WIP - Old, New, and In Between

So it's Wednesday, and today just seemed to be the perfect day to share some Works in Progress, and the first one is an old one, even though I realized, strangely enough, that I never shared the start of it here on my blog, I just had this Instagram pic  ;)

 Back at Spring Market,  I got a super fun Mini Quick Curve Ruler and started to play with it as soon as I got back home.  I loved the original Quick Curve Ruler (made this quilt with it) and knew I was going to love the mini as well!!!  My plan was to make a Mini Rings using the super adorable Olive's Flower Market by Lella Boutique.   I got all of the curved sub-piecing and cutting done (love that ruler!!!)  and then sadly, this fell to to bottom of the pile, which tends to happen when it doesn't have a deadline.  But . . . I got a call this week and my twin sister found out she is having a GIRL!!!!!   Deadline made and this quilt just flew to the top of the to finish list ;)   So excited to be playing with these fun curves again!!!!

And you know, I just can't help but adding new Works In Process.   A week ago I decided that I wanted to participate in the Moda Bella Challenge.   I had read about it a while back and didn't think twice as those super bold colors were a bit out of my comfort zone.  But then, after seeing so many great pictures from Quilt Con and such an amazing display of bold and beautiful quilts, well, it made me think that maybe its time for another little push out of my comfort zone :)  So I ordered 2 of the Bella Challenge Packs from Fat Quarter Shop and am ready to go.  Now, just to come up with a design.   More on this to come :)

And finally, my poor Splendid Sampler Blocks have been sorted and ready to sew into rows for almost a month now.   I really want to get these sewn together soon so that I can enjoy the finished quilt.  I mean, we spent a year sewing these blocks together, I would hate for it to take me another year to get them into a finished quilt ;)

So that's what I am working on . .  .What are you working on in your neck of the woods??

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 winners from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the Sweet Marion Layer Cake from Olie and Evie  is . . . Number #8. . . Congrats Kelly Wall !!!!! I have emailed you :)    

    

So on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  Julie is celebrating today because she is moving to a brand new shop!!!   You can now find The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co right over here.  And along with the new shop, she has a fun new logo!!  And, along with hosting the giveaway, Julie is helping us all to Celebrate at her new shop with 20% off any purchase with the code HQMMARCH!!!   Yippee, let's have some shopping fun!!!

And the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for a $25.00 Gift Certificate to The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  Yup, we all love a good little shopping spree in a brand new store!!!  Isn't it fun to get to pick out your favorites ;)

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 bird.  (I woke up this morning to birds singing and it made me so happy that Spring is on it's way :)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. love.   You can follow them on   Facebook,  or Sign up for their Newsletter (just scroll down a bit) .  Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, March 14th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Jacob's Ladder

So remember that Jacob's Ladder quilt that I had started . . . well, it's Finished!!!!    And I love, love, love it!!!!

So if you have been around here for a bit, you know that I like to make quilts for my Alma Mater (Southern Utah University).   And I tell you what, every time I am working on one, I am always grateful that my school colors are red, white, and black!!!  You just can't get a more classic combination of color and it is always so incredibly striking!!   And don't you just love how the solids pop!!! 

This was such a fun quilt to make.  And because I was using just 3 fabrics, I was able to strip piece all of the 4-patches so that really speed things up!!!   It went together super fast (I have had it done for two weeks I just didn't get pictures taken before the hand surgery :) and I just can't get over how much I love the crisp classic look of it!!!  I might have to make another one just the same for next years's homecoming ;)    You can see more about the pattern from Fat Quarter Shop right over here and watch the fun video as well.  

When it came time to quilt it I opted for a fun all over medium size swirl.  I love coming back to this design.  It was pretty much the first design that I felt comfortable with on the long arm and so it is always super relaxing and super fun and I was able to quilt the entire top in about 1 hour and 15 minutes and that's not to shabby ;)

Plus, I just love, love, love the wonderful overall texture it adds to the quilt!!!   So pretty ;)   It is always hard to choose a thread color on these red/white. and black quilts because whatever you choose, it is going to stand out on either the red/black or the white.   But I was happy with the lovely 402, pearl, which blends perfectly on the white, and pops just a bit on the red and black ;)

And that is my Jacob's Ladder quilt!!!   I am so excited that I get to cross this classic quilt of my "to make someday" list.   Although, like I said, it was so much fun, I might just add it again :)   If you have a Jacob's Ladder quilt on your bucket list, you just might want to give it a try. . . trust me, you are gonna love it!!!

