Garden of Quilts 2021!!!

 So after teaching two days in Layton, Barbara and I headed down the I-15 to beautiful Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah for the Garden of Quilts!!!   This was my first year teaching at Garden of Quilts and can I just say, It was incredible!!!!   Something about Gardens and Quilting put together just made for such an amazing few days full of beauty and wonder :)   I loved every minute of it, and we were certainly hoping for every minute of it as well.   So crazy busy, but oh so much fun!!!  

Thursday night I started off my Garden of Quilts Adventure with the Meet the Makers Night!!  I didn't get any pictures as I was busy signing and selling, but Riley Blake shared this image that gives you a little bit of an idea of just how crazy fun this event was!!   I got to meet so many quilters and oh, it was just such a wonderful evening.   It was followed with a Trunk Show by the Doan Ladies of Missouri Star Quilt Company and it was just incredible.  Amazing how you can Oohhh,  Aahhh, Laugh and Cry all in an hour :)  

And then the next morning, it was time for my Charming Baby Quilts Trunk Show!!!   And a huge thank you to my good friend Robin for getting a few shots of me ;)    There is nothing quite as enjoyable as getting to share my love of quilting with so many amazing quilters that share my passion.   I shared all of the Charming Baby Quilts as well as the Charming Baby Quilt Sampler shown here and the Charming Baby Quilt Remix's (details on all here)  

Oh, and side note, if you have never been to one of my trunk shows, I talk fast when I am talking about quilts.  I get so excited I can't help myself,  I had to stop and remind myself to breath :)   But I have to say, again, something about being outside in the Gardens made this Trunk Show just extra special.   I was under a big tent and it was just amazing to feel the breeze and see all of the quilts blowing in the distance.  It was a great show and an amazing audience!!!  

Right after the Trunk Show, it was time for my first class and I taught my Nordic Nights pattern ;)  This was a big class, (as you can see) but everyone did such a great job.   They tackled those curves and were just thrilled with their finishes!!!  And I just loved hearing "oh, that wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be".   So great!!! 

And here is a closer look at each of their blocks.  Isn't it just amazing how they all look so different!!  I love that some are happy and bright while others are moody and subdued.   And again, Gotta love those dark backgrounds!!!   This was such a fun class and I am just so grateful to get to know all of these amazing quilters :)  We had a wonderful 3 hours together stitching all the curves!!!

Saturday morning started off with Desert Rose pattern.   This was another big class, in fact, it was so big, we had to spill out into the hall to get a group picture :)  And I was just so proud of each of these ladies!!!  I told them at the beginning of class that this was a big block and would take some serious focus to get it done in class, well they got right to it!!!  And of course, we still had plenty of laughs along the way!! 

6 of the 20 ladies in class got their blocks completely finished, and the rest all got their first 2 layers finished, which is our goal for class.   They just did amazing!!   And I just love how everyone gets so excited to see all of those points line up in this class.   It is just fun to see that moment when they see their block all done and are super proud of their work!!  

And the final class I taught on Saturday afternoon was my Decades Past pattern.   We didn't get a group picture as quite a few students had flight changes or needed to get on the road early.   So we just snapped shots as they finished.   So cute!!!    And this was the perfect class to have on a Saturday afternoon.  It goes together super fast and it a really fun one to make.  Just so awesome!!!    These ladies all did a great job ;)

And then it was time for Barbara and I head back down the I-15 to good ol Cedar City.   Wow, just wow!!!  I can't believe how amazing this trip was!!!   In a nutshell, 4 Days, 2 Venues, 6 Classes, 1 Trunk Show, and endless quilting goodness!!! Can't wait for next year!!!

Utah Quilt Festival 2021!!!

 Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of teaching at the  Utah Quilt Festival and and it was oh so much fun!!! The weekend was filled with lots of sewing, laughter, and all around good quilty times.  And Barbara and I were just so happy to get to quilt with so many friends again!!  

