National Sewing and Quilting Month Celebration!!!!

September is National Sewing and Quilting Month and Fat Quarter Shop is celebrating!!!  Part of the celebration is a challenge issued to Try Something New!!!  You can share your challenge projects on social media using a #fqschallenge.


Well, we all know I am quilter, and I don't do really do a lot of what I call 3-D sewing.   But . . . I took up the challenge!!!   My daughter's birthday is later this month and she has been begging for some Anna and Elsa dress ups.   Roll up my sleeves and put on my big girl panties, . . . it was time to sew.

I was so very fortunate to have a wonderful Mother In Law that let me raid her stash of fancy fabrics that she uses to make hats for the Shakespearean Festival.  She had so many awesome fabrics (that scared me because they weren't cotton) and she even had a Frozen pattern she picked up the week before.   Eeekk, I actually read a clothing pattern!!

It took me quite a while to get everything cut out.  Those fabrics just didn't want to lie flat and that tissue paper just wants to float away.   I quickly decided I didn't much care for the Elsa cape and so I raided MIL's pattern stash and found one that looked just more like a plain cape.

I was nervous to start sewing because that fabric just wanted to roll around and give me grief, but after a day (and yes, I mean the whole day) I had this lovely cape to show for it ;)   And I could not be more pleased with how it turned out!!!  So cute!!!

I love that this little rose turned out to be right on the capelet.  I totally didn't plan it but it was a super happy surprise ;)

And the next day, I was back at it again.  I am happy to say that I must have learned some stuff from day 1 because the Elsa cape only took me half a day.   I love the super shiny fabrics on the top :)  They are just so fun!!!   And I even remember to line it with something soft, so the girls be bothered by the scratchy shiny stuff ;)

And I found the cutest hook and eye clasps.   They really are the perfect finish!!!

Once I finished the capes, I decided that would count as proper dress-ups.  They can wear one of their own dresses underneath if they want :)  I have had enough 3-D sewing to last me a while ;)    But I am so, so, so very excited with how they turned out.   Yippee!!!  I wish I could try them on the girls and take pictures of them with them on, but I best not spoil the surprise ;)   (which is also why these pics have some horrible lighting, I took them at 5:00 am before the girls woke up ;) 

And there is a second half that goes along with this challenge.   The lovely ladies at the Fat Quarter Shop asked us to answer a few questions that share a bit about our journey into the world of sewing/quilting.   So here is a little trip down my memory lane ;)

1.       How did you start quilting/sewing?

About a month before my husband and I were moving across the country for his schooling I asked my mother to teach me the basics of quilting.  I figured I had lots of quiet nights ahead of me while Jacob studied and needed a little hobby to fill my time.  My mom found this Christmas Around The Year pattern in her stash and taught me how to piece a block and then do the applique.   I loved it instantly and this was my fall back project for the next 2 years when I wasn't making a baby blanket for an expecting friend ;)

2.       When was the first time you knew that you were a quilter/sewer?

 I think I considered myself a quilter after designing my own quilt for my first tutorial that was hosted at the Moda Bake Shop.  It was my first time not following a pattern of someone elses and really putting myself out there ;)  It was scary and wonderful all at the same time.  Snuggly Squares received such wonderful feedback and I knew it was the start of hobby turned passion ;)

3.       Do you have any sewing/quilting horror stories or faux pas?

Oh sure, I have done lots of silly things over the years in my sewing room.  I once was quilting along and went to turn the quilt but it wouldn't turn.  I wondered what the deal was and then looked to to find that I had free motion quilted the sleeve of my sweater to my quilt to and was now attached to my quilt.  I don't know how I didn't notice it when I was doing it, but my husband sure got a kick out of watching my trying to unpick myself ;)   Sadly, I was laughing so hard I forgot to take a picture ;)

4.       What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in sewing/quilting?

I would tell someone who is starting to Quilt Happy!!!!!   This is such a wonderful industry to be a part of.  There is so much information out there and everyone is always willing to lend a helping hand.  Don't be afraid to ask, we all learn from each other.  That is what makes this so fun!!!

Fat Quarter Shop is sharing their love of Quilting and Sewing with this free Color My Heart Quilt Pattern.  Isn't it just adorable.  You can click on it to download the free pattern and whip up this super cute mini!!!

And that just about wraps today up :)  Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Quilting Day!!!  I know I plan to do some serious quilting, I am having some withdraws after sewing for 2 days ;)

Queen Wonky Irish Chain Finish

Note - If you are looking for the Persimmon Layer Cake Giveaway you will find it here :)

Well it's Friday and I am so excited to be able to share my newest finish!!!!  I have been working on this quilt on and off for the last few months so it is super fun to see it all done.  So here she is . . . my Fit for a Queen, Wonky Irish Chain :)

I decided to remake this quilt a few months back when I found that I would be teaching my Wonky Irish Chain pattern in January at the Cedar Quilt Retreat and in March at the Glendale Quilt Show.  I wanted to have a new sample for class and really have wanted to make this quilt in the queen size for some time.  Teaching was the perfect push to move it up the "to do" list ;)

This quilt is so much fun to put together ;)  It is a lot of chain piecing which I find so incredibly relaxing.   And it really was fun to not have to think about taking pictures or making instructions while piecing.  Just some care free sewing :)  Good times!

