Celebrate Christmas!!!

So did you notice this button on the side of my blog??   Celebrate Christmas at the Quilting Gallery starts today!!!   36 designers were asked to make up a Christmas block and it kicked off today with a block by Pat Sloan! Why am  super excited about this??  Because I was asked to be one of those 36 designers!  My block won't be till November so there is a bit of waiting time. (but that is super nice for me so I can have the baby and all that jazz :) So make sure to follow along and enjoy the great prizes and even great deals on fabric and more.

Burgundy Buttons Sponsored Giveaway!!

Burgundy Buttons is one of my awesome Sponsors!!   Burgundy Buttons is a terrific on-line shop and has excellent customer service.  And they always have amazing sales going on that you will find all about on their blog.  So much fun!!! Leah is such an amazing woman and I have had a great working relationship with her for quite some time as she is my partner in making up cute Quilt Kits for my tutorials. If you have never taken the time to check them out . . seriously click on their button below and have a look around. You won't be disappointed :)

Here are a few of my favorites at Burgundy Buttons right now . . .

Bunny Hill's newest line Puttin on the Ritz!!  I just love this fabric, it is so shabby chic!!!

And this Fat Quarter Bundle of Ty Pennington's Impressions.  That is a favorite piece of eye candy!!!

 And of course, I have to say one of my favorites is my Summer Breeze Pattern that is offered exclusively at Burgundy Buttons :)

So have you clicked on over to Burgundy Buttons and found something you just can't live without???  Well Leah has a special treat for your then.  All of my Happy Quilting readers can get an extra 10% off** their order while this giveaway lasts!!!  You can even get 10% off the purchase of my pattern :)

  Just use the coupon code HQM0911 at checkout!!!

 **Certain exclusions apply as outlined in certain item descriptions

And on that happy note, lets get on to the giveaway!!!  How would you like a chance to win these lovelies???

That is a Jelly Roll of Sweetwater's ever so popular Hometown line and 2 1/2 yards of coordinating fabric!!  Yippee Skippee for amazing giveaways!!!!


You have three chance to win, and please, leave a separate comment for each (for a total of 3 comments max :) If you leave one saying I did it all, Mr. Random.Org will only count it for one.   (Oh, and remember how I mentioned reading that article on Sew Mama Sew recently about giveaways I am still giving some options a try here :)

1. Do any one of the following at Happy Quilting and leave one comment that you did at least one of the following.  Be a follower of Happy Quilting and/or follow Happy Quilting on Facebook and/or Follow Happy Quilting on Twitter and/or list Happy Quilting on your Blogroll :)
2. Do any one of the following at Burgundy Buttons and leave one comment that you did at least one of the following.  Follow Burgundy Buttons Blog and/or Follow Burgundy Buttons on Facebook and/or Follow Burgundy Buttons on Twitter and/or visit Burgundy Buttons shop and leave me a link of what you totally can't live without :)
3. Alert the Media - Post on facebook, twitter, or your blog about this giveaway.  Leave a comment saying where you wrote and a link :)  Like above, you can do more than one post but it will only get you one entry :)  

And that sums it up.  You will have until Sept 16th to enter and I will announce a winner on the morning of the 17th :)  Happy Quilting to you all and good luck!!!

Some Lucky Winners will be Using Aurifil!!!

So . . .  Without further ado . . . . The 5 lucky winners of the Aurifil Trial packs are

JEN

MARY COUCH

VICKI T

LORRI

SNOODLES

So if one of these 5 people happens to be you please send me an email (happyquiltingmelissa (at) gmail (dot) com ) with your mailing address and I will get your trial package of Aurifil thread sent out asap :)  Congrats!!!

And just out of curiosity . . .I am wondering what you thought of this giveaway approach.  Did you like having several options for one try??  Does that make it easier for those that are not involved in every social media??  Would you like to see giveaways continue like that in the future??  Just let me know what you think, I would really appreciate your feedback as you know, we will be doing more giveaways and I want to make them accessible to all :)

STARS Quilt Along - Block 6

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of post for the STARS Quilt-A-Long.  If you would like to join (and have a chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop ) you can find a list of the post links here :)

We have reached the last set of blocks!!  Yippee Skippee!!!  Block 6, here we come!!!

