Happy Birthday Sew Sampler!!!!

Oh my goodness, I can not believe the Sew Sampler box is 1 Year old :)  And what an amazing year it has been ;)   I have loved every single one of my 12 boxes and continue to be amazed by the wonderful quality and value of each box :)   So of course, I was super excited for the April Sew Sampler box to arrive, and its all about a Celebration!!!  And oh my, there is certainly plenty to celebrate in this fantastic box!!!

I was so excited to see these beautiful pre-cuts of Coney Island by Fig Tree & Co.  I have played with this line for some secret sewing and it is just gorgeous!!!   And how fun is it that these are a new Pre-Cut size!!!  There Moda Treat's and measure 3 1/2" square.  So fun!!!  And wouldn't you just know it, I just happen to have a stack of white 3 1/2" squares that I accidentally over-cut for a project awhile back.  How perfect will they be together.  I don't know what they will be yet, but I know it will be so cute :)

And I love this super adorable Sewing Tin from Bee in her Bonnet.   I was just thinking the other day that I needed something to store all of my rotary blades in instead of just throwing them in my drawer.  Perfect!!!!  And you just can't help but smile at that Bee Happy :)

And the notions this month are just awesome!!!  I am so excited to use that Ruler Grip when trimming, it is going to help a ton, and of course, it totally reminds me to measure twice and cut once, which is always good :)   And one can never have to many Glass Head Pins ;)   And I haven't tried Peels, but I absolutely love the Bobbini's made by the seam company, so I am sure I will love the Peels as well ;)  

And last but not least . . .  the monthly sampler block.  It's a new Year which means a new Sampler Block Series.  And this year, the amazing Lori Holt has designed a Basket Block Sampler.  I am so excited as I had one of these on my To Make list for quite some time.  But man oh man, was it hard to choose the fabrics (which is why this post took a few more days to put up ;)   So, after some deliberation, I decided to go with a Freedom Bundle by Sweetwater for Moda and I am so excited!!!

And here is Basket Block #1 :)   Isn't it just so fun!!!   I am so loving the low volume background and can't wait to mix in all of the fantastic prints in other blocks.  I mean, what goes better with the 4th of July than Picnic Baskets ;)    And well see what comes, but I think I am already planning to use an on point layout, because ya know, you don't want things to fall out of your basket ;)

And now I am super excited to see what May's Sew Sampler Box will bring both in the fabric and notions goodies as well as the next block :)  Sometimes it is so hard to wait a whole month, tee hee hee.

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

Cake Mix Bake Off Finale!!!

Well, the Cake Mix Bake Off hosted by Fat Quarter Shop has been so much fun this last month ;)  But now, it is time for the official Cake Mix Bake Off Finale!!!!   Each week for the last 4 a finalist was chosen from each of the Cake Mix Recipes.  And here are the 4 finalists.  

From Cake Mix #1 I was super honored to have my Royal Quilt selected as a finalist.   I had so much fun making up this quilt!!  You can see lots more details about Royal, including the block layout I used to come up with this design, in my original post right over here ;)  

From Cake Mix #2 is Jocelyn's gorgeous quilt using Early Bird prints by Kate Spain.  I just love the way Jocelyn's rainbow that glides over the quilt.  Just so pretty!!!

Picture used from Fat Quarter Shop :)

From Cake Mix #3 is Nova's stunning runner using Sweet Blend prints by Laundry Basket Quilts.  I just love the fun interlocking design Nova came up with.  So bold and bright!!!

Picture used from Fat Quarter Shop :)

And from Cake Mix #4 is Denise's Happy Quilt using This'nThat prints by Nancy Halversen.  And indeed, this is a happy quilt.  Don't you just love all of those wonderful colors!!!

Picture used from Fat Quarter Shop :)

So there you have it . . . and now you get to choose who will wear the Cake Mix Bake-Off Crown!!!  Be sure to pop on over to the Jolly Jabber and vote for your favorite ;)  

And a huge thank you go Fat Quarter Shop for having me a part of this Fun Cake Mix Bake Off.  And also a huge shout out to Carrie Nelson for coming up with these amazing Cake Mixes!!!  They are just so much fun to play with and the possibilities are endless of what you can create ;)  I just love that!!!  In fact, I might have just finished up 2 new Cake Mix quilts yesterday.    I can't wait until I can share more ;)  Coming soon!!!   

Thanks for popping in today and I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!    Let's have some fun!!!