The first class I taught was my Desert Rose pattern ;)  This is always a great class to teach and everyone did such an amazing job.   I was so impressed with how much got accomplished because this block has a lot of piecing, and I do mean a lot!!   There are also lots and lots of points to match up, probably why I like it so much!! 

And here is a closer look at each of their blocks.  We did have 3 ladies that completely finished their block, and aren't they just stunning!!!   And the rest are just awesome starts, I can't wait to see these all done!!!  It was such a fun class and I am just so grateful that I got to spend the morning with each of these amazing quilters :)

That afternoon I taught my Wishes pattern.   And I was just so proud of each of these ladies!!!  They all had a block finished by the end of class and were so super excited to get going on the next one.  This pattern really is so much fun to make, you can't help get sucked into it and you just want to keep making another block ;) 

And it was so much fun to see the different fabrics that everyone choose for the blocks!!!  Each one is so different and it never ceases to amazing me how much just the fabric can change up the overall look of the design ;)  Love it!!!   I especially love the dark backgrounds, I am just loving dark backgrounds lately :)  

The next morning I taught my Nordic Nights pattern.   And yes indeed, we got our curved sewing on!!!  Everyone just did amazing, and for a lot of them, it was their first time piecing curves in quilting.   Just so awesome!!!  I just loved seeing all of their amazing blocks come together and I can't wait to see these quilts all finished up ;) 

And speaking of finished quilts, one of my favorite things about returning to a retreat  is getting to see the finishes from the classes I taught the previous years!!!  Lucille has taken a few of my classes, and I was just excatic that she brought back not 1 but 2 finishes for me to see!!  So exciting ;)  This is her stunning Corkscrew Quilt, isn't is just gorgeous!!!  I just think it is absolutely stunning in Batiks and Lucille did a wonderful job with the piecing and the color transition.   Just amazing!!!

Ruth brought in her stunning True North Quilt!!!  This one is just gorgeous!!!   She was just finishing up with the binding before class and it made the perfect finish.  Aren't those borders just amazing as well, just makes all of her beautiful blocks just pop!!  Such fantastic finishes ;)

And this is another gorgeous Corkscrew Quilt that was brought in!!!   Don't you just love that blue with all of the beautiful fall prints.   Absolutly stunning!!!   This is a quilt that has a lot of piecing, so it was just amazing to get to have 2 of them finished ;) 

And that is the Utah Quilt Festival in a nutshell.  It truly was such a fun few days getting to sew with so many amazing people and just enjoying the general quilty atmosphere.  And I couldn't help but snap this little selfie.  I had head mic's the whole time which made me feel like a rock star, so fun!!!  

And that wasn't all the quilty fun!!!   As soon as Barbara and I packed up from Utah Quilt Festival we headed down the I-15 for Garden of Quilts.   Pop back in tomorrow for all the details :)

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   Thousands of Bolts is . . .   Number #54 . . . Congrats Kathy E !  I have messaged you :)  

      

             

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Green Fairy Quilts.  Green Fairy Quilts is your home for pre-cut goodness and they always have amazing sales going on every weekend on a selected pre-cut or notion!!!   And did you know that Green Fairy Quilts has a Deal of The Day, I just love these!!!    And right now, Green Fairy Quilts is having a JELLY ROLL FALL CLEARANCE SALE with many  up to 50% off.  Get it while it lasts ;)

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway, Green Fairy Quilts will be giving one lucky reader 3 Moda Scrap Bags!!!  These bags are filled with Scrappy Goodness of some of your favorite Moda Lines, and it will be such a fun surprise to see which ones you get!!!!  

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 what is your favorite Book Genre??

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Green Fairy Quilts love.   You can Sign up for their Newsletter which I highly recommend as it will ensure you catch all of their amazing sales!!  You can follow them on Instagram or 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 Green Fairy Quilt Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, October 12th, 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!!!

All the Trimmings Mystery Quilt Along - Quilt Top!!

