Crossroads - A Quilt Tutorial featuring Gingham Girls!!!

I was so very excited when my wonderful friend Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter announced that she can now add Fabric Designer to her list of many talents.   And when she asked if I wanted to make a quilt up using her debut line, Gingham Girls for Penny Rose Fabrics, I was absolutely delighted!!!!    And now I am super excited to get to share the finish with you all.   I call it Crossroads ;)

I just love Gingham Girls!!!  It is such a wonderful reminder of my childhood.  When I was little, my mother would make matching clothes for my twin sister and I.  She was always in red and I was always in blue (to help tell us apart ;)   And you better believe there were quite the few red and blue gingham summer outfits.    I was hoping to share a photo, but my Mom is out of town so there was no one to go searching through the old family albums.   Anyhow, you can just enjoy the pictures of these wonderful Gingham Girl Fabrics instead ;)

The fun thing about Crossroads is that I have been wanting to make it for sometime.  You might recall that I designed a block for Quiltmaker's Back to School Blog Party back here.   Well, ever since then, I have had it in the back of my mind just waiting for the perfect fabrics for the design.   And as soon as I saw Gingham Girls, I knew it was the perfect fit!!!   Doesn't it just make you want to have a summer picnic complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, and maybe even some fireworks!!!     

And like it says in the title . . . I have written a Quilt Tutorial for Crossroads!!!!   Yippee, now you can make your very own Crossroads quilt too :)   And it goes together super fast so you can totally have it ready in time for summer!!!     So let's get to it . . . 

Here's what you will Need:

(2)  Gingham Girls 5" Stackers 

2 Yards of Gingham Main Navy

2 1/2 Yards of White Solid

4 Yards of a Matching Print for Backing

STEP 1 - CUTTING

From the Gingham Girls 5" Stackers cut:

(16) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares

(128) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares  (that is 32 squares cut into fourths)  

From the Gingham Main Navy Print cut:

(4) 5 1/2" x width of fabric strips

(4) 3 1/2" x width of fabric strips

(7) 2 1/2" x width of fabric strips for binding  (which I actually already sewed and pressed before remember to take a picture ;)  

From the White Solid cut:

(4) 2 1/2" x width of fabric strips

(32) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles

(64) 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangles

(32) 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles

(64) 2 1/2" x 4" rectangles

(64) 2 1/2" x 2" rectangles

STEP 2 - STRIP PIECING THE ROWS

Well start by doing a little strip piecing.  If you have never done strip piecing before it is just like it sounds.  You sew the strips together first and then sub-cut the size pieces you need.   And because you are sub-cutting, it helps to turn your stitch length down just a bit.

So we will start by stitching (2) 3 1/2" x WOF Navy Strips onto either side of a  2 1/2" x WOF White strip.  And the strips are folded to fit them in the picture, but you want to be sure and unfold them when you start sewing.

Lay the White Strip onto the Navy Strip with right sides together.  Align the raw edges as you stitch a 1/4" seam along the entire length of the strip.   Repeat to make 2 strip sets.

Now you can add your second Navy strip to the set.   Place the second Navy strip onto the now sewn together Navy and White strip with right sides together.  Align as you go and stitch a 1/4" seam along the entire edge.  Repeat for the second set as well.

Press the seam allowances outwards towards the Navy strips.    You will now have 2 strip sets measuring 8 1/2" x Width of Fabric.

And now, you can subcut the strips into the size units we need for the block.  Layout both strip sets folded in half on your cutting mat and subcut the units 2 1/2" wide.   You will cut a total of (32) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" strips to make your short rows.    If you are new to sub-cutting strip piecing, there is a tutorial right here that will walk you through it in more detail ;)

Now repeat the same steps from above only use (2) 5 1/2" x WOF Navy Strips onto either side of a  2 1/2" x WOF White strip.  And again, you want to make 2 Strip sets and press them outwards.

Subcut these strips into units 2 1/2" wide as well.   You will cut a total of (32) 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" strips to make your long rows.  

