Wrapping Up 2016 and Looking Forward to 2017!!!

I have to say, this is one of my favorite posts to write each year.  I just love being able to take a step back and look over everything that the past year has brought. And then stop and think about what I am hoping to do in the next year.     So as I close up 2016 here at Happy Quilting let's take a quick look of what's been going on around here this past year.

45 Quilts 

 (including quite a few secret ones that I can't show yet :)

4 Mini's

10 Projects

And Countless Blocks including:
 Bee Blocks, Splendid Sampler Blocks, and Sew Sampler Blocks

And there's  Happy Quilting 2016, all rounded up in 4 little pictures :)  Wow, this year sure has been packed with a whole lot of quilting fun!!!   And I have to say, it is just so fun to see it all together in once place ;)   You can see more details about all of the quilts in my Quilt Archive Tab at the top of the page including links to any tutorials ;)

As I look back on this year, I am just so incredible grateful for this little space to share my passion.  I was asked by a dear friend earlier in this year if I still love this all or if it was starting to feel to much like work.   And It made me stop and pause, and realize how incredibly lucky I was to be able to say I do indeed still love it all!!!   Sure, there are some crazy days in there, but all in all, I am just so grateful each day that I found such an amazing industry to be a part of and that I get to share it each and every day with all of you ;)

And now, It's time to look forward to 2017!!!

Each year, I hang a little print off in my sewing room that serves as a daily reminder of what I want to accomplish creatively in the year ;)

The print off for 2017 will read the same as 2016:)  I found these goals to be super helpful in 2016 and still have some room to work on them so they are sticking around for another year.

1 -  Pass It On
2 -  Watch The Time
3 -  Plan With Purpose
4 -  Mommy First

And again, these probably only make sense to me but there are so many thoughts tied up in each of those little statements.   They will  be wonderful reminders to me each and every day and I look forward to them  guiding me in my 2017 Creative Journey!!

And One Last Thought Before I Wrap This Up . . . I just can't say it enough . . . Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!  There are just not words to say how grateful I am for your daily comments and emails and simple words of encouragement.  They mean the world to me.   Truly, it would not be Happy to be be Quilting without all of you.  The personal interaction is what adds that Happy factor so Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!

So so long 2016 and here is Looking Forward to 2017!!!!!  May it be another year filled with lots, and lots, and lots of  Happy Quilting!!!!!!

Plume Quilt

Well after all the quilting of this week,  I managed to put on one binding yesterday and am so excited because now I can share my finished Plume Quilt!!!  And here it is!!!!

The Plume Quilt  is from the  Fat Quarter Style book by It's Sew Emma  and has been on my list to make ever since I got the book.   It was so much fun to piece and I don't know why I waited to make it for so long because it went together super fast!!!

I used a  Fat Quarter Bundle of Volume II by Sweetwater and love the alternating of red and blacks and the white arrows.   It is just the right amount of contrast to show off the pattern while it still all blends together ;)

I made the quilt a little larger from the pattern so it is just perfect for snuggling up in on a cold day.   And yes, we have had some cold days with no sun (making pictures a little trickier :)

I quilted it with favorite all over swirls.  I played with the scale of the swirls slightly to give it a little more movement and love the overall effect.   And I quilted with a nice deep red which looks awesome on the back as I showed yesterday ;)

And I just love how the red blends in so well, even on the whites and blacks.  So fun and such yummy texture.  I always love me some all over swirls!!

And that is my Plume Quilt.   And if you have been around before, you will notice that this is another red/white/and black quilt which means it is another quilt destined to get an SUU logo and be donated to my Alma Mater.  I love being able to share this passion and have it give back at the same time ;)   So fantastic!!!

I'm off to put on a few more bindings and maybe even quilt one more quilt in an attempt to squeeze in a few more finishes in 2016 :)  It's gonna be fun!!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Weekend and a Happy New Year!!!!

