Hunters Star for Christmas

So you remember those 3 King quilt tops from back here, Well, I managed to finish one more before Christmas . . .which was good because this was a special Christmas present for my sweetheart ;)  We have needed a new bedspread for a little while and I am so happy to now have this on my bed and I think my sweetheart likes it just about as much as I do, bonus!!

Last year, I asked my bee mates to make a Hunter Star block using my pattern from the I Love Star Books that I shared here. It is a super easy block to make because it breaks the Hunter Star down into wonderful HST's so you don't have to fiddle with y-seams and the like.  My bee mates did a great job, and I just loved getting each of these blocks back and envisioning it coming together ;)

I used Joel Dewberry's Birch Farm line for this quilt for two reasons.  One, because it matches my bedroom and Two, and more importantly, it is the perfect combination of masculine and feminine in a fabric line ;)   My husband loves that it has owls and deer on it, and I love all of the flowers and geometric prints and the way the deer and owl blend in with all the other fabrics.  And so we are both just loving it!!!

And I choose the Hunter Star Design from the I Love Star Books , because it as well seemed to be the perfect combination for my sweetheart and I.  He loves the star designs, especially this one that is blended in with the background, and I love the way it creates a subtle chain in the secondary design.  It is such a classic design, that looks good in anything, so I knew it would be just perfect.

When it came time to quilt it, I really wanted to make the stars pop all the more, so I quilted them with 1/4" straight lines.  I just love the effect it gives them and how it really adds to that secondary design.

And then in the two backgrounds, I used two favorite fillers, again, keeping the quilting pretty dense to make those stars pop.   I quilted open centered swirls in the white background and echoed paisleys in the print backgrounds.   This quilt was big, so it took a little while to do all that quilting, but it was so worth it.  I just love all of the wonderful texture :)

And I just had to share this backing I made.  I had a few leftover strips from my Birch Fabrics stash, so I pieced them into a scrappy back.  I just love the little pop of color it brings.  So fun!!!

And that is my new Hunters Star quilt, just in time for Christmas ;)   I even managed to suprise my sweetheart by making the bed up on Christmas morning with this while he was helping the kids take some of their gifts out of the boxes (it's crazy how many little ties they need to keep an item in place in a display box)  When he came back to the room, he looked for a second, then took a double take and then realized, "Hey, a new quilt!!!"   That was pretty fun :)

If you want to make your own Hunters Star quilt using my HST design, you can find the pattern in the  I Love Star Blocks book.  It is made for a queen size bed, but you can easily scale the blocks up a few inches to make it a king size ;)

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Weekend, and a very Happy New Year as well!!!

P.S.  It is also my Sweetheart and I's Anniversary today!!!  Happy Anniversary to my very best friend in the entire world :)  

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

December Sew Sampler!!!

Wow, 2017 is quickly coming to a close :)  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Season and is anxiously awaiting New Years!!!    And with New Years fast approaching it also means happy mail arrived  in another wonderful :)  This month's theme is Family Tradition and I am just so excited!!!  I know I say it every month, but the  Sew Sampler box  is always such a wonderful box of quilty goodness every and every time!!!

I am in love with this beautiful Fat Eighth Bundle of Star Twist Helping Hands by Kim Diehl !!!  I have not sewn with any of Kim Diehl's fabrics before but they are so rich and beautiful, I can't wait to stitch something with these.  I love the Star Twist Quilt Pattern that came with for these fabrics, but I am also debating making my new Tuffet (which was under the Christmas Tree for me!!) with these gorgeous, rich, fabrics .  Decisions, Decisions :)

And I just love that Fat Quarter Shop is getting me organized already for 2018.  This Quilter's Planner Mini is just awesome!!!  Of course, it has awesome pages for Project Planning, but I love that it also has pages for Daily Planning as well as Meal Planning, because as much as I would love to just quilt all day, real life happens to, and getting it planned out will certainly save time for more of that Project goodness ;) 

And this new Stash N Store is so going to get me organized at the Quilt House ;)  I have marking pens and thread snippets all over the long arm table, and this little minty goodness is the perfect tool to keep it all neat and organized!!!  Yippee :)    And I just love Thread Snips for the long arm and I have to say, I was pretty excited when I opened my box and found that mine were Purple!!! You know how I love purple ;)  

And of course,  I had to whip up this month's Basket Block!!!   I can't believe this is block number 9, which means only 3 more to go until it is time to put this quilt together ;)  I can't wait, I might even be able to get it done in time for next July 4th, perfect!!!

And that is my December Sew Sampler Box  . . . and it was sure a lovely day after Christmas Present ;)  Just when I thought all of the Christmas gifting was done, another wonderful gift arrives on the doorstep.  So much fun!!!

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

Red and White Quilting

So if you have been around for a while, you know that I love making quilts in a Red, White, and Black combo, for my Alma Mater.  But I also love the two color Red and White quilts just as much!!!  I made this Ruby Jubilee Braided Irish Chain Quilt, this year, and ever since I finished, I have been thinking I want to make one of these classic Red and White quilts each year.  So when I saw Linda Pumphrey's new Red & White Quilting Book, I knew it was perfect!!!