So now you have (32) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" short strip pieced rows  and (32) 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" long strip pieced rows.  You can set these aside for the moment as we move to the pieced rows ;)

STEP 3 - SEWING THE PIECED ROWS

The next rows are all piecing and again there will be a Short Row and a Long Row.   For the Short Row layout (2) 2" x 2 1/2" white rectangles, (2) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" print squares, and (1) 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" white rectangles as shown below.   For the Long Row layout (2) 2 1/2" x 4" white rectangles, (2) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" print squares, and (1) 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" white rectangles as shown below.   You want to make 32 of each row so it is easiest if you just stack an additional 31 pieces onto each pile so all 32 sets of both rows are laid out.

To sew the rows together we chain stitch to save time.  If your not sure what chain stitching is I explain it in the next photo.   We will start with the Short Row.   Place the 2" x 2 1/2" White rectangles onto the 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" Print squares and chain stitch a 1/4" seam on all 64 sets (32 on the right and 32 on the left).  Then place the right hand pieced units onto the center 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle with right sides together.  Chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 32 sets.   Finally, place the left hand pieced units onto the center pieced 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle with right sides together.  Chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 32 sets.    You will now have 32 Short Rows.  

So, if you weren't sure about chain stitching, it is simply when you don't clip your threads in between sewing units.   So once you have sewn the seam along the edge of your first set, just simply feed the next set through.  You will end up with a big "chain" of stitching sets.   You can do this for each of the three steps above and it will save you a lot of time and thread ;)

Now with your short rows sewn, you can use the exact same 3 steps as above to sew the Long Rows that you have laid out.  It is the exact same except that in the first step you will be placing the 2 1/2" x 4" White rectangles onto the 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" Print squares and chain stitching.   You will make 32 Long Rows.

And now, it is time for some pressing!!  Press the seam allowances of all of your 32 short and 32 long rows inwards towards the print squares.   (Always good to put on a favorite movie at this part ;)

And now you have (32) 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" Pieced Short Rows and (32) 2 1/2" x 16 1/2" Pieced Long Rows.  Again, these can be set aside for the moment.

STEP 4 -  ASSEMBLING THE BLOCK

And now to make the block, it is just simply starting with the center and adding layers to it.   Again, we will be chain stitching, so each time you layout your units for the block, you will want to stack them in piles of 16 so it is quick and easy to chain stitch them.

Start by laying out a 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" print square, (2) 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" white rectangles, and (2) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" white rectangles as shown below.   Remember to stack 16 in each pile.

Place the 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" white rectangle onto the 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" print square with right sides together.   Chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all 16 sets.

You will want to chain stitch all 16 sets on the left hand side.  Then clip your threads.   Then, you are ready to chain stitch all 16 sets of the right hand side.   Easy as that.

Press the seam allowances outwards towards the white rectangles.   Then you can add the top and the bottom.   And it's just like adding the sides.   Place the top 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle onto the pieced center with right sides together and chain stitch 1/4" seam along the edge of all 16 units.   Then clip your threads and repeat for the bottom 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle chain stitching a 1/4" seam for all 16 units.

Press the seam allowances outwards again.  This makes the first layer of the block.  And now, you are ready to add the second layer.   Layout 16 Short Strip Pieced Rows on either side of the Center and 16 Long Strip Pieced Rows on both the top and bottom of the Center as shown.

And it is just like before.  Place a Short Row onto the Left hand side of the Center with right sides together and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 16 sets.  Clip your threads.   Then place a Short Row onto the right hand side of the Center with right sides together and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 16 sets.

Press the seam allowances Open (or to one side if you prefer :)   And just like before, you can now add the Long Row onto the top and bottom of the Center.  Chain stitch the 16 Top sets, clip the threads, and then chain stitch the 16 Bottom sets.

Press the seam allowances Open again (or to one side) .  This makes the second layer of the block.  And you are ready for the final third Layer.   Layout 16 Short Pieced Rows on either side of the Center and 16 Long Pieced Rows on both the top and bottom of the Center as shown.  (and sorry this picture is blurry, don't know what happened there ;)

Your an expert at this now ;)   Place a Short Row onto the Left hand side of the Center with right sides together and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 16 sets.  Clip your threads.   Then place a Short Row onto the right hand side of the Center with right sides together and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 16 sets.

Press the seam allowances Open (or to one side if you prefer :)   And you can now add the Long Row onto the top and bottom of the Center.  Chain stitch the 16 Top sets, clip the threads, and then chain stitch the 16 Bottom sets.

And Press the seams Open (or to one side) for the last layer and just like that your Block is done!!! And you have 16 of them each measuring 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" unfinished :)  And now it is time to sew up your quilt top!!!

STEP 5 - SEWING THE BLOCKS INTO A QUILT TOP

Start by laying the blocks out in 4 rows of 4 blocks.  Mix the block placement around until you get a color placement that is pleasing to the eye.

Now you are ready to sew the rows together.  To do this, simply place the first block onto the second block with right sides together. (shown in Row 1)   Align and pin the seams and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Then place the third block onto the now sewn together first and second block with right sides together. (shown in Row 2).  Align and pin the seams and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  And finally, place the fourth block onto your now almost sewn together row.  (shown in Row 3)  Align and pin the seams and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Repeat this process for all 4 rows.

Once the rows are all sewn together, time to move to the ironing board again.  I like to press the seam allowances open, but again, if you prefer you can press them to one side.  If you do that, be sure to press them in opposite directions for each row so they will nest.

And now, you are ready to sew the rows together into a quilt top.  This is the exact same process as sewing the blocks into rows, just on a larger scale.  Place Row 1 onto Row 2 with right sides together.  Align and Pin the seams.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Then place Row 3 onto your now sewn together Row 1 and 2 with right sides together.  Again, align and pin and stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.   Then repeat this process to add Row 4.

Now all that is left is to press the seam allowances, again, I prefer open but you can press to one side if you like.   Now just sit back and smile!!!  Your Quilt Top is Finished!!!!   (and yes, I somehow forgot to take a picture of just the quilt top, so you get the quilt finished, but it gives you the general idea, right ;)

STEP 7 - FINISHING QUILT

So now it is time to turn that finished quilt top into a finished Quilt ;)  Time to  Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It!!!  Which is a whole lot in one little sentence.  If you are new to quilting, you can see my Finishing Your Quilt Series of video tutorials that will walk you through Basting, Quilting, and Binding step by step ;)

When it came time to quilt mine I decided on an all over medium size swirl.   I used a favorite 402 Pearl thread that blends perfectly with the white and all the prints and I opted to use a puffier batting.  I just love how the higher loft gives it a more vintage feel.  

And the extra puff sure makes for some gorgeous texture!!!  Doesn't that just make you want to snuggle up with, maybe while you watch fireworks . . .  Yes, if you haven't guessed by now, I really like fireworks :)

Use the  (8) 2 1/2"x 42" binding strips you cut at the beginning to create a binding and add it to the quilt.  And your Done!!!

STEP 8 - ENJOY QUILT

And now, just sit back and enjoy your beautiful Crossroads Quilt!!!  It finishes at 64" x 64" so it is a great lap size.  And as you can see, with all that chain stitching it will go together super fast and is so much fun to make!!!   And Gingham Girls is just the perfect fabric for it to have that wonderful Summer Time Vintage Feel ;)

  

 I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and if you make your own Crossroads Quilt I would love to see it!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to social media with the hashtag #happyquiltingwithmc ;)  I can't wait to see your Crossroads Quilts!!!

 Thank you so much to Amy Smart for taking me back to my childhood while I played with these fantastic fabrics!!!!   And for more Gingham Girls fun, be sure to Hop over to Amy's blog  to check out her awesome patterns and some more blogger goodies :)

Thanks for stopping in today to share this tutorial.  And thanks for popping in each and every day.  I am just so grateful to have this space to share my love of quilting!!!

Have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

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

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 winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the $20.00 Gift Certificate from  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop  is . . . Number #251. . . Congrats Diane Beavers!!!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

So on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fabric Please!   Fabric Please! has all of your quilting needs. You'll find beautiful pre-cuts and bundles and of course, lots and lots of quilting yardage.  And of course, you don't want to forget to check out the Sale Section!!! 

And for Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway there are some incredible fabrics up for grabs ;)   Fabric Please!  is giving one lucky reader a  Modernist Layer Cake by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit Fabrics :)  I mean, how fantastic are those prints and colors!!!

 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 modern convenience you couldn't live without :)

 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.  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, May 18th, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Cedar Chest Quilt Retreat - Good Times Teaching!!!

Okay, so I was flipping through some pictures on my camera looking for one I took way back in February for my kids, and while I was searching for it, I came across my pictures from the Cedar Chest Quilt Retreat.  I was a little surprised these were still on my camera, so I looked back on the blog, and was shocked to realize that I never posted about this,  Oops!!!    I think it was because I taught at the retreat and then left for the cruise the next day, and you know how things tend to slip your mind when it has been a week ;)  Well, better late than never, right!!!

I absolutely love getting to teach at the Cedar Chest Quilt Retreat each year. Of course, I love everywhere I teach, but there is just something special about getting to teach in your home town ;)    I taught 2 classes on Friday,(and flew out on Saturday morning, good times!!)   The first class was  my Moroccan Lullaby class.    This was my first time teach this pattern as a class and I just loved it!!!  Everyone did such as a great job, and as you can see, there were a lot of block finishes!!!

And later that day, I taught my Corkscrew class.   This pattern comes with instructions for scrappy and non scrappy layouts so it was super fun to see everyone's fabric choices.   Isn't it just so amazing to see how different each finish looks just based on the fabrics.  I love that about quilting!!!

And finally, one of my favorite things about the Cedar Chest Quilt Retreat (besides the all-night sew, which I sadly missed this year because of the whole flying out thing :)  is that each year, everyone brings back their finished quilts from the classes they have taken in past years ;)   It is just so fun to see everyone's starts in class, and when I actually get to see the finish a year later, it is just incredible!!!  I just love it!!!  And how gorgeous is this finished Petal Pop quilt top that was shared ;)  Can't wait to see more of these pop up next year!!!

So as you can see, it was another great retreat this year here in beautiful Cedar City!!!  I am already looking forward to next year :)   

And if you are interested in taking classes from me in the near future and are in the Utah area, I am teaching at the Panguitch Quilt Walk on June 7-10 and at the Utah Quilt Fest on September 19-23  I would love you have you in one of my classes.   I know I say it every time, but I just love teaching quilting!!!

This and That

So, you might have noticed that I haven't shared a finished quilt in a few weeks.  That's not because I haven't finished anything, it's just that there has been a lot of secret sewing going on where I haven't been able to share.  But, that will all change after market ;)  And in the mean time, I finally got to get back to my Gingham Girls project!!!!  I cut these fabrics out over a month ago and had to set them aside.  But now that all the deadlines are pretty much met, it was time to pull these happy fabrics back out again!!!  I just love how these fabrics totally remind me of my childhood!  And I will be finishing up this quilt and sharing soon . . . think tutorial :)

And with all my head down, sewing like a crazy person, I totally forgot to share my April Bee Block for Cynthia.  But I am happy to say that it was indeed mailed off in April ;)  The block was super fun and fast to whip up and I just love all of the bold Denyse Schmidt fabrics.  

 And finally, I wanted to give you a heads up!!!   For 4 days, (May 10-14th)  Fat Quarter Shop is offering 15% off on all Gift Certificates!!!   What a perfect gift for Mother's Day, the gift of exactly what is on the wish list. (and on sale!!!)     TERMS: One promo code per customer, limit one gift certificate per order. Discount not available when paying with another gift certificate. Not combinable with other offers. We reserve the right to void gift certificates purchased or used fraudulently. Expires May 14th at Midnight

Now I am off to play with that Gingham Girls fabric some more ;)

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

Bella Skill Builder - Flying Geese

Well, it's past May 1st, but it's still the first week of May, right :)   And that means month 4 of the  Bella Skill Builder !!  Goodness, I am just loving making all of these fun tone on tone skill builder blocks and playing along with the Fat Quarter Shop and Sherri McConnell!!!!  And this month's were super fast because they are Flying Geese :)  And if you have been around here for any amount of time, you know I make a lot of Flying Geese!!!

For this month's tone on tone blocks I choose some reds, and teal blues.   I realized that I didn't have any red blocks so far, so that was a must.  And I just love how bold they are ;)      For the small version of the block I used Bella Dark Teal and Bright Turquoise.  And for the large version of the block I used Bella Country Red and Cayenne.   I am just loving playing with the rainbow of colors for these blocks!!  

The tutorial for these blocks have you use the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese Ruler, but I just used my favorite No Waste Flying Geese method.  Mainly because, it's what I know, and I have to say, I really love the No Waste part of it ;)    And before you know it, I had a whole flock of geese ready to be turned into blocks, so fun!!!

And I just love how they all come together!!!  Isn't it just so fun to see flying geese all in a row :)   They just looks so nice and clean!!   These are 3" x 6" finished geese so just 2 sets of no-waste geese to whip them up, so fast :)   And again, don't you juts love those rich reds!! They just emphasis the wonderful crisp layout.  

And then when it came to my second smaller block, I really debated on the layout.  These are 2" x 4" flying geese, and so I needed 18 for the block which left me with so many layout options!!!   But after playing for sometime, my need for symmetry took over.  All of my other blocks have the same layout in the big and small block, so I just had to follow along with that pattern.  So ya, the same crisp and bold layout, and I just love it!!!

And that is the Flying Geese block, the fourth 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 Flying Geese details and wonderful Flying Geese Block eye candy from lots more blogger friends ;)   It's not to late to come work on your skills and join in the Bella Skill Builder fun!!!   I can't wait to see what block we are making next month ;)  

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 winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the 3 Happy Quilting PDF Patterns  is . . . Number #182. . . Congrats HeatherK!!!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

So on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop .    Did you know that Jamie makes a new Lou Lou Bundle every Tuesday . . . this is today's, isn't it just goregous!!!  Along with hosting the giveaway, Jamie is having a  Fantastic Sale with yardage marked down as low as $6.00 a yard!!!!  Jamie is also offering all Happy Quilting readers has a special discount of  15% off your cart  with the code happyspring good until Saturday!!! (excludes pre-orders and items already on sale)  Oh, so much fun shopping!!!

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for some shopping goodness!!  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is offering one lucky reader a $20.00 Gift Certificate perfect to use on anything in the store, including the awesome Lou Lou Bundle pictured above!!  Just perfect!!!!

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.  (It sure is nice to finally have it warm enough to wake up to the birds chirping)

 ENTRY 2 - Lets show Lou Lou's Fabric Shop some Love!!!!   You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram.  Or you can follow their blog or  visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Lou Lou's Fabric Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, May 11th  when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

100 Blocks Volume 15 Block Tour Road Rally

I am so excited!!!  It's time for another 100 Blocks Blog Hop and this year it is a Road Rally!!!   Yup, time to cruise around for all kinds of fun while you check out the awesome blocks from Volume 15 of 100 Blocks Magazine (details here on the road rally).    My block is called Celtic Tricks and it is block #1456.  And oh my goodness, I just love this block!

I just love the 100 Blocks magazine!!!  The amount of creative goodness stuffed in its pages is just incredible!!  This is the 10th time I have had a block in 100 Blocks, so that makes this particular issue pretty special to me :)  And I had to squeal a little when the magazine arrived in the mail and I found my name on the cover.  So fun!!!

I made the Celtic Tricks block in prints from Desert Bloom by Sherri and Chelsi  for Moda.  It is such a fun block to put together!!!  And how cool does it look in a full quilt layout with half of the block rotated!!!!  It has so much amazing  movement and I just love the way the way the pieces intersect with each other to create some awesome secondary designs.

   

And Celtic Tricks makes for a fantastic scrap buster for all your leftover strings!!!  Just keep it random as you make up each of your blocks.   And it comes together in some super scrappy goodness!!!   This gives you the idea of a rainbow layout, but you could easily use reds and greens for a Christmas theme, or red, white, and blue for a patriotic quilt . . . the possibilities are endless when it comes to scrap happy designs :)  

And you can always change it up by just using two colors.  I love the fun optical illusion it creates in the black and grey, and hey, you could easily name this quilt design after the theme of the hop, Road Rally!!!  Now this image is making me look forward to our next family road trip :) My family loves spending time together as we travel to new places and see new things.   And we always look for a good DINER to stop at for dinner.  I just love a good down home burger, and my husband and kids love the super yummy shakes ;)  

    

And here's a little sneak peak of another version of Celtic Tricks!!!    Isn't it so pretty in pink ;)   I'm so looking forward to when I can share more of this quilt.   And I will give you a hint . . . think Quilts from 100 Blocks :)  

  

And now, I    It really is just a super fun block to put together and whips up pretty fast.   I hope you want to make up your own version as well, and if you do, be sure and share it with me.  Maybe it will help me decide which version to make ;)

And that's all of the Celtic Tricks Block . . . But don't go away yet!!  One lucky Happy Quilting reader will be getting the all the amazing block patterns in their own copy of Volume 15 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks!!!!

    

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - Winner is #88 - Beth!!! 

To enter is easy!!  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  One Entry per person please and I will announce a winner on Saturday, May 6th ;)

ENTRY - Simply leave a comment that tells me what kind of restaurant do you always look for when you travel??   (You know for me, its all about the DINER :)  

And be sure to pop on over to the Quilty Pleasures Blog for lots more 100 Blocks Posts, Eye Candy, and of course, lots more awesome Giveaways!!!

Oh, and by the Way . . . If you are stopping by for the first time, Welcome!!   I am so glad you visited and hope you will come back often.  I have so much fun sharing my passion for quilting here with lots of  free tutorials, giveaways, fabric eye candy, and of course, general Happy Quilting times!! And be sure to come back tomorrow for Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day :)


Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Happy Birthday Sew Sampler!!!!

Oh my goodness, I can not believe the Sew Sampler box is 1 Year old :)  And what an amazing year it has been ;)   I have loved every single one of my 12 boxes and continue to be amazed by the wonderful quality and value of each box :)   So of course, I was super excited for the April Sew Sampler box to arrive, and its all about a Celebration!!!  And oh my, there is certainly plenty to celebrate in this fantastic box!!!

I was so excited to see these beautiful pre-cuts of Coney Island by Fig Tree & Co.  I have played with this line for some secret sewing and it is just gorgeous!!!   And how fun is it that these are a new Pre-Cut size!!!  There Moda Treat's and measure 3 1/2" square.  So fun!!!  And wouldn't you just know it, I just happen to have a stack of white 3 1/2" squares that I accidentally over-cut for a project awhile back.  How perfect will they be together.  I don't know what they will be yet, but I know it will be so cute :)

And I love this super adorable Sewing Tin from Bee in her Bonnet.   I was just thinking the other day that I needed something to store all of my rotary blades in instead of just throwing them in my drawer.  Perfect!!!!  And you just can't help but smile at that Bee Happy :)

And the notions this month are just awesome!!!  I am so excited to use that Ruler Grip when trimming, it is going to help a ton, and of course, it totally reminds me to measure twice and cut once, which is always good :)   And one can never have to many Glass Head Pins ;)   And I haven't tried Peels, but I absolutely love the Bobbini's made by the seam company, so I am sure I will love the Peels as well ;)  

And last but not least . . .  the monthly sampler block.  It's a new Year which means a new Sampler Block Series.  And this year, the amazing Lori Holt has designed a Basket Block Sampler.  I am so excited as I had one of these on my To Make list for quite some time.  But man oh man, was it hard to choose the fabrics (which is why this post took a few more days to put up ;)   So, after some deliberation, I decided to go with a Freedom Bundle by Sweetwater for Moda and I am so excited!!!

And here is Basket Block #1 :)   Isn't it just so fun!!!   I am so loving the low volume background and can't wait to mix in all of the fantastic prints in other blocks.  I mean, what goes better with the 4th of July than Picnic Baskets ;)    And well see what comes, but I think I am already planning to use an on point layout, because ya know, you don't want things to fall out of your basket ;)

And now I am super excited to see what May's Sew Sampler Box will bring both in the fabric and notions goodies as well as the next block :)  Sometimes it is so hard to wait a whole month, tee hee hee.

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

Cake Mix Bake Off Finale!!!

