Splendid Sampler Saturday!!!

It's Saturday and each week I get a little more excited, because there are not a whole lot of Saturday's left in the Splendid Sampler!!!   So lets see some more blocks.

First up, is the Spool block designed by Melanie Barrett.  This was another one of those blocks that allowed me to work on my paper piecing skills and I am so happy to say that I think I have it down now.  This block went together so smoothly and I actually quite enjoyed this bit of paper piecing.   It is so fun to do all of those little strings ;)

And next up is the Heartstring Star block designed by Elizabeth Dackson.  And yes, this is another paper pieced block.  You paper piece the star points, and then it is just like sewing a 9 patch together.  So much fun, and I liked that you could almost assembly line piece the star points, so it felt a little faster than regular paper piecing.  And don't you just love the solids ;)

And finally, is the Minnesota Maze block designed by Roseann Kermes.  I will admit, that chevron print might not have been the best choice.  It makes this block just a little bit crazy, but I still think it is pretty fun.  It just makes the focus of the block a little opposite from the original one, but highlights the secondary design instead.  I like it enough to keep it, so it's all good ;)

And those are this weeks Splendid Sampler blocks.  And I have to share one more little tidbit!!!  I finished the 9 patch black and white blocks that wills serves as an Irish Chain setting for my Splendid Sampler blocks.  I have been using them as leaders and enders while working on the blocks and I was super excited to finish all 72.  Now as soon as the blocks are done, they will be ready to sew right up into the quilt top.   So fun!!!

Only 16 more blocks to go!!!!

I hope you are having a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

#LIGHTtheWORLD

It's December!!!!  Yippee, It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!!  I truly believe this and love to see how the Christmas spirit can change the world around us.  So this year, I am trying to add to that spirit by participating in the #LIGHTtheWORLD activities each day leading up to Christmas.  

If you would like to participate in this event as well, You can watch the informational #LIGHTtheWORLD video below, and go here to see more videos and  find out more about all of the ways you can help #LIGHTtheWORLD this Christmas season. It just warms my heart to think of people of all faiths,  from all over the world,  coming together to make our world better.

         

The #LIGHTtheWORLD idea is to share the light of Christ and Christmas each day leading up to Christmas and there is even a "In 25 Ways over 25 Days" Advent Calendar you can download and print  that provides suggestions  each day on how you can help to "LIGHTtheWORLD"  Today is the first day and it is being kicked off with a worldwide day of service event ;)   I will be teaching my sister-in-laws how to make homemade chocolates for my service.    

So,  Happy December to each of you and let's try and make this the best December filled with joy and happiness and love for all  :)  

I Have a Plan

So for the last few weeks I have been debating about what to do for the MQG Mini Swap.  There are just so many options and how do you choose one that will be just perfect for your partner.   So after mulling it over, I am happy to say that I finally came to a decision last night, and I am super excited because it involves the new Starbust 30 degree ruler and some of the First Blush blocks paired with the happy colors of Hello Dot!!!!!    EEEkkk, If this come together the way it is in my head it is going to be so happy and fun!!!!

My plan is to use 2 of the small blocks from the First Blush book.   But rather than do them in an alternating 2 colors, I am going to do a whole bunch of colors, to make cute little rainbow stars ;)

And then, rather than cutting them square, I am going to cut them on fun angles, so that when they are all sewn together there will just be dancing stars on a beautiful low volume background ;)

So that is the plan!!!   And I was so super excited about finally having a plan that I already started cutting.   Now just to sew these strip sets together and then let the Starburst ruler do it's magic :)

I will be sure to share pictures along the way and here's hoping that it turns out just the way it is in my mind ;)  Regardless, it sure is going to be fun to play with this new ruler and watch it all come together.  

Have you played with any new rulers lately??  I would love to hear about them, specialty rulers are just so fun ;)  

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 a Layer Cake of their Choice from Olie and Evie  is . . .   Number #233 . . . Congrats Mary at Fleur de Lis Quilts!!!   I have emailed you :) 

      

   

  

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Green Fairy Quilts.  Green Fairy Quilts is your home for pre-cut goodness and they always have amazing sales going on every weekend on a selected pre-cut or notion!!!  You will want to be sure and sign up for their newsletter so you won't miss these awesome deals!!!

And today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for an awesome Desert Bloom Fat Quarter Bundle by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda!!  I have already played with this line for some secret sewing and let me tell you, it is fantastic!!!  Someone is going to be super lucky this week!!!

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 your favorite season ;)  We now have snow and while I love the snow, already I am wishing for a little more warmth, although not quite as hot as a desert.  Fall is my favorite ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Green Fairy Quilts love.   You can follow them on Bloglovin, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram.  You can Sign up for their Newsletter so you those sales!!  or you can visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Green Fairy Quilt Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, December 6th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Pat Sloan's Teach Me to Machine Quilt Blog Hop!!!

Today I am super excited to share with you a new book from my good friend, Pat Sloan!!!  Can you believe, this is her 33rd book, just WOW!!!  Pat is truly amazing!!  Her creativity knows no bounds and she is such an amazing teacher.   I have been so impressed with her new "Teach Me To" series and absolutely love this third book in the series,  Teach Me to Machine Quilt!!

Pat's book is such a fantastic tool for all those wanting to learn how to machine quilt their own quilts :)  She walks through each and every aspect of getting ready to machine quilt, including basics on thread, batting and  basting with lots of wonderful tidbits thrown in.  Pat then shares everything you need to know to Machine Quilt with your Walking Foot, or Free Motion Machine quilting.   This content is the first 50 pages of the book and it is all filled with easy to follow process pictures as well. 

The remainder of the book is filled with wonderful Projects so you can practice both your Walking Foot Quilting as well as your Free Motion Machine Quilting.  And of course, Pat's projects are just so much fun!!!

My particular favorite was this Mini Charm Star wall hanging, isn't it just so cute!!!!   And you know, I can always use another little wall hanging for the quilt room ;)  

So out came my stash of purple solids, and oh my goodness, I just can't say how much I love this purple-icious Mini Charm Star ;)   It was such a fun little project to whip up!!

One of the Machine Quilting Walking Foot techniques Pat teaches in the book is how to quilt a giant spiral.  This has been a favorite of mine for some time and always a great way to quilt up a small project.

And of course, now I want to make an entire quilt of these with each star being a different color of the rainbow.  I just can't seem to make enough happy rainbow quilts ;)  But I suppose if I do it scrappy then I can chalk it up to another great stash buster!!

And that's a little sampling of  Pat's wonderful book, Teach Me to Machine Quilt:)  It really is just perfect for teaching Machine Quilting.   And before I sign off for the day, you can't have a blog hop without a giveaway, right ;)   Pat is giving away 5 copies of her new book and you can enter to win by popping on over to Pat's Blog Here :)

And be sure to pop in and visit the other stops on today's Mega Fun Book Tour:

• Amy Friend  www.duringquiettime.com
• Heather Valentine  thesewingloftblog.com/
• Amy Ellis  www.amyscreativeside.com/

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

And just a reminder - Today is the final day of the Happy Quilting Pattern Sale ;)   Hopefully you had some fun Quilty Shopping this last weekend :)