Grandstand Quilt and Fresh Fat-Quarter Quilts!!!

I was thrilled when my good friend Andy Knowlton asked if I wanted to be part of her new Fresh Fat-Quarter Quilts Book Tour .   I just love Andy, she is the nicest person you will ever meet!!!  And I absolutely love her quilt designs so of course, I was all in.    Andy's Fresh Fat-Quarter Quilts book is filled with 12 beautiful quilts all made with 6, 8, 10, 12, or 14 Fat Quarters!!   And who doesn't love Fat Quarters!!!

  And I knew right away which quilt I wanted to make first!!!   The Grandstand Quilt!!!!

You all know that I make Rally quilts for my Alma Mater, Southern Utah Universtiy, that raise funds for scholarships.   So with a name like Grandstand, it was a no brainer to make it up in red, white, and black for another amazing Rally Quilt!!!   

I absolutely love the geometric goodness of this quilt!!!  And I love that Andy added solid squares in the mix to give it a super modern feel.  It totally reminds me of Pete Mondrian's work.  So cool :)

And although the book is all about Fat Quarters,  I decided to raid my black and white scrap stash and was pleasantly surprised to find I had enough in scraps to cut all of the pieces for this quilt!!!   It would have cut out a lot faster in  Fat Quarters, but you gotta love that you can also make this gorgeous quilt as a scrap buster :)   I just added a Red Solid and Wha La!!!  

When it came time to quilt, I decided a nice open centered swirl would compliment all of those straight lines quite nicely.  I always love adding some curvy texture to a super straight quilt, it just goes so nicely.   And I love using red thread on the black and white prints and it just adds a little pop!!!

And I love that this Grandstand quilt finishes at 76" x 87" so it is a nice big size to snuggle up in.  Perfect for one of those frosty Utah football games ;)     And I was so happy that the array of lights and darks in the prints really added an extra depth to the quilt.  So fun!!!

And that is my Grandstand Quilt!!!   And I am just thrilled with the way it came together.  I can't wait to add an Appliqued Logo to it and get it over the the University.   I can not even begin to express how much it warms my heart to be able to use my love of quilting to give back to the school that I have so many cherished memories of!!!

Oh, and tomorrow the  Fresh Fat-Quarter Quilts Book Tour comes to an end, but you can still look back and see all of the awesome projects made from Andy's incredible new book, Fresh Fat-Quarter Quilts!!!    You know I already have a few more quilts from it's pages added to my "To Make" list :)

 Thanks for popping in today and each and every day!!!

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

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Simply Modern Monochromatic Stockings!!!

Its December and I am so excited because that means all of our Thursday Throwback's this month are all about Christmas!!!!  I love Christmas, and I especially love making Christmas projects :)    I have a stack of Christmas quilts that we pulled out on Monday and they are all over the house now, so fun!!!   But before we get to some of the quilt tutorials, today I wanted to share my all time favorite Christmas project I have made . . . my Simply Modern Monochromatic Stockings.   And here they are, aren't they just so fantastic!!!  I love them ;) 

I always wanted to make matching stockings for my family, and the idea came to make them 

monochromatic.  I just loved the idea and when I asked the kids what color stocking they wanted, they quickly answered in a rainbow of stocking colors.   I worried for a minute that these weren't your traditional Christmas Colors, but I decided those were the colors they picked and I would just go with it.   And I am so glad I did!!!!   I love these Simply Modern Monochromatic Stockings and the rainbow they create, it is just so happy!!!     And I quickly found they have all colors of Christmas Ornaments.   Our tree was an all Gold and Silver themed tree for the last time in 2014.   After that year's Christmas (gotta get the clearance sales ;) the tree changed to a mix of adorable ornaments full of every color in the rainbow.    And it is so fun, I just love it!!!  And now all of the kids homemade ornaments match as well, double bonus!!! 

