Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

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

First, we are going to announce the winners of last week's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the Red and White Gatherings Layer Cake from Green Fairy Quilts   is . . . #273  . . . Congrats to mumbird3!!!  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 . . . there are so many to choose from and they are all just stunning!!!  Isn't this new Love You bundle just so perfect!!!    Along with hosting the giveaway, Jamie is having a  Amazing Christmas Fabric Sale with 25% off and more!!!  And be sure to shop their gorgeous Valentine's Day picks as well!!! So pretty :) 


Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for some shopping goodness!!  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is offering one lucky reader a $25.00 Gift Certificate perfect to use on anything in the store, including any of the awesome Lou Lou Bundle's or on the Daily Deal!!  Just perfect!!!!  



You have two entry chances, the second being optional, 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 Who inspires you to be better???

 ENTRY 2 - Lets show Lou Lou's Fabric Shop some Love!!!!   You can follow them on   FacebookTwitterPinterest, 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, January 24th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
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Monday, January 16, 2023

Cute as a Button Quilt and Free PDF Pattern!!!

Hello Quilting Friends! Today, I am thrilled to be sharing this brand new Cute as a Button  quilt as well as a Free PDF Pattern for it!!! This design adds simple piecing to basic patchwork for an absolutely adorable baby quilt!!!  And they are so simple and fun to make, you can't stop at making just one ;)

Cute as a Button is made entirely of 5" squares plus a few sashing strips!!! So just grab your favorite Charm Pack / 5" Stacker and with very minimal cutting, you are ready to sew!!! I used 2 Hello Spring 5" Stackers by Sandy Gervais, and I just love the beautiful colors and happy prints in this line!!! All of the flowers, butterflies, and geo prints in happy spring colors just makes me smile. Just perfect for a new little wee one ;)

I originally designed Cute as a Button for my Charming Baby Quilts book. But ya know, design 30 quilts and a third of them go into the book. I just loved this design so much I didn't want to see it fall by the wayside. So I have just been waiting for the right fabric to come along to make it up. You just need two 5" Stackers and a Background fabric and with such little piecing, this whips up in no time.

You will use 74 squares from your  Charm Pack / 5" Stacker to make this quilt, which is great, as it makes it easy to pull out the few squares that blend into the background.   The Cute as a Button quilt is Baby Size and finishes at 45" x 45". And as I mentioned, there is a free PDF Download of this pattern, so you can make your own!!! just click here . . .  FREE PDF Cute as a Button Pattern Download,  and download it ;)

When it came time to quilt mine I knew I wanted to keep both quilts I made really soft. So I opted for a very loose design in a large scale. And from the cover photo, you can see I made 2 quilts. So for one, I quilted a simple meander and on the second a simple loop de loop.    And you know, my favorite 402 So Fine blended perfectly with all of these spring shades.  

    

As you can see, it gives lots of texture while still being super soft. I can't wait for these to be gifted. So fun!!! This is such a great size to decorate a nursery with or for a wee one to have lots of play time. Either way, they are certainly Cute as a Button!!!

And those are my Cute as a Button quilts!!! I hope you have enjoyed this post. Oh, and if you make your own Cute as a Button quilts, I would love to see them! You can share your quilts with me on social media using hashtags  #happyquiltingwithmc  and tagging @happyquiltingmc or email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com. I can't wait to see your Cute as a Button quilts and I can't wait to see, if like me, you can't make just 1 :)

Thanks for popping in and sharing these adorable finishes with me ;) 

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


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Friday, January 13, 2023

Cupid Box 2023 is Coming!!

 It's no secret, I love my Fat Quarter Shop Subscription Boxes!!!   From my Monthly Sew Sampler Box, to the Liberty Box, Spooky Box and Jolly Box!!!  But I have never got the Cupid Box . . . Until now, and I am so excited!!!  The   2023 Cupid Box is Now Available for Pre-Order!!!   The Cupid Box box is filled with mystery items themed with all things Love and Quilting!!! 


And I am lucky enough (good friends at Fat Quarter Shop) to have gotten an Advanced 2023 Cupid Box!!   And let me tell you . . .so, so, so love it!!!  I won't share more until everyone gets their as I don't want to spoil the surprise, but truly . .  .$39.98 for this box is an amazing deal :)   

 

 


Here is hoping I can dig in and get the project done before the big share ;)  So many projects to make, why not add one more, tee hee hee :)   Besides, I don't have a Valentine's Day quilt and so of course, it needs to move up the priority list ;)      


How about you . . . have you made a Valentine's Day quilt??  