Thanks for popping in today and sharing this fun finish with me ;)

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

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

February Bee Block and IGQuiltFest

I know it is March, but I mailed off my Tic Tac Toe block in February so I am still counting my Bees Knees as on time, yippee!!!   Nedra asked each of us to make a super fun Tic Tac Toe block using the tutorial from Blossom Heart Quilts.   I totally loved making up this block, and I just love the fun bold fabrics Nedra choose to really make that X pop!!!   And you know it happens every month, but now I want to make an entire quilt of these fun X's ;)

And I wanted to add a quick shout out for IG Quilt Fest!!!!  If you have followed along with Amy's Quilt Festival's in the past you know there is endless amounts of quilty eye candy.  But this time, it is changing up a bit and moving to Instagram.  So, if you use Instagram and want to play along, it's going to be so much fun!!!   There is a daily prompt and it is just going to be a blast getting to know so many great quilters!!!    And if you don't Instagram, you can always just pop over to the #IGQuiltFest Here and check out all the fun :) 

And just those two little tidbits to share today ;)  I am excited to share a quilt finish tomorrow so be sure to pop back in!!

Happy Quilting!!!

Bella Skill Builder - Orange Peel

Oh my goodness, it's March already!!!  Where did February go :)   But the fun thing about the 1st is it means it's another Bella Skill Builder day ;)   I am having so much fun with the Bella Skill Builder hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop and Sherri McConnell!!!!  And this month's skill builder blocks are some of my favorite . . . Orange Peel Blocks!!!   

I am continuing with my tone on tone blocks and this month I chose pretty greens and orange, because you know, orange peel block :)    For the large version of the block I used  Amelia Orange and Mango.  And for the smaller version of the block I used Bella Solid Citrine and Avocado.   

I always love a bit of applique, and having the Impressions templates really speed up the process.  But if you don't have them, no worries, there are templates in the free pattern.  The reason I like the Impressions templates is because the shape is simple enough that you can cut them out with a rotary cutter.  Although with my hand at the moment, I opted for scissors and a helper ;)  Instead of the turned method shared in the Orange Peel Video by Sherri and Kimberly, I opted to stick with my favorite raw edge applique because not having to turn was just easier on my hand at the moment.  (I shared an applique basics video here with this method ;)  A little HeatnBond Lite and orange peels are forming in no time.   Then it is just secure stitching them down with a coordinating thread color and a favorite stitch.  My favorite for raw edge applique is the blanket stitch.   

And then all that is left is to sew all of those fun little baby peel blocks together into a finished orange peel block!!!   I just love how the design comes together and the great secondary designs created with the orange peel.   So fun!!!  

And because I am changing up my layout a bit and sticking to 12" blocks, I made a super giant Orange Peel block with the 6" templates.   I just love how big and bold it is.   And it is fun to see the design in the round without the secondary star design.   It really does look like a yummy orange ;)

And that is the Orange Peel block, the second set of blocks in the Bella Skill Builder!!!!  Be sure to download  the free pattern and watch youtube video.  And also pop on over to the  Fat Quarter Shop's blog, Jolly Jabber  for lots more Orange Peel details and wonderful Orange Peel eye candy from lots more blogger friends ;)  I can't wait to see what next month brings!!!  It's not to late to come work on the Bella Skill Builder with me??? 

Have a 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 winners from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the Farm Fun Mini Fat Quarter Bundle with Panel from Fabric Please!  is . . . Number #198. . . Congrats Lindsay Rodems !!!!! I have emailed you :)    

    

So on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Olie and Evie.  Rhonda has an adorable Etsy shop and she has just packed with lots of new wonderful pre-cuts and beautiful yardage!!!  And Rhonda is having an awesome Blowout Sale with yardage priced from $3 - $7 a yard!!! Lots of pre-cuts are at reduced prices as well :)   This is a great time to buy backings for quilts, replenish favorite prints, backgrounds and solids!!!  So 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 Sweet Marion Layer Cake by April Rosenthal for Moda!!!   Do you remember yesterday when I said how much I have been wanting this fabric . . . ya,  totally wishing I could enter today's drawing :)   So awesome!!!

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 a favorite Sweet treat to eat ;) 

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Olie and Evie love.   You can follow them on  Facebook, Instagram at their blog, or Favorite their Shop, 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,  March 7th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

February Sew Sampler!!!!

