It's not a Celebration without a Parade!!!

I love tutorials!!!  I mean who doesn't love a step by step guide to create something fabulous.  It is almost as good as sitting through a class :)  Since I started this blog a year ago I have made 13 tutorials, and 1 Quilt-A-Long Tutorial.  That pretty much blew me away.  I had no idea I had done so many.  Just in case you are wondering . . .You can find them under the Quilt Tutorials and Other Tutorials tabs at the top of my blog :)

Making tutorials is so much fun!!  I love making the projects!!!  I love "arranging" fabrics a certain way to make sure I get a great layout for a picture.  I love sewing it together and thinking the whole time of how I will word things!!!   I would say I love the actual writing and editing pictures for tutorials, but that process is the not so fun part, at least for me.  I would say I  "like" writing the tutorials :)  I love having tutorials available for people to make.  And most of all, I love, love love when others use my tutorials to make their own beautiful creations!!!

And so I thought today, it would be fun . . . As part of Happy Quilting's 1 Year Blogiversary Celebration, to have a little parade of some of those creations.  Here are some of the amazing project's made using tutorials put together by me.  (Hint - These are the ones posted in my Flickr Page . . . If you have made a project using one of my tutorials please feel free to email me a picture or add it to my Flickr Page, I would love to highlight your work as well :)


This version of Sugar Pop N Change was posted by Lisa and made as part of  a Do Good Stitches Bee.  What a great idea and how fun to see everyone's different fabrics come together :)

Another version of Sugar Pop N Change posted by Hannah.  I just love the yellow background!!!

Janet from CA emailed me this picture of her completed version of Sugar Pop N Change just a few days ago.  I love how it pops!!!

Linda emailed me this picture of her version of Nature's Gems made with old shirts.  What a treasured memory quilt :)

T. Anne posted her version of Hugs and Kisses from the Park.  It blows me away how even with the same fabric a quilt can look so different because of different quilting.  So fun!!

Color Me Quilty posted this beautiful version of Sugar Pop N Change.  I love how she substituted 2 coins for the dragonfly print.   What an amazing effect!!

colimachia's version of Snuggly Squares.  She made it larger to be a lap quilt instead of a baby size and I just love it.  The colors are so beautiful together!!

A version of Snuggly Squares II posted by skippitydodahquilts.  She made this a week before donating it to her church for their annual auction.  I bet they were tickled pink to have such a fabulous quilt :)

Another version of Sugar Pop N Change made and posted by msshilts  I love those 30's reprints.  They are just so adorable :)

This black and white king size version of Sugar Pop N Change was posted by kazwee75 and was her first quilt top.  I am blown away that she bit off a king to start with.  Amazing, it is absolutely stunning!!!

This version of Braided Irish Chain was posted by sewandtellquilts and is a memorial quilt made using their Grandpa's old plaid shirts and jammy pants.  This will surly be a treasure for years to come :)

And one more version of Snuggly Squares posted by theycallmewanda.  I love how bright and fun this quilt is.  It just makes me want to do a little happy dance :)

And that ends out parade for today!!!  Thank you to those that have posted their finished products on my Flickr Tutorial page so we can all enjoy your amazing eye candy!!!  I look forward to next year where we can see a whole new parade of amazing projects.  And of course, there will be many new patterns as I plan to keep on making tutorials for you all to enjoy :)

Oh, and just in case you might have missed Happy Quilting's earlier Celebration Giveaways you can find them here and here. And come back tomorrow for the final Celebration Giveaway.  I am so excited for it :)

Another Celebration Giveaway!!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

The Happy Quilting 1 Year Blogiversary Celebration continues on!!!  And today I have something in store that you make you all want to celebrate!!!

Today's giveaway sponsor is the Fat Quarter Shop.  If you haven't heard of their shop you are missing out.  They have everything, and I do mean everything.  In fact, just yesterday they announced on the blog, The Jolly Jabber, that they are releasing their own pattern line called It's Sew Emma!!  How exciting is that!!

