Lots of Love Block - The Splendid Sampler

Today I am so excited to get share the block I designed for The Splendid Sampler.   If you are visiting Happy Quilting for the first time from The Splendid Sampler , Welcome!!!    I am so glad you popped in 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, finished projects and of course, lots of  Happy Quilting goodness!! 

Each of the blocks in The Splendid Sampler have a story behind the design.  I hope you get the chance to read each of the stories on the top of each block pattern ;)  Quilts are so special because they have the ability to wrap someone in Love!!  My block is a representation of the 6 people in my life that I always want to wrap up in Lots of Love.  The large heart is for my sweetheart, Jacob, and the smaller hearts are for each of my wonderful children, Spencer, Jessica, Kristian, Kamryn, and Jocelyn.

It is my hope that while you work on your own Lots of Love block, you will think of those special someone's that you want to wrap in Lots of Love as well ;)   You can find the block pattern in the The Splendid Sampler book :)   

So now, let walk through a few tidbits on how to make these hearts a little easier to piece ;)  

PIECING TIDBITS

First off, when working with small pieces, it is always helpful to starch your fabrics before cutting them.  I just use an inexpensive starch and a high heat setting on my iron.  It only takes a few seconds but will really help to keep your fabrics from stretching once you start piecing them on the angle. 

If you feel confident with your piecing, you can do two steps of the pattern at one time ;)  Both the inner small square and the large square can be stitched on without having to stop and press in the middle.  On the smaller 2" hearts, your squares will be touching but not overlapping, so you can still stitch both without having to cut and press in between.

When adding your outside small square, double check that it is overlapping the already sewn square by 1/4".  If it isn't, adjust slightly trying to balance the underage or overage between the overlap and the edge.   This will allow you to get those nice perfect points down the line.  

When sewing the two halves of the heart together, it is best to take the extra second and pin the seams in place.  They will be aligned right on top of one another, so if it isn't pinned, the bulk can easily shift under your presser foot.  Press the seam of the center heart open to help avoid bulk and give you reference for sewing your points when putting the block together.

When putting the block together, align and pin each of your seams first.  Then go back and pin the edges.  Finally, when sewing your seam, be sure to stitch directly through the center of the X created at each of the points of the hearts, even if that means not stitching a perfect 1/4" seam.  You will see the X in your previous stitching, and stitching right through the center of it will give you those beautiful perfect points ;)

Finally, and this is optional, If the waste of trimming bothers you in this block, you can always turn those trimmed bits into bonus Half Square Triangles.  You can either sew an extra seam 1/2" away from your first seam and then cut (on the dotted line) between the two seams or, once you have trimmed your blocks, simply sew a 1/4" seam along the trimmed triangles.   Both way will give you lots of fun bonus HST blocks ;)  

LOTS OF LOVE BLOCK

And just like that, you will have a beautiful Lots of Love Block!!!!   

Of course, I had to make another block for my own version of The Splendid Sampler :)  I am doing my blocks in monochromatic layouts and if you have been around here for any time, you will know that Purple is my favorite color, so of course, I had to make this Lots of Love Block in purple ;)

And I tell you, once you start making these hearts, you won't want to stop . . .so maybe, you will have a special someone to wrap in Lots of Love with a Bonus Lots of Love Mini!!!

BONUS MINI

This Mini was a special Valentines gift for my wonderful Mother In Law, Barbara.  Barbara and I live 2 doors apart and we love to quilt together.  There isn't a day that goes by that we don't have a few minutes to talk about what we are working on, upcoming projects, fabric choices, ect, ect. ect ;)

So as I mentioned earlier, my block represents my family.   Well this Mini represent's Barbara's family ;)   The two large hearts are for her and her husband (grandma and grandpa) and the 12 medium hearts represent their 6 children and their spouses, and you guessed it.  The 24 little hearts represent her 24 grandchildren.  (edit . . .and now I need to applique two more hearts on, because 2 more special little angles have arrived since I made this :)   It is a very special representation of everyone Barbara wants to wrap in love ;)

And if  you are feeling like you want to tackle your own Lots of Love Mini, here is the fabric calculations for the hearts ranging from 2" finished up to 10" finished ;)    So now you can make all the Hearts in any size you want!!!! 

And if you make a Lots of Love Mini, I would love to see it!!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, add it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc .   I can't wait to see your amazing mini's!!!

