Friday, April 13, 2018

Sew Sampler Baskets Finish

So after being gone for a week, the first thing I wanted to do when I got back to my sewing machine was finish up this quilt!!!  It went on the long arm the day after I got home, but then had to wait a day or two to be quilted because ya know, laundry and grocery shopping and a few other million things that have to be done when you are gone for a week ;)


But it was so worth the wait!!!  This pattern comes from the monthly Sew Sampler cards designed by Lori Holt for the Fat Quarter Shop.   I really enjoyed making 1 block each month and then when I got to the end of piecing it all together seeing how it all came out.  I originally thought to just use a white background when I started, but decided to use the leftovers of my Roundabout Quilt to make a fun low volume background and I love how it turned out.     It is not often that I make a quilt without a plan, but it sure is fun to just start playing and see what happens.   And the results just make me smile from ear to ear.  


I used Sweetwater's Freedom fabric and I love the colors and prints and as I mentioned especially, all of the great low volumes that really made this quilt shine ;)  As I mentioned this is the same fabric I used for my Roundabout Quilt so ya, I really like it.   And I have already cut up the scraps of these two quilts and have a fun plan to use up the last little bits.


I was originally thinking to quilt this with an all over fireworks design, but I decided the baskets needed something a little "prettier" to go with that feel, but I still wanted to keep it fun, so I decided that the Loose Feathers I tried back here, would be the perfect fit.   And I just love it.  I think that design is easily becoming one of my new favorites!!! 


And I have to say, I just love the scrappy binding!!!!   It was the perfect way to give the repeat effect of that scrappy print border and really finished the quilt off.   Scrappy is always so good!!!


And that is my Sew Sampler Baskets quilt and I just love, love, love it!!!!    And a very special someone just announced their engagement and will be getting married in July and wouldn't this just make the cutest July wedding present ;)  Something fun to snuggle with someone special while watching the fireworks!!


And now, I can't wait to see what the new 2018 pattern will be for the Sew Sampler Box!!!  2017's is officially all wrapped up now, and I am just waiting (not patiently) by the mailbox to see what 2018 will bring.   So excited!!!


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

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Wednesday, April 11, 2018

New Work in Progress

I started a new work in progress :)    It's a new Fat Quarter Shop Shortcut Quilt and you know how I love those!!!   As soon as I saw the pattern, I knew just the perfect fabric for it ;)   The pattern uses Fat Quarters and I had leftovers of Gingham Girls  from making the Crossroads Quilt, and I just recently finished up a quilt (haven't shared yet but here's a sneak peek) using Amy Smart's second line, Sunnyside Ave.  and had some leftovers from it as well.   So how perfect to combine the two lines for this new quilt!!!


I am just loving how well Gingham Girls and Sunnyside Ave. play together.   Isn't it so great when fabric designs do that!!!    The fabric combo's are just so fun and every new block combo just makes me smile :)


And I just adore the happy vibrant primary colors of these lines and the wonderful prints that take me back to my childhood.    All of the hand made clothes my mother used to make for me and my twin sister looked like these prints.    And my mom always made our clothes in matching prints, but my sister's clothes were in red and mine in blue so it helped to tell us apart ;)   I gotta admit, we looked pretty cute.  I will have to see if I can find some old pics next time I visit my parents.


I can't wait to get this one all finished up.   I have the blocks done and just need to sash them and get it all quilted.   So fun!!!   And it just makes me so happy that I am also using up more scraps.  Especially as these were larger pieces of scraps, so I still like to keep them in the bundle, but they sometimes get forgotten about when they get bundled back up.   So this just makes me smile ear to ear to be using up not 1 but 2 of those and they look so amazing together!!!!


I get to share the finished Shortcut Quilt at the end of the month so not to long to wait on this one ;)

So what New projects are you working on for this Work in Progress Wednesday??


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Tuesday, April 10, 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 A Cottontail Cottage Fat Eighth Bundle from Green Fairy Quilts  is . . .   Number #46 . . .   Congrats Susan Stanton !!!   I have emailed you :)      

   
     
And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Happy Quilting!!!  Yup, little ole me today ;)  No need to tell you about any specials here, so let's get right to the giveaway ;)  One lucky winner will be receiving their choice of 3 Happy Quilting PDF Patterns.    



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 telling me your favorite subject in school.  (My little one is all excited that it is Art today ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Happy Quilting love. You can follow Happy Quilting on BloglovinEmail Updates, or RSS to get daily updates.  Or you can like Happy Quilting on InstagramFacebookPinterestTwitter or Flickr  Any one way will do . . . Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Happy Quilting Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, April 17th, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
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Monday, April 9, 2018

Spring Break 2018!!!

