July Sew Sampler Box!!!

This is the fist weekend in July that I have been home and I was so happy that this was the week, because my Sew Sampler Box came in the mail!!!  This month's theme was Stitch by Stitch, and everything in this box has me wanting to stitch and stitch and stitch some more!!!  (and FYI, there is still a waiting list for the Sew Sampler Box membership, but I hear it turns over fast ;)

So let's see what's inside!!   I was thrilled to find everything I need to make two little Handbags,including 6 Fat Quarters of this fantastic Blooms and Bobbins fabric by Melissa Mora for Riley Blake Designs.   It has sewing machines on it, how perfect is that!!!  And those little stitch lines, so adorable :)  And with the Zipper and fantastic step-by step pattern included, I really have no excuses not to figure out how to put a zipper in this bag :)   On the To Make list it goes!!! 

And the notions this month, so great!! I love that Fat Quarter Shop brought back the Olfa Endurance Blade in this month's box.   I love this blade and it is always a good reminder to change my blade when a new one shows up all happy and ready to go ;)   You just can't beat a new blade in the rotary cutter!!!   And this Sew on the Go Handle Wrap is so cool!!!   I have already attached it to the handle of my travel machine and I am excited for the comfier carry of my machine next retreat!!!

And of course, we have another Goodness Grows block to go with July!!!  This month the block is called  Grow Gratitude  and these blocks just keep getting cuter and cuter :)   How fun is that that little flower and the frame around it, perfect!!!      I am so loving this little sampler of Corey's fantastic creative goodness!!!

And that is my July Sew Sampler box  :)   I am just thrilled to finally be home for a weekend and to get to fill it with sewing goodness!!! 

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

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Ribbons!!!

Well it's another lovely Thursday and that means time for another Tutorial Throwback feature.  And since it is the last Thursday in July, I thought it would be nice to do a little Christmas in July throwback.   So today's tutorial spotlight is the Ribbons Quilt!!! This is a wonderful Christmas in July quilt that goes back 7 years and is still a favorite go-to throw to make ;)

The design is a variation on a Jelly Roll race quilt.   Have you ever participated in one of those??  So much fun!!!   Ribbons takes it up just a few notches though by adding some solids to the mix, and piecing the strips together on 90 degree angles instead of straight 1/4" seams. (just like making a really long binding strip)    It adds so much fun and flair, and yet is is still super fun and fast to make. 

And like I said, Ribbons is Jelly Roll friendly with just a few solids added in.   Which makes it super easy to get started on your quilt, because all you need to get is a favorite Christmas Jelly Roll (which come out every July)  and (4)  1/2 Yard Cuts of Coordinating Solids.  That's it and you are ready to start sewing :) 

And while you don't have to sew this quilt as a race, it certainly goes together fast.  I even included a few little tricks and tidbits in the tutorial to speed up the process and make it even easier ;)  And because you add in the solid strips, it really varies the design making no two quilts quite the same.  So fun!! 

When it came time to quilt Ribbons, I wanted to keep with the Christmas theme so I tried something new.  I did some Holy and Ivy with loop d' loops and it turned out so cute.   And I even made a little video tutorial of the quilting design that you can watch over at the Ribbons Tutorial post ;)    And yes, this was pre-long arm days, so it's a tutorial on the domestic machine ;)  

And that is my Ribbons Quilt for this Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!  It is such a fun quilt to make, and is still a family favorite to pull out each December and snuggle up in.    It finishes at a perfect throw size of 60" x 70" great for snuggling in.    And of course, Ribbons doesn't have to be just for Christmas, it would look great in any Jelly Roll and coordinating Solids ;)   They sky is the limit on this super fun strip quilt!!!  

I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thrusday!!!    To make your own Ribbons Quilt,  just click on any of the quilt name links for the free step by step tutorial.   And when you are done, I would love to see your quilt!!  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 Ribbons Quilts!!!

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

Happy Little Things BOM - Blogger Spotlight

Wow, the Happy Little Things BOM will be starting in just 2 weeks, how fun is that!!!  And today,  Jacquelynee Steves  (the host) is spotlighting the bloggers that will be participating in this free Block of the Month.  And wow, what a line-up, it's going to be so much fun!!! 

