Moroccan Lullaby - A New Finish

This morning I a so very excited to share with you my newest finish and it's a big one!!!!  I call it Moroccan Lullaby and I so love it!!!!  This will be one of my newest patterns and I am hoping to get to teach it soon as well.   I was planning on having the pattern ready for today, but life happened, so watch for it coming soon ;)

I had so much fun making these giant blocks!!!    They really are fun to put together and are not as difficult as they look.   And I just love the wonderful geometric shapes with the intertwining design and all of the negative space that gives the quilt a beautiful modern flair.

My prints are Grunge Basics by BasicGrey for Moda.   I know I have said it before, but I love Grunge fabrics!!!  It is just so great to get the crisp look of a solid, but to still have the wonderful added texture of the Grunge print.   Love it!!!

So, a little confession.  This quilt top has been done for about 8 months and has been waiting for me to get up the courage to quilt it.  Ya, I will admit, I was pretty intimidated by all of that beautiful white space and the fact that I knew I wanted to do some serious ruler work on it, and I had yet to feel like I could use the ruler proficiently on the long arm.  I am so glad I finally just went for it.

I quilted some of my favorite designs all mixed together in pretty small scale (for me) in the "inside" of the blocks.  There are swirls, paisleys, curls, and pebbles.  I just love all of the beautiful flowing lines to go with all of the sharp angles of the piecing.  So fun!!!  

And on the "outside" of the blocks, I quilted 1/4" lines and I am so happy to say, I conquered my ruler anxiety with this quilt!!!   If you remember, the last time I was using a ruler I had a bad needle strike which broke my ruler.  But a new ruler that I loved (Judi's Favorite) and some helpful forum and video research and I was on my way.   And the great thing about a king size quilt, by the time you get to the end, (think 18 hours later)  you feel pretty confident!!

I didn't do any quilting on the print fabrics, just stitched around the ditch.  I love the way it makes them pop up and really highlights the overall design of the quilt. And ya, the back looks pretty cool as well ;)

And of course, with all of that fun little quilting, there is lots and lots of yummy quilting texture.  I am super happy with the outcome and feel like I did good by all that white space.  Yippee!!

And totally random final thought, yes, I did happen to take pictures in a place other than my backyard.  (It's hard to get out to a "photo shoot" when you are dragging little ones in tow and I am not much of a photographer to begin with :)  This quilt is 100 x 100 and was to large to hang off  my deck.  So I went to the Adam's Memorial Theater and took these fun shots.  This wonderful house of the Utah Shakespearn Festival will be torn down soon as a new theater is being built, and so I thought this would be kind of special :)

And that is Moroccan Lullaby, and I so hope you love it every bit as much as I do.     As I said earlier, I am hoping to get the Pattern finished soon, and like all my patterns, it will include several size options :)  And hopefully soon like as in soon soon, and not 8 more months soon, tee hee hee ;)

Thank you so much for stopping by today and every day.  I am just so very grateful to be able to share my passion for quilting with each of you and so happy that you are joining me in this wonderful journey.

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

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

When Do You Make Your Binding Strip??

So, I realized something a little funny yesterday.  As many of you know, I am not much of a hand stitcher, so all of my bindings are either machine done, or my wonderful MIL, Barbara tacks my bindings down when it needs to be done by hand.   So no, I haven't found the joy in sitting and hand stitching a binding down yet . . . However, I sure do love making the Binding Strip!!!

I realized this yesterday when I was cutting out my Ruby Jubilee Braided Irish Chain quilt.  As soon as I was finished cutting, I immediately grabbed my strips for the binding and stitched them into a binding strip.  I just love making the strip and thinking about how it will finish off my quilt!!! I pressed the strip last night and this morning checked it off of my little Quilt List Spreadsheet and realized that "Binding Made" was more at the end of the quilt making process in the list.    This made me wonder if I am the only one that makes their bindings at the beginning instead of the end of the quilt making process???

I love having my binding all ready to go as soon as I take the quilt off the long arm.  And they look so pretty all stacked up ;)   They also have the added benefit of reminding me of a few WIP's that have been forgotten in a closet somewhere.  7 of those bindings are fairly recent and their quilts are being worked on in one stage or another, but 2 have been been sitting there far to long waiting for the quilt top to be quilted.   It's a good little reminder to squeeze them in at some point ;)

And just in case you are wondering, that scrappy binding on the bottom comes from here ;)   I keep all of my little leftover binding pieces and then when I finish a scrappy quilt I just pull from the basket to make a super scrappy binding.  So fun!!!

