A Christmas Quilting Round-Up ;)

So I am just about done with the projects I have planned for this years handmade Christmas. I did keep it fairly low key this year ;)  I just love Christmas quilting and sewing!!!  I love listing to christmas music as I stitch away with happy reds and greens and I love seeing my kids snuggle up in their favorite Christmas quilts that get pulled back out every December ;)   And since I have to keep the projects from this year under wraps for a few more days, I thought it would be fun today to share some of my Christmas Projects and Quilts from the past few years, most of them have tutorials so if something grabs your eye you can always bookmark it for next years Christmas Quilting ;)  So here it is . . . A Christmas Quilting Round-Up.


This is Ribbons and it is a fun lap size quilt made using a Jelly Roll Race technique.  It is fantastic for a quick Christmas Quilt and there is a tutorial for it here ;)

I planned on making matching stockings for about 10 years, and finally last year I got to check it off the Christmas Project List ;)   I love these happy Monochromatic Stockings and plan on hitting some after Christmas sales this year to getting matching tree ornaments ;)  Gotta love a reason to redo the tree ;)  Ad if you need to make some matching stockings as well, you can find the tutorial here.  

This O Christmas Trees lap size quilt was a fun improv project with just a tiny bit of paper piecing.  It is a great way to introduce yourself to paper-piecing if you want to give it a try.   And I had so much fun quilting this one ;)  You can find a tutorial for it here.  

This Christmas Traditions Advent Calendar is a throw back from quite a few years ago.  My children still enjoy lifting the flaps and finding a special Christmas activity to do each day of the month.  This was featured at the Moda Bake Shop and you can find the tutorial here ;)

True North was a very special and fun quilt that I got to design for Riley Blake to hang at Quilt Market.  This beauty incorporates beautiful big blocks that just pop.   I recently (insert finally) got a pattern written for this quilt with four size options.  You can find the pattern here.  

I made up this adorable Hot Hot Chocolate Table runner earlier this year and am just loving having it out this Christmas ;)  I made this as part of the Winter Wonderland Book tour that the mug block can be found in and the book can be found here.  

Spinning or Spiraling was a Bee Block quilt from a few years back.  I designed the block and then had my wonderful bee mates each make a block.   It also happens to be made from my all time favorite Christmas fabric line, Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater by Moda.  I wish I could go back in time and stash a whole ton of it ;)    There is a tutorial for this quilt here.

This Joyful Jelly Roll Tree Skirt was so much fun to make and then Barbara did her feather magic on the quilting!!!   I made it earlier this summer and now it gets to have it's first year under a tree, although the kids didn't want to lost the Santa one from previous years so I have to switch it out from day to day :)  The design is by Fat Quarter Shop and the pattern can be found here.  

And it seems only right to finish up with the most recent finish that I can share ;)  This No Bake Jolly Bar quilt has been such a fun addition to the Christmas Quilt collection this year.   I just finished it at the beginning of this month and it is the one everyone wants to snuggle in now.  The pattern is by Fat Quarter Shop as well and you can find a free download of it here.  

And that is my Christmas Quilting Round of years past :)   I hope you found a project that you might like to add to your Christmas Project List for years to come ;)   

Merry Christmas and be sure to pop back in tomorrow for TTGD, as I have a special Christmas surprise planned ;)  

Road Home Snuggler

With all of the snow we have been having lately, it seems only appropriate that I have been working on another Road Home Snuggler quilt since I have been doing a lot of snuggling in at home to stay out of the cold :)

This Road Home Snuggler is a special quilt for a special friend who lives in a log cabin ;)  It will match just perfect and will be so much fun for her to snuggle up in now ;)  Don't you just love all of the fun movement from the random placement.   It reminds me of those old bathroom school tiles where you are trying so hard to find a pattern only to find that it is truly random.

