Bloom-Topia Quilt Along - Release 7

Well it's April 1st, and no Foolin Around here today ;)  It's is the Seventh Block Release of the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop and I am super excited :)   These blocks are both super fun and all use some of the classic units that I just love!!!

So for Block 11, were just squaring up the block by making 4 extra HST's.   I didn't have triangle paper so I simply used 16 Print 4" x 4" squares and 16 Background 4" x 4" squares.  Sew your HST's and then trim them to 3 1/2".  Then sew them into blocks with the below layout.  Make 2 blocks ;)  

And  for Block 12, we are just making a small portion of the block.   (oh, and I messed up my numbering of the blocks here because I didn't realize this was 11B and not 12, but I think you can still follow along pretty easy ;)    We will be making 2 of these Gander blocks and I switched the background and prints in the entire layout.   So for cutting the prints you will need 4 Print A squares 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" for the Snowball and 20 Print C squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" (cut 5 each of 4 prints) for the 9 patch.     For cutting the Background you will need 16 Background E squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" for the Snowball and 16 Print G squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" for the 9 patch.     

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 wow, so much has been raised!!! 

And just as a reminder, if you are new to finding the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along, this is the layout I will be making and are the alterations referred to above ;)     I am using a Breeze Fat Quarter Bundle by Zen Chic for Moda Fabrics with Gris Grunge as the background!!! And there are still a few Bloom-topia Quilt Kits and Backing Sets available if you want to make your's like the original ;) 

And like always, Fat Quarter Shop has made an awesome  You Tube video tutorial that walk you through making the 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 7 for lots more Block Inspiration!!!

And that's it for the seventh 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 what do you say, want 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
Release 1 - Block 1 and 2 Alterations
Release 2 - Block 3 Alterations
Release 3 - Block 4 and 5 Alterations
Release 4 - Block 6 and 7 Alterations
Release 5 - Blocks 8 and 9 Alterations
Release 6 - Block 10 Alterations

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

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Double Dresden Delight

So I missed last week's Tutorial Throwback Thursday, so I promised this week's would be doubly great!!   So I though what better quilt for Doubly great than the Double Dresden Delight!!!   And this quilt is just so perfect for this Spring time, which ours seems to be moving right into summer.  We made it to 80 degrees yesterday ;)   Anyway, today we are throwing back 8 years to the  Double Dresden Delight quilt and tutorial and I know you are just going to love it!!!   There is even a free printable version right here, double bonus!!!

I cam up for the idea of Double Dresden Delight when I was challenged to use the EZ Dresden ruler in a new way ;)   I thought about it for a while, and decided, why not put a Dresden on both ends!!   And now, there are all kinds of quilts out there with Double Dresden's . . . Me and My Sister Designs even have an awesome Double Wide Dresden Ruler, specifically made for making Double Dresdens!!!  So fun ;)   My quilt finishes at 40" x 40" but you can make this any size you want.  Just add more Dresden's for larger quilts ;)  

And if you are worried about making Double Dresden Delight because you have never made a Dresden quilt . . . no worries.  The tutorial walks you through how to make them step by step with easy follow pictures.   You will have it made up in no time.  And you can machine or hand attach your Dresden to your background.  I like Machine as it is faster, but if you don't like the raw edge stitch look, just hand attached them ;)  And I used Fat Quarters for this quilt, but you could easily make it as a scrap buster as well.   And you can have fun playing with the size of your Dresdens, each different size you cut will make a different size flower ;) 

When it came time to quilt Double Dresden Delight I really decided to go all out.  I quilted this on my home machine, repeating the points from the Dresden's and changing out the color thread each time I repeated.   Yes, it took a while but it was totally worth it.  I just love the extra dimension it gives this quilt!!!   And I love it so much, it now resides on the wall of the Quilt House so I can see it every time I am quilting ;)   

And that is my Double Dresden Delight Quilt!!!     I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday as much as I have!!!   And talk about throwback . . . that is my baby girl on this quilt.  Yup, when you throw back 8 years, your 8 year old becomes a baby again ;)  How cute is she!!!      So if you  want to make a Double Dresden Delight  simply click on any of the project name links for the free step by step tutorial or you can print off the paper version here.    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 Double Dresden Delight quilts!!!

