Another Hand Update and a Few Tidbits

It has been a super wonderful weekend spent with family as I watched the General Conference for my LDS faith.   It is always such a pick me up as it is filled with messages of faith, hope, and love.   And I have to say, it was super nice to have the pick me up this weekend, because this second hand surgery is kind of kicking my tush.
 I know it has only been 4 days, but the fact that my right hand is still healing makes having a very limited left hand all the harder. And keeping it real here, I might have had a little break down on Friday night (after spending the day doing more than I should have been doing) and my sweetheart was kind enough to listen to me whine, all the way through and then just hug me and let me know that it was all going to be okay.  (he's a keeper :)  And I do know that it will all be worth it and that I couldn't keep doing what I was doing.  This has been an issue for 10 years and it was so time to get it fixed.  And hey, it already feels better today after giving it the weekend off :)  So ya, it was just such an incredible blessing to spend an entire weekend with extended family and to have such a great reminder of how much there is to enjoy and all the good there is, when we just slow down to see it!!!!

And part of that slowing down included starting a new book, to actually read and not listen to ;)  A bit ago, Rhonda Cratty sent me a copy of her new book, Our Family Quilt.  It is cute story about a grandmother passing on her quilting legacy to her granddaughter.  I am enjoying just slowing down and getting to read this sweet story that reminds me a lot of my mother passing on her quilting knowledge to me, and that just makes my heart smile :)

And one last tidbit,  Fat Quarter Shop announced this morning that my Royal Quilt won the first round of the Cake Mix Bake Off.  How fun is that!!  Thank you to everyone that voted and be sure to pop on over to Fat Quarter Shop and vote for your favorite in Round 2.  The new quilts are just gorgeous, it is going to be tough to pick a favorite!!!  

And that's all for today ;)  I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

Bella Skill Builder - Pineapple Block

Oh my goodness, it's April 1st!!!  But no foolin around today, just another happy Bella Skill Builder day!!  I am really enjoying the Bella Skill Builder hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop and Sherri McConnell!!!!  And this month's skill builder blocks are some that I have always wanted to try . . . the Pineapple Block :)

For this month's tone on tone blocks I choose beutiful shades of yellow (because ya know, pineapple :)  and pinky orange shades of coral (they are more orange than they showed up in this picture :)   For the small version of the block I used Bella Yellow and Baby Yellow.  And for the large version of the block I used Bella Coral and Geranium.   

Like I said, I have always wanted to try a Pineapple Block and right out of the gate, I was super glad to have the Pineapple Trim Tool.  It made my head spin a few times, but once I got the general idea down I was flying through this block. I just love all of the fun angles it creates in the piecing, so cool!!  And be sure to have lots of scraps when making a pineapple block, because you chop off quite a bit :)  But I will say, I figured out some tricks of measuring while you go with the first and didn't have near as much waste with the second.  

And I ended up with a beautiful Pineapple block in all of it's yummy yellow goodness.  And yes, now I want to make an entire quilt of these.  No surprise there :)  I just can't get over all of the fun angles!!!   And I veered a little from the original color layout because I wanted to stick with 2 colors and added one extra round on my block as I am making 12" finished blocks ;)

And you know how I am doing a small and large version of each block, well . . . I figured out the Pineapple Trim Tool enough to add a new sharpie line on it and make 1 1/2" finished strips instead of 1" strips.  I just used the back of the centering square and my new line and away I went.  So fun!!!

But wouldn't you know it, I actually ran out of my piece of Coral with one more round to go.  Oh well.  I figured just adding a fun little border works just as well, and makes the two blocks just a little bit different.   And another round would have had to be trimmed anyway to make it 12" finished so it's all good :)  I actually really like the block bordered, gives it a nice finished look!

And that is the Pineapple block, the second set of blocks in the Bella Skill Builder!!!!  Be sure to download  the free pattern and watch youtube video.  And also pop on over to the  Fat Quarter Shop's blog, Jolly Jabber  for lots more Pineapple Block details and wonderful Pineapple Block eye candy from lots more blogger friends ;)  I can't wait to see what next month brings!!!  It's not to late to come work on your skills and join in the Bella Skill Builder fun!!! 

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Dutch Tulips

Today I am so excited to share my newest quilt finish, Dutch Tulips.  And I like to call this the "What Little Girls Are Made Of" edition.  And if you can't tell why, I will show you in a minute ;)  How adorable are those tulips!!!!

