Corkscrew - A New Pattern!!!

I am super excited this morning to announce a new Quilt Pattern in the Happy Quilting pattern lineup ;)   It is called Corkscrew and isn't it just so fun!!!

The pattern can be found  found in my Etsy Shop,  and like all my new Pattern Releases, It is on Special!!!!  This week Corkscrew will be marked down to $5.50!!! After that, it will be marked at the regular pattern price of $8.50 :)

My wonderful MIL, Barbara, did all the piecing and quilting of this and didn't she do such a fantastic job!!!   I originally designed this block for 100 blocks back here, and Barbara decided that she wanted to make it in a rainbow layout.  And it was just the perfect jump start to get it written up into a pattern.  

This is the Twin size version and Barbara used a beautiful bundle of Kona Solids that she picked up at Market last spring.  Don't you just love rainbow quilts!!!  I seriously can't get enough of them!!!

Like all my patterns, Corkscrew has size options so you can make the quilt size that fits you ;)  You will find 4 size options, a Baby, Lap, Twin, and a Queen size.  The block is an 18" block so the piecing isn't to tiny, which helps it go together faster :)

Like the original Corkscrew quilts I made for 100 blocks, I have included cutting instructions for both this new layout as well as a scrappy layout shown below.  I really wanted to keep that option ;)   However, unlike the original block in 100 blocks, I have altered the size of the block to 18" and written the directions up for all traditional piecing ;)

So you can use Fat Quarters if you want a different background in each block like the new Rainbow version or you can use yardage or scraps to make a scrappy look like above ;)   Either way, the pattern has a wonderful geometrical design with so much movement.   And I love the secondary design created.  It is like a giant flower ;)  

 And just like all my patterns, this is a full color pattern that can be printed in either page format or book format.  It is filled with lots of wonderful illustrations to guide you along each step of the way.   You are going to have so much fun putting this together ;)  And of course,  if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to email me ;)  

And that is the new Corkscrew quilt and a huge thank you to Barbara for piecing and quilting it!!!!  Again, the pattern can be found  found in my Etsy Shop and will be on special for $5.50 all this week ;)

Thanks for popping in today and I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up Barbara's Quilt Finish and my Pattern Finish to Amanda's and Sarah's and Quilt Story :)

Crossroads Quilt Along - Friendship Block

Again, I am posting a day early, but tomorrow I have something special to share and I didn't want these blocks to get lost in it :)   So today I am excited to share the third set of the Crossroads Quilt Along blocks.  This month it is the Friendship Block and aren't they just so great!!!

Again, these block looks a little complex but it really goes together quite quick.  And have I mentioned at these are finishing at 8" blocks.   I just love tiny piecing and it adds so much to the overall effect.  Just like last month, I want to make an entire quilt of just this block now!    So fun!!!

If you sewing along or want to join in on the fun,  you can download the block pattern right here and then don't forget to donate the $5.00 for the pattern to the March of Dimes  ;)  I just love that not only are we making lovely quilts, but that we are all working together to help premature babies in need!! 

And of course, , if you are a little nervous about about stitching up this block, you need not worry as.  Kimberly and Joanna , have made a fabulous You Tube video.  It is going to share lots of little secrets to help you get those nice perfect points!!

And be sure to share all of your Crossroads progress on social media with #crossroadsquiltalong and check out these fabulous bloggers who are quilting along for some Friendship Block inspiration :)  

Joanna of Fig Tree Quilts (@figtreequilts)
Pat Sloan (@quilterpatsloan)
April of Prairie Grass Patterns (@amrosenthal)
Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)
Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)
Angie of Gnome Angel (@gnomeangel)
Vanessa of Lella Boutique (@lellaboutique)
Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)
Erin of Why Not Sew (@whynotsewquilts)
Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)
Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)
Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)
Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

More Crossroads Blocks on the 15th of each month.  It is going to be so much fun!!!  I hope you come Quilt Along!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Radio Show Follow-up

I want to say a huge Thank You to Pat Sloan for having me on her podcast on Monday!!!  Also a huge thank you  to everyone who tuned in to hear me  on American Patchwork and Quilting Radio!!!  It s oh so much fun!!!  If you were not able to listen live, you can still go to here or here and listen to the podcast ;)

And I have been getting a few emails with questions on some of the things we discussed, so I wanted to follow up on those questions here.  So . . . Here are the "links" to more info on all of the fun little topics that Pat and I chatted about.