Sorry things have been a little quiet around here this last week, but it was Spring Break, and we were enjoying soaking up the sun, sand and waves of beautiful Oahu Hawaii!!! And it was absolutely amazing.  I want to have a record of it,  so here is a quick rundown of the trip for those that want to know ;)   If not, no worries, as of tomorrow we will be back to regularly scheduled quilting posts :)



  We decided about a year ago, that this was the year for a big Family Trip :)    Our oldest is 15 so he doesn't have a job quite yet, and our youngest is 6 so hopefully she will remember it.  So we grabbed my parents (after our last beach trip, I wanted a few extra sets of eyes ;)  and headed out for a week that we will remember for a lifetime!!   Jacob and I have visited Hawaii before but never the island of Oahu and this was the kids first trip.  My dad picked pineapples when he was 18 for a summer, and hasn't been back since so this was a fun return for him and a first for my mom.



We started with a visit to Pearl Harbor.  The day was sunny but as we arrived, the clouds opened up and we got some beautiful warm rains.   But because of that we weren't able to land on the  USS Arizona Memorial but we did get to take a nice (read very wet) boat ride out to it.  I have to say, it is kind of hard to explain to a 6 and 9 year old to be quiet and reverent when they feel like they are on a Water Park ride.   But we toured some museums and watched a film that better explained the history of the place.  It was very moving and a place that I have always wanted to visit. 


We also spent a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center where the kids got to learn all about the culture of the islands.  They did hula dancing, spear tossing, fire stick throwing (without fire of course), Hawaiian bowling, fishing, but most of all, I think they liked the tattoos ;)  


And we even did an 8 mile round trip hike to Laie Falls!!   The kids did amazing, I was worried they wouldn't make it but I should have been worried about me :)  My calves still feel that climb, but it was so worth it for the amazing views and gorgeous waterfall at the end.   We got to enjoy all kinds of terrain including some squelching mud that made for some good times for the kids.   They really did amazing, and I was super impressed with their mad hiking skills!! 


And of course, after all that activity, you need lots of yummy food.  The kids got to try all kinds of fresh mango's, pineapple, and coconut from the local stands.  And we found an awesome place for shaved ice that we made a few stops at.  So good on a hot day!!!   These two were a huge fan of the coconut milk, and with 2 straws, they didn't even have to take turns ;)  And our place had a grill, so we had a lot of BBQ throughout the week thanks to my sweethearts made grilling skills ;)


And we were also treated to some beautiful sunrises that, thanks to the 4 hour time change, were easy to wake up for.   We were so fortunate to find a little home to rent that was right on the beach so every morning we could enjoy stunning scenes like this.   This particular morning was Easter morning and I can't image a better way to wake up on such a special day.  


And the other great thing about being right on the beach, the kids could always be in the water!!!  They were down at the beach every second they could get.  In fact, this was when we first got there and they didn't even get swimsuits on.   I told them they could wade, which promptly turned into full on soaking in their shorts and t-shirts.  Should have seen that one coming ;) 


The kids all learned to snorkel and really enjoyed it.  But mostly they just loved played in the waves!!!  They chased them in and out of the water. They boogie boarded on them, and jumped them, and tubed on them, and overall just turned into little fishes ;)   We visited several beaches and I think we brought a pound of sand home from each.  And I couldn't be happier playing in the water with them or watching them from the beach, just perfect!!! 


All in all, it was our families trip of a lifetime and it was absolutely amazing!!! I am so grateful that we could all spend this week together and that my parents were able to come with us as well.  It was just the best to be all together in such an amazing place sharing an unforgettable week!!


Aloha!!!!   
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Tuesday, April 3, 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 Oh, Scrap! book and a Moda Scrap Bag from Olie and Evie  is . . .   Number #60  Congrats scottylover!!!   I have emailed you :)      


     


  
And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Green Fairy Quilts.  Green Fairy Quilts is your home for pre-cut goodness and they always have amazing sales going on every weekend on a selected pre-cut or notion!!!  And did you know that Green Fairy Quilts has a Deal of The Day!!!   Be sure to check those out for some major quilting savings!!!


And today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is all about cute!!! A Cottontail Cottage Fat Eighth Bundle by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda!! I just love those adorable little bunnies and houses.   Oh, so cute!!!
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 the name of your first.  (My first pet was a bunny named Caroline :)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Green Fairy Quilts love.   You can Sign up for their Newsletter which I highly recommend as it will ensure you catch all of their amazing sales!!  You can follow them on Twitter or 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 Green Fairy Quilt Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, April 10th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
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