A New Look for a New Year

A few weeks ago I asked my wonderful friend (who happens to be getting her degree in graphic design) if she could design me a new header for my blog.  Didn't she just do an amazing job!!!!  She also made me a blog button, an etsy shop header, a flickr icon, etc. etc.  I am so excited!!!! Everything related to my quilting is now streamline, which makes me extremely happy!!

So what do you think??  I have been adjusting the layout all morning and finally decided on this.  Is it easy to read?  I have to admit, I have been staring and tweaking with it for so long my eyes are going crossed.  I need a fresh pair of eyes :)

Oh, and my friend does do side jobs, just FYI :)  You can see more of her amazing craftiness over here.  If your interested let me know and I will get you in contact with her.

I love this button!!!  After playing around this morning I actually learned how to add an html code to it so it is like a real button!!! (ya, pretty proud of that)   You can find it on the right hand side of my blog with the html code :) 

2010 Reviewed and looking forward to 2011

Okay, So I have been seeing those cool mosaics popping up everywhere.  I love them!!  Unfortunately, I had no idea how to make them.  So I decided to remedy that situation this morning.  So about 2 hour later, (and lots of downloads to flickr :)  I present you with my 2010 quilts Mosaic :)  Isn't it fun!!

There are a few of my little projects not pictured but these are all the "quilt" quilts I made this year.

And once I learned just how easy these are to make (once everything is set up correctly) I decided to make another one.  This is a Mosaic of my Moda Bake Shop Tutorial Projects.  Designing for the Moda Bake Shop is probably my proudest quilting accomplishment of the year.  I am truly enjoying it and can't say how exciting it is to know that people out there in quilt world like my tutorials and are using them :)

So that is 2010 . . . So what's up for 2011??  Here are a few of my goals, in no particular order.  (And yes, I am mostly writing them down for me so that I actually try to accomplish these things :)


1 - Participate in a Bee  (which I have already signed up for but sometimes it is fun to write things that are easily checked off :)
2 - Participate in a Swap  (I have never done this,  any suggestions on good ones would be appreciated :)
3 - Learn how to Paper Piece
4 - Learn how to Curve Piece
5 - Be a guest blogger on other sites.  (I have done this once at Stash Manicure and loved it)
6 - Make a pillow or 2  (I need to branch out a little and I sew love the Cathedral Window pattern)
7 - Host a Quilt-A-Long  (a little scary, but I really think it would be fun, with a little stress mixed in, lol)
8 - Continue designing for the Moda Bake Shop  (I just love this so much, It is a definite keeper :)  (And since I already have a project lined up for January I can check this off the list, Yippee Skippee)
9 - Use up more of my ever growing Stash.  I can't believe how quickly it is growing :)
10 - Last but not least, and I waited for last to write it because it scares the pants off of me. . . . Get a design published in a magazine.  (I think I can, I think I can, I think I can :)

A Special Day - 10 Years in the Making!

10 years ago, today, I married the man I love!!!  That was our family then :)

This is our family now :)  Isn't it just amazing what blessings 10 years can bring!!

A New Button

Baking up some Sugar Pop N Change

I am so excited!!!  It is here!! My Sugar Pop N Change tutorial is fresh out of the oven over at the Moda Bake Shop. This is my fourth tutorial and I have to say it is still every bit as exciting as the first one!!  So take a second and "Pop" on over to check it out, and if you feel so inclined, you can always leave me some comment love while you are there :)

And, if you love it as much as I do, you can whip up your own thanks to Leah at Burgundy Buttons  (Love her shop :). She has whipped up an adorable quilt kit that has everything you need to make your own Sugar Pop N Change Quilt.   So "Pop" on over to Burgundy Buttons and get a kit while they are still hot :)

Brown Bag Block

Say that three times fast :)  I was able to squeeze in a few minutes of sewing over the last week, but only a few :)    I got some of the basic piecing done for my Brown Bag quilt and put together a few blocks just because I was so excited to see how they would come together.  I fussy cut the centers as I wanted that beautiful "medallion" fabric to be highlighted.  I can't wait to see the blocks put together with the sashing as it creates a beautiful secondary design.  (We'll at least it does on my design, we'll see how it turns out in fabric :)

My mother got me this adorable mug for Christmas.  Doesn't it just ring true!!!  I have decided that I need to fill it with mini Snickers and keep it next to my sewing machine for mini burst of energy :)  Don't you just love the colors!! I think it will need a little mug rug before too long :)

  

Merry Christmas

The last few days have been filled with lots of time with the kiddos as they are out of school.  We have played numberless games of Uno and watched lots of family movies with popcorn and hot chocolate.  I finished wrapping gifts the other night so we are all ready now.    I am so looking forward to tomorrow morning :)  I can't wait to see their little faces light up with the wonder of the season!

Wishing each one of  you a very Merry Christmas filled with love and happiness!! 

