Peru was Amazing!!

 At the beginning of this month, we had the wonderful opportunity to take my Daughter (Jessica) and her Husband (Treyson) back to Peru.  You might recall, Jessica served her mission in Peru, and we were excited to go back and see the country she spent so much time in.  We spent 10 days in this beautiful country and traveled by plane, bus, and train across 3 cities and enjoyed so much amazing nature, culture, and food!! What an amazing trip!!  

We started our trip visiting Machu Picchu.  Well, I say started, it took two days to get here, but ya know, that's all part of the fun :)   The weather was perfect for our visit, and made for some stunning views of this amazing Inca Citadel.  And just look at all of that green, everything was just gorgeous up here!! 

And when I say "up here" I really did mean it!!   The Machu Picchu "circuit" we choose was Machu Picchu mountain.  That is 1600-1800 Inca steps carved from Granite to get to the top where you can overlook Machu Picchu.  And it was so cool to watch the clouds roll in and out over this amazing wonder of the world.  It was quite the hike, but totally worth it for the view!!   (but ya, I should be pointing a little more to the right :) 

We spent the next day of our trip in Aguas Calientes.  This was a day of mostly recovering our legs so we enjoyed strolling around town and along the river.  It is such a sweet little town just bursting with so many people.  Just incredible.  And we finished the day off at some Hot Springs, which was again, a lovely way to rejuvenate and rest after our previous days hike ;) 

Then we traveled to Cusco.  And wow, this was an amazing city, and can I just say, I am so glad I did not have to do any driving while I was there.  They are crazy and amazing drivers all at the same time.  We enjoyed a lot of shopping in Cusco, visited some gorgeous churches (first picture) and enjoyed some amazing meals, including my first taste of alpaca.  Pretty good I might add!  This is a city bursting with life and color, and I just loved being a part of it for a few days!!  

Then it was back on a plane to return to our original arrival city of Lima.  Lima is huge!!!   And again, I was so grateful for amazing uber drivers, because other wise, there was no way we were getting to our hotel.  Which happened to be along the coast.  We spent two lovely days walking along the coast enjoying the salty breeze.  And then above the coast (yes, more stairs to get up there) were walkways filled with lots of beautiful parks.  We also had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Lima Peru Temple and go to church in Lima where I understood about 5 words, but was so happy to share in the spirit of all of the lovely people there.  Peruvians are just so welcoming and kind!!  

All in all, it was just an absolutely amazing trip!!   I am so grateful we had this wonderful opportunity, and we just were so happy to get to share it with Jessi and Trey!!  Oh, and of course, you know I have a whole ton quilt design inspiration pictures.   It was just everywhere ;)  This was one of my favorites, I see 3 different quilts in this photo from one of the cathedrals we visited in Cusco.   And doesn't it just look so warm and inviting.  It really is the perfect way to sum up the trip.  

And now, I have had a week to get "back to it" and am almost feeling all caught up.   I will say, it was awfully nice to come home to my sewing machine in my new sewing studio!!  Such a happy place!  Thanks Peru for so many wonderful experiences and memories, it was amazing!!

Gearing up for a Happy Quilting Ultra Marathon!!

So if you have been following here for a while, you might recall back in 2022 when I participated in a Quilting Marathon.  I quilted 26 quilt tops in 26 weeks and promised at the conclusion that I would not let quilts build up on me like that again . . .   Well . . .  Here we are in 2026 and it looks like I am in need of an Ultra Quilting Marathon!  

 Closet #1 has 16 large quilt tops with their backing and bindings just waiting to be done.  

Closet #2 has 26 Quilt Tops (but at least some of these are small baby sizes that I can do super quick like :)  with their backing and bindings just waiting to be done. 

And of course, there are the additional 10 Quilt Tops with their backing and bindings that I haven't even gotten to hanging up yet.  

So that makes a grand total of 52 Quilt Tops that are waiting to be turned into quilts to be loved.  These are all the quilts that don't have "deadlines" so sometimes they get pushed aside and then forgotten about.   Until you look one day and realize there are 52!!!  

 So now . . .It's time to tackle an Ultra Marathon!!!  Not only do I have double the quilt tops from the last time I did this, but I am going to try and do it in about the same amount of time as last time!!   They don't call it Ultra for nothing ;)   My goal is to finish all 52 quilts by the end of 2026.  That is 2 quilts a week with 5 weeks of "we are out of town or at a family reunion or whatever the case may be". Ya know, because I am still human and all.   

