Bloomtopia - Finished!!!

It's the final day of the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop and I am thrilled to be sharing my finished quilt!!!!  This has been such a fun quilt to make and I am so excited with how much was raised for  Make a Wish Foundation :)  I just love participating in Fat Quarter Shop's annual charity QAL as not only do I finish with a beautiful quilt, but it also benefits so many wonderful people!!!

I did not do the 2020 Pieced Backing, just a basic one so I didn't bother to take a picture of it.  But if you want to do the original backing, you can find the Backing Pattern Here.    My layout is totally different than the original pattern so the original backing would not have fit ;)  And there are links at the end of this post to all of the alterations I did, just in case you want to make your Bloomtopia quilt with the same layout as mine ;)  

And when it came time to quilt mine, I decided on an all over loose feather.  Mostly because it is super fast, and this was a super big quilt that I quilted all of yesterday.   So a quick and pretty design was just the trick.  And I just love all of the beautiful texture it adds to the quilt!!!

I can't even begin to say how much I have enjoyed this QAL!!!  This is my 6th year participating in the annual Charity Quilt Along (2015 Snapshots, 2016 Crossroads, 2017 Patchwork,  2018 Clementine, 2019 Threadology, and this year 2020 Bloomtopia) .   And I have loved it every bit as much as the previous years and now I just get to look forward to next year's !!!!

But before we start looking to next year, there is still a little fun left for this 2020 Bloomtopia Quilt Along!!!  Both Sherri and Chelsi, and Pat Sloan are acutioning off their Bloomtopia quilts and all the funds raised will go to Make a Wish Foundation.  Isn't that so great!!!  You can see all of the details of the auction at the Jolly Jabber :)   The auction ends July 25th and the winners and fundraiser results will be announced August 1st :) 

   

Be sure to share all of your Bloom-Topia finishes on social media with #bloomtopiaquiltalong!!!    I can't wait to see all of your quilt tops!!!!   What an amazing QAL and here is to looking forward to 2021's Charity QAL!!!! 

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

Release 6 - Block 10 Alterations

Release 7 - Block 11 & 12 Alterations

Release 8 - Block 13 Alterations

Release 9 - Block 14 & 15 Alterations
Release 10 - Block 16 Alterations
Release 11 - Layout Alterations

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

Class Finishes!!!

I am back from the Quilt St. George retreat and it was so much fun!!!  All three of my classes were just fantastic.  Each of the ladies in my classes were just wonderful. We laughed and sewed and laughed some more, and sewed some more. I made lots of new sewing friends and even got to meet, in person, some of the wonderful sewing friends I have made through this blog.  What a fantastic way to spend 2 days :)  Oh, and I even got to meet Dr. Bob from Superior Threads and earn my PhD in Threadology!!!

I love teaching!!!  It is just absolutely wonderful to be surrounded by quilting.  To hear the hum of so many sewing machines running all at once. (which did pop the breaker a few times, but I have realized that is just part of a quilting class ;)  I I love to see all of the different fabric choices and watch my designs come to life in so many different color palettes.  And yes, I leave each class thinking I need to make that particular quilt another three times because I have fallen in love with new color choices :)  Most of all, I love to see these ladies get so excited and have such a good time quilting!!

And while everyone was having a wonderful time with friends, they also worked real hard.  Seriously, those machines were humming.   And by the end of class, there were a lot of finishes to show for it ;)

Here are the finishes from the Braided Irish Chain class

And the finishes from the Starburst Class

And of course, I totally forgot to take my camera out for The Way The Crow Flies class.  I knew it was going to happen at some point :)  But those ladies did fantastic as well ;)

But like I said, these ladies worked hard and all their finishes totally shows it :)  All in all, an absolutely wonderful two days of quilting goodness!!!

And I even managed while in St. Geroge to finish up all the pre-work and get the Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long started!!!  (Yes, I was up a little late on Tuesday night :)   The first Quilt-A-Long  post went up Wednesday morning and had all of the fabric requirements, schedule, and the Prizes!!!!  Yippee, I am so excited.  This is going to be such a fantastic Quilt-A-Long ;)  We are spending 2 weeks to gather or order fabric so you have lots of time to jump in :)  It is going to be so much fun and with 1 x 1 layout options you can squeeze it in easy :)

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend :)

Linking up these finishes to Amanda's and Sarah's :)

Heartfelt Charity Quilt Along for 2022 - It's Coming!!!!

 I am so super excited!!!  It's been announced!!! The 2022  Fat Quarter Shop Charity Quilt Along is Heart Felt and it is absolutely gorgeous :)  This will be my 8 Year participating and I have just loved being a part of such an amazing Quilt Along that benefits such an amazing cause!!!  (2015 Snapshots, 2016 Crossroads, 2017 Patchwork,  2018 Clementine, 2019 Threadology, 2020 Bloomtopia, 2021 Serendipity)  It is just so incredible to have so much good to be tied up into one quilt ;)  This Charity Quilt Along benefits Make a Wish, and there were some wonderful Wishes granted from this Quilt Along last year, isn't that just amazing!!!!