When I designed these Simply Modern Monochromatic Stockings, I made them big.  They are not huge by any means, but they are large enough to stuff a lot of goodies in.   I just love the size as I can put in a few small stocking presents, an orange in the toe, and of course, a whole lot of candy.  And I love how the simple design really show off the rainbow of colors and highlights the name on the cuff.   

I used an array of Basic's from Riley Blake Designs.  I loved combining the Damask for the front with the Hounds-tooth lining and Swiss Dot cuff.  I love how they all play together so nicely, and or course because they are basics, all the colors match ;)   But you could use any three matching Basic Fabrics and it would look awesome!!! 

And these Simply Modern Monochromatic Stockings are so fun to make and go together quick.  They look a little complicated, but they really are not.  I did a step by step tutorial that walks you through making them and it is super easy to follow.   I even included options for either embroidery or applique of the names.   Really, you can make one of these in about an hour, and they come out oh so cute!!!!

And those are my Simply Modern Monochromatic Stockings!!!    They have been on my mantle for the last 5 years and I look forward to them hanging for years to come ; )    I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!    To make your own Simply Modern Monochromatic Stockings just click on any of the name links for the free step by step tutorial.    And when you are done, I would love to see your Stockings!!  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 Simply Modern Monochromatic Stockings!!!

Thanks for popping in today and each day.   I am so excited to share more Christmas Throwbacks this month!!! 

I hope you have a very Happy (and Merry) Quilting Day!!! 

November Sew Sampler Box!!!

Well, here we are in December and I find I didn't get to posting my my November Sew Sampler Box last week ;)   I tell you what, having Thanksgiving the last week of November is really throwing me for a loop.  But it's all good, because sure things are bit crazy, but it's a good crazy :)   So, let's play a little catch up today and pretend it is still November.   And I tell you what, the November  Sew Sampler Box  was worth the wait!  This month's theme was Home Grown, and it is a fantastic box full of Fall Goodness.  

Fall never lasts long in Cedar, so I am thrilled with these gorgeous Harvest Road Charm Packs from Lella Boutique and how they are bringing back Fall ;)    And that exclusive Acorn Caps Quilt pattern is so cute, just makes me want to bust open these Charm Packs and get to stitching!!   Maybe if I am stitching away with these earthy browns, greens, and blues, I won't think about all of the White stuff piled up outside ;) 

And this month's notions are so fun!!!  I have already played with the Perfect 5 Ruler for my Short Macaroon quilt and I just love it!!!  And you can never have to many 5" ruler's right ;)    And the Gingiber Magnetic Minder is to cute.   I don't do a whole lot of hand work, but I think it will be perfect just decorating my sewing desk :)  And I love Aurifil Thread, and that is another one of those things that you can never have enough of!!!

And of course, with another month is another Goodness Grows Block!!!  This month the block is called  Cutlivate Respect  and it just oh so cute!!!   I just love those little butterflies!!!!     Oh, and just a reminder, if you are wanting to make your Goodness Grows quilt in the same fabrics I am,  the Sugarcreek Goodness Grows Quilt Kits are now in stock and there is also a Sugarcreek Backing set.   I am just loving seeing these blocks come together each month in these gorgeous fabrics.   Only 4 more blocks to go :)

And that is my November Sew Sampler box  :)  And now I don't even have to wait as long for the December box.  It will make a nice little added gift under the tree ;) 

 Oh, and FYI, the Sew Sampler Box membership is full again, but you can get on the wait list and spots open up fast ;) 

I hope you are all having a Happy Quilting Day!!

Terrific Tuesday 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 $25.00 Gift Certificate from Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is . . .  Number #174. . .   Congrats Laura S!!!   I have emailed you :)    

 

           

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Shabby Fabrics!!   Shabby Fabrics always has an incredible stock of fabrics, both new and a little older at amazing prices!!!!   And Shabby Fabrics is always coming up with incredible Kits and Projects!!! They have a whole new array of Christmas Project Kits and many of them have You Tube Video's that walk you through how to make the project!!! 