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

Charming Baby Sew Along - Week 4!!!

**  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 

April 29th - Ring Around the Rosie and Shine Bright - Today!!!

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 4 - RING AROUND THE ROSIE AND SHINE BRIGHT

It's the fourth 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 a great one, but probably the most piecing we have done in a week so far, so don't leave it to the very end.   You will need your copy of Charming Baby Quilts  for the piecing instructions as well as the Week 4 Charming Baby Sew Along Pattern for cutting instructions ;)  This week we will be making blocks from the Ring Around the Rosie quilt and the Shine Bright quilt!!!

First up, Ring Around the Rosie!!   I just love this quilt!!!  And it really isn't as hard as it looks, just some stitch and flip fun ;)    The quilt uses 3 Charm Packs and I used Bramble Cottage Charm Packs by Brenda Riddle for Moda Fabrics and a Bella Solid Admiral Blue Background.  I have had so many people email me for what color blue that is, isn't it just so pretty and it goes so perfectly with all of those soft cottage prints!!!  And if you want to make Ring Around the Rosies with the same fabrics I used, Fat Quarter Shop has a Ring Around the Rosie Quilt Kit and Backing Set all ready to go ;)    Ring Around the Rosie finishes at 54" x 54" so it is a great size for growing into :)

And for our Sew Along, we will be making 4 Ring Around the Rosie blocks and sewing them together with a bit of sashing.    These blocks will become the four corners of the quilt and set it off nicely ;)  Isn't that just so fun!!!  Use the Ring Around the Rosie piecing directions from the book and the Week 4 Pattern  for cutting directions to make your blocks.

And next up, the Shine Bright quilt!!!  You all know how much I love making star quilts, so of course, there had to be some in Charming Baby Quilts ;)  And this is just such a fun scrappy star!!!   The quilt uses 3 Charm Packs and I used Flower Market 5" Stackers by Jen Allyson for Riley Blake Designs and a Confetti Cotton's Off White Background. This quilt really does just shine ;)     Shine Bright  finishes at 56" x 56" so again, it will be perfect for dragging around the house as your wee one grows and uses it as their favorite friend ;) 

And for our Sew Along, we will be making 2 Shine Bright blocks.   Use the Shine Bright piecing directions from the book and the Week 4 Pattern  for cutting directions to make your blocks.  These blocks will be the center of the top and bottom rows and they are a great focal point.   

WEEK 4 BLOCKS FROM FRIENDS

And just like that, you are done with Week 4 and looking forward to next week of The Charming Baby Sew Along!!  You are all doing so great!!!!   Be sure to pop over to all my Sewing Along Friends and see their Week 4 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 Amanda Castor is hosting the Week 4 Charming Baby Sew Along giveaway!!!  You can win 2 Charm Packs of Charmed by Cyndi Walker and a spool of Aurifil thread!!! and this is such a cute line, good luck to everyone!!!  Pop over to Amanda's Instagram 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 4 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 4 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  Pick any 2 Lou Lou  Bundles from Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is . . .   Number #351 . . . Congrats sherrycastoquilter!!!  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 blow me away 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 I have been having so much fun with Fat Quarter Shop and the Charming Baby Sew Along!!!  Read all about the Sew Along here ;) Are you stitching along with us???

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a beautiful Bloomington Jelly Roll by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics!!! I just love this line,  in fact, it was the fabric I used for the cover quilt of my Charming Baby Quilts book!!!  It is just so perfect and happy for Spring ;) 

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 your favorite flower :)  

 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, May 5th,  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!!!

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!!!