Star Surround Finish . . . Finally!!!!

Well, today is an exciting day because today I get to share my oldest Work in Progress all finished!!!  I can't think of a better way to start the year out then with a finish that has been waiting since Sept. 2013 to be completed!!!     So without further ado . . . Here is my Star Surround Quilt all quilted and bound and ready to be loved!!!! 

So, if you can't remember (because ya know, 5 years) Star Surround was my Annual Quilt Along that I hosted back in 2013.  We had nearly 100 folks quilt along and some amazing finishes, in fact, you can still see the Parade of Finishes over here!!!  And, if you want to make your own, just like all my Quilt Along's all the posts are still available.   Here is a quick link to each of the tutorials for making this quilt ;) 

Teaser Post
Schedule, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes
 Cutting
 Half Square Triangles
Flying Geese
Building Block Centers
Building Block Surround
Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky
Parade and Grand Prizes

And so why so long to finish this quilt.   Truth, I'm not really sure.  It just kind of happened.   I finished my quilt top right along with everyone else's back in 2013 but then I had a deadline project so I didn't quilt it right away.   So I hung it in a closet since it was all pressed and ready (which I don't do anymore!!!) and sort of forgot about it in there.    Then two years ago, I was participating in some online prompt of pictures and it asked for your oldest WIP and I remembered this in the closet.   So I pulled it out, and put it on the "to be quilted ironing board" by the long arm.   But I was thinking it needed some major custom quilting, and I knew that would take a little bit, so other quilt tops kept being put on top of it, that would be faster.    And needless to say, it got buried for a while again. Until I finally decided, it was how I was going to start the new year, and it didn't matter how I finished it, just as long as I finished it!!! 

And I am so happy to have it done, because I just love it!!!  I always loved this design!!!  You all know how much I like to make star quilts, and I just loved the surround and the secondary designs it created.   And I made mine in the 96" x 96" big queen size, so now it can be used and loved ;)

So the quilting, like I said, I just wanted to finish it!!!  So I did an all over loose feather design, which is so fast and so fun to quilt!!  The whole time I was quilting it, I just kept thinking to myself, why did you wait so long for something that took 3 hours to do!!!   And I even had the binding all ready to go.  Yes, it has been sitting on a shelf for 5 years!!!  So it went right on after this came off the frames. 

And it just looks so awesome!!!  This pic cuts off three of the Stars, (it really is a big quilt!!!) but it is the best to show the actual design.   I love these big blocks, and it is just going to be a stunner on a bed :)   Know to just decide whose bed to put it on, tee hee hee.  

And that is my Star Surround Quilt Along Quilt!!!   And I am so, so, so happy with the finish!!!   And I want to say thank you to everyone that quilted along with me back then,  as well as to those that have participated in other Quilt Along's with me throughout the year.  It really is so much fun to sew with you all.   And I promise, I won't ever let one of these hang out this long again!!!  In fact, with this done, I only have 2 quilt tops waiting in the "to be quilted" pile, and that just makes me smile!!!

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

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

Dessert Sampler - Blocks 6 and 7

I pulled out some of my Dessert Sampler blocks earlier this week as it has been a little while.  I just love having these blocks to work on between projects.  No hurry, no rush, just piecing whenever.    This is Block 6 of my Dessert Sampler . I just love how the low volume mix into this block, so fun!!!

And, then I was having fun, and so I continued on with Block 7.   Block 7 calls for a special ruler tha I had accidentally missed over, so I just made a plastic template instead and it worked great.  I had to fudge a few seams where I hadn't cut quite as perfectly, but all in all, I think it came out super cute.    And I just love the teal in the center of a sea of lime and mint greens:) 

And now, I am excited to go through my figgy goodness and decide which prints to use for Block 8.   Picking fabrics is one of my favorite parts of making a sampler quilt :)  It is just so fun planning out each and every single block!!!! 

So how about you . . . have you started a new long term project for the new year???

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Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day, so let's have some fun!!!

First,  lets announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway :)

The winner of the $50.00 Gift Certificate from   Maker Valley is . . .  Number #53 . . .   Congrats Vicki in MN!!!   I have emailed you :) 

    

 

        

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Green Fairy Quilts.  Green Fairy Quilts is your home for pre-cut goodness and they always have amazing sales going on every weekend on a selected pre-cut or notion!!!  And did you know that Green Fairy Quilts has a Deal of The Day!!!   Be sure to check those out for some major quilting savings!!!

