Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Winner and Wednesday

First off, Lets start out with the winner of the Studio Kat Pattern Giveaway.  The lucky winner of 3 of Studio Kat's amazing Patterns is :)  

Which happen so be . . .


Congrats Barbara @ Nahtante Quilts!!!  Please send me an email so I can get your patterns to you :)  (I couldn't open yours in your profile page :)

Now, Onto Wednesday . . . .

First off, Let me say Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all of the sweet comments you left about my Grandmother's Surprise Lone Star Quilt that I posted yesterday :)  You guys are the greatest!!!  Oh, and I found a picture of the basting stage, turns out I did remember to take one I just forgot I had already downloaded it to the computer :)  Isn't it hilarious.  My kids got a kick out of watching me try and work around it :)


And as requested, here are a few close-up shots of the quilt my grandmother made for me 11 years ago :)




So obviously, what I mainly worked on this last week (frantically trying to finish in time :) was the Lone Star Quilt for my Grandmother :)  And with being out of town for the weekend, I haven't gotten much else done.

 I did start on this little table runner that I will be doing a tutorial for in the coming weeks but I hated the start, so I am scrapping it and starting over.  I thought the dots would be fun (you know how I love dots) but it is just way to busy for the piecing I am attempting :)  So back to the start on this one :)



And that is about all for this week, So let's run it down so I can keep track of it all :)

Designing Stage
  • Twister Toddler Twin Quilt
  • Solids Quilt for Free Motion
  • King Size Serenity Quilt
  • Circle Meets Square Quilt
  • Secret Project MB
  • Secret Project QQ
  • Moda Bake Shop Take it All
Piecing Stage
  • Jessi and Me Quilt 
  • 4th of July Table Runner for Sister-In-Law 
Quilting Stage
  • Stars Quilt-A-Long
Completed Stage
  • Lone Star Quilt
  • Pillow Talk Swap

Pin It!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Grandma's 80th Surprise aka Lone Star!!!

My Grandmother has made a quilt for every single grandchild for their wedding.  I was the first to receive mine.  Grandma individually french knotted and quilted by hand each corner of gingham to make these beautiful patterns.   And in the 11 years since I was married she has made 27 of these beauties.  So I figured it was high time someone made one for her.


So here is the story of the 80th Birthday Surprise Lone Star Quilt.  In January, the Cedar City Quilt Guild put on their retreat and when I saw that I could take a class on the Speed Lone Star Quilt I knew it was perfect.  Grandma's room is blue so out came the blues (I love the look of these in monochromatic tones)  from my stash and a few from my MIL's Stash (this quilt is all stash, Yippee Skippee!!!)

 

We learned how to piece the Diamond points at the class and I managed to get 3 put together in the time allotted.  The next night was the all night sew where I cranked out the other 5 points.  There was a major learning curve to making these and my last ones look much better than my first ones, and they went together a lot faster.  Luckily, when all of my diamonds were sewn together the star still laid pretty flat (phew :)


Over the next week I started to add in the inset pieces of background.  This is where I hit a snag.  The instructions we were given was to measure the opening on both sides, average it, and then cut a piece that size to insert and ease in the extra.  Unfortunately, my sides and easing did not want to agree and my triangle inserts were great on one end but came up short on the other end.


And of course, as this was all stash fabric, I only had just enough to do it once.  So I forged ahead thinking I could make it work.  I found a new way to put in the corner squares (using a variation of paper piecing) and they went in super fast and nice.  So I went to add on the borders.  Which in turn, chopped off all of the end points of my diamonds on the left hand side of the triangles where I was coming up short.   (They looked about like the diamond on the end of this picture, horror!!!!)