 Today is the Fifth release of the All the Trimmings Mystery Quilt Along and today we are making putting the quilt top together!!!  So exciting!!!   This is Fat Quarter Shop Christmas in July project and I am so excited to be quilting along:)     And you can join in too!!!  The patterns are free and you can find this Quilt Top release here. . . 

Again, I altered the pattern to make it larger.  I did double or quadruple of each of the blocks and then just did more sashing between the blocks and rows.   I just love the way it turned out, especially how the black grunge just makes all the blocks pop!!! I am using Christmas Morning by Lella Boutique, but of course, any Christmas Fabric would look awesome in this fun Mystery Quilt along!!!    The Materials Needed can be found here, and this quilt is Layer Cake Friendly, (I used Fat Quarters :)     

I can't wait to get this quilted up!!  It is going to be a lovely addition to my Christmas Quilt collection :)

And be sure to share your All the Trimmings progress on social media with #AllTheTrimmingsQAL and check out Fat Quarter Shop's All the Trimmings Quilt Along Page for lots more Inspiration!!!

Thanks for popping in today ;)  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Texas Monthly - Month 10

 Its October and along with a Chill in the air, we also have a new block for the Texas Monthly Block of the Month program!   This BOM is hosted by Stitchin' Heaven  and I am thrilled to share tutorials for the blocks each month.  

Month 10 is more Paper Piecing!  And by now, you are hopefully really starting to get the hang of paper piecing ;)  .  If you need a reminder, you can check out Month 2 and Month 3 for helpful hints.   This is going to be great.   So get your fabrics pressed and grab your  Add a Quarter Ruler, straight edge, rotary cutter, seam ripper, and thread scissors. So let's get going!!!  

Cutting

First off, we need to cut out all of the pieces.  Use the guides in your instructions as well as the color sheet you received with your first block to cut out all of the pieces you will need for your two blocks.  

And just a reminder, it is super helpful to write the placement of each piece on the wrong side of the fabric.  It will make piecing go much faster so you aren't constantly having to look up again what piece you need next ;)

And while we are talking reminders, remember, chain piecing is your friend.  You are making 4 units for each block so chain piecing each step for all 4 units will save you lots of time!

The Galveston Block

First up is the Galveston Block.   You need to Paper Piece 4 Units.  

Trim your units to 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" using the dotted outer line as a trimming guide. 

Layout the 4 units as shown below.  

And now, finishing the block is just like sewing a four patch.    Place the right hand side units onto the units on the left hand side units with right sides together.  Align and Pin the edges and then sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edges.

Press the seams open.  And now you can sew the rows together.

Place the top row onto the bottom row.  Again, align and pin the seams, especially the center seam.   Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.    Press the seams open. 

Now, all that is left is to add a border.  Layout your 4 border strips around your block as shown with the shorter strips along the top and bottom of the block.

Place the top and bottom strip onto the block with right sides together, aligning and pinning the edge.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.

Press the seams outwards towards the background strips.  Then repeat for the two side background strips . . .  aligning, pinning, sewing a 1/4" seam and pressing outwards. 

And just like that . . . you have a beautiful Galveston Block!!!  It should measure approximately 14 1/2" x 14 1/2".   Isn't it just so pretty!

And that means it's time to move on to the

All My Ex's Live in Texas Block

For the All my Ex's Live in Texas block you need to Paper Piece 4 Units.  

Again, you will trim your units to 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" using the dotted outer line as a trimming guide. 

Layout the 4 units as shown below.  Now, using the same instructions from the Galveston Block, Sew the 4 units together like a 4-patch.   Take care that you align the seams highlighted below when you sew the units together.  Press the seams open.  

And once again, using the directions from the Galveston Block, add the border to the block.

And just like that . . . you have a beautiful All My Ex's Live in Texas Block!  It should measure approximately 14 1/2" x 14 1/2".   

And that is it for Texas Monthly, Month 10 :) 

If you have any questions on this tutorial, please don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or leave a comment.  

Hope y'all enjoy making this month's blocks!  Just remember, have fun with it!

 Looking forward to Next Month!