Irish Chain Twist Quilt-A-Long - It's Here!!!!

I am so super excited for this announcement!!! The design's all finished and the schedule is all made!!   The Irish Chain Twist Quilt-A-Long is here!!!  The quilt-a-long will lead right up to the release date of my new book Irish Chain Quilts: Contemporary Twists on a Classic Design!!!!  In fact, the Parade of Quilts and Grand Prizes will be announced the day before my book's launch date, so fun!!!  I have heard from so many of you that you have been wanting to make an Irish Chain quilt and I hope you are loving this Twist on the Irish Chain design as much as I do ;)  

I want to tell you a little about how this design came about.   When I first starting working on the idea of my book I knew that I wanted to make it for Quilters. Let me explain what I mean by that by sharing an excerpt from the Introduction of my book.

          I do not define myself as a certain “type” of quilter.  I love design of all sorts.  Some days I feel like no rules and throwing together some fabrics without a plan, and other days I want lots of  precise cutting followed by a wonderfully therapeutic session of chain piecing.  I love creating and being allowed to jump from one type of design to another.  It keeps each quilting day interesting and helps pushes my out of my design “comfort zone”.

         Because of that, this book is divided into four sections: Twists on Tradition, Modern  Patchwork, Improvisational Piecing, and Applique Chains.  Each section features quilts in varying sizes that blend the Traditional Irish Chain criss-cross design these design concepts of today.  Single, Double, and Triple options are expanded to Modern Traditional, Modern, Improvisational, and Applique options.  So now, like me, you can jump from one type of design to another as well. 

So, you see . . . this book isn't for Quilters.  It's for all of us because in the end we are all Quilters!!!  So with that in mind, I took bits and pieces from different sections of the book and have melded them together into what I think is one pretty awesome quilt :) Which means . . .  You are going to do some piecing that is probably in your comfort zone, but you are also going to be Trying New Things!!!  Which is what quilt-a-longs are all about right, trying new things and discovering new favorite techniques and styles ;)

I am so excited!!!   I hope you are excited to join in and quilt-a-long with me!!!  Just like in previous quilt-a-long's there will be lots of size options so you can fit the quilt that fits your needs and time frame best.  I even broke the blocks down to 2 weeks per block so you will have a little more time with some of the possibly new-to-you techniques ;)    And as always, there will be easy step-by-step weekly directions, stunning Quilt-A-Long kits (more on that soon) and  fabulous fabric prizes that include weekly progress prizes and Grand Prizes at the end. But most importantly, there is going to be lots of fabric fun with friends!!!   Here's the schedule . . .

Teaser Post - Today :)
Schedule, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes - Jan 29th
 Cutting - Feb 5th
Twists on Tradition Units - Feb 12th
Modern Patchwork Block - Feb 19th
 Improvisational Piecing Units - Feb 26th
Improvisational Piecing Block - Mar 5th
Appliqued Chains Block - Assembling - Mar 12th
Appliqued Chains Block - Stitching - Mar 19
Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky - Mar 26th
Parade and Grand Prizes - April 13th

So what do you say??  Do you want to Quilt-A-Long with me???  Grab a button and get ready for fun!!

<a border="0" href="http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/p/quilt-longs.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEjVjloJjk0/VMETCW3egJI/AAAAAAAATP0/Jo8wZt3sdtw/s1600/Button.JPG"/></a>

Oh, and for easy access, I will be updating the weekly links on the Quilt-A-Long Page as well as this post ;)

Teaser Post

Schedule, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes - Jan 29th

 Cutting - Feb 5th

Twists on Tradition Units - Feb 12th

Modern Patchwork Block - Feb 19th

 Improvisational Piecing Units - Feb 26th

Improvisational Piecing Block - Mar 5th

Appliqued Chains Block - Assembling - Mar 12th

Appliqued Chains Block - Stitching - Mar 19

Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky - Mar 26th

Parade and Grand Prizes - April 13th

Linking up my finished Design!!  This design probably went through more scratch paper . . . it took a while to get it just right with all of the different elements melding together and I am so excited with how it came out!!!  I hope you love it as well ;)   I am linking to Sarah's and Amanda's :)   If you are popping over from there thanks for the visit. Please consider joining in on this QAL.  It is going to be so much fun and there will be lots of prizes!!!  I can't wait to get started ;)

Finishing Up and Starting New

4, 3, 2, and 1!!!!  That means all of my Modern Building Blocks, Back to Nature edition are done!!!  I have been having so much fun putting these blocks together.  They have been a great exercise in precise piecing and I just love seeing all of those happy points come together.  So here are the 4 big blocks . . . and seriously, these are big.  The 2 top ones could be baby blankets ;)

And I don't remember if I ever showed these here, but these are the five 18" blocks.  I added the smaller blocks for scale ;)

And lets not forget the 12" blocks.

