Jacob's Ladder

So remember that Jacob's Ladder quilt that I had started . . . well, it's Finished!!!!    And I love, love, love it!!!!

So if you have been around here for a bit, you know that I like to make quilts for my Alma Mater (Southern Utah University).   And I tell you what, every time I am working on one, I am always grateful that my school colors are red, white, and black!!!  You just can't get a more classic combination of color and it is always so incredibly striking!!   And don't you just love how the solids pop!!! 

This was such a fun quilt to make.  And because I was using just 3 fabrics, I was able to strip piece all of the 4-patches so that really speed things up!!!   It went together super fast (I have had it done for two weeks I just didn't get pictures taken before the hand surgery :) and I just can't get over how much I love the crisp classic look of it!!!  I might have to make another one just the same for next years's homecoming ;)    You can see more about the pattern from Fat Quarter Shop right over here and watch the fun video as well.  

When it came time to quilt it I opted for a fun all over medium size swirl.  I love coming back to this design.  It was pretty much the first design that I felt comfortable with on the long arm and so it is always super relaxing and super fun and I was able to quilt the entire top in about 1 hour and 15 minutes and that's not to shabby ;)

Plus, I just love, love, love the wonderful overall texture it adds to the quilt!!!   So pretty ;)   It is always hard to choose a thread color on these red/white. and black quilts because whatever you choose, it is going to stand out on either the red/black or the white.   But I was happy with the lovely 402, pearl, which blends perfectly on the white, and pops just a bit on the red and black ;)

And that is my Jacob's Ladder quilt!!!   I am so excited that I get to cross this classic quilt of my "to make someday" list.   Although, like I said, it was so much fun, I might just add it again :)   If you have a Jacob's Ladder quilt on your bucket list, you just might want to give it a try. . . trust me, you are gonna love it!!!

Thanks for popping in today and sharing this fun finish with me ;)

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

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

February Bee Block and IGQuiltFest

I know it is March, but I mailed off my Tic Tac Toe block in February so I am still counting my Bees Knees as on time, yippee!!!   Nedra asked each of us to make a super fun Tic Tac Toe block using the tutorial from Blossom Heart Quilts.   I totally loved making up this block, and I just love the fun bold fabrics Nedra choose to really make that X pop!!!   And you know it happens every month, but now I want to make an entire quilt of these fun X's ;)

And I wanted to add a quick shout out for IG Quilt Fest!!!!  If you have followed along with Amy's Quilt Festival's in the past you know there is endless amounts of quilty eye candy.  But this time, it is changing up a bit and moving to Instagram.  So, if you use Instagram and want to play along, it's going to be so much fun!!!   There is a daily prompt and it is just going to be a blast getting to know so many great quilters!!!    And if you don't Instagram, you can always just pop over to the #IGQuiltFest Here and check out all the fun :) 

And just those two little tidbits to share today ;)  I am excited to share a quilt finish tomorrow so be sure to pop back in!!

Happy Quilting!!!

Bella Skill Builder - Orange Peel

Oh my goodness, it's March already!!!  Where did February go :)   But the fun thing about the 1st is it means it's another Bella Skill Builder day ;)   I am having so much fun with the Bella Skill Builder hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop and Sherri McConnell!!!!  And this month's skill builder blocks are some of my favorite . . . Orange Peel Blocks!!!   

I am continuing with my tone on tone blocks and this month I chose pretty greens and orange, because you know, orange peel block :)    For the large version of the block I used  Amelia Orange and Mango.  And for the smaller version of the block I used Bella Solid Citrine and Avocado.   

I always love a bit of applique, and having the Impressions templates really speed up the process.  But if you don't have them, no worries, there are templates in the free pattern.  The reason I like the Impressions templates is because the shape is simple enough that you can cut them out with a rotary cutter.  Although with my hand at the moment, I opted for scissors and a helper ;)  Instead of the turned method shared in the Orange Peel Video by Sherri and Kimberly, I opted to stick with my favorite raw edge applique because not having to turn was just easier on my hand at the moment.  (I shared an applique basics video here with this method ;)  A little HeatnBond Lite and orange peels are forming in no time.   Then it is just secure stitching them down with a coordinating thread color and a favorite stitch.  My favorite for raw edge applique is the blanket stitch.   

