It's What We Do :)

So at the moment I am actively working on 5 quilts.  Yes, I really am working on all 5 at the same time.   They are all at different stages of being finished.

One just has to be bound.  (By Friday, nothing like deadlines to motivate :)

One is ready to be loaded on the long arm and quilted.

One the blocks are made and it is time to add some applique.

And the last 2 the blocks are almost all pieced.

And so why not add a #6.   It's what we do, right!!!

This stunning collection of Birch Farms by Joel Dewberry arrived the other day from the lovely folks at Free Spirit Fabrics.   I was so excited because I have had this idea for a new bedspread but I needed to find  perfect cross of masculine and feminine for my husband and I .  Hello, could Birch Farms be more Perfect!!!!   So now I just need to go pick up some background fabric and Quilt 6 will be added to the mix ;)

So how many projects are you working on right now???

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Reverse Sewing

So this morning I stood in front of the long arm with the goal to finish quilting up my Metro Rings quilt for the SKOW Blog Hop.  All I had left to quilt were the arches and so I set off.

About 15 seconds in to it I thought "My that black thread really doesn't blend with the Yellow blocks, but I am sure it will be okay".   About 30 seconds into it I thought "Oh dear, that black just isn't blending, but I am sure it will look better if I just quilt a bit more."   About a minute into it I thought "Stop Silly Girl, its not getting better and you don't like it at all !!!!!"   (When will I learn to stop after the first initial doubt. )   One  hour later, I finished "reverse sewing"  aka unpicking that One minutes worth of indecision.

Of course, like all quilters out there, Reverse Sewing is not my favorite thing to do in the world.   I can handle it okay when I have to unpick piecing, but unpicking quilting . . . . Grumble, Grumble, Grumble!!!    But, was it worth it ??? . . . Absolutely!!!!  

The Medium Grey is soooo much better.  It really and more importantly, I really love it!!  I still used the beautiful Charcoal Black in the diamonds and even used a different background color.  I know shocking!!  Instead of using my favorite 402 Pearl, I used 403 Almond.  It looks awesome on the grunge background!!  All of these threads are So Fine by Superior Thread.  I love how well they blend :)  

And even with the bumpy start, I did finish the quilting and now all that is left is to bind this Metro Hoops quilt.  And wouldn't you know it, I have 4 bindings made, and the one that I actually need is still yardage sitting next to the finished ones ;)  Gotta love it.

So I am off to make a binding ;)  I promise to share more of this quilt on Friday when it is my stop for the Sew Kind Of Wonderful Blog Hop :)   It started Monday and so far has had 2 wonderful stops.  You can see the full schedule here ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Melissa

Jelly Roll Jam 2 with the Fat Quarter Shop!!!

First off, I want to thank you for the wonderful Birthday Wishes from Saturday.  It really was a spectacular day and all of your sweet comments made it all the better ;) And just a note,  my Happy Quilting Patterns are still marked down 35% for another 2 days ;)  Turning 35 is a lot more fun with a sale to celebrate!

Now let's get back to today's post :)   Do you recall the Fat Quarter Shops original Jelly Roll Jam??  It was the first quilt in the Shortcut Quilt series.  Well, it had such a huge response that the Fat Quarter Shop has now come up with it's best friend.  The Jelly Roll Jam 2!!!   You can download the free Jelly Roll Jam 2 Pattern right here :)

And just like the first one, all you need is a jelly roll to get going :)   I used a Fox Field by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics Roll.   I just love these beautiful colors and prints!!

Jelly Roll Jam 2 finishes up at 36 1/2" x 38 1/2", just perfect for snuggling a wee little baby in ;)   A lot of the quilt is made with strip piecing which makes it go together super fast and super easy.  It really is the perfect pattern for when you are in a pinch to whip up a quick baby blanket ;)

And when I say it is fast and easy I really do mean it.   Piecing this quilt took about 2 hours, and that was with a few stops to help munchkins :)   And then the Fat Quarter Shop makes it even easier with their step by step You Tube tutorial.   You can watch it below or see it at the Fat Quarter Shop You Tube Channel.  

After whipping up the top, it was time to quilt it.   I decided to quilt some free motion "ribbons".  These are so much fun to quilt, you really get your hips a swaying when quilting these little back and forth loops ;)    I used my favorite #402 Pearl So Fine #50 by Superior Threads to quilt this.   I just love how that color blends so perfectly with every color in this quilt ;)  

All in all, just a fun and adorable quilt that will go together in a snap.  So be sure to download the free Jelly Roll Jam 2 Pattern here and then watch the You Tube Video Tutorial here ;)   Now just grab a Jelly Roll  (which one will you pick??) and get your Jelly Roll Jam on!!!  

 Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Happy Birthday Sale!!!

Today is my Birthday and I turned 35!!!  I have to admit, I am having a little freak out over this.  35 is just 35.   So I thought what better way to stop freaking out and start celebrating than to have a SALE.  So I have marked  all  Happy Quilting patterns 35% Off for my 35th Birthday !!    (that makes them $5.52 each) You can find PDF Happy Quilting patterns in my ETSY SHOP.

I am being called to the other room to open presents ;)  Yippee!!  (I guess it isn't to bad turning 35 if it comes along with presents ;)  

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!!!   

Back to Basics News!!

Last week I got some super exciting news!!  Back to Basics was accepted to be part of the Modern Quilt Guild Showcase at International Quilt Market and Festival this fall!!  Super Happy dance :)  I love this design and quilt and am so very excited that it has this wonderful honor to be showcased.

And the timing could not be more perfect as the quilts are returned in December and I am teaching this as a class the first week in January at the Quilt St. George retreat :)    I am so looking forward to that class.  I added size options to the pattern so it will be so fun to see what fabrics and sizes my students choose ;)

I best go add a quilt sleeve to this so I can get it in the mail ;)  EEEkkk!!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend ;)

P.S.  The kids all had a great first day of school, mom sighs with relief :)