Time for some Happy Quilting!!!!

This last week was "Spring Break".   Which, of course,  was a little different than past Spring Breaks.   We still tried to make it a fun week off for the kids with hiking, nerf wars (the boys choice) tons of family board games and a trip to the Beaver Creamery for ice cream.  But it was much more laid back than normal.   And I especially noticed the slow down because we weren't doing online school for a week.   So I took full advantage of the slowdown and stitched, and stitched, and stitched!!!    And  now I have 6 quilt tops ready for quilting!!!!!

I have had so many of these blocks in various phases of completion and have had piles all over the sewing room.  I can't tell you how great it feels to have them all in one nice stack now.   I finished up my Sparkly Stars Halloween Quilt that I started from this throwback.     I pieced together my Vintage Charm quilt top, from the class I took in January and I just love it's beautiful fall goodness!!!   And do you remember my Be Fruitful Quilt plan from the one block I shared way back here . . .  well, from one block to quilt top ;)   And super fun, Corey Yoder is releasing a new pattern of this block called Marketplace that will be available super soon!!! 

And then, I also worked on some Charming Baby Quilts remakes ;)    I started a Ring Around The Rosie remake back in February and it was time to get it done!!!  This quilt was the least far along of all 6, so it took the most time, but I am so super excited because it is going to be a new king size quilt for my bed!!!   Can't wait to get it quilted and bound ;)    And while I was making bigger quilts, I decided to make a Layer Cake version of A Star is Born!!!    It is going to be amazing!!!   And finally, I quadrupled my Daisy Mae Dream Big quilt I had shared back here and added a border.   And it is just so pretty!!!!

So now, it is time for some serious Happy Quilting!!!!   We are also back to online school, so I won't have near as much time to put my head down and just stitch away.   But I don't want these tops lying around forever now . . . so here is to some finishes to share super soon ;)

I hope you all had a very Happy Quilting Weekend and here is to an amazing Happy Quilting Day!!!

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Out for a Stroll!!

I think I have spent more time walking in the last week, than I did the entire month before.  I am so grateful that it is a little warmers so I can get out of the house and find comfort and peace in being outdoors ;)   Even if it is just walking around the neighborhood and waving at friends from a distance.     And so for today's Thursday , I thought it would be perfect to go back 6 years to the Out for a Stroll  quilt!!!  

Out for a Stroll is a great way to learn to piece quilts on point.  There are two basic blocks in this quilt and then some are just cut in half to make the setting triangles.   So you can learn to piece on point without all of the hassle of sashing.  So great!!!    It finishes at 70" x 88" so it makes a great size for snuggling up in or for a twin size bed!!!    

I used Yardage to make my Out for a Stroll quilt, which you can do as well.   But it is also an amazing scrap buster!!!  Especially if you want to use up a bunch of low volume scraps :)   And you don't have to do black and white, just pick two favorite colors and then add one additional color for pop!!!   

Out for a Stroll is a wonderfully fun geometric designs that looks so much harder to make than it actually is.   You really can put this together in no time.  And it makes a great teen gift because of its more modern feel.  This quilt was actually gifted to my niece for her High School Graduation.   It is fun to think that she is now married, finished college, and starting a career as an amazing graphic designer!!!  

And that is my Out for a Stroll Quilt!!!     I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday as much as I have!!!    And maybe you can make Out for a Stroll for someone special to you!!!      To make your own Out for a Stroll quilt  just click on any of the project name links for the free step by step tutorial.    And when you are done,  I would love to see your Quilts!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  :)   I can't wait to see your Out for a Stroll!!!

Thanks for popping in today!!!   I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!!

Charming Baby Sew Along - Week 2!!!

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of posts for the Charming Baby Sew Along.  If you would like to join (and have a chance to win some fun prizes ) you can find a list of the post links here :)  Here is the schedule

Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement

April 8 - A Star is Born and Color in the Lines 

April 15th - Dream Big and Hugs and Kisses - Today!!!

April 22nd - Just Blooming and On the Move

April 29th - Ring Around the Rosie and Shine Bright

May 6th - To the Moon and Twinkle Twinkle

May 13th - Quilt Fishing - Pieced Back - Grand Prize Linky

May 27th - Charming Baby Parade and Grand Prize Winner

WEEK 2 - DREAM BIG AND HUGS AND KISSES

It's the second week of making blocks for the Charming Baby Sew Along and I am so excited!!!  This weeks assignment will go super quick and is oh so much fun.   You will need your copy of Charming Baby Quilts  for the piecing instructions as well as the Week 2 Charming Baby Sew Along Pattern for cutting instructions ;)  This week we will be making blocks from the Dream Big quilt and the Hugs and Kisses quilt!!!

First up, Dream Big!!   This quilt is so much fun to make!!!  And I have a great way of making those Lattice blocks in the book so you don't have a ton of waste ;)    It uses 1 Charm Pack and I used a Summer Sweet Charm Pack by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda and a Bella Solid Ivory Background.   And where this quilt only needs 1 Charm Pack, you can totally grab one from your stash and get this whipped up in no time!!! Dream Big finishes at 33" x 33" so it is a great size to snuggle a wee one in a car seat or decorate the wall over the crib!!!

And for our Sew Along, we will be making 4 Dream Big Blocks that will frame the edges of the second and fourth rows ;)  Isn't that just so fun!!!  Use the Dream Big piecing directions from the book and the Week 2 Pattern  for cutting directions to make your blocks.