Linking up this finish to Amanda's, Sarah's, and Myra's ;) 

Just Quilting Away

Don't you just love that time between Christmas and New Years . . . you know, where you not quite sure what day it is and what your supposed to be doing ;)  Well, this year, I am filling this week with quilting, quilting, and then some more quilting!!!   (and of course, there is some playing with the kids thrown in there too, I mean, I can't completely ignore them when they are out of school ;)   But truly, I had a pile of 7 tops and I just couldn't go into the New Year with that many "to be quilted" projects.

So I started with the small ones first ;)  I knocked out my two improv table runners in no time at all.  I just love matchstick quilting but had always done it on my home machine.   Well, I decided it was time to try the long arm and I was so happy I did.  It was so, so, so fast!!!  I did it free hand and not all the liens are perfectly straight and a few cross over the line next to it, but I was totally okay with it as it just adds to the fun improv feel of them ;)

.

Next up, was my Crossroads Quilt Along quilt.  I really wanted to get this quilt done this year as it was this years quilt along and if I don't get them done in the same year they tend to sit awhile (ie, my Star Surround is still not quilted)  But I have been procrastinating it as I was a little stumped on how to quilt this.  I have been thinking custom quilting but when I got it loaded on the frames I realized what I really wanted to stand out was all of the tiny piecing that I did in the blocks and I was worried if I quilted them all super custom, that you would see the quilting more than the piecing.  So I decided to just do an all over curly q design to let the piecing shine. (and it helped that I wanted to get it done before the end of the year, all overs are super speedy :)   But I am so glad I did because I just love how it kept the quilt looking so soft.   

And finally, I put my Plume quilt on the frame yesterday . . .  And you know how I love swirls ;)   I quilted a variety of sizes, trying to play with the scale of my swirls and had to show a picture of the back because I just love how this red thread pops on the black and white background.  Isn't that just so fun!!!

And now I can't decide if I want to keep quilting today or put on some bindings ;)  Either way, it is going to be fun for sure ;)

So what are you up to this week??  I hope you are finding lots of quilting time as well ;)


Oh, and  before I sign off . . .

Happy 16th Anniversary Jacob!!!! 

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 Colette Fat Quarter Bundle from The Intrepid Thread is . . . Number #258. . . Congrats AmyScrapSpot!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

    

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.   Fat Quarter Shop is amazing and they never cease to amaze me with everything they have going on at their shop!!!     And did you know they have a 24 Hour Flash Sale every day with 2 Flash Sales on Tuesdays!!  You will find some amazing deals there ;)

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away this totally adorable Complete Cute Sewing Tin Set by Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet to one lucky winner!!!  And they even come with adorable matching cards and envelopes.   How perfect are these for sorting all of your notions in your sewing space!!!

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 one Sewing Goal you have planned for 2017.

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fat Quarter Shop love.   You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, You Tube or at their Blog.  You can Sign up for their Newsletter which will ensure you catch all of their amazing 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 Fat Quarter Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, Jan 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!!!

December Sew Sampler!!!

So remember when I said, "Next month's Sew Sampler Box should be arriving right before Christmas.  I am telling myself that I am going to put it under the tree as a special surprise" in my November Sew Sampler post . . . Well, I didn't quite make it to Christmas to open my box, (I know, I just had to open it ;) . . .  but I did wait to share it, just in case you were putting it under your tree ;)  And I have to say, December's  Sew Sampler box was an awesome early Christmas Present!!!!

I mean, how cute is this Half Roll Up by Darlene Zimmerman and the perfect new Aurifil 80 wt threads to go with it.  I am so looking forward to trying out that new thread, it is so fine and I can't wait to just see it disappear on my applique ;)
 

And I am so super excited for these new Impressions Quilting Templates.  I love orange peel applique and how fun is the Round Robin pattern using the templates.   When I saw these arrive I immediately thought of this quilt I made a while back and how helpful these templates would have been.  Now I am wanting to make it again!!!