And along with the spotlight, Jacquelynne is also hosting a little giveaway to celebrate!!!   Be sure and pop on over to the Blogger Spotlight post for your chance to win this awesome prize pack ;)  And if you haven't already, be sure and sign up so you will have the first block pattern emailed to you on August 1st.

If your sewing along, be sure to get your fabric together.  You can use the kits that were put together for the project, or use your own from your stash!!!   I  am planning on using my bundle of adorable Gretel Fabrics from my wonderful friend Amy Smart!!  I am planning a slightly different layout as well, you all know I like to shake things up just a bit ;)   It's going to be so fun.  I can't wait to share the first block in just a few short week!!!

I hope you have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!

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

First, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway :)

The winner of the $30.00 Gift Certificate from  Shabby Fabrics is . . .  Number #82 . . .   Congrats Beth Strand!!!   I have emailed you :)   

 

        

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Bear Creek Quilting Company.  Bear Creek has an amazing selection of fabrics and fantastic deals!!  Be sure to check out their Weekly Specials for new Sale items each week as well as the July Clearance Blowout for great last chance bargains ;)    And I always love the monthly series.  Pop over to see July's Aurifil Thread Gem Pack and July's Ruler of the Month as well as the Mosiac Mystery Quilt Kits!!    And one last thing . . . when you are done entering the Giveaway Below, be sure and Pop over Here for Bear Creek Quilting's 3 huge July Giveaway's!!!!  It is so awesome!!!!  

And on to the giveaway!!!  Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is so fantastic.  Bear Creek Quilting Company is giving one very lucky reader a Little Sweetheart Strip Roll by Andover Fabrics.   This is now Out of Print so you are so going to want to win this collection of pretty pinks and reds and cremes!!! 

You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.   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 fictional place would you most like to visit??   (Kind of random today, but super fun. . . me, I want to visit Pemberley from Pride and Prejudice  ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Bear Creek Quilting Company love.    You can Sign up for their Newsletter (top right corner) which I highly recommend as there are specials announced exclusively to newsletter subscribers.  You can follow them on  Pinterest, Facebook, or you can visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Bear Creek Quilting Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, July 30th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Take it all Tote!!

Well it's Thursday and that means time for another Tutorial Throwback feature and today's tutorial spotlight is the Take it all Tote!!!  I know, I know, something other than a quilt!!!    I really had to stretch myself for this project as we all know I do a lot more 2D sewing than 3D but I am so glad I did!!  I love this tote and it is still going strong after 7 years of using it!! 

In fact, we took a little trip to LA over the 4th of July to catch a Dodgers Game and go to the beach, and yup, that's the Take it all Tote there in the corner of the picture.  And I love that when it comes home from the beach and is full of sand and what not, I can just throw it in the wash right along with the suits and towels!!!   (And ya, the kids always love to bury dad on the beach ;) 

And when I say it Takes it all Tote, It really does fit everything you need.  This bag is big!!!  It finishes at 25" wide, 17" deep, and has an 8" base.   And it has a hidden pocket inside, perfect for wallets and phones that you don't want to just leave out.   It also has an outside pocket that we use for easy access to the sunblock and a key ring, that I absolutely love because I don't have to go digging through the bottom of the bag with all the wet towels when it is finally time to go back home ;)  

And I loved doing a herringbone pattern on the bag construction.  In fact, last week we were camping with family and went to the lake and of course, the Take it all Tote went along and my niece saw it from the back and asked where I found such a pretty bag with such a cool design.   Two seconds later she said "wait, you probably made it, right!!"  That made me smile ;)   And adding the personalized applique was the perfect finishing touch ;)  

So ya, basically the Take it all Tote is the perfect tote for summer time!!!  Hence why it is today's Tutorial Throwback ;)  It's been going to the beach, lake, and just about any trip with our family for the last 7 years and hope it will go for many more!!!  

I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thrusday!!!    To make your own Take it all Tote,  just click on any of the quilt name links for the free step by step tutorial.   And when you are done, I would love to see your tote!!  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 Take it all Totes!!!

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