And next up, the Hugs and Kisses quilt!!!  This quilt design was inspired by my Grandmother.  She always used to send me a book for my birthday and in the front cover she would leave a little note and sign it with XOXO.  I sure loved those Hugs and Kisses from afar ;)     It uses 2 Charm Packs and I used Just Red Charm Packs by Zen Chic for Moda and a Grunge White Paper Background.   You know how I love grunge!!!   Hugs and Kisses finishes at 49" x 49" making it a wonderful size to snuggle a baby in or to lay on the floor for some tummy time.  

And for our Sew Along, we will be making 2 sets of Hugs and Kisses blocks and adding a bit of sashing to them ;)  Isn't that just so fun!!!  Use the Hugs and Kisses piecing directions from the book and the Week 2 Pattern  for cutting directions to make your blocks.  These blocks will be the center of your second and fourth rows.    

WEEK 2 BLOCKS FROM FRIENDS

And just like that, you are done with Week 2 and looking forward to Week 3 of The Charming Baby Sew Along!!  Be sure to pop over to all my Sewing Along Friends and see their Week 2 blocks for lots of inspiration!!

      Amanda Castor - Material Girl Quilts
      Andy Knowlton - A Bright Corner
      Beverly McCullough - Flamingo Toes
      Melanie Call - A Bit of Scrap Stuff
      Pat Sloan - Pat Sloan's Blog
      Fat Quarter Shop Friends - The Jolly Jabber

THE PRIZES

 And keep up with the sew along as everyone that finishes their quilt top will be entered into a drawing for this amazing grand prize giveaway from Moda Fabrics !!

   

And Beverly McCullough of Flamingo Toes is hosting the Week 2 Charming Baby Sew Along giveaway!!!  You can win 2 Charm Packs of Singing in the Rain and a spool of Aurifil thread!!!  This is the fabric Beverly designed and is using for her Charming Baby Sampler and it is just so great!!!  Pop over to Beverly's Instagram to enter the giveaway ;)           
                           

SHARING

 It's always fun when we share what we are working on!!!   If you use Facebook or Instagram post your Week 2 blocks with the Hashtag #charmingbabyquilts  If you don't use social media you can email me a picture of your progress at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com ;)


I can't wait to see all of your Week 2 Charming Baby Blocks!!!!

Bloom-Topia Quilt Along - Release 6

Well it's April 15th so that means it is time for the Sixth Block Release of the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop and I am super excited :)   We are making Quarter Square triangles for this block, and they are becoming a favorite of mine!!!

And this time, the alterations are super minimal.   So for Block 10,  you will make your block the exact same way of the the directions, only omit D and E background as you do not need to add sashing on the block, and I choose to make the 4 Print G squares all from the same fabric. And that is it, super easy this time ;)  

  

So are you joining in the Bloom-Topia fun???  If so, you can download the block pattern  and it is requested for each pattern you download to donate $5.00  to the Make a Wish Foundation :)  This is Fat Quarter Shop's annual charity QAL that is raising funds for an amazing organization.  What a wonderful way for us all to make a difference!  And wow, so much has been raised!!! 

And just as a reminder, if you are new to finding the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along, this is the layout I will be making and are the alterations referred to above ;)     I am using a Breeze Fat Quarter Bundle by Zen Chic for Moda Fabrics with Gris Grunge as the background!!! And there are still a few Bloom-topia Quilt Kits and Backing Sets available if you want to make your's like the original ;) 

And like always, Fat Quarter Shop has made an awesome  You Tube video tutorial that walk you through making the blocks.  There are some great helpful hints and you can see it put together step by step!!!   

Be sure to share all of your Bloom-Topia progress on social media with #bloomtopiaquiltalong and check out Fat Quarter Shops post for Release 6 for lots more Block Inspiration!!!

And that's it for the sixth release in the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along!!!!   I will continue to share a new set of blocks on the 15th and 1st of each month. So what do you say, want to come Bloom-Topia Quilting Along??  You are going to have so much fun!!!

And just to make it easy to find . . .Here is a list of all the places to find my alterations

Layout Fabric Requirements Alteration
Release 1 - Block 1 and 2 Alterations
Release 2 - Block 3 Alterations
Release 3 - Block 4 and 5 Alterations
Release 4 - Block 6 and 7 Alterations
Release 5 - Blocks 8 and 9 Alterations

Thanks for popping in today ;)  I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!! Let's have some fun :)

First, we need to announce the winner from last Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the Electric Quilt 8 from Electric Quilt is . . .   Number #249 . . . Congrats jbjjello33 !!!  I have messaged 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 right now they are having an amazing SPRING SALE with 20-50% off everything in the store!!! And use the coupon code EASTER for another discount on top of the amazing sale prices!!!!   Talk about happy shopping!!!!

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway, Green Fairy Quilts will be giving one lucky reader a super cute Nancy's Needle Jelly Roll by Betsy Chutchian for Moda!!   Isn't that just so fun, I love me some jelly rolls!!!! Someone is going to be very lucky this week ;)  

You have two entry chances here on the blog, 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 like hand stitching, and if so, what is your favorite thing to hand stitch???  (I am a horrible at hand stitching ;)  

 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 Instagram 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, April 21st when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

You can also pop over to my Instagram and/or Facebook to enter there as well :)  

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!