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Wednesday, January 11, 2023

BOHO Heart Block of the Month - Month 8

 It's Month 8 with my good friends at Stitchin' Heaven  doing their BOHO Heart Monthly Block of the Month program and that means another month of fun tutorials!!

Month 1                Month 2               Month 3             Month 4            Month 5               Month 6

Month 7                Month 8               Month 9            Month 10           Month 11              Month 12

And since each month has Lots and Lots of Tutorials in them . . . Here is a list to jump right to the tutorial you need for this month 8:  

Mini Framed Square Block                 Square in a Square Block                 Pinwheel Block           

Small Sawtooth Star Block                 Churn Dash Block                           Simple Framed Square  Block

Dresden Fan Block                              Owl Block                                       Courthouse Steps Block

Flying Geese Block                             Half Square Triangles Block           Intersection Block    

Sewing Background Strips                  Sewing Section 2                            Sewing Section 3

                                Sewing Section 4                  Sewing Section 1-4 Together                          


So you have your Month 8 BOHO Heart Packet . . .  Lets get started!!! 


We'll start with our first block of Month 8, the . . .


From your Month #8, Mini Framed Square bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list. 
  

Using the cut pieces and the Mini Framed Square Directions from Month 2 make your first block,  the Mini Framed Square Block  measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished. 


And now we can move onto another familiar block,  the . . .

Square in a Square Block

From your Month #8, Mini Framed Square bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list. 
  

Using the cut squares and the Square in a Square Block Directions from Month 1 make your block, The Square in a Square Block  measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished. 


And now we can move onto a fun new block, the . . .

Pinwheel Block

From your Month #8, Pinwheel bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.    I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will trim.   


Using the cut squares and the Pinwheel Block Directions from Month 1 make your 2 blocks.   The Pinwheel Blocks measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" unfinished.  


And now we can move onto another familiar block , the . . .

Small Sawtooth Star Block


From your Month #8, Small Sawtooth Star bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. 
   

Using the cut squares and the Sawtooth Star Block Directions from Month 1 make your block.  Obviously, there are just a few alterations in the directions, they are made the same way, just smaller and you don't have to do a patchwork star center just use the center square you cut.   The Small Sawtooth Star Block should be measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" unfinished. 


And now we can move onto another familiar block , the . . .

Churn Dash Block


From your Month #8, Churn Dash bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.   I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will trim. 



Using the cut pieces and the Churn Dash Block Directions from Month 1 make your block.   The Churn Dash Block measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.  


And now we can move onto yet another familiar unit, the . . .

Simple Framed Square Block


From your Month #8, Simple Framed Square bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list.   




Using the cut pieces and the Mini Framed Square Block Directions from Month 2 make your block.  And again, it is made the same way, just on a larger scale.  The Simple Framed Square Block should be measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.   


And now we can move onto a new block made with a familiar unit,  the . . .

Dresden Fan Block


From your Month #8, Dresden Fan bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.   


Using the Dresden pieces and the Dresden Plate Directions from Month 5 make 6 Dresden Plates, 3 of each of your 2 green fabrics.    Layout your plates as shown below.  


Lay the second plate onto the first plate with right sides together.  Be sure to line up your folded edges along the top.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the side edge.   Then continue in this fashion until you have sewn all 6 plates together in a row.  


Now you want to press the seams.  I like to press the seams open, but you can also press them to one side, just make sure to press them all in the same direction.  


And now, we are going to add our Fan Dresden Plate into a block.  Align the Fan in the Corner of the Block, with the two fan edges overhanging.  Double check that the Quarter Circle Applique will overlap the edges of the Dresden Fan when placed in the Corner of the block.  Trim the 2 edges of the Dresden Fan so it is aligned with the Purple Square.   


 Place the Quarter Circle on the corner of the block.  Pin the Dresden Fan Plate and Quarter Circle Applique in place, I like to pin around the center of the plate so the pins won't get in the way when I secure stitch.   


And all that is left is to secure stitch your applique to your block.   I start with the quarter circle applique.  I used a white thread so it would match with all of the white prints.   And as always, you can hand stitch or machine stitch using your favorite stitch.