**Random change of topic**  So . . . Do you remember how I posted earlier about how much I love Christmas and how fun Christmas in July is??  Well, a fabulous place to find an enormous selection of Christmas fabrics is the Fat Quarter Shop!!  I mean seriously they have an entire Christmas Section in their shop that is 57 pages long!!!  Yippee Skippee :)

So today, Kimberly is sharing the Christmas in July love by sponsoring a Tremendous Giveaway.  What is it, you might ask??? . . . First off, sit down, I wouldn't want you to faint when you read this next part. . .   Up for your chance to win is  . . .

An Entire Fat Quarter Bundle of Kate Spain's Flurry!!!!!!

as in 28 Fat Quarters and a Panel!!!!

Okay, So I know you are excited so lets get to it!!  Here is how to enter. . .   You have three chance to win, and please, leave a separate comment for each (for a total of 3 comments max :) If you leave one saying I did it all, Mr. Random.Org will only count it for one.

1. Be a follower of Happy Quilting or become one and leave a comment.  Your comment doesn't have to say "I am a follower" anything will do  (as long as it is clean :)  (It's easy, just click follow up in the top left hand corner :)
2. Be a follower of The Jolly Jabber Blog or become one and leave a comment.  Leave me any old comment about the Fat Quarter Shop or the Jolly Jabber.  That shouldn't be hard, they are such a tremendous shop you could write about them all day!
3. Alert the Media - Post on facebook, twitter, or your blog about this giveaway.  Leave a comment saying where you wrote and a link :)  You can post on all 3 sites but it only gets you one entry. 

Giveaway will be open until July 19th and a winner will be announced on the 20th :)  And as a side note . . . I will be posting my Christmas in July Moda Bake Shop Tutorial on the 19th that uses this same line.  Yippee Skippee for Christmas in July!!

Oh, and just in case you missed it . . You can check back to here for Monday's Celebration Giveaway and you can also check back on Friday for Happy Quilting's final Celebration Giveaway :)

The Celebration Continues

**** Note - If you are looking for the Intrepid Thread Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway you will find it here :)

What better way to celebrate one's Blogiversary than signing up for an awesome conference!!!  I have wanted to  attend the Sewing Summit since I heard about it but have put it off because the timing was a bit off for me (more on that below).  But yesterday I decided (after a little discussion with my sweet husband and my mother) that I am Going!!!!!  I am so excited!!!!

So what was holding me back . . . Well, I am due to have our 5th child some time around the 25th of September.   But I decided that gives me a good 2 weeks to recover before the conference.  And my wonderful mother, who happens to live just outside of SLC has agreed to watch the wee little one during the day for me.  Ya, I really want to attend this conference!!!

I wish I could stay up late at the hotel with all of you ladies and run around in pj's gabbing with everyone but I will be content with attending the conference in the day and taking care of my newest little bundle of joy in the evening. (and probably most of the night :)   So if you see me there and I happen to be falling asleep just give me a quick nudge :)  Can't wait to meet some of you in person!!!!  Yippee Skippee!!!!

P.S. Check back tomorrow for another fabulous Sponsor Giveaway :)

Happy Blogiversary to Happy Quilting!!!! (Celebrate in Giveaway style :)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Oh my goodness, Oh my goodness!!!  Happy Quilting is a year old today!!!  And I have to say, what an amazing year it has been.  I originally created this blog so that I would stop taking over the "family blog" with all of my quilting pictures.  That was my only purpose.  And in 1 year, one tiny year, later it has grown in leaps and bounds!!!  I am just blown away by the amount of growth!!  And I am just thrilled with that growth and the opportunities this blog has given me in my little quilting corner of the virtual world.

And it would not be possible without all of you!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you out there!!!  For those that read Happy Quilting, that leave sweet comments, that make my tutorials, and that generally just make me feel so happy in this quilting endeavor!!  You all are what makes Happy Quilting so fun!!

