Snaptshots QAL - Sail Away

Today is the first day of the Crossroads QAL and I am so very excited!!!    Not only do I absolutely love the Strawberry Fields Revisited fabrics (designed by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts for Moda) but these blocks are just so adorable and I am so loving all of the fun points to match up!!!  The first block is called the House Block and aren't they just so cute!!!

I have always loved these traditional looking house blocks so I couldn't wait to put them together!!!  They really did go together fast and I liked being able to chain stitch each step for the houses. Before I knew it, I had 4 adorable little houses :)

If you sewing along or want to join in on the fun,  you can download the block pattern right here and then don't forget to donate the $5.00 for the pattern to the March of Dimes  ;)  This QAL is raising funds for premature babies and Fat Quarter Shop and Moda and All of Us are teaming up to make a big impact!    

And like always, if you are a little nervous about getting all those little points to match up, you need not worry.  Kimberly and Joanna , have made a fabulous You Tube video that walks you through making the block step by step and has lots of little tidbits to help you with your block!!!  

Be sure to  share all of your Crossroads progress on social media with #crossroadsquiltalong and check out these fabulous bloggers who are quilting along for some House Block inspiration :)  

Joanna of Fig Tree Quilts (@figtreequilts)
Pat Sloan (@quilterpatsloan)
April of Prairie Grass Patterns (@amrosenthal)
Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)Angie of Gnome Angel (@gnomeangel)Vanessa of Lella Boutique (@lellaboutique)Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)Erin of Why Not Sew (@whynotsewquilts)Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

I will be sharing more Crossroads Blocks on the 15th of each month.  It is going to be so much fun!!!  I hope you come Quilt Along!!!

Thanks for popping in today ;)  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Firecrackers Quilt!!!!

Today I am so excited to share with you a new quilt finish in collaboration with Fat Quarter Shop!!!  A few weeks ago, Fat Quarter Shop asked me if I wanted to be part of a new Jelly Roll Friendly, 30 Degree Ruler quilt pattern launch!!!  Now I love Jelly Rolls, and I had never tried a 30 Degree Ruler . . .  so I was of course, totally game for trying something new with one of my favorite pre-cuts :)  And here it is . . .  It is called Firecrackers!!!

This is such an awesome pattern designed by the wonderful folks at Fat Quarter Shop!!!!  I love that somethings I see the Red Diamonds and sometimes I see the Black/White kites :)  Such amazing movement and wonderful play with secondary designs!!

This quilt uses 2 Jelly Rolls and I choose to use Modern Backgrounds Ink and Modern Backgrounds Paper by Zen Chic for Moda ;)   I paired those with a wonderful Brushed Moda Bella Solid Christmas Red.  This was my first time using a Brushed Cotton and I absolutely loved it!!!  It is so incredibly soft!!

And if you are thinking, "Wow, she makes a lot of Red, Black and White quilts", you are so very right ;) One, I absolutely love the color combo!!   Two, it is also the school colors of my Alma Mater and this quilt was serving two purposes. The first purpose is to share here and try out a new ruler, done and done!!! And the second purpose was to be a special prize at a special fundraiser for Southern Utah University.   So I added one of my Complex Layered Applique (tutorial on how I make these found here)  of SUU Logo's after photographing it and it was all set for purpose two :)  Here is a shot of the lucky winner with her new Firecracker SUU Quilt ;)

And back to a few more details of the quilt making . . . when it came time to quilt this it seemed only right to quilt it with my all over fireworks design.   I mean, if you have a quilt called Firecrackers, of course Fireworks quilting is the perfect match :)

And I just love all of the yummy texture it adds!!!   And I quilted it with a gorgeous Red Fox #469 So Fine #50 Thread and I absolutely love how it blends in the red triangles and totally pops on the Black and White Kites!!!  So fun!!!