But  before we get to today's giveaways . . . First,  we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the Guernsey Layer Cake from Shabby Fabrics is . . . Number #324. . . Congrats Melissa!!!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

So on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Happy Quilting!!!  Yup, little ole me today ;)  No need to tell you about any specials here, so let's get right to the giveaway ;)  One lucky winner will be receiving their choice of 3 Happy Quilting PDF Patterns.    

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 what project you are currently working on ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Happy Quilting love. You can follow Happy Quilting on Bloglovin, Email Updates, or RSS to get daily updates.  Or you can like Happy Quilting on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Flickr.   Any one way will do . . . Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Happy Quilting Love!!!

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

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

A funny thing happened on the way to the Quilt Shop

I have a fun little story to share today with a totally awesome ending!!!

 Last week, I realized that my Artista (Abby) Sewing Machine was long overdue for it's annual  maintenance and it was making a  funny noise so I figured I best take it in.  So I packed it up (a little begrudgingly, because its hard to go back to Bernadette as she isn't quite as reliable or fast) and my husband and I headed down to St. George to take it in for service.  On the way there, my husband just casually remarked  "For all the sewing you do, you really should have a second machine that is just as reliable as the first."   And I, being a little surprised, just smiled and said, "That would be nice indeed".    And a couple hours later I was walking out of the Bernina Quilt Shop with this little lady :)

I figured my sweethearts comment would simmer and maybe something would happen for Christmas . . .  but it was just one of things where everything worked out.  We walked into the shop to drop off my machine for maintenance, and they just happened to have a traded in Aurora 440.  Which was the other machine I was totally looking at when I got my Artista, and of course, my husband remembered that.  He just smiled and said "Call it an Early Mother's Day Present ;)"  Yes indeed, I sure do love that man of mine and am so very blessed to have him!!!!!!

And I am absolutely loving this new machine!!!!  No surprise that is quickly become my main machine and my Abby is now my back-up machine :)  It is faster, and quieter, and all together just awesome!!!  I have been heads down sewing like a crazy person all weekend and loving every minute of it :)  And it comes with the embroidery unit and I can take classes at the shop on how to use it, so maybe I will finally figure out how to do that little awesome bonus on this machine!!

Oh, and in case you are wondering, I figure she already has a name so no need to come up with a new one.  I am just so excited to welcome Aurora to the family!!!!!

Hope you are having a very Happy Quilting Day!!!  I'm off for some more chain stitching goodness :)

Poppies Quilt Tutorial for Ava Rose Hop!!!

A little while back I was asked by the wonderfully talented Deena Rutter if I wanted to play with some of her super fun Ava Rose Fabric for it's Fabric Tour.  And of course, I said absolutely!!!!  I love Deena's way of mixing super fun prints with beautiful colors.  And Poppies was the quilt I designed to show off those prints and colors ;)  Isn't it just so fun!!!

Don't you just love how those Poppies just dance around the quilt??  This was such a fun and fast quilt to make up and I wanted you all to  be able to make your own as well.  Because it wouldn't be a proper hop without a Tutorial, right ;)   So let's get to it!!!

Here's what you will Need:

(20) Fat Quarters from Ava Rose  (there are 21 in a bundle so just set 1 Fat Quarter aside) 

3 Yards of Background Fabric - I used Daisy Tone on Tone Cream

2/3  Yard of an Ava Rose Print for Binding - I used Ava Rose Flower Blue

4 Yards of a Matching Print for Backing

STEP 1 - CUTTING

We will start with cutting all of our fabrics.

From each of the 20 Fat Quarters cut:
      (1) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" square - - - for a total of 20 squares
      (2) 3 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangle - - - for a total of 40 rectangles
      (2) 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle - - - for a total of 40 rectangles
      (4) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares - - - for a total of 80 squares

From the Background yardage cut:
      (7) 3 1/2" x Width of Fabric Strips
      (10) 3 1/2" x Width of Fabric Strips subcut into (20) 3 1/2"x 15 1/2" Rectangles
                                                                               & (20) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" Squares
      (10) 3 1/2" x Width of Fabric Strips subcut into (20) 3 1/2"x 12 1/2" Rectangles
                                                                               & (40) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" Squares
      (2) 3 1/2" x Width of Fabric Strips subcut into (20) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" Squares
                                                                                           - - - for a total of 80 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares

From the Binding yardage cut (8) 2 1/2" X Width of Fabric Strips.