Then secure stitch around the Dresden Fan.  When secure stitching around the Dresden Fan, you only need to stitch around the outside of the plate.  you do not need to secure stitch down the side seams. 


And now you have a beautiful Dresden Fan Block that should be measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.  


And now we will continue with some more applique fun making the,

Owl Block


From your Month #8, Owl bag, cut the fabrics according to the page 2 supplemental cutting list.  Also, cut out your Owl Body, Wings, Eye, Tummy, and Beak Templates.  Because this is a layered applique block, I like to prepare the fabrics with Lite Heat N Bond before tracing the templates.  This just makes them a little easier to work with, but if you don't like the bulk of Heat N Bond, just keep using the glue ;)  Trace your templates on to the wrong side of your fabrics and then cut out all your applique pieces.   And be sure when tracing the Owl Wing template, to trace one on the right side of the template and one on the wrong side of the template so you have two wings facing opposite directions.   


If using Heat N Bond, remove the paper backing on your Appliques.  Fold your Green Square in half twice and diagonally twice to give you a good center alignment.  


Place your appliques on top of one another and the Lime Green Square as shown below.  It doesn't have to be perfectly aligned, just so long as it gives the shape of an owl.  If Layered Applique projects are new to you, you can see this Complex Layered Applique Tutorial to give you a few more hints ;)   


And once again, you need to secure stitch your applique to your block, and be sure to secure stitch all the different applique pieces backstitching at the beginning and end of each.    You will need to start and stop several times to stitch round all the pieces.    I just used a white neutral thread, but you can totally use any color you like, or change threads for each applique piece.  


And you have your eighth block finished and also are finished with Applique for this month.   I just love this cute Owl Block measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished. 


And now one last Familiar block, the  . . . 



From your Month #8, Courthouse Steps bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list.   Note - The Pink fabric for my block was missing from my bag, so I pulled something from my pink scrap bin.  If yours is missing as well, you can use scraps or contact Stitchin' Heaven customer service and they will send you out the pink fabric.  


Using the cut pieces and the Courthouse Steps Block Directions from Month 5, and taking care to watch the color placement, make your block.    The Courthouse Steps Block should be measuring 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.   



And now another new block with a familiar unit, the  . . . 

Flying Geese Block


From your Month #8, Flying Geese bag, cut the fabrics according to page 3 of the supplemental cutting list. 


Using the cut pieces and the Flying Geese Block Directions from Month 4, make 4 Flying Geese Blocks that will now be Flying Geese Units. Layout the 4 Flying Geese Units as shown.


Place the right hand units onto the left hand units with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units, taking care to stitch directly along the bottom of the fabric V and through the center of the Thread X.  


Press the seams open.   


Place the Top Row onto the Bottom row with right sides together.   Align and pin/nest the seams.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge, watching the Fabric V and Thread X again.   Press the seam open.


And your Block is done and you have a Flying Geese Block that should measure 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.  


And now another new block with a familiar unit, the  . . . 




From your Month #8, Half Square Triangles bag, cut the fabrics according to page 3 of the supplemental cutting list.  I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will trim. 


Using the cut squares and the Half Square Triangle Block Directions from Month 1make 16 Half Square Triangle Units.   Layout 4 Half Square Triangle Units in 4 Rows as shown.



Using the Half Square Triangles and the Half Square Triangle Block Directions from Month 2make the block.    This block is made in the same way, only instead of a 3 x 3 layout, it is a 4 x 4 layout.   


And your Half Square Triangles Block should be measuring 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.  


And that leaves us with one final new block, the . . . .

Intersection Block


From your Month #8, Intersection bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.  


Layout the 9 small squares as shown below.  


Sew the squares into a 9 patch.  If you need a little extra help with this, you can use the 9 patch part of the  Shoo Fly Block Directions from Month 4make the block.     Set the 9 patch aside.  


Now we are going to Strip Piece.  Gather your long rectangle pieces.   Lay them out as shown.  


Place them middle row onto the top row with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the long edge.   When strip piecing, I like to use a smaller stitch length so my stitches don't unravel when the pieces are subcut.   It's totally okay if your strips do not match perfectly at the ends.    Then, place the bottom row onto the center row and stitch a 1/4" seam along the long edge.  