So . . .  to say thanks, with the help of some of my amazing sponsors, we will be having a few giveaways this week in celebration!!  Yippee Skippee!!!!  (Who doesn't just love a good giveaway)

Up first is a sweet sweet giveaway from The Intrepid Thread.  I just have to say that Julie's shop is amazing and if you haven't checked it out, you are missing out.  She always has great deals going on and she has a super fun Friday giveaway each week on her blog :)

So what does Julie have for you to possibly win??  How about a stunning Fat Quarter Pack of Wrenly!!!!  Aren't these just amazingly, absolutely, adorable!!!  There are 13 Fat Quarters in the Mandarin and Gypsy line :)

The Nitty Gritty . . .   You have three chance to win, and please, leave a separate comment for each (for a total of 3 comments max :) If you leave one saying I did it all, Mr. Random.Org will only count it for one.

1 - Be a follower of Happy Quilting or become one and leave a comment.  Your comment doesn't have to say "I am a follower" anything will do  (as long as it is clean :)  (It's easy, just click follow up in the top left hand corner :)

2 - Be a follower of The Intrepid Thread Blog or become one and leave a comment.  Leave me any old comment about The Intrepid Thread, like I said, it is an amazing shop.

3 - Alert the Media - Post on facebook, twitter, or your blog about this giveaway.  Leave a comment saying where you wrote and a link :)  You can post on all 3 sites but it only gets you one entry, but giveaway karma is a wonderful thing :)


Giveaway will be open until July 17th and a winner will be announced on the 18th :)  So get commenting :) And that's all!!!  Now go grab yourself a piece of cake and celebrate Happy Quilting's 1 year Blogiversary with me!!  Yipeee Skippee!!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!!

So the past 3 weeks have flown by!!!  And I have to say, I LOVE IT!!!!  We have spent more time with family in the last 3 weeks than we probably have in the last 3 years.  (possibly an exaggeration but you get the idea. :)  We pretty much get to the house in time to climb into bed and start all over the next day.  We have had a baptism, a blessing, a holiday, and today we have a birthday and tomorrow a Reunion. Yippee Skippee for living close to family again and not having to miss out!!!

Because of this, it also means I have had a 3 week sewing break.  Which I have to say, feels really weird.  (But it is okay, family first :)  But, starting Monday, things will begin to slow down and I am hoping to get to spend some time sewing in my new sewing room and not just painting it :)

Which is good because . . . I am behind on my VIBee Block.  (Sorry Meagan).  I am going to be turning these . . .

into this, I hope :)

And starting something special for my Grandmother with this.

And whipping up these adorable little books for another special someone.

So here is to sewing time starting on Monday the 11th!!!!

And . . . . That is not all that is happening on the 11th.  July 11th just happens to be Happy Quilting's 1 Year Blog Anniversary!!!  Can you believe it, I know I certainly don't believe it has been a year.  So check back Monday because there is some major celebrating to do!!!!  (hint, hint, giveaway time :)

Riley Blake Quilt Contest!!!

A few months back I made a tutorial for Riley Blake Cutting Corners . . .Do you remember it??  If not, you can find all about it here :) Anyhow, It was my first time working with Riley Blake fabric and I loved it. I seem to recall from the comments that many of you also love working with Riley Blake fabric.  So . . . . .   I thought some of you might be interested to know that Riley Blake is having a little quilt contest and you could win a stinking cute Beach Cruiser Bike.  Here is where to find out about the details :)

Christmas In July!!!

I just love Christmas!!!!  So you can imagine my excitement to the announcement of the Moda Bake Shop's Christmas In July month!!!  Yippee Skippee!!!  All month long there will be tutorials loaded with Christmas goodness.  And yes, there will be one from me later this month (I finished it almost 2 months ago and it has been killing me to keep it on the down and low for so long :)  So check it out all month!!  I busted out a few Christmas CD's in celebration :)

And it wouldn't be a proper teaser without a picture.  So here is a little peak from my Christmas in July project coming out on the 19th :)

Summer Breeze - My First Pattern!!!!!

I am so excited for today!!!  I have been looking forward to it for a little while now.  Today I release Summer Breeze, which just so happens to be my first "official pattern."  Yippee Skippee!!!!  I have to say that this process was such a wonderful experience!!  I loved writing a pattern, it was such a new and fun challenge and I am just so happy with the finished result.  So let me share it with you . . . .