First off, we discussed My block, Lots of Love,  for the Splendid Sampler.  My post about my block can be found here and it shares with you all of the design inspiration behind the block.  And the pattern for my block can be found right here ;)

Second, Pat and I chatted a bit about my "prolific" quilting habits.  I have had several emails since asking me besides being organized, how do I make so many quilts in a year.   We'll I don't know if I have a great answer for that, but I do come at each of my days very routine, and quilting is part of the routine.

I wrote up a post back here on my little "schedule" and how I can squeeze the most out of my day to try and be as productive as I can with the hours I have.  While some of the little ones in this post are now in school, the schedule is pretty much the same.   I still have one little one home with me in the day, and luckily she still takes a nap so I can still have my 1 - 3 or 4 Afternoon sew time where I chain stitch as much as I can on 3 to 4 quilts.    And then yes, every evening the kids still go to bed and I have Press and Pin time while my sweethearts has Check ESPN time with some movie playing in the background ;)  So basically, I make quilts in assembly line fashion 3-4 at a time which allows me to be super efficient.
But I will say, I do try to have one or two quilts that I am working on in the midst of all of the "assembly line" quilts  (normally sampler quilts) that I can work on 1 block at a time so that I can still have that enjoyment of working on individual blocks, enjoying the success of completing each block,  and seeing the quilt come together over a lengthy period of time.

We also chatted a bit about what you can find at my blog ;)   I thought this was the perfect time to highlight a few of the "tabs" on my blog, just in case you haven't taken the chance to surf around yet. The "tabs" circled in yellow are the ones that we specifically talked about on the podcast.  They are all pretty self-explanatory of what you will find when you click on them and I hope you will go up to the top of my block and check them out ;)  There really is quite a lot of free tutorials stored up in those little tabs.  And before I move on, I just wanted to highlight my Quilt Archive tab.     We talked in some detail about my Quilt Archive, and I highly encourage any makers to have some sort of "Archive" or Journal of what you make.  It is just a wonderful resource to look back and see all that you have made and to keep a record of your creative journey.  

Next up was a bit about my love of Applique!!!   I referenced my Complex Layered Applique tutorial and have had a few emails asking where to find it.   It can be found right here  and if you are brand new to Applique, you can check out my Applique Basics Video tutorials here ;)  just scroll down bast the finishing your quilts videos.  

And finally, we finished off where we started with the Splendid Sampler.   We discussed my plan for my own personal Splendid Sampler.   And for those that have asked, here is my "layout" for my Splendid Sampler quilt.  I am so excited.   I post each Saturday my Monochromatic blocks for the week, so be sure and follow along to see this come together ;)

And I think that just about covers all of the questions that I have gotten since the radio show.  If you have a question that I missed following up on, please don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.   I just love hearing from you all.

Thanks again for Tuning 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 Bee Creative Fat Quarter Bundle from Green Fairy Quilts  is . . .   Number #213 . . . Congrats Material Girl!!   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 have you heard about their new Sew Sampler monthly subscription quilting box!!!  So fun, you get a special surprise on your doorstep each month!!

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a Sherbert Grunge Basics Fat Quarter Bundle to one lucky winner!!!!  Now if you have been around Happy Quilting for any amount of time, you know that I love Grunge Basics!!!  And oh these colors just make me so excited for Spring!!!   

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 flavor of Sherbert.  (I love Raspberry :)  

 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, April 19th , when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

APQ Radio Podcast Today!!

Today's the day!!!  I get to chat with Pat Sloan on the radio, so fun!!!  You can listen to the Podcast here on the American Patchwork and Quilting Radio Podcast home.   The show stars at 4 pm EST.  And if you have any questions, check out Pat's site here.  It has all the info you need to know about how to listen, how to subscribe, and past guests lists ;)

We will be chatting about all kinds of quilting goodness, including my little Splendid Sampler blocks!!!  It is going to be so much fun!!!  I can't wait :)

Hope you can tune in.   

Happy Quilting!!!