So I thought, and thought, and tried to figure out how I could make it work with little to no extra fabric for piecing.  And I came up with a solution, which I am happy to say, you don't notice at all unless you knew to look for it.  (I tested it on several people ;)  I made tiny points with turned applique and just whip-stitched them on to the ends :)  Yippee Skippee for adverting a tragedy!!!  (Although, you notice I conveniently forgot to take a picture of them, wouldn't want to burst my bubble of my theory now would I :)  


Then after a little time spent crawling around on the floor (This quilt took up the entire floor of my sewing room to baste, I wish I would have taken a picture, it was hilarious :)  it was time to quilt. And 27 bobbins worth of thread later and a little wrestling match with good old Bernadette the Bernette Bernina I was ecstatic!!!  I can't begin to say how happy I am with the quilting came out on this one!!!   I did a little vine in the 2 top and bottom strips, super easy and I wanted to keep the same kind of movement. (see above picture :)


And now something I am totally proud to say, I did feathers!!!!!!  I finally got up the nerve to try them out on a huge quilt :)  And I am so happy with the way they turned out.  I just did them around the outer border, (and there is a reason I don't show you curving around the corners, scary :) but I am really pleased with them.  I think I might be ready to add them into my comfortable quilting patterns toolbox :)


I did a beautiful swirl in the background and added some sharp points that I usually don't do with a lot more echoing. I loved it.  It has so much movement and flow and it was so much fun to sew :)


And I echo curve quilted the diamonds in the star.  You can see it a lot better along the back.  And I just had to add this photo because I get a kick out of my shadow standing on top of the lawn furniture to take the picture :)


Here is a better shot of the echo quilting on the pieced back :)  Although I still didn't manage to keep myself out of the picture :)  (That is what you get when you remember to take pictures of the quilt about 30 minutes before the party, wouldn't that have been horrible if I forgot. )


So that is the tale of Grandma's 80th Birthday Quilt.  I so enjoyed making this quilt for my Grandmother.  And I so enjoyed watching her receive it.  And ya, I was crying ;)  (To bad my batteries were dead on my camera at that point) Love you Grandma!!!  Happy 80th!!!!!




And since it is Tuesday I am linking up to Quilt Story and since this is an all Stash project, I am linking up to Slash the Stash :)  Isn't it just fun to Link Up :)



Fresh Poppy Design  
Pin It!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Weekend Spillover

So this weekend we took a little trip up to Salt Lake to celebrate my Grandmother's 80th Birthday.  It was so much fun to spend time with family and the entire weekend was a whirlwind.  And to top it all off, my mom came down with us for an appointment and is spending the day with us.  Yippee Skippee!!!

So, even though I had planned to share my Grandmother's Birthday Surprise today (Remember that Lone Star quilt :)  I think I will save it for tomorrow when I have more time to edit photos and such.  Instead, I will leave you with a little link.  Remember my first Quilt-A-Long.  Well Leah over at Burgundy Buttons has mocked it up in some fabulous alternates. A Stitch in Color for just a super fun quilt and  Always and Forever for her Sew Red for Women Campaign. I love them both :)  Go Check em out :)  



Pin It!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Swaps - My New Addiction

So I can't believe I waited so long to join in swaps.  They are so much fun!!!  I can now show you what I have been working on since my partners have received their parcels :)  

First is the Pillow Talk Swap :)  My partner, (Elaine aka Messygoat) left me a mosiac of rainbows and modern style.  I stalked her flickr account and found this pillow :)  And then I cam up with this idea to go with it :)  I was hoping the lots of white with pops of color would offset it well :)  And guess what, she loved it!!!  I am so excited.  I mean what can be better than stalking someone and trying to figure out what they would love, and then actually hitting the mark.  Yippee Skippee :)  


Here is a close up of the quilting.  I did echo quilting of the shapes in the white space.  This was so much fun!!!


And here is a shot of the black.  I added the black for a little pop.  And the binding was so much fun to put on.  It is also the first time I have done rounded edges.  I always run down to my MIL for help with those but this time, I managed on my own :)


The next swap was the Name Game Swap.  This was a swap where you designed a mini quilt around your partners "Quilting Name" and make them an adorable wall hanging for their studio.  My partner (Linda aka SewLindaAnn) posted a mosiac of rainbows and raw edge quilting.  From her inspiration I came up with this concept :)


The idea is that no matter how rainy or gloomy a day seams, there is nothing like a bit of sewing to turn the day around and make everything rosy :)  And Linda loved it!! She sent me the sweetest email with her appreciation and her words so made my month!!!  Sweet words like that remind me of why I loved all of this online quilting craziness :)  So basically, things couldn't have worked out more perfect!!!