My February  Sew Sampler box  arrived and I have to say, it was such a pick me up after surgery!!!   I just can not say enough how fun it is to have this arrive in my mailbox and just thrill and finding all of the fun surprises inside!!!  And I don't know how the folks at Fat Quarter Shop do it, but each month, I always find just what I needed that month, or just what I super hoped for :)

And this month, I was so super hoping for Sweet Marion!!!!!   I have loved this fabric line from the moment I saw April's sneak peak of the trimmings :)   I just love the beautiful colors and the prints are so precious!!!  And now I have a whole Jolly Bar that I am just itching to make something with :) And I was also so happy to also get one of April's awesome patterns.  If you have never tried a Prairie Grass Pattern before you totally should, April does a fantastic job with her patterns!!!!

And this month's notions were so great, and again just what I needed!!  Some of my favorites included a new seam ripper, (and no joke, I just tossed out an old one) and some awesome clover clips, which can you believe, I didn't have any until now!!!  And I was so excited about That Purple Thang.  I have heard so much about these and was thinking about ordering one last week when I was trying to turn a lightening bolt (greek week at school) rightside out to stuff and was going nuts trying to get all the points to stick out.   But then of course, I got distracted and forgot.  So nice that Fat Quarter Shop read my mind!!!

And I might have only been able to use a few fingertips of my right hand, but I still had to whip up the monthly sampler block the day after surgery.   It so made me smile to be able to sew this block up!!   And no worries, the HST's were already done so I didn't have to trim or anything (which would have been a bit more difficult ;) just a little bit of sewing and pressing that I managed to do with my left hand ;)    Isn't is so great how sewing can just be the prefect happy therapy!!

And now, I get to look forward to the end of March when my next Sew Sampler Box  arrives .  What should I hope for next month :)

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

P.S.   Again, thank you so much for all of the well wishes this weekend.  I got to take off the temporary bandaging yesterday which has allowed me a lot more mobility and I was able to sew for a whole 45 minutes yesterday without my hand hurting at all.  I stopped at 45 minutes as I am trying to take it easy and not push the healing the process.  But it was so nice to sit at my machine and have some serious happy quilting time :)  

Thank You!!!

I can not say thank you enough for all of your sweet well wishes on my recovery!!!  Wow, you all are amazing!!!  Your sweet words brightened my day and I just can't say how very much they mean to me.  I wish I could write back individually, to personally say Thank You but sadly, I am not so fast typing one handed and I get frustrated and start using both, and then I am not really following that advice to take it easy and let my hand heal ;)   

So please know that each of your kind words were read and each made me smile :)  

  Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!  

I've said it before, and I will say it again, Quilters are the Best!!!!!

CTR = 2 More Cuts

 So yesterday morning this happened :)  CTR stands for Carpal Tunnel Release.  The surgery went fantastic and a huge thanks to Dr. Allen and his team for taking such great care of me!!!  So what does this mean . .  .  Well thanks to the wonderful world of medicine, it meant 2 cuts on my wrist and hand and then a little scope surgery, and now, 3 weeks of no Rotary Cutting or Long Arming ;)   So ya,  remember on Wednesday when I shared that I cut out 4 projects . . . well, there was some motivation behind that ;)

And while I can't rotary cut or Long Arm . . . there was no mention of no sewing :)  And I already tried and can sew with barely moving my right hand, I just move my whole arm instead of my wrist to guide the fabric through ;)       I can  use my finger tips a little this morning so that was happy news as I can now type this post (albeit very slowly :)    But of course, I will need to take it easy to allow everything to heal properly.  Basically, the kinder I am on my hand, the quicker I can get back to normal!!

And getting back to normal would be great.   Things were getting a little to painful there and after dropping a third glass of milk in a week when my hands go numb . . . well, it was time to get this taken care of.   Here is hoping the right wrist heals quickly because the left will be soon to follow ;)

So if things slow down just a bit over the next few weeks you will know that I have decided CTR is standing for Choose The Right and letting my hand heal :)    

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

P.S. I can't even remember this picture being taken after surgery, but it cracks me up how totally out of it I look ;)  Gotta love anesthesia!! 

Cutting and then some more Cutting ;)

So the last few days have been spent doing a whole lot of cutting!!!   Want to see all of the pretty fabrics I have been playing with and what I have planned for this month . . .