And just for fun, here are my blocks for the Splendid Sampler so far!!!  I am so looking forward to working on this project throughout the year and can't wait to see everyone's fantastic blocks!!!

I am so very excited to see everyone's Lots of Love Blocks!!!!   Just think of all the people that are going to be wrapped in Love today :)

Thanks for popping in today and I hope that you have a very Happy (and Splendid) Quilting Day!!!

Splendid Sampler Saturday :)

So are you following along with The Splendid Sampler??  It is a year long Mystery Quilt Along with two 6" Sampler Blocks released each week ;)  And guess what, the first blocks were released this week!!!  You can find all of the details here, read along the top index for quick reference to everything you need to know :)   It is my hope to try and post my weeks blocks each Saturday.  In fact, I had such a lovely time starting my Saturday today with these super fun sampler blocks, that my plan is to save then for every Saturday Morning so that I can have Splendid Saturday's all year long ;)  

My plan is to do Monochromatic Blocks and then put them in an Irish Chain Layout.  I know, you are super surprised with my love for Irish Chain Quilts ;)   So when it is all done, it will look something like this, although I haven't decided on the final size I want it to be, so this could shift a bit, but it gives you the general idea.

 I hope to share blocks each Saturday (although, I know I am going to miss some ;)  and am so excited to watch this come together throughout the year . . . I hope you will pop in on Saturday's and share in watching this Splendid Rainbow take shape ;)   And with that . . . Let's get to this weeks blocks.

First off, the Hearts Aflutter Block designed by Pat Sloan.  I used fusible raw edge applique for the center heart and opted for a slightly different design of heart because I could cut this one out with my Slice, so it was super fast ;)  And of course, I didn't notice that little bit of lint on the picture until just now, oh well ;)

And Second, the Wings Block by Jane Davidson.  Those little blocks are 1" finished.  how cute is that!!!  I did free motion quilting for the little antenna on my home machine.  It was super easy and I always love the opportunity to do a little FMQing on my domestic machine since I mostly use the long arm now.  So fun!!!

And those are this weeks blocks!!!  And super fun news . . . Tomorrow I get to share the block I designed for this fun Quilt Along!!!  Be sure to pop in to see the fun story behind it, some tidbits on helping you to make the block, and a super cute bonus mini ;)  

I Couldn't Stop and Finished the Rows!!!

So yesterday morning I posted some more progress that I had made on my Moda All In A Row Quilt Along Christmas Quilt using Winterberry fabric by Kate and Birdie for Moda .  As soon as I was done posting I was so excited I decided to sneak in a little more piecing time.   And the a little turned into a lot and before you knew it, the kids were coming home from school and I was still in my pj's . . . but . . . my Rows were all finished and sewn together into a quilt top!!!  Yippee!!!  I am so just loving how it all came together!!

The first row I finished up was the Double Star Row by Barbara Brackman.  I just love piecing stars, I think they are my favorite thing to piece!!!  I am wishing I wouldn't have used the holly print in the background as it is reading more green than white, but what ya gonna do.

As soon as I was done with the Double Stars row I moved o to this adorable Snowy Day Row designed by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs.  I had so much fun appliqueing on those adorable snowman.  And we all know I am not much of a hand stitcher, so I did all of the eyes and nose on my machine a la free motion.   So fun!!

And since I was already in the applique mood, I finished up with the Birdies and Trees row by Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts.   I just love those little birdies!!  I have wanted to do the multiple free motion outlines on applique for some time that is so popular, and I figured now was the perfect opportunity.  The more I did it, the more I loosened up and stopped stressing about the lines that were stitched a little askew.  And I just love that in this method of stitching, they all look perfectly organic in the finish, so fun!!!

So yippee!!! Finished Rows!!!!  It should be noted that Josie and I did stop for a lunch break somewhere in there.  And my oh my, Josie made a lot of perler bead creations.  Every time I went to the ironing board to press, there was another one waiting to be ironed ;)   Anyhow,  Now the rows are all done and I think I am going to add a border to finish it off and make it a little larger ;)

And that is it for me today ;)  Thank you so much for stopping in today and every day ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up this finish to Sarah's and Amanda's ;)

Some more Row Along Progress :)

I am excited for how much more Moda Row Along  progress I have to share since the last time I posted.  It has been a crazy busy week, but I love that I have all of these cut out so I can squeeze in a little sewing here and there and still see progress, even if it is only in 15 minute increments.