And last but not least . . .  the monthly sampler block.   I am just so loving these sampler blocks and I am just freaking out seeing them all come together!!!

I am so looking forward to see what 2017  Sew Sampler Box will bring.  These are just so much fun in their amazing quilting goodness!!!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and maybe getting to sneak in some Happy Quilting today!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Each year, my Husband writes a Christmas letter that we send to our family and friends.  As you readers are all my friends, I wanted to share it with you as well.   Here's our 2016 ;)

Dear Family and Friends

            We have now been in Cedar for over 5 years and feel like we should be planning some kind of move or change.  Our older children who have memories of Indiana are starting to see those memories fade.  Their memories of living in Salt Lake, Pikeville, and Yakima have long since faded.  I continue to enjoy working in my family practice clinic alongside my brother as we care for my father’s former patients (with some new patients as well).  I really enjoy my non work time and fill it with running, watching or reading sports, tinkering on and playing on the snowmobiles and atv’s and  of course, hanging out with the family.   

            Melissa keeps herself busy with all things quilting.  She enjoys teaching her patterns at various quilting conferences throughout the year.  I lost track of the number of quilts she has finished this year but I know it is a lot.  When she is not sewing in the basement on her sewing machine (still the best gift I have ever given her) she can be found next door quilting on my mother’s long arm machine.  She has also very much enjoyed her church calling in the young women and attended Girls Camp for the first time in 20 years.

            Spencer (a few weeks short of 14) tries to keep himself busy with school, piano, french horn, scouts, theater, and church.  He has recently been working on his eagle project, which we hope will be finished over the next month.  He keeps us on our toes with his need to have “discussions” over every parental request but luckily we still seem to have some of the correct answers.  When Spencer isn’t busy outside the house, you are guaranteed to find him curled up with a favorite book as he still loves to read.

            Jessi (11) moved from elementary to middle school as she entered 6^th grade this year and has absolutely loved the transition.   She is enjoying playing the flute in the band and improving her piano skills and loves to play Softball.  She spends most of her free time running around the neighborhood with a great group of friends.  Occasionally they decide to spend an afternoon at our house which is always a treat.  And she can’t wait to join Mom in Young Women’s next year and is counting down the days until Girls Camp.

            Kristian (10) is a happy 4^th grader at South Elementary.  We are a few weeks away from his favorite activity of the year when he starts wrestling.  I’m not sure what he sees in the sport, but so long as he likes it we will continue to support him in it.  He also started piano since the last letter and is progressing well, even though it is a bit of a   love/hate relationship.  Hates it the day after lessons, loves it by the day before his lessons. 

            Kamryn (7) is in second grade and is loving school.  She is catching up in her reading and we are so proud of all the hard work she has put in this year.    She gained a new friend next door as a new family moved in.  As our back yards connect the two of them (with Josie in tow) spend ample time running back and forth between our houses and filling the air with shrieks of laughter and lots of joy.

            Jocelyn (5) is enjoying her few hours of preschool 4 days a week.  She is so happy to finally being going to school like all of her siblings.  When my day off falls on a Friday we enjoy having Josie and Daddy’s day of fun.   This often includes lunch with Mom but Josie gets to pick the place.  And we are looking forward to getting some snow so we can get back out on the snowmobiles together. 

We hope this letter finds you all well and wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Love The Corry’s

And I wanted to leave this morning with one final note . . . This year my children's big gift from Santa was tickets to go see the Piano Guys in concert in February when they come to Cedar City.   They are so excited!!!!   There excitement this morning reminded me of this video they made a few years back. It always brings peace and happiness to my heart and I wanted to share it with you.  It is my hope that regardless of where we are from, or what religion we practice, that the Spirit of this beautiful Christmas Season has filled our homes and each of our families hearts!! 

Merry Christmas!!

