Friday, May 29, 2020

Decades Past - A New Happy Quilting Pattern!!!!

I am super excited this morning to share my newest Quilt Pattern in the Happy Quilting pattern lineup ;)   It is called Decades Past and I just love the updated vintage feel to it!!!     And with big blocks and easy piecing, it will go together in no time and is perfect for beginners and experts alike!!!


Both the Hard Copy and the PDF patterns can be found  found in my Etsy Shop, and like all my new Pattern Releases, It is on Special!!!!  This week Decades Past will be marked down!!! The PDF Patterns are just $5.50 and the Hard Copy Patterns are $8.00!!!!


Decades Past uses some basic piecing units along with a fun technique for making the center squares.  You use triangles so there isn't near as much waste, but don't worry, I have left a little wiggle room so piecing is still super easy and a quick trim ensures perfect piecing every time.   And I even included a tiny bit of background overhang on the center of the block, so you don't even have to worry about matching up points when you sew the block together.  So great!!!!


This version of Decades Past is made using Prairie Sisters Fabric by Jina and Lori for Poppie Cottons.    I love these prints and how they perfectly matched the vintage modern feel I was going for!!!     But of course, it looks amazing in any fabrics!!  The small size quilts are Fat Eighth Friendly, and the large size quilts are  Fat Quarter Friendly, so you can just grab a bundle and get cutting!!!!


And when it came time to quilt it I went all out.  I quilted Wishbones in the sashing, Straight echoed lines in the X background, tiny swirls in the background, and echoed arches and pebbles in the center x.   It really was so much fun to play with all of these different quilting designs and it really made the design stand out all the more.   I used my favorite Pearl 402 So Fine thread which blended perfectly in all the prints and is just a lovely color on the background white !!!  This one really was so super fun to quilt!!!! 


And that is my new Decades Past quilt!!!!  I am just  so excited to be able to share this design in pattern form, it has been a long time coming but it was worth the wait ;)  So let me tell you a bit more about the pattern ;)


Like all my patterns, Decades Past has size options so you can make the quilt size that fits you ;)  You will find 5 size options, a Baby, Lap, Picnic, Twin, and a Queen size.  For the Baby and Lap size, you use a 12" block and it is Fat Eighth Friendly.   For the Picnic, Twin, and Queen sizes, you use a 16" block and it is Fat Quarter Friendly.   I just love using multiple size blocks so you don't have to piece a million tiny blocks for a queen quilt ;) 


And I had so much fun making the first quilt, I just couldn't stop and decided to make up a lap size version as well :)   I had to check out those 12" blocks right ;)  And isn't it just to cute for words!!!!
  

I used Nova by Basic Grey for Moda Fabrics and you all know I just love the purples in this line.   It really has so many beautiful colors that just pop and the prints were the perfect scale for these smaller blocks!!!    I just love this and have already decided it is going to be one of those that I keep just for myself :)  


And I already have a baby size version planned as well.   You only have to make 9 blocks for a baby size, so it goes together pretty fast, but you still totally learn the techniques of the quilt!!!   So this is the Lap version and I can't wait to start on that baby size ;)


 So let's have a few reminders to sum it all up ;)  Just  like all my patterns, this is a full color pattern that can be printed in either page format or book format.  It is filled with lots of wonderful illustrations to guide you along each step of the way.   You are going to have so much fun putting this together ;)  And of course,  if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to email me ;)  




So that's all of it!!!  My two new Decades Past quilts and the new Decades Past Pattern !!!!  Again, the Decades Past Pattern (both PDF and Hard Copy) can be found in my Etsy Shop

And everything is on sale for the release of Decades Past!!!!   The PDF Pattern is just $5.50 and the Printed Pattern is $8.00!!!!  

Be sure to pick up your patterns and templates this week, as they will go back to regular prices on June 5th :)  

Thanks for popping in today and sharing these new finishes with me.  I am so very excited to be releasing this new pattern and hope you like it as much as I do.

