Bella Skill Builder - Courthouse Steps Block

You know how some months just fly by without you noticing, well that was June.  (And honestly, July will probably be the same ;)  But it's July 1st and that means it is Bella Skill Builder day!!  I continue to really enjoy the Bella Skill Builder hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop and Sherri McConnell!!!!  And this month's skill builder blocks are the ever classic Courthouse Steps block, so fun!!! 

For this month's tone on tone blocks I choose soft shades of yellow and soft shades of purple.  I think they just reminded me of my pansies out front and that made me smile.    For the small version of the block I used Bella Lilac and Sugar Plum (which is just such a great name) .  And for the large version of the block I used Bella Sunshine and Sunflower.   

Now of course, there weren't any measurements for the larger Courthouse Steps block that I made, so I drafted up a quick block in EQ and did the math.  Just in case anyone else wants to make a Giant Courthouse Steps block, here are the measurements.   These go together so fast once the pieces are all cut.  It's just like adding borders on a quilt, top and bottom, press, and then two sides, press. 

And I ended up with a beautiful sunshine goodness giant Courthouse Steps block in no time at all.   Which makes me want to make an entire quilt of giant blocks, I just think that would be a whole lot of fun, especially in rainbow goodness ;)

And then I got to the small block and went to the pattern and realized that I didn't have a 6" Log Cabin Trim tool . . . So, rather than cutting the pieces large and then trimming them down, I went back to my EQ sketch and reconfigured the block for a 6" finished size.   Again, just in case you find your self in the same boat, here are the measurements.  And then of course, you make 4 for the 12" block.

And I just love how cute and little the strips are.  The finish at 3/4" so ya, tiny cuteness!!!  And as you can see, I decided to keep with the two color theme that I have going through all my blocks so far, so that is another slight variation from the blocks in the pattern ;)   

And that is the Courthouse Steps block, the sixth 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 Courthouse Steps Block details and wonderful Courthouse Steps Block eye candy from lots more blogger friends ;)  Six Months down and Four to go!!!  It's not to late to come work on your skills and join in the Bella Skill Builder fun!!! 

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Two Summer Time Quilt Finishes

This morning I am excited to get to share 2 quilt finishes :)  The first is my Sew Sampler quilt and I am so happy to have it all done and ready to snuggle up in!!!   I just love sampler quilts and this one is just making me smile from ear to ear ;)

So if you have been following along you have seen these blocks from my 2016 Sew Sampler Box. Each month there was a "recipe card" with a new Sew Sampler Block.   I decided from the start to use my Bonnie and Camille HST's that I made way back here for this presentation.     It made whipping up the blocks nice and quick ;)

At the end of 2016 I had 12 blocks, but knew I wanted to make this quilt a little larger, so I just played with different HST designs to make up an additional 8 blocks.  And wouldn't you know it, I only had to make an additional 8 HST's to finish up all 8 blocks.  How almost perfect was that.

And then I really had some fun picking out the sashing.  I was playing with white, or navy, or red (and thanks to everyone who helped with a shout out on Instagram) and then I remembered that I had this Chambray left from another project and it was just perfect!!!  I just love how it gives it that "summer picnic time" feel ;)

When it came time to quilt it, I treid something new and I just love it!!!  I have seen this type of design done on the digital quilting a ton and have loved it but wasn't sure if I could do it free hand and keep my lines straight.   But when I loaded this quilt, I realized the entire quilt had the same layout and I could use the rows of HST's as my guide, perfect!!!   I just kept repeating in my mind, L, E. L, E, L, E :)

And I looped my way to some super fun texture.  So excited with how it finished off this quilt.  And now I totally can't wait to take it out and snuggle up under the tree out back with a good book.   I just love how happy and bright it is.

And so ya, I am pretty excited to finish up this Sew Sampler Quilt.   There is just something so satisfying about finishing up a quilt that you have been working on one block per month.  It just really stretches out the finish and makes you all the more excited when it all comes together :)  Yippee for a happy first finish!!!

And my second finish is my Mosaic Quilt.   And I can tell you that my son is super excited that I finished this up because he is wanting it for a new bedspread!!

I used the Mosaic Pattern from Fat Quarter Style by It's Sew Emma Patterns to make up this quilt. I just love how it combines bold graphic design with some yummy scrappy goodness!!

And it is kind of a funny story of how this quilt started.  I was working on a secret project (that I can share in a few more weeks) and had pressed all of my Fat Quarters.  But I had quite a bit left over and I just didn't want to fold all of the fat quarters again.  So I figured, why not cut out another quilt while the fabrics were still all prepped.

And before you knew it, I had my Mosaic quilt all cut out.   I just love all of these happy Blueberry Park Prints by Karen Lewis for Robert Kaufman fabrics.   It has been fun to work on the piecing in between other projects because those blues and greens just make me smile ;)

And when it came time to quilt it I kept it simple because my son said he wanted it to still look "cool for a boy".   SO I just did fun vertical squiggly lines.    These are so fun to quilt and go pretty fast, so that is always a bonus ;)

And my son approved, and says they remind him of water flowing down a river.   I figured that tied into the color scheme pretty well so I was pleased ;)   It's always good when you get the kid approval as well!!

