Home Again!!!

Wow, it's just amazing how fast time flies by when you are having a great time!!!  This last week I have been cruising and quilting with this amazing group of ladies from all over and the fantastic Deb and Dana from Stitchin Heaven!!!!  And what a great time we had!!!

What an amazing week ;)   I mean, Cruising combined with Quilting, does it get any better than that???  I will be back soon with a full account of the entire week, but first, I best get unpacked ;)

Happy Quilting!!!!

Splendid Sampler Saturday!!

Oh my goodness, I can't believe that we are getting so close to the end of  Splendid Sampler Saturday!!   Which means it is almost time to put the quilt together, eeekk!!!   So, let's share today's blocks ;)

First up, is the In the Sunshine block designed by Cheryl Arkison.  And funny story with this one, my son tried to claim it for his room.  He say it and loved how the banner looked just like the ones from Medieval times and wanted to draw a dragon on the banner.   I told him I would have to make another one ;)   This was a super fun and fast block, which is good, because it looks like I am making a second version of it now ;)

And next up is the First Purse block designed by Di Mill.   And how adorable is this block!!!  I just love that she included the cute little buttons as the clasp of the purse, simple adorable!!!  No surprise here that my little girls wanted this block ;)  This Saturday is all about having to make remakes of Splendid Blocks ;)

And that's got us all caught up in Splendid Sampler blocks!!!   And guess what, there are only 3 blocks left!!!!   Wow, It is just getting so exciting!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend ;) 

Splendid Sampler Friday!!

So, things have been a little crazy busy this month and I have gotten a little behind on posting my  Splendid Sampler fun!!!   So, rather than post a whole slew of blocks tomorrow, I thought I would break them up into 2 posts.  So now we get a Splendid Sampler Friday!!!  So, let's get to the blocks

First up, is the Double Bees block designed by Beth Bradley.  This block was a super fun fast block and you know how I love petal applique!!!   And of course, I am not much on hand stitching, so I just machine stitched my little bee flight trails ;)  So fun!!!

Next up is the Skyscrapers block designed by Stacey Lowe.   And talk about some fun applique!!!   I decided to use the black outline to really make those buildings pop on the polka dot background.  And I just love the zipper effect when you blanket stitch on two seams right next to each other, so fun!!!

And finally, the Sunshine block designed by Kim Niedzwiecki.     This block was all about polka-dots.  I was so thrilled to find that I had so many different polka dot fabrics in light blue.   It just makes me smile :)   Although, when I was done, I had to laugh that those polka dots on blue reminds me more of snow than the actual block name sunshine, I still love it!!!

And that's it for today ;)  I will be back tomorrow with some more Splendid Sampler Blocks.  Only a few more to go !!!!

The Quilter's Path by Christa Watson

Today I am super excited to tell you about a new Craftsy Class called The Quilter's Path by my good friend Christa Watson !!!   If you know Christa at all, you know she is all about teaching people how to make quilts from start to finish, including doing their own Machine Quilting.  So it is no surprise that her awesome new Craftsy class is all about walking you through Machine Quilting, start to finish!!!

Christa starts out class by teaching you everything you need to know before you get started free motion quilting.   I loved this part because it is often skipped over assuming you just figure it out on the way.   During class, Christa teaches quilting with a walking foot, free motion quilting techniques, and then how to combine the two to create a fantastic custom look.

This class is an excellent recourse for anyone wanting to learn how to machine quilt their own quilts, and you get a fantastic coach in Christa as well!!  The Craftsy platform allows you to ask questions and interact directly with Christa throughout your class so you get all the benefits of an actual class without having to travel to Vegas to meet up with Christa.   So fantastic!!!

And Christa has been kind enough to share a special discount for all my Happy Quilting Readers!!  You can use this link to pop on over to Craftsy and download Christa's class at 50% off,  so just $19.99!!!    You are going to love it!!!

