouHoo :)  Lots of talented Amy's out there :)

   

Calling all Happy Quilt-A-Long Quilters

This is a shout out to all of you that joined me on the Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long.  I need pictures!!!  There is going to be a super fun parade showcasing all of your work on the 31st, but as of right now I only have a picture from 1 Happy Quilter.  That would be a pretty short parade :)  

So if you joined me on the Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long, please email me (happyquiltingmelissa at gmail dot com) your favorite picture of your completed project by March 30th.  It can be all quilted up or just the top sewn together.  My top won't be quilted, things just got a little busy.  (but I have 3 showings of my house today so I am not complaining :)  I will also be announcing the winner of the Burgundy Buttons gift certificate at the end of the parade.  Yippee Skippee!!

Thanks to all of you that joined me quilting-a-long.  It was so much fun and I had such a good time getting to meet so many new friends through it :)  Looking forward to the parade and have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Another New Quilting Design

So I have been trying some new designs in quilting.  I like to branch out and try new things, it keeps my from hanging out in my stippling comfort zone :)  Warning - Tangent coming -  I have yet to do feathers, I have drawn them so many times but never like the end doodle enough to actually try it on a project.  I really love the look of feathers so I am determined to get them down one of these days.  I will just have to keep doodling them.  So I am just putting it out there -  I will do a project quilted with feathers, eventually :)  Okay - Back on Topic - I showed you a new stitch I tried the other day and I have another new one to show today.   This time I went for a  loop in a loop.  What do you think??

This is what I thought.  Yup, the design reminded me of those adorable little oysters in Alice in Wonderland.  However, that got me thinking and reminded me of the Walrus in the story that has always creeped me out since I was a kid.  Ahh, I can't have my design creeping me out, what to do???

So I mentioned this to a friend and showed her the new design.   She instantly said that it reminded her of peacock feathers.  Now that is something I can jump onto.  So with that, I decided it is my new Peacock Feather design. Yippee Skippee.

These peacocks were walking around our resort when we went to Jamaica in Jan.   They are so beautiful!

So do you love the first picture and want to see more of this super adorable project and even get a step-by-step tutorial on how to make it??  Well Check Back on Monday!!  That' s right you only have to wait till Monday :)

Oyster image courtesy of thetoyzone.com

Paper Piecing - A First :)

Last night I gave paper piecing a try!!  This is something I have wanted to try for some time and just never gotten around to it.  So when Katie asked for a "Star" themed block for her VIB block I figured it was the perfect opportunity to give it a try :)  I searched through my EQ 7 library (I am learning a little more about this program with each passing day) for a "Star" block that I thought I could tackle for a first timer.

So I took a deep breath and hacked into the beautiful Innocent Crush prints of Anna Marie Horner.  Can I just say I love these prints!!!  I want some of my own :)  It took me a little bit to get my head wrapped around this technique.  It just seemed so backwards to me and the whole "your fabric size doesn't matter" thing was really weird.  Not that it was necessarily hard, just different.  Once I got the hang of it though it became more enjoyable.

So with all of that rambling . . . I present my first Paper Pieced Block - The Spinning Star.  It isn't perfect, but I have to say I am pretty pleased with the outcome for having it be my first try at this new technique.

Oh, and just in case your wondering, I haven't made a final decision about if I like this technique or not.  There were parts I liked, and there were others I didn't.  My end decision is that I need to try it a  few more times.  So Paper Piecing . . . I will be working with you some time in the future :)

What Did I do for National Quilting Day??

We'll the list is long . . but we will just skip to the evening when I had checked off all the To Do's on the list and was able to move to the Want To Do's list.  And it of course had Quilting right on the top!!!

So I started quilting up my newest Bake Shop Quilt.  (Not to be revealed until April, Sorry).  It's a twin size so I started quilting and just kept going and going.  I too an occasional break to check the scores of the games (I do love me some March Madness) but by the end of the night (late night :) I was done!!   I had so much fun doing some more swirls.  They are just a hoot!!  I also tried out a new little loop that I loved.  I will so be doing it again!!  And yes, of course I will show some sneaky peaks, but just little sneaky peaks :)

How's Your Irish Luck??

Today is the day!!  Time to announce the winner of the Giveaway!!! Just as a reminder, this one super lucky person will get this beautiful set of Fat Quarters from the Penny Lane line by Riley Blake!!  Oh, La, La!!!

And the person with some Irish Luck is . . .

JayTee 24said...

Congrats!!! Isn't new paint beautiful???