I made the Original Road Home Snuggler in Wool and Needle Flannels 2 and I made this Road Home Snuggler in Wool and Needle Flannels 3.  I just love how soft and cozy the flannel is.  Sadly, it was snowing like crazy when I finished and I needed to get it off in the mail so it was an indoor picture shoot.  The lighting just doesn't do these beautiful rich colors justice.

When it came time to quilt, I decided to go with arches to make a fun orange peel design.  I love how it adds to the geometric fun of the quilt and the quilting is nice and light so it doesn't take away from the soft snuggly purpose of the quilt.

The Road Home Snuggler  uses 1 layer cake that doesn't even need to be subcut.   So it really sews together nice and fast.   I was so excited when it was done, that I decided to also grab a charm pack as well and make some matching pillows to go with it.   A charm pack makes up 2 couch pillows and 1 lumbar pillow.  I just love how fun and cute they are all together.

And that is my new Road Home Snuggler!!   If you have a special friend that needs a Road Home Snuggler quilt too, you can find the step by step free tutorial right here ;)  And if you make one I would love to see it ;)  You can email me a picture to happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.  There is just nothing quite like snuggling up in quilty goodness.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend ;)

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

Starboard and 75 Fun Fat Quarter Quilts!!

Today I am super excited to share with you one of those secret projects that I have been no so patiently waiting to show.   This is Starboard and it is featured in the newly released 75 Fun Fat-Quarter Quilts book by C & T Publishing!!!

I just love this quilt!!!  I love the chain that is created around the stars, it just gives so much movement to the quilt ;)   The fabrics I used are The Boat House by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics and I just love the fun nautical feel they give the quilt.  It just reminds me of pennants dancing in the wind along a dock ;)  

I decided to quilt this with one of my favorite all over fillers. I did about a medium scale and quilted a combination of swirls, echoed paisleys, and pebbles.   I just love the extra movement it gives to the quilt.

And the textures is oh so yummy.   Love it!!!   And no surprise here, I used my favorite 402 So Fine Superior Thread that just blends away perfectly onto the white background ;)  

And that is Starboard!!!  I hope you love it as much as I do and I am just so excited that I am finally getting to share it with you all ;)   

Let me tell you a little about the book ;)   75 Fun Fat-Quarter Quilts is an amazing collaboration book!!!  It starts with 13 Quilts from different designers and then we were asked to take that original quilt and change it up, and then change it up again, and then change it up some more ;)  Resulting in 75 amazing quilt designs!!!  So fun ;)

 I decided to play with the layouts of my blocks.   The blocks in Starboard all have 8 HST's and 8 Squares and so I kept that constant in each of my twists.  Every block in all of my variatons have 8 HST's and 8 squares, and then I changed up the placement of the units and  added some sashing or put it on point.  The results are 6 additional designs in varying sizes that are all quick to make and so, so, much fun!!!

Aren't they so much fun!!!!   Each quilt starts with some favorite Fat Quarters and a background fabric.  So the cutting is done in no time and you can get right to sewing ;)   I can't wait to make up each of these designs.  I totally want to drop everything now and make that cute Christmas Tree one!!!  So cute!!!

And there is going to be lots more 75 Fun Fat Quarter Quilts fun!!  Be sure to pop in to all of the stops along the blog hop to see the amazing original quilts and all the fun twists that were added to them ;)  

12/14  C&T Publishing blog

12/15  Jera Brandvig

12/16  Melissa Corry

12/17  Kate Colleran

12/18  Sue Pfau

12/19  Tiffany Jenkins

12/20  Ellen Murphy

12/21  Amanda Castor

12/22  Jo Kramer

And finally, You can't share a new book without having a giveaway for it right!!!  C & T Publishing is giving one lucky reader a copy of 75 Fun-Fat Quarter Quilts!!!   For a chance to win simply

Leave a comment telling me how many Fat Quarters you think you have in your stash ;)  Don't feel like you have to go count or anything, just throw me out an estimate ;)  

And that's it ;)   The giveaway is open to everyone and please, one comment per person.   I will draw a winner on Saturday, January 19th :)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Congrats to #72 . . . Loris!!!!  I have emailed you ;)

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

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!! Let's have some fun!!!

First, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!   The winner of the wonderful $25.00 Gift Certificate to Discover Fabric is . . . . . .   Number #75. . . Congrats bestjlb!!   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 right now they are  the Countdown to Christmas with some amazing Daily Flash Sales!!!  You so want to check these out!!!!

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away one of their new Fat Quarter Shop T-Shirts to one lucky winner!!!!  I loved this shirt design the second I saw all the gals wearing it at Market and you gotta love the Aqua!!!

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 about your favorite lounge around the house T-shirt, You know we all have one, right ;)    (mine is a green shirt I got from a local race, comfy and cozy)  

 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, December 22nd , when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Winner, and Winter :)

Time to choose the Winner of the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!!!!  One lucky reader is going to be getting this beautiful Anna Marie Horner True Colors Bundle!!!!  I know you are all excited so let's get to it!!!!

Mr Random .Org says the winner is lucky number . . . .  465!!!!  Congrats to Pedal Sew Lightly!!!!

Thank you to everyone that entered!!!!  And if you didn't get lucky this time, just remember, we have a fun giveaway every Tuesday and it is always easy to enter ;)  

And I have to have a new picture in the post right ;)  So I will leave you with this . . . Winter is in full swing here today.  I love how pretty the snow looks on the trees ;)   Pretty sure I will be hulled up sewing the day away and watching it fall.  Can't wait!!! 

Sugar Pop N Change Mini - A Finish and a Tutorial!!!

I am super excited to be sharing a new Moda Bake Shop Tutorial today as part of their December Mini Celebration!!! And wouldn't you guess, it's Purple!!!!

The Moda Bake Shop asked some of it's chefs to take one of their favorite Moda Bake Shop tutorials and make it mini for this month ;)  I choose one of my first tutorials, the Sugar Pop N Change quilt ;)  This was so much fun to make in mini.  Those little "coins" are just 1" x 2".  So cute!!!

I choose to use Vanessa Christensen's Simply Colorful 2 in wonderful Purple.  And all you need is a cute little Junior Jelly Roll and a bit of white ;)  It really goes together super fast, don't you just love that about mini's, and would make an adorable last minute Christmas Present ;)

And now that this Moda Bake Shop Tutorial has been published for a while, I can now post it here on my blog for your convenience ;)   So just follow along below for the full step-by-step tutorial.  And if you love it, you can get the printer friendly version here :)  

This quilt/project finishes at 23" x 23".  So let's get to it!!!  Here is what you will need :

1 Junior Jelly Roll of Simply Colorful 2 by Vanessa Christensen (I choose purple, as that is my favorite,  but it would look awesome in any of Vanessa's 6 color palettes)
1/3 a yard of Moda Bella Solids White for background fabric
1  yard of backing fabric

STEP 1 - CUTTING

From your Moda Bella Solids White cut (6) 1" x 25" strips and (24) 1" x 7 1/2" strips.  I like to starch my white yardage before cutting as I will be cutting very thin strips that stretch easy.
From your Simply Colorful 2 Junior Jelly Roll Strips cut (189) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles

I found the easiest way to cut my print rectangles was to layout 7 jelly roll strips on my mat, trim the selvages, and then measure in 1 1/2" using my mat and cut.  Continue doing this until you have 27 rectangles per strip.

STEP 2 - MAKING THE COIN ROWS

Each block has 3 "coin" rows that each consist of 7 "coins".  You will be sewing a total of 27 coin rows, each with 7 coins in them.   The easiest and fastest way to do this is to chain stitch.

So, start by sewing a 1/4" seam along the long side of 2 print rectangles with right sides together.  Then, without removing them from your machine or clipping your threads, stitch another 1/4" seam on a set of 2 print rectangles.  Continue in this fashion, until you have sewn 27 2 print rectangle sets.     It is like making a long snake, or chain, of pieces.

