Teaching Times - Cedar Quilt Retreat!!

 I just love getting to teach at the Cedar Chest Quilter's Guild Retreat  because it's home ;)   I can't tell you how much less my brain has to think when it comes time to pack and I know that if I forget something, I can run home in 5 minutes and grab it, tee hee hee ;)  But seriously, it is so wonderful to be able to teach classes here in Cedar!!!  I love that I get to see friends that I see all around town through the year as well as friends that aren't from around here but that I have gotten to know over the last 8 years of teaching at this retreat (one of these years they are going to decide they are bored of me ;)

The first class I taught was my End of the Rainbow pattern from my Irish Chain Quilts book ;)  This is always a fun class to teach!!!   There are just so many different ways to really get into improvisational piecing, and I love seeing how excited everyone gets when it clicks that they really don't have to have perfect 1/4" seams :)  The fabric starts flying and everyone starts laughing and having a great time ;)   These ladies were just amazing and they really got a lot accomplished in class.   So fantastic!!

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.  Some used big pieces and some used tiny scraps, and some even decided to go with non-crazy patch opting for regular pieced blocks, which are just going to be so fun as well !!!   And I just love seeing what color everyone decides to start with.    (And sorry about the lighting on some of these, the classroom was small and we didn't have a lot of room to move around so we just took pictures where we were sewing ;)

The next evening I taught my brand new Pave the Way Pattern which I shared on Friday.  (it's still on sale for a few more days :)   And this was such a fun class!!!  I am always a little nervous the first time I teach a class because although I check my patterns over and over, if a mistake happens to slip through, it is normally a class where it is pointed out to me.   But yippee, not an error could be found, and everyone did such a great job!!!    And there was some serious block making going on, which is double impressive as this was an evening class which always is a bit harder to get a lot done as we tend to get tired, but ya, they cranked it out ;) 

And I was so excited to see all of the different fabrics that everyone choose for the blocks!!!  Especially where this was the first time with this pattern.    It never ceases to amaze me how much it changes things up just to change the fabric that is being used.  And I just love that this quilt uses white in the design so everyone tends to choose another fun color for the background, which was so much fun to see!!

And last but not least, one of my favorite things about the Cedar retreat is they always have a Show and Tell night where students can show off their finished quilts from previous years.    And this year, there were quite a few finishes shared!!!   Sadly, I had to get one of my kiddo's to an appointment right at the start of this evening and ended up in the very back, so sorry some of these pictures are a little blurry, but you get the general idea of these gorgeous finishes!!!  There were 2 Moroccan Lullaby quilts from last years class as well as 2 Corkscrew quilt finishes from last years class.  And then the beautiful Petal Pop quilt from 2 years ago and the In Your Neighborhood quilt from 3 or 4 years ago, I can't quite remember ;)   All just beautiful finishes!!!   I can't tell you how excited it is to see these started in class, and then for them to come back the next year or so and get to see them all done ;)  It's just the absolute best!!!!       (FYI,  all these patterns are available in my Etsy Shop  if you see one you want to make :)

And one final finish.  Remember back here when I mentioned how excited I was to see a student use Navy Grunge (I love Grunge!!!) in the background of her End of the Rainbow quilt . . . Well Loriann finished, and  it is absolutely amazing!!!  I just love how the happy bright rainbow colors just pop on that Navy. Such a beautiful finish and I am so glad I got to see it all done ;)

And what a wonderful week this retreat was!!!   I know I say it every time, but I truly just love being able to teach!!!  It is so wonderful to get to share my love for this amazing industry and the wonderful way it allows each of us to create in our own way ;)   I can't wait for next year!!!

And if you are in the Utah Area, the Panguitch Quilt Walk just opened their registration and I will be teaching two classes there in June ;)  

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

Pave the Way - A New Quilt and Pattern!!!

So do you remember my Pave the Way baby size quilt that I managed to piece in a week, but then got sick and it all slowed down???    Well, it has been sitting on the "To Be Quilted" pile for a little over a month now, but on Wednesday I decided it was time to finish it up!!!  And I just love, love, love it!!!!

I am so glad I decided to go with the black background, thanks all for your help with that!!!  It really makes these Tula Pink Spirit Animals bundle  just pop, and especially with that white inner border on the blocks :)   This was just the perfect fabric combo for this quilt, so fun!!!

I just love the way this design takes two blocks that are so similar, you have to look twice to realize they really aren't the same block.  It creates a lot of whimsy in the design that I just love.   And I absolutely love the secondary design created in the background space between the blocks, such a fun space and a wonderful little pop of the colorful diamonds in the center ;)

And when it came time to quilt this, I knew because of the black background and white centers, that I was going to have to do some thread changing and custom quilting.   So I did small little swirls in black thread in the background, tiny pebbles in the white borders with white thread. And finally, in the prints I used a wonderful grey to blend and quilted some echoed paisleys (tutorial here) and double arches.   It took a little while longer than usual because of the changing threads and tiny designs, but ya, it was so worth the time ;)

And it made for some amazing texture!!!   I am so glad that I decided to remake this Pave the Way quilt, especially with the black background.   I can't believe how much of a different look it gives the design, and that is what I love to show with all of my designs.   You really can make it your own with your favorite fabric combinations ;) 

And now, I am super excited to announce, that with the completion of this baby size Pave the Way, I did the math for a few other sizes as well, including the original, and am happy to add Pave the Way into the Happy Quilting Pattern line!!!  The pattern can be found in my Etsy Shop,  and like all my new Pattern Releases, it is on Special!!!!  This week Pave the Way will be marked down to $5.50!!! Next week, it will return to it's regular pattern price of $8.50 :)

The original Pave the Way quilt was made back in 2015 and is an altered version of the lap size.  It was made in Farmhouse by Fig Tree Quilts.     I have wanted to turn this quilt into a pattern for a while now, and I am so excited to finally get to say that it is done!!!