When it came time to quilt I opted for some Curly Q's in the background in my favorite color 402 Pearl So Fine threads and then for the print squares I couldn't decide between arches or straight lines.  But thanks to all of your help on Instagram, I went with Arches, and I am so pleased with how they turned out ;)

I just love all of the yummy texture created by a wonderfully dense filler.  It just makes me smile ;)

The fabrics I choose to use is the new Persimmon line by Basic Grey for Moda!!  I love all of the beautiful rich fall tones and prints. It just makes me want to go curl up in it :)   This line just came out this month and I just so happen to have a giveaway for a layer cake of it!!!!  You can find the giveaway here ;)

And since I am so excited about this finish, I decided to celebrate by marking down my Wonky Irish Chain pattern.  So if you love the quilt and want to make one, it just got a little cheaper for you ;)  Wonky Irish Chain will be marked down to $5.00 throughout the weekend ;)  You can find it in my Etsy Shop  ;)  

And that wraps it up for this week ;)  I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up this finish to Sarah's and Amanda's :) 

Welcome Olie and Evie and a Giveaway!!!

Today I am so excited to welcome Olie and Evie  as Happy Quilting's newest sponsor!!!  Olie and Evie is a brand new online quilting store owned and operated by Rhonda Walker who resides in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Rhonda at the Small Town Quilt Show when she was in my class.  We became quick friends and I was thrilled to hear that she was in the process of opening her shop.   So fun!!!!

Olie and Evie offers a wide variety of fabrics from some of your favorite manufacturers.     They carry both  beautiful yardage, and all of your favorite Pre-Cut's.  Olie and Evie  is also adding new inventory each and every week so there is always something fun to find.  

             

 

Olie and Evie also carries wonderful patterns, (including printed versions of a few of my patterns ;)  books, and notions.  And Rhonda carries some of  my favorite rulers including the  Blc-Loc rulers and the Quick Curve Ruler!!  So fun!!!     And Olie and Evie always have amazing prices on their everyday selection.  

  

       

       

As mentioned, Olie and Evie is a brand new online shop so they are continuing to expand each and every week with the arrival of new products.  You can always check out what is on it's way in their Coming Soon section.  It's small at the moment while Rhonda gets all of the current inventory processed, but it will be growing as well.  I love this quilt kit made with Howard Marcus' Collections for a Cause!!!

          

And if you have new stuff coming in, you have to be making room for it and that means you will also find an incredible Clearance Section at Olie and Evie .   I was super excited to find some favorite prints in here at a fantastic price  !!

       

  

Olie and Evie is so excited to be starting out and Rhonda loves to share her passion for quilting through her new store.  She adds to your savings by offering Free Shipping on all orders over $10.00.  Yes, just $10.00!!!!   She also has pre-ordering so you can guarantee you get your future item you are hoping for ;)

So Welcome Olie and Evie to the wonderful online quilt shop world and to Happy Quilting!!!  I am so excited to have you as part of the Happy Quilting Family!!!

 And as part of their welcome debut here at Happy Quilting, Olie and Evie is giving away a beautiful and brand new Persimmon Layer Cake by Basic Grey to one lucky reader!!!   I have already played with this line and can tell you it is amazing!!!!!  Just perfect for your upcoming fall project :)

You have two chances to win, please leave a separate comment for each.  And since Olie and Evie is a brand new shop, I thought it might be nice for your entries to allow you to get acquainted :)

1 - Pop on over to Olie and Evie and find a favorite item, it can be fabric, notions, etc.  Then pop back here and leave a comment of that favorite item.  

2 - Follow Olie and Evie.  You can like them on Facebook or  Instagram or their Blog and then leave a comment here of where you follow :)  

And that's it :) The giveaway will close on Tuesday the 9th  and I will announce a winner Wednesday Morning.    Good Luck to everyone ;)

 Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Wacky Wednesday's and a Winner

Hoolay, Wednesday's sure fly around here.  Because of school schedules being different on Wednesday I have kids that leave at 8:30, 9:30, and 11:30 for school and by the time I eat lunch with my sweet husband and send him back to work it is 1:00.  Which means kids will start getting home for early out in an hour.   Eeeekk!!!  I will just have to plan to not get a whole lot done on Wednesdays.  

So anyhow, let's pick a winner for the Fat Quarter Style book from Fat Quarter Shop.   Thank you everyone for entering.  It was so fun to read what you liked about Fat Quarters ;)

The lucky winner is . . . #82 . . . Congrats Hollie!!!  I will send you an email :)

And now I am off to try and squeeze in a few more minutes of quilting.  I got in a half an hour between dropping the last one off at school and lunch, looks like I have just about that much time again ;)   I am calling these Curly Q's.  They are so fun to quilt!!!  And yes, I am using my favorite 402 Pearl So Fine thread again, I just love how it blends!!!

So how about you???  Are your Wednesday's Wacky???

Holiday Weekend in the Mountains

This Labor Day weekend we packed up the kiddos and the trailer and headed up to the beautiful Fairview Mountains for my dad's side of the family's Reunion.

It was such a fun weekend!!!   I love that when we are camping with family the adults get to sit around and catch up on all the going's on while eating amazing dutch oven cooking :)

And the kids just love spending every ounce of time playing with their cousins :)

And there was quite a bit of riding around on the ATV's with their aunts and uncles as well.  So much so, that this little one got so tuckered out and took a nap mid ride ;)

What a great weekend.  And now that we are back, after I finish a few more loads of laundry, I have this lovely stack of Denyse Schmidt solids to cut into.  I love a new project for a new week!!!  Yippee!!