And the ever so cute 6" blocks!!!   

 So all that is left is to just sew the blocks into the quilt top.  I decided that instead of the standard layout that I wanted to make my quilt a square.  So after a bit of sketching and crossing out and reworking, I finally figured out on the 8th try how to make all of the blocks work in a 90" x 90" square with no Y-Seams and only 1 extra 6" block needed.   I think I am going to make a 4 patch ;)  So hopefully, the next time I show this quilt the top will be all sewn together.  So exiting!!!

And of course, as I start to see one project coming to a close, it is time to start a new one!!!  Did you all see the announcement of the new APQ Quilt Along on Moda Lissa's blog yesterday??   I totally missed last years and knew right away that I wanted to join in on this one!!!  

And I was so excited when I saw that it was 4-Patches!!!  You see, I have gone to 5 markets and each time I get some of these adorable Candy Packs.   They were really starting to stack up on the shelf and while they looked super cute I felt like it was time to start using them.  And then last week a good friend showed me how she does her leaders and enders.  Now I have heard that term used a lot but never gave it much thought.   Ya, kicking myself for not thinking about it out sooner.  So can you see how this is all coming together perfectly . . . Candy, Leaders and Enders, 4 Patches, Perfect!!!!

So last night I threw them all in this little basket, switched on Pride and Prejudice, and started sorting. And before long . . .

I had a stack of empty cardboard backs and paper sleeves and lots and lots of lovely piles!!!  Okay, so I know you are going to ask why each color has 3 piles so let me explain.  The first row are strictly tone on tone prints.   The second row are prints that read a certain color but have other colors mixed in with them.  The third row and strictly color/white prints that I have decided to pull out to make another project with.   And lastly, the two rows on the bottom are white background prints with lots of colors and low volume prints.    Yup, call me crazy, apparently 10 color piles isn't enough for me, I need 30 :)

It was fun to see that the piles from the candy were directly related proportionally to my scraps.   No surprise there but interesting none the less.  Like always, I have the most Blue, Green, and Grey, a medium amount of Red, Pink, and Black and a small amount of Purple, Yellow, Orange, and Brown ;)

I haven't decided yet what design I want to follow along with for the Quilt-Along and it doesn't actually start until February . . .  but I can start making 4 patches now and see where it takes me ;)  These will be great leaders and enders while I put the Modern Building Blocks together ;)

And speaking of Quilt Along's . . . check back tomorrow for the first announcement on the Irish Chain Quilt-A-Long!!!  I am so excited ;)

And one last note . . . If you haven't gotten a chance to enter the Superior Threads Angela Walters Thread Pack Giveaway be sure to pop on over and enter.  We are only 125 entries away from doubling prizes!!!!

Linking up to Lee's :)

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day . . . let's have some fun :)

First, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!   The winner of the Bloom Modern Basics Square Pack by Michael Miller Fabrics from Shabby Fabrics  is . . .   Number 17. . . Congrats Crystal_235!!   I have emailed you :)

    

 

  

 

    

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Cotton Bliss!!   Along with sponsoring today's Giveaway day, Cotton Bliss is offering 25% off your regular price purchases made through Jan 22nd using the coupon code 0115TTGD !!  That includes fabrics purchased for the Moda Piece and Comfort Challenge that Cotton Bliss is helping to sponsor ;)  

And the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for a  $25.00 Gift Certificate to Cotton Bliss!!!   One of you is going to have a fun shopping spree!!!  

You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that tells me what is making you feel blissful today.  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Cotton Bliss love. You can follow them on  Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or Pinterest. You can Sign up for the Cotton Bliss Newsletter (which will ensure you never miss their great sales)  or you can visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Cotton Bliss Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, January 27th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Ipads and Tile don't Mix :)

So Friday night my daughter was bringing my little ipad mini into the kitchen so we could listen to some music on Pandora while we were making dinner.  She went to open the cover but only help on to the cover and not the ipad . . .can you see what happened next.  Let's just say, the tile floor doesn't fight fair.

I was happy to find on Saturday morning that the technicians found that just the screen was damaged and it could be fixed.  It was returned to me that evening and I was told to keep the plastic cover on for a day while everything sets.   So this morning, I took off the cover only to find these three huge bubbles in the screen.   I can not begin to explain how totally annoying they are.   So call up the techs again and hopefully this time it will come home with no bubbles.

I am missing my Instagram.   And yes, I will admit I tried getting on it Friday night after the kids went to bed to catch up on the Instagram feed for the day and then had to stop when I got a glass sliver in my finger.

