Spring Market 2015 - A few last shares and that's a wrap!

Alright, well, I have been posting about Market for over a week now, and I have to say, it has been so much fun to break it all down and sort of relieve each little moment through writting.   It really was my most amazing Market and of course, that was because I finally got to share all about Irish Chain Quilts!!!!  I just can't explain how amazing it is, after working so hard and keeping it a secret for nearly 2 years to be able to share share all of the love I put into it.    And I am just so touched by the wonderful response to it.  Thank you!!!

Which leads me into my little surprise I mentioned yesterday . . . I get to join Pat Sloan on American Patchwork and Quilting Podcast on Monday and talk all about Irish Chain Quilts!!!   So exciting!!!!

The show will air live on Monday, June1st at 4pm eastern, 3 pm Central, 2 pm Mountain, or 1pm Pacific.  For all of my International friends you will have to figure out the time ;)   You can catch the show live right here, or download it later and listen ;)

And speaking of Irish Chain Quilts, there are a few quilts that I forgot to share that I used in my book signings.    These are my Bitty Bits mini's!!!!

You might remember when I shared this little guy for March Madness Mini Week . . . 

 But I had so much fun, it multiplied into 3 mini's!!!!

And ya, this one is my favorite.   I mean, it has purple in it, of course it is my favorite!!!

I used these adorable little guys to show how easy it is to transform the Bitty Bits pattern from the book using the inverse of the solids layout, adding prints mixed with solids, or just using all solids.   I think it really helped for people to see how versatile the design can be to fit their own personal favorites.  

Each of these measure 20" x 20" and are going to make a cute little addition to all of my Irish Chain Quilts.   And ya . . . you know this has got me thinking about making Mini's of all the quilts in Irish Chain Quilts!!!

And now, I have shared everything that I made for market . . . But I had a few surprises when I got there of other quilt sightings ;)   The ladies at Riley Blake designs brought back the butterfly display from Quilt Con for their market booth.  It was so fun to finally get to see that beautiful Butterfly Dress.  And ya, that is my Butterfly Whirl quilt behind it that I designed for Quilt Con.   (and am still working on a pattern for, so many things to do :)

And if you remember the Endless Summer  quilt I made for Vanessa Christensen, it showed up in her booth as well.  Doesn't it look so cute all rolled up in the basket ;)

And finally, one last share, that I was totally surprised was here.  Remember those scraps of Hello Darling I showed a while back . . . well it was for this quilt!!!   The lovely Barbara and Mary, of Me and my Sister Designs asked to to do the piecing for this stunning quilt!!  It came back from the quilter just before Market, and was sent off to It's Sew Emma.   So I was super surprised to see it ;)    It was one of those secret sewing projects that I thought was going to be secret a little longer, but since it was hanging, I figure I can share ;)   This quilt will be in Me and My Sister's newest book PreCut Primer for It's Sew Emma and I am so excited for this book!!!!   I will share more about it when it gets closer to being released in August ;)

And I think that just about wraps it all up!!!  Wow, International Spring Quilt Market, you were awesome!!!!!   And I am looking forward to next spring when you will be in my neck of the woods.  Salt Lake City, here I come ;)

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up these last few finishes to Amanda's and Sarah's  and Quilt Story;)  

Spring Market Fabric Collections

There were so many new amazing fabric collections at Spring market!!!  Honestly, this post could go on and on and on.  I choose out some of my favorites to share with you today and here they are, in no particular order :)


Hazel by Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew for Windham Fabrics.  I already got to play with this fabric line for this quilt, and loved it then and I loved it even more getting to see what Allison did with it!!  And aren't Allison's quilt patterns just so fun!!!

Simply Colorful 2 by Vanessa Christensen for Moda.  Now, with all those beautiful cool tones, especially the gorgeous purples, you know I am head over heels for this line!!!  Must sew something with this soon!

Rhonda Ruth by Elizabeth Hartman for Robert Kaufman.  I love the beautiful tone on tone prints in this line, and of course, you have to love Elizabeth's fantastic patterns.   So fun!!!

Curiosities by Jeni Baker for Art Gallery Fabrics.  I always love Jeni's bright colors and happy prints.  They just make you smile when you are sewing with them and Curiosities has plenty to smile about.

Ginger Snap by Heather Bailey for Free Spirit Fabrics.   I love Christmas fabrics and this line has such a fun twist on the traditional Christmas colors.  It really adds a contemporary feel to these Christmas designs.

Tiger Lily by Heather Ross for Windham Fabrics.  I loved the colors in this line and the details in the prints are absolutely adorable!!