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

Bella Skill Builder - Kaleidoscope

It's the 1st of the Month and that means it is the start of the Bella Skill Builder hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop and Sherri McConnell!!!!  Today I am super excited to share the first set of skill building blocks and this month it is all about Kaleidoscope Blocks!!!   

My plan is to make tone on tone blocks each month in an assortment of rainbow colors.  It is going to be so pretty when it is all done ;)   For the large version of the block I used Bella Solid Royal and Amelia Blue.  And for the smaller version of the block I used Bella Solid Iris and Prune.   

These blocks were a lot of fun to make and really worked my skills on making sure I got that nice perfect point in the center.  Cutting went really fast with the creative grids Kaleidoscope ruler, but if you don't have one, no worries, Sherri includes the templates with her patterns ;)   I just stacked up my strips and starting slicing ;)

And then it is just a lot of chain piecing and pressing from there.  The pressing is super important as you have all of that bulk in the center.  That is where those little circles in the center come from but I am sure they will quilt out ;) 

And I just loved seeing all of those happy little points match up on the small version.   So fun!!!  And of course, this is my favorite because it is purple :)   And I only made 1 as I am planning on a slightly different layout, we will see how it all comes together throughout the year.

And that is the Kaleidoscope block, the  first set of blocks in the Bella Skill Builder!!!!   I will continue to share a new set of blocks on the 1st of each month.  You can find all of the details on this fun Skill Builder as well as this month's patterns over at Fat Quarter Shop's blog, Jolly Jabber ;)   So what do you say, wan't to come learn some skills on the Bella Skill Builder with me??? 

It is going to be so much fun!!!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day

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

First off, we would normally choose a winner of last weeks TTGD, but whereas I don't have internet because I am currently in the middle of the ocean, we will procrastinate choosing a winner until next Tuesday when there will be a winner of last weeks and this weeks giveaway!!!      

  

So on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Olie and Evie.  Rhonda has an adorable Etsy shop and she has just packed with lots of new wonderful pre-cuts and beautiful yardage!!!  And Rhonda is having an awesome Blowout Sale with yardage priced from $3 - $7 a yard!!! Lots of pre-cuts are at reduced prices as well :)   This is a great time to buy backings for quilts, replenish favorite prints, backgrounds and solids!!!  So pop on over and check it out!!!

And Rhonda's  Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is so super fun!!!!    The lucky winner will receive a selection of quilting patterns from  Olie and Evie !!!    So much fun!!!!  

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 Quilt Pattern you have made ;) 

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Olie and Evie love.   You can follow them on  Facebook, Instagram at their blog, 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 Olie and Evie Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday,  February 7th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Mary Brooks Picken Article

My good friend and owner of Kimberly's Fabric Stash, Kimberly Chaffee wrote this amazing article on Mary Brooks Picken for her County Register.   I am so happy that she is allowing me to share it here on my blog :)  It really is just amazing to read about some of the beginning of this amazing industry that we now love ;)   So without further ado . . . 

MARY BROOKS PICKEN- The Sewing Industry’s Most Influential Woman

Modern Sewing has its many influential people that have shaped the way you sew, where you sew, and how you sew. We know the names of Eleanor Burns, Nancy Zieman, Alex Anderson and many talented women that introduced us to new ways to design and fabricate everything from quilts to home décor.  These women are held up in modern times as leaders in the sewing industry and their means of delivery has been in large part through television and the internet along with many published books.

            Let me introduce you to the most influential woman that literally transformed thousands of women from ordinary clothing menders, to clothing specialists, capable of making a living and improving their homes with their sewing machines. At a time when most women were not able to vote, and less than 10% worked outside the home, a widowed woman from the Midwest moved East and began the most fascinating and influential career in sewing I believe I have ever witnessed.

Her name is Mary Brooks Picken, and if you stop for a moment, and look thru your library of sewing books, you may find The Singer Sewing Book , published by Singer in 1949, and written by this remarkable woman. This book is the authority on proper sewing technique covering everything from dressmaking to rugmaking. Although, upon closer inspection of your library you may find several of her books, since she wrote 91 during her career. I find writing 91 books exceptional? Why? By the time she was 28 years old in 1914, Mary had already written 64 textbooks and two dressmaking courses for the popular International Correspondence School located in Scranton, Pa.

