Friday, January 31, 2020

Bloom-Topia Quilt Along - Release 1

Were starting a day early!!!   How fun is that ;)   Today is the First Block Release of the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop :)   I am so excited to share Blocks 1 and 2 for this quilt!!!  And aren't they just so fun!!!! Classic piecing that goes together super quick, love it ;)   



And as I mentioned in my previous Bloom-Topia post,  I am making a different layout and promised to share my alterations.   So for Block 1, I changed up the size of my butterflies and made 2 blocks.  Referring to the pattern I cut  (8) C Print rectangles at 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" and (16) D Print rectangles at 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" and (32) B Background squares at 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".  The construction of the units are the same and use 4 units per block.   


And for Block 2, there are no alterations, only make 2 blocks instead of 1.   And if you happen to not have Triangles on a roll, you can simply make regular HST's with (12) Print 4 " x 4" squares and (12) Background 4" x 4" squares which will trim down to 3 1/2".   Then all you need is (8) more Print 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares for the centers of your two blocks.  


So are you joining in the Bloom-Topia fun???  If so, you can download the block pattern  and it is requested for each pattern you download to donate $5.00  to the Make a Wish Foundation :)  This is Fat Quarter Shop's annual charity QAL that is raising funds for an amazing organization.  What a wonderful way for us all to make a difference !!   And Fat Quarter Shop and Moda will match up to $20,000 of the donations raised.  So let's help them reach that goal ;)  


And if you are just now finding the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along, you still have lots of time to get your fabrics together ;)  You can find the  Fabric Requirements here and if you want to make it in the original  Summer Sweet Fabric by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda Fabrics there are still a few  Bloom-topia Quilt Kits and Backing Sets available. I am using a Breeze Fat Quarter Bundle by Zen Chic for Moda Fabrics with Gris Grunge as the background!!!  It gives a fun winter look to this spring quilt :)  And of course, you can use any fabrics you like and make it your own!!!    



And speaking of making it your own, just in case you want to see how all of my changes are going to end up looking . . . here is my draft for the Bloom-Topia quilt :)   It will finish at 94" x 94" and uses 25-30 Fat Quarters and 7 yards of background fabric and 1 yard for binding.   I am super excited to see all this patchwork goodness come together!!!



And like always, Fat Quarter Shop has made awesome  You Tube video tutorials that walk you through making each month's blocks.  There are some great helpful hints and you can see it put together step by step!!!   




Be sure to share all of your Bloom-Topia progress on social media with #bloomtopiaquiltalong and check out Fat Quarter Shops post for Release 1 for lots more Block Inspiration!!!


And that's it for the first release in the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along!!!!   I will continue to share a new set of blocks on the 15th and 1st of each month.  So fun!!!  So what do you say, wan't to come Bloom-Topia Quilting Along??  You are going to have so much fun!!!

And just to make it easy to find . . .Here is a list of all the places to find my alterations


Layout Fabric Requirements Alteration

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

P.S. . . . Did you get a chance to go and vote in the pillow fight :)  It's a tight race and every vote counts!!!  So fun ;)  


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Thursday, January 30, 2020

Pillow Fight with Pillow Talk!!!!

We interrupt our regular scheduled Thursday Tutorial Throwback to bring you a Pillow Fight!!!!   I was so excited when my good friends at the Fat Quarter Shop asked if I wanted to participate in this fun little game ;)  This is in celebration of Edyta Sitar's new Pillow Talk Book which is jam packed with pieced pillow goodness!!!


So what is the Pillow Fight . . . .Every week, two creators go head to head  with pillows they have created from Pillow Talk.   You all get to vote on your favorite and that pillow advances until one champion pillow is declared.   So fun!!!


I choose to make Edyta's Chevron Pillow but I added some patchwork in a low volume rainbow.  And I just love how it turned out, I mean, how can you not love a rainbow of patchwork goodness ;)  I have been saving all of these rainbow low volume's for some time and this was just the perfect project for them ;)  


And I quilted it with some straight line V quilting to emphasis the chevron.   It really made for some great texture as well!!!    And this little picture cracked me up, I just wanted to sit and swing with my pillow and feel like a kid again ;) 


 I finished my pillow with a Cross Weave backing and a wonderful black and white stripped binding.   Isn't that just so classic!!!   I love a pop of black and white with a rainbow, so great!!!


So that is my Chevron Pillow, all set for a "Pillow Fight".  Be sure to pop over to the Jolly Jabber and vote for your favorite pillow this week ;)   Sherri Fall's made a beautiful Old Rose Tilda Fabric Applique pillow that is going up against my Low Volume Chevron Pillow.   This is just so fun!!!

Thanks for popping in today!!!

Until tomorrow, Happy Quilting!!! 
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Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

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

First, we need to announce the winner from last Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  
The winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate from Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is . . .   Number #359 . . . Congrats  beautiful_mercy_creations!!!   I have messaged 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!!   And not only do they have a daily deal, they have a Fabric Basic, Pattern, and Notion of the Month!!!!    And this month you will score big on all of them!!!  All  Pure Elements Basics are on sale and there are so many amazing bundles of these!!!  Also, By Annie Products are on sale for the Notion, and All By Annie Patterns are on sale for the Pattern.  So if you have wanted to make some of her amazing bags, now is the time!!!   And all Aurifil Thread is 15% off, so you have everything you need to whip up a by Annie bag!!!      So great ;) 

24 Hour Flash Sales at the Fat Quarter Shop!


And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a fantastic new Dream Weaver 10" Stacker by Amanda Castor for Riley Blake Designs!!!!    This is such a gorgeous fabric line, with rich colors and stunning prints ;)  Someone is going to be a very lucky reader this week!!! 


