Happy Endings Quilt & Giveaway

Note - Thank you for all of your wonderful thoughts on yesterday's post.  I am processing it all and will share more on it soon ;)

I totally meant to share this twin size finish last week when I posted about our Family Reunion in the mountains and somehow it just slipped my mind.   See, each year at said family reunion, they hold a raffle to help raise funds for the next years reunion.  And they have been raffling off quilts since I was a little girl.  So this year, I wanted to help.   I starting working on this Happy Endings quilt for something else that didn't work out, but It was totally okay that it didn't work out because it worked perfectly for the Reunion Raffle.   

What actually reminded me to post about this is seeing Corey's Petal Pop Blog Hop update.  When I first saw the cover of her book it reminded me of this bee block I made a while back.  I loved playing with the petals and had so much fun with all of the stay stitching.

So I decided to do a block with a take on that, simplifying it slightly.   So it is just the X and not all filled in.  I love the overall chain effect it created.  And yup, I had tons of fun with the tiny zig-zag stitching around each applique ;)

When it came time to quilt this up, I wanted to try something new that would have a beautiful fall feel that matched the tones of the prints.  So I decided on an all over leaf pattern that I just traveled from the stem.  It took a little bit to get used to and believe me, there are some weird looking leaves in there, but I just love the overall texture it creates.  

The fabrics are Valencia by Lisa Tueller Designs for Riley Blake Designs.   I just love the colors and they were a huge hit with all of my Aunts and Great Aunts.  It really was the perfect quilt for this wonderful group of people and absolutely perfect for moving into the Fall.  And of course, with all of that applique, it only made sense to add a little appliqued saying in the sashing.  Love it!!!

 Sadly, I didn't think to take pictures before the reunion as it was a crazy blur trying to get packed and forgot to take pictures of a cousin winning it.  Seriously, crazy times with 5 kids all crossing their fingers that they are going to win ;)  So these are the only shots I have of the quilt, I can not tell you how many times I have kicked myself about that since leaving.   What ya gonna do??   I guess I could always start thinking about what I will make for next year ;)

And did someone mention a giveaway at the beginning???


What really makes this quilt is all of that wonderful texture created in the background.  And that was made with my favorite So Fine Superior Threads.   So today, the lovely folks at Superior Threads are giving away a $30.00 Gift Certificate to one lucky reader!!! 

You have two chances to win, please leave a separate comment for each.  

1 - Leave a comment telling me what you love about Fall.  

2 - Follow Superior Threads.  You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Email Newsletter or their Blog.   Pick one or several and then leave a comment of where you are following.

And that's it :) The giveaway will close on Sunday the 20th  and I will announce a winner Monday Morning.    Good Luck to everyone ;)


Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!

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

A Weekly Giveaway Day????

So I have been contemplating the notion of having a weekly giveaway day.  These would be on the same day each week  (I am thinking Terrific Thursday Giveaway Day).  They would be sponsored giveaways hosted by the shops that sponsor Happy Quilting.

 Now, I know that no one likes hoops but I also want to  highlight the shops that would be  sponsoring these giveaways.   So I thought a fair compromise would be to have 2 entries for the giveaway.  The first would be no hoops attached, just leave a comment.  And the second (which would be optional) would ask you to get to know a shop thorough any social media you use.  So something like . . .  Follow a shop. You can like them on Facebook or  Instagram or Twitter or their Blog or sign up for their Newsletter and then leave a comment here of where you follow :)    Edit - We could even add pick a favorite item from their shop and comment about it if that is an option people like ;)

Second Edit and really a tangent from the original question, but while we are discussing . . .  -  I appreciate the comments that have been made about the concept that giveaways are advertising.  And yes, I agree, they are, absolutely but I think they are also a fun way to advertise.   I advertise for my sponsors on my blog, otherwise they would not want to sponsor my blog which I don't blame them for because the long and the short of it is that they are a business.   I am in the same boat, I love to create and share beautiful things  but I also have to pay for that passion,  But, please know that  I really do try to keep the "business" side of Happy Quilting inline with the goal of  sharing my love of quilting.   All of my "advertising" will always be quilting related and in harmony with my quilting passion.   , I just hope this helps explain more why I choose to have sponsors and why I am contemplating doing this giveaway day :)   (And please don't think my explanation means you still can't share your thoughts, including if you don't like giveaways, it is just that, an explanation ;)

So that's the idea.  

So now, I would love it if you could share with me your thoughts about this??

Would you love it???

Do you think giveaways are great and you wouldn't mind a little optional hoop???

Would you hate it???

If you aren't a giveaway kind of gal, would you still come and read the other 6 days of the week???

Would you stop coming altogether to read because it drove you nuts??



Please, leave a comment.  I want to do what majority of readers are looking for when they come to read here ;)  You are all a part of Happy Quilting :)  You can share whatever opinion you have, but lets just remember to be nice ;)

Thank you so much for your help in this :)  I look forward to reading your thoughts on the idea ;)

Olie and Evie Winner

Thank you to everyone for entering the Olie and Evie giveaway and leaving such sweet comments about this new shop.  Rhonda has done such a great job getting Olie and Evie up and running and I knew you would just love it ;)   Thank you to her for her generosity hosting this giveaway.    So let's choose a winner of that fabulous Persimmon Layer Cake!!!

  

And the lucky reader chosen by Mr. Random.org himself is . . .   #229 . . . Congrats Jayne!!!