And that is Firecracker!!!!   I just love it!!!!!!   And if you love it too and wan't to make your own, you can find the Pattern Here ;)   Fat Quarter Shop has also put together a Quilt Kit for their original design using Prairie Fabrics by Corey Yoder for Moda and it can be found here with the backing set found here ;)

And if you are a little nervous wondering if you can try a new ruler as well, have no fear :)  Kimberly has put together this awesome You Tube tutorial video that will walk you through all of the steps and she has lots of great tips to help you line everything up just perfect so you know you will have a fantastic finish :)

And for lots more Firecrackers Quilt Eye Candy, be sure to pop around to all of the other stops along this little Firecracker Blog Hop!!!  It is so fun to see how different each quilt looks like just by changing up the fabrics ;)

Ants to Sugar by Daisy

Silly Mama Quilts by Brooke

On the Windy Side by Adrianne

Happy Quilting by Melissa  (that's me ;) 

627 Handworks by Julie

Must Love Quilts by Corinne

Mommy Sew by Jenn

Little Bunny Quilts by Alison

Fly Away Quilts by Lauren

Thanks for popping in today and I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!!

Linking this finish up with Sarah's and Amanda's :) 

Playing with Petals

So remember last week when I said I cut out a bunch of applique for a new Daisy Chain quilt . . . well, what I didn't share then, was that I actually cut out quite a lot of extra applique.  Which took some extra time, and while I was cutting I kept telling myself how silly it was . . .   But I just couldn't decide how I wanted to colors to layout in the flowers.   And ya know, sometimes you just have to  play around with different layouts until you find the one you like ;)  

So . . . .I cut extra applique petals to give me lots of options.  And I am so glad I did, because I hadn't even thought of the layout I ended up with :)  The extra 20 minutes of cutting was totally worth it and now I have  these leftovers that will make up 4 more flowers . . . and I am sure I will find something fun to use them on ;)

I played around with lots of different layouts.  I started with the petals and centers in the same colors, then mixed them up, and I had the prints in the petals the same, and then mixed them up (and of course, I didn't think to save those pictures that I discarded as not quite there yet, sorry)  and eventually came across this layout which was the perfect combination of controlled scrappy that I didn't even know I was going for in the first place ;)  I love it!!! 

So last night I adhered all of the applique shapes in place and stacked them up all ready to be stitched this morning ;)

And wouldn't you know it, I just happened to get a lovely package of Aurifil Threads in the mail yesterday.  They are for another secret project I am working on . . . but I have a feeling they are going to work just perfect for some serious secure stitching today!!!   I am planning on using a blanket stitch for these and can;t wait to get going.  I love secure stitching applique, I find it so incredibly relaxing and I love seeing how it makes the applique pop!!

Time to get my stitching on ;)  

Oh, and if you are new to the wonderful world of applique and are wondering how to get started with it, you can check out my Applique Basics Video here ;)  I promise, you are going to love it!!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day . . . let's have some fun :)

First, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!   The winner of the fantastic Jingle Layer Cake from Shabby Fabrics . . . . . .   Number #308. . . Congrats Diana @ Red Delicious Life.!!   I have emailed you :)     

 

  

   

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  Along with hosting the giveaway, Julie is offering a special deal for all my readers.  Take $5.00 of your $25.00 or more purchase with the coupon code GRATEFUL !!!!!  The code will last until next Terrific Tuesday ;) 

And the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for a beautiful Charm Pack of  Wool & Needle III Flannels by Primitive Gatherings for Moda.  This is absolutely perfect for some fall project making and they are so soft!!!  

You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that telling me what is your favorite thing to sew using flannels :)  
 I made this quilt using Wool & Needle Flannel II and just might be starting a new one using this awesome Wool and Flannel III line.  It is so soft and wonderful to work with!!!!!

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. love.   You can follow them on   Facebook, Instagram, or Favorite their Shop.  Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, November 17th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Aloha

Aloha!!  This last week my sweetheart had a conference in beautiful Kauai Hawaii, and so I got to go along for the ride and it was absolutely beautiful!!!

My plan was to work on write some patterns in the morning while he was in conference, but that quickly went out the window in exchange for sitting on the lanai and reading some great books!!  I mean can you blame me with a view like this.

We had such a wonderful time!!!  We enjoyed the beach and the waves, and we also got in two amazing (although they kicked my butt)  hikes!!  But the views made it totally worth it!!!

