MQG Charity Quilt - Graffiti Quilting

I always love to participate in the MQG Charity Quilts.  And as an individual member, I have the opportunity to work with wonderful new quilters each year as we are rounded up in a region.  This year our Mountain West gals decided on wonky stars in alternating scale.  Aren't they just so fun!!!   And guess who got to do the quilting ;)   Yup, little ole me and I figured what would go better with it's wonky improv. goodness than some Graffiti Quilting!!!

This was my first time doing grafatti quilting and so it is fair to say I was a little nervous.  But the only way to learn is just jumping in and doing it right :)  The quilting was a ton of fun, but a challenge as well.   I think the hardest part was changing designs so much.  Each time I would have to stop for a second and decide what I wanted to quilt next.  Thank heavens for some awesome FMQ books in my little library that I could reference when my brain was fried :)

And I quickly realized that grafatti quilting is all about everything touching and "growing" out of the previous design.  This was a bit of a change from  the usual way I quilt all over as I don't tend to cross over of bounce off anything.   But I got the hang of it after a little bit and just love the way the designs transition into each other.

And ya, because of all of that, this thing is quilted like crazy dense ;)   I lost track of how many bobbins I had gone through.  My guess would be somewhere around 20.   So let's just say this quilt will be able to hold up to some serious love :)   

All in all, I am so super happy with the outcome!!!   It was something new, something that forced me out of my comfort zone and stretched me as a quilter.   And I am glad to say that I really feel like I learned a lot and finished up a pretty awesome quilt at the same time.

And once I had all of the background finished, I changed my thread out and quilted up the fun little stars ;)   You can't really see the quilting on the front, so here they are from the back.  Aren't they just so cute!!!

And speaking of the back, how cool is this pieced back!!!  And it really shows off some of the quilting which is pretty fun as well ;)

 And I have to say, my favorite thing about working on these MQG Charity Quilts is seeing how everyone can come together even across long distances.  This was such an awesome collaboration ;)    Everyone in our group, including Theresa, Christi, and Liz made stars and then Alissa pieced the top, Jane pieced the back, I did the quilting, Melanie is adding the binding, and then Naomi is putting on the label and quilt sleeve.  It just warms my heart to see how much love was put into this.

Oh, and just in case you are wondering, this fun quilt was named A Galaxy Far, Far Away  :)   Gotta love me some Star Wars!!!

I hope you are having 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  2 yard of  Moda's White on White Snowflake from Kimberly's Fabric Stash is . . . Number #107. . . Congrats Sewgirl!!! 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 Kewpie Love Fat Quarter Set!!!!!   How adorable is that, one lucky readers is going to have the perfect collection  to make something adorable for Valentines Day!!!

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 a favorite hobby/leisure activity other than quilting/sewing :)

 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, January 24th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Patchwork Quilt Along - Souvenir of Friendship Block

It's the 15th and that means it is the start of the Patchwork Quilt Along hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop!!!!  Today I am so excited to share the first set of  Patchwork Quilt Along blocks.  These first set of blocks are called the Souvenir of Friendship Blocks and they are just so much fun to piece in all of their tiny goodness!!!!

I just love the way these blocks are a plus inside a plus.   And when I said tiny I wasn't kidding.  All of the blocks in this Patchwork Quilt Along will finish at 5".   EEEkkk, so cute!!!   There will be 72 blocks total in the quilt and we will be making them up 6 each month.  

So if you are joining in the Patchwork fun,  you can download the block pattern right here and it is requested for each pattern you download to donate $5.00  to the Make a Wish Foundation  ;)  This QAL is raising funds for this amazing organization that grants wishes to children faced with life threatening medical conditions.  What a wonderful way for us all to make a difference in a special child's life!!   And Fat Quarter Shop and Moda will match up to $20,000 of the donations raised.  So let's help them reach that goal ;)  

This year I am doing something a little different and not using the same fabrics as the Fat Quarter Shop's original quilt.   I decided to use Desert Bloom by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda and I just love how those happy colors just pop!!   If you are quilting along and want to use the original Bonnie and Camille Basics you can find a Quilt Along Kit right over here, or if you want to pick a different fabric like me, you just need (2) Jolly Bars or (1) Layer Cake cut in half and then some background fabric and borders.    