You have two entry chances here on the blog, 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 have ever tried weaving before???)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fat Quarter Shop love.   You can follow them on   FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestYou 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, February 4th, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

You can also pop over to my Instagram and/or Facebook to enter there as well :)  

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
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Saturday, January 25, 2020

Renovation - Week 2!!

Well, a lot has happened since Week 1 of Renovation and things are moving right along.   Which of course, I am so incredibly grateful for!!!  Our Contractor is Dennis Gray with Precision Development and he has been absolutely fantastic to work with!!!  So let's see what got done in Week 2 :)

MONDAY -   We were up the mountain for the school holiday, and I was thrilled when I came home to find that the new siding had been put up!!!!   This is where all the windows used to be :)    I just love the way this siding turned out, and  they did it all on a break, so nice of them!!!!


TUESDAY - Began the muddying and taping ;)  And our kitchen and other areas were pretty much looking like swiss cheese with all of the holes, so there was a lot of muddying and taping to do ;)   And of course, the weather turned cold which made it take a while to dry between coats, what ya gonna do ;)   


But it was nice that other jobs were still getting done while the 4 days of muddying and taping were going on.   On Tuesday the tile folks came and installed the tile for the new fireplace in the living room.   I so love this tile, it is just so soft and sophisticated ;)  



WEDNESDAY - And then on Wednesday, the builder came and created this new fireplace mantle from scratch.  It was so neat to watch him build each piece and see it all come together.   Isn't it just beautiful!!!   I can't wait for it to be painted now ;)   


My Kitchen to Dining Room doorway was also widened on Wednesday.   We added about another foot and a half to the opening which just really increases the flow and makes it so much more open.  But I still have two different rooms, which I really wanted to keep.   So fantastic!!!    And this was widened just as the folks were getting to muddying and taping in this section.  Talk about great timing!!! 



THRUSDAY - We continued with muddying and taping, such a big job!!!   And we also had a builder come and start putting the molding around the doors.   Isn't that just so pretty.  I love the new solid look of molding!!!



FRIDAY - And by Friday, the muddying and taping just needed to be finished and sanded.   It is hard to see in this picture, but there is a beautiful stomp pattern on the ceiling and a nice whitewash on the walls.   It is really great, and again, I can't wait to see it all painted!!!


So that is Week 2!!!   It is so neat to think that everything is set for the painter's to come in on Monday and start painting ;)   And were hoping to get the cabinets in before the end of the week, I can't wait to share that!!!    Be back next weekend with another report :)   
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Friday, January 24, 2020

Magic Trick - A Secret Quilt!!!

Today I am excited to share a secret finish that I made last spring and it has been so hard to keep it a secret because I think it is just so fun!!   I love making optical illusion quilts because they just keep your eyes dancing, and this one certainly does just that.  It's called Magic Trick and I just love it!!!


Magic Trick was originally going to be published in the Pre-Cut Patchwork Magazine, but then ownership of that magazine changed right at the publishing date and that particular magazine was discontinued.   But I am happy to say, that this quilt didn't fall away, the folks at Peak Media Properties created an e-book full of wonderfully fun Illusion Blocks and that is where you can find the pattern for Magic Trick!!!!  You can find the book available for download here and more about all of the quilts in this ebook here ;)



Magic trick finishes at 72" x 84" so it is a great size to snuggle up with a good book or use as a rally quilt at your games :)    I know it looks crazy difficult, but it is actually very easy when broken down!!   And no, it is not pieced on point ;)     You are going to love making this and watching it all come together!!!     


Magic Trick is  Charm Pack and Jelly Roll Friendly which makes the cutting go super fast :)  And there are so many Basic Charm Packs and Jelly Rolls, you can easily pick your teams favorite colors and have this super fun quilt put together in no time!!!    



When it came time to quilt mine, I decided on all over echoed paisleys.  (I have a video tutorial on this free motion quilting design here :)     I just love how it adds all of that curvy goodness to all of the straight piecing and kind of swirls the optical illusion ;)   And of course, I used my 402 Pearl because it is just a great go to color.  It blends perfectly with the white and pops on the red and black!!!    



And I am just thrilled to finally get to share this quilt!!!   It really is a fun one to make, and I always love getting to work with classic solids.  And you know this quilt will be heading to my Alma Mater :)   Can I just say how glad I am that Southern Utah University's colors are red, white, and black!!!  I never get tired of making quilts in this classic color combo!!!! 



And that is my Dashing Duos Quilt!!! Don't you just love this styled shot above ;)  I always love seeing how magazines take pics of my quilts!!!   I hope you like my new Magic Trick Quilt and if you make your own, I would love to see it!!!   You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to my flickr group here or post it to social media with  #happyquiltingwithmc ;)  I can't wait to see your Magic Trick Quilts!!!

 I hope that you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend :)


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