 I finished up my Bloom Row designed by Karla Eisenach of Sweewater.   Aren't those little petals just so adorable!!!  I actually really enjoyed stitching them all done and just admiring how cute they were ;)

And I also started and finished another row.  This one is called Garland Knot by Brenda Riddle but instead of the Garland she has in the design, I added a little appliqued Merry Christmas.  This is going to be the focal row of the quilt and I am so excited!!!  I just love appliqued letters ;)  And that patchwork is 1" finished, so cute and little ;)

And I got a decent start on the Double Star Row as well.  I decided to use my favorite no-waste flying geese method instead of the one in the book.  It  only took a second to reconfigure the math and before you know it I was sewing away.  Just a little bit of cutting and pressing and I will have a flock ;)

I am having so much fun with this!!!  It really is the perfect little project to crank out a step or two in a row when you can squeeze in a minute in the sewing room ;)  So excited to see it all come together ;)

Oh, and if you want Row Along as well, you can find all the details here ;)

I hope you have a 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 weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!   The winner of the custom Canyon Bundle  from Kimberly's Fabric Stash  is . . .   Number # 242. . . Congrats Elizabeth!!!   I have emailed you :) 

      

      

  

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.   Fat Quarter Shop is amazing and they never cease to amaze me with everything they have going on at their shop!!!     And are you quilting along with them on their new Crossroads Quilt Along that benefits the March of Dimes??  Yesterday was the first block release day so there is lots of time to join in ;)

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving a highly anticipated Vintage Picnic Jelly Roll by Bonnie and Camille for Moda to one lucky winner!!!!  Oh, I just love this line!!!  The colors and the prints are just amazing!!!

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 is your favorite food to take to a picnic?

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fat Quarter Shop love.   You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, You Tube or at their Blog.  You can Sign up for their Newsletter which will ensure you catch all of their amazing sales, or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Fat Quarter Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, February 23rd , when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Crossroads Quilt Along - House Block!!!

Today is the first day of the Crossroads QAL and I am so very excited!!!    Not only do I absolutely love the Strawberry Fields Revisited fabrics (designed by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts for Moda) but these blocks are just so adorable and I am so loving all of the fun points to match up!!!  The first block is called the House Block and aren't they just so cute!!!

I have always loved these traditional looking house blocks so I couldn't wait to put them together!!!  They really did go together fast and I liked being able to chain stitch each step for the houses. Before I knew it, I had 4 adorable little houses :)

If you sewing along or want to join in on the fun,  you can download the block pattern right here and then don't forget to donate the $5.00 for the pattern to the March of Dimes  ;)  This QAL is raising funds for premature babies and Fat Quarter Shop and Moda and All of Us are teaming up to make a big impact!    

And like always, if you are a little nervous about getting all those little points to match up, you need not worry.  Kimberly and Joanna , have made a fabulous You Tube video that walks you through making the block step by step and has lots of little tidbits to help you with your block!!!  

Be sure to  share all of your Crossroads progress on social media with #crossroadsquiltalong and check out these fabulous bloggers who are quilting along for some House Block inspiration :)  

Joanna of Fig Tree Quilts (@figtreequilts)
Pat Sloan (@quilterpatsloan)
April of Prairie Grass Patterns (@amrosenthal)
Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)
Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)
Angie of Gnome Angel (@gnomeangel)
Vanessa of Lella Boutique (@lellaboutique)
Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)
Erin of Why Not Sew (@whynotsewquilts)
Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)
Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)
Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)
Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

I will be sharing more Crossroads Blocks on the 15th of each month.  It is going to be so much fun!!!  I hope you come Quilt Along!!!

Thanks for popping in today ;)  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Trunk Show with the Red Rock MQG!!!

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to share my Irish Chain Quilts with the Red Rock Modern Quilt Guild in St. George, Utah.   The ladies were so incredibly fun and I just had a ball!!!  What a wonderful evening!!!  (and a huge thank you to Natalia for sharing these pictures with me as I did not take a single one all evening ;)   I started with sharing my own Single, Triple, and Double Irish Chain Quilts.  The Double is the quilt my mother made me for my wedding and my first introduction to quilting, hence my love for Irish Chain quilts ;)

Then I shared the quilts from Irish Chain Quilts.   I have shared these here before so I won't show them all, but I couldn't help but share some of these.  I like to call this the many faces of Melissa.  Ya, I can get a little silly and I totally talk with my hands ;)

  

I think Natalia even caught me picking a thread off of this quilt.  Didn't even realize I was doing that, to funny!!

