I've Been Seeing Stars!!!

This last week I have been focused on making Stars!!!!  And I must say, I forgot how much I loved making these blocks.  These stars are part of my Stars Quilt-A-Long quilt.  I finished the Block 1 and 2 sets months ago along with the Quilt-A-Long.  Then I kind of fell behind.

I am making this quilt for my daughter's bedroom (she got our old queen bed frame when we got a king) and now that the frame is in her room she is getting antsy for the quilt to be put on it.  So this week it was all about putting her at the top of the priority list :).

So . . . These are the finished Block 3's

These are the finished Block 4's

These are the finished Block 5's

and these are the finished Block 6's 

Yippee Skippee!!!  All of the blocks are done!!!  Now I am just playing with the layout on the floor.  I tried hard not to over-think it to much and just started laying them out so that I would get a nice random pattern. Then I moved a few around to try and give the colors balance.

So what do you think???  Does it look balanced??  Any suggestions on any blocks that should be moved???  It's still on the living room floor so changes can be made easily :)  *EDIT - I moved things around a bit according to some great suggestions that were given.  So this is the "new new" layout :)  Any new suggestions??

I'm in McCalls Quilting!!!!!

McCall's Quilting March/April issue is now available and I have to say I am on Cloud 99!!!!  Why . . .

because inside that edition are my quilts!!!!!   Girl or Boy . . . Hugs to Enjoy were designed and pieced by me and quilted by Natalia Bonner.  Isn't this just the cutest picture??  I can't get over how adorable it makes my quilts look!!!!

Being published is something I have had on my list of things to do for a while now.  I still remember doing a little squeal and happy dance when I got the email that these quilt designs were accepted.  The process takes a while and now that it is here I still can't believe it.  I just get giddy each time I see this!!!

Here is a full shot of each of the quilts.  They feature both piecing and applique.

I used Riley Blake's Penny Lane by My Mind's Eye.  I just love these color combos :)  They are so bright and happy and are just perfect for a new little wee one!!!

And here are some close-ups of the quilting.  The quilting Natalia did is just amazing!!  Thanks again Lady!!!

Happy Quilting to each of you!!!  I think I might be on Cloud 99 all week long :)

Sew Red for Women

I was so excited when Leah from Burgundy Buttons asked me to be part of this amazing Blog Hop!!  And  I just jumped at the chance to be a part of something that is for such an amazing cause!!!     Have you heard about it???  Here are some of the deets.

What is the hop about?
Well, it's about hopping!  And raising awareness about heart disease!

Each month, Sew Red for Women will feature an original quilt block designed ecspecially for you by some of today's most inspiring designers & bloggers.  We will provide a special link to hop on over to the blogger and/or designer's site for details and instructions for completing the featured block. And you just might learn a thing or two about heart disease while you're there!

The hopping begins on February 3rd, which happens to be Wear Red Day!

Who's Partcipating? And when?

February 3  Leah of Burgundy Buttons

March 3  Fat Quarterly's Tacha of Hanies Quilts

April 3  Katie of Swim, Bike, Quilt

May 3  Melissa Corry of Happy Quilting

June 3  Charlie of Qubee Quilts

July 3  Jessica of Twin Fibers

August 3  Melissa of The Polkadot Chair

September 3  Amber of A Little Bit Biased
October 3  Amy of Diary of a Quilter

November 3  Amy of Amy's Creative Side

December 3  Sherri of A Quilting Life
January 3  Lynne of Lily's Quilts

What an amazing group of talented quilters!!!!  I am so excited to get to work with these people!!

What fabric are we using?
 While we do not yet have a final fabric supply list as the designer's are still creating thier block, we will be using fabrics from Chemistry by Cosmo Cricket and coordinating Bella Solids.  Naturally you may use any fabric you like!

As the blocks are released, Burgundy Buttons will offer a block-specific fabric pack for purchase while supplies last.

Will there be a flickr group?

What fun is it if you can't show off?  Share pictures of your block and finished projects with the group at http://www.flickr.com/groups/sewredforwomen/

We are so excited to bring you this heart friendly hop and raise awareness about heart disease at the same time!  Please help us save lives by sharing information about this event on your blogsite, twitter and facebook!  Grab a button from the Sew Red for Women Blog and add it to your side bar!

Together we can make a difference!

TNT Thrusday

This week I had a lot of fun Trying New Things.  I worked with grommets for the first time!!!  It was actually a lot of fun.  I borrowed my Mother-In-Laws little tool and I think I will have to add that to my list of things to purchase for my sewing room.  What did I use it on???  Well I can't say exactly but I will say it is for my Simply Charmed Blog Hop Project.  I am so excited for it :)

So that was me Trying New Things :)  What have you tried this week???  Link on up :)

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERmOwnuoN_yJzxwDc-0EeiilcFD1-q0nwIYFJi8QgWQomMNyUe-mWSSLzpB1MHklEHvw7R3SgK4qNy-XzyNo0-QVoY6bWsu3_ACS-uXIDSqii5EEEEgawSE6dBGJI0DWhpWddnS0yvLs/s1600/TNT-thursdays-blog-button.jpg"/></a><br />

A Super Productive Week :)

This week was a super productive week for me.  I had 4 completions.  Yippee Skippee!!!  And I have to say, it was a lot of fun.  I am so happy to have finished up some projects that have been long outstanding.  One I already showed on Friday, Jocelyn's Crib Quilt.   

I also finished up this Hugs and Kisses quilt for my Grandmother.  The pattern is my Hugs and Kisses from the Park Moda Bake Shop Tutorial.  The design was inspired by my grandmother but the original colors didn't match her room very well.  So I made this one in Pom Pom de Paris which not only matches her room but it also matches her style perfectly.  My grandmother is coming down (she lives in Canada) to visit my mother next month so I can give it to her then :)    I am so excited!!!

I also managed to pull out my Stars Quilt-A-Long blocks.  I finished up the #3 blocks and got started on the #4 blocks.  I really want to get this quilt put together in the next little bit.  It is a little sad when you do the Quilt-A-Long and you don't finish the quilt with the group :)

And this is for a new project that I am totally excited about.  My 6 year old daughter asked me if I would teach her to quilt.  She wants to make a quilt for her 2 year old sister.  So we whipped up a little design and made some time this week to pick out fabric.  I had her start by picking out her favorite print (the butterfly one) and then we picked out other fabrics to match.  She pretty much made all of the fabric choices with just a little help from me.  I think she did a great job!!  This week we are going to start cutting.  Here is hoping nobody ends up needing stitches :)

So . . . . That's what I have been up to.  On to the line-up :)

Designing Stage

• Twister Toddler Twin Quilt
• Solids Quilt for Free Motion
• King Size Serenity Quilt
• Circle Meets Square Quilt
• 4th of July Table Runner for Sister-In-Law 
• Secret Project MB
• Secret Project QQ
• Moda Bake Shop On the Go
• Moda Bake Shop Take it All

Piecing Stage

• Stars Quilt-A-Long
• Jessi and Me Quilt 
• Going Places Quilt
• Lone Star for Grandma's 80th Birthday

Quilting Stage

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Completed Stage

• Secret Project for Simply Charmed Blog Hop
• Hugs and Kisses Quilt for Grandma
• Customer Quilt - Hexie Fun Version 3.0
• Jocelyn's Crib Quilt