Two Tidbits

I hope you all had a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!  I got to spend a wonderful weekend full of a Trunk Show with some amazing ladies, a whole lot of sewing, and of course, it was all mixed in with the kids weekend activities ;)  Sadly, I didn't take any pics of my trunk show, I am just so forgetful about that.  I am teaching this weekend as well, so I will try harder to remember to take lots of pictures ;)    But anyhow, Today I just wanted to pop in with two quick tidbits. 

First off, the Starstruck Quilt Along ;)  We only have two days left before I will announce the first assignment of cutting your fabrics ;)   So if you are quilting along, be sure and get your fabrics rounded up and take a picture of them to link up to be entered to win the weekly prize ;)   I am so excited for this quilt along, it is going to be so fun!!!  I know a lot more of you expressed interest in joining in than have linked up at this point, so I just wanted to give you a little reminder.  And no worries, I know how we quilter's always work best at the last minute ;) 

Second, did you know that this Saturday is National Sew a Jelly Roll Day!!!    This is the third year of this super fun event and I highly recommend participating, whether at your local quilt shop or at home!!  Last year I worked on 3 baby quilts and got so much done on that fun filled day.   But this year, I am working ahead a bit.   This Saturday we have so many kids activities going, so I don't see a whole lot of sewing time, so I have started my Jelly Roll Project ahead of time, and hope to get a few minutes to squeeze in some sewing on Saturday.    And what is my project . . .well it's some Vanessa Squared goodness!!!   I'm using the Smart Cookie pattern from Vanessa Goertzen's new Jelly Filled book, combined with the amazing goodness of Vanessa Christensen's  new Ombre Fabrics.   And I am so excited with how it is coming together.   Here is a little sneak peek ;)   I promise to share more in a few weeks, but isn't this just so fun!!!!  

So those are your two tidbits . . . Quilt Along and Jelly Along :)  Sounds like a super fun week to me!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!! 

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Off Kilter!!

It's Thursday and that means another Tutorial Throwback feature.  And once again, this is coming a little later on in the day than I planned.  I have been packing up quilts this morning for a trunk show I putting on this evening.   And I tell you what, it is sure hard to choose which quilts to take and which quilts to leave at home when you have stacks and stacks to choose from.   But one quilt that always goes with me is this Off Kilter quilt, and as soon as I packed it I thought, it should totally be today's throwback!!!  So here it is. . . The Off Kilter quilt!!!  And this one throws back 5 years ;) 

I absolutely loved making this quilt!!  I have to say, I am pretty proud of the little stack and stash trick I came up with for making this quilt.  It is so easy and fast, and really makes piecing this quilt so incredible fun!!!   And I did the Off Kilter tutorial for both a lap size and a twin size, so that gives you a little more freedom in the size project you want to create ;)  

 I also loved designing this quilt.  I remember one evening while I was doing some pressing, getting the idea of an ombre look rail fench but adding a "step" in it.  I immediately pulled out the sketch pad I leave on my nightstand (sometimes inspiration comes and night and I can't go back to sleep until I get it put down on paper ;) and drew up this design.   I love the wonderful modern feel of this quilt.  The design is super geometric and yet it has great movement to it as well.   

And speaking of that Modern feel, I wanted to keep that going in the quilting as well.   So I tried something new for me at that time.   Just some orgainic lines on the longarm.   Organic meaning not perfectly straight, I didn't use the channel locks as I wanted it to have a flowing feel.   So I just started and wiggled every now and then.   And boy oh boy, did I get my exercise quilting this one!!!  Those lines are about 1/4" apart and you walk  back and forth the length of the quilt every time you stitch a line.   I can't remember how many steps I took  that day (I used to wear a pedometer then) but I remember my legs being a little sore afterwards.   But it's all good, because it was totally worth it for this awesome quilted look!!! 

But what really makes Off Kilter shine is the array of Solids!!!  I was fortunate enough to be able to use a pack of Denyse Schmidt Modern Solids on this quilt, right when they were released.  I remember the box arriving at my house and not wanting to take the Fat Quarters out of it, they looked so pretty all in a row.   But they were just perfect to have an entire rainbow of colors to work with and really give the ombre look I was aiming for ;)  

And a fun little story on this quilt.  After I had made it, the folks at Free Spirit Fabric asked if I would bring it to the upcoming Fall Market to hang in their booth.   To which of course, I was like, For Sure!!!    When I went to find my quilt hanging in the Free Spirit booth, I noticed right there beside it was Denyse Schmidt herself!!! It was incredible to get to talk to her about her solids and of course, get a picture of the two of us with the Off Kilter quilt ;)   That turned out to be the highlight of that Market for me ;)  

And that is the Off Kilter quilt for this Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!  It finishes at 72" x 86" for the twin size shown, or at 59" x 70" for the lap size, which has the same layout, just smaller piecing ;)  And I have seen this Off Kilter quilt done in so many wonderful variations from all of you out there.   From all one color, to every square being a different color.  And each one is just as awesome as the next!!!