I am now looking forward to see what comes back this way :)  I will for sure be posting it as soon as it does.  And in the mean time, I think I will be looking for another swap to join ;)  I can tell these are going to be addicting :)
Pin It!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

TNT Thursday goes Raw!!!

So what have I been trying out new???  I have been playing with a new method of applique stitching.  Raw Edge applique that is :)  I have done tons of applique but I always stitch it down with either a blanket stitch or a zig-zag stitch.  But my Name Game Swap partner had a mosiac full of Raw Edge applique so I figured it was time to try something new.  Here is a little preview with a close up of the raw edge stitching.  (I promise to show more once my partner has received it in the mail :)


And I had so much fun with the new little technique that I decided to do my Beejeebers Monopoly Block (That I showed here) applique with raw edges as well.  Which was nice because when you are stitching 1" applique pieces blanket stitch and zig zag pretty much take up the entire applique.  Raw edge worked prefect, and once again, was a lot of fun :)


So that is what I have been trying new.   How about you????  Let's see those links :)




Pin It!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Welcome Studio Kat Designs and a Giveaway!!!

I am so excited to welcome  Studio Kat Designs as  Happy Quilting's newest sponsor!!!   Kat carries amazing purse patterns designed for the way women Really are!!!  And her bags are truly Art you can wear!


All of her bags are fabulous and there is sure to be one that fits your needs just perfect.  Like maybe this one??
The Carolina CarryAll

or this one??
The SideKick

or maybe this one??  
The DittyRoo

Kat also carries all of the notions that you would need to make up your fabulous purse.  Talk about one stop shopping!!!


And Kat even has several free patterns on her website like this cute little Airport Organizer!!  I totally could have used that on my last flight with the 4 (at the time) little ones :)

            
Thank you to Kat and Studio Kat Designs!!!!   I am so happy to have you as a part of Happy Quilting!!! So how about a little giveaway to welcome our newest sponsor!!


 Kat has graciously offered one lucky winner, not 1, not 2, but 3 of her amazing purse patterns.  Yup, one lucky winner is going to win all 3 of these!!!


The Quattro
The Baggalista

The PortaPockets Purse Insert

You have two chances to win, and please, leave a separate comment for each (for a total of 2 comments max :)  


1 - Visit Studio Kat Designs shop and leave a comment of what pattern is the perfect bag for the way you live :)


2 - Follow Studio Kat Designs Blog and leave a comment that you do so :)


So that's it, easy enough right :) The giveaway will close on Tuesday the 28th and I will announce a winner on Lucky Leap Day!!!     Good Luck to all and Happy Quilting!!!
Pin It!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

February Bee Blocks

For the Sew. Bee. Create Bee Bethany is making a super cute blue and green quilt and gave us a choice of 4 blocks to make.  I liked this block layout.  The block is 12" finished and those 5 little guys are 2 1/2".  I really like piecing on a small scale lately.  It is just so fun!!!


For the Beejeebers Bee Linz asked us to do a 16" block representing a family friendly game.  She is doing a game night quilt for her family.  What a great idea, huh!!!  I choose Monopoly.  I had so much fun putting this block together.  And boy oh boy, did I get to use my Slice a lot.  Don't you just love those little trains.  They are 1" :)  So cute!!!!
Pin It!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Math at Night is Never a Good Idea

So I have been playing with this super adorable fabric over the last little bit.  It is Ten Little Things by Jenn Ski and I am putting together a little bakeshop tutorial for it.  This little pile however is now in my scrap bin.  Why you might ask.  Because I broke one of my cardinal rules and did math late at night.  It seems whenever I do that, I tend to make errors.  As was the case here.  I figured the size of these squares wrong and so they are all  1/2" to small.  One of these days I will learn.  Does this happen with any of the rest of you or is it just me that has a brain that shuts off at 9 pm???