And like always, Fat Quarter Shop has made up a super fun little  You Tube video that walks you through making the block step by step!!!   

Be sure to share all of your Patchwork progress on social media with #patchworkquiltalong and check out these fabulous bloggers who are quilting along for some Souvenir of Friendship block inspiration :)  

*Bonnie of Cotton Way (@bonniecottonway)

*Camille of Thimble Blossoms (@thimbleblossoms)

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl (@jedicraftgirl)

Amy of Diary of a Quilter (@diaryofaquilter)

Andy of A Bright Corner (@abrightcorner)

Debbie of Happy Little Cottage (@happylittlecottage1)

Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)

Heidi of Buttons and Butterflies (@buttonsandbutterflies)

Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)  (that's me :) 

Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)

Pat Sloan of PatSloan.com (@quilterpatsloan)

Renee of Sewn with Grace (@sewnwithgrace)

Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)

Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)

Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)

Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)

Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie of Moda Cutting Table

So that is the first block in the Patchwork Quilt Along!!!!   I will continue to share a new set of blocks on the 15th of each month.  So fun!!!  So what do you say, wan't to come Patchwork Quilting Along??  You are going to have so much fun!!!

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

Jelly Roll Twist

So do you remember when I  started a new Shortcut Quilt last month, Well I  am super excited to get to share the finish today!!!   This is Jelly Roll Twist and I had so much fun making it.  I just love the Shortcut Quilts because they are so fast!!  I actually had it all finished sans the binding in December.

I used a combination of Sweetwater's First Crush fabric line and Sandy Gervais' new #love line.  Don't they play so perfectly together!!   I just love all of those happy hearts and flowers in beautiful bold red, black, and white :)

And I varied from the fabric layout in the pattern a bit.  I opted to  just do the squares and strips totally random and I have to say, I just love it!!!   Don't you just love getting that "looks like super scrappy" look when really it is just a basic block rotated.   So fun!!!

When it came time to quilt it, I decided on a simple all over echoed paisley design.  This is such a fun and fast filler and I love all of the happy curves.  I have a video tutorial for this free motion design over here if you want to see how I do it ;)   It was hard to decide what color to quilt in as regardless what I choose it was going to pop on some fabrics and blend with others.  In the end, I went with red :)  

And that is my Jelly Roll Twist quilt!!!   And it is ready just in time for Valentines day!!!   I have never made a Valentines quilt before and I am excited to have this draped over the couch ready to snuggle up in front of the fire place with the special people in my life ;)

Oh, and if you want to make your own Jelly Roll quilt, you can pop over to the Jolly Jabber and get the free pattern as well as check out the video tutorial for making it ;)  You are going to have a blast with this one, so fast and fun!!!

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

New Year equals New Quilt Along's!!!

One of my favorite things about each January is that it means the start of so many amazing new Quilt Along's!!   But real quick, before I get into some of these amazing Quilt Along's, I know several of you have asked when I will be hosting my next Quilt Along, and the answer is, I don't have it planned yet.  But, the good news is that I have ideas starting to swirl and am tentatively thinking early Spring would be a great time to start :)     And if you have any ideas of what you would most like to learn in our annual Happy Quilting Quilt Along please leave a comment letting me know ;)


Alright, with that said, back to January's Quilt Along's!!!  I am super excited to be able to participate in 3 new Quilt Along's !!!!  I will be making all into full quilts so lots and lots of block making this year!!   It is going to be so much fun and I would love it if you wanted to quilt along with me in one, or two, or however many you can squeeze in ;)

The first quilt along (which I originally mentioned here ;)  is the Aurifil Designer Block of the Month!!   And I am so super excited about because I got to design one of the months blocks!!!!   The BOM this year is being done in a color wheel and you just know how I love rainbow quilts!!!  It is going to be so great!!!  A new designer will release a block on the 15th each month and I can't wait to start using up some more rainbow scrappy goodness!!    You can see all the details for this quilt along right over here at the Aurifil Buzz :)

