Spelling Bee Saturday . D, E, & F

It's  Spelling Bee Saturday  and this week is brought to you by the Letters D, E, and F :)

.   

 I am having so much fun with these letters!!!  It is nice making 2 sets at a time (see why in my original post ;)   and I like working on them in large chunks, like 3 letters at a time rather than 1.   So I am not exactly sure when I will be back with more Spelling Bee Saturday from the Spelling Bee Book  by Lori Holt, but I will for sure have a few more letters to share next time :)

Happy Quilting!!!

A Bit Irish Baby Quilt!!

Since I shared my newest block from 100 Blocks Volume 16 yesterday, Today it only seemed fitting to share my finish from my Volume 15 block featured in the Fall 2017 edition of Quilts from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.  It's called a Bit Irish and I just love it!!!

I just love the idea of the Quilts from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine.   It takes the original blocks and then changes them around or combines them with another block to create all new quilt designs.  So fun!!!

This design came from my original Celtic Tricks Block that, as I mentioned,  was in 100 Blocks Volume 15.  I simply supersized the design and added a few more layers to make it a baby size quilt, all in one block :)   Isn't that just so fun!  And can you see the inspiration behind the quilt name ;)

And of course, because it is Jelly Roll friendly and the piecing is minimal, it goes together super fast.  It makes for a great "go to" baby quilt that is nice and easy for when you are in a pinch.   But it still has a wonderful interlocking design that makes it look like you spent a lot longer working on it :)   I just love quilts like that!!!

I used the pink and yellow prints from Lella Botique's Farmer's Daughter line.  I just love how it makes this quilt "all girl"!!!  But of course, this design would look super in an "all boy" layout as well.  Just pick blue and green stripes.   Or make it your own with your favorite two color layout.  The sky is the limit and picking your fabrics might be the part that takes the longest because there are so many great color combo's :)   

When it came time to quilt mine, I opted for an all over free motion that really adds to the All Girl feel.   It's my feathered swirl, and I just love it!!!   This is such a fun flowing design to quilt and really goes fast.  And my favorite 402 Pearl So Fine thread just blends perfectly.

And I wanted to give this baby quilt a bit more loft, so I doubled the batting, and made sure to keep my quilting at a mid size range.   And I just love how those petals just pop in the quilting.  So soft and such pretty flowing texture!!!

And that is A Bit Irish!!!   It finishes at 48" x 48" so it is great for snuggling up a sweet little wee one :)   And I just love the photography in the Quilts from 100 Blocks Magazine.    It is just precious!!!

And if you make your own A Bit Irish quilt I would love to see it!!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa.com, add it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc, or add it to my Flickr Group :)  I can't wait to see your A Bit Irish baby quilts!!! 

Thanks for stopping in today and each and every day!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

And I just realized,  this makes it a Two Finish Week ;)  Today's finish and the finish I shared on Monday :)  Yippee!!!

Linking up to Amanda's, Sarah's and Myra's :)

100 Blocks Vol 16 Block Tour Road Rally

I am so excited!!!  It's time for another 100 Blocks Blog Tour -  Road Rally Style !!!     Time to cruise around and check out the awesome blocks from Volume 16 of 100 Blocks Magazine (details here on the road rally).    My block is called Eight Ball and it is block #1561.  And it's pretty obvious where it got it's name from, so let me share the fun inspiration behind this block ;)

My in-laws have a little cabin up up Cedar Mountain.  It is a favorite place to go and get away from the hustle and bustle of life.  In the loft of that cabin, is an old Pool Table.   

     *This is Eight Ball in a basic 4 x 4 layout with every other block rotated.

            Doesn't it just make a cool modern design.  I love the optical illusion it creates as well.

   

Whenever the kids get tired of hanging out outside, they come in the cabin and head right up to the loft where they throw all of the balls on the table.  The funny thing is, none of them really know how to actually play.  

   * Adding a third color in the corner of the block gives Eight Ball extra depth and really makes the design pop all the more.  Kind of reminds me of records :)

So they create their own games :)   Sometimes they use the cues, and sometimes they use their hands.   Sometimes it's just the Eight Ball and sometimes it's all the balls.   And sometimes it is only a few kids around the table, and sometimes there are so many cousins, they can barely all fit around the table.  And the games begin and the creativeness of game play is never ending.  

   * Putting the Eight Ball block on Point, and alternating 2 colors for the blocks  gives the design an all new look.   It creates an all new modern design with a great optical illusion that is super fun!  