I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!    To make your own Off Kilter quilt  just click on any of the quilt name links for the free step by step tutorial.   And when you are done, I would love to see your quilt!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  or or add it to my flickr group here ;)  I can't wait to see your Off Kilter Quilts!!!

Thanks for popping in today and have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

Fat Quarter Flowers - A New Finish and Shortcut Quilt!!!

Today I am excited to share my newest finish, the Fat Quarter Flowers quilt!!!   When my wonderful friends at Fat Quarter Shop  asked if I wanted to try out their new Shortcut Quilt pattern I was all over it because you all know I just love these fun and fast quilts!!! And this Fat Quarter Flowers quilt was just that, so fast and oh so fun to make!!!  

The Fat Quarter Flowers quilt is put together in such a fun way that makes it so you don't have to worry about lining up near as many points, and that is always great when you are working on a fast finish.    The  Fat Quarter Flowers Pattern is actually 20 blocks, but I wanted to make my quilt a little larger so I added an extra block to each row and then an extra row.   It's just 10 blocks more and they went together in no time at all ;)    You know, I am always changing things up just a bit, tee hee hee. 

As you can tell by the name, this quilt is Fat Quarter friendly.   I used a Fat Quarter Bundle of The Print Shop by Sweetwater for Moda.   And I just love that this line had so many wonderful low volume prints.  It worked perfectly for a scrappy low volume background!!!   And of course, I am a huge fan of lines that have lots of red and black, because that means this will work as another Alma Mater quilt ;)    But of course, if you want to make the Fat Quarter Flowers in the original fabrics (awesome Harper's Garden that I am using for my Starstruck Medallion Quilt Along Quilt!!!)  then there is a quilt kit and the backing set for that as well ;)

When it came time to quilt it, I decided on an all over swirl in varying sizes  It is super fast, super pretty, and oh so much fun to quilt.   Swirls are always a good go to for an all over design.  And especially a design with so many sharp points, as it adds to the movement.    And I just love that my favorite 402 So Fine Thread blends so great, even in the red and black prints!!! 

And of course, between the thread and the design, it adds some really awesome texture to the quilt!!!   Doesn't that picture just make you want to snuggle up in this and take a nap :)    It sure does me!!!!    And with the added blocks, my quilt finishes at 65" x 78" so it is a perfect size to do just that ;)  

 And that is my Fat Quarter Flowers quilt!!!  If you would like to make your own Fat Quarter Flowers quilt you can find the free pattern here.  And as a special bonus, Fat Quarter Shop even has a You Tube video that walks you through making the quilt step by step.  How great is that!!!  Oh, and be sure to pop on over to the Jolly Jabber for lots more Fat Quarter Flowers quilting inspiration as there are a few bloggers making this quilt!!! 

Thanks for popping in today :)  I just love having this wonderful little corner of the internet to share my love of quilting with each of you and am so grateful for your visits each and every day!!!

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

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

First, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway :)

The winner of the $30.00 Gift Certificate from Shabby Fabrics is . . .  Number #91. . .   Congrats Sherry!!!   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!!   And not only do they have a daily deal, they have a Fabric Basic, Pattern, and Notion of the Month!!!!    And this month you will score big on all of them!!!  All Essentially Yours Basics  are on sale and this basic is so wonderful with it's gingham and polka dots!!!  Also, All Sewline Products are on sale for the Notion, and All Cotton Way Quilts Patterns are on sale for the Pattern.    Save 20-30% off of all of them for the whole month of September!!  So great ;) 

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away this super fun Bubble Pop Jelly Roll by American Jane for Moda ;)   I just love these happy prints, and it's just in time to get you all set for National Sew a Jelly Roll Day!!!   Are you ready to sew along on the 21st??

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 kind of chewing gum and if you like to blow and pop bubbles with it??  

 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, September 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!!!

Aqua, Lime, and Olive means only 3 Left!!!

I finished 3 more of my Scraptastic Star Blocks sewing them between other projects as Leader and Enders !!!  The first one is this beautiful Aqua!!  And it just has me wanting to jump in an ocean.  I just love playing around in the blue scraps, they are so calming.

The next block is Lime.   And I am just loving having this Scraptastic Stars  Leader and Ender project  to clean out some of my 2 1/2" squares stash.  But I am wondering on this block, if I should have edited out that top left hand square.   It just seems not to fit.   I am debating doing a little block surgery and replacing that one.  What do you think??

And finally, Olive.  And I just love these deep, rich greens.  And I love even more that with these 3 blocks done, it means I only have 3 blocks left!!!   I can't wait to see all of the Scraptastic Star Blocks laid out in a rainbow!!!   And now that I have a layout decided, it's even more exciting!!!

So I best get back to stitching ;)

Oh, and one last note before I go.   Speaking of a Rainbow of Colors . . . I wanted to remind you that there are only Two Days left on the Kit Discount for the Starstruck Quilt Along ;)   So if you wanted to pick up your own rainbow of fabric goodness, be sure and order before Sunday before the coupon code expires!!   I can't wait to quilt along with you all!!!  

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