Saturday, April 30, 2016

Splendid Sampler Saturday!!

Time for another Splendid Sampler Saturday Post!!!  It really is so much fun to work on these fun rainbow blocks each week.  I keep thinking to myself, "Piece the Rainbow" (yes, I still want skittles as well ;)

First up, the Sweet Candy block designed by Kris Thurgood. This was another one of those fun blocks that go together in a snap.   Just two HST's and then you are sewing together a 9 patch.  Loved it, and of course, I loved that I got to sew with Purple on this one ;)



And second is the Goose on the Loose block designed by Amy Smart.  And once again, I got a chance to practice my paper piecing.  I was happy to say that this one came together a little quicker than the last paper piecing block, and I only had to make one little fix where I cut my fabric to short ;)  And Amy's inspiration behind this block just made me smile, such a cute story ;)


I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Saturday ;) 

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Bee Block Time!!

Sad to say, I got a little behind on my bee blocks for the gals at the Bees Knees.  Only a month, but still, I don't like getting behind.  So it was time to get all caught up.   The main reason I got behind was because I was super nervous about putting together this Flowering Snowball Block for Cali.  I have done a lot of Improv curves in the past but never a precisely pieced curve.


And I am so happy to say that all of that improv practice must have paid off because these blocks went together very nice, lined up on the edges, and don't have any big bubbles!!!  Yippee!!!!  I can't tell you how excited I am about this!!  Isn't it just so fun to feel like you are confident in a new technique and can add it to your tool belt!!   Time to add a Drunkards Path quilt to the list :)


So that was last month's block, and this month, Shari asked us to make her some Sunny Skies blocks!!!  I just love the Mama Said Sew fabric she sent us!!  It has always been one of my favorite lines.   I mean, how can you not love a line that is all things quilty!!!


And I have to admit, it was pretty nice to have these two blocks that went together nice and quick!!!  It is always fun to be able to whip out some patchwork and I love all the points!!!


So now with just a few days left of April, I am all ready for May :)    And speaking of being ready for things, we have had plenty of April Showers and I am ready for some May flowers!!  Here is hoping ;)

I am off to do some major chain piecing ;)  I hope whatever you have planned that you will have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Simply Sweet Trick Or Treat Bags - a Tutorial

This morning I am excited to share another fun Riley Blake Design Team tutorial with you all!!!!    And even though it is April, it's a Halloween tutorial!!!!  Here they are, the super cute and super easy Simply Sweet Trick or Treat Bags!!!


I think this Ghouls and Goodies line by Doodlebug Designs has to be the sweetest Halloween fabric I have ever seen!!!  I mean, look at those cute little witches, Frankenstein, vampire, ghosts and skeletons!!   And they even glow in the dark, so fun!!!   The second I saw that adorable panel I just knew I had to make something out it,  but I wanted it to be fast and simple for everyone because I know Halloween is that holiday that always tends to sneak up on you and you are so busy making a costume, who has time to spend on the bag ;)


So enter the  Simply Sweet Trick or Treat Bags!!!  They are about 11" square and so they are the perfect size for trick or treating.  And don't you just love the jumbo ric-rac handles!!!   I think they totally crank up the cuteness factor!!!  You can make 4 bags from 1 panel, and they really go together in a flash.  Trust me, you are going to want to make them for all your little loved ones ;)  


So let's get to making a Simply Sweet Trick or Treat Bag!!!

You will need:
1 Multi Glow in the Dark Ghouls Panel (1 yard)
1 Yard of Lining Fabric.  I used the Ghouls Main Glow in the Dark in both Purple and Orange
1 Yard of Jumbo Ric-Rac for each bag you want to make.
                 (Remember, you can make 4 bags from 1 panel and 1 yard of Lining Fabric).


Got your materials all gathered, let's get started!!!  
Begin by cutting out a 3 x 3 grid piece from your panel.  It will measure 11 1/2" high x 12" wide.  Be sure to cut right on the line between the squares in the panel.  You will need to cut 2 panels for each bag that you want to make up to 4 per panel.


Place two panel pieces with right sides together aligning the raw edges and being sure the squares in the two panels align.  You can pin if you like or just align as you stitch.   Sew a 1/4" seam around the two sides and the bottom of the panels, pivoting at the corners.  Be sure and backstitch at the beginning and ending of your seam to secure the stitching.  Repeat for however many bags you want to make and set them aside.


Now, we are ready to make the lining.  Cut (2) 12" wide x 11 1/2" high rectangles from your lining fabric.  Repeat to cut two rectangles for each of the bags you want to make.