Summer Solstice Finished!!! (in winter ;)

Yippee, Hooray, and Whoopee!!!!!  I am so excited to be sharing my Finished Summer Solstice Quilt today!!!!   And I even managed to get it done before Christmas :)

Just in case you are new friend, this Summer Solstice quilt is the Quilt Along that I hosted this past summer.  Each of the posts for the Quilt-A-Long will always be on my blog.  You can follow these links to walk you through each step week-by-week on how to make your own Summer Solstice Quilt , just in case you want to make your own.

Teaser Post
Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement

Cutting

 Flying Geese

Half Square Triangles

Drunkard Path

Building Blocks
 Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky

 Summer Solstice Parade and Grand Prize Winners

There were so many amazing folks quilting along with me and it was so fun to see all of your gorgeous finishes, and I am just so happy to finally be adding mine to the finished group!!!

This was such a fun quilt to piece!!!  I love making giant blocks because they just pop!!!   And I know it sounds a little crazy, but I really did love putting together all of those curved pieces.  The first few were a little tricky, but once you get the hang of it, they are pretty fun.  (at least, I think they are pretty fun ;)

This quilt is for my little brother and his wife, and even though I won't be able to deliver it for Christmas (they live in SL) I can say that I finished it in time for Christmas, and hey, that counts for something right ;)   My SIL  picked the fabrics, followed the progress of the qal while I was piecing, and then got super excited when I posted on instagram that it was on the long arm ;)   And now, these pics can be a few days early Christmas present.  Yippee!!!!  

When it came time to quilt, I had lots and lots of fun with lots and lots of custom quilting!!!   For the background I quilted small swirls in the sashing, echoed paisleys in the corners of the block, pebbles in the corners of the star, and a giant swirl in the center of the star.   Isn't that just so super yummy!!!

And then on the prints, I quilted wavy lines on the star so they would look like "rays", echoed scallops on the star border, and echoed arches on the corner points.   With all that small quilting in the background, I wanted to do something a little simpler on the prints so I just played with changing the basic lines and I love how it makes the prints pop all the more ;)

And then on the border, I swallowed my fear of feathers and went for it!!!   And I have to say, I am so excited with how it turned out!!!  I am still totally learning feathers, (I practiced  when my little ones wanted me to join them in sidewalk chalk fun this this summer )  but doing a giant one around the entire border really cemented it in.   They are not perfect by any means, but that is what practice is for, right :)

It took a while to do all of that yummy custom quilting, especially as this quilt is a monster King size :)  But it was so totally worth it.  It just adds so much yummy textures and all of the different quilting motifs just help to emphasize the fun quilt design.  So fun!!!!

And just in case you are wondering, I was totally laughing the whole time I was taking pictures at the fact that it was Snowing while I photographed a Summer Solstice quilt.   Too funny!!!

And that is my finished Summer Solstice Quilt Along Quilt!!!   And I am so, so, so happy with the finish!!!   Thanks again to everyone that quilted along with me, as that is what makes this quilt so special.  Even while writting this, I keep thinking of everyone that pieced along with me all summer and how much fun that was.  So thank you so very much!!!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Weekend with a Merry Christmas thrown in there as well!!

Linking up to Amanda's, Sarah's, and Myra's ;)

Christmas Throws

I am sure it comes as no surprise that every bed in our house is covered with a quilt that I made and that when the kids (or I) get tired of a quilt, they can go to the closet and swap it out for a different one ;)  That is the joy of making lots of quilts each year.   So when this years master quilt got a few additions I just had to smile and share ;)  You see . . . 

A bit ago, my husband brought home a wonderful gift that was given to him by his coworkers.  (which of course he opened early, because we can do that as parents ;)   It was a super soft, super snugly, absolutely perfect for him,  LA Dodgers throw.   And it promptly was laid (although not so neatly ;)  on his side of the bed ready for him to grab when he was watching a game :)

Then a few days later, I got a box in the mail from my wonderful friends at Moda.  And oh my goodness, I was so excited when I opened it to find a lovely Christmas present just for me.   And you guessed it, it was a super soft, super snugly, absolutely perfect for me, Quilt throw!!!  And I Love, Love, Love it!!!!!!    (I mean Eat, Sleep, Quilt . . . It just can't be said any better than that)    

So now, each morning I make the bed and then add our 2 Special Christmas Throws.  And I look forward to the evening because I know I will get to snuggle up in the soft goodness while my husband watches a game and I press the days piecing ;)   They just couldn't be any more perfect!!!!    Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to my husband's sweet co-workers and to all of my good friends at Moda!!!  You sure know us well!!!