And for the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway  Shabby Fabrics is giving one lucky winner one of those new Christmas Project Kits . . . This super adorable Quilt as you Go Holiday Stocking Kit!!!  How fun is that.   And yup, this has a You Tube video that walks you through just how to make it.   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 or an anonymous comment ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that tells me if you have ever made a Christmas stocking before :)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Shabby Fabrics love. You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest, or Instagram.  You can Sign up for the Shabby Fabrics Newsletter (top right hand corner) or Follow their Blog,  or you can Visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Shabby Fabric Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, December 9th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Happy Little Things BOM - Finishing and Giveaway!!!

***Just a quick reminder - Today is the last day to take advantage of Happy Quilting's Weekend Sale and get 30% off all pattern ;)

It's the first Monday in December, wow how did that happen!!!  It is really throwing me for a loop having Thanksgiving in the last week of November, I totally feel like I am already playing catch-up for Christmas.    But, one good thing about it being December, it means I get to share the Finish of my Happy Little Things Block of the Month!!!    This fun BOM is hosted by Jacquelynne Steves and has been so much fun!!!  You can read all about The Finishing Instructions over at Jacquelynne's blog!!!    And here is my Happy Little Things Finish ;)

As you can tell right away, I finished my quilt a little different than the instructions ;)   I decided to make 9 blocks total, including an extra basic center block, and then use 16 Cornerstones that are 2 1/2" and then 24 Sashing Strips that measure 2 1/2" x 12 1/2".   That made the quilt finish at 44" x 44" so it is a great baby size quilt!!!

And I love that the Cornerstones and Sashing really set off each block, especially those adorable Log Cabin borders.  It really allowed each design to just shine.   So fun!!!   And of course, the  Gretel Fabrics from my wonderful friend Amy Smart  are just perfect for this little baby quilt.  It is so fun to see all of these blocks together in such an adorable finish.  

And when it came time to quilt it, I really had some custom quilting fun.  I used a whole ton of quilting designs to really make this pop!!!   I quilted wishbones in the sashing, ribbon candy in the log cabin borders, pebbles in the background, wayv lines in the star points, and double arches in the center of the blocks.   Yup, like I said, lots of custom quilting fun.  

And talk about some awesome texture!!!    I just love  how this picture really shows off the quilting and makes each of the blocks pop.    So great :)  I just keep running my hand over the top of this quilt to feel all of that yummy quilting goodness. 

And that is my Happy Little Things Block of the Month Finish!!!  And I am so glad I got to participate in this wonderful quilt along ;)   It has been such a great project!!!

If you are quilting along be sure to share all of your Happy Little Things  progress on social media with #HappyLittleThingsBOM and #HappyLittleThingsQuilt  and add your finishes to the Happy Little Things Facebook Group.   And be sure to check out  these other bloggers to see lots more Happy Little Things Finishes and enter for more chances to win the December Giveaway!!!

A Quilting Life                               Flamingo Toes 

Podunk Pretties                            Kathy's Quilts  

The Crafty Quilter                         The Quilting Nook  

                  Allie-Oops Sweet Happy Life 

Yup, I said Giveaway!!!  With each month's block there will be a Happy Little Things Giveaway and you can enter at each blog as each blogger will be giving away a Thermoweb Prize Pack!!!  I love all things Heat n Bond for doing applique, so this is so great!!! 

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - WINNER IS #71 - Bonnie58!!!  Congrats, I have emailed you :) 

To enter is simple.   We are going to run this the same way we do all of our Terrific Tuesday Giveaways :)   (Which is tomorrow so if you are visiting for the first time, be sure to come back for a chance to win some more!!!)      

You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries. (but international winners will receive a digital copy :)    Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger!!    Comments can be left by clicking on the # Comments link in Red at the bottom of this post :)

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that tells me one project you hope to finish before the end of the year ;)  

 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 Sunday, December 8th, when I will announce a winner and update it on this post :)

And if you are visiting Happy Quilting for the first time, welcome!!!   I hope you will look around for a bit as I have been writting here for 9 years and have so many fun quilt tutorials, project tutorials, quilt alongs, and patterns to share ;)  

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!