You can purchase the pattern or the quilt kit that includes the pattern.  Both are being offered exclusively at Burgundy Buttons.  Leah is so amazing to put this all together and of course, she has it at amazing prices.

My friend that did my blog design also designed the cover for this pattern.  Isn't it just adorable :)  Thanks again Becca!!!  So that's my big reveal!!!  It's gonna be a Happy Quilting Day for me and I hope it is a Happy Quilting Day for you as well !!!

Pictures of the Sewing Room . . . As Promised

I am so stinking excited to show these pictures.  My Mother-In-Law and I unpacked the sewing room on Thursday  My Mother started painting it on Friday, and I finished it up yesterday.  Can I just say that I LOVE IT!!!!!  Here it is, my new sewing room!!

This is Work Central.  The previous owners were kind enough to ask if I wanted this huge corner desk and I quickly said yes.  Isn't it just perfect.  So much space for pinning and so forth.  And storage drawers galore.  This is a vast, vast, upgrade from my last sewing desk.  And I just love the wood floors.  I can actually baste my quilts in the same room I sew them!!!  Now all I need is a rolley chair to spin around the room in.

Okay, So I thought I had a large stash, now I realize I just had a small storage space for that stash.  I told my husband that there is plenty of room to expand the stash now.  And even enough shelves to color code it.  I want my stash to look just like the Yankee Candle Store.  I am so excited!!

And on the other side of the room, oh yes, a mini kitchen.  This room was used as a lab by the previous owners.  It will now be perfect for popping up popcorn, or making hot chocolate.  Just a fun little touch to keep the kiddos happy while I don't have to stop sewing.  Oh, and did I mention, More Storage!!!

Here is where I envision a special little something.  I have mentioned to my wonderful Father-In-Law, who is such an amazing craftsman, about building me a cutting table that I have my mat built in to.  I would have it on wheels so I can just roll it out into the middle of the room and work all the way around it.  Ahhh!!!  Heaven to not have to go up to the dining room table anymore :)

And last, an ironing station.  I scoped out a new ironing board while shopping the other day and put it on my birthday wish list. (Here is hoping, it was $40, pricey for an ironing board but it is sweet!!) Oh and yes, this room happens to be right off my family room.  Perfect!!!  And the last thing I want to mention that I absolutely love about this sewing room is the color.  Don't you just love the purple!!!  Thanks Mom for picking it out.  Now I just need to make some adorable little wall quilts to match.  Maybe I will have to join the next doll quilt swap.  Any ideas as to when that is happening???

So that is the new sewing room!!!  I just can't wait to get down there and start busting out some projects.  I can't believe I haven't sewn for like 2 weeks.  Killer!!!  Oh, and check back tomorrow where I will reveal something that has been in the works for a little bit and I am SOOOOOOOO very excited about it.  I will give you  a hint, it is in the 3rd picture :)

Guest Blogging at Sew We Quilt (aka Stash Manicure)

****EDIT to the EDIT -  The post is up now :)  You can go and check it out :)
Well it is time for another fun filled trip over to Sew We Quilt for me.  I was so excited to be asked to guest post there again.  I always have a great time and always find lots of new friends though guest blogging.

This time my guest blog is all about my little Slice and how it made applique go from a chore to a wonderful fun and exciting experience.  So click on over and check it out :)

Why I LOVE OxyClean!!!

You might remember a while back I posted here about how my 2 year old had colored on one of my all time favorite white quilts with crayons and I asked for suggestions on how to get it out.  . . . .  Well several of you suggested OxiClean laundry stain remover.  And so I gave it a try and might I just say, it is now my most favorite laundry tool!!

Not only did it get the crayon out . . .  But, it has also gotten out some ink stains, some food spills, and this unfortunate training pants accident.  The training pants actually dyed some of the white area pink from the pink on the plastic.  OxyClean took it all out.