I lost track of how many times I just sat and watched and listened to the waves.  They are mesmerizing!!!  I absolutely love all the shades of greens and blues in the ocean.  Just amazing!!  I think I might have to put all my pics into so palette builders, so pretty :)

And like all good things, it must come to end. Although coming home to 5 wonderful children that were so excited to see us (and what we brought them ;)  sure makes it a whole lot easier to leave.

It was a wonderful little getaway and I just loved spending it with my absolute best friend in the whole world!!

And now, I am itching to get back into my sewing room.  Unpack, laundry, and then I am there ;)

Cozy Cottage Tote

It's the Cozy Cottage Calendar Celebration this week and I am so excited to be a part of it!!!!   I turned my little cozy cottage's into this adorable tote!!  It is going to be just perfect for retreats!!

The cozy Cottage block is so much fun to make and goes together so quickly!!  The pattern for it is in the 2016 Calendar and has multiple size options and designs for pillows, wall hangings, and such.

I used Pie Making Day by Brenda Ratliff to make make my little cottages.  I love how bright and happy they are ;)   Wouldn't it be fn to live in such happy little cottages :)

And of course, the little lady wanted to model the cozy tote :)   I think I am going to have to borrow it from her now when I want to use it :)

Oh, and I was trying to harness my inner Lori Holt by taking pictures of this tote with  Barbara's beautiful antique treadle machine.  They just seemed to go together ;)   

Be sure and check out the Cozy Cottage Calendar!!!   It has so many beautiful pictures that will make an adorable addition to your sewing space this next year ;)   And then you can make up your own Cozy Cottages as well :)    And be sure to pop on over to the Celebration to see all of the amazing Cozy Cottage Creations!!  They are so fun!!!

Thanks for popping in today :)

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking this finish up to Sarah's and Amanda's ;)

Cutting, Cutting, and some more Cutting :)

In January of 2016, I have the wonderful opportunity to do a trunk show of the quilts from Irish Chain Quilts as part of the Quilt St. George Retreat!!!!  I can not wait as I love to share these quilts.  However, I realized a bit ago that I have a bit of problem as several of the quilts from Irish Chain Quilts are on a Shop Hop that has become so popular it is booked out way past January.  Meaning several of the quilts won't be home to show . . . .So  . . .  I am working on some remakes!!!  And it is so much fun to get to be making some of these again!!!!  This last weekend I spent Cutting, Cutting, and then Cutting some more for 3 new Irish Chain Quilts!!!

The first to be cut up was some of the cool toned leftover's I had from my Tucker Prairie Fat Eighth Bundle by One Canoe Two.  I just love these beautiful prints and paired off with that beautiful Navy Grunge it is going to make a stunning Breaking Up quilt!!!

Then it was time for some cutting with scissors instead of a rotary cutter.  And it was a lot of cutting but oh so much fun as I added in some favorite movies while cutting, ie. Pride and Prejudice, North and South, and Jane Eyre ;)   I used a beautiful layer cake of Flutter by Amanda Herring that I picked up at my first market!!!  It think it is going to make the prettiest Daisy Chain baby quilt!!!  I just love the oranges, reds, and blues together!!!

And finally, I grabbed all of my bits and pieces of different "whitish" solids and a beautiful bundle of Peppered Cottons that I picked up at this last Spring Market Sample Spree and got to cutting!!!   Don't you just love those beautiful trim leftover.  And yes, I love cool tones together, they are just so calming and happy making!!

And that huge stack of squares will be turned into a Bitty Bits quilt . . . only I will be doing the opposite layout this time, ie . . . the chain of triangles will be in the whites and the background will be in all the beautiful colors!!!  I can't wait to see it done so ya, I might have to start on this one first ;)

So now that all of that cutting is done . . . it is time to get sewing!!! 