Next up is Fat Quarter Shops annual Charity Quilt Along and this year it will benefit the Make a Wish Foundation!!    This is the third year I will be doing this Charity Quilt Along and I am just so excited to be a part of such an amazing cause :)  I just love when this love of quilting allows me to give back in some way!!   And the Quilt Along is going to be oh so much fun!!!!   This year it is all about tiny patchwork in classic blocks, I can't wait !!!   I am planning on using Desert Bloom by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda and can't wait to see those beautiful colors pop in tiny patchwork :)   The blocks will be released on the 15th of each month so the first block will be released in just 3 Days!!!  Yippee!!!  You can find all the details for the Patchwork Quilt Along right over here :)  

And finally, the Bella Skill Builder starting on February 1st and running the 1st of each month.  My good friend Sherri McConnell has designed this goregous sampler quilt in beautiful Bella Solids.  Each month a free block pattern will be released at the Jolly Jabber teaching you lots of cool new techniques.  I totally had to jump on this one because there are so many blocks in this quilt that I have wanted to try, and now I can try them all in one awesome project!!!  And ya, I plan to do a rainbow of solids, because I just can't get enough of rainbow quilts right now :)  You can find  details and a Bella kit for this quilt right over here ;) 

So ya, lots of Quilt Along fun which equals lots of quilt block goodness to share all year long!!!  So if you are looking for a new quilt along for 2017 here are a few options,   And if you do quilt along, I can't wait to see your pics.  It is always fun to quilt together ;)

Have a Happy Quilting (Along)  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 Texas Trail Fat Quarter Bundle from Green Fairy Quilts is . . . Number #231. . . Congrats Tina Jeo!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

    

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Kimberly's Fabric Stash.    You will find so many amazing fabrics over at Kimberly's and everyday low prices on pre-cuts!!!  Along with hosting the giveaway, Kimberly is offering Free Shipping  on your orders over $20.  Just use the code IMAWESOME!!  

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for some Winter Goodness!!!  Kimberly's Fabric Stash is offering one lucky reader  2 yard of  Moda's White on White Snowflake!!!  This is just perfect for backing any hand embroidery pattern or as a background in piecing

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 kind of soup.   ( It's been snowing and I just love making homemade soups to warm up)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Kimberly's Fabric Stash  Love!!!!   You can Sign Up for their Newsletter (which will get your more coupon codes :)  You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or You Tube.  Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Kimberly Fabric Stash Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, January 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!!!

Starting means Cutting!!

I know I have said it before, and I know it still  probably sounds a little crazy, but I just love the cutting part of starting a new project.   Really, I truly do.  I don't know what it is about taking a stack of pretty fabrics and cutting them all into just the right sizes that I enjoy so much, but it sure makes me smile every time.  (I think some of it has to do with the math, I am a geeky accountant that way :)  And I really love seeing the pretty little stacks of squares, rectangles, and triangles when I am all done cutting out a project.  Oh, and the little leftover strings are pretty awesome as well ;)  Especially when they are a sea of beautiful blues and greens from Karen Lewis's Blueberry Park!!!

I cut the above little project out on Saturday afternoon and I am super excited because this morning I have two more fun projects to cut out!!!    Super classy Maven by Basic Grey   and then totally adorable Sugar Pie by Lella Boutique, both for Moda.    And yes, neither of these 2 lines are available quite yet (release in March) but this is some more of that "secret sewing" so I was fortunate enough to get a jump start with these fun fabrics :)   But one of these two won't be a secret for to long :)

And with that, I am off to the cutting table!!!!  What a fun way to spend Monday Morning ;)

Are you by chance cutting out a new project this Monday Morning??

Splendid Sampler Saturday!!!

The Splendid Sampler took a bit of a break in December for the Holidays but now it's a new year and its time for some more Saturday Splendid Sampler fun!!!    So lets see some more blocks.

First up, is the Unity Star block designed by Vanessa Christensen. I had some fun playin around with the fabrics on this one.  I opted for a slightly busier background and I just love the way it makes the star blend in and out of focus.  It just gives the block so much happy movement.  And that polka dot is a V &C print . . . you know, you have to use a bit of the designers fabric right :)

And next up is the From Colorado to the Midwest block designed by Ebony Love.  And this was so much fun to piece.  I really can never get enough flying geese and half square triangle piecing.  They are just my favorite building blocks and what you can create with them is endless.   So fun!!!

And that's it for today ;)  I will be back next Saturday with some more Splendid Sampler Blocks.  Only 1 month left !!!!