    

But the thing that is the very best about the play is that it is always filled with joy and laughter!!!!   I love to sit and listen to the wonderfully good times that come from that old pool table.  It is an amazing part of just getting away and spending time together having fun!!!  Especially when that fun is making up silly games like one kid trying to get the Eight Ball in the corner pocket using their hands while 12 other kids each use a colored ball to block their attempt.   Let me tell you, those balls get flying around the table and so do the Good Times!!! 

   * And then you can always rotate the blocks on point to give another twist to the design.  Reminds me of that old snake arcade game ;)   Just another way to add another dimension to the design.   

  

And that is the inspiration behind Eight Ball.  It is a wonderful reminder of endless laughs!!!   And it is also a really super fun block to put together.   I hope you want to make up your own Eight Ball block as well, and if you do, be sure and share it with me :)

I just love the 100 Blocks magazine!!!  The amount of creative goodness stuffed in its pages is just incredible!!  This is the 11th time I have had a block in 100 Blocks and I was so excited to find my name on the cover.  What an honor!   You will want to be sure to cruise on over to the The Quilt Company Blog for lots more 100 Blocks Posts, Eye Candy, and of course, lots more awesome Giveaways!!!

But before you cruise over, I have a Copy of 100 Blocks Vol 16 for one lucky Happy Quilting reader!!!!

    

To enter is easy!!  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  One Entry per person please and I will announce a winner on Monday, November 20th ;)

ENTRY - Simply leave a comment that has the number 8 in it  ;)  That's it, super simple!!

Oh, and by the Way . . . If you are stopping by for the first time, Welcome!!   I am so glad you visited and hope you will come back often.  I have so much fun sharing my passion for quilting here with lots of  free tutorials, giveaways, fabric eye candy, and of course, general Happy Quilting times!! And be sure to come back tomorrow for Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day :)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - WINNER IS #21 LAURA . . . I have emailed you ;)  

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Patchwork Quilt Along - Spinning Tops

It's  time for the eleventh set of  Patchwork Quilt Along Blocks hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop!!!! As in, 11 and only one more month to go, so exciting!!!!  Today's Patchwork Quilt Along blocks are the Spinning Tops Blocks and they are just to fun!!  

This block was so fun to piece together.  I am just loving sewing all  of this tiny patchwork.   And this one required a little more precise stitching with those triangle corners, but I just loved it.  And isn't the blocks just so fun, makes me want to turn it on it's side and really spin it ;) 

So if you are quilting along you can download the block pattern right here and then you can pop on over to donate $5.00 to the Make a Wish Foundation for your download  ;)  The goal has been reached and now you can just donate in general to Make a Wish!!!  

And don't forget to check out the super cute  You Tube video that walks you through making the block, its super helpful in those little triangle corners, and you even get to listen to some super peppy tunes along the way!!!    

And be sure to share all of your Patchwork progress on social media with #patchworkquiltalong and pop over to all of the fabulous bloggers who are quilting along for some Spinning Tops Block eye candy :)    I just love seeing everyone's blocks!!!

*Bonnie of Cotton Way (@bonniecottonway)

*Camille of Thimble Blossoms (@thimbleblossoms)

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl (@jedicraftgirl)

Amy of Diary of a Quilter (@diaryofaquilter)

Andy of A Bright Corner (@abrightcorner)

Debbie of Happy Little Cottage (@happylittlecottage1)

Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)

Heidi of Buttons and Butterflies (@buttonsandbutterflies)

Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)  (that's me :) 

Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)

Pat Sloan of PatSloan.com (@quilterpatsloan)

Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)

Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)

Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)

Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)

Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie of Moda Cutting Table

If you have any questions about the quilt along, you can pop on over to the Patchwork Quilting Along page and your pretty sure to find the answer there ;)  This tiny patchwork is just so much fun!!

And just a reminder . . . Fat Quarter Shop has announced next year's Charity Quilt Along as well!!!  Make room in your calendar for the Clementine Quilt Along starting January 2018.    You can pop over to the Clementine Quilt Along page to get lots more details.

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

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

But first, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of a I've Got the Blues Peach Blossoms fat quarter collection  from Four Peaches Fabric  (Who just so happens to have the new Abby Lane patterns on Pre-order, the only shop with this access )  is . . .   Number #150 . . . Congrats Vicki in MN!!!   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!!  You will find some amazing deals there ;)

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a Beautiful Farmer's Daughter Jelly Roll by Lella Botique for Moda to one lucky winner!!!  I just love this line, in fact, I shared a quilt just last Friday, that I used making this same Jelly Roll.  So fun!!! 

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 if you were (or are) a Farmer's Daughter, what farm chore would be your favorite or least favorite.  

 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, November 21st, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!