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway, Green Fairy Quilts will be giving one lucky reader a Regency Ballycastle Jelly Roll by Christoper Wilson Tate for Moda!! How pretty are these prints, and in such beautiful blues and cremes.  It will make a stunning quilt for sure :)

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 go-to fast dinner?? (tonight has all the kids going here and there, and I need something other than pizza :)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Green Fairy Quilts love.   You can Sign up for their Newsletter which I highly recommend as it will ensure you catch all of their amazing sales!!  You can follow them on Twitter or Facebook,  or you can visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Green Fairy Quilt Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, January 15th 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 Little Bit of This and That

I was hoping to have a finish to share today, but sadly, I managed to catch a cold on New Years Eve and it is just lingering.  So I have been wandering around, trying to do a little of this and a little of that, so I feel like I am at least getting a little something done.

And I have to say, it felt awesome to package up these bee blocks and get them in the mail.  Thank heavens for online postal service, so I didn't even have to go out of the house (which I haven't left since said cold came on, so I am looking a little disheveled :)    These blocks are for Charlene, and I just love the happy little log cabins!!  So fun!!!

And then, on Tuesday I got up a little energy and took one of my Christmas presents out of the box and set it up ;)  How cool is this Literacy Stand for my patterns!!!  It will make it so much easier when I go to teach, I have so many patterns now, they don't all fit on the table ;)   And I just love how neat and tidy this will make things going forward!!!

I have been sewing Selvage Strings on and off this last week when I feel up to it.   I am just about ready to work on the tutorial, I think.    I am really loving making these blocks, and they have been a happy point in the last week.  It's amazing how just sitting down to sew for a few minutes can even chase the blues of a cold away, for a little bit anyway ;)

And finally today, my brain was a little less foggy, so I started to work on writting my new pattern!!! No worries, I didn't work on the math part, just making the images, as I can do that with half a brain ;)  My least favorite part of making a new quilt for a pattern, is obviously, the actual writting of it.   Way more fun to cut it, piece it, and quilt it!!!   And I had a great time quilting this new quilt after Christmas and wen't all out custom work on it!!!  I have to say, I am pretty proud of the quilting :)  More on this new pattern to come, and hopefully very soon!!!  I can't wait ;)

So ya, a little of this, and a little of that ;)  Like I said, I am so grateful that even when I feel pretty lousy, I can snatch little sewing sessions that lift my spirits and make me smile ;)    And a few Clorox wipes to disinfect the sewing space each time, and I'm good to go :)  

So how is your New Year going???  Are you doing a little of this and that as well, or going all out on something for the New Year???

December Sew Sampler Box!!!

So ya, I got a little behind :)  I meant to post this last week, but honestly.  That week between Christmas and New Years is pretty much a blur right.  Does anyone get anything done in that week or is that just me :)  So, here it is, a few day's late but still just as awesome,  my December Sew Sampler box !!!      The theme for the box is Winter with You and it is just all kinds of quilty goodness that has me wanting to stay inside from the the cold and quilt ;)

For starters, there is an entire kit for making this super cute Avondale Tote Bag!!!  Ya'll know I love making Charming Totes, and I think this one will have to squeak in the next time I need a tote.   The Woodland Rose fabrics are so pretty and will make such a soft tote ;)   And how sweet is it that I have everything I need to make it up!!!   I especially love the patchwork handles!!!

And I always love unpacking the notions :)  It's just so fun to see what fun little goodies Fat Quarter Shop sends.  This month has some super cute Cherry Gingham Heart Snips :)   How adorable are those!!!  And I am happy to say, that mine have already been used a ton.  My SIL was visiting this last week and she does amazing crochet, and was working on it while we chatted and I noticed the scissors she was using were super dull.   So I gave her these, and she just loves them, and that makes me smile :)   And I was totally geeking out over the Tula Pink Tweezers.  Ya, I am a Tula Fan, and I have loved the cool rainbow sheen of her hardware, so I am so excited to have my first piece.    And it was also a great reminder to clean my machine, tee hee hee ;)     And last but not least, you can never have enough Aurifil Thread, and this will make up the tote perfectly :)

And of course, with a new box, there is a new Barn Block!!!  And this month's block had a bit more piecing in it, and I actually redid a block from earlier in the eyar with similar piecing, so I was working on this for a bit.   But I love the look of it, so fun!!!  Only 2 more blocks to go in this Barn Raising ;) 

And that's my December Sew Sampler Box!!!    And I can't wait to see what the New Year brings in my next little Aqua Box ;)

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

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Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day, and the first one of the New Year!!!