          

STEP 2 - MAKING THE SNOWBALL CENTERS

Before we can start sewing, we need to match some fabrics to make pairings.   For each of your (20) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" squares, match (4) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares of a different print.  I liked to match a geometric print to a floral print as it seemed to balance things well, but feel free to make your 20 pairings any way you like.

And now with your pairs, your ready to get going.  We will start by drawing a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of the (4) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares.  That will be a total of 80 squares you are drawing a line on.

Then we will place the small squares onto the large squares as shown below, noting the direction of the diagonal drawn line.  Now we are ready to start sewing.  Stitch directly on the drawn line.  You will do this for all 20 of your matching pairs.

But to save time, you can Chain Stitch.  So rather than sewing all 4 small squares onto the large square at once, place your first corner on all 20 sets.  Stitch directly on the line of the first set, but don't clip your threads.  Just keep stitching on the first corner of all 20 sets making a nice long snake of large squares.

After sewing the first corner on all 20 sets,  clip the threads between your pieces, and then add the second corner on all 20 sets in the same fashion.  Then repeat the process for the 3rd and 4th corners.  Oh, and of course,  be sure to keep matching fabric small squares in each set.  I just keep them in 4 stacks in the same order so I know I am always grabbing the right square :)

Once all 4 corner small squares have been sewn onto the large square, you are ready to trim.  Place a ruler 1/4" away from the seam line.  Trim away the excess triangle.  Repeat for all 4 corners on all 20 sets.

Now move to the iron and press the seam allowances outward, towards the small now triangles.  Repeat for all 20 of your now Snowball Centers.

STEP 3 - ADDING "PETALS" TO MAKE THE BLOCK

To add the "petals" we will first start with the two sides.  Lay a 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle of matching corner triangle fabric on either side of your Center Snowball unit with right sides together.  Stitch 1/4" seam on both sides.   Sew all 20 Snowball units this way.

Again, it will save you lots of time to chain stitch.  So just add the right hand side rectangle first on all 20 center units, then clip your threads.  Then add the left hand side rectangle on all 20 units and again, clip your threads.  Fast and fun!!

Now over to the iron and press the seam allowances outwards towards the rectangle sides you just added.   Press all 20 units.  And now these can be set aside for just a second while we piece the top and bottom "petals".

Grab your pile of (80) background 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares and draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of the 80 squares.   Place the marked squares on a 3 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangle with right sides together as shown below.  Stitch a seam on the drawn line.  There will be 2 rectangles of each fabric for a total of 40 rectangles.

 And again, it is going to save you a lot of time to chain stitch.  So just add the right hand side square first on all 40 rectangles, then clip your threads.  Then add the left hand side square, taking care that it is the opposite layout of the right hand square,  on all 40 rectangles and then clip your threads.  Again, super fast and fun!!

And now you are ready to trim.  Place a ruler 1/4" away from the seam line.  Trim away the excess triangle.  Repeat for both sides on all 40 rectangles.   Then press all the seam allowances outwards towards the background triangles.

And now the "Petals" are pieced and ready to add to our Center Units we set aside.  Place a pieced rectangle on to the top and bottom of a Center Unit with right sides together taking care to match the fabrics of the "petals".  Pin in place and stitch a 1/4" seam on both the top and the bottom.

And no surprise here, again, we are going to save time by chain stitching.  Add the top pieced rectangle on all 20 Center Units and clip your threads.  Then add the bottom pieced rectangle on all 20 Center Units and clip your threads.  And you will note, I didn't use pins as there are no seams to match.  So if you are comfortable sewing longer strips together without pins, you can skip those ;)

Now back to the Ironing Board and this time, I like to press my seams open.  I like to do this to avoid bulk, but if you prefer to not press your seams open, you can press them outwards, towards the top and bottom of the block :)  Repeat for all 20 of your blocks!!

STEP 4 - SASHING THE BLOCKS

And now your blocks are made and we are going to sash them to give us that nice "floating" layout.  Layout your Blocks and place the (20)  3 1/2" x 12 1/2" background rectangles on the side of the blocks and the (20)  3 1/2" x 15 1/2" background rectangles on the top of the blocks as shown.  Now you are all ready to chain stitch ;)

Place the side sashing strip onto the block with right sides together and chain stitch all 20 Blocks and clip your threads.  (Again, I didn't use pins here, but you can if you like to use pins when sewing longer strips :)    Then place the top sashing strip onto the block with right sides together and chain stitch all 20 Blocks and then clip your threads.

