Tip Toe Through the Tulips

I am so very excited to share my finish today!!!  It has been over a year in the making, but it was so worth the wait :)    I'm calling it Tip Toe through the Tulips and I am just loving it!!!

 I was so excited to bring home a quick curve mini ruler and the Mini Rings pattern from Spring Market 2016.  They are from the amazing sister trio at Sew Kind of Wonderful.  I had made an original quick curve ruler Metro Hoops quilt back here when I was fortunate enough to take a class from Jenny, Helen, and Sherilyn and I just loved it!!!   So I knew making a Mini quilt would be just so fun!!!

Then the ruler sat for a bit as I worked on other projects.  That is until I got the great news that my twin sister was expecting.  And suddenly this quilt had a bit of a deadline and starting bumping up the list to be made.   And oh my goodness, what fun this quilt was to make!!!

I have been asked a lot how it is sewing these curves, so let me tell you . . . It's easy and so super fun!!!  The Sew Kind of Wonderful girls write amazing patterns that are easy to follow.  And, they add the happy step of trimming.  This means your curves do not have to be sewn perfectly as everything gets trimmed to perfection.   So you don't even have to use pins.  It really is a lot of fun without any of the worry :)

I was so happy that my sister was having a girl because I knew right away what fabric I wanted to use!!!   I had a layer cake of Olive's Flower Market by Lella Botique and I have to say, I just love how it made the design pop all the more.  I couldn't be more happy with the 5 striped prints in the corners, and I am so glad I thought to pull them out and use them separately.   The prints are just so pretty in those little rings and I just love their vibrant colors.   And the binding is made up of all the white background prints, so I used up every square from the entire layer cake.  So fun!!!

When it came time to quilt it, I wanted to keep the delicate mini idea going, so I opted for some all over swirls, but I kept them super small.   I used my favorite 402 pearl So Fine thread that blends so nicely with the prints and white background.   And I just love all of the yummy texture that super small quilting creates.

And I just have to say, I was so super excited to add my new custom labels when I was adding on the binding!!!  Eeekkk, so cute!!!!  And this also shows the cute little strip I added in the background.  I had a little leftover yardage from a secret project backing using Lella Botique's yet to be released line Farmer's Daughter but I was just a few inches short (which is often the case in baby quilts, just over 44") so I found this black scroll print in my scrap bin and it was the perfect addition to finish off the backing :) 

And now it's all done, and I found this cute little pink ribbon to tie it up in, ready to be delivered to my sister with a few weeks to spare!!!  Yippee :)

And that is my Tip Toe through the Tulips quilt.   It just makes me smile to think of my sweet little niece curling up in this quilt, and one day, maybe learning to crawl and then tip toe over it :)  I am so excited for her little arrival and can't wait to snuggle her up with lots of auntie love!!!

Thanks so much for popping in today!!!  It is such a blessing to be able to share these special little finishes with all of you :)   I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

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

Need Direction to Take a Trip Around the World

I just love summer time!!!  Things are just a bit more relaxed and even though most of our weekends are planned with camping trips and family reunions, it just seems that the weekday seems to move at a slightly slower pace.  And I have really been enjoying it :)  And funny thing, I didn't really make a plan for it to happen, but along with the slower pace of the week, my sewing room deadline pace sort of slowed down over the summer as well.  So without any deadline projects I have found myself turning to some older WIP's that had been set aside.   I knocked two out last Friday and have a new one to share this Friday :)   And I have to say, I am just loving the feeling of getting these done.  In fact, I am loving it so much that WIP have officially become the focus of my summer.  How fun is that!!!

The last few days I have turned to my Red, White, and Black Trip around the world blocks (using this awesome tutorial from Bonnie Hunter ).  I was so excited on Monday evening to finish all my blocks but now I am stuck.   I can't decide which direction I should take my trip??  What do you think, do you have a favorite layout??

Option 1 - Take a Traditional Trip

Option 2 - Take Several Small Trips

Option 3 - Take a Trip Over the Mountains

Option 4 - Skip the Trip Altogether

So what do you say . . . What Direction should I take my Trip Around the World??

EDIT - And the winner is . . . .

 Thank you everyone for sharing your favorite Trips!!!  I have tallied them up (because I am weird and like counting things ;)  from Facebook, Instagram, emails, and the Blog and here's how the trips were favored!!!    Option 4 - Skipping the Trip had 32 votes,  Option 3 - A Trip Over the Mountains had 59 votes, Option 1 - A Traditional Trip had 75 votes, and with the landslide win Option 2 - Several Small Trips had 180 votes!!!!   Looks like it's time for me to start sewing up Several Small Trips :)   Thanks again for all your Help!!!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day - Welcome Four Peaches Fabric!!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day and today is a special TTGD because we are also welcoming a new sponsor to Happy Quilting!!!! So let's have some fun :)

But first, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!   The winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate as well as a Seam Fix Seam Ripper from Fabric Please! is . . .   Number # 20. . . Congrats Bec!!!   I have emailed you :) 

       

   

  

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Four Peaches Fabric , a brand new sponsor here at Happy Quilting!!!    I asked Wendy to send me a little intro to her shop so I could share it with all of you ;)   So here's all about Four Peaches Fabric . . . 