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

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Florabelle Bloom

My perennials starting blooming this week, and what a wonderful heart warmer that was!!!  I don't have much of a green thumb, so when anything comes back the following year I am thrilled ;)   So, . I just knew we needed to do another fun flower quilt for our  Throwback Thursday , And I thought going back  be perfect to go back 3 years to the Florabelle Bloom quilt would be just perfect!!!    Isn't it just so happy with those petals popping from the centers!!!


Florabelle Bloom really is a fun quilt to make and looks harder than it is.  It really is just sewing some HST's and some Squares, and you can whip whip this up in no time.    And it is just so fun to mix and match the prints in the flowers, making up a new combo of colors for each one!!!  Andthere is also some sashing, which is great to learn if you haven't tried that before ;)    It finishes at 66" x 82" so it makes a great size for snuggling up in or lying out in the sun!!    


Florabelle Bloom is a Fat Quarter Friendly quilt and uses 21 Fat Quarters.  So you can easily grab a bundle and get stitching.   And I used some larger prints, but they got a little lost in the design, so I would recommend using medium to small scale prints for this design ;) I have even seen this done in Red, White, and Blue, and it makes for a great Americana design :)  Just grab a fun colorful bundle that speaks to you and is just waiting to be made up into blooming flowers!!!     


Florabelle Bloom was so fun to make and I am so wanting to make it again, but I am thinking of doing it in a rainbow layout of flowers with the secondary corners being all green.  And who knows, maybe I will even do some scrap busting instead of using Fat Quarters.  I seriously need to bust some scraps ;)   Wouldn't that be just to cute!!   


And that is my Florabelle Bloom Quilt!!!     I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday as much as I have!!!      To make your own Florabelle Bloom quilt  just click on any of the project name links for the free step by step tutorial.    And when you are done,  I would love to see your Quilts!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  :)   I can't wait to see your Florabelle Bloom Quilts!!



Thanks for popping in today and sharing this throwback with me!!! 

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

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Charming Baby Sew Along - Parade and Grand Prize Winner!!!

Well, today is the big day!!!  It's the finale of the Charming Baby Sew Along!!!  It's just so exciting!!!!   First off,  I would like to say Thank You to all of you who sewed along with me.  This has been such a fun Sew Along and that is because of each of you.  I am just thrilled with how many of you have finished your adorable Charming Baby Sew Along Sampler and each and every one is just so fantastic!!!   I just love sewing along with each of you!!!



And speaking of those finishes . . . did you see all of the beautiful finished quilt tops???   I love that each one is so unique and wonderful!!!   To see all the finishes just pop on over here and check out the links at the bottom of the post.  They are absolutely amazing!!!     And if you want to see everyone's progress along the way, you can check out the #charmingbabyquilts on social media   It was so much fun to see all of your blocks each week :)

One more thing before we get to the parade, if you are just popping over and finding the Charming Baby Quilts Sew Along for the first time, or just want an easy reference for the future, you can find all of the Posts for the Charming Baby Sew Along at any time under the Quilt-Along's tab at the top of my blog.   These posts will always be on my blog, so no worries if you want to start now or if you got a little behind, the links will always be available ;)   






 PARADE

Alright, Let's get to the Parade!!!! So Fun!!!   A huge round of applause for these amazing finishes!!!    So here is the Charming Baby Sew Along Parade of Finishes!!!!       You can click on the name to go to that persons individual link site and see and read more about their beautiful finishes :)















Jean H-S from Wisconsin
















Way to go ladies, they are just beautiful and I hope you enjoy your Charming Baby Quilt Sew Along Sampler's and thank you so much for sharing them with all of us!!    And for the rest of the Charming Baby Sew Along quilters,  good luck finishing up your quilts!!!  And please still share them once they are finished with #charmingbabyquilts or email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com .  I would just love to see them all done!!!  



