Jessi's Paper Piecing Adventure!!

First off, I have to apologize for missing Throwback Thursday yesterday.   I didn't even realize it was Thursday until half way through the morning, and then I couldn't get on the computer until my kids were done with school.  By that time, the day just sort of swept away.   Sorry about that . . . But I will be sure to make next weeks post Doubly Great!!! 

And the biggest part of my day being swept away . . . Trying to teach my daughter Paper Piecing!!!  Jessica has been taking a Textile class this year and one of their final projects is paper piecing.  And so of course I told her I could help her out :)   And here is her finished project.  A Tulip Potholder :)   Super cute, just like her!!!

And yes, I am sure you are all looking at that little block and thinking why did it take the whole afternoon . . . you might recall, I am not the best at Paper Piecing.  It makes my brain hurt every time, and here I am . . . trying to teach a left handed person how to paper piece and doing it all backwards.   Being honest here . .  there was for sure seam ripping, incorrect trimming (Jessi managed to cut off a piece she had just sewn on ;) , backwards pieces, a little fudging, and a whole lot of laughing (and maybe a few frustrated grunts here and there ;)   I asked her if she liked Paper Piecing and she said "I Love It Mom" with this facial expression.    But hey,  we finished and she has a super cute pot holder to show for it that she made on her own and learned a new technique!!   And I, well I have lots of memories and time with my daughter. Win-Win in my book!!! 

And speaking of Jessi, during Spring Break last week, I got her to spend some time with me in the sewing room and she finished up her Stack and Whack quilt top that she started back here.    Yes, as in started 2 years ago.   You can see how much she has grown since the start.   Now she just has to put it on the long arm and get it quilted up.  I am hoping to work on that with her soon but it means I need to get my quilt off the long arm first.

So I best go get stitching ;) 

But real quick, I have to say, getting to stitch with my kiddo's is such a blessing.  I just love being able to pass on my love of all things quilting to my children.   Once school gets done, if we are still all "staying at home" I see lots more sewing projects for our future.   Luckily, I have enough fabric for them all and then some :)

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

Charming Baby Sew Along - Week 3!!!

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of posts for the Charming Baby Sew Along.  If you would like to join (and have a chance to win some fun prizes ) you can find a list of the post links here :)  Here is the schedule

Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement

April 8 - A Star is Born and Color in the Lines 

April 15th - Dream Big and Hugs and Kisses 

April 22nd - Just Blooming and On the Move - Today!!!

April 29th - Ring Around the Rosie and Shine Bright

May 6th - To the Moon and Twinkle Twinkle

May 13th - Quilt Fishing - Pieced Back - Grand Prize Linky

May 27th - Charming Baby Parade and Grand Prize Winner

WEEK 3 - JUST BLOOMING AND ON THE MOVE

It's the third week of making blocks for the Charming Baby Sew Along and I am just loving seeing all of your amazing blocks!!!  This weeks assignment is oh so much fun.   You will need your copy of Charming Baby Quilts  for the piecing instructions as well as the Week 3 Charming Baby Sew Along Pattern for cutting instructions ;)  This week we will be making blocks from the Just Blooming quilt and the On the Move quilt!!!

First up, Just Blooming!!   This quilt is just so precious!!!  And I have a great way of making those 2 patches with the Charm Packs that really speeds things up ;)    The quilt uses 2 Charm Packs and I used Winifred Rose 5" Stackers by Christopher Thompson for Riley Blake Designs and a Confetti Cotton Solid White Background.   And you can always make the flower in the center of the quilt if you desire, it is super easy to change it up.    This setting just gives it a fun feel.   Just Blooming finishes at 52" x 52" so it is a great size that your wee one can just continue to grow into and keep all through the "drag a blanket around everywhere" stage :)

And for our Sew Along, we will be making 4 Just Blooming Flower blocks and sewing them together with a bit of sashing.    These blocks will frame the edges of the center row ;)  Isn't that just so fun!!!  Use the Just Blooming piecing directions from the book and the Week 3 Pattern  for cutting directions to make your blocks.

And next up, the On the Move quilt!!!  This quilt is one of the more "all boy" inspired quilts.   I don't know about you, but I couldn't keep my little boys from climbing on, under, or in everything.  They were always On the Move!!!   The quilt uses 2 Charm Packs and I used Geometry Charm Packs by Janet Clare for Moda and a Grunge Bleu Background.   You know how I love grunge and it frames this quilt just perfectly!!!   On the Move finishes at 49" x 57" so just like before, it will be perfect for dragging around the house as your wee one grows and really gets moving ;) 

And for our Sew Along, we will be making 4 of On the Move blocks and adding a bit of sashing to them so they fit just nice ;)   Use the On the Move piecing directions from the book and the Week 3 Pattern  for cutting directions to make your blocks.  These blocks will frame the center of your second and fourth rows.    

WEEK 3 BLOCKS FROM FRIENDS

And just like that, you are done with Week 3 and looking forward to next week of The Charming Baby Sew Along!!  Be sure to pop over to all my Sewing Along Friends and see their Week 3 blocks for lots of inspiration!!

      Amanda Castor - Material Girl Quilts
      Andy Knowlton - A Bright Corner
      Beverly McCullough - Flamingo Toes
      Melanie Call - A Bit of Scrap Stuff
      Pat Sloan - Pat Sloan's Blog
      Fat Quarter Shop Friends - The Jolly Jabber

THE PRIZES

 And keep up with the sew along as everyone that finishes their quilt top will be entered into a drawing for this amazing grand prize giveaway from Moda Fabrics !!

