Spin-Off, Squeal!!

I am so excited to finally get to share a secret project that I did last December.  It is so hard to keep these on the down and low, really, I have never been that good at keeping secrets.  So without any more delay, here's  Spin-Off!!!

Last November, my Shabby Spin block was  in Vol.6 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.  This is such a fun versatile block and I immediately started coming up with lots of variations on how to "spin" it.

And that is how Spin-Off came to be.  Blocks are spun in different ways and more color added to create a fabulous secondary design and a whole lot of movement.  And I am just pleased as punch with how it turned out.   I can't wait for it to come home so I can snuggle up with it  :)  The fabrics are Modern Shadows and Color Weave from P&B Textiles.

(And I apologize, somehow I managed to send this quilt off to the publisher's without taking any pictures of it, I was right at the holidays and apparently I was functioning on half a brain.  So, these are just shots from my copy of the magazine, totally lame, but it's all I got.)

The quilting was done by the fabulous Natalia Bonner.  She did a fun retro design in the center that so goes with the feel of the quilt and a repeat square design in the border.

So . . . How about a chance to win your own copy of Quilts from 100 Blocks.  Pop on over to Quiltmaker's blog for a chance to win!!!    And if you don't win it's okay, this issue is now available for purchase wherever quilt magazines are sold ;)

Starburst Parade and Grand Prize Winners!!

We have reached the Finale of the Starburst Quilt-A-Long and  WOW!!!  This has been such a fantastic quilt-a-long and I am just so excited about all of the amazing finishes.  I have to say, I squealed last night when the 50th link was emailed to me.  And then they just kept coming :)   I am just blown away, you guys are the greatest!!   And to read your wonderful stories of trying new techniques, learning little tidbits, having this be your first quilt-a-long, or even having this be your first ever quilt, I can't tell you how much that makes me smile!!

So . . .  how about some finishes.  Let's get to them!!    To see all of the completed quilt tops you can see the links at the bottom of this post or check them out in the Happy Quilt-A-Long Flickr Group.  And seriously, check them out, they are amazing!!

Today, the Starburst Parade is of those quilt tops that were also quilted and bound.  No work in progress for these ladies, their quilts are ready to be loved!!  And they are from all over the world!!  So fun :)

Abby from Michigan, US 

Angie from Wisconsin, US

Bethany from Washington, US

Chelsie

 CJ from Idaho, US

Emily from Louisiana, US

Erica from New York, US 

Isabelle from Quebec, Canada

Jana from Maryland, US

Jennifer from California, US

Jennifer from Wisconsin, US 

Jo from British Columbia, Canada

Julianne from California, US

Laurel from Illinois, US

Laurel from Illinois, US

Lorraine from Washington, US

Marit from Oslo Norway

Mary from England, United Kingdom

Sharon from New York, US

Aren't they just stunning!!   Be sure to click on each and read about these wonderful finishes :)     Enjoy your beautiful Starburst quilts ladies, and thank you so much for sharing them with all of us!!  

And now to finish off . . .  we need to pick some winners!!!  

A huge Thank You goes out to Julie at The Intrepid Thread for sponsoring our Grand Prize Giveaway's!!!  All those that have linked up their quilt top all eligible for the grand prize!!  There will be three grand prize winners and each will receive . . . 

A $75.00 Gift Certificate that you can spend as you like!!

I know I would love to win an Intrepid Thread Shopping Spree I am sure you all feel the same.

So, lets get to it!!   Drumroll Please . . . . . . .

******The First Grand Prize Winner is . . .

     

******The Second Grand Prize Winner is . . .

         

  

******And the Third and Final Grand Prize Winner is . . . .

         

  

Congrats Ladies!!!  Enjoy your shopping spree!!

Thank you to all of you who participated in the Starburst Quilt-A-Long!!!  I can't begin to explain how much I love having so many wonderful friends quilt-a-long with me!!  I had a wonderful time hosting and  I hope you had a wonderful time quilting-along!!!

Now to start thinking up a new Quilt-A-Long :)  Until next time . . . Happy Quilting!!!

Finish Up those Starburst :)

Can I just say, you guys blow me away!!!  There are over 50 Starburst Quilt Tops done!!  Yippee Skippee!!  I just keep looking over them all!!  They are all so beautiful!!