Ah well, hopefully only one more day ;)  And the penguins would say, just Smile and Wave ;)

Edit - It's back and it is much better :)  Now it can be a happy day :)

Playful Posies & a Giveaway!!!

I am so excited to share this new quilt today!!  I finished this quilt a few months ago and it has been so hard to keep a secret because I absolutely fell in love with it.  So lets not wait a minute more.   Here she is and I call her Playful Posies :)

Playful Posies is being featured in Fons and Porter's Easy Quilts Spring 2015 edition.   It is now available wherever quilting magazines are sold ;)  This is my first time working with Fons and Porter and it was fabulous!!  Everyone was so nice and super easy to work with :)

I used Emmy Grace by Bari J for Art Gallery Fabrics for this quilt.  This fabric is one of the big reasons that I so love this quilt.   I can't get over how much I love this fabric line!!!  (I just might be hoarding some of it :)  I just love the colors and the playful prints, they so added to the feel I wanted to create with this quilt.

The quilt is made up of 9 Posie blocks that are offset with sashing.  The blocks go together quick and the quilt finishes at 58" x 58", a great big baby size ;)  I had so much fun making this quilt and when it came time to quilt it, I decided to really have some fun with it.

In the center of each block I quilted pebbling in the background and little feather medallions in the pinwheels.  This was my first time quilting those little guys and I am pretty happy with how they turned out.  It took a bit to figure out filling up the whole triangle evenly, but I got a little better with each one ;)

Then in the Petals of the block, I quilted double arches.   I have done a lot of single arches in squares but never double arches and not in triangles.  And oh my goodness, these were so much fun!!!  I really love how it makes each corner look like a complete petal ;)

And in the background, I went with my newly favorite feathered swirl.   I just love this design!!  For one it is super fun to quilt because it just flows, and for 2 it looks so pretty when it is done!!!

And of course, I used my favorite 402 Pearl So Fine Thread for all the quilting.  I love that So Fine Thread adds so much wonderful texture to the quilt while still blending away beautifully so it adds to the quilt design without overpowering it ;)  I am pretty sure  Pearl has become my all time favorite color to quilt with on white backgrounds and then it still blends away so nicely on the color prints so you don't have to change threads.  Yup, gotta love those neutral colors!!  (and it just so happens that So Fine is on sale right now, yippee!! Time for me to stock up :)  

And that is Playful Posies ;)   I hope you like it as much as I do.  If you make your own version of Playful Posies I would love to see it.  You can add it to my Flickr Group here or email me a picture of your quilt at happquiltingmelissa@gmail.com :)

And Yup . . . I mentioned Giveaway in the title of this post . . . Lets get to that ;)

So by now, you probably that I absolutely love So Fine Threads!!  They really are my "Go To" thread on the Long Arm and are fabulous for quilting on your home machine as well.   I am actually doing a large spiral on the home machine right now and am loving how So Fine is blending away and it glides through my home machine with the same ease as the long arm :)  It also is nice that I am a mere 35 minutes away from the Superior Threads warehouse and can go walk up and down the isles of color goodness for an hours ;)

So at my last visit, I chatted with my friends there and we cooked up a fun little giveaway for you!!!  You know how I was talking about those awesome neutrals . . . Where here are some of Angela Walters favorites ;)  This is the So Fine #50 Angela Walters Collection #1 and two (or 4) lucky winners will be winning 3,300 yards of So Fine Thread goodness!!!

Here's how to win here at Happy Quilting and then read on because there is more Giveaway Goodness at Superior Threads!!! 

You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment  that tells me your favorite flower and what color variety you love best ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Superior Threads love. You can follow them on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or their Blog. You can Sign up for the Superior Threads Newsletter or you can visit their Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Superior Threads Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until January 23rd and I will announce a winner on the morning of the 24th :)

Alright . . .So that's how to win here.  But don't leave yet . . . Superior Threads is also giving away another thread pack at their Facebook page . . .Simple Click Right Here to pop on over.  All you have to do is Like Superior Threads and then enter your email address so you can be contacted if you win!!!  It's that simple and you are then entered for 2 thread giveaways!!!

And there is one more twist.   We thought it would be fun to throw in a Double Prize Pack Opportunity!!  So between the comments here at Happy Quilting and the Entries at Superior Threads Facebook page, if there is a total of 700 or more we are doubling the prizes!!!  That means there will be 4 lucky winners that will be receiving an Angela Walters Thread Pack!!!  Yippee Skippee!!

Alright, I will let you get to it now, start commenting and liking and lets get these prizes doubled!!

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Weekend :)

Linking my Playful Posies finish up to Sarah's , Amanda's, and Quilt Story ;)  .  Thanks ladies for hosting these fabulous linkys :)