STEP 1 - CUTTING


As a reminder, for the Queen size, you will be doing 6 blocks each of 6 different star pattern blocks.  You can pick any combination of the below sizes you want for your blocks.   (If you are doing a smaller size, it is probably best to divide the total number of blocks you want by the 6 different blocks we will be making and then make that many Block 6's in varying sizes, or all the same if you wish :)


So, once you have decided on your star sizes you can use the following chart as your cutting guide.  I know this is small to see but if you click on it, it will open in a new window much larger :)  ***NOTE - You do not have to cut any additional blocks for the highlighted line, it is simply a reference for trimming.

Once last time, I am not going to go over cutting out the yardage again in this tutorial.  If you need hints on how to best cut your yardage please see the STEP 1 of the Block 1 tutorial.  It is the exact same process :)

So for 1 star block you should have cut from your yardage  1 Goose Square, 4 Corner Squares, 2 long sashings, and 2 short sashings. (of course in the designated chart sizes :)

Now for your prints.    So referring to the chart above you will cut 1 square for your Center Square (referred to as fabric A), and another square for your Center Square (referred to as fabric B),  and you will also cut 2 squares from your Background Fabric for your Center Square.  (Yes I know this isn't a print, but I didn't want to throw everyone off by adding it up above :)  Lastly, you will cut 4 squares that will be used to make the star points (referred to as fabric C).

STEP 2 - MAKING THE CENTER SQUARE

So this center square is the same process with just a different fabric layout as the center square for Block 4.     Therefore I will be going over them in a condensed version.  If you need extra notes or clarification on any of the remaining steps, please feel free to see the Block 4 Tutorial STEPS 2 that will further explain these steps.  

We will start by making 4 Half Square Triangles.  To do this, grab your four pieces (2 prints and 2 background fabrics) for the center square.  Using your ruler, on the wrong side of the 2 background squares draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.  Now lay your background square blocks onto your print square blocks with right sides together.  Pin the squares together along either side of the drawn line.  Now simply sew 1/4" along each side of the drawn line.  (You should be an expert at this now as it is pretty similar to our flying geese process :)

Using your ruler, cut along the drawn line to separate your 2 sewn pieces into 4 sewn pieces.  Then press your seams for all 4 pieces towards the darker print.

So now you have the 4 half square triangles you need and all you have left is to trim them down to the appropriate size.  Use the highlighted line in the cutting chart to know what size to trim to. Now use the  45 degree angle mark along the center line of your HST and trim down all 4 sides to the designated measurement.

So now your blocks are ready to be sewn together.  Lay out your four HST's in the following layout to make this cute diamond.  Sew the pieces together to make 2 rows by laying the left hand square onto the right hand square in each row with right sides together.  Pin along the edge.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Press your seams open to avoid bulk.

You should now have 2 rows that look like this :)  Now sew the 2 rows together by laying the top row onto the bottom row with right sides together.  Now go ahead and line up your center seam and pin that first.  Then go ahead and pin the edges.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Clip your threads and press your seam open.

And your center square is completed.  Isn't it cute!!!  You can set it aside for now.

**NOTE - The remaining steps are done in the same way as we did  Block 1.  Therefore I will be going over them in a condensed version.  If you need extra notes or clarification on any of the remaining steps, please feel free to see the Block 1 Tutorial STEPS 2 - 4 that will further explain these steps.  


STEP 3 - MAKING THE STAR POINTS 

With right sides together, lay two of your smaller print squares onto your large background square as shown.  Using your ruler, draw a pen line diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.  Pin both sides of each square adjacent to that drawn line.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along both sides of the drawn line.

Clip your threads and then align your ruler along the drawn center line.  Cut your pieces apart along that drawn line.  Then press each piece towards your print fabric.

Grab your remaining two print squares and align them on your two pieces as follows with right sides together.  Once again, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the print squares from corner to corner.  Now go ahead and pin each piece and then once again, stitch a 1/4" seam along both sides of the drawn diagonal line.

Clip your threads and then using your ruler aligned along the drawn line, once again, cut your 2 seperate pieces apart.  Press each  of the four pieces towards the print.

Lastly, trim away all those little corners and WhaLa!!!  You have 4 perfect flying geese.

STEP 4 - PUTTING THE BLOCK TOGETHER


Now you have all of the pieces you need to put your block together.  Grab all of your pieces except for the sashings and lay them out as follows.  Make sure that your star point fabrics match your center print fabrics.  We will be stitching these in rows first and then putting the rows together.