Press your strip set inwards towards the darker center strip.   Take care when pressing a strip set that you don't stretch the material.  I like to press from the front and run my finger along the edge of the seam just in front of my iron.  This keeps bubbles out of the seam and ensures no stretching.    
Once you have pressed the strip set, lay it on your cutting mat so the top is aligned with a horizontal line on your mat.   Using a vertical line on the mat as a guide, cut a straight edge.  Measure in 4" from your straight edge and cut a Side Unit.  Continue measuring in 4" and cutting sub-cutting side units until you have a total of 4 Side Units measuring 4 1/2" x 3 1/2".   The remainder of the strip can be scrapped.  


Now layout the 4 Side Units, 4 Multi-colored squares, and 1 9 Patch Units as shown.  


Place the center column pieces onto the left hand pieces with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units. 


Then, place the left hand column pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units.


Press the top and bottom row Inward towards the Blue squares.   Press the center row open.  


Place the Top Row onto the Center row with right sides together.   Align and pin/nest the seams.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge. 


And now, place the bottom row onto the center row with right sides together.   Align and pin/nest the seams.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.   Press the last two seams open.  


And your last Block is done and you have a Intersection Block that should measure 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" unfinished.  



And now with all your blocks done, we can move onto sewing them all together.  To start through, we need to move to  . . . 

Sewing Background Strips

This month there are only a few set of Strip Sets to make, and for each one, you can choose to use the Strip Set or to cut a Gold Filler block from your Gold Filler Bag. 

So here are the Strip Sets we need to sew together for all 3 sections we will be making.

From Fabric 35, 36, 37, and 38 sew a 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.
    (or cut out a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)

From Fabric 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 sew a 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.
    (or cut out a 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)

From Fabric 49 and 50 sew a 4 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.
    (or cut out a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)

From Fabric 45 and 46 sew a 4 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.
    (or cut out a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)



And with that done, we can start putting all the blocks together.   let's get going on  . . .

Sewing Section 2


We will start sewing Blocks and Strip Sets together to make the Section.   

Sew the Small Sawtooth Star Block and the 35/36/37/38 Strip Set together as shown.
Sew the 45/46 Strip Set and the Pinwheel Block together as shown.
Sew the Churn Dash Block and the Owl Block together as shown.

Press the Seams Open.  

 
Sew the Sashed Sawtooth Unit and the Dresden Fan Block together as shown.
Sew the Sashed Pinwheel Unit and the Churn Owl Unit together as shown.

Press the Seams Open. 


Sew the Sawtooth Fan Unit and the Intersection Block together as shown.

Press the Seam Open


Sawtooth Fan Intersection Unit and the Pinwheel Churn Owl Unit together as shown.

Press the Seam Open


And your Group 3 - Section 2 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 16 1/2" high.



And now we can move on to . . . 


Again, we will start sewing Blocks and Strip Sets together to make the Section.   

Sew the 43/44/45/46/47/48 Strip Set and the Mini Framed Square Block together as shown.
Sew the 49/50 Strip Set and the Square in a Square Block together as shown.

Press the Seams Open.  

 
Sew the Simple Framed Square Block and the Sashed Square Unit together as shown.

Press the Seams towards the Block. 


Sew the Intersection Block and the Simple Framed Square Unit together as shown.

Press the Seam towards the Block. 


And your Group 3 - Section 3 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" high.



And now we can move on to . . . 



Sew the Half Square Triangles Block and the Flying Geese Block together as shown.  

Press the Seam Open


And your Group 3 - Section 4 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" high.


And that means, all that is left is to do the . . . 



And it's super easy.  Just layout Section 1 from Month 7 and Sections 2, 3, and 4 from this month this month as shown below.


Place Section 2 onto Section 1 with right sides together.   Place Section 4 onto Section 3 with right sides together. Align and pin the edges.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press the seam open.  


Finally, place Section 3/4 onto Section 1/2 with right sides together.  Align and pin the edges.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press the seam open.  


And your Group 3 BOHO Section 1-4 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 51 1/2" high.     How exciting is that ;)  



And that is it for BOHO Heart Block of the Month, Month 8 :) 

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

Hope you have so much fun making all of this months blocks, there are so many and they are all great to put together.  

 Looking forward to Next Month!!


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