So lets announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway :)

The winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate from  Olie and Evie is . . .  Number #124 . . .   Congrats ShirleyC!!!   I have emailed you :)     

 

        

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is a special surprise for the New Year.   The wonderful folks at Maker Valley are sponsoring today's TTGD and if you haven't heard of Maker Valley, boy are you in for a treat ;)  They make the most amazing sewing related T-Shirts and they are so,so, soft!!!  I wear my Sew a Needle Pulling Thread T-Shirt as a PJ top every single day.  They also have other sewing related items, like amazing enamel pins that are so trending right now!!!  And they are even offering   15% off your cart for all Happy Quilting readers with the code   HQM15, good through Saturday.   So be sure to pop on over and check it out!!!

And Maker Valley has a fantastic surprise for Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!!     Maker Valley is giving one lucky winner a $50.00 Gift Certificate to use in their shop!!!    So awesome, someone is going to get a wonderful shopping spree for the New Year :)  

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 if you made any New Years Resolutions, and if you did,  feel free to share one :) 

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Maker Valley love.   You can follow them on  Facebook, Instagram , Twitter,  or  Pinterest or sign up for their newsletter (on the bottom of the page) or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Maker Valley Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday,  January 8th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

2018 is a Wrap!!! Bring on 2019!!!

I say this at the end of every year, but this really is a  favorite post to write each year!!!    I just love being able to step back and see everything that I was able to accomplish in the past year :)  And then I get even more excited to start thinking up plans for the next year :)  So as I close up 2018 here at Happy Quilting,  here is a quick look of what has been happening over the past year!!

33 Quilts 

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

5 Mini's & Projects

 Countless Blocks including:
  Barn,  Bee, Countdown to Christmas,  Dessert Sampler, Selvage Strings, & Spelling Bee

And a Whole lot of Teaching!!! 

And there's  Happy Quilting 2018, all rounded up in 4 little pictures :)  Wow, this year sure has been packed with a whole lot of quilting fun!!!   And it is just so amazing to see it all together in one neat little summary ;)   You can see more details about all of the quilts in my Quilt Archive Tab at the top of the page including links to the quilts with tutorials and of course, the annual Quilt Along ;)

I am just so incredibly grateful to have found quilting!!!  I never would have guessed starting a quilting blog would lead me to where it has today, and it continues to be just an absolutely amazing journey!!!!  This is such an incredible industry to be a part of and I love that it helps connect me to so many amazing quilters like you :)      I can't thank you enough for your comments, emails, and pictures.  They mean so much and make me smile each and every day.    It is such a blessing to be able to share my love of quilting with you all and I truly can't thank you enough for coming back each day and being a part of Happy Quilting!!!

And now, It's time to look forward to 2019!!!

Wow, that is just crazy.  2019!!!  Can you believe it.  Time certainly flies when you are having fun ;)  I started Happy Quilting in the summer of 2010 so it is now 8 1/2 years old.  Amazing!!!

So what does 2019 hold in store . . . Lot's more Happy Quilting :)     I have lot's of ideas and some big plans in the works and I am so very excited for it all!!! 

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 while trying to keep up with life as well ;)   For the plans I have made, 2019 might be a little bit more intense than 2018, so I have made my goals accordingly.    Some of these are repeats from previous years and some are new, but all are important for me on this amazing journey.


1 -  Share Along The Way
2 -  Evaluate The Additions
3 -  Focus Inward
4 -  Mommy Before Quilter, Always

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 2019 Creative Journey!!

And One Last Thought Before I Wrap This Up . . . and I always feel like I just can't fully express this enough.  Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!   To each of you from the bottom of my heart.  I have been sharing in this little space for quite some time now, and the reason I keep coming back to write is because of you :)   It just wouldn't be a Happy Quilting space without all of my Happy Quilting friends to be a part of it!!!!

And I guess that means it is time to say goodbye to 2018 and look towards 2019!!!!!  May it be filled with  a whole lot of Happy Quilting!!!!!!