QUILTS FROM BLOGGER FRIENDS

And for more beautiful Charming Baby Quilt finishes, be sure and pop over and see all of my blogger buddies that quilted along with me and shared inspiration throughout the entire quilt along ;)

      Amanda Castor - Material Girl Quilts
      Andy Knowlton - A Bright Corner
      Beverly McCullough - Flamingo Toes
      Melanie Call - A Bit of Scrap Stuff
      Pat Sloan - Pat Sloan's Blog
      Fat Quarter Shop Friends - The Jolly Jabber

And you can see my Finished Quilt here :)



GRAND PRIZE

 And last but certainly, not least . . . It's time to award the Grand Prize sponsored by Moda Fabrics !!  One lucky winner will receive this huge assortment of 18 Charm Packs with this exclusive zipper pouch and sewing tins ;)  Everyone that finished their quilt top was entered to win this Grand Prize :)  So exciting, let's choose that lucky winner.


The winner of the Charming Baby Sew Along Grand Prize is . . .

 Number 12 which is . . . 



Congrats Cindy Garaas!!!!  I have messaged you!!!   And a huge Thank You to Moda Fabrics for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway!!!!  It sure was a great motivation to get those quilt tops done!!!
 
  


SHARING

And just because the Charming Baby Sew Along is finished, doesn't mean you can't finish those Charming Baby Sampler Quilts!!!   The instruction downloads will always be available and if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.    Share your progress using Hashtag #charmingbabyquilts  or email me a picture :)

I can't wait to see all your quilts!!!  And here is a quick pic of mine all finished ;)  I used Catalina Charm Packs by Fig Tree and Co. and a Bella Solid Bleached White Background ;)



Let me sign off with one last thank you to all of you who participated in the Charming Baby Sew Along!!  I am so excited to have so many wonderful friends to quilt along with me and I so appreciate all of your sweet comments on the quilt along, they mean a lot!!  I had such a great time hosting and I hope you had a fantastic time sewing-along!!!

Until next time . . . Happy Quilting!!!

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

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

First, we need to announce the winner from last Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  
The winner of the Pick any Lou Lou  Bundle from Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is . . .   Number #590 . . . Congrats  amsterrh!!!  I have messaged 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 blow me away 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!!  And I have been having so much fun with Fat Quarter Shop and the Charming Baby Sew Along!!!  Read all about the Sew Along here ;) Are you stitching along with us???  The Parade of finishes is Tomorrow, I am so excited!!!  

24 Hour Flash Sales at the Fat Quarter Shop!


And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a beautiful Chantilly Jelly Roll by Fig Tree & Co. for Moda Fabrics!!! I just love this line, it is just so soft!!!  


You have two entry chances here on the blog, 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 was your favorite family vacation???   (ours just got cancelled so we are working to plan something new :) 

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fat Quarter Shop love.   You can follow them on   FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestYou 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, June 2nd ,  when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

You can also pop over to my Instagram and/or Facebook to enter there as well :)  

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Friday, May 22, 2020

Garden Gala Quilt!!

Okay, I am a little embarrassed to admit, but I have only finished like 3 quilts this year.  Not to say I haven't been sewing . . . even more embarrassing, I  have over 10 quilt tops in the "to be quilted" pile and another 5 or so in some stage of piecing.  Things have just been a little out of whack for me.  (I am sure we can all relate to this year being a little out of whack ;)   So, when my Anniversary Sew Sampler box came, I decided that I wanted to make the project in it and have it done before the next box arrived :)   I hoped this little goal would get me back on track.   And I made it,and it felt so great to finish!!!!   So here is my Garden Gala Quilt ;)


Garden Gala is an exclusive pattern from the  Sew Sampler Box.  It uses 1 Bonnie and Camille At Home Jolly Bar and some background fabric.   I decided to add a center block, because you now I always like to mix things up ;)   I just love how it turned out!!!


Isn't that little border just to cute!!! And you know I am all about sewing Charming Baby Quilts right now :)   This quilt finishes at 48" x 48" and it is going to be just perfect for a new little wee one.  I have added it to my "waiting for a wee one to arrive" pile for a sweet little gift :)


And when it came time to quilt mine, I did an all over loose feather design.  I really love how relaxing and fast this is to quilt.  I just have so much fun looping those feathers all over the quilt, and it took me longer to piece the back and load the quilt, then it did to quilt the whole thing ;)  Which was just perfect to get me back on the Long Arm.  Now, I really want to start working through that pile of to be quilted :) 


Oh, and I figured some of you might also want to add a center block . . . so here are the extra fabrics that you need to cut to make that center flower block.  Just follow the same instructions for pieing and replace the G square with your 5th flower block :) 



And that is my Garden Gala Quilt ;)  And I am just so glad I made this little goal.   It feels so great to have a finish and is giving me motivation to quilt it all!   So hopefully, lots more finishes are going to be shared soon :)   And now I am curious, what do you do to get out of a funk??