Widowed at the age of 25, she was recruited by the school and opened the Women’s Institute under the ICS parent company. Courses offered at the institute were in sewing, dressmaking, millinery, and cooking. At 35 years of age, Ms. Picken had earned the role of Vice President for the Women’s Institute and a million dollar structure was built across the street from the ICS June 3^rd, 1920.

The 125,000 women enrolled mainly from the United States, but also internationally, earned the praise from many influential sources including the U.S. commissioner of education at the time, P.P. Claxon. "In America at least, the home is the most important of all institutions" for it is the home that establishes the "physical, mental, and moral education" of children.” During the same period from 1920 thru 1925 Mary was editor of her quarterly publication, Fashion Service, and enrollment at her institute doubled to 253,000 enrollees.

Women from all over the United States wrote to Mary praising the school, and its education courses for improving their skills all around. In addition to earning money on the side to help support their family, women were opening businesses and supporting themselves. During early 1920s, “Most women were housewives, but by this time, a significant number of women did work outside the home, or even within it to earn money. Figures released when the cornerstone of the building was laid show for every 100 women enrolled in courses, 63 were married, 34 were single and three were widowed. Sixty-three percent of students studied to meet or enhance the requirements of their own home. Out of every 100, 17 planned to establish their own businesses, nine to prepare for a position in a business and 11 for both home and professional roles.” (Kashuba, 2011)

Having accomplished the monumental task of opening a school advancing women’s domestic skills, Mary moved forward and “begins a career in advertising with Singer Sewing, Dennison Crafts, and The Spool Cotton Company” (Barickman 2010). The Women’s Institute survived until 1937, due to a downturn from the Great Depression. In 1939 Mary opened the Mary Brooks Picken school on Madison Ave. in New York. She also released 3 books on fashion that same year.

During World War II there was a huge revitalization in sewing and women were encouraged to repurpose old clothes. The women that had completed courses from the Women’s Institute were skilled in accomplishing this and many were writing to magazines about what they had altered and renewed. By 1942 fabric sales were up by 50 percent over the previous year, and in 1943 70 million patterns were sold over the counter.

In 1949, Mary at the age of 63, wrote The Singer Sewing Book, which in 2 years sold 380,000 copies, and at its completion of printing sold over 8 million copies. At the age of 74, she was syndicated, writing a weekly column that reached 300 newspapers. Not much is written about her golden years, and she died the 6^th of March, 1981 at the age of 94.

Mary Brooks Picken led an extraordinary life, and not only made a wonderful career from sewing and writing, but directly influenced women to take pride in their craftsmanship, and encouraged other towards entrepreneurship. I wonder today how many of Mary’s techniques are being replicated as “new” or “modern” in the sewing industry. Her methods taught women to abandon the ordinary, mundane task of sewing, and instead put their new skills toward making their homes and family fashionable and stylish. Mary Brooks Picken, an exceptional woman, whose techniques are still utilized today in everything we sew.

For further reading I encourage you to pick up a copy of Vintage Notions by Amy Barickman. The book is a compilation of patterns, techniques, recipes, and other things taught by Mary Brooks Picken at the Women’s Institute.

  Thank you so much Kimberly for sharing this with us!!!   So amazing!!!  Be sure to pop on over and say Hi to Kimberly at her blog ;)    And I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

Bon Voyage!!

EEEkkk, I can't believe it is finally here.   I am so excited!!!  You might remember clear back here when I spilled the beans about getting to teach on a quilting cruise . . . Well, I am on my way!!!!!

So I am checking in today to let you know that I won't have internet for the next week.  So I will be pretty much absent from social media for a week and if you email me, it will take a little to get back and any shipping will be delayed.    But, no worries about coming to visit here.  I have lots of fun posts scheduled all week, so even though I won't be able to respond to your comments, I will kind of be like I am still around ;)

I will be sure and take lots of pictures so I can share everything when I get back ;)  So see ya in a week!!!  