And that is my Mosaic quilt!!  It's all ready to be loved and snuggled by my son, and that indeed makes it some super Happy Quilting!!!

I am just so thrilled to have both of these quilts finished and ready to be loved.  And with these two checked off, that means I only have 4 or 5, or maybe 6-8 Works In Progress.   At least I know I have two less right :)

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

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

June Sew Sampler!!!

We spent last weekend in San Diego with this kids on the beach.  It was so much fun and a great long weekend away.   And you know how it is always hard to come back and get into the swing of routine after you have been gone for a weekend . . . well this time, I was actually happy to return because I knew my Sew Sampler box was waiting for me!!!  It was so hard not to peek on Instagram to see what was in it, but I kept it a surprise, and what a fun one it was!!!

I just love Lori Holt's fun fabrics and designs so I was just thrilled to find a new Bee Basics 5" Stacker, along with a fabulous new pattern and the background and binding fabric to finish it.   How perfect is that!!!  And aren't those little kisses just to cute for words, so fun!!!   And I just love how it shows off the rainbow goodness of the Bee Basics ;) 

And then I was thrilled to find even more Lori Holt goodness!!!!   How adorable is that Bee Cute Ribbon ;)   I am working on finishing up a baby girl quilt for my sister and you better believe it will be tied in that adorable ribbon when it is all done.    And I just love the new Cute Cuts Rulers, especially that they have the frosted 1/4" seam allowance all the way around the ruler.  That makes fussy cutting so much easier to get your picture perfect every time :)

And of course, I had to whip up the Basket Block designed by Lori Holt for this month!!!  These blocks are so much fun and go together super fast.   I am  using Sweetwater's Freedom fabric line and I just love Block #3  :)   Doesn't this just make you want to take a picnic.  I love the way this one looks like it has cute little napkins hanging out the top of the basket, so fun!!!

Yippee for the June Sew Sampler Box  and it's awesome Lori Holt goodness!!!   I just love this awesome subscription box, it is so fun to have it arrive each month and make things like unpacking and 5 loads of laundry just a little more bearable ;)  Yup, fair to say that Fabric truly does make my world happy!!!

I hope it does yours as well and that you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

Panguitch Quilt Walk - In the books!!!

This was my Fifth year teaching at the Panguitch Quilt Walk and it truly is always a treat!!!  I just love getting visit this small town nestled in the mountains.  Everyone is just so friendly :)  And with the smaller class sizes of this retreat I really get to know my amazing students throughout the class, which is just a joy!!!    And for the first time ever, I actually remembered to take class pictures!!!!  So excited . . . So let's share.

This was my first class on Friday Evening teaching my Petal Pop pattern.  And these ladies were just amazing.  By the end of class everyone had finished a block and some even two!!  And see that gal in the middle, she is 93 years old and still coming to this retreat to sew with her daughters.  Isn't that just amazing.  It was so incredible to have her in class.    And we had other sister's in the class as well.  It's just so fun to sew with family ;)

And here is a closer look at each of their blocks.  I just love seeing all of the different fabrics everyone chooses to use in their blocks.  And we even had two colored backgrounds in this class that I just love, so fun!!!

The next morning I taught a second Petal Pop class.   The first class filled up so fast when registration opened they decided to offer a second, which is always fun for me as I can pack a few less things, tee hee hee ;)   Again, this was such an awesome class.  Everyone finished their blocks and we had some wonderful laughs along the way.

I just love that about this particular quilt block.  As soon as it clicks, everyone just starts sewing away and the laughs and chatter just build and build.  It makes for a very fun and enjoyable class!!  And again, it was just so fun to see everyone's fabric choices.  It never ceases to amazing me how much just the fabric can change up the overall look of the design ;)  Love it!!!

And finally, Friday afternoon I taught my Two Paths Crossed class from Irish Chain Quilts.   This class did amazing, especially as we are making two different blocks.  By the end of class everyone had one of each block made, which as a teacher just makes me smile.  It's always nice to know you don't have to do anything new when you get home ;)

And somehow, I missed taking some of the individual photo's in this class. Sorry to those that aren't featured here.  Glad I got a group shot above to share all your awesome work!!!   Everyone did just a fantastic job and it was such a fun class to end with :)

And that is the Panguitch Quilt Walk in a nutshell.  It truly was such a fun two day and I am already so looking forward to next year!!!  I just love to teach these classes :) 

I hope you all have a very 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 winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the $30.00 Gift Certificate to Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is . . . Number #47. . . Congrats Linda!!!!! I have emailed you :)    

 

So on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fabric Please!   Fabric Please! has all of your quilting needs. You'll find beautiful pre-cuts and bundles and of course, lots and lots of quilting yardage.  And of course, you don't want to forget to check out the Sale Section!!! 

And for Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Rita has two special surprises for you all ;)   Fabric Please!  is giving one lucky reader a  $25.00 Gift Certificate as well as a Seam Fix Seam Ripper (which are so my favorite seam rippers!!!)  So 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 about your favorite seam ripper. (mine is a Seam Fix and of course, it is purple :)

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fabric Please! Love!!!!   You can Sign Up for their Newsletter (on the right hand side :)  You can follow them on  Facebook.  Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Fabric Please! Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, July 4th, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!