Looking Like a Quilting Kind of Weekend :)

So as I sat down to figure out what was next on my list of "quilty things to do" and I realized that I have 3 quilt tops that have all just been finished that now need to be quilted.   So ya, it looks like it is going to be a happy quilting kind of weekend :) 

First off is the Seeing Stars Quilt Top!!!  I am so excited with how amazing everyone's quilt tops are looking and it is making me want to guarantee that my top is quilted and bound for the parade. In the past, my QAL tops have kind of fallen into the to be quilted pile and had to wait around to be quilted, but not this year.   This is the first thing to get quilted this weekend, now I just need to decide what kind of quilting to do on it ;)  I am thinking it should have Stars in it, but we shall see ;)

Next up, a little secret sewing project that I will be sharing next week :)  This is the Shortcut Quilt from Fat Quarter Shop that I shared a little tidbit of back here .  The blocks were done for pretty much a month, and got set aside because I was so busy with the QAL ;)  But yesterday, I sewed the blocks into a quilt top and it's part of the weekend quilting party!!! 

And last but not least, another Shortcut Quilt from Fat Quarter Shop that I shared a little tidbit of back here  as well.  This one has been great to piece in little bits between the QAL posts, and I managed to finish sewing it up earlier this week which is great, because Homecoming for my Alma Mater is next Saturday and this quilt will be donated to help raise funds for scholarships.  So fun!!! 

And I have to say, with all of this quilting that needs to be done, I was ecstatic when  Fat Quarter Shop announced last weekend that they now sell Long Arm supplies.   I have been wanting some new supplies for some time but you all know how we just kept getting by with what we have on hand.  Like unwinding half full bobbins, and using regular quilting pins that bend and dull in no time.  And trying to eeek the oil out of the bottle that came with the machine, that your children conveniently broke a few months ago.   Gotta love it right ;)  But then there just happened to be a great Flash Sale that I couldn't pass up, and it just made sense to throw in a few more supplies, you know, so you can get the free shipping ;)    Can't wait to get over to the machine and try out these new little notions :)

Here's to a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!! 

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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 Road Trip 10" Squares  from Fat Quarter Shop is . . .  Number #32 . . .   Congrats Happy!!!   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 for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway, Green Fairy Quilts will be giving one lucky reader a Coledale Jelly Roll by Franny and Jane for Moda!! How pretty are these prints, and in such beautiful colors.  I love the coral and navy combo :)

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 is your favorite Two Color Combo??

 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, October 9th 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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September Sew Sample

Wow, first day of October!!!   And fall is really starting to set in.  So it was perfect, that September's    Sew Sampler box was like a goodbye to summer.  The theme for September's box was Sweet as Cherry Pie which is funny, because as soon as I lifted the cover and saw what was inside, I totally yelled "Sweet".

We start out with fabric . . . and this month's fabric not only has an adorable Badda Bing Charm Pack, it also comes with the background and binding fabric for the cutest Cherry Pickin Table Runner pattern that was included.   So a full kit!!!   How awesome is that!!!    This pattern has sprung right up to the top of my To Make list.  It reminds me of the Double Dresden Delight quilt that I did a tutorial for way back when, and I so loved it then and have wanted to make more Double Dresden's.  Now I have the perfect kit to do just that!!!

And did you notice that those Dresden's in the Cherry Pickin pattern are pieced.  Oh my adorable!!!   And wouldn't you know, this month's notions just happen to be just what you need to make the pattern ;)   A new Double Wide 4 Patch Dresden Template and a Fiskars 28MM Rotary Cutter, perfect for cutting around that little template ;)   I have one of these, and my MIL was using it the other day and saying how great it is for little curves.  Now she can just keep it as I have a new one.  So perfect!!!  

And of course, with a new box, there is a new Barn Block!!!  And this month's was another one with lots of little points to line up.  I was thrilled with how my came together, but when I got it outside to take a picture of it, I noticed I have two shades of white in the block.   Ah well,  I am just using up white bits of scraps in this quilt, so I guess it will be scrappy in the block as well now ;)

And that's my September Sew Sampler Box, shared on the very first day of October ;)   Fat Quarter Shop, I know I have said it before, but you all rock!!!  My little Aqua Box is my favorite mail day and I am just love each and every one!!!!

