A funny thing happened on the way to the Quilt Shop

I have a fun little story to share today with a totally awesome ending!!!

 Last week, I realized that my Artista (Abby) Sewing Machine was long overdue for it's annual  maintenance and it was making a  funny noise so I figured I best take it in.  So I packed it up (a little begrudgingly, because its hard to go back to Bernadette as she isn't quite as reliable or fast) and my husband and I headed down to St. George to take it in for service.  On the way there, my husband just casually remarked  "For all the sewing you do, you really should have a second machine that is just as reliable as the first."   And I, being a little surprised, just smiled and said, "That would be nice indeed".    And a couple hours later I was walking out of the Bernina Quilt Shop with this little lady :)

I figured my sweethearts comment would simmer and maybe something would happen for Christmas . . .  but it was just one of things where everything worked out.  We walked into the shop to drop off my machine for maintenance, and they just happened to have a traded in Aurora 440.  Which was the other machine I was totally looking at when I got my Artista, and of course, my husband remembered that.  He just smiled and said "Call it an Early Mother's Day Present ;)"  Yes indeed, I sure do love that man of mine and am so very blessed to have him!!!!!!

And I am absolutely loving this new machine!!!!  No surprise that is quickly become my main machine and my Abby is now my back-up machine :)  It is faster, and quieter, and all together just awesome!!!  I have been heads down sewing like a crazy person all weekend and loving every minute of it :)  And it comes with the embroidery unit and I can take classes at the shop on how to use it, so maybe I will finally figure out how to do that little awesome bonus on this machine!!

Oh, and in case you are wondering, I figure she already has a name so no need to come up with a new one.  I am just so excited to welcome Aurora to the family!!!!!

Hope you are having a very Happy Quilting Day!!!  I'm off for some more chain stitching goodness :)

Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along - Week 2

 **  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of posts for the Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt 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

Introduction and Details

Dash and Diamond Blocks 

April 12 -  Puzzle Box Blocks - You are Here

April 19th - Treasured Blocks

April 26th - Jacks Blocks

May 3 - Dutch Days and Three O Blocks

May 10 - Aurora Block and Key Blocks

May 17th - Merry-Go-Round Blocks

May 24th - Putting it All Together

June 7th - Parade of Finishes

But before we get to Week 2 . . . we need to pick the Week 1 Winner of the Fruit Cocktail Layer Cake by Fig Tree & Co from  Green Fairy Quilts.   And the winner is   . . .   coloradoquiltengineer!!!!   I have messaged you ;) 

WEEK 2 - PUZZLE BOX BLOCKS

So now, let's get to more blocks!!!   It's the second week of making blocks for the Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along and I am just so thrilled you are quilting along with me!!!  Just a reminder,  I am making 2 versions of the quilt, so I will be sharing two sets of blocks.    You only need to share one set ;)     You will need your copy of Fast & Fun Lap Quilts (which is available in both hard copy or e-book format)  for the piecing instructions as well as the Week 2 - Puzzle Box Block Pattern  supplemental directions for making your blocks ;)  This week we will be making 4 blocks from the Puzzle Box quilt!!!

To make your 4 Puzzle Box Blocks, you will be using directions from pages 52-57 in your book and the Week 2 - Puzzle Box Block Pattern  for supplemental directions.  

And take care when adding your sashing to do 2 sashed in one layout, and the remaining 2, rotating them 90 degrees before sashing ;)

WEEK 2 - SHARE YOUR BLOCKS

And just like that, you are done with Week 2!!  And now, you get to share your progress!!!   Lets see your week 2 Puzzle Box Blocks and enter to win prizes :)    Here's how:

If you use Facebook or Instagram  be sure and use the Hashtags #fastandfunsampler and #fastandfunsamplerqal  in your post. And you can tag me @happyquiltingmc as well, if you like ;)    

If you don't use social media, no worries.   Just email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com and I will post a picture for your with the hashtags included so you will be eligible for prizes as well.  