And along with Making Wishes come True . . . you also get to sew a beautiful Heart Felt quilt!!!!   I can't wait to get started on this!!!  I just love stitching hearts and Fat Quarter Shop has designed 6 different  Heart Blocks that have come together to make this stunner of a quilt!!   I especially love that they made some hearts in stars, because you all know, I just love piecing Star blocks as well :)  

The Heart Felt Quilt Along block piecing starts on February 4th, 2022 and a new block will be released the first Friday of each month.   Fat Quarter Shop will be releasing the Fabric Requirements on January 14th, but the cool thing is . . .we can get them even earlier!!   The Make A Wish Campaign has already begun, and as soon as it reaches $20,000 . . . Fat Quarter Shop will release the Fabric Requirements!!!   (So help spread the word so we can all get a jump start ;)   

The Heart Felt Quilt features Beautiful Day Fabrics by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics.   (And I have already worked with these fabrics for some secret sewing and let me tell you, they are gorgeous!!!)    Beautiful Day Fabrics release in December, but you can reserve an exclusive Heart Felt Quilt Kit and Backing Set now,  (And isn't that quilt back just so fun!!!!)   The Heart Felt Quilt Kit comes with all the fabrics you need for the blocks, background and binding and it even comes in a Bonus Keepsake Box with Magnetic Closure.   And one other bonus . . . The Kit comes with all of the patterns so you don't have to wait each month for them to be released, and yes, it's the only place to get them early ;)    

     

Choosing fabrics is always so fun, and I am super excited to be using Flirt by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics for my Heart Felt Quilt!!  I love that the hearts in the line will just go perfectly with the hearts in the piecing :)   And I want all of those beautiful low volume prints to stand out, so I am planning on using a Graphite Cross Weave for my background!!!    I just love a colored background and the Cross Weave will also add an awesome texture too :)     I did a little mock-up . . . it isn't the exact design as I was just whipping it up fast, but it really gives the idea of what it will look like and I just love it!!!

 

  

So do you want to join in and quilt along for a great cause??  Watch for the Fabric Requirements to be released, then have fun shopping, and mark  January 14th on your calendar for the Heart Felt Quilt Along Kick-off!!!    It's going to be so much fun!!! You can pop on over to the Heart Felt Quilt Along Page for all the details and easy access links for the pattern releases :)  

I can't wait for some Happy Charity Quilting in 2022!!!!

Serendipity Quilt Along - Finish!!

 The Serendipity Quilt Alonghosted by the Fat Quarter Shop has just come to an end and I am thrilled to be sharing my finished quilt!!!!  This has been such a fun quilt to make and I am so excited with how much was raised for Make a Wish Foundation, as in $120,000!!!!  Isn't that just amazing!!!    I just love participating in Fat Quarter Shop's annual charity QAL as not only do I finish with a beautiful quilt, but it also benefits so many wonderful children and their families!!!

I did not do the Pieced Backing on my quilt, just a basic one so I didn't bother to take a picture of it.  But if you want to do the original backing (it is a super cute flower ), you can find the Backing Pattern Here.    It is a super cute way to finish up the quilt, but I was just happy to get the quilt finished up with all of the craziness that is July :)  

And when it came time to quilt mine, I decided on an all over echoed paisley.  I haven't quilted this in a little while, and it is still a favorite all over design.  In fact, there is a video tutorial of how I do it right over here ;)   I just love all of the beautiful texture it adds to the quilt!!!

I can't even begin to say how much I have enjoyed this QAL!!!  This is my 7th year participating in the annual Charity Quilt Along (2015 Snapshots, 2016 Crossroads, 2017 Patchwork,  2018 Clementine, 2019 Threadology, 2020 Bloomtopia and of course, this year with Serendipity) .   And I have loved it every bit as much as the previous years and now I get to look forward to next year's !!!!

Be sure to share all of your Serendipity finishes on social media with #serendipityquiltalong!!!    I can't wait to see all of your finished quilts!!!!   What an amazing QAL this has been for such a wonderful cause :)  And here is to looking forward to 2022's Charity QAL!!!! 

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

Welcome Superior Threads and a Giveaway!!!

Today I am so excited to welcome  Superior Threads as Happy Quilting's newest sponsor!!!  Superior Threads began part-time in St. George, Utah (yes, a mere 40 minutes down the free way from me, see my all about my latest visit here ;) by Bob and Heather Purcell  in 1998.  However, the folks there consider 2001 to be their serious start date.  The first product they introduced was Superior Metallic. They now produce and sell over 40 different thread lines with more on the way.

Superior Threads seeks out out the highest-quality raw materials and use the latest technology in manufacturing and processing to create superior threads for all types of sewing.  They really do create a thread for every application you might need.  They have just the right thread for  hand quilting, piecing, embroidery, upholstery, apparel sewing, or free motion quilting, and the list goes on and on.  And every one of those threads come in just about every color under the sun!!!  