  

I loved the new Dutch Tulips pattern from It's Sew Emma the moment I first saw it.  So when I was asked by my good friends at the Fat Quarter Shop to Quilt Along with its release, I was so super excited and of course, all over it!!!

I knew that I wanted to make a big baby size quilt, so I added an additional row to the crib size so that it is the perfect size to snuggle up a little precious bundle in.    And the Impressions Templates made quick work of those petals, I just love me so raw edge applique!!!

I used fabrics from Lella Botique's first line, Into the Woods.  I just love Vanessa's fantastic fabrics and I had some leftover from a project a few years back.  I knew right away that those pinks and reds would be the perfect match for these adorable little tulips!!!

When it came time to quilt, I went with a favorite all over design of curly q's.  I just love how relaxing these are to quilt.    And I added a little something fun in that large floating border.

Before loading the quilt on to the long arm, I printed out the words Cuddles, Kisses, Snuggles, and Love  (Because that is what little girls are made of, so cute!!!!)  I put the print out under the quilt top and traced the words onto it using my water soluble pen.   Then I quilted the all over design around the words, brought the quilt back to the house, and with my gorgeous Aurifl Red, I stitched in those adorable words.   Eeeekkk, I just love it!!!   Such a soft little touch, but just so sweet!!!

And now it looks so perfect and cuddly, it just needs to have a sweet little baby lying on top of it.  Who knows, maybe my twin sister will decide she wants this quilt instead of the other one I was working on.    One can never have to many quilt for baby right ;)

And that is my Dutch Tulips quilt :)   And if you love these tulips as much as I do and want to make your own, you can find the pattern right over here ;)     It really is a fun quilt to make and it went together so quick!!!  I pretty much pieced the entire quilt in an afternoon besides stitching down the applique.   So fun!!!

Thanks for popping in today and each day!!!  And hopefully, these little Tulips can bring some Spring with them ;)  The snow had just melted to take these pictures but I can see a few flowers trying hard to poke up out of the ground.  Just waiting for the Tulips to bloom :)   

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

Linking this finish to Amanda's, Sarah's, and Myra's :)

Winner and Update

It's time to pick the winner of the OLFA Endurance Rotary Blade and Splash Rotary Cutter from last week!!!

And the lucky winner is . . .  #192 . . . Congrats jec!!!!  I have sent you an email ;)

And I thought I would add a quick update about my Carpal Tunnel Release surgery from last month.  Thank you so much for all of the kind words over the last month.  I just love the emails checking up on me and figured it was probably time for an update for everyone ;)  My right hand is healing well. The two incision marks are almost completely sealed and will soon fade.  I am grateful that each day I can do a little more with my hand.  Of course, the more I do the more sore it is by the end of the day, but that is all good.  I am told, on average, it takes a good 6 months to be back to 100% .  So I am just taking it day by day and being grateful when I can do something that I couldn't do the week before without my hand hurting.   So yup, moving onward and upward!!!

Which is a good thing because tomorrow will be my Left Hand's turn ;)  Good Times!!!

So I best get some serious rotary cutting today as that will be off the table again for a couple of  weeks, although I am hoping not quite as long, as I only have to hold the ruler with my left hand :)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!

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

But  before we get to today's giveaways . . . First,  we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the Fat Quarter Set of Sugar Pie from Shabby Fabrics is . . . Number #80. . . Congrats RosieGma!!!!! I have emailed you :)    

  

    

So on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop .    Did you know that Jamie makes a new Lou Lou Bundle every Tuesday . . . this is today's, isn't it just stunning!!!  Along with hosting the giveaway, Jamie is having a  Fantastic Sale with yardage marked down as low as $6.00 a yard!!!!  And  since she know you are loving the Fat Quarter Bundles, Jamie is also offering all Happy Quilting readers has a special discount of  20% off Fat Quarter Bundles  with the code happyquilting good until Friday!!!  Oh, so much fun shopping!!!

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for some shopping goodness!!  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is offering one lucky reader a $20.00 Gift Certificate perfect to use on anything in the store, including the awesome Lou Lou Bundle pictured above!!  Just perfect!!!!

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 the best April Fools Day joke you have ever pulled or had pulled on you ;)

 ENTRY 2 - Lets show Lou Lou's Fabric Shop some Love!!!!   You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram.  Or you can follow their blog or  visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Lou Lou's Fabric Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, April 4th  when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!