Now simply press the seam allowances towards the sashing strips and your Blocks are sashed and ready to sew into a quilt top!!

STEP 5 - SEWING THE BLOCKS INTO A QUILT TOP

Start by laying the blocks out in 5 rows of 4 blocks.  Mix the block placement around until you get a color placement that is pleasing to the eye.  Then rotate your blocks in place to be sure they match the same layout with the sashing placement as shown below.   (And ya, I didn't realize one of my blocks was misplaced until after I had sewn it together, so be sure and rotate that top right corner block 90 degrees to the right so it is in the same placement as the second block in that row.)

Now you are ready to sew the rows together.  To do this, simply place the second block onto the first block with right sides together. (shown in Row 1)   Pin (if you like) and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Then place the third block onto the now sewn together first and second block with right sides together. (shown in Row 2) Pin* and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  And finally, place the fourth block onto your now almost sewn together row.  (shown in Row 3)  Pin* and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Repeat this process for all 5 rows.

Once the rows are all sewn together, time to move to the ironing board again.  Press the seam allowances towards the sashing rectangles.  This will be in the opposite direction for each row.

And now, you are ready to sew the rows together into a quilt top.  This is the exact same process as sewing the blocks into rows, just on a larger scale.  Place Row 1 onto Row 2 with right sides together.  Align and Pin the seams and then add a few more pins to secure the rows.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.

Then place Row 3 onto your now sewn together Row 1 and 2 with right sides together.  Again, align and pin and stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.   Then repeat this process to add Row 4 and Row 5.

Press the Seams open, and again, if you prefer, you can always press them to one side.

STEP 6 - TRIMMING QUILT TOP & ADDING SIDE BORDERS

And to finish off that floating look, we are going to add a border from our Background fabric.  To do this, trim the selvage edge from the (7) 3 1/2" x WOF Background strips.  Then place them right sides together, and stitch them end to end on the short side.  This will make one very long strip.  Press the seam allowances to one side.

From the long strip cut (2) 75ish" strips and (2) 66ish" strips.  I say "Ish" because I like to add a little wiggle room in my borders so I will cut mine anywhere between 76-77 and 67-68.  I normally just lay them out by the side of my quilt and cut them according to the sides of my quilt plus a little extra.    But if you like to cut borders to the exact length, cut (2)  75" and (2) 66".

Place the (2) 75" strips along the sides of the quilt top with right sides together. Align and  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  If you gave yourself wiggle room, trim the excess border strip hanging over the quilt top.  (I use the quilt top as a guide to trim :)

Press the seam allowances towards the Border strips.  Now just add the top and bottom borders in the same fashion.  Place the top and border strips onto the quilt top with right sides together.  Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.

Press the seam allowances towards the border strip and then sit back and smile!!!  Your Quilt Top is Finished!!!!

STEP 7 - FINISHING QUILT

So no it is time to turn that finished quilt top into a finished Quilt ;)  Time to  Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It!!!  Which is a whole lot in one little sentence.  If you are new to quilting, you can see my Finishing Your Quilt Series of video tutorials that will walk you through Basting, Quilting, and Binding step by step ;)

I had a lot of fun quilting mine :)  I did a fun loop de loop in the background and then in the petals I used a large Ribbon Candy design to help give the effect of the Petals.  And then Large Pebbles in the center to finish off the idea of the Poppies.  I just love how it makes those center's Pop!!

And I just love all of the gorgeous texture it gives the quilt.  Doesn't that just make you want to snuggle up with it!!!

Use the  (8) 2 1/2"x 42" binding strips you cut at the beginning to create a binding and add it to the quilt.  And your Done!!!

STEP 8 - ENJOY QUILT

And now, just sit back and enjoy your beautiful Posies Quilt!!!  It finishes at 66" x 81" so it is just the perfect size to snuggle up or take to a ball game or just lay out in the sunshine!!

 I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and if you make your own Poppies Quilt I would love to see it!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to my flickr group here or post it to social media with the hashtag #happyquiltingwithmc ;)  I can't wait to see your Poppies Quilts!!!

 Thank you so much to Deena Rutter for allowing me to play with her amazing fabrics!!!!   And for more Ava Rose fun, be sure to follow along all month with the Ava Rose Fabric Tour!!!  You will  find all of the details of the Hop over at Deena's blog ;)

Thanks for stopping in today to share this tutorial.  I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

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