One of my favorite things about Superior Threads is their dedication to Education.  If you have a question about thread, they will have the answer, guaranteed!!  I had the wonderful experience of attending one of Bob Purcell's Threadology lectures last January.  I learned so much and I have drawn on that information several times since!!  

     

Superior Threads has so many videos, just like this one, on their You Tube Channel or they can be found here on the Video Section of their website.    They really do cover everything you could ever need to know about thread, needles, tension, ect.  Superior Threads also has an amazing selection of educational articles.  I can not begin to explain how helpful the Tension articles were when we first got the long arm!!!

Now of course, Superior Threads is obviously know for their amazing quality and variety of threads, but did you also know they have a Fabric store as well!!!  It's called Mother Superior's Fab Fabrics  (Love the name!!) and is ran by Heather Purcell.  They carry a vast array of manufactures and they even help you to choose the threads that go with the fabric.  Bonus!!!

  

      

And of course, with all of that Thread and Fabric, you are going to need some needles to go along with it!!  I have been using Superiors Needles for the Long Arm for a year now but just recently started using Superior Needles for my home machine and and I have to say, I love them!!!  They are a top stitch needle that is titanium coated so it stays sharper longer and will way outlast the basic universal needles.  

  

             

I love my Superior Threads and am so happy to Welcome them as my newest sponsor here.  I am so excited to have them as part of the Happy Quilting Family!!!

 And as part of their welcome debut here at Happy Quilting, Superior Threads is giving away a $30.00 Gift Certificate to one lucky reader!!! 

You have two chances to win, please leave a separate comment for each.  And since Superior Threads is new here, I thought it might be nice for your entries to allow you to get acquainted :)

1 - Sign up for the Superior Threads Newsletter and leave a comment here that you did so or already do.  

2 - Follow Superior Threads.  You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or their Blog.   Pick one or several and then leave a comment of where you are following.

And that's it :) The giveaway will close on Sunday the 20th  and I will announce a winner Monday Morning.    Good Luck to everyone ;)

 Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

A Visit to Superior Threads!!

Yesterday, Barbara and I headed down to sunny St. George, Utah, emphasis on sunny (seriously, it was 104) to visit Superior Threads!!!  This is their warehouse and they ship all of their orders from here but it is also open to the public, so fun!!!   They totally let you walk among the shelves and shelves of threads, see all of the colors, and fill a basket ;)  And, their warehouse is right off the I-15, seriously, the next time you are driving through Utah on your way to Vegas or Cali, you totally want to stop by ;)

I was kindly greeted by Josh Every, general manager of Superior Threads. Everyone at the Warehouse is just so nice and willing to jump in and help you at a moments notice. And Isn't this a fun quilt!!!  It highlights all of the different types of threads that Superior makes.   So awesome!!

And then it was time for some shopping!!!  Seriously, is this not just eye candy!!!  Row, after row, after row of beautiful colors all wound on spools.  Ya, we were "shopping"  for 2 hours :)

I quickly found a box of my new favorite color, 402 Pearl!!!  Ahh, it is just perfect for white backgrounds :)  Love it!!!

And, then the purples, oh all of the wonderful, wonderful purples!!  You all know I love purple so I had to take a quick shot with my fave ;)

Quick Tangent - Since I happened to be sporting my Sew What Fat Quarter T-Shirt I posted this little selfie!!  Have you heard of Fat Quarter Shops new Selfie contest??  Take a selfie wearing your Sew What T-Shirt, and then post it with the hashtag #sewwhatselfie and be sure to tag @fatquartershop.  They will be giving $100.00 gift cards to the winners!!!     You can see all of the details of the contest here ;)  So fun!!!!  Where will you be when you take your selfie??

And yes, I got a hair cut last weekend, sadly, the heat of St. George made it go pretty flat, what ya gonna do ;)  

So back to our thread shopping trip ;)  This is what our little cart looked like close to check out ;)  We might have added a few more spools and some needles ;)  You will notice there are a lot of different types of thread in there.  I am often asked how I choose what thread I like to use.   Well . . .

That is the thing I love so much about Superior Threads.   Every thing you ever wanted to know about thread is on their website.  They are huge on Thread Education!!!  Seriously, here is a shot of their Education Index, and each of these topics have anywhere from 10-30 articles on the subject.    Let me tell you, the Tension section, A total lifesaver for me when I started on the long arm!!!    And you can also check out Superior Threads blog, they have fun posts that will make you a Master of Threadology :)

And just in case you are wondering, on the long arm I use Omni in the bobbin, and So Fine on the top, when I am blending .   If I want a bit of a pop, I will use Fantastico or Magnifico in the top and bobbin.

It was such a fun visit!!!  Thanks again to the folks at Superior Threads for making thread shopping oh so much fun!!!  And really, if you ever find yourself driving in Southern Utah, it is totally worth the stop!!!  Oh, I could get lost in there for hours and hours :)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!