And since I wouldn't want to leave without a picture, and since I forgot to post this at the last holiday, I will post it now.  This was my Black Friday purchase.  I figured at 50 % off and then another 20% off that, I might as well just buy the roll.  Saved me time standing around at the cutting table :)

Brown Bag Revisited

So do you remember when I showed you this amazing fabric way back in September for my Brown Bag Quilt.  We'll it has been sitting on my pile of  "to do's" for quite some time.  We'll no longer.  Yesterday I sat down and created a design.  It was a super fun challenge to design something that used up at least 90% of what was sent.  Talk about fabric limitations, but I really enjoyed it.  When I was happy with the design I immediately whipped out my mat and rulers, it had been in the "to do" pile long enough.  So here it is, all cut up, and ready to be pieced.  Stay tuned . . . :)

The green floral print that you don't see will be used for the backing :)

The Sun . . . Again

So do you remember Robin Hood Prince of Thieves??  Ya, clear back from 1991.  There is a part where Robin and Azeem are standing on a wall and Azeem turns to Robin and says "Is there no sun in the cursed country?!".  So that line has been running through my head all day.  I just need 10 minutes, that is all I am asking for.  But no, nothing but overcast grey as far as the eye can see.  Maybe tomorrow :)

P.S.  My husband and I watched this for the first time in years the other day after finding it at a garage sale.  It truly is an oldie but a goodie!!

Oh yes, Central Park

So I just have to add the binding and then I am done with my to finish before Christmas list.  This last project is actually a little "baking" due to come out at the end of January.  I am so excited about this new design!!! And oh yes, that is Kate Spain's newest line Central Park!!  It is amazing, I absolutely have fallen in love with these prints!!!  So here is a sneak peak to hold you over until January.  (Tee Hee Hee)

And since we are on the subject, do you remember this sneak peek from way back in October???  The tutorial for it will be coming out on the 28th!!  That is just 9 more days!!!  I can't wait :)

Winner and Me a Winner :)

Hello Everyone!!

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful comments left for my Sew Mama Sew giveaway.  I am sorry I didn't write back to each individually.  We have been fighting stomach flu as it ran rampant through everyone in the house this last week.  But we are on the mend so it is back to usual posting and replying :)  

So the winner according to Mr. Random.Org is . . .  #188  Who is Jenn Miyamoto who said - "These would be so fun to make stockings out of!!

Alright Jenn . . . .  I am looking forward to seeing those stockings :)

Now , To the next part of my title . . .How about making me a winner :)  I entered my Christmas Around the Year Quilt into the weekly quilt contest at the Quilting Gallery!!  So if you happen to love this quilt as much as I do, take a second and click on over here and vote for my Christmas Around the Year quilt.  I will love you forever :)

Christmas Giveaway

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Okay, I know everyone has lots of surfing to do let's keep this short and sweet.

What's up for grabs??  2 yards of adorable Christmas Bears fabric and 3 1/3 yards of Poinsettia Christmas fabric.  Yes that is right, over 5 yards of fabric!!!

How to enter??  Leave a Comment - Anything at all :)

How to get a second entry??  Become a follower or be a follower and leave me a comment saying so.

I will use Random.org to pick on winner on December 17th :)

So there you have it, good luck and Happy Quilting.

Now head back over to Sew, Mama, Sew! for more giveaway day fun.

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day

So I know I just finished a giveaway but how was I supposed to know that Sew, Mama, Sew! was going to have another one of their spectacular giveaway day's??  I love when Sew, Mama, Sew! does this.  It is a week of super fun surfing, finding new blogs, and maybe, just maybe, winning something :)  So if you haven't yet, head on over and sign up to have your own giveaway :)  Things start Monday so check back to see what I will be giving :)  Want a hint - Christmas.

Quilting Bee

I am so super excited to say  that I was invited to be in a Bee!!!  Oh my goodness, oh my goodness.  I will be sewing with some super amazing and talented women.  The group is called the VIBees.  I have to say, it makes me feel pretty important to be among these women.  So starting in January, I will be learning new techniques, sewing with all sorts of fun fabrics, and showing off the new creations here :)  I can't wait!!!!

Christmas Project #3 - Check

I finally made some Mug Rugs!!  I have been wanting to make these for some time, but I was planning on using the scraps from my advent calendar, so I had to finish that first to get the scraps :)  I made these pretty simple.  My scraps were pretty limited, and when I started playing around with different design ideas I just kept coming back to something and straight-forward.  They went together pretty fast and they will make wonderful little gifts for a few special ladies around here :)

What a cute little Trio :)

I always love a scrappy binding :)

So I know the snowmen mugs don't really match the mug rug, but I just couldn't pass up those adorable mugs.

So as you can see, I am pretty hooked on quilting swirls.

Christmas Project #2 - Check

I made this advent calendar for my sister.  While making it, I remembered why I love quilting so much :)  Creating and attaching the pockets was a little finicky, and I am learning more and more, that while I will do that kind of sewing, it isn't my favorite :)   With that said,  I was really happy with the little pockets when they were done and I think my niece will really enjoy it.

I decided to quilt it the same way I had quilted Christmas Project #1. I really like the way it makes the pictures pop :)  I went with a pretty small swirl and just love the way it turned out.

This picture is horrible as far as lighting but I think it makes it a little easier to see the quilting as it stands out a bit more :)

Giveaway Winners :)

Thank you to all that entered the giveaway and to those that follow.  It is so fun to have this little corner of the quilting world to share my quilting adventures :)

Okay, without further ado . .

The winner of the Natures Pathway's Fat Third is #25 which is . . . