August Sew Sampler!!

Wow, August has just been great!!!  The kids went back to school in the middle of the month and we are all enjoying a little return to routine.  We had a great summer, but everyone was ready for some school structure (especially mom!!)   And I can't believe it's already the end of the month, but that's okay because it means my Sew Sampler Box came in the mail!!!  This month's theme was Sparkle & Shine, and it is just so fun!!!!  (and FYI, there is still a waiting list for the Sew Sampler Box membership, but I hear it turns over fast ;)

So let's get into this box!!   Alright, you all know how I like to make rainbow quilts, so I was over the moon to find a Petite 10" Squares of Modern Classics by Violet Craft.  This has 20 different color basics in it.   Such a pretty rainbow!!!  I can't wait to sew with these and the exclusive diamond divide pattern is so cool.   I really wan't to whip it up, but I am telling myself I have to finish a few of those WIP first.   Truly, I have so many right now, it's a little crazy ;)  

And then of course, there are the notions!! I love this brand new Oh Sew Clean Brush and Cloth Set!!!      I have been trying to be better about cleaning out my machine every 10 bobbins, and these brushes will make it so much easier!!!   And I already put the brushes and my tweezers and machine screwdrivers in that adorable Mini Stash N Store and set it next to my machine.  Now I have a double reminder to clean it and everything is in handy reach!!!   So fun ;) 

And of course, we have another Goodness Grows block to go with August!!!  This month the block is called  Dig Deep  and this block is just about as cute as they come :)   How fun are those little flowers all in a row, just so perfect!!!      I am so loving this sampler!!!

And that is my August Sew Sampler box  :)  And boy did it Shine and Sparkle!!!

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

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Star Surround!!!

It's  Thursday and that means another Tutorial Throwback feature.  And today's throw back isn't going very far back as a finish, but goes way back as a start to finish.  In fact, it is probally my longest "WIP" to date.    So here it is, the Star Surround!!!  This was started and the entire quilt top was made as part of the Star Surround Quilt Along back in 2013, but it actually didn't get quilted and finished until this year.   Crazy, but true ;)

The  Star Surround Quilt Along was one of my favorites.  I host a free Quilt Along each year, and this one still remains as one of the most popular I have hosted :)   We had 98 quilters participate and 33 quilts finished and shared at the parade!!   It was so great to quilt along with everyone and see all of the amazing designs!!!!  And the variety of finishes was incredible as the design was offered in 5 different sizes and 4 different layouts.  So fun!! (and a lot of quilt math, which I love ;)    And it's Fat Quarter Friendly and Julie of The Intrepid Thread made up this beautiful custom bundle for it.  

But the main reason I wanted to share this quilt as the Throwback today is because it now has a very special story to go along with it that I will cherish.   A few weeks ago, a very dear friend of mine had to say goodbye as her amazing sweetheart of  60 years slipped away in his sleep from complications of Alzheimers.  These two were the sweetest couple and dear neighbors and friends.   A few days later, my friend celebrated her 80th birthday.  I wanted to bring her something special and knew a quilt was just the right thing to wrap her in love.   But which quilt to give her??   After thinking over it for a bit, I decided on this Star Surround Quilt.  

I wrapped it up in a pretty bow and my daughter and I went to deliver it.   As you can imagine, there were hugs, and cries, and some laughter thrown in too.  But what was the best, as my sweet friend unwrapped the quilt she got tears in her eyes and told me Green was her husband's favorite and that every-time she wrapped up in it she would think of him.  Yup, more tears and hugs ;)   I can't even begin to explain how much I love that a quilt can bring peace and comfort.   It just makes me smile!!

I just love that every time I do the Annual Quilt Along at Happy Quilting, it will remind me of this quilt and my dear sweet friend.  Isn't it just amazing how quilts can have so many wonderful memories tied up in them.   It just makes me so grateful that I found this love of quilting way back and that I get to be part of something that brings such love and happiness and joy. 

I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!    I know I didn't talk about the quilt as much, but hey, that's what this throwback thing is all about.  To share the inspiration, and love, and stories of these quilts.   If you wan't to make your own Star Surround Quilt just click on any of the quilt name links.  This will take you to the page of my finished Star Surround and it has all of the links for each of the free step by step tutorials to make this this quilt start to finish.And when you are done, I would love to see your quilt!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  or or add it to my flickr group here ;)  I can't wait to see your Star Surround Quilts!!!