So I don't want to sound like an infomercial, but I do want to pass on the good advice that was given to me.  If you have a tough stain on a most beloved quilt, give it a try.  It saved me from a near hysteric breakdown :)

Unpacking!!

I apoligize for this less than thrilling post with no pictures.  Just giving an update.   I am up to my elbows in boxes and packing paper.  The upstairs is just about done and then I can refocus on the downstaris.  The important part of that being my new sewing room!!!  I can't wait to open up those boxes and spread my fabric out.  There is going to be so much storage. Much, much, much more than I had in the old place.  Mostly, I just can't wait to unpack my sewing machine.  I miss it!!

I promise to take some pictures when I get it set up :)  (And when I find the camera, tee hee hee)  So that is the goal for the next few days.  Get the house unpacked, with high priority on the Sewing Room!!!

1000 and a Winner :)

Yippee Skipee!!!  Happy Quilting broke 1000 followers!!!  Do a happy, happy, joy, joy dance!!!!!  I have to say, I am just blown away at how fast Happy Quilting is growing.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of you out there that have helped to make this milestone possible.  I am just tickled pink!!

And, today is also the day to announce the winner of the Sew Obssesed Sponsor Giveaway . . . .Sooooooo

Mr. Random. Org choose  . . . . .

Kylie 56 said...

I like the Folk Life by Anthology Fat Quarter Bundle, my mom's birthday is coming up and it's just her style.

Congrats Kylie!!!  I have sent you an email to get your address :)

And thank you again, to all of you, that make Happy Quilting such a Happy place to visit :)

3-D Sewing

*** Note - If you are looking for the Sew Obsessed Sponsored Giveaway you will find it here :)

Let me start by saying I am not much of a 3-D seamstress.  Anything that isn't sewn completely flat tends to intimidate me.  My 3-D sewing mostly consists of some Halloween costumes, some pj's, some dress-ups and a few bags.  But nothing that really needs to look all that great when it is finished.  I have always been okay with this but every Easter and Christmas there is a small part of me that wishes my girls could have the cute matchy-matchy dresses that I made for them.

So, when I saw this beautiful taffeta (which is more green then the picture shows) with the felt damask print at the store yesterday (in the clearance section no less) I thought "Oh my goodness, wouldn't that make just the most beautiful Christmas dresses for my girls this year", which was quickly followed by "But there is no way you could get that turned into beautiful Christmas dresses."  So I put the bolt back and continued to browse through the other bolts.

Then it hit me that I was at the store with my amazing Mother-In-Law, who happens to be one of the most amazing seamstresses I know, and who know lives 2 doors down from me!!!!  Hallelujah!!!  I grabbed the bolt from the stack and ran over to where said seamstress was browsing and told her my crazy idea to make Christmas Dresses out of this beautiful fabric.  In a few minutes measurements were figured, yardage was calculated  and this beautiful, stunning, fabric was in my cart.   And I am so happy and not worried one bit about taking on such a big task (for me) because I know I will have a pro right by my side.  Thanks Mom!!!

And the best part of it all was seeing my 5 year old's face when I showed her the material.  She rubbed it, and petted it, and danced around with it wrapped around her waist.  She is such a little princess.  So stay tuned for when I show you my first attempt at some primo quality 3-D Sewing :)

Sponsor Giveaway : Sew Obsessed

It's a giveaway kind of day!!!  Today, the brand new Sew Obsessed shop is sponsoring our giveaway.   you might remember when I posted about their grand opening here :)  If you haven't checked them out yet, now is totally the time to do it!!

You can find their Online Shop here :)  Their Website here :)  And their personal blog here :)

And as a special treat for Happy Quilting Readers . . .  Annie has offered you all  a 15% discount on your order!!!!  Just use the coupon code HAPPY at checkout!! The coupon code will be valid until the 20th.   Isn't that awesome!!  So click on over and find your favorite prints.

Believe me, it won't be hard to find some favorites!!!!!  Here are some of my current favs :)

On to the giveaway.  How you you like to win this lovely stack of Urban Chicks Fat Quarters from their Dream On line!!  I figured you would like that :)

The Nitty Gritty . . .   You have three chance to win, and please, leave a separate comment for each (for a total of 3 comments max :) If you leave one saying I did it all, Mr. Random.Org will only count it for one.