So start by stitching your rows together.  Lay the left hand pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together and pin.  Then lay the right hand pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together and pin.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along all 6 of those pinned edges.  Clip your threads and press.  Press the second or center row open to avoid bulk.  The first and third rows press out.

And this is what your block should look like now. And now you can sew the rows together.  So lay your first row onto your center row with right sides together.  Make sure that you match up your seams first, and pin.  Then lay your third row up onto your center row with right sides together and pin the same.  Sew a 1/4" seam along both pinned edges.  Clip your threads and press (once again, I pressed seams open.)

And now you should have a beautiful block that looks something like this!!  I just love how the center pops in this one!!  Way to go, now you just have one step left :)

STEP 5 - MAKING IT WONKY


To make the block wonky we first have to add the sashings.  So grab those sashings that have been sitting aside and lay the short sashings on the top and bottom and the long sashings on the sides.  Lay your sashing onto the top and bottom of your block with right sides together.  Pin the edge.  Stitch a 1/4" along the top and the bottom of your block go ahead and clip your threads and then press out towards the sashing.

Now you can add the sides the exact same way as you did the bottom.   Pin, stitch, clip, and press :)

And your block is sashed and ready to be cut wonky style.  Grab your 12 1/2" square ruler or template and lay it on your block.  Find the angel you like (remembering to alternate angels on blocks) and trim the excess outside the template or ruler.

And Ta Da!!!  You have a finished 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" Wonky Block 5!!!!

Now you can go back and make 5 more (or how ever many you want for your size quilt)

And don't forget, we all want to see your progress, so be sure to post your first set of Block 6's in our Flickr Group :)  Everyone's blocks are looking so great, only one more block to go!!!

And as always, should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa (at gmail (dot) com!!


Yippee Skippee!!!  The last of the Star Blocks!!!  I will give everyone some time to get these and other blocks done.  (I surely have some catch-up to do as well :)  So expect the final layout sometime around end of next week or so.  Until then, enjoy your STARS!!!

AuriFil Thread and a Giveaway!!!

So what is all the buzz about this Aurifil you ask??  Well  I wasn't sure until recently when the good people at Aurifil sent me a wonderful package in the mail :)  Here is what was in it :)  

Don't you just want to drool.  I just love all of the amazing beautiful colors they have.  Both in wool and cotton weight.  Yes, I will admit that I stared at these for quite some time just taking in all of the amazing color goodness!! 

And then I opened my little spools and played around a bit.  Oh my goodness, oh my goodness.  And now I can say I know what all the buzz is about.  These were a dream to work with.

So do you want a chance to try these amazing threads out for yourself??  Did you notice these awesome little thread packs in the original picture . . . Well 5 lucky readers will have a chance to try them out :)

There are 5 packs to give away and each pack will contain five spools of thread; one of each weight in cotton and one wool.

The 50 weight (orange spool) used for hand and machine piecing and applique
The 40 weight (green spool) used for machine quiltingThe 28 weight (grey spool) used for for a bolder look when machine quilting and for hand quilting and blanket stitchThe 12 weight (red spool, 2, one in cotton and one in wool) used for decoration, embroidery, and embellishment

So what do you have to do to have a chance to win one of these awesome little trial packs 

???


You have three chance to win, and please, leave a separate comment for each (for a total of 3 comments max :) If you leave one saying I did it all, Mr. Random.Org will only count it for one.   (Oh and I read an article on Sew Mama Sew recently about giveaways and it has prompted me to try and change things up a bit, Well see if you like it :)

1. Be a follower of Happy Quilting or become one and leave a comment about Aurifil.   Have you tried it, have you heard of it, are you excited for a chance to try it out???  Oh, and if you don't know how to follow, no worries, it's easy, just click follow up in the top left hand corner :)
2. Do any one of the following and leave one comment that you did at least one of the following.  Follow Happy Quilting on Facebook and/or Follow Happy Quilting on Twitter and/or List Happy Quilting on your Blogroll and/or Be Participating in my Happy Quilting Stars Quilt-A-Long.  
3. Alert the Media - Post on facebook, twitter, or your blog about this giveaway.  Leave a comment saying where you wrote and a link :)  You can post on all 3 sites but it only gets you one entry, but I will love you forever!!! 

And that sums it up.  You will have until Sept 8th to enter and I will announce a winner on the morning of the 9th :)  Happy Quilting!!!