This book has so many iconic Red and White blocks!!!  They are divided by size block and whether they are applique, piecing, or a combination of both.  And you know how I just love Applique ;)

I mean, how cool is this appliqued Sunburst block!!!  You know I totally want to make this block, it just looks like so much fun with all of it's applique goodness ;)

And I just love the classic pieced blocks as well.  Does this Chimney Block look familiar ;)  So fun!!!  And I love that Linda included a fun little "tidbit of history" to go with each of the blocks.  It really is fun to see the when/where/and for what of these blocks.

But the part I really love about this book, is where Linda takes all of those fun blocks she introduced, and puts them into projects!!!   And these projects are incredible.   Here is that Sunburst block combined with a Drunkards Path Block.  Awesome!!!  And seeing this has me wanting to go back to Red and White for it ;)

And there are also more "Modern" inspired designs.  Like this Carpenter's Square quilt!!!   I just love all of those tiny little lines criss crossing.   Just Stunning!!!  This one has gone on my "to make someday" list as it would make a great Alma Mater quilt as well ;)

But the quilt that I want to make right away, is this gorgeous Wintertime Quilt!!!  It is all applique, so it would be perfect to work on cutting out on car rides and such :)   But, as it is called Wintertime quilt, I am envisioning it in gorgeous Navy's, Crystal Blues, and deep Greys.  Wouldn't that be so fun!!!  I see a new winter quilt for next year ;) 

I just love all of this Red and White inspiration and plenty more "to do someday's" added to my ever growing list.   Now to just pick out which one will be my 2018 Red & White Quilting quilt ;)  

How about you . . . Any particular quilt that you have on your To Make List for 2018???

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day so let's have some fun :)

But first, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the Set of Quilter Coasters from  The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  is . . .   Number #43. . Congrats Angie&Gary Short!!!   I have emailed you :)      

  

      

  

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop .    Jamie has so many wonderful fabrics in her  in her shop and a Daily Deal that is always amazing!!!  In fact, Along with hosting the giveaway, Jamie has a super special Daily Deal with lots and lots of Discounted Christmas Fabrics!!!  Perfect for getting started on next years holiday projects :) 

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for some shopping goodness!!  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is offering one lucky reader a $25.00 Gift Card  :)  What a way to ring in the new year with a little shopping spree!!!! 

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 2018 New Years Goal or Wish :)

 ENTRY 2 - Lets show Lou Lou's Fabric Shop some Love!!!!   You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram.  Or you can follow their blog or  visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Lou Lou's Fabric Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, January 2nd when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Roundabout Quilt Finish

Today  I am so excited to be sharing my Finished Roundabout Quilt!!!!   And I even finished it for the actual parade of the Quilt Along, and just a few weeks before Christmas ;)  I think that is some kind of a record for me and truly makes me smile from ear to ear!!!

Just in case you are new friend visiting, the Roundabout quilt is the Quilt Along that I hosted over the last few months.  Each of the posts for the Quilt-A-Long will always be on my blog.  You can follow these links to walk you through each step week-by-week on how to make a Roundabout Quilt , just in case you want to make your own.

Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement

Cutting

Flying Geese

Half Square Triangles with Goosed Corners

Drunkards Path

Building Blocks

Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky

Roundabout Parade and Grand Prize Winners

This was such a fun quilt to piece!!!  I just love how the blocks pop and then a second later the secondary designs jump out at you :)     And I know it sounds a little crazy, but I really did love putting together all of those curved pieces.  The first few were a little tricky, but once you get the hang of it, they are pretty fun and I just think they make the prettiest designs :)

This quilt is for my twin sister and her husband, and even though I won't be able to deliver it for Christmas (they live in SL) I can say that I finished it in time for Christmas, and hey, that counts for something right ;)   My Sister picked the beautiful Freedom fabrics by Sweetwater for Moda, followed the progress of the qal while I was piecing, and then got super excited when I posted on instagram that it was on the long arm ;)   And now, these pics can be a few days early Christmas present.  Yippee!!!!

When it came time to quilt, I had lots and lots of fun with lots and lots of custom quilting!!!   For the center I quilted small swirls, echoed paisleys and pebbles, a favorite way to fill a big spot for sure ;)  Then I did some back and forth lines to make that center design pop, followed by some large curly q's and echoed ribbon candy, and finally some echoed arches in the corners.    Isn't that just so super yummy!!!

And look how awesome it turns out in the secondary design.  I just love those echoed arches in the corners and how they come together to create a beautiful design.  All of the continuous designs here are really what make that secondary design pop and they are just so fun!!!

It took a while to do all of that yummy custom quilting, especially as this quilt is a monster King size, but it was so totally worth it.  It just adds so much yummy texture and all of the different quilting motifs just help to emphasize the roundabout quilt design.  I just love it!!!!