Thanks again for showing Olie and Evie some new quilting shop love!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

A Quilting Kind of Day

So our little city and most of Southern Utah and Northern Nevada for that matter is in the middle of a flood watch.  Lots and lots of rain ;)   Which to me automatically signifies a quilting kind of day ;)

I started with quilting some letters.  I used the Curly Q filler again for the background.  It is quickly moving up there with my favorites ;)  It is just so fun to quilt :)   For the letter I just echoed a straight stitch 1/4" from the seam.  I love how it makes the letter just pop!!

And if you have a bunch of letters then it only makes sense to put them in some books ;)   I love how the echo repeats the design of the letters, I just don't love stopping and starting so many times.  But it will be worth it in the end :)

These fabrics are LOL by Me and My Sister Designs.  Not only do these ladies create amazing fabrics they really are some of the nicest and funniest people you will ever meet ;)     I best get back to quilting so that I can finish this up and get a tutorial up for you all ;)  I am so excited to show you the whole thing!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

National Sewing and Quilting Month Celebration!!!!

September is National Sewing and Quilting Month and Fat Quarter Shop is celebrating!!!  Part of the celebration is a challenge issued to Try Something New!!!  You can share your challenge projects on social media using a #fqschallenge.


Well, we all know I am quilter, and I don't do really do a lot of what I call 3-D sewing.   But . . . I took up the challenge!!!   My daughter's birthday is later this month and she has been begging for some Anna and Elsa dress ups.   Roll up my sleeves and put on my big girl panties, . . . it was time to sew.

I was so very fortunate to have a wonderful Mother In Law that let me raid her stash of fancy fabrics that she uses to make hats for the Shakespearean Festival.  She had so many awesome fabrics (that scared me because they weren't cotton) and she even had a Frozen pattern she picked up the week before.   Eeekk, I actually read a clothing pattern!!

It took me quite a while to get everything cut out.  Those fabrics just didn't want to lie flat and that tissue paper just wants to float away.   I quickly decided I didn't much care for the Elsa cape and so I raided MIL's pattern stash and found one that looked just more like a plain cape.

I was nervous to start sewing because that fabric just wanted to roll around and give me grief, but after a day (and yes, I mean the whole day) I had this lovely cape to show for it ;)   And I could not be more pleased with how it turned out!!!  So cute!!!

I love that this little rose turned out to be right on the capelet.  I totally didn't plan it but it was a super happy surprise ;)

And the next day, I was back at it again.  I am happy to say that I must have learned some stuff from day 1 because the Elsa cape only took me half a day.   I love the super shiny fabrics on the top :)  They are just so fun!!!   And I even remember to line it with something soft, so the girls be bothered by the scratchy shiny stuff ;)

And I found the cutest hook and eye clasps.   They really are the perfect finish!!!

Once I finished the capes, I decided that would count as proper dress-ups.  They can wear one of their own dresses underneath if they want :)  I have had enough 3-D sewing to last me a while ;)    But I am so, so, so very excited with how they turned out.   Yippee!!!  I wish I could try them on the girls and take pictures of them with them on, but I best not spoil the surprise ;)   (which is also why these pics have some horrible lighting, I took them at 5:00 am before the girls woke up ;) 

And there is a second half that goes along with this challenge.   The lovely ladies at the Fat Quarter Shop asked us to answer a few questions that share a bit about our journey into the world of sewing/quilting.   So here is a little trip down my memory lane ;)

1.       How did you start quilting/sewing?

About a month before my husband and I were moving across the country for his schooling I asked my mother to teach me the basics of quilting.  I figured I had lots of quiet nights ahead of me while Jacob studied and needed a little hobby to fill my time.  My mom found this Christmas Around The Year pattern in her stash and taught me how to piece a block and then do the applique.   I loved it instantly and this was my fall back project for the next 2 years when I wasn't making a baby blanket for an expecting friend ;)

2.       When was the first time you knew that you were a quilter/sewer?

 I think I considered myself a quilter after designing my own quilt for my first tutorial that was hosted at the Moda Bake Shop.  It was my first time not following a pattern of someone elses and really putting myself out there ;)  It was scary and wonderful all at the same time.  Snuggly Squares received such wonderful feedback and I knew it was the start of hobby turned passion ;)

3.       Do you have any sewing/quilting horror stories or faux pas?

Oh sure, I have done lots of silly things over the years in my sewing room.  I once was quilting along and went to turn the quilt but it wouldn't turn.  I wondered what the deal was and then looked to to find that I had free motion quilted the sleeve of my sweater to my quilt to and was now attached to my quilt.  I don't know how I didn't notice it when I was doing it, but my husband sure got a kick out of watching my trying to unpick myself ;)   Sadly, I was laughing so hard I forgot to take a picture ;)

4.       What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in sewing/quilting?

I would tell someone who is starting to Quilt Happy!!!!!   This is such a wonderful industry to be a part of.  There is so much information out there and everyone is always willing to lend a helping hand.  Don't be afraid to ask, we all learn from each other.  That is what makes this so fun!!!

Fat Quarter Shop is sharing their love of Quilting and Sewing with this free Color My Heart Quilt Pattern.  Isn't it just adorable.  You can click on it to download the free pattern and whip up this super cute mini!!!

And that just about wraps today up :)  Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Quilting Day!!!  I know I plan to do some serious quilting, I am having some withdraws after sewing for 2 days ;)