Well, the Cake Mix Bake Off hosted by Fat Quarter Shop has been so much fun this last month ;)  But now, it is time for the official Cake Mix Bake Off Finale!!!!   Each week for the last 4 a finalist was chosen from each of the Cake Mix Recipes.  And here are the 4 finalists.  

From Cake Mix #1 I was super honored to have my Royal Quilt selected as a finalist.   I had so much fun making up this quilt!!  You can see lots more details about Royal, including the block layout I used to come up with this design, in my original post right over here ;)  

From Cake Mix #2 is Jocelyn's gorgeous quilt using Early Bird prints by Kate Spain.  I just love the way Jocelyn's rainbow that glides over the quilt.  Just so pretty!!!

Picture used from Fat Quarter Shop :)

From Cake Mix #3 is Nova's stunning runner using Sweet Blend prints by Laundry Basket Quilts.  I just love the fun interlocking design Nova came up with.  So bold and bright!!!

Picture used from Fat Quarter Shop :)

And from Cake Mix #4 is Denise's Happy Quilt using This'nThat prints by Nancy Halversen.  And indeed, this is a happy quilt.  Don't you just love all of those wonderful colors!!!

Picture used from Fat Quarter Shop :)

So there you have it . . . and now you get to choose who will wear the Cake Mix Bake-Off Crown!!!  Be sure to pop on over to the Jolly Jabber and vote for your favorite ;)  

And a huge thank you go Fat Quarter Shop for having me a part of this Fun Cake Mix Bake Off.  And also a huge shout out to Carrie Nelson for coming up with these amazing Cake Mixes!!!  They are just so much fun to play with and the possibilities are endless of what you can create ;)  I just love that!!!  In fact, I might have just finished up 2 new Cake Mix quilts yesterday.    I can't wait until I can share more ;)  Coming soon!!!   

Thanks for popping in today and I hope you have a very 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 winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the Guernsey Layer Cake from Shabby Fabrics is . . . Number #324. . . Congrats Melissa!!!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

So on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Happy Quilting!!!  Yup, little ole me today ;)  No need to tell you about any specials here, so let's get right to the giveaway ;)  One lucky winner will be receiving their choice of 3 Happy Quilting PDF Patterns.    

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 telling me what project you are currently working on ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Happy Quilting love. You can follow Happy Quilting on Bloglovin, Email Updates, or RSS to get daily updates.  Or you can like Happy Quilting on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Flickr.   Any one way will do . . . Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Happy Quilting Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, May 2nd, 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 funny thing happened on the way to the Quilt Shop

I have a fun little story to share today with a totally awesome ending!!!

 Last week, I realized that my Artista (Abby) Sewing Machine was long overdue for it's annual  maintenance and it was making a  funny noise so I figured I best take it in.  So I packed it up (a little begrudgingly, because its hard to go back to Bernadette as she isn't quite as reliable or fast) and my husband and I headed down to St. George to take it in for service.  On the way there, my husband just casually remarked  "For all the sewing you do, you really should have a second machine that is just as reliable as the first."   And I, being a little surprised, just smiled and said, "That would be nice indeed".    And a couple hours later I was walking out of the Bernina Quilt Shop with this little lady :)

I figured my sweethearts comment would simmer and maybe something would happen for Christmas . . .  but it was just one of things where everything worked out.  We walked into the shop to drop off my machine for maintenance, and they just happened to have a traded in Aurora 440.  Which was the other machine I was totally looking at when I got my Artista, and of course, my husband remembered that.  He just smiled and said "Call it an Early Mother's Day Present ;)"  Yes indeed, I sure do love that man of mine and am so very blessed to have him!!!!!!

And I am absolutely loving this new machine!!!!  No surprise that is quickly become my main machine and my Abby is now my back-up machine :)  It is faster, and quieter, and all together just awesome!!!  I have been heads down sewing like a crazy person all weekend and loving every minute of it :)  And it comes with the embroidery unit and I can take classes at the shop on how to use it, so maybe I will finally figure out how to do that little awesome bonus on this machine!!

Oh, and in case you are wondering, I figure she already has a name so no need to come up with a new one.  I am just so excited to welcome Aurora to the family!!!!!

Hope you are having a very Happy Quilting Day!!!  I'm off for some more chain stitching goodness :)