This Ultra Quilting Marathon is starting May 18th and I will have two quilts to share by the 25th and we will start filling up this chart above with lots of pretty quilts that are ready to be snuggled in.   So here we go . . . 

Come Sew With Me . . . In the Garden or On the Sea!!

I am getting so excited for two big quilting events coming up!!   In September I'll be returning to the Garden of Quilts to teach quilting classes and enjoy all things quilty!!    Registration is Open and starting to fill up, so now is the time to plan your trip!!!  The Garden of Quilts will be held at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi Utah on September 16th - 19th, 2026 and hosted by Riley Blake Designs.  

And when you are signing up for classes . . . I would just love to see you in one of my 8 classes!!!  Here is a list of the classes I will be teaching :)   You can click on the links to find details about each of the classes and see some sneak peeks of New Patterns, coming soon,  So exciting!!  

Home is Where the Heart is taught Wed. Morning

Playful Posies taught Wed. Afternoon                      

 Twilight Stroll taught Thur. Morning

Turning Dusk into Dawn taught Thur. Afternoon

Turnovers taught Fri. Morning  

Alhambra taught Fri. Afternoon

Nordic Nights taught Sat. Morning

Braided Irish Chain taught Sat. Afternoon

    

And if you prefer the beach over the garden . . . you can join me for Cruising and Sewing!!  January 2027 I will be teaching on the Paradise Quilting Cruise to Western Caribbean.   This is my eighth quilting cruise and they are just so much fun!!!

I will be teaching my Crossing Paths Quilt.   This is a great quilt to get some practice on lots of techniques, while not having to worry about lining up a whole ton of point.   Great for quilting and cruising!!!    Crossing Paths is Fat Quarter Friendly and I know we are all going to have so much fun making this quilt while sailing the beautiful Western Caribbean!!  And wouldn't you know it . . . It is the $5.00 Pattern of the Month!!  

So pop on over and check it out.  I would just love to have you come and sew and sail with me!!! 

So much Happy Quilting to come!!!  

The Mummy Quilt in Frank and Friends!!

Today I am so excited to share a new finished quilt with you featuring Frank and Friends by My Mind's Eye that I was able to make for my wonderful friends at  Riley Blake Designs!!  This quilt is called the Mummy Quilt and it is a Free PDF Downloadable Pattern designed by our friends over at Riley Blake Designs!!  And isn't it just so cute!!!  I just love cute Halloween ;)    

The Mummy Quilt  uses a 10" Stacker of Frank and Friends along with a few accent fabrics from the line for the mummies and border.    Isn't it just so fun how the little mummy eyes roll around, its the little details that make all the difference.  And you know I jut love that Black and White diamond binding!  The quilt finishes at 55" x 64" so it is a great size to throw out on a sofa for Halloween!  

The Mummy Quilt  quilt is made with basic piecing, paper piecing, and a little bit of applique.   And I love that the paper piecing in this quilt is all with the same fabrics and the same size pieces.  It really allows you to "chain stitch" your paper piecing, my favorite!!   And the applique is just the eyes, so nothing to tuff :)  It is great for experienced beginners and experts alike!!  And you can have it whipped up for Halloween super quick as the alternate blocks are just the 10" stacker!!  

Once I had made up the quilt top, it went off to Riley Blake where they quilted it up with this gorgeous all over swirly stars design.    And yippee for yummy texture!!  

And if you love this quilt as much as I do . . .you can make your own!!  Like I mentioned earlier . . . there is a  Free PDF Downloadable Pattern for it.  So pop over, download, grab your 10" Stacker of Frank and Friends along with the few accent fabrics  and you are good to get piecing your mummies!!  

And that is my Mummy Quilt!  And wow, I just love the pictures the team at Riley Blake takes!!  Aren't these just so pretty!!   I really want to visit this fence line as I am sure, it has some amazing views :)  

Thanks for joining me today and sharing in this new finish with me. 

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

$5 Pattern of the Month - Crossing Paths!!!

It's May 1st and that means its time for a new $5 Pattern of the Month here at Happy Quilting!!!  And May is all about Crossing Paths.  And it is just $5 all month long!!!   

The  Crossing Paths Pattern can be found in my Etsy Shop in both a Paper version as well as a PDF version and both versions will be marked down to $5.00 for the month May.   This is such a fun quilt to make and really allows you to show off so larger scale prints.  It is rated for Beginner quilters and is Fat Quarter Friendly.  