And then all that is left is to sew all of those fun little baby peel blocks together into a finished orange peel block!!!   I just love how the design comes together and the great secondary designs created with the orange peel.   So fun!!!  

And because I am changing up my layout a bit and sticking to 12" blocks, I made a super giant Orange Peel block with the 6" templates.   I just love how big and bold it is.   And it is fun to see the design in the round without the secondary star design.   It really does look like a yummy orange ;)

And that is the Orange Peel block, the second set of blocks in the Bella Skill Builder!!!!  Be sure to download  the free pattern and watch youtube video.  And also pop on over to the  Fat Quarter Shop's blog, Jolly Jabber  for lots more Orange Peel details and wonderful Orange Peel eye candy from lots more blogger friends ;)  I can't wait to see what next month brings!!!  It's not to late to come work on the Bella Skill Builder with me??? 

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!    Let's have some fun!!!

But  before we get to today's giveaways . . . First,  we need to announce the winners from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the Farm Fun Mini Fat Quarter Bundle with Panel from Fabric Please!  is . . . Number #198. . . Congrats Lindsay Rodems !!!!! I have emailed you :)    

    

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 has a fantastic Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!!       Olie and Evie  is giving one lucky winner a Sweet Marion Layer Cake by April Rosenthal for Moda!!!   Do you remember yesterday when I said how much I have been wanting this fabric . . . ya,  totally wishing I could enter today's drawing :)   So awesome!!!

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 Sweet treat to eat ;) 

 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,  March 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!!!

February Sew Sampler!!!!

My February  Sew Sampler box  arrived and I have to say, it was such a pick me up after surgery!!!   I just can not say enough how fun it is to have this arrive in my mailbox and just thrill and finding all of the fun surprises inside!!!  And I don't know how the folks at Fat Quarter Shop do it, but each month, I always find just what I needed that month, or just what I super hoped for :)

And this month, I was so super hoping for Sweet Marion!!!!!   I have loved this fabric line from the moment I saw April's sneak peak of the trimmings :)   I just love the beautiful colors and the prints are so precious!!!  And now I have a whole Jolly Bar that I am just itching to make something with :) And I was also so happy to also get one of April's awesome patterns.  If you have never tried a Prairie Grass Pattern before you totally should, April does a fantastic job with her patterns!!!!

And this month's notions were so great, and again just what I needed!!  Some of my favorites included a new seam ripper, (and no joke, I just tossed out an old one) and some awesome clover clips, which can you believe, I didn't have any until now!!!  And I was so excited about That Purple Thang.  I have heard so much about these and was thinking about ordering one last week when I was trying to turn a lightening bolt (greek week at school) rightside out to stuff and was going nuts trying to get all the points to stick out.   But then of course, I got distracted and forgot.  So nice that Fat Quarter Shop read my mind!!!

And I might have only been able to use a few fingertips of my right hand, but I still had to whip up the monthly sampler block the day after surgery.   It so made me smile to be able to sew this block up!!   And no worries, the HST's were already done so I didn't have to trim or anything (which would have been a bit more difficult ;) just a little bit of sewing and pressing that I managed to do with my left hand ;)    Isn't is so great how sewing can just be the prefect happy therapy!!

And now, I get to look forward to the end of March when my next Sew Sampler Box  arrives .  What should I hope for next month :)

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

P.S.   Again, thank you so much for all of the well wishes this weekend.  I got to take off the temporary bandaging yesterday which has allowed me a lot more mobility and I was able to sew for a whole 45 minutes yesterday without my hand hurting at all.  I stopped at 45 minutes as I am trying to take it easy and not push the healing the process.  But it was so nice to sit at my machine and have some serious happy quilting time :)