Four Peaches Fabric is an online shop, founded by Wendy Carley. Four Peaches Fabric is probably the most unique shop you will ever hear about! Wendy's husband's job has them traveling extensively throughout the United States and Four Peaches Fabric physically travels with them! Wendy shares these travels, the interesting places she goes and people she meets, on her website and Facebook. Wendy believes that quilting, like life, is a journey and should be shared and celebrated. Four Peaches Fabric is committed to unique, quality fabric, patterns and notions. Wendy is very skilled in putting together fabric colors and textures. If you need help in choosing fabrics for your next project, just ask! 

How cool is that that Four Peaches Fabric is a traveling shop!!!!   It is also a great little shop with wonderful fabrics.  They carry lots of different designers and even have a Color Search option.    You'll find a growing selection of  pre-cuts and bundles and of course, lots and lots of quilting yardage, perfect for mixing and matching to make the perfect project.    And I had never seen these Quilter's Slidelock Rulers before, but they are pretty cool!!!

                    

  

And along with carrying lots of wonderful modern and contemporary quilting fabrics, Four Peaches Fabric also carries some fantastic patterns ;)  Just perfect for using all your pretty fabrics in!!! 

And of course, you don't want to forget to check out the Bargain Basket!!!  You will find some wonderful fabric goodness here at slashed prices!!  

And speaking of Slashed Prices . . . Along with it's Intro and Giveaway, Four Peaches Fabrics is offering a  25% off Coupon with the code PEACHES!!!!   This is good until July 21st so pop on over and find a nice treat or two ;)  

And now that we know a bit more about Four Peaches Fabric . . . Let's have the Giveaway!!!  Wendy has put together this gorgeous Americana Fat Quarter Collection, Farm to Table by Windham Fabrics as well as a Ginger Rotary Cutter that sales for $65!!!!   That is going to be one lucky reader!!! 

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 thing to make with peaches in it.

 ENTRY 2 - Let's welcome Four Peaches Fabric with lots of Love!!!!   You can Sign Up for their Newsletter.    You can follow them on  Facebook or Pinterest.    Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Four Peaches Fabric Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, July 11th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck, Welcome to Four Peaches Fabric and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Custom Happy Quilting Labels!!!!

Okay, so I have to admit, I am horrible when it comes to labeling my quilts.  It is that step that I never remember to do, actually, more honestly, I just plain don't make time to do it.  But I have wanted to have that finish label and I have thought for quite some time that I just needed to get one of those cute woven labels made that I could sew in at the same time I sewed on the binding because then it wasn't an extra step.     But I just didn't know where to start so I put it off, and put it off . . . until the other day.  (and by that I mean a few months ago, ya, I still procrastinated a bit :)   I saw this label for Moda Lissa and then this one for Cotton Way that were made by CustomLabels4u on Instagram.  I just loved that they included the Handmade By part as well as their Logo.  

And so, I (finally) popped on over to CustomLabels4u  last week, and in no time I had ordered my very own set of custom Happy Quilting labels!!!  They were super simple to order (which made me kick myself for waiting so long to get around to it) and the folks there were great to work with.  All I had to do was fill out this form and email them my logo artwork.  Then it was just a few emails back and forth to get fonts and sizes and everything just perfect, so easy.  And on Saturday they arrived in the mail and there was quite the happy dance when I opened the package.   How awesome are these labels!!!!

And of course, I couldn't wait for a new quilt to add one to, so I unpicked a few inches of this binding on an old quilt, added in the label and stitched it back shut.   And I just love it!!!!  I just can't get over the fact that I can now add my custom Happy Quilting Logo to each of my quilts.   And I am just blown away by the quality of these labels.   My logo is pretty detailed, and they stitched in everything down to the last polka dot!   And the stitching and feel of the label is just fantastic!!

I requested my labels to be double sided, which they did for the same price as the single sided labels :)  How awesome is that!!!  I just love that tucked under my label is my happy little handmade by :)   It truly just makes me smile from ear to ear that I will finally be adding this important step into each of my quilts and I don't even have to think about it, just stuff it in when I sew on the binding, so easy!!!

Now it is my goal to go back through all the quilts I have in my sewing room and around the house and add a label to each of them :)  Good thing I have lots, and lots, and lots of labels!!!  I ordered 500 for $99 (great deal!!!)  so that should last me for 8-10 years at the rate I am sewing quilts :)    I can't wait to start adding that final touch of Happy Quilting to each of my finished projects ;)

A huge, huge, huge thank you go Customlabels4u for the amazing job they did on my labels.  I couldn't be more happy with my new Happy Quilting Labels!!!!  Here's to finally labeling my finishes :)  

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!!!