Layer Cake Pop

I am so very excited to share my newest quilt finish this morning!!!  It's called Layer Cake Pop and it is another fabulous Shortcut Quilt from Fat Quarter Shop!!!   And I have to say, I just love it!!!!

I know I have said it before, but the Shortcut quilts are just so great!!!  They really are just like they sound, a shortcut.  They go together so fast and are so much fun to make.   For my quilt I used some background yardage and a Layer Cake of Maven by Basic Grey for Moda.    I just love how chic it is in all its black, grey and tan goodness!!!

And when it came time to quilt it, I wanted to do something that was as pretty as all of the gorgeous fabrics and so I decided to go with my all over feathered swirl.  I just love how it adds so many beautiful curving feathers to all of those beautiful star points ;)

And it is a great all over design for lots of yummy texture!!!   It makes me want to snuggle up with a good book!!!  (But I best not as this will be a gift for a special someone ;)

And that is my Layer Cake Pop Quilt!!!   And I just love how it pops in the afternoon sun, just like its fun name :)   I already want to make another one, just need to pick out a Layer Cake!!!

And if you want to make your own (and trust me, you will love making it!!) you can pop on over to the Jolly Jabber to get the free pattern and check out the fantastic You Tube video walking you through step by step of putting it together, and see lots more Layer Cake Pop eye candy :)

Thanks for popping in here today and each day :) 

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

January Sew Sampler!!

My January Sew Sampler  Sew Sampler box  arrived and I was so excited to open it!!!   I mean, how great it is that I basically get a Christmas Present dropped off on my doorstep a month after Christmas!!!  And I even managed to keep myself from peeking on Instagram so its contents were a total surprise!!!   And what an awesome surprise it was :)

I have to admit, I am a pretty big fan of pink (It doesn't beat out purple of course, but it is up there ;)  so I was excited when Robert Kaufman announced the Kona color of the year as Pink Flamingo.  And what a treat to get an entire charm park of lovely Pink Flamingo.   And how cute are those patterns to make up with that pink goodness!!!

And this month's notions were awesome!!!   I always, always, always need new rotary blades.   Does anyone else feel that crazy mixed emotion each time you put in a blade.  You are so excited with how sharp it is and how nicely it cuts and then you feel kind of silly for waiting so long to change it and wonder why you have been dealing with that dull blade for a month.   Or is that just me??

And of course, I had to whip up the monthly sampler block.   And you know I just love this month's because it's a star!!!   I can't believe this is block 10 already!!  Before I know it, I will be putting the quilt top together ;)  So exciting!!!

And now, I get to look forward to Christmas in February when my next Sew Sampler Box  arrives .  Ohh, I just love all of the amazing quilting goodness!!!

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 a  Kewpie Love Fat Quarter Set from Shabby Fabrics is . . . Number #6. . . Congrats Nancy!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

    

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.   Fat Quarter Shop is amazing and they never cease to amaze me with everything they have going on at their shop!!!     And if you haven't already, be sure to check out their new 2017 Patchwork Quilt Along that benefits Make a Wish Foundation.   The only thing better than quilting is quilting for a cause :) 

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving one lucky reader a Carolyn Friedlander Big Stitch/ Aurifloss Thread Set!!!! Someone is going to have a whole lot of stitching fun with this beautiful Aurifloss !!!

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 tried Big Stitching before and if so, what was the project :)

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fat Quarter Shop love.   You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, You Tube or at their Blog.  You can Sign up for their Newsletter which will ensure you catch all of their amazing 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 Fat Quarter Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until  Tuesday, February 7th ,  when I will announce a winner at the beginning that day's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

 And yes, that is actually 2 weeks instead of 1.  I will be on my Quilting Cruise next week and will not have internet access, but there will still be a TTGD next week so no worries.  We will just do winners of both when I get back :) 

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

January Bee Block

Its a new year for the Bees Knees group and what a fun way to start it out!!!  My bee block went in the mail this weekend and it was so much fun to make!!!  I just love piecing big blocks and this one is no exception coming in at 24" square!!!