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

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Giant Patchwork Quilt

Sometimes simple patchwork is just the best and oh so much fun!!!  And this quilt is extra special because I had a whole lot of help making it!!!    You might recall last year when I shared all of the Charming Totes that I taught the Young Women in my church to make.   Well, several of the girls wanted to try their hand at a larger scale patchwork. 

So we went to pick some layer cakes.    The fabrics chosen were Creekside and Desert Bloom by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda Fabrics.  I love all of  Sherri and Chelsi fabrics because they designs them to read one color.  This makes them perfect for patchwork, as every block stands out and none of them blend into the block next to them.  (or into the background when doing more piecing).  So fun!!!   And don't the two lines just play so nice together.  I love when designers do that!!!

And then the fun began.  We just used the Layer Cake squares as is, so no cutting was necessary to get started.  It was absolutely wonderful to watch them methodically think over where each square should be placed.   They worked on that placement until it was just perfect!!!    And then, time to piece it together.  Same exact way you make the Charming totes, only on a much larger scale :)  So fun!!!!

 This weekend those same girls are hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and silent auction to raise funds for their camps and such.  And of course, the Giant Patchwork quilt that was their special project will be featured in that auction.   Isn't that just so awesome!!! 

So it was time to get it quilted up ;)  I decided to quilt it with an overall loose feathers design.    I have so much fun quilting these, I can't believe that the feathers used to scare me.   This way is so fun and relaxing and it quilts up real quick, which was important as it had to be done by Saturday :)  Sometimes I wonder if the only way to get my quilts out of the to be quilted pile is for them to have a deadline, tee hee hee ;)

And I also love the loose feathers because it creates the coolest texture!!!  Doesn't that just make you want to cuddle up with this queen size beauty!!!   It measures 95"x 95" so it will be perfect for someones new bedspread ;)

And that is the Giant Patchwork quilt!!!  I had so much fun working with the girls on this!!!   And seriously, I want to do some more simple patchwork in the very near future.   2 Layer Cakes and a  5" border and you can whip up a queen size quilt that really makes a bold statement in no time at all.   Oh so much fun and you all know, I have enough layer cakes stashed to make a whole lot of Giant Patchwork Quilts!!!

How about you???  Have you every made a Giant Patchwork Quilt???   If not, do you totally want to make one now???

Linking up this finish to Sarah's and Myra's :)

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Seeing Star Quilt Along - Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky!!!!

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of posts for the Seeing Stars Quilt-A-Long.  If you would like to join (and have a chance to win one of three $75.00 Gift Certificate grand prizes sponsored by  Fat Quarter Shop you can find a list of the post links here :)  Here is the schedule

August 6th- Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement 

August 15th - Double Star Block

August 22nd - Curvy Star Block  

August 29th - Pinwheel Star Block 

September 5th - Improv Star Block 

September 12th - Basic Star Block 

September 19th - Applique Star Block 

September 26th - Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky   (That's Today!!!)  

October 17th- Seeing Stars Parade and Grand Prize Winners

  

Now, first off for this week, we need to pick a winner for the Applique Star Block Assignment.   And great job to everyone on getting all of those little stars done!!!  I know it was a lot of cutting and stitching and you all did so great!!!  Everyone's little stars are just so awesome!!!!

The Applique Star Block assignment winner who will be receiving a Portsmouth Layer Cake from Green Fairy Quilts is . . .

#39 - Mary S.!!! - Congrats :)

  

And here we go!!!   I know we have all been excited to see all of those star blocks together, and now we are here!!!   Its time to finish up our Quilt Tops!!!  (And hopefully, get them quilted up :)  So, so very exciting!!!!  

LAST ASSIGNMENT - PIECING PROJECT TOP!!!