So this is your last call reminder!!  There are 2 days left, well the rest of today and tomorrow :)  The Grand Prize Winners and Parade will be on Monday Morning!!  So whatever stage you are at, try and get some weekend sewing time to finish on up :)  

For the Grand Prize Entry you need to finish piecing your quilt top together and then link a picture of it at the bottom of this post.  

To be in the Parade you need to quilt and bind your quilt top and then email me a picture with your deets (name, location, and flickr of blog link) to happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.   It is sure to be a grand parade as I have already received lots of stunning pictures!!

And last but not least, I have to admit some news that I am feeling pretty guilty about but it can't be helped so I am just going to admit it and move on.  My quilt will not be ready for the parade, and I am super bummed about it.  I am sorry.  Here's the story . . . 

Remember how I planned to go rent time on a long arm this Monday.  Well I scheduled that time without really thinking ahead.  Ya, that whole being gone for 9 days to Hawaii and returning Sunday night . . . Not the best combo for leaving the very next morning.  I was so tired from the time change, sore from the flight, and most importantly, there was no way my baby and 3 year old would have been okay with Mommy leaving all day.  I underestimated the missing mommy factor.  They were clung to me all day Monday.  (Which I have to admit, was pretty nice.  I always love it when they want to snuggle :)  So ya, the Long Arm trip got cancelled.  Then I thought about doing it on my home machine, but I  had 2 secret projects (that took longer than expected, they always do)  that had to be finished and mailed by today.  Long story short, my quilt top and back are still folded in the corner of my sewing room. Le sigh!!   But I promise, I will get them done.  I am actually teaching a class on this quilt in June so I have that deadline to keep me honest :)

With that . . . I leave you with a Happy Sewing Starburst cheer!!  I am off to work on the parade ;)  So excited!!!  

Easter Bunny Blog Hop

Next week Melissa at Lilac Lane will be hosting an Easter Bunny Blog Hop, and I get to be one of the bloggers participating in it.  So excited!!!   The hop is all about Easter goodies and there will be giveaways going on as well.  Here's the line up!!

Monday, 3/4      Melissa from Lilac Lane with a patchwork bunny
Tuesday, 3/5      Nanette from Freda's Hive with Easter Egg Cups Table Runner

                          Caroline from Sew Can She with Bunny Treat Bag

Wednesday, 3/6 Sabra from Sew a Straight Line

                          Clara from Clover and Violet with an Easter Basket/ lunch bag

Thursday, 3/7    Megan from Quilt Story with a bunny shirt and skirt

                          Jenny from Sew Pretty Dresses with a quiet book

Friday 3/8         Melissa (that's me) from Happy Quilting with an Easter bunting

                          Robin from Create Kids Couture with a Girl's Patchwork Skirt 

Each project will be made using a charm pack (5" squares) of Happy Ever After by Sandra Workman for Riley Blake. This is such a fun spring line and I am so excited to see projects made using just a charm pack.  I mean, who doesn't have a charm pack lying around :)

So be sure to pop on over to Lilac Lane on Monday and follow along each day to get lots of adorable Easter Sewing Goodness!!  

I Missed This and It's a Him!!

While I loved  my vacation, It was wonderful to get back to my children and home.  It was also wonderful to get back to what my husband has deemed "my 6th child, Bernina".  I spent most of Monday unpacking and catching up.  But come Tuesday naptime, I was so excited to run down to my sewing room and break open these lovelies!!

Out came the rotary cutter, and then I flew through some piecing and even got some quilting started.  I can just show a tiny peek as this is one of those secret projects :)   It felt fantastic to be sewing again.  Sometimes it is fun to take a little break, just to remember, once again, how much I love, love, love quilting!!

I also got some fabulous news upon my return!!  My twin Sister is expecting her second child and she just found out that it is a boy!!  Yippee Skippee!!  Her first baby, little Nancy, received Snuggly Squares and it is hanging above her bed.

This new little arrival will be sharing a room with his big sister so he needs a semi matchy quilt.  And wouldn't you know it, I have been saving some fat quarters of Pure that I picked up from Sweetwater when they were clearing out their remnants.  I have always loved this line and am so excited that it will go perfect with Snuggly Squares but still be all boy!!  

Now to decide on a pattern.  I think I want to keep it squares but change it up a bit.  Luckily for me, the wee one isn't slated to arrive for a while, which is nice because I have a few more of those deadline projects to finish first.  But it sure is going to be fun to have this one in the back of my mind pondering over ideas :)