   

And Pat Sloan is hosting the Week 3 Charming Baby Sew Along giveaway!!!  You can win 2 Charm Packs of Homemade by Tula Pink and a spool of Aurifil thread!!! And I know, we all love Tula Pink, and sewing machine Tula Pink, just amazing!!!  Pop over to Pat Sloan's Blog to enter the giveaway ;)           
                         

SHARING

 It's always fun when we share what we are working on!!!   If you use Facebook or Instagram post your Week 3 blocks with the Hashtag #charmingbabyquilts  If you don't use social media you can email me a picture of your progress at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com ;)

I can't wait to see all of your Week 3 Charming Baby Blocks!!!!

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  Nancy's Needle Jelly Roll from Green Fairy Quilts is . . .   Number #155 . . . Congrats Dawn!!!  I have messaged you :)    

 

And 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 . . . here are the latest, aren't they just gorgeous!!!  And speaking of Bundle goodness . . . Along with hosting the giveaway, Jamie is also offering all Happy Quilting readers a special discount of  20% off Any One Fat Quarter Bundle with the code happyquilting!!!  Code good until Friday, which means,  Oh, so much fun shopping!!!

And for Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway,  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is letting you Pick any 2 Lou Lou  Bundles!!!  That's right, the winner will get to choose their favorite  2 Lou Lou Bundles that Jamie has in stock!!!   Oh my goodness, how will you ever decide :)   What fun the winner will have 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 a random good deed that was done for you, or that you saw done for someone else recently.   (I think kindness is just abounding right now and it makes my heart happy in these hard times ;)  

 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 28th, 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!!!

Time for some Happy Quilting!!!!

This last week was "Spring Break".   Which, of course,  was a little different than past Spring Breaks.   We still tried to make it a fun week off for the kids with hiking, nerf wars (the boys choice) tons of family board games and a trip to the Beaver Creamery for ice cream.  But it was much more laid back than normal.   And I especially noticed the slow down because we weren't doing online school for a week.   So I took full advantage of the slowdown and stitched, and stitched, and stitched!!!    And  now I have 6 quilt tops ready for quilting!!!!!

I have had so many of these blocks in various phases of completion and have had piles all over the sewing room.  I can't tell you how great it feels to have them all in one nice stack now.   I finished up my Sparkly Stars Halloween Quilt that I started from this throwback.     I pieced together my Vintage Charm quilt top, from the class I took in January and I just love it's beautiful fall goodness!!!   And do you remember my Be Fruitful Quilt plan from the one block I shared way back here . . .  well, from one block to quilt top ;)   And super fun, Corey Yoder is releasing a new pattern of this block called Marketplace that will be available super soon!!! 

And then, I also worked on some Charming Baby Quilts remakes ;)    I started a Ring Around The Rosie remake back in February and it was time to get it done!!!  This quilt was the least far along of all 6, so it took the most time, but I am so super excited because it is going to be a new king size quilt for my bed!!!   Can't wait to get it quilted and bound ;)    And while I was making bigger quilts, I decided to make a Layer Cake version of A Star is Born!!!    It is going to be amazing!!!   And finally, I quadrupled my Daisy Mae Dream Big quilt I had shared back here and added a border.   And it is just so pretty!!!!

So now, it is time for some serious Happy Quilting!!!!   We are also back to online school, so I won't have near as much time to put my head down and just stitch away.   But I don't want these tops lying around forever now . . . so here is to some finishes to share super soon ;)

I hope you all had a very Happy Quilting Weekend and here is to an amazing Happy Quilting Day!!!

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Out for a Stroll!!

I think I have spent more time walking in the last week, than I did the entire month before.  I am so grateful that it is a little warmers so I can get out of the house and find comfort and peace in being outdoors ;)   Even if it is just walking around the neighborhood and waving at friends from a distance.     And so for today's Thursday , I thought it would be perfect to go back 6 years to the Out for a Stroll  quilt!!!  

Out for a Stroll is a great way to learn to piece quilts on point.  There are two basic blocks in this quilt and then some are just cut in half to make the setting triangles.   So you can learn to piece on point without all of the hassle of sashing.  So great!!!    It finishes at 70" x 88" so it makes a great size for snuggling up in or for a twin size bed!!!    

I used Yardage to make my Out for a Stroll quilt, which you can do as well.   But it is also an amazing scrap buster!!!  Especially if you want to use up a bunch of low volume scraps :)   And you don't have to do black and white, just pick two favorite colors and then add one additional color for pop!!!   

Out for a Stroll is a wonderfully fun geometric designs that looks so much harder to make than it actually is.   You really can put this together in no time.  And it makes a great teen gift because of its more modern feel.  This quilt was actually gifted to my niece for her High School Graduation.   It is fun to think that she is now married, finished college, and starting a career as an amazing graphic designer!!!  

And that is my Out for a Stroll Quilt!!!     I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday as much as I have!!!    And maybe you can make Out for a Stroll for someone special to you!!!      To make your own Out for a Stroll quilt  just click on any of the project name links for the free step by step tutorial.    And when you are done,  I would love to see your Quilts!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  :)   I can't wait to see your Out for a Stroll!!!

Thanks for popping in today!!!   I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!!