And now, I am off to finish up the quilting on my Summer Solstice quilt.  Only 1 1/2 rows to go!!!!  So excited!!!!!

I hope you all have a very 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 2 Charm Packs from The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  is . . .   Number #97. . . Congrats  gpc!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

    

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by The Intrepid Thread!!  Julie carries an amazing variety of fabrics in her shop and creates  amazing custom bundles that will blow you away.   And along with the giveaway, Julie is offering 15% off everything in your cart to all happy quilting readers, just use the code HAPPY15.   The coupon works on everything, even the sale stuff, but it is only good for 2 days (Thru at noon PST) , so pop over now ;)  

   

Today's  Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for this adorable Colette Fat Quarter Bundle by Brenda Walton  !!!  Isn't it just the cutest!!!  That is some precious Fat Quarter Goodness there!!!  (and Julie just happens to be giving away the same bundle at her blog, so you can have a chance to win over there too ;)  

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 telling me if Santa could bring you anything for Christmas, what one thing would you most wish for ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your The Intrepid Thread love. You can follow them on Facebook, Bloglovin,  or Instagram.  You can Sign up for The Intrepid Thread Newsletter (right side bar) ,  Follow Their Blog, or you can Visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your The Intrepid Thread love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, December 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!!!

Is This Thing On???

Sorry it has been a little quiet around here for the past week.  We have just been running like crazy doing all of the Holiday Goodness :)  I was taking advantage of the day when the kids were at school to get some last minute shopping (which I normally don't have to do but I totally forgot stockings somehow this year :) and then everything had to be wrapped :)  And  in the evenings there has been so many wonderful activities, ie . .  . Work Party, 2 Band Concerts, Caroling, a Church Party, and a weekend away to visit for a Family Party one night and then an extended Family Party the next morning.

In fact, this will show you just how busy it has been.   I put my Summer Solstice quilt on the Long Arm first thing last Monday morning so that I could deliver it to it's intended recipient at that aforementioned Christmas Party . . . Well come Friday, I had gotten all of 1 1/2 rows done.  Yup, just a little busy, and I might be a little exhausted, but I'm not complaining because it has been oh so much fun!!!! I just love how this time of year brings people together in love and joy!!!

And now, we have a week and I think everything is pretty much ready . . . Which means, I will be spending some time getting reacquainted with my sewing machine and long arm this week!!   I hope to finish up the Summer Solstice quilt and I am just about done piecing a little secret project using these beautiful Designer Select solids ;)  

And just for fun . . . Doesn't everyone celebrate the holiday with family by playing life size Hungry, Hungry, Hippos ;)     The kids played first, but I think they enjoyed  getting to laugh at their parents trying to play even more than playing themselves ;)  

I hope you all had a very Happy Quilting (or Holiday) Weekend!!!

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 a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is . . .   Number #196. . . Congrats  Debar Reber!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

    

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  Julie has the cutest little esty shop and wonderful prices.  And of course, Julie also has an amazing sale section full of wonderful fabric goodness.    And along with hosting the giveaway, Julie is offering 20% off your entire order over $10.00 good until 12/24.  Just use the code MERRYCMAS :) 

And the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is a so super fun.  One lucky winner will get to choose their favorite 2 Charm Packs from The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  Yup, you get to choose and don't we all just love Charm Packs!!!  So fun!!!  

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 Christmas Tradition.  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. love.   You can follow them on   Facebook, Instagram, 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 Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, December 20th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!