Christmas Project #2 - Check

I made this advent calendar for my sister.  While making it, I remembered why I love quilting so much :)  Creating and attaching the pockets was a little finicky, and I am learning more and more, that while I will do that kind of sewing, it isn't my favorite :)   With that said,  I was really happy with the little pockets when they were done and I think my niece will really enjoy it.

I decided to quilt it the same way I had quilted Christmas Project #1. I really like the way it makes the pictures pop :)  I went with a pretty small swirl and just love the way it turned out.

This picture is horrible as far as lighting but I think it makes it a little easier to see the quilting as it stands out a bit more :)

Giveaway Winners :)

Thank you to all that entered the giveaway and to those that follow.  It is so fun to have this little corner of the quilting world to share my quilting adventures :)

Okay, without further ado . .

The winner of the Natures Pathway's Fat Third is #25 which is . . . . Lee Ann

The winner of the Breakfast at Tiffany's Charm pack is . . . .#32 who is MaryAnne

Congrats to both of you ladies.  I have sent you emails for your addresses :)

Quilted Christmas Ball Ornament Tutorial

 I guest posted this adorable Tutorial over at Stash Manicure  I am so excited to be posting there!!  So click on over to check out the tutorial there or follow below to see the tutorial here :)

What you will Need

( 1 ) 3 inch Styrofoam ball                                           1 foot lace or ribbon                                   

(12) 2.5 inch square pieces of base fabric                    Lots of straight pins with flat heads      

(16) 2.5 inch square pieces of middle fabric                 Hot glue 

(16) 2.5 inch square pieces of border fabric                 Ribbon or sting for a hanger

 Instructions

Step 1 - Begin by selecting the fabric that you want to be the center of the design. Place 2 squares wrong side together and pin to the ball at the four corners

Step 2 - Grab another base square of fabric and fold in half and then in half again. (Right side out). 

Open it up and place a pin from the wrong side of the fabric through the center of the square. Pin this to the center of the square on the Styrofoam ball.  (when pushing in the pins, it helps to use the eraser of a pencil, trust me, your finger will thank you :)

Step 3 - Fold your square down into a rectangle with the pin on the inside of the fabric.  Then fold the 2 corners of the rectangle down to the opposite edge. Place 4 pins along the bottom edge.

 Step 4 - Turn the ball 90 degrees and repeat steps 2 and 3 three more times.  Your ornament should look like this.

Step 5 - Find the opposite side of ball and repeat steps 1 through 3.  Finding the opposite side can be a little tricky and it is important so that it turns out the same.  The best guideline is to measure from one pin to another on both sides of the ball.  You want it to be the same distance apart :)

Step 6 - Pick your second fabric or middle fabric. Continue with the same folding pattern but start the second row approximately 1/2 inch out along the centerlines of the first row.  Place all 4 pieces.

Step 7 - Once the 4 main pieces are down begin placing the pieces on the diagonal. The easiest way to figure out the placement is to draw an imaginary line between the two points of the folded fabric already placed.  Then place the point of the fold about a 1/4" below that line.  Repeat for all 4 diagonals.

Step 8 - Flip the ball over to the other side and repeat steps 4 and 5.

Step 9 - With the final fabric or border fabric repeat steps 4 through 6, once again measuring out about 1/2".  All of your pieces on both sides should meet around the center of the ball or close too.

Step 10 -  Hot glue the ribbon around the ball so that it hides the unfinished edges and pins. Make a hanger out of ribbon or string and secure it to the ornament with pins or hot glue.

 And you are done!!  Now you have an adorable Scrappy Quilted Ball Ornament that didn't require any quilting.  Super fun and super cute!!

The combinations are endless.  I made this one for my daughter's first Christmas and added a cute little Pillow Tag to remember it by.  

I think next I will be making an all scrappy one in different reds, greens, and whites.  I would love to see what you make.  When you are done your Scrappy Quilted Ball Ornament feel free to upload a picture on to my Tutorial Flickr page.  

Off The Virtual Map :)

So we spent the weekend in downtown Indianapolis while my husband attended a conference.  When we got to the hotel we found out that there was no internet in the rooms (well I guess there was if you were willing to pay for it, however, we were not willing to pay for it).    So I found myself  for 3 whole days without the internet (minus two 20 minute intervals when my husband stayed in the room with the kids and I ran down to the lobby and answered emails as fast as my fingers could type.) It is amazing how out of touch you feel after only 3 days!!!  

So what do you do for 3 days in a hotel room from 8 -5 with no internet and 4 small children???  You sew, sew, sew!!!  This was my set-up

And this was the kids set-up.  When you don't have cable at home, all day cartoons in your pj's is like a little piece of heaven.

And yes, we did see more of Indianapolis then just the inside of the hotel room.  Each night when dad got down we went out and had a great time.  It really is a fun city!!

So now I feel a little more update . . . See ya tomorrow :)

It's Giveaway Time!!

Today is the day to giveback and celebrate!  I want to thank all of you wonderful people who stop by, read my quilting ramblings, and leave such sweet comments.  You all make my day, each and every day!!  So, Let's have a giveaway!

So first, to giveback . . . there were so many comments when I posted my Nature's Pathways quilt about how lovely the prints and colors were,  so I decided to make a little bundle of those prints to giveaway.  There is a 1/3 of a yard of the 8 prints I used in the quilt top.  So would you call that a Fat Third??

And now, to celebrate.  Why are we celebrating you ask??  Because last night, we reached 200 followers here at Happy Quilting.  I think that calls for 2 giveaway's.  So the second giveaway will be a Breakfast at Tiffany's Charm Pack.

So what do you have to do to have a chance to win.  Simple, leave a comment. (one per person, please)  Anything will do :)   I will choose 2 winners Monday morning on the 6th.  Oh, and you don't have to be a follower, but if you want to follow, it will get us all the closer to a 300 follower giveaway :)  GIVEAWAY CLOSED :)

Happy Quilting!!