1 - Be a follower of Happy Quilting or become one and leave any old comment.   Meaning I am a tired of reading "I am a follower" comments so feel free to be creative, make me smile, the sky is the limit.  (as long as it is clean :)  

2 - Visit Sew Obsessed and find your favorite item and then leave a comment here.  Just leave a comment telling me what item you found at Sew Obsessed that you just love.  I am very interested to see what everyone likes.

3 - Alert the Media - Post on facebook, twitter, or your blog about this giveaway.  Leave a comment saying where you posted and a link to that post :)  You can post on all 3 sites but it only gets you one entry, but the giveaway fairy will smile down on you :)

So that's it :) The giveaway will close on Monday the 20th at 5:00 EST and I will announce a winner shortly after.   Good Luck to all and Happy Quilting!!!

Utah!!!!!!

We made it and everyone is still in one piece!!! Actually, the trip went very smoothly. The airports were great, so many kind people offered help, and the kids behaved way beyond what I expected.  I might even go as far to say that they were pretty close to little angles. (minus one or two incidents :)

So thank you for all your well wishes, and good luck's.  They were so appreciated and apparently they worked as well :) 

Wishing you all a Happy Quilting Day from my new home in Utah!!!

Winner!!!

So I was not suppose to have internet this morning but I am grateful they haven't shut it off yet.  In all of the crazy loading the truck yesterday I forgot to announce a winner.  So . . .   Here it is!!!

The winner of the Pat Bravo Nature Elements Fat Quarter Bundle from Fat Quarter Shop is . . . .

Stray Stitches 94said...

I have included your giveaway in my blog today:
http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2011/06/block-and-another-start.html

June 7, 2011 8:12 AM 

Congrats Linda!!!  I have sent you an email :)  

And thank you to Fat Quarter Shop for Sponsoring and to all you wonderful readers for entering.  My next post to you comes from my long awaited Home in Cedar City, Utah!!!  See ya around :)

Teachers Gifts - Check

*** NOTE - If you are looking for the Fat Quarter Shop Sponsor Giveaway of Pat Bravo Nature Elements Fat Quarter Bundle you will find it by clicking here :)


Teacher's gifts are done.  I was reminded of how difficult it can be to let your children do the project while you just "help".  I always want to just take over so that I know it will be finished to my standard.  I have to keep telling myself to let go because it means more for them to do it than for it to look perfect.  Ah, good times :)


In the end, with some "help" from mom, I think they turned out really good and I hope their teacher's just love them :)  I especially love the pictures the kids did :)

WIP Wednesday - The last South Bend Edition :)

*** NOTE - If you are looking for the Fat Quarter Shop Sponsor Giveaway of Pat Bravo Nature Elements Fat Quarter Bundle you will find it by clicking here :)



I am happy to say, that I am "on schedule" for my WIP to be completed in South Bend.  (Which is good as I am moving this weekend :)  I have been going crazy gang busters to get everything squared away so I am pretty excited to have it all almost all done :)


After 7-8ish hours of quilting yesterday, I can say I am almost done with this project.  Ya, I am showing the back as I can't show the front yet :)  All that is left is to bind it (today's project) and then it moves from WIP to Completed, Yippee Skippee!!!

I went for a flower, leaf, and swirl pattern.  I did it in a rather small size, especially compared to the size of the quilt :)  (75 x 75).  So ya, my shoulders are a little sore this morning :)

Yesterday we got about half way finished with Teacher's gifts :)  We plan to finish them when the kids get home from school and hopefully I will be able post the completions tomorrow.  


And that is it for the South Bend WIP!!!!   Yippee Skippee!!!  


So now, it's on to thinking about Cedar City WIP's - I won't have my sewing machine for a few weeks as it will be on the moving truck (this very well might kill me :)  So my first WIP will be to get my new sewing room painted and ready to welcome all of its lovely fabric goodness home.  This is the color I choose, What do you think??