 Now that your blocks are all made you can piece your quilt top together!!!  And I know some of you were so excited, you already stitched your entire quilt together, Yippee!!!  You can just skip down to the fun Linky and Prize part :)     And as always, I tried to explain the piecing of this quilt top so a beginner can follow along.  If you are more experienced, feel free to skim as desired :)  With that said . . .


Start by laying out all of your blocks using the below diagram as a guide.  Feel free to switch around the placement of your similar sized blocks until you get a color layout that is pleasing to your eye.   And then I highly recommend taking a picture of it so you have something to keep referring back to ;)

We will be sewing blocks together in the Sections indicated.  This way we don't end up with any funny Y seams ;)   Where each section is a little different, I will go over piecing each section.   Mostly, you will just start with sewing all of the smallest size blocks together, and then keep moving up to make similar size rows or columns.   And for the entire quilt, I press all the seams open ;) 

STEP 1 - STITCHING THE SECTIONS

Section A

So let's get started with Section A.   It should look something like this.    We will start by piecing the Applique Star Blocks together.

Place the first block in the column onto the second with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.

Then place the third block in the row onto the now stitched together first and second block with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Continue in this fashion until you have stitched all of the Applique blocks together.

As I said at the beginning, I even press these seams open, just for consistency.  But you can press them to the side if you prefer ;)   Now we are going to sew the similar size units into rows.

So place the Improv Blocks with right sides together and the Applique Block Row onto the Curved Star Block with right sides together.  Pin and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge. 

Press the seams open and now you have 3 rows all of similar width.   And they can be sewn together to complete section A.

So place the Improv Block row onto the Curved/Applique Row with right sides together.  Pin and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.

Then place the Double Star Block onto the sewn Star Blocks with right sides together.  Pin and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press the seam open.

And just like that Section A is complete and you can set it aside and we are ready to move onto Section B. 

Section B

So we are getting the idea of stitching together a section, so this time I am going to make the directions a little more concise because you know Right Sides Together and 1/4" seam, and pressing open, right ;)
So start by laying out all your Star Blocks for Section B.   It should look something like this.

Fist off, Stitch both sets of your Applique Blocks together into pairs of two as shown. 

Then stitch the Basic Block and the Horizontal Applique Block row together as shown.

Now, you are going to make 3 rows of similar widths.   So piece the Improv. Star block to the pieced Basic and Applique Block row.   Then piece the Basic Blocks to either side of the Vertical Applique Block row as shown.

Then simply sew the three rows together to complete section B.  And set it aside.

Section C-G

You've got the hang of it now, so the directions are going to get even more concise, basically so this post doesn't take up 25 pages ;)    So for each of the remaining sections, plan to piece the Purple circles first, followed by the Pink rectangles, and then the Blue rectangles.

So, for Section C layout all your blocks as shown.  Sew the 3 horizontal Applique Star blocks and the 2 vertical Applique Star blocks together.   Then sew the  vertical Applique Star row and the Basic Star block together.  Followed by sewing the 3 rows in the blue box together.  And finally, sew all of the now pieced together Star Blocks in the blue box and the Double Star together.   And that is Section C and you can set it aside. 

For Section D layout all your blocks as shown.  Sew the 3 Applique Star blocks together.   Then sew the Applique Star row and the Improv Star block together.   Also sew the 2 Basic Star blocks together.  This makes 3 columns all the same height and you can simply sew them all together.   And that is Section D and you can set it aside. 

For Section E layout all your blocks as shown.  Sew the 6 Applique Star blocks together.   Sew the two Improv Star block together and also sew the two Pinwheel Star blocks together.   Now sew the Improve Star row and the Applique Star row together.  Then simply sew Pinwheel Star row and the Star blocks in the blue box together.  And that is Section E and you can set it aside. 

For Section F layout all your blocks as shown.  Sew the 5 Applique Star blocks together.   Now you will sew 3 sets of columns.  Sew the Applique Star row and the Curved Star block together.    Sew the 2 Improv Star blocks together.  And sew the 3 Basic Star blocks together.   This makes 3 columns all the same height and you can simply sew them all together.   And that is Section F and you can set it aside. 