March 9, 2011 9:48 AM 

Congrats to JayTee.  I have sent you an email :)

And since we are on the subject of Penny Lane . . .  I thought you might all enjoy a little sneak peak of my soon to be released tutorial project using Penny Lane.  Look for it on the 28th :)

The Birthday Girl Strikes!!

Well she is officially 2 so that must mean something "Terrible Two"ish has to happen.  And did it ever!!  I went upstairs yesterday to find my sweet little now 2 year old girl sitting on her sister's bed with crayons in her hand.  This is what she was sitting on.

Instant panic followed by that horrible sinking feeling in your stomach.  I was too late.  It isn't horrible, but it has been colored on none the less.  I set my beautiful little girl in her crib so that I could walk out of the room and calm down / cry.  Anyone have any good suggestions on how to get crayon out??  I am so scared I am just going to set it into the fabric or make it bleed.  Help :)

UPDATE - Thank you all for your great suggestions.  I am trying them out on scrap fabric and will let you know what works best :)    Oh, and I should mention . . . Today is the last day to enter my giveaway if you haven't had a chance yet :)

Birthday Baking and Moda Baking!!

Yesterday by little one turned 2!!!  Hoolay smokes time flies!!  My older daughter saw a picture of one of those cool new rainbow cakes and told me I should make a "girlie" one for Kami.  This was my interpatation of "girlie" version.  I think it looks pretty alright :)

Unfortunatly, I am horrible at stacking cakes and keeping them even, so to help I use extra icing.  I went a little overboard on this particular cake using 2 tubs of frosting.  That's right, that little cake has 2 tubs of frosting.  Can we say sugar headache.  However, I don't think the Birthday Girl minded all that much :)

And since we are on the baking subject, I thought I would give you a little sneaky peek of what will be coming at the end of the month!!  I just love these prints!!  I can't wait to share the whole quilt :)

Oh, and it's the last days to enter the Celebrate Giveaway :)  You can find it here :)

Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Finishing Up Instructions

Okay, so most of you probably don't need this last step, and there are several that have already done it, but I figured just to complete it off, I will post some instructions on how to put your blocks together into a top.  So here we go, the last step of the Happy Quilting Quil-A-Long!!

Start by laying your blocks out in your rows.  Go ahead and play with your blocks until you get a look that you like.

Once you get a layout you like go ahead and mark your blocks so you don't forget what goes where.  I usually use pins.  I have a slightly cryptic way of how I place my pins so that I know where they go.  Do what works for you.  You can also just take a picture and then refer back to it.

Okay, so once you have your blocks marked you are going to start pinning them together.  Take Block 1 from Row 1 and lay it over on top of Block 2 of Row 1 with right sides together.  Don't spin it or anything, just flop it over :)  (how's that for a technical term.)  No go ahead and pin your seam line together.  Make sure to pin your seams first making sure to line them up.  After that pin your ends.  If you have any bubbles just smooth them down with your finger and put in a horizontal pin.  

Repeat pinning with all of the first block for all of the rows of your quilt.

Now it is back to some stitching.  Once again, stitch a 1/4" inch seam along your pinned line.  Make sure to remove your pins as you go and smooth out seams from underneath.  Continue to chain stitch all of your sets.

Clip your threads between blocks and then go ahead and press your seams open.  Once again, this is just to help keep the bulk down.

So now you will have a stack that looks like this.  Don't you just love those little "nubbins between the sashing.  (I actually like them so much I made my seams a little larger to highlight that feature, so my nubbins might be slightly larger than yours :)  I love how it makes the diamond sashings in the middle float :)

So now lay your blocks back out with the rest of your quilt layout.  Use your pins or your pictures to ensure you have everything back the way you originally laid it out.

Now it is just repeat.  Go ahead and lay your Block 3 onto your now sewn together Block 1 and 2 in each row.  Pin all of your blocks.  Then go ahead and stitch your 1/4" seam along all the sets, clip your threads, and press.  Repeat this process for however many blocks you have in your rows :)

So now your rows are all put together and now you just have to attach the rows to each other.  And it is the exact same process just on a larger scale.

Lay your entire Row 1 onto your Row 2.  Pin along the seam line.  Once again, make sure to match your seams first.  Sew a 1/4" seam along your pinned line and press open.

Now just repeat the process for each row, adding one after the other.  And there you have it!!!  Your completed top!!!  Yippee Skipee!!!

Alright, Make sure to add your completed top to Flickr.  I will give everyone 2 weeks to finish your tops.  On  March 28th we will have a parade of tops and announce the winner of the Burgundy Buttons Gift Certificate.     I can't wait to see all of your finished tops!!!  I hope you have enjoyed the Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long.  I know I have!!