Place two lining rectangles with right sides together aligning the raw edges.    You can pin if you like or just align as you stitch.   Sew a 1/4" seam around the two sides and the bottom of the panels, pivoting at the corners and leaving a 4-5" opening at the bottom of the bag to later turn the bag right side out.  Be sure and backstitch at the beginning and ending of your seams, both at the sides of your lining and the bottom.     Repeat for however many bags you want to make and set them aside.


Now, grab your jumbo ric-ric and cut it in half to make (2) 18" long pieces.  Once again, have 2 pieces for each bag you want to make.   So now you have an outer bag, a lining, and handles and you are ready to put it all together!!!  I will give the directions for one bag, but if you are making multiples, just repeat each step for however many bags you are making ;)


Start by flipping the bag right side out and pressing it nice and flat.  I find the easiest way to do this is to sort of pull the fabric back at the seam and then roll it into place so the seam lies nice and flat.
Repeat this along both sides and the bottom of the bag for each bag you are making.


Now, place the raw edges of your Ric-Ric handles along the top edge of the bag.  I just use the line of the panel to align with the ric-rac.  Pin the handle in place, and double check that the handle isn't twisted.  Repeat for the other side of the bag, pinning the second handle in place, taking care that it isn't twisted and that it directly alings with the handles on the front side of the bag.


Almost there!!! Insert the pinned bag into the lining so that right sides are together.  Align the raw edges of the lining and the bag and pin around the top.  I like to nest the two side seams first and pin those in place.  Then I move around the top of the bag, pinning the center first, and then putting a second pin in by each of the handles.


And now, simply stitch a 1/4" seam around the pinned top edge.  Once again, be sure and backstitch a bit at the beginning and the end to secure everything in place.


Pull the bag through the hole that was left in the bottom or the lining.  Just shimmy it out a little at a time.  I like to then put my lining back into the bag and press the sides and the bottom flat once again, just to keep it nice and tidy :)


Finally, pull the lining back out of your bag slightly and fold under the opening 1/4" so there is no longer a raw edge.  You don't need to pin it, I just did that so you could see it folded under ;)


And then stitch the opening closed.  You can do this by hand, or do like I did and just stitch 1/8" from the edge to close it up.  Either way works ;)


Now once again, insert your lining into your bag and give a final press around the top of your bag so that it lies nice and flat.   And just like that, you are done and have the cutest and easiest to make, Simply Sweet Trick or Treat Bag!!!


And now these little Ghouls can't wait to go collect some Goodies.   I might have promised them a few or taking this picture, guess that will have to hold them over until Halloween ;)


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial ;)  If you make your own Simply Sweet Trick or Treat Bags I would love to see them!!!  You can email me a picture to happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to my flickr group here or post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  ;)  I am sure your little ones will love them every bit as much as mine do!!



Wishing you all a very Happy Quilting Day!!

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

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 Half Yard Bundle of Chipper Sorbet from  The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.   is . . .   Number #234 . . . Congrats Trisch!!!   I have emailed you :)    

  

    
And on to today's



Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Ollie and Evie.  Rhonda has an adorable Etsy shop packed with wonderful pre-cuts and beautiful yardage!!!  This weeks special is all Moda Charm Packs on sale for just $7.00!!!!   And she has also started Spring Cleaning, adding lots of new items to the Clearance Section, some yardage even marked as low as $4.00 a yard.  You are going to want to check this out!! 


And the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for a fabulous Charm Pack Combo!!!  A fantastic SummerFest Charm Pack by April Rosenthal for Moda and a coordinating Bella Solids White Charm Pack by Moda.  I just love SummerFest, such a happy fabric!!!!


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 one last thing you want to get done in April.  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Olie and Evie love.   You can follow them on  Facebook, at their blog, or Favorite their Shop, or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Olie and Evie Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, May 3rd when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Monday, April 25, 2016

Dresden Carnival Blog Hop!!!

Today I am thrilled to get to share with you a wonderful new book called Dresden Carnival .   Dresden Carnival is written by Mother and daughter pair,  Marian Gallian and Yvette Marie Jones.   I have been fortunate enough to get to know Marian and Yvette through the annual Quilt St. George retreat that Marian started 3 years ago and that I have been able to teach at all 3 years ;)  The thing I noticed right off the bat about Marian and Yvette was that they both love to make Heirloom quilts and the quilts they shared really showed it.


That is their focus behind Dresden Carnival .  Marian and Yvette have taken the basic Dresden Plate and cranked it up about 10 notches and then added gorgeous needle turned applique to create stunningly innovative designs with gorgeous hand work and heirloom quality.   This Garden Terrace quilt is probably the most recognizable Dresden in the book and it isn't basic by any means.


I loved this Peek A Boo Violets quilt that combines both the rounded end Dresden and the Pointed Dresden to create a beautiful mixture of petals.  And you know I just love the purple!!!