Crossing Paths has 5 size options.   It is an extremely versatile deign and would look fantastic in just about any Fat Quarter Bundle you choose :)  And of course, you don't have to stick to a white background, make it your own.    And don't you just love the scrappy binding!!  

Crossing Paths has lots of great technique builders in the pattern including, No Waste flying Geese, Stitch and Flip, and Square in a Square.   And the great thing is, most of the entire block floats, so you only have a few points to worry about lining up.   So great!!   And it is just so fun to get such a huge scrappy look by mixing and matching all of the prints in your Fat Quarter Bundle ;)   And you just know how I like to use a darker background to make all of the soft prints pop!!  

And you can always mix it up and use low volume prints with a dark background.  Such a fun way to use up some of those low volume fat quarters that are always piling up ;)   Truly, it is just a wonderfully versatile pattern that you can grab just about any Fat Quarter Bundle and have a stunning Crossing Paths quilt !!  

  

And that is my $5.00 Pattern of the Month!!!  May 2026 is all about the Crossing Paths!!!   You are going to have so much fun making this quilt ;)   And of course,  if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to me ;)  And when you make your Crossing Paths quilts I would love to see them!!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to social media with  #happyquiltingwithmc and #crossingpathsquilt ;)  I can't wait to see your Quilts!!!

So are you ready to start making your Crossing Paths Quilts???  Pop over to my Etsy Shop, to pick up your Pattern and get Happy Quilting!!!!   

Happy 10 Years Sew Sampler!!!

Oh my goodness, I can not believe the Sew Sampler Box has been going for 10 Years!!  What an awesome milestone :)    And I am so looking forward to another year of these fantastic little boxes arriving on my doorstep, it really is just the best day of my month!!!   And so let's kick off a new year with the April 2026 Sew Sampler Box and the theme this month is Summer Sunset and it is just awesome!!! 

And I was just thrilled when I lifted the cover of my box to find Honeyed Horizon!!!   This line is so bright and happy and right up my alley!!   And to include 3 Honeyed Horizon Charm Packs, so incredible!!!  And how cute is that Honeysuckle Quilt Pattern.  I think this one is going right on the To Make pile, just adorable.   And for the 10 Year Anniversary, There is a bonus exclusive pattern from over the 10 years of Sew Sampler included in each of the boxes this year.   This Winding Path pattern is from May 2022 and is just so pretty.  

And the notions for this Celebration are so great!!!! The Exclusive 10 Year Stash n' Store is so going to come in handy.   And how adorable is the Pretty Pockets Sewing Machine Caddy kit.   That would be so perfect for when I am traveling, another great one to add to the To Make list.   And you know I just love Alphabitties, and this Sew Sampler set is just so cute with the little scissors.   And the bonus sticker is going right on my water bottle! 

And of course, With a new year of  the Sew Sampler Box, comes a new sampler quilt and this year it is the Spooled Quilt Along!!!!  There are limited Kits in the adorable Petals and Polka Dots by Bunny Hill Design.  But for my kit, I am using two layer cakes of Sandy Gervais beautiful Morning Latte line.  I might have to adjust things as I go along where I am limited by layer cake size, but I am not to worried.  It's always fun to make it work!   And I just love, love, love the prints and colors in Morning Latte and can't wait to see this Quilt Along come together.  

 And here is Block 1 of the Spooled Quilt along.  I have no idea what blocks are to come but I am so excited to see where this is going to go.   I am super excited about using the low volumes in the line for the background, I think it really is going to add some extra dimension to the blocks.  

And that is April's  Sew Sampler Box and I am so looking forward to May's Box ;)  I can't wait to see what the Box Theme and the Block 2 will be ;)  

And just a note, there was some openings for this new years Sew Sampler boxes but they filled up super fast.  It's a great time to jump in!!   

New Works in Progress!!

So I finished up a whole bunch of secret sewing last week for H and H.  (More on that to come when I can share it ;)   So with all of my "deadline" quilts done, I decided to start some new projects this week!!  I started off with one adorable Jelly Roll of Cozy Bebe by  Simple Simon and Co for Riley Blake Designs and cut out two new quilts!!  The prints and colors were just perfect for making all blue Square Dance baby boy quilt and an all pink Petal Pop baby girl quilt!!  I got it all cut out on Monday.  

And Yesterday and today I have been having so much fun sewing on these two baby quilts!!!  I just finished up both sets of blocks, so all that is left is to make the sashing and sew the quilt tops together :)  I gave away two more baby quilts on Sunday to friends and realized that my stash of Baby Quilts is getting a little low, (especially boy ones)  so these were the perfect new projects to start!! 

