Splendid Sampler Saturday

I was gone last week doing my trunk show at the SLMQG and missed my Splendid Sampler Saturday Post.  So let's get a little caught up today ;)

First up, the Family Stars block designed by Kimberly Jolly of Fat Quarter Shop.  I loved everything about putting this block together!!  The story behind Kimberly's block is so great, it just warmed my heart the whole time I was working on it.  And I just love all of those adorable little stars.  I can never get enough star blocks!!!

And second is Lina's Gift block designed by Pat Sloan.  This was another wonderful story behind the block.  And I have to say, it was awfully nice to make this block that went together in no time flat.  Every once and a while these less complicated ones can be a nice change of pace ;)  So fun!!

And just for fun, Pat did a little post the other day to see how everyone's blocks were coming along.  I hadn't taken a picture of mine all together so this was totally fun to see them all laid out in rainbow order.   Eeekk, makes me so excited to see the whole project come together over the year ;)   That and now I want some skittles ;)

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Saturday ;) 

The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting!!!!

Today I am very excited to share with you The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting by two of my amazing quilting friends, Angela Walters and Christa Watson!!!!

I met Angela at my first Quilt Market when I won a copy of her book and we became fast friends ;)  She was part of my Celebrate Mom's event and shared all about how she maintains her thriving business (did you know she opened a brick and mortar store as well!!)  while still being an amazing mom!  And Angela and I super bonded when there was a little mix-up at a schoolhouse we were participating in and we found found we were it.  Super funny story!!!  Angela is an amazing Long-Arm Quilter, Fabric Designer, Author, Business Owner, Quilter, and above all Friend!!!!

Christa and I met like most of us quilters do, on-line but we really got to know each other when we were able to have lunch before I flew out of Vegas on my way to Market.  We did not stop talking for 3 hours straight.  We got to discuss our first books that we were both working on proposing and it was just fabulous to know I had a friend jumping into the deep end of the pool with me ;)   Later that year  Christa stopped by my home on her way to Sewing Summit, and once again, we chatted non-stop quilting goodness.  And just like Angela, Christa is an amazing Friend, Author, Business Owner, Quilter, and Sit, Down Quilter.  Can you see why they make such a Dynamic Duo!!!

Their amazing book, The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting, arrived at my house a few days ago and it has already become a favorite!!!  I have flipped through it again and again and I will tell you why . . .   Because of course, like all quilting books, it shows you lots of amazing quilting eye candy and how to do it, which I just love . . . but then, it takes it so much farther!!!  Let me use an example to show you what I mean.

There are 10 Quilt Designs in the book and each start with an "intro page" that tells you both Angela's and Christa's focus of quilting for that particular quilt design.   I love that this book has both the Long-Arm approach as well as the Sit-Down approach as I love to do both types of machine quilting!!  Then of course, there are some directions on how to make the quilt :)

But then is my favorite part of the book.   Wonderful Advice from Angela and Christa.   For this quilt,  Plumb Lines, Angela focuses on straight line quilting on a long-arm and shares lots of amazing insights on quilting on a long-arm with a ruler.  For someone who is just conquering her fear of rulers, this was amazing!!!  She actually goes over how she holds the ruler.   Just so awesome!!! 

Photography by Brent Kane

And then, Christa shares her advice for quilting her version of Plumb Lines.  Christa focuses on using Modern Quilting stitches other than straight lines.  She shares great advice on how to divide up the quilts so the overall design isn't so intimidating and goes over the sequence of the order she quilts it in to make it easiest on a sit-down machine.  Brilliant!!!

Photography by Brent Kane

And with each new quilt design in the book, Angela and Christa share lots more wonderful advice on not just how to quilt a quilting design, but like it says on the cover, When, Where, Why, and How to Finish Your Quilts!!!   It really is like you are sitting next to Angela or Christa and being able to pick their minds on why they make each quilting decision.  What an amazing recourse and truly it is, The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting!!! 

Photo borrowed from Martingale

Huge congrats to both Angela and Christa on such a fantastic book!!!  Way to go friends!!! 