And then taking it a step farther, Marian and Yvette have created beautiful petal templates that allow you to go past the basic Dresden Plate shape and give you a whole new look of a Dresden.  This quilt is called Windswept and I love the Petals!!! And the additional applique really sets off the design.  Just stunning!!

And this super modern Lily Pad just shows the variety and versatility that Marian and Yvette got out of the basic Dresden Plate.  I think this might be one that I could actually conquer as it is a whole lot more machine quilting than hand appliqueing ;)


And this Lemonade and Lace quilt was my favorite from the book.  It uses needle turn applique as well as reverse applique!!  And yes, just in case you are wondering,  the book includes a wonderful beginning instruction chapter that teaches you the basics of all this hand work goodness :)  I have wanted to make a quilt for some time that could be a treasured heirloom for my children and this just might be the one.  (They think quilts just grow on trees around here with how many I make, tee hee hee)


But you know me and hand work . . . so maybe, I will just start with something small like this Pink Lemonade and Lace pillow to get a little more practice in!!!  So cute :)



To see lots more Dresden Carnival Eye Candy be sure to follow along with the Dresden Carnival Blog Hop ;)  There are 16 projects in the book so what I have shown just scratches the surface ;)  


Mon. April 18:
C&T Publishing | http://www.ctpub.com/blog/ 
Tues. April 19:
Generation Q Magazine |  http://generationqmagazine.com/

Wed. April 20:
Bryan House Quilts | http://bryanhousequilts.com/

Thurs. April 21:
Michael Miller Fabrics | http://blog.michaelmillerfabrics.com/

Fri. April 22:
Mon. April 25:

Tues. April 26:
Kitchen Table Quilting | http://www.kitchentablequilting.com/

Wed. April 27:

Thurs. April 28:

Fri. April 29:

Thanks for popping in today and each and every day.  I am always so grateful to have this little space to share my love of quilting with you ;)  I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Sew Sampler Box from Fat Quarter Shop!!!

Last week I got a wonderful Sew Sampler box in the mail!!!  And I have to say, when I opened the lid and saw how pretty it was all packaged I almost didn't want to tear it open.  And then the curiosity and excitement took over and I totally tore open that beautiful blue paper ;)


And oh my, what wonderful surprises were inside.    This is my first time getting a sampler box and I was wondering what the whole experience would be like.  And I have to say, I loved it!!!!  It was just so fun to pull each little wonderful bit of quilting goodness out of the box and figuring out just how soon I could use it ;)  And it was really nice that the value of the items inside the box was almost double of  the cost of the box so I felt like I was getting everything on a great sale!!!!


A slightly closer look at all of the wonderful contents!!!  Isn't that Strawberry Picking pattern just adorable.  My 4 year old saw it and asked if she could have it, time to add another quilt to the list I guess ;)   And I am so excited to start making the Blocks that go along with the Recipe cards.  I am really getting into having a few sampler quilts to work on among all my other projects and I can't wait to start on this monthly Recipe Block surprise.


And a few other favorite highlights from the box.   I have to say, I just love Me and My Sister Designs fabrics.  They really are just so incredibly happy making always filled with bright colors and fun designs.   I plan to use this little Grow Charm Pack along with my Dot. Dot. Dash Charm Pack I already had in my stash.  Now just to find the right project for these happy charms ;)


And I was over the moon excited to find this super fun Creative Grids Ruler.  I actually ordered one from Fat Quarter Shop a few months ago.  It is the absolute perfect size for marking the back of squares and for cutting apart my HST's.   I was just telling Barbara the other day how much I love this ruler and how handy it is when I get a second one in the box!!!  So fun!!!!   It made a special little gift to Barbara, although now I am thinking I might want to order a back-up one as well.  Love this ruler!!!


And finally, I was so excited about these little thread cutters!!!   I think this was why I loved the box the most.  You know how you have those supplies that you use every day, and they start to wear out but you just keep making them go because you don't want to buy more when you can made do with what you have.  Well, now I have a new pair of thread cutters without having to go through the back and forth of whether or not I should buy them.  So fun!!!


So ya, to sum up, you can pretty much say that I loved The Sew Sampler box!!!   Just fabulous!!!   It was just packed full of wonderful quilty goodness  and there was just the right amount of practical needs and fun splurges in it!!!     I am already looking forward to the 20th of May when next month's box will arrive. Honestly, I am already looking forward to the 20th of every month!!!  It is going to be like Christmas in a box every month!!!!

To find out more about the Sew Sampler box, pop on over to Fat Quarter Shop and check it out. They have lots of frequently asked questions there that you might have if like me, you haven't tried a sampler box before.  

Sew Sampler Quilting Subscription Box


Now I am off to go mark some lines using my favorite little ruler and then I need to decide fabrics for my new monthly Recipe Sampler.