Like all my patterns, Pave the Way has size options so you can make the quilt size that fits you ;)  You will find 4 size options, a Baby, Lap, Picnic, and a Queen size.  The blocks  really do go  together fast and it is beginner and expert friendly alike, perfect for anyone who just wants to have some fun sewing time  :)

And just like all my patterns, this is a full color pattern that can be printed in either page format or book format.  It is filled with lots of wonderful illustrations to guide you along each step of the way.   You are going to have so much fun putting this together ;)  And of course,  if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to email me ;)  

And that is the new Pave the Way quilt and pattern and I am so excited to release it !!!!  Again, the pattern can be found  found in my Etsy Shop and will be on special for $5.50 all this week ;)

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

Linking up my new Pave the Way Quilt finish to Amanda's and Sarah's and Myra's :)

On the Cutting Mat

I am having so much fun with Instagram Quilt Fest hosted by Amy Ellis.  If you haven't heard about it yet, it's a daily photo prompt on Instagram for the month of March.  See here for details ;)  Today's photo prompt is "On the Cutting Mat" and it made me think of what I have been working on the last few days and I wanted to share the updates with you. So think of this as a Work In Progress Wednesday straight from the Cutting Mat ;)

First off, I am hoping to get all of my hexagon starts trimmed today so I can start adding on the next set of strips ;)  I fixed my first row that I sewed at the retreat and figured for the rest of the 25ish blocks, I would chain piece each step.   This will be a great "filler" project when I have 20 minuites or less to sit and sew.  I can just piece what I have time for and I don't have to think one bit ;)  Super fun!!! 

And talk about inspiration to get it done . . . Barbara already has all of her blocks sewn!!!  Aren't they just so fun!!  I love the rainbow of colors from a mixture of April Rosenthal's fabric lines ;)  And this moment was to precious not to capture.  Josie asked if she could help Grandma "design" the quilt, and she had so much fun placing them all up on the wall, with a little color placement help of course.  But she was adamant, that purple block by her head went right in the middle ;)

And in other Cutting Mat projects, I managed to cut up a little secret sewing project that I mentioned back here using Sweetwater's new Overnight Delivery line over the weekend.   And yesterday, I was about to put all of the scraps in my scrap bins, when I realized, they would make the cutest little pieced strip in the back of the quilt.   The strips were 2" x 5" and I was able to sew them up in just a few minutes.   I am so glad I thought of this, as it is going to be the cutest little "pop" in the back of the quilt, and honestly, it made me think I should do this more often when I have such standard size scraps, at least it would help cut down on my scrap drawers overflowing ;)

And finally, I am so super excited to share that my little oopsie last week is back in full swing sewing!!!  I cut out the new pieces and managed to make some progress on the blocks.  I can't wait to share this quilt and tutorial with you all.  It is going to be so fun!!!

And that is what has been On the Cutting Mat the last few days :)  And now, it's time to hurry and go finish a quilt on the Long Arm so that the next thing on my cutting mat will be a Queen Size beauty that is having the binding put on.   Yippee!!!

So what's on your Cutting Mat???  You can add a picture to the #igquiltfest or just leave a comment here if you don't do Instagram ;)

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

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day so let's have some fun :)  And a quick note - I am giving Anonymous comments a try again in hopes to help some of you that are having troubles posting comments.   Just be sure to leave an email address with your comment so if you win, I have a way to  contact you ;)   

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

The winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate from The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  is . . .   Number #222. Congrats Kelly Wall!!!   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 did you know they have a 24 Hour Flash Sale every day with 2 Flash Sales on Tuesdays!!  You will find some amazing deals there ;)

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a fantastic Warm Terrarium Roll Up by Elizabeth Hartman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics to one lucky winner!!! I have been so excited for this fabric line to release and now it's here and one lucky reader is going to get to play with some roll-up goodness!!!

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 Quilt to Cuddle Up in and get Warm ;)

 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 next Tuesday, March 13th, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!


** This post contains affiliate links. 

Charming Tote for the Fast Finish!!!

Thanks so much for all of the kind words after my post about my 1/4" mix up the other day!!!   It put a smile on my face to read them and yesterday I went down to my sewing room to start cutting out new squares.  But honestly, I just didn't want to re-cut everything, so instead, I decided to make a Charming Tote.   I needed a special little gift and knew this would be just perfect :) 

So I put everything else aside and laid out my squares.  I decided to use a favorite charm pack,  Olive's Flower Market by Lella Botique.  I have been stashing this for a bit waiting for the perfect project and it certainly made me smile to pull it out!!!   (and if you love this line, but can't find it anymore,  Farmer's Daughter is a similar color scheme with yellow added ;) 

I started stitching away and before I knew it, I had the tote made, the lining stitched and the handles sewn ready to all be assembled.  And then of course, I had to break for lunch ;)

But as soon as I got home from taking the little one to Kindergarten, I was back to the sewing machine and finishing up my tote ;)   And I just love it!!!   And the best news of all, I had such a boost of motivation after this fast finish, I totally pulled out the fabrics from Thursday's post, and got them all cut out right!!!   So ya, sometimes a fast finish is just what ya need!!!

If you happen to find yourself needed a tote and a fast finish . . . you can find the free step by step tutorial for this Charming Tote right over here ;)  

Happy Quilting!!!