Thanks so much for sharing this finish with me today!!! 

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

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - T-Shirt Memory Quilt

Well, today is officially our last day of Online School at Home and I am so excited!!!  Wow, just talk about a crazy way to end the school year.  But, at least we will have a lot of memories for 2020 school ;)   And so today, I thought it would be fun for our Throwback Thursday , to go back 7 years to the T-Shirt Memory Quilt!!!!    I just love how much can be wrapped up in a T-Shirt Quilt!!!


There are so many T-Shirt Memory Quilt's out there, but when I set out to make this one, I wanted it to be different than the usual 10 x 10 square patchwork square quilt.   So I fussy cut the patches on the shirts, and included pocket logos and rally towels and so forth.   This meant you can really make any size quilt you want with any size squares you want.   Then, it's all about adding scraps to start making things square so you can sew it all together.     And I walk you through how to do that process in the tutorial ;)  I just love how fun and scrappy it looks and how it allows you to really focus on the parts of the shirt that matter ;)    


And the great thing about adding Scraps to this T-Shirt Memory Quilt is that you can balance out all the craziness that comes from so many different T-shirt designs.  I tried to use more low volume scraps around the darker T-shirts and Darker scraps around the Lighter T-shirts. That really helped to balance things out.   I used a variety of scraps that I had, but realized the ones I like best are those that read as one color and have a smaller to medium scale print.   They aren't quite as busy and help to make the Shirt's pop instead of the scraps.  I would change out a few on this quilt if I had it to do over again ;)


But it's all good because my husband just loves his T-Shirt Memory Quilt!!!  I am so glad that my sweet Mother-In-Law, Barbara, saved all of his shirts so I could make this up!!!  And now, I have been collecting my Kid's shirts to make them a memory quilt when they graduate high school.  (And I have one doing just that next year, crazy!!!)    And oh, 2020 shirts will have memories wrapped up in them!!!



And that is my T-Shirt Memory Quilt Quilt!!!     I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!      And if you have a stack of shirts that have just been waiting to be made up into a T-Shirt Memory Quilt quilt . . .  just click on any of the project name links for the free step by step tutorial.    And when you are done,  I would love to see your Quilts!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  :)   I can't wait to see your T-Shirt Memory Quilts!!


Thanks for popping in today!!! 

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

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Charming Baby Sew Along - Check In and Bloomington Winner!!!

I just wanted to pop in today and see how you are all doing on your Charming Baby Sew Along Sampler Quilts??  There are already 16 gorgeous quilt top finishes linked up for the grand prize giveaway and I am sure there will be many more by next week.   You have one more week to finish up your quilt top to be entered into the grand prize as I will choose a winner on the 27th of May ;) 


And if you are a little behind . . . no worries.  You still have plenty of time to catch up ;)   You can visit any of these links for the weekly instructions you need to get your quilt top all sewn up!!!


And remember . . . you don't have to stop at finishing your quilt top!!!   Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It ( Video Tutorials for newbies ) and email me a finished picture to happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com so you can be entered into the Parade of Quilts!!!   I have one entry so far and am hoping to get some more by next week!!!   Lot's of Happy Quilting this week!!!



If you have any questions on entering the grand prize or submitting your quilt for the parade, please don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com  :)
   
And last but not least . . . we need to choose a winner for the Bloomington Charm Packs and Aurifl Thread weekly giveaway :)   So without further ado . . . The winner is #26 . . . Congrats Lynn!!!
               
  



Thanks everyone for entering . . . And next week, we will draw for the Grand Prize and have the parade!!!   I just can't wait to see all your quilts!!!