WEEK 2 - PRIZES

 And just a reminder, everyone that finishes their quilt top between May 24th - June 7th will be eligible to win one of three amazing Grand Prizes of  $75.00 Gift Certificates to Fat Quarter Shop!!!  Thank you to Fat Quarter Shop for these generous grand prizes to help keep us all motivated to keep up!! 

   

And just to keep you motivated each week, we also have a giveaway for everyone who finishes their Puzzle Box Blocks!!!   This week, you can win this not yet released, Christmas Eve Layer Cake from Lella Boutique for Moda!!!  Olie and Evie is sponsoring this giveaway and I thank them for helping to keep us motivated!!!  

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is share your Puzzle Box Blocks with Hashtags #fastandfunsampler and #fastandfunsamplerqal  on  Facebook or Instagram or email me a picture of your blocks to happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com by April 18th at midnight.     I will share the winner at the beginning of next weeks QAL post :)  
                           

And that is it for Week 2 of the Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along!!!  I can't wait to see your Puzzle Box blocks.   And of course, if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to leave them in the comments below, or email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com

I hope you all have lots of Happy Quilting times as you Quilt Along for Week 2 :)  

Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along - Week 3

 **  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of posts for the Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt 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

Introduction and Details

Dash and Diamond Blocks 

Puzzle Box Blocks

April 19th - Treasured Blocks - You are Here

April 26th - Jacks Blocks

May 3 - Dutch Days and Three O Blocks

May 10 - Aurora Block and Key Blocks

May 17th - Merry-Go-Round Blocks

May 24th - Putting it All Together

June 7th - Parade of Finishes

But before we get to Week 3 . . . we need to pick the Week 2 Winner of the Christmas Eve Layer Cake By Lella Boutique from  Olie and Evie .   And the winner is   . . .  lizahorgan!!!!   I have messaged you.

WEEK 3 - TREASURED BLOCKS

So now, let's get to more blocks!!!   It's the third week of making blocks for the Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along and it is just so fun to see all of your blocks so far!!!  Just a reminder,  I am making sharing two sets of blocks, but you only need to share one set ;)     You will need your copy of Fast & Fun Lap Quilts (which is available in both hard copy or e-book format)  for the piecing instructions as well as the Week 3 - Treasured Block Pattern  supplemental directions for making your blocks ;)  This week we will be making 4 blocks from the Treasured quilt!!!

To make your 4 Treasured Blocks, you will be using directions from pages 58-63 in your book and the Week 3 - Treasured Block Pattern  for supplemental directions.  

And take care to pay attention to the pressing directions so that your angled seams will nest, it makes it so much easier to get pretty points that way ;)

WEEK 3 - SHARE YOUR BLOCKS

And just like that, you are done with Week 3!!  And now, you get to share your progress!!!   Lets see your week 3 Treasured Blocks and enter to win prizes :)    Here's how:

If you use Facebook or Instagram  be sure and use the Hashtags #fastandfunsampler and #fastandfunsamplerqal  in your post. And you can tag me @happyquiltingmc as well, if you like ;)    

If you don't use social media, no worries.   Just email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com and I will post a picture for your with the hashtags included so you will be eligible for prizes as well.  

WEEK 3 - PRIZES

 Of course, everyone that finishes their quilt top between May 24th - June 7th will be eligible to win one of three amazing Grand Prizes of  $75.00 Gift Certificates to Fat Quarter Shop!!!  Thank you to Fat Quarter Shop for these generous grand prizes to help keep us all motivated to keep up!! 

   

But for this week, we also have a giveaway for everyone who finishes their Treasured Box Blocks!!!   This week, you can win this beautiful Betsy's Sewing Kit 10" Precut!!  Poppie Cotton is sponsoring this giveaway and I thank them for helping to keep us motivated!!!  

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is share your Treasured Blocks with Hashtags #fastandfunsampler and #fastandfunsamplerqal  on  Facebook or Instagram or email me a picture of your blocks to happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com by April 25th at midnight.     I will share the winner at the beginning of next weeks QAL post :)  
                           

And that is it for Week 3 of the Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along!!!  I can't wait to see your Treasured blocks.   And of course, if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to leave them in the comments below, or email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com

I hope you all have lots of Happy Quilting times as you Quilt Along for Week 3 :)