And that is my finished Roundabout Quilt Along Quilt!!!   And I am so, so, so happy with the finish!!!   Thanks again to everyone that quilted along with me, as that is what makes this quilt so special.  I just love that this quilt reminds me of so many of your amazing quilts!!!!

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

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

Spelling Bee Saturday . . . Catch Up On Wednesday!!!

So it's not really Spelling Bee Saturday as it is actually Wednesday.   But I have been working to Catch Up on the two weeks of Picture blocks that have been posted so far, and I didn't want to overload you with pictures come Saturday . . . So it's Catch Up Spelling Bee Saturday on Wednesday!!!    

And these picture blocks are just to cute for words!!!!  I just love these adorable little blocks Lori designed in her Spelling Bee Book!!!  They just are the perfect compliment to all of the Letter Blocks.  And here they are . . . 

The Apple

The Bee

The Bird

and The Butterfly

.   

Wow, these little pictures blocks were so much fun to make!!  A few of them were a whole lot of pieces, so they take a little longer than the letters but they are so worth it once they all come together.  I mean, how cute are those little guys :)     And it sure saved time to cut out the pieces for these blocks two at a time (see why ;)   and I love my Alphabitties for keeping the pieces straight in these blocks (especially that bee and bird :)    

 And with that, I am caught up on my Picture Blocks and I have plans to be back Saturday with the letters I haven't posted yet.  So here is to the next few days playing with some Alphabet soup so I can see ya on actual Spelling Bee Saturday ;)  

Happy Quilting!!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day so let's have some fun :)

But first, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the Hometown Christmas Edition Layer Cake from  Fat Quarter Shop is . . .   Number #297 . . Congrats selleck!!!   I have emailed you :)      

   

      

  

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  I just love Julie's shop, it has so many beautiful fabrics, and some awesome Sale Fabrics too!!   And, along with hosting the giveaway, Julie is giving you all $5.00 of an order of $20.00 or more with the code MERRY2017!!!   Yippee, let's have some shopping fun!!!

And the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for this adorable Set of Quilter Coasters!!!  Aren't those just so fun!!!  They also come in this design ;)  These would be perfect for a gift for a special quilter friend, or to tuck under your own Christmas tree :)   

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 are you most hoping for Santa to leave under your tree??  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. love.   You can follow them on   Facebook,  or Sign up for their Newsletter (just scroll down a bit) .  Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, December 26th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Last Minute Christmas Gift for Me

I have so been wanting to make a Tuffet!!!   I see them in all the quilt shops, and I just adore them!!!  Have you seen these??  They are just to cute and the possibilities are endless (seriously, google Tuffet :) My plan was to take a class at the Utah Quilt Guild Retreat, and make a big, lovely Tuffet, but the Tuffet class always seems to be at the same time as the class that I am teaching.  This has happened for the last two years and I just can't wait another year so . . . I decided to treat myself to a little Last Minute Christmas gift ;) 

I figured it would be best to start with a Mini Tuffet and lucky for me, Fat Quarter Shop has a Mini Tuffet Kit and all I have to do is add the fabric.   I can't wait to start putting this together!!!!  So excited!!!!   And hey, if all goes well,  then I can move onto the big Tuffet for my birthday next year, or who knows, maybe my class times will actually line up and I can take the class for the big one, time will tell  ;) 

So has anyone made a Tuffet before???  Any tips I should know before I get started???  

 I will be sure and share pictures on my social media of my Tuffet making experience, just in case you are like me and have wanted to make one of these for years as well ;)    Now I just have to decide what fabric to use, endless possibilities!!!!!   

Patchwork Quilt Along - Mother's Own

It's  time for the twelfth and final set of  Patchwork Quilt Along Blocks hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop!!!! I can't believe it is here, the final set of blocks!!!  Today's Patchwork Quilt Along blocks are the Mother's Own Blocks and they are just to fun!!  

This block went together in a flash compared to some of the past blocks.   I just can't wait to start piecing together the entire quilt!!!   How awesome is it going to be to see all of these awesome 5" blocks come together!!!   Fat Quarter Shop also released the Finishing Directions as well and you can find them right here!!! 

And of course, you can download the block pattern right here and then you can pop on over to donate $5.00 to the Make a Wish Foundation for your download  ;)  The goal has been reached and now you can just donate in general to Make a Wish!!!  

And don't forget, one last time to  to check out the super cute  You Tube video and listen to those fun  peppy tunes along the way!!!    

And be sure to share all of your Patchwork progress on social media with #patchworkquiltalong and pop over to all of the fabulous bloggers who are quilting along for some Mother's Own eye candy :)    I just love seeing everyone's blocks!!!

*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)

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

If you have any questions about the quilt along, you can pop on over to the Patchwork Quilting Along page and your pretty sure to find the answer there ;)  This tiny patchwork is just so much fun!!

And just a reminder . . . Fat Quarter Shop has announced next year's Charity Quilt Along as well!!!  Make room in your calendar for the Clementine Quilt Along starting January 2018.    You can pop over to the Clementine Quilt Along page to get lots more details.  The fabric requirements will be released on January 15th and the first block on the 25th!!!  I can't wait ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!