Jacob's Leftovers Quilt

I have been trying to squeak in a few more finishes before the end of the year, and while I can't show you all of the finishes from the last week, I can share this one.  I call it Jacob's Leftover's and it just makes me smile from ear to ear because it was designed and made up to use up bits and pieces that were leftover from other quilts, hence the name ;) 

So you might recall, but the Clementine quilt I made back here had a really neat setting.  But with that really neat setting came a bunch of rather large leftover triangles.    And I loved the super low volume  feel of them, and didn't want to just relegate them to the scrap drawer.  So I made them into HST's because they always come in handy, right :)   

And then I remembered, I had a whole bunch two patches sitting in a drawer from when I made the little cutting error back here, and was trying not to waste but then couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with the two patches.      So I made the Two Patches into Four Patches and then it hit me.

 Half Square Triangles and Four Patches made me think of this quilt I made last year, and I knew it was the perfect fit.   A Jacob's Ladder for my Leftovers ;)  I even used some leftover yardage for the borders and binding, and as you can see, I had to add a little red in that binding as I ran out of my leftovers.  But I think that just adds a special little pop ;) 

I quilted it with my new favorite all over Loose Feathers.  Seriously, I remember how scared I was to do this for the first time because feathers were so intimidating, now I can't get enough of it.  It is just so fun to quilt and so fast.   Perfect for those last minute quilts you are trying to finish before New Years ;) 

And that is my Jacob's Leftovers.  It finished at 70" square and since this was made from leftovers, I don't really have a purpose for it at this time.   It could be really cute at the family cabin, or maybe a  gift for a wedding.  We'll see  where it ends up, but for now, I am just pleased as punch with the finish and what better way to end out the year than with an all leftovers quilt :)

Thanks for stopping in today and I hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a Happy New Year!!!

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

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day on Wednesday ;)    Yup, were coming to you a day late today, but  things got a little festive around here, and I didn't have time to post this yesterday.     I have had a wonderful past few days spent with family and friends enjoying the Christmas holiday season ;)    I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!! 

So now, lets announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway :)

The winner of the $30.00 Gift Certificate   from Shabby Fabrics is . . .  Number #45 . . .   Congrats Joy!!!   I have emailed you :)     

 

        

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Olie and Evie.  Rhonda has just added a whole lot of inventory so you are going to want to check out the fabric shop.  And she is also having an amazing Year End Clearance with 25% off all items in stock with the coupon code   YEAREND2018.  (this code will not work for pre-orders items, only those in stock ;)  So be sure to pop on over and check it out!!!

And Rhonda's has a fantastic Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!!     Olie and Evie  is giving one lucky winner a $25.00 Gift Certificate to use in her shop!!!    So awesome, someone is going to get a wonderful shopping spree for some end of the year 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 what one last thing are you trying to squeeze in to finishing in 2018?? :) 

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Olie and Evie love.   You can follow them on  Facebook, Instagram  or Pinterest or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Olie and Evie Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday,  January 1st when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

String-Along!!

Did you hear . . . Moda is doing a String Along!!!  As soon as I read the announcement I instantly thought of my Selvage String Stars that I had planned to make back here.    And then my jaw hit the floor when I realized that I made this plan 2 years ago and hadn't done a thing on it besides printing out the design.  My how time flies!!!

So I instantly grabbed some solid grey for the background and started cutting squares!!  I just knew I couldn't wait on this and that if I cut the squares, it would start happening!!!    I cut some squares from old fabric stuffed in a drawer to use as a foundation for my selvage squares.   And it was so awesome to have this start :)

And speaking of a start . . .  I had planned to wait for the String-Along to start before I started piecing any of my strings, but then I was just so excited to finally be starting this, I couldn't wait!!!  So I started Stringing-Along ;)  Before I knew it, I had two of the star centers done.

And then I figured, I might as well test how making HST's with strings would work.   Just in case you are wondering, they worked great!!!

And that meant I had enough done to make one of the half stars in the design.   Isn't it just so fun!!!  I don't know if I have enough selvages to do the whole quilt, but I for sure have enough to participate in the String-Along and make a serious dent in this project.   Mostly, I am just so excited to have this extra motivation to get started on this project!!!  Thanks Moda!!!

And on a side note, I am embarrassed to say, that when I first introduced this idea (2 years ago) ,   I offered to do a A Basic Sewing with Selvages Tutorials followed by a Selvage Star tutorial, and there was interest in that.   And then I never made the project so as follows, I never made the tutorials.   Would you still like to have some tutorials on these Selvages and Stars??