Ardently Austen by Amanda Herring for Riley Blake Designs.  This one isn't out for a while so it wasn't showing in a booth but Amanda shared it in the schoolhouse and oh, so loving it!!!  The text prints actually have quotes from Amanda's favorite parts of Jane Austen's novels like Mr. Darcy's proposal and Captain Wentworth's letter to Anne.   Oh yes, I think I might be hoarding those text prints!!!

Sodalicious by Emily Herrick for Micheal Miller Fabrics.   I just loved the Happy bright tones in this line!!!  And Emily won the Creativity Award for her booth and it was so well deserved, You felt like you stepped into a soda hop ;)

Pie Making Day by Brenda Ratliff for RJR Fabrics.   I have had my eye on these yummy sherbet tones ever since I saw a sneak peak of them.  They are just so happy!!  I was lucky enough to score a bundle at Sample Spree so I am sure I will be making with this soon.

Drawn, by Angela Walters for Robert Kaufman.  I should have zoomed out here so you could see some of the fabrics in the line, but I was blown away by this stunning example of Angela's quilting!!  For her fabric, think this, but drawn on the fabric.  Gorgeous!!!

Eden by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics.  I am always such a fan of Tula's lines!!  I especially love those chevron polka dot prints on the front of the fabric rolls.   And I am so excited about her True Colors line as well!!!   Always fantastic Tula!!!

Prairie by Corey Yoder for Moda.  This is Corey's first line with Moda and she knocked it out of the ball park.   And I am so loving her quilt patterns!!!  Those stars!!!!

Sketchbook by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics.   I was drawn to the gorgeous soft tones and delicate designs.  So beautiful!

Dot Dot Dash by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda.   I always love the happy bright colors in these ladies designs and this time, it is all polka-dots and stripes!!!  I just don't think I can say it enough,  I love Polka dots!!

And the new Cotton and Steel lines for RJR Fabrics.   I think my favorite in the bunch was Paper Bandana, but they are all super fun!!  I just love how these gals make their lines so they can stand on their own or all go together.  You wouldn't think this wall is 5 separate fabric lines ;)

And that is a quick peek at some of the new collections coming out in the next 6 months.  Like I said, there were so many more amazing ones but we had to end this post at some time.   I can't wait for the next 6 months of fabric!!!

Which fabric lines are you most excited about???

I will be back tomorrow with a final Market Wrap-up and a Surprise!!!  See ya then.

Irish Chain Quilts Book Signings at Spring Market

I was so excited to get to do 3 different Book Signings for Irish Chain Quilts while I was at Spring Market.   These were so much fun and it was so wonderful to get to chat with folks about my my book.  The first one was in the United Notions booth on Friday Morning.

They had this adorable little table that I got to sit at and whomever was getting their book signed could sit for a moment and chat.  So cozy and so fun!!!  That also gave them a minute to dig through my basket and find a green fat quarter they liked.  Its always fun to get a little extra swag :)

I was totally blown away by how quickly the line formed .  Honestly, one minute I was starting and the next minute I had signed 36 books and it was all done.  So, so much fun!!!

A few hours later I had my second book signing at the EE Schenck Booth.  This was the last gal to get her book.  Notice that extreme look of concentration.  It is amazing how after you have signed your name so many times you have to focus not to spell it wrong, tee hee hee.

And I have to share this story with you.   It was my all time best moment of Quilt Market .   I was looking down signing a book when I heard someone passing by say "Oh, Irish Chain Quilts", I  recognized the voice immediately as Eleanor Burns!!!!  I said "Oh My Goodness, Eleanor Burns, I have to tell you about the inspiration behind my book".  I apologized to the folks in line but the book signing would have to be put on pause for a moment.  (they later said they didn't mind one bit as they really enjoyed getting to watch the ensuing moment).

I then got to open to the Intro of my book and show Eleanor the quilt that my mother made for my Wedding.  The quilt that started my entire quilt journey and my love for Irish Chain Quilts.   It was a Double Irish Chain made using Eleanor Burns Irish Quilt in a Day Pattern!!!   Wow, what a moment.  Yup, I will admit, I was getting a little chocked up.    Eleanor was gracious enough to sign my advanced copy right next to the picture,  What a treasure!!!!  I also was able to give Eleanor a copy of my book.  Just such a special moment of my entire quilting journey coming full circle!!!!

On Saturday Morning I had one more book signing at the Martingale Booth.  Here I got to do a little demo on my Bitty Bits quilt from the book.  It was so fun to see people's faces get that Aha Moment when I showed them how it comes together ;)

And right after this book signing it was hurry back to the hotel, pack up and head home.  But wow!!  What an amazing trip it was and I was so incredibly touched by the wonderful reception Irish Chain Quilts received.  All in all, just an amazing weekend!!!