SLMQG Trunk Show

Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild and share my little Trunk Show ;)  I was super excited to find that their meetings were held at Handi Quilter!!  There was a giant room just full of Long-Arms.  So fun!!!  I shared my trunk show and had such a wonderful time!!! Everyone was just so sweet with their kind words.  I just love the opportunity to share my love for quilting!!

I was super excited to get to share some of my quilts that had just arrived back from their shop hop.  Especially End of the Rainbow, it really is my favorite from the book, and I just love seeing all of those wonderful scraps, each one has its own story of another quilt.  So fun!!!

And I was so very appreciative of Barbie, who helped hold up the quilts.  Barbie is an amazing Quilter!!!   You can see her beautiful work at her blog.

And after we finished up with the Irish Chain Quilts, I thought it would be fun to share some of my more Modern Quilts, since I was at a MQG meeting ;)   Part of those included my two newest finishes and patterns, the Moroccan Lullaby Quilt.

And Barbara's Corkscrew Quilt!!!   I just can't get over how much I love this rainbow of goodness!!!  (and this pattern is still on sale for 1 more day, just saying ;)

 You can see lots more pictures of the Trunk Show at the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild Facebook Page here.   I am so grateful to the SLMQG for having me.  It was oh so much fun!!!!  

And one more picture to share before signing off today.   Before my Trunk Show, the memebers of the SLMQG did a fun show and tell.  You can see all of their amazing projects at the Facebook Page as well,  but I was especially happy over this particular share.  JoAnne took my "In Your Neighborhood" class at the Panguitch Quilt Walk 2 summers ago and she brought up her finished quilt top to share with me.  Isn't it just stunning!!!!   It is so fun to get to see the finish when I only got to see a few blocks in class.   Thanks so much JoAnne for sharing this!!!

If you have a quilt from a pattern or a tutorial of mine I would love to see it!!!  You can email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com :)

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

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 Sherbert Grunge Basics Fat Quarter Bundle from Fat Quarter Shop   is . . .   Number #457 . . . 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 the giveaway Julie is giving all Happy Quilting readers a special on shipping.  Use the coupon HAPPYTUESDAY for free shipping on all orders over $25.00.   And starting May 1, all shipping will be flat fee $5.95 with lots more free shipping days, so be sure to follow along in your entries below to know when they are coming!! 

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. is giving away an absolutely fantastic Half Yard Bundle of Chipper Sorbet  by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics to one lucky winner!!!!  I know the Tula Troop in all of us is jumping up and down right about now!!!  

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 are more Chipper in the Morning or the Evening??  (Me, it's all about the Morning ;)  

 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, April 26th , when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Lori Holt Bloom QAL

I am so excited this morning to be sharing my little project from Lori Holt's Bloom QAL.   I was so excited when I was asked to do week 14 of the Bloom QAL because the flowers are just so cute!!!   I couldn't stop at just one block and before I knew it, I had this adorable pillow for my bench seat, so fun!!!!

The leaves on this flower totally reminded me of tuxedo ties so I was instantly drawn to Doodlebugs Dot and Dash fabric.  I just love the modern feel these awesome black and white fabrics add to the pillow.  So striking!!

This was the first block I did.  I opted to do raw edge applique instead, because we all know I am not the worlds best hand stitcher ;)   I used a fun metallic grey thread and I love how it just pops along the edge of the applique ;)  

And as I mentioned,  I had originally planned to do just one block but it was so cute, I couldn't stop.   So this was the second block.   I liked how it was a little "busier" but then I decided I needed a third block to balance it out.  

So then of course, I made up this little block.   And then it didn't take long for inspiration to strike and realize that these three blocks would make up a perfect size pillow for my bench!!!

And they all just all came together so cute!!!   I used the leftover pieces from the  10" stacker of Dot and Dash to piece together a fun scrappy backing for the pillow.   Just perfect!!!  And now, I just can't help but smile every time I walk through the dining room and see this fun little pillow resting on the bench ;)  Don't you just love when things come together like that ;)  

So that is my Week 14 Bloom Block!!!  Be sure to pop on over to Riley Blake to get a great tutorial on making this block as well as lots of great info on this fun QAL!!!

Thanks so much to Riley Blake and Lori Holt for having me as part of this wonderful QAL.  It was so much fun!!!