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

Improv Table Runners

I am so excited to have these fun Improv Table Runners all finished and ready to be used on my table,  I guess I just need to wait for fall now :)  I finished the bindings  on New Years Eve so technically, these are some of my last finishes of 2016!!  Yippee :)

These table runners were a result of the scraps from cutting out another project.  You can see my process of making them in this blog post ;)  These were so much fun to make.  I don't often just start stitching without an end plan, but it was a really great exercise in just seeing where it goes and a whole lot of fun, once I got myself to stop worrying about what it would turn out like in the end.

The fabrics are Desert Bloom by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda and I just love the wonderful fall colors and prints!!!  They just warm you up inside, and considering I took these pictures in -3 degrees outside, I could seriously use the warming up ;)

I quilted these with some simple matchstick straight-ish lines.   This was the first time I tried matchstick quilting on the long arm and I just loved it!!!   It was so fast and so, so, much fun.  And I just love the wonderful yummy texture it adds to the tops ;)

 And then I finished them off with a nice navy binding that I thinks frames them just perfectly ;)   These were a lot of fun to make and made me realize I need to do more Improv without a plan projects.  They really are just wonderful to see where the scraps just take you and I am so happy with how they turned out ;)

Now I just have to wait about 10 months to use them ;)  I guess I will just say I am super prepared for Fall 2017!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up to Amanda's, Sarah's, and Myra's :)

Its going to be Stars for my Selvages :)

Thank you so much to everyone that left wonderful suggestions on what to do with all of my selvages ;)  I loved all of the suggestions, and now have a lot more Selvage quilt to make ;)  But for this very first one, I decided to go with one of my personal favorites ;)   Stars!!!

I did a little test run of making HST with selvage blocks and they worked out just fantastic!!   So, I am moving forward with this plan. My selvages are all sorted by color but I decided to only use the selvages that truly read one particular color.  (Which means I have a bag of multi color selvages for another project, Yippee!!!)   And of course, I decided that it should be a ginormous king size quilt, so I might run out of selvages before I get done, but that's all good too.  Then it can just be one of those super fun long term projects ;)  

  I am hoping to cut out the grey background and foundations for the selvages pieces today or tomorrow so then I will be all set to just throw in a bit of selvage piecing here and there ;)  Oh, and a few of you mentioned the other day that you hadn't sewn or saved selvages before.  So I was thinking maybe a tutorial was needed.  Would you like a tutorial on these Simple Scrappy Selvage Stars??   Maybe two,  A Basic Sewing with Selvages Tutorials followed by a Selvage Star one??  What would be easiest and most convenient??

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 Complete Cute Sewing Tin Set from Fat Quarter Shop is . . . Number #91. . . Congrats PegP!!! 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 this super fun  Texas Trail Fat Quarter Bundle by Sara Khammash for Moda!!  One lucky winner is going to take a piece of the lone star state home with them ;)  

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 what State (or Country if you are international) you call home! 

 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, January 10th  when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Sorting Selvages

So as I attempted to stuff a few more selvages in my little scrap selvage drawers this morning and had a fun little thought process.  Here is how it went.
 First, I came to the conclusion that the drawers were are already stuffed to the brim.  Second, I asked myself "why I was still saving these", and answered myself that "they are to make that Selvage Quilt Someday".  And then Third, it was like that little bolt of lightening hit my brain and said "Why Not Today!!!".   It's a New Year and what better time to start one of those "squeak a little in here and there" project than the New Year.   So I pulled the Selvages Drawers out of the scrap drawer bins. . .

And I started sorting!!!  I haven't picked a pattern yet, but I do know that I want to make my selvage quilt in some kind of rainbow layout, so I am sorting the selvages by color.     I have a few designs that I like, but want to look around a bit and be sure there is't a great selvage design I am missing.  So if you know of one, just give me a shout out in the comments.   

EEEkkk, this is just so fun!!!    I have been saving selvages for 4 years now and I just am tickled pink that they are finally being pulled out of the drawer.  This is going to be my no deadline, work on it here and throughout  2017 project and I just couldn't be more excited for it!!!  By the end of 2017 I will have a selvage quilt!!!!  There, put it in words, goal made!!!  

So now, back to more Sorting ;)