Then, go ahead and clip your threads between each paired rectangles.

Then it is back to your machine.  Place a third rectangle onto the now sewn together pair of rectangles with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Once again, chain stitch a third rectangle on to all 27 pairs.   Then clip your threads between each set.

Repeat this process to add the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh "coins" to each of the 27 sets.

When you have all 7 "coins" in each row, clip your threads and you are ready to now move to the iron.

When pressing the rows, take care not to stretch them.  I like to use little starch when working with these small pieces as it makes it easier to piece the blocks together.  Press the seams in one direction and be sure to pull in that direction slightly so you don't get any little tucks in the seams.

You should now have 27 "coin" rows that look a little like this and measure appx. 2 1/2" x 7 1/2".

STEP 3 - MAKING THE BLOCKS

We will be making 9 blocks for this mini, and just like making the "coin" rows, it will save you a lot of time if you chain stitch each one of the following parts of Step 3 nine times so that when you get to the end of the step, all of your blocks are done.
Layout 3 "coin" rows and 2 small sashing strips as shown below.

Place the sashing strips onto the coin rows with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  Press the seam allowance towards the sashing strips.

Then place the second coin row onto the first coin row with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finally, place the third coin row onto the now sewn together first and second coin rows and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Press the seam allowances towards the sashings.

If you were chain stitching you now have 9 blocks ;)  If you weren't repeat Step 3 until you have 9 blocks total.  The blocks should measure appx. 7 1/2" x 7 1/2".

STEP 4 - MAKING THE MINI TOP

Layout your 9 blocks and 6 small sashings as shown below.  Take care to watch the placement direction of the blocks.  Making the mini top is just like making the blocks, only on a larger scale.

Place the small sashing strips on to the block sides with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  Press the seam allowances towards the sashing.

Place the second block in each row onto the first block with right sides together.  Sew a 1/4" seam allowance along the edge.  Then place the third block in each row onto the now sewn together first and second block with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam allowance along the edge.  Press all of the seam allowances towards the sashings.

And now you are ready to add in your large (or long) sashings.  Layout 4 large sashing strips along each of your rows as shown below.

Place the sashings strips on the rows with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge, aligning as you go.  Trim or clip away the excess amount of strip.  Press the seam allowances towards the sashing strip.

Place the second sashed row onto the first with right sides together.  Take care to align and pin each of the sashing strips where the blocks line up.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Then repeat the process placing the third row onto the now sewn together first and second row, aligning the seams, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press the seam allowances towards the sashing strips.

Now all you have left to do is add the two side sashing strips.  Place two large sashing strips onto the two sides of your mini with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Trim or clip the excess and then press the seam allowance towards the sashing strips.

And just like that . . . you have an awesome Sugar Pop N Change Mini quilt top!!!  Your quilt top should measure appx. 23 1/2" x 23 1/2" unfinished.

STEP 5 - FINISHING

Now all that is left is to Baste It, Bind It, and Quilt It!!!!  If you are new to the quilting world and that little sentence was a little overwhelming, you can check out my Finishing Your Quilt Video Tutorials right here  They will walk you through each step and give you lots of help along the way :)

I decided to do some tiny cross hatch for the quilting using invisible thread.  I love all of the yummy texture.  And for the binding, I used three of the left over Junior Jelly Roll Strips.  So fun :)

STEP 6 - ENJOY 

And that is your Sugar Pop N Change Mini!!!  This quilt mini finishes at 23" x 23" and would be perfect on any wall, especially to add to a Mini collection ;)

Mine is now hanging on my purple sewing room wall, with all of my other purple mini's, right next to my sewing machine and it makes me smile every time I stitch ;)  Ya, did I mention, I love purple  ;)

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and if you make your own Sugar Pop N Change Mini Quilt I would love to see it!!  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 Sugar Pop N Change Mini Quilts!!!

Thanks for popping in today!!!  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!!

Linking up this finish to Amada's and Sarah's ;)