The block pattern is from the book Simply Retro by Camille Roskelley and you know after seeing this picture of the full quilt from the book, that it was totally added to my list of quilts to make some day.   So fun and so fast!!!!   Gotta love it!!!

What a fun way to start out this bee!!!   And I just love that every month I add another to make quilt to the list.  No wonder it is getting so long ;)   

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

This Way and That Way

It's Road to California this week and I was super excited to get to make this beautiful solids quilt for Moda to hang in their booth!!!  It's called This Way and That Way and how fun is it!!!

The pattern is from Me and my Sister Designs new book 12-Pack Quilts.   What a fun idea for a book, quilts made up using just 12 Fat Quarters.  Sure made the cutting go super fast!!!    This quilt uses the Bella Solids Designer Pack by Vanessa Christensen.   Aren't those colors just so yummy!!!

This was such a fun quilt to make.  It went together fast and I really enjoyed working with the solids.  Every time I make a solid quilt I remember how much fun they are ;)  And I just love the fun secondary designs in the pattern!!

When it came time to quilt, I had some fun with a whole lot of custom quilting   For the chain I quilted some echoed arches.  I love the way it made the center shapes look like jewels, especially with all of the beautiful jewel toned fabrics ;)  In the background I quilted some tiny all over echoed swirls, paisleys, and pebbles in the background to make the chain pop.   This is a favorite filler of mine and can be found in 180 Doodle Quilting Designs ;)

And I have to say, I am pretty excited about the borders!!!!    The inner boader I did some fun ribbon candy, and the outer border, I did a giant Feather!!!!   Eeekkk!!!!   I am still a little nervous about my feather ability, but I reminded myself the only way to get better is to practice . . . .and so I did . . . and I love it!!!   And I really felt like I learned some tidbits along the way that will make me all the more confident to tackle feathers the next times.   So excited!!!!     And yes, I totally changed the thread out from white to navy which helped to hide a few of the oopsies, gotta love blending ;)

And it adds such a beautiful yummy texture to the quilt!!!  I will admit, this one was kind of hard to put in the mail ;)  I am just so happy with how it turned out :)

But I am sure it is looking awesome at Road to California and that makes it all great!!!   I am just so happy I got to make up this awesome quilt for Moda and already have it on my list to make again!!!  And that is my This Way and That Way Quilt!!!

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

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

January Aurifil Designer BOM

I am so excited for the Aurifil Designer Block of the Month and I think the biggest reason is because I just love playing with rainbow blocks!!!   January is all about Blue and I just love Janet Clare's super fun Blue Block!!!  Frame blocks are so great :)

I had so much fun going through my scrap drawer and picking the perfect blues to go together.  It really is a lot of fun to play with the contrast all in one color.   And I used my lovely Aurifil threads for the beautiful blanket stitch around the applique.  I wanted a nice contrast on the applique so I used 50 wt Medium Deft Blue #2783 on the white petals and my go to 50 wt White #2024 on the navy petal.   I love how they just pop!!!

And you might have noticed by now that my center applique is not a cat as in the original pattern.  So ya, I am totally afraid of cats (and dogs for that matter :)   I know, silly right.  I am working on it but the long and the short of it is that they scare me.    So, rather than be reminded of my irrational fear every time I look at this quilt, I decided to change out the center applique.    And wouldn't you know it, I had these awesome Impressions Templates from Fat Quarter Shop's December Sew Sampler box that I have so wanting to try out.    And yup, they were awesome!!!

So that is my Aurifil January Block!!!  You can find the Janet's fantastic pattern for this block right over here and then be sure to pop over here to read Janet's interview.   She is such an amazing designer and it was so fun to get to read all about what inspires her designs!!!  

Looking forward to February where we will be playing with Blue Violet!!!  (I might have already started pulling fabrics I was so excited ;)  

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!