And one last thing while we are talking about Quilt Along's ;)   Just in case you missed it yesterday, I just announced this years Happy Quilting Quilt Along.  It's called Starstruck and it's going to be so much fun.   Be sure to pop in next Wed. for all the details on quilting along with me ;)  

Thanks for stopping by today and sharing this throwback with me.  
 I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

Starstruck Quilt Along!!!

Today is such a great day, in fact, It's one of my favorite day's of the year!!!!!!   Today, is the announcement of this years annual Happy Quilting Quilt Along, and I am so very excited :)     And I have so wanted to make a medallion quilt as a QAL for so long and this is the year it is happening!!!  So here it is, the Starstruck Quilt Along!!!!  Isn't it just so pretty!!!! 

So like in previous years, there will be easy step by step directions, and we will be on  a weekly schedule, but each week isn't to much, and it should be very doable to keep up :)   And you can choose to do a Wall Hanging, Baby Size, Lap Size, Picnic Size, Queen Size or King Size, just by how many borders you add on to the center design ;)   So whatever size project you want to make, it's up to you and they will all be awesome!!!   

Starstruck is a Fat Quarter Friendly quilt, but it would also make a gorgeous two color quilt!!! So if that has been on your to make someday list, I will be giving the fabric requirements for that option as well.   

Be sure to pop in next Wednesday for the Fabric Requirements.  I will be showing the design in a range of colors palates to get some ideas flowing for ya all!!!   And there will be a discount on Fat Quarter Bundles shared as well for all those participating ;)  And of course, I'll reveal fabulous fabric prizes that include weekly progress prizes and Grand Prizes at the end.   The Quilt Along will run from September through October with the big Finises Parade in November and is going to be oh so great!!!  Here is the schedule . . .

September 4th- Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement

September 18th - Cutting

September 25th - Wall Hanging Piecing

October 2nd - Baby Piecing

October 9th - Lap Piecing
October 16th - Picnic Piecing
October 23rd - Queen/King Piecing & Grand Prize Linky

November 13th- Starstruck Parade and Grand Prize Winners

It all starts next week!!!  So what do you say??  Do you want to Quilt-Along with me???  Grab a button and/or get your #starstruckquiltalong posting ready!!  We are going to have some amazing Starstruck Quilting Fun!!!

And for easy access, I will be updating the weekly links on the Quilt-Along Page as well as this post.

Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement

Cutting

Wall Hanging Piecing

Baby Piecing

Lap Piecing
Picnic Piecing
Queen/King Piecing & Grand Prize Linky

Starstruck Parade and Grand Prize Winners

I can't wait for next week!!!!   Hope to see ya there!!!!  

Terrific Tueaday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day so let's have some fun :)

First, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway :)

The winner of the  Anagram Fat Quarter Bundle from Green Fairy Quilts is . . .  Number #196 . . .   Congrats Lisa!!!   I have emailed you :)   

 

        

And 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 . . . there are so many to choose from and they are all just stunning!!!  Isn't this new Colors of Fall bundle just so great!!!   I love all of that Sunshine Yellow!!!    Along with hosting the giveaway, Jamie is having a  Fantastic Sale with with lots of amazing discounts!!!! And don't forget to pop over to Lou Lou's Fabric Shop each day for the Daily Deal!!! I love something new on sale each and every day, it's so fun to see what shows up :)  

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for some shopping goodness!!  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is offering one lucky reader a $25.00 Gift Certificate perfect to use on anything in the store, including any of the awesome Lou Lou Bundle's or on the Daily Deal!!  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 tell me what is the best way to start your day??

 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, September 3rd when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

New Scraptastic Stars Layout!!!

Thank you all so much for all of your help on deciding a favorite layout for my Scraptastic Stars quilt earlier this week!!! It was so helpful to have everyone's feedback!!!   And by far, that resounding thing I got was you all really liked Option B and Option D. 

 

  And so I decided why not try and combine both!!   I love that B keeps the chain going and is small so it doesn't distract, but I love that D has a complete chain , it just seems to get a little lots in that chunky sashing.   So I went back to EQ8 and kept the chain from D but made it skinnier so it won't get so lost, and then altered the border so it is a cleaner finish.    So what do you think??

I am so loving it!!!!  I think it is the perfect finish for these awesome blocks!!!   And someone suggested using a nice charcoal grey instead of black, Now I have one more decision to make.   Both are so awesome, only time will tell which color I end up using ;)

And it sounds like you were all big fans of this being turned into a pattern, so I will add that to my list of things to work on ;)  I am super excited because I think this would just be oh so fun to teach in a class setting!!!   We could talk Leaders and Enders, Sorting Scraps, and then piecing it all together!!  So great!!!

Thanks for your help and I hope you all are having a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!