 And then to end things up . . . I shared a few quilts that have gone to Quilt Con, since I was at a MQG meeting it seemed to be a good fit and finish ;)   Oh, and I might have thrown in a not quite finished quilt (bottom right corner)  that I haven't shared yet on the blog.  I am hoping to get it  quilted soon and write up the pattern for it and then who knows . . . maybe it will get accepted to the next Quilt Con??  So ya, consider this a sneak peak of things to come very soon, and now that I have spilled the beans, hopefully that will get it done even sooner ;)

 It was such a super fun night!!!!  I just loved being able to share my passion for quilting with these amazing ladies.  What a wonderful group of amazingly talented women!!  It was an honor to get to share with them ;)   And after the show, I might have got a few bolts in the End of Bolt absolutely amazing sale at Quilted Works.  Ya, at $2.00 - $2.50 a yard can you blame me???  Now I have lots of Quilt Backs all stocked up :)

Thank you again to the Red Rock Modern Quilt Guild for having me.  It was just fantastic!!!

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

Blocked In - I Love Log Cabins!!!

Today is another fun day because I get to share another one of those secret projects from just about a year ago!!!  Remember when I showed these fabrics clear back when . . . .Well here they are all done up in my newest share Blocked In!!!!

Blocked In is featured in Martingale's newest compilation book I Love Log Cabins!!!  And let me just say, this book is packed with amazing ideas of how to transform your basic Log Cabin Block!!!  I was absolutely honored to be a part of this group of amazing quilters putting together stunning Log Cabin quilts!!!

When I designed Blocked In, I really wanted to keep it clean, simple, and streamlined.   I think so often when we think of log cabin we envision hundreds of pieces (which are absolutely stunning) but I really wanted to show that Log Cabin blocks can also be made with just a few pieces and give you a whole new bold look.  And of course, it has the added benefit of coming together rather quickly and easily, so fun!!!!

I used a collection of Basic Grunge prints by Basic Grey for Moda in bold colors for this quilt!!!  I know I have mentioned it before but I love grunge!!!  I just love how the little bit of added texture adds so much depth to the solid color.  And don't you just love those rich colors, so yummy!!!

To finish the quilt I added a little white border and then a grunge black binding.  I just love the way it really sets off the design!!

And for the quilting, I went with a personal favorite.  All over Swirls.  I just love all of that textures, makes me want to curl up with it in front of the fireplace ;)

And that is Blocked In!! I hope you love it simple boldness as much as I do.  It finishes at 61" x 75" so it actually just about the perfect size to snuggle up in front of the fireplace with.  That is sounding better and better, and since I just got a new book, that might be my afternoon plan now ;)

And as I mentioned before . . . I am in some amazing company in this book!!!  Look at all of these amazing quilts made by these amazing quilters!!!!!   I Love Log Cabins is packed with so many variations on a log cabin block and you are just going to love them!!!

1. Blaze by Amy Smart  2. Seeing Stars by Kimberly Jolly  3. Scrappy Courthouse Steps by Lissa Alexander  4. Very Berry by Brigitte Heitland  5. Mi Casa by Carrie Nelson   6. Rockin the Rainbow by Jackie White  7. Ice Crystals by Jocelyn Ueng  8. Hourglass Courthouse Steps by Audrie Bidwell  9. Log Cabin Chevron by Penny-Barnes 10. Herringbone by Heather Andrus 11. Framed by Lynne Hagmeier  12. Four Patch Log Cabin by Susan Ache  13. Daybreak by Rebecca Silbaugh 14. Twilight by Amy Ellis   15. Blocked In by Melissa Corry  16. Red Licorice Garden byJill-Finley

   

Yup, that is a lot of Log Cabin Goodness!!!   Each of the links above will take you to that quilters blog where you can read more about their amazing contribution to this amazing Log Cabin Quilts Book!!!

And if you like what you see and want a chance to win a copy of your own . . . Pop on over to Martingale where they are giving away 16 books!!!  Yippee for lots of chances to win!!!

That's all for today ;)  Thanks for popping in today and each day.  I just love being able to share my this passion with each of you on a daily basis ;)

Happy Quilting!!!