Pin It!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Happy Mail Day

And not because I got mail but because I got it sent out!!!  I put together the packages for some February commitments yesterday and ran them to the post office. Packages included 2 Bee Blocks, the Name Game Swap, and the Pillow Talk Swap. (I promise to show you them all next week :)   I had a lot of fun with all 4 of these little projects.  With that said, I am glad to have them in the mail so I can move on to the next high priority project.  I have to get my Grandmother's queen size Lone Star quilted this coming week as her birthday is Friday.  Wish me luck in the wrestling match I am about to have :)

Pin It!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

TNT Thursday with Pat from Color Me Quilty

Were back.  Man, I can't believe it has only been 2 weeks since we have done this.  It feels like forever.  So welcome back to TNT Thrusday.  And we are back with a super special treat.  A fabulous tutorial by Pat from Color Me Quilty.  I love this block she has made and I know you are gonna love it too.  Thank you so much Pat for putting this together for all of us to enjoy.  So . . .Take it away :)



Hi, I'm Pat from Color Me Quilty! I am beyond excited that Melissa has invited me to show you this tutorial for Gothic Windows. I hope that you will all like making this block.

Gothic Windows. 8"x 8" finished (8 1/2" x 8 1/2" as it is here).


Believe it or not it can be made with 3 contrasting Jelly Roll strips or (3) 2 1/2" wide by the width of the fabric strips.
(3) contrasting strips 2 1/2" x width of fabric (approx. 44")

Cut the strips as follows:
Green - (3) 2 1/2" squares (two of the three squares need to be cut diagonally in half)
White - (6) 4 1/2" rectangles
Charcoal - (8) 2 1/2" squares AND (4) 4 1/2" rectangles

Fold all six of the white rectangles in half (right sides to the outside) and sandwich between the charcoal squares and rectangles.

White sandwiched between two charcoal squares. Align the two edges of the white with the edges of the charcoal squares. The folded edge should be approx. 1/4" short from the other edge of the two charcoal squares.
Do the same with the rectangles with the exception that one side with have additional fabric.
Notice the pinned side you will be stitching - from the open to the folded edge of the white block

All the blocks ready to stitch

You can chain stitch the blocks, if you wish. Then just cut them apart.



Now the magic happens....open the block



A perfect one seam flying geese (or is that goose??) Press!!!
You should end up with 4 short and 2 with longer sides.
Stitch two of the short geese together.


Put the green square in the middle, evenly spaced (it will be smaller that the white). Fold the white edges down and press.


Top stitch the white edges down. You may want to pin or glue the white down. I found that Elmers washable school glue works great for this step. (I did show how to use the glue a little farther down)

Voila! you have the center done.
Next you will be doing basically the same thing with just the flying geese.
Since these geese are not sewn together, you need to stitch a very scant 1/4" across the bottom to hold the corners of the geese down and to hold the green half square in place.

This line of stitching will not show once your block in assembled. Do this will all 4 of the remaining geese.

Again, press the white edges in over the green

I found that adding a touch of glue at this stage very helpful

Can you see the glue?

Repress to set the glue. This will NOT gum up your needle when you stitch.

You can use either the liquid or the glue stick. I've used both on different projects.
Top stitch the two side of the triangle.

Start to assemble by adding the two short geese, one on each side.
Add the two longer geese to the other sides.

You now have completed a Gothic Windows Block!

I hope you've enjoy my tutorial. Thanks again to Melissa for letting me guest blog.


What an awesome Tutorial!!!  Thank you so much Pat.  I know this is on my list of things to try new :)

And I will throw in a quick bit of something new I tried last night.  I taught a class for the first time.  Here are some of the amazing ladies I got to teach.  We went over basic machine care and made some disappearing 9 patch blocks :)  So fun!!!  I was nervous at first but once I got going I had a ball!!!  I just love quilting and sharing how to do it is something that I look forward to doing it again sometime :)



So . . . You have had quite a while to be saving up some new things.  What have you been trying new??  Link on up and show us all :)







Pin It!