And finally, for Section G layout all your blocks as shown.  Sew the 2 Basic Star blocks together.   Sew the Basic Star row and the Pinwheel Star block together.   And lastly, sew the pieced Stars in the blue box and the Double Star block together.   And That is Section G and you can set it aside.

STEP 2 - STITCHING THE SECTIONS INTO THE QUILT TOP
And now with all of your blocks pieced into sections, you can sew the quilt top together.  This is just like making the sections, only on a larger scale.     Layout all your sections as shown below.

Start by stitching Section C and D together.   Again, we are still pressing all the seams open.

Then sew Section B and the now Section C/D together.

Next,  Stitch Section E and Section B/C/D together.

And now, you are going to be doing two seams.  Start by stitching Section A and Section B/C/D/E together.   Then Stitch Section F and G together.  This will give you a Top and Bottom row.

Lastly, just stitch your Top and Bottom rows together to finish your quilt top!!!!!

Now give yourself a huge pat on the back, do a little happy dance, and maybe even a few shouts for joy!!!!   You kept up, stitched away, and your Seeing Stars Quilt Top is done!!!!   Huge Congrats!!!!

And now with your completed Quilt Top you are ready to enter the Grand Prize Linky!!!!                     So exciting!!! 


GRAND PRIZE LINK UP

Remember this from the start??  All those that finish their quilt top will be eligible for the 3 Grand Prizes.  The Grand Prize's are sponsored  Fat Quarter Shop and huge Thank You goes out to them for the generosity of these prizes.

The three Grand Prize Winners will each receive a $75.00 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop!!!   That is going to be some awesome fabric goodness!!!!

  

         

           

   

In order to be eligible to win the Grand Prize you need to Link Up your completed quilt top (not quilted yet, just the quilt top) at the end of this post!!!  You have until the early, early morning of October 17th  to get your quilt top sewn together and linked to be entered :)   Remember, You have to have a link at the end of this post to be entered to win one of the Grand Prizes.  

SEEING STARS QUILT-A-LONG PARADE

Now, as just mentioned, you only have to have your quilt top done to enter into the grand prize link up . . . However,  I wanted to encourage you to finish these quilts and not set them in a pile of "to be quilted" so I am planning a Parade for the 17th of October :)  The parade will show off all quilted and bound Seeing Stars Quilts!!  

So, how do you finish up those quilts??? 

Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It!!  I know, I make it sound all so simple.  If you are new to quilting, and need some help with these last few steps, you can see my Video Tutorials that go over the basics of how to do this ;)  Also, there are some helpful free motion quilting tutorials if you are stuck on how you want to quilt your project ;) 

Once you have your project Basted, Quilted, and Bound it is ready to be showcased it in the Parade.  In order to have it in the parade, I need you to please send me an email  at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com  with your favorite finished Seeing Stars Quilt picture attached as well as your name the way you would like it listed with your photo, where you are from, and a blog, instagram, or flickr photostream link if applicable.  You can email me anytime from now until the evening of October 16th and I will get you added to the Parade!!!  

I am so looking forward to seeing everyone's finishes!!!  It has been so fun to watch each set of your blocks being made and I can't wait to see them all together and done  ;)   Grand Prize winners will be announced on October 17th along with the amazing parade filled with all of your beautiful quilts.!!!  I can't wait!!!  I know this is just going to be an amazing parade with so much Star Goodness!!

So, in summary, Link up your finished quilt top (not quilted) at the end of this post by early morning October 17th to be entered for the grand prize linky.  Email me a picture of your finished quilt (quilted and bound)  with your name, where you are from, and a place to link your picture by October 16th to be part of the parade.    

Alright, I know that was a lot.  If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, I don't want any one to miss out on the grand prizes or parades because of confusion ;)  

I can't wait to see your Seeing Stars quilts!!!  Thank you so much for quilting-a-long with me!!!  It has been so much fun and I have loved watching you all try new things and having your pile of Star blocks grow!!!!    Now, off you go to turn those blocks into a quilt :)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

An InLinkz Link-up