First up, some scraps from a new project I have planned using these gorgeous prints from Ava Rose, Deena Rutter's newest line for Riley Blake Designs that will release in March ;)  And this new project will be coming in the way of a new tutorial, just sayin!!!    I am so super excited and am already just loving playing with these gorgeous teals, blues, and corals, so pretty!!!

Next up (and this cutting probably took the longest) some lovely strings that went on for days in beautiful blues and greens.   These strings are 1 1/2" wide and will be for a little secret sewing ;)   I had so much fun digging through my stash drawers and chopping off a little strip of every print in my blue and green drawer.   Now I figure, as they are all so skinny, I think I am going to starch them all . . . that might not be quite as fun ;)

When I  finished up with my strings, it was time to cut up some paper piecing to make a Cake . . . well a Cake Mix that is :)   This is a  fun, new  paper piecing product from Miss Rosies Quilt Co. aka Moda Rosie and she talks all about them over at the Moda Cutting Table.  And you should totally watch the video, it is so fun!!!   I can't wait to share what I am whipping up with these :)

And finally, a quick project that I decided on last minute because I just couldn't bear to fold up fabric that was already ironed ;)   You see, last month I did a little secret sewing using beautiful blues and greens from Blueberry Park by Karen Lewis.   I was using 28 Fat Quarters and had a good Fat Eighth left of each and so I didn't want to throw them in the scrap drawer and was debating folding them back into a nice little bundle.  Then I through, why not just cut out a quilt!!!    I decided on the Mosaic pattern from Fat Quarter Style by It's Sew Emma.    It used up just about every bit of fabric I had left just perfectly and it will be quick and easy to sew together and make a beautiful new bedspread for one of the boys.   

So ya, a prime example of why my "to make" list just keeps growing ;)    And of course, I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

So now . . . I think it is time to start sewing!!!

Have you cut up any new projects to start recently . . .tell me about them in the comments ;)  

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 winners from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the Rustic Elegance Fat Quarter Bundle from Lou Lou's Fabric Shop  is . . . Number #307. . . Congrats Vicki H !!! I have emailed you :)    

  

And we also need to pick a winner of the Splendid Sampler Celebration!!!   The winner of the Irish Chain Quilts and a rainbow goodness fabric surprise from me  is . . . Number #292. . . Congrats Nancy !!! I have emailed you :)  

  

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fabric Please!   And today is a super special day for Rita as Fabric Please! is celebrating it's 2nd birthday!!!   Help them celebrate with an extra birthday surprise in your order (so fun!!!) and Free Shipping in Canada and the USA by using the code SHIPFREE!!!  So be sure to pop on over and help them Celebrate!!!

And Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for some adorable fabric goodness!!! Fabric Please!  is offering one lucky reader a totally adorable set of  Farm Fun Mini Fat Quarter Bundle with Panel :)  I mean, how cute are those adorable stuffed farm animals with their cute little babies in the pouch!!!   So 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 a favorite farm animal :)

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fabric Please! Love!!!!   You can Sign Up for their Newsletter (on the right hand side :)  You can follow them on  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram.  Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Fabric Please! Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, February 28th, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

February Aurifil Designer BOM

The February Aurifil Designer Block of the Month was released a few days ago and I had so much fun sewing it up this morning!!!   February is all about Blue-Purple and  Maureen Cracknell's super adorable Dutch Treat block  has me hoping for spring soon :)  Isn't it just so fantastic!!

I had such a good time really digging through my scrap drawer to find the perfect blue-purples ;)   It is such a fun color because it really does look blue sometimes and other times it looks more purple.   So fun!!!  And I love how well the prints play with that fun white/grey background.   Sometimes even it reads a little blue-purple in the right light.  

This block went together fast.  I truly think I spent more time looking for and cutting up the right fabrics than actually piecing the blocks, not that I am complaining about that, it is always fun to look through pretty fabric scraps!!  I am debating adding some stitching in that gorgeous Aurifil 1200 Blue Violet .   It is just such a perfect match, I just need to decide what to stitch ;)  

So that is my Aurifil February Block!!!  You can find the Maureen's fantastic pattern for this block right over here and then be sure to pop over here to read Maureen's interview.   She is such an amazing fabric designer and it was so fun to get to read all about what inspires her!!!  

I am so looking forward to March because it is my month and I can't wait to share my block!!!  

Have a Happy Quilting Saturday!!!