 

And the new Sew Sampler quilt along starts this month, so I told myself I had to get the one from this last year put together before I get a new box at the end of April.   This is the Flowering QAL and I am using the 50 Years of Moda Celebration line!!!  I added a little extra in my cornerstones to create a little break, as this is a pretty busy quilt.  But I just love the way it all came together.  So fun!!  Now to get it quilted and bound ;) 

And that is what I have been working on the last few days.   What are you working on?? 

Aurora in Le Petit Escargot

  Today I am thrilled to be sharing a new quilt finish with you that features the soft and sweet Le Petit Escargot fabrics for my wonderful friends at Poppie Cotton.   I knew right away when I saw this collection that it needed to be paired with a dark background to make all of those wonderful soft prints just pop!!   And here it is,  my Aurora quilt, from my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book, and isn't it just so striking!!  I love it ;)  

What I really love about the quilts in my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book is that they are all made from one Layer Cake and a background fabric and you can get right to cutting. I used Weathered Wood Dark Grey Country Confetti for my background, and it even has little tiny pink dots on it that go right along with the print.  A dark background is so great when you have a fabric line with lots of whites in it, then they don't get lost in a light background :)  

Aurora finishes at 68" x 68", so it is a great lap size to snuggle up in.  It is really a super fun quilt to make.   This quilt is made up of two blocks, that area actually pieced with the same units.  I love how you can create two totally different blocks with the same pieces, so cool!!!   Oh, and I always love adding a "chain" in my quilts, and this chain is subtle, but it is the perfect finish for this Aurora quilt.  

 Aurora might look like a little complex, but it truly is a beginner friendly quilt to make.  Especially with all of the tips and tricks I added in the pattern.  You will learn no waste flying geese, square in a square, and stitch and flip while making this quilt.  And a great little pin trick for lining up all of the points!!  And Aurora really lets you play with where you want the prints in each component of the design, my favorite part!

And Barbara once again did the piecing and quilting of this one for me.  (I have been doing some secret sewing for H & H so she came in clutch!)  She is so amazing!!!   She quilted an all over design of paisleys. I love how it adds so much movement to the quilt.  And using a dark grey thread makes it blend in the background and pop on the prints.  So fun!!

And that is a new Aurora quilt! I hope you have enjoyed this post. To see more of my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book, you can visit this post and see all the quilts. And if you make your own Aurora Quilt, (or any of the quilts from Fast & Fun Lap Quilts) I would love to see them! You can share your projects with me on social media with the hashtags  #happyquiltingwithmc and tagging @happyquiltingmc or email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com. I can’t wait to see your Quilts!!

Thank you so much for popping in today and sharing this new finish with me.

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

Garden of Quilts 2026 - Registration is Open!!

 I am so excited to be returning to the Garden of Quilts this fall to teach and be immersed in so much quilty goodness ;)   And Registration is now Open!!!   So you can sign up for all of the wonderful Classes, Special Events and of course, the amazing Exhibit of Quilts hung throughout the gorgeous 50-acre gardens!!!    It has been such an amazing event to be a part of over the last few years and I am so excited to return for this 2026 year!!!   The Garden of Quilts will be held at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi Utah on September 16th - 19th, 2026.

And speaking of signing up for classes . . . I will be teaching 8 classes!!!  Here is a rundown of the classes I will be teaching :)   And yes indeed, those are quite a few sneak peeks of New Patterns, some coming very soon, and some coming in a little bit!!  So exciting!!  

    Home is Where the Heart is taught Wed. Morning                Playful Posies taught Wed. Afternoon

      

   

                 

       Twilight Stroll taught Thur. Morning                Turning Dusk into Dawn taught Thur. Afternoon

     

                  Turnovers taught Fri. Morning                                Alhambra taught Fri. Afternoon       

   

             Nordic Nights taught Sat. Morning                         Braided Irish Chain taught Sat. Afternoon

    
  

 It is going to be an amazing week and I can't wait!!!    Some of these classes have patterns that can can be found in my Etsy Shop, but some are Brand New Patterns that will be coming soon.   I am so excited to get to teach so many classes to so many wonderful quilters.  Just wow!!!   I can't begin to explain how much I love getting to teach and share the joy of quilting with so many amazing people!!  

So if you couldn't tell, I am just thrilled to be coming back to Garden of Quilts and hope to see you there!!!     You can see all of the details at the Main Garden of Quilts page .  

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