I will be back tomorrow with some pictures from the floor.  Lots and lots of wonderful new collections to share!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

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 Amazing So Fine Custom Thread Pack from Superior Threads is . . .   Number #225 . . . Congrats Emily Kim!!   I have emailed you :) 

    

    

And on to today's

And today, I am switching it up just a little bit.  I want to keep all of the Spring International Quilt Market Posts rolling, because I am having so much fun with them . . .so  it only seemed fitting for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway be a signed copy of Irish Chain Quilts :)   Yup, one lucky reader truly will have the Luck of the Irish with them this week.

And this week only, we are just doing one entry ;)   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, For today, you can simply write anything on your mind :)

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, June 2nd when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

And be sure to stop back in tomorrow when I share a bit about my Book Signings and then on Thursday some of my favorite collections from Market ;) 

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Irish Chain Quilts Schoolhouse at Spring Market

Thursday morning of Spring Quilt Market marked the opening of Schoolhouse and I absolutely love this day!!!  You go around from room to room and listen to presentations on new fabric lines, books, notions, programs ect.   It really is a What to Expect for the next 6 months. Normally, I am just in the audience listening, but . . .

This Market I was able to do a Schoolhouse on my book,  Irish Chain Quilts.  Here I am looking totally at ease, right.   Nope,  I have to tell you, I was so nervous.  I knew that once I got started it would be fine . . . but the waiting . . .  Luckily my hands were like ice cubes so I could use them to cool my face that was on fire ;)

But before you knew it, the waiting was over and it was time to start.   I was shocked when I got up to start and the room was jam packed!!!  Oh my goodness, so exciting!!!  And, like I had hoped, about 3 minutes into it the nerves settled and I was just enjoying myself (although the adrenaline didn't wear off so I still shook through most of it ;)  and sharing my love for Irish Chain Quilts!!!

I started with telling the inspiration behind Irish Chain Quilts and how I wrote it for all quilters.   (you can see more about that in this guest post ).  Then I got to show all of the quilts from the book in each of the 4 sections: Twists on Tradition, Modern Patchwork, Improvisational Piecing, and Appliqued Chains and share a bit about the techniques use to make them and the variety that can be used to kit them.

 The quilts were paraded up and down the aisle and there was a lot of oohing and ahhing, so I am going to assume that is a good sign that they liked the quilts ;)  Yup, that made my heart soar ;)  And Sidenote -  that gentlemen holding the quilt is Conner who did all of the amazing graphic design and layout for my book.  Thanks Conner!!!

And then before you knew it . . . It was getting the 3 minute wind up signal.  It went by so fast, but it really was oh so much fun!!!   I can't begin to thank everyone in that room, and everyone here at Happy Quilting for the wonderful reception Irish Chain Quilts has received.   It just means the world to me!!

And just for kicks . . . I had to share these.   As I was going through the pictures that wonderful Barbara took for me of the Schoolhouse I had to just laugh.  Ya, I really like to talk with my hands ;)  I think if you were to tie my hands behind my back, I wouldn't be able to talk at all.  Good Times ;)

And one last little tidbit before I sign off.   My wonderful friends at Fat Quarter Shop were on the front row smiling at me the whole time, as well as filming me.  Which luckily, I didn't know at the time ;)   So . . . If you want to see Irish Chain Quilts entire Schoolhouse (with me shaking like a leaf and all) , keep an eye on the Fat Quarter Shop You Tube Channel.  It will be up soon.

And ya, my twin sister didn't make it to Market so Kimberly stepped in, aren't we so cute and matchy matchy ;)

Thanks for joining me today.  I'll be back tomorrow with more from Market ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Peaks and Valleys Table Runner

The last thing I made for Market was this super fun Peaks and Valleys Table Runner.

I was so excited when the gals at Camelot Fabrics asked if I would make a sample of this for the booth because I loved designing the pattern (yes, free pattern right here) month's ago and it has been on my "to-do" list ever since.   And of course, it got bumped up the list when it had a deadline attached ;)

The fabrics in this runner are from the Zoey Collection for Camelot Fabrics.  I loved the beautiful colors and pulled from them when it came time to quilt it.

I decided to do some super fun matchstick quilting, but as a new  twist I hadn't tried, I added color!!  I started by randomly quilting 10-12 lines all across the runner in each of the 6-7 colors I pulled from the line.  Then I went back and filled in all of the blank space with a beautiful blender.   And I have to say, I am so loving how it turned out.  I will be doing this again soon.

And here it is hanging in the Camelot Booth at Market.    So fun!!!

And that is my Peaks and Valleys Table Runner ;)  Like I mentioned, if you want to make your own runner, you can download the free pattern right here ;)   And if you do make one, I would love to see it.  You can email me a picture at happquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to my Flickr group here ;)

And that's it for today ;)   I will be back on Monday with more from Market :)