Linking up these new WIP's to Lee's ;)

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day . . . let's have some fun :)

First, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!   The winner of the fantastic Farmhouse Jelly Roll from Rustic Rooster Quilt Shop . . . . . .   Number #252. . . Congrats Abbie @ Rosewill Arts.!!   I have emailed you :)     

 

  

   

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Shabby Fabrics!!   Shabby Fabrics has so many fantastic Kits and Projects and I absolutely love their Laser Cut Kits!!! Shabby Fabrics  also has an amazing  Clearance Section, you are sure to find some amazing deals here :)

And for the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway  Shabby Fabrics is giving one lucky winner  a Jingle Layer Cake by Kate Spain for Moda!!!!!   This is such a fun Christmas time and just in time to get some of those last minute Christmas Projects done!!!

You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that tells me if you have any Holiday Sewing Plans this year . . . I can ask that now that Halloween is over, right ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Shabby Fabrics love. You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest, or Instagram.  You can Sign up for the Shabby Fabrics Newsletter (top right hand corner) or Follow their Blog,  or you can Visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Shabby Fabric Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, November 9th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

October Bee Blocks

I am happy to report, that all though I am posting these blocks in November, they did indeed get mailed out in October ;)  Yippee for being on time ;)  October had some fun blocks and lots of trimming :)

First off for the Beejeebers Bee, Whitney had us make these fun Fractangle Blocks using this tutorial.  I love that she did them in fun Halloween colors too!!  Just perfect for October.

 We made 2 blocks so I did mine in opposite color layouts.   And I just happened to have a bunch of black and orange scraps from these quilts that were the perfect size.  Isn't it just so fun when it works out like that ;)

And for the Bee's Knees . . . Sherri had us make Half Square Triangle blocks :)  She is working on a HST Sampler quilt all in Bonnie and Camille Fabrics!!  It is going to be insanely amazing when it is all done!!  I can't wait to see it ;)

Now I am all set for November's Bee Blocks!!!  My goal is to not procrastinate this month as there is that holiday towards the end of the month that takes a bit of time to get ready for ;)  Good Times!!!

Happy November Everyone!!!  Let's make it a Super Happy Quilting One!!!

Bright Side Quilt

Today I am super excited to get to share another quilt that I made up for Market.  This one was for Moda to hang in their booth and the quilt is a new design of my good friend Vanessa's ;)   The quilt is called Bright Side and uses Vanessa's new line called Little Miss Sunshine that she debuted  at Market last week :)  This is such a fun line, the prints and colors are just fantastic!!!! and it is absolutely fantastic!!!!

Just like yesterday's quilt that I shared, this one uses great big blocks which are oh so much fun to put together!!!    I love the little sunshines that Vanessa created in the negative space of the center of the block!!  Just such a fabulous design!!

I really did some custom quilting on this one and am so very happy with how it turned out!!! So ya, there is going to be a lot of quilting pics ;)  On the blocks, I quilted pebbling in the background to try and really make those points pop!!  Then in the center negative space, I did pebbling in the "sunshine points" and paisleys and swirls in the center.

I rotated quilting just swirls or just echoed paisleys in the main print part of the block and then did just some straightish lines on the center print part of the block.  I changed thread color to match each of the prints so everything blends oh so well!! Oh, and I almost forgot the double arches in the white squares in the corners of the center. So fun.

And finally, in all of the background negative space, I quilted little pebbles to frame the space and then once again echoed paisleys and swirls in the center.  I was trying to echo the "sunshine" quilting that I did in the center of each block.

So ya, all in all, lots and lots of fun quilting!!!  I loved trading between so many different design patterns and seeing them all blend together to complement the quilt design ;)   And ya, I might have squealed out loud and done a few fist pumps when I took it off of the long arm.  So much wonderful texture!!!

And that is Bright Side!!!  Sadly, as I wasn't at Market so I don't have a picture of it hanging in the Moda booth, but maybe on will surface and then I can share that!!!  This really was such a fun quilt to make!!!  All of Vanessa's awesome patterns, including Bright Side are available now and Little Miss Sunshine will be in quilt shops in April of 2016.  You are just going to love this line, it is so happy and bright!!!

Thank you so much for visiting today and each day!!!   I just love getting to share my creative journey with each of you and so appreciate your following along with me ;)

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking this finish up to Sarah's and Amanda's :)