So back to my little process . . . I really am curious . . . When do you make your binding strip???  Are you like me and make it at the beginning, do you save it to the end, or do you squeeze it in somewhere in the middle.   Can't wait to hear when you make your binding strip ;)

Make It Madness Quilting Pattern Tournament ;)

I got a super fun email last evening!!  Craftsy is doing a "Make It Madness" quilt pattern tournament and my free Double Dresden Delight Pattern is one of the patterns that has been selected to compete.  How cool is that ;)  Since my actual March Madness Bracket is totally busted, maybe I can make it a little farther in this tournament ;)

Everyone can vote on their favorite pattern, and then the finalists will move on to a new round until it comes down to  a big winner!!!   Oh, and of course, Craftsy is giving you the chance to win as well, because every time you vote, you are entering a giveaway for a free Craftsy class, yippee!!!

To vote in my little  "match-up" you can click right here and then just leave a comment, and to see all of the other match-ups and more details on this fun little tournament, you can visit Crafty's Kick Off Post right here.

Let the March #MakeItMadness Begin!!!!

P,S.  While I am sharing happy news . . . On Monday, Happy Quilting jumped over 10,000 followers on Bloglovin.   So fun!!!  Thank you all so very much for sharing in a  daily dose of Happy Quilting with me ;)

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 Cloud Fat Quarters of Refresh from Shabby Fabrics is . . .   Number #95 . . . Congrats annmarie!!   I have emailed you :) 

    

  

    

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.   Fat Quarter Shop has everything you could ever want and then some!!!   They always have amazing deals and amazing tutorials.  Have you checked out their You Tube Channel yet??  Daily awesome eye candy!!!!

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop has a super fun,  brand new,  Fat Eighth Bundle of Just a Speck by Jen Kinwell for Moda.    Oh, I just love polka dots!!!  And how perfect of a stash builder is this awesome bundle of rainbow polka dot goodness!!! 

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 one of your favorite Easter Holiday Traditions.  

 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, March 29th, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Splendid Sampler Saturday :)

It's Saturday and it also just happens to be National Quilting Day!!!!   So fun ;)  And I am sad to say, I haven't gotten a chance to get to my sewing machine yet today . . .but that is going to change right after I finish this post.   I have a quilt on the long arm that is one row away from being done, and what better way to spend National Quilting Day then Quilting!!!

But . . . I managed to get my Splendid Sampler blocks done a little early so I still have them all ready to share for Splendid Sampler Saturday ;)   First up is the Local Quilt Shop block designed by Jane Davidson.  I had so much fun picking all of the blues for this block, and it really got me cleaning through my blue drawer because I randomly decided to do all Art Gallery fabrics.  I pretty much made it to the bottom of the drawer and then decided before putting it all back that it would be helpful to "organize" it a bit since my blue drawer was overflowing a bit ;)  So  I actually sorted the blues into stacks of Navy, Blue, Teal/Aqua and Light Blue.  I think it will really save time down the line when picking fabrics, and I just love how neat and tidy it looks now.   And it kind of caught on as I have now sorted the green drawer as well and have plans for the pink and red drawers :)

And next up is Iowa  designed by Sherri McConnell.  I really enjoyed putting this block together and it was nice to have a "fast" block after so many intricate ones.   And I just love the wonderful geometric nature of the design.  I think yellow is my hardest fabrics for really getting good contrast, as I don't have a lot of "dark yellow" scraps.   Guess I will see how it goes ;)

And those are this weeks Splendid Sampler blocks.  Looking forward to next Saturday!!!

And Happy National Quilting Day!!!!   Let's all Celebrate with a little Quilting Fun!!!

Quilted Recipe Binder Cover - Vintage Kitchen Blog Tour

Today I am super excited to share a new little project that I have been "cooking up".  It is a Quilted Recipe Binder Cover and oh how I just love it!!!  It's just perfect for keeping all of those recipes your print on line or tear out of a magazine neat and tidy.  

This project was inspired by JoliJou's new Vintage Kitchen line for Riley Blake Designs.   A few weeks ago I was asked by the wonderful Andrea Miller, the wonderful German designer behind JoliJou, if I would like to participate in a blog tour for her fabric line called Vintage Kitchen.  I have always wanted to do something with all of my recipes that were previously stuffed in a folder to make them more organized and I just knew these fun whimsical designs would be perfect for the job. 

So a little bit of sketching, and some fun playing with fabric, and before you knew it, I had a cute yet practical Quilted Recipe Binder Cover, just perfect for storing all of those loose recipes ;)

I love that all of the prints in Vintage Kitchen are nice and tiny, just perfect for cutting them up in this fun patchwork without worrying about loosing the design.  And of course, you know I love a bit of applique in all my projects ;)

Just add some sheet protectors to the binder and start storing recipes, it's that easy ;)    And if you happen to spill on it, you can always remove the cover, wash it, and then put it back on your binder.  Yippee!!! Cute and Practical, the perfect mix ;)

If you happen to have the same storage problem for your recipes and want to make up your own Quilted Recipe Binder Cover, I have written up a   that you can download right here ;) 

And I took a few photo's of  the actual "putting together" process of the project to make a little mini tutorial to go along with the pattern, just in case you get stuck in any of the spots.  So, here are some helpful little tidbits to help you in your  Quilted Recipe Binder Cover making :)

HELPFUL HINTS FOR MAKING YOUR QUILTED RECIPE BINDER COVER

To Start . . . The pattern calls for 2 Charm Packs, which normally have 40 Charm in them, but since I am using this fun Vintage Kitchen Line, which has 21 prints in it, you will actually want to use a Layer Cake ;)   So then just chop up your layer cake according to the Free Pattern and piece together the patchwork into the Recipe Binder Cover top.  (The instructions are super easy to follow here so I didn't take pictures of all the piecing so well just jump right to the actual "making" of the binder cover.)  

With the Recipe Binder Cover top pieced grab your batting and you are ready to make a partial quilt sandwich.  (Your sandwich does not have a backing)  Baste your partial quilt sandwich and then quilt it as you desire, but don't quilt in the Applique Strip as you will be adding applique there.  If you are new to basting and quilting, you can see my video tutorial here that will help you through the basics of these :)

When you are done your quilting, trim your Recipe Binder Cover to measure 12 1/2" x 38".  The trimming gives everyone a little wiggle room with the quilting :)

Once trimmed, you are ready to add your applique. There are applique templates at the end of the Free Pattern.  If you are new to applique, you can see my Basics of Applique Video Tutorial right here.   Lay your quilted cover out and from the right hand side, measure in 17 1/2".  This is where you want to begin placing your applique, and place all your letters within a 9" space.  This will ensure that your applique is centered when you fold in the "pockets".

Then be sure to secure stitch around each of your appliques, taking care to stitch around the little openings in the R, e's, and p.  I like to use a blanket stitch to secure stitch but you can also do a straight raw edge stitch, or a zig-zag stitch.  Whichever you prefer.

And your almost there.   Place the lining onto the Quilted Recipe Binder Cover top with right sides together.  Stitch all the way around the entire cover, but leave a 5" - 6" space in the bottom center open to allow you to turn the cover right side out.  Be sure and backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching to secure it in place.

Turn your cover right side out.  I like to use a BBQ Skewer to help poke out my corners so they are nice and flat.   Then, fold under the raw edge of the opening a 1/4" and press it flat.

Finally, fold  the left hand and right hand sides inwards 7 1/4" onto the lining to create the "pockets".  Pin the folded sides in place as well as pinning the pressed raw edge opening close.  Stitch 1/8" around the entire folded to cover to make the pockets ad close the opening.  This can get a little tricky around the corners as there is a lot of bulk, so go nice and slow, and I like to use the hand crank on my machine for the last stitch in each corner before turning.

And all that is left is to put your binder into the cover.  I find the easiest way to do this is to turn the binder basically backwards, and slide the binder front and back into the pockets.

And just like that, you have the most adorable Quilted Recipe Binder Cover!!!

I hope you enjoy this Free Pattern and helpful hints tutorial :)   If you make your own Quilted Recipe Binder Cover I would love to see it!!!  You can add to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc, send me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, or add it to my Flickr Group.   I hope you just love making your own as much as I loved making this one!!!  They are fast to make and would make wonderful gifts!!!  In fact, I might be making a new one soon, as this one has had a request from a loved one ;)  

And I want to say a huge thank you to Andrea Miller for having me as part of this wonderful Vintage Kitchen Blog tour!!!  

For lots more Vintage Kitchen Eye Candy, be sure to pop on over to all of the stops along the tour ;)  There are lots of amazing Vintage Kitchen projects to see!!!

3/7 - Julia Riley Blake Designs

3/7 - Andrea - Jolijou

3/8 - Anja - Nahkitz

3/9 - Swafing Fabrics

3/9 - Carrie Beri Bee Designs

3/10 - Andrea - Anlukaa

3/10 - Herzenssachen

3/11 - Emma - Fruhstuck Bei Emma

3/11 - Einchen - Doppelnaht

3/14 - Anorina - Samelias Mum

3/14 - Bev - Flamingo Toes

3/15 - Amy - Diary of a Quilter

3/15 - Julia - Lillesol & Pelle

3/16 - Andy - A Bright Corner

3/16 - Sabine - Fabenmix

3/17 - Simone - Kaeptn Stupsnase

3/17 - Sarah - Madchenkram

3/18 - Melissa - Happy Quilting

3/21 - Jessica - Snickerdoodle Stew

3/21 - Bine Guellich

3/22 - Lindsay - The Cottage Mama

3/22 - Sandra - Flaupa

3/23 - Amanda - Jedi Craft Girl

3/23 - Ina - Pattydoo

3/24 - Ruth Sodl-Warter

3/24 - Marissa - Rae Gun Ramblings

Thanks for stopping in today and I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

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

Irish Chain Quilts (Sale) for an Irish Day!!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!!!  And what better to go with St. Patrick's Day than with some Irish Chain Quilts!!!!   It's no secret that I love Irish Chain Quilts, hence why I wrote a book with contemporary twists on the classic design.   So, to celebrate this all Irish Day, how about a Lucky Sale!!!  And since lucky number 7 is always good . . .  Today you can purchase Irish Chain Quilts for only $17.77!!!   You can find your own personalized and signed copy right here in my little book store ;)   

And if you already have a copy of my book . . . Well what better day to start your own Irish Chain Quilt!!!!   Grab some fabrics from your stash and get cutting and then be sure and tag me in your pics with @happyquiltingmc!!!!  I would love to see which Irish Chain Quilt you decided to make :)

And if you don't have a copy of my book yet . . .but want to start and Irish Chain Quilt today, well you can always start up one of these tutorial Irish Chain Quilts.   There is the Super Scrappy Single Irish Chain, the Bonnie Rose, or the Super Scrappy Triple Irish Chain.  All three are super fun to make and great stash busters.  Just click on the names of the quilts or the pictures of the quilts to be taken to the free step by step tutorial of each ;)

  

Whether you decide to start your first Irish Chain Quilt or your 10th, I hope you enjoy these fun twists on my all time favorite classic design ;)  

 I wish you all a very  Happy Irish (and hopefully some 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 $25.00 Gift Certificate from Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is . . .   Number #27 . . . Congrats Stacy Lindblom!!   I have emailed you :) 

    

    

    

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Shabby Fabrics!!   Along with hosting the giveaway, Shabby Fabrics is having an amazing Spring Cleaning Sale that includes lots of amazing Sale and Clearance fabrics!!!!!!!   They just added a whole ton of fabric to make room for new stuff, so be sure to check it out!!  So fun!!!  

And the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for a Cloud Fat Quarter Set of the new Moda Collection, Refresh by Sandy Gervais!!!   I just love how soft the colors are, just lovely!!!  One lucky winner is certainly going to be refreshed with these beautiful fabrics!!

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 you favorite type of Pie, yesterday was Pi day after all :)

 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, March 22nd, 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 - Diamond Block

I am posting a day early, but tomorrow is TTGD and I didn't want these blocks to get lost in it :)   So today I am excited to share the second set of the Crossroads Quilt Along blocks.  This month it is the  Diamond Blocks and aren't they just fabulous!!!

This block looks a little complex but it really goes together quite quick.  Just some HST's and some Stitch and Flip corners and you are there in no time.  And I just love the overall effect.  Wouldn't this block just look amazing on its own in a whole quilt.  So fun!!!

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 about stitching up this block, 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 Diamond 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!!

Splendid Sampler Saturday!!

It's Saturday so that means Splendid Sampler blocks ;)   With my Irish Chain Layout I won't be able to include all 100 blocks, so I actually hopped over one block this week as it was all embroidery, and I just haven't decided if those will work in my rainbow layout  (and you know, I am not a big fan of hand stitching, so it wasn't hard to make an excuse to not have to do it :)  

So this week I started with the Friends Around the Square block designed by Julie Karasek.  This was such a fun block to make.  I think it took me twice as long to choose fabrics as it did to make the block.  It was super important to make sure I had enough contrast in the three shades of orange to really make sure I didn't lose the design.  I just love sewing these monochromatic blocks, it really is making me think a lot about shades of color and layout.

And since I only have one SS block to share, I decided to get caught up in my bee block as well.  Tamara asked us to make this super fun block.  It's an Ohio Star framed in a modified Log Cabin.   It was so much fun to make and I just love the pretty purples in Lady Slipper Lodge by Holly Taylor for Moda.   It was so fun to make and I am glad to be all caught up again ;)

And those are this weeks Splendid Sampler blocks / Bee Block.  Looking forward to next Saturday for another Splendid Morning of Saturday Stitching ;)

Happy Quilting!!!

Snapshots Quilt Top!!!

Yippee!!!!  I finished my Snapshots Quilt top ;)   Isn't it just so fun!!!!   Sure it took a little bit to frame all of those blocks, by wow, I just love it!!!   The setting of this quilt is just amazing.  Gotta love those gals at Fat Quarter Shop, always coming up with amazing!!!  This is just the cutest quilt!!!

I finished up the quilt back last week so now it's time to quilt this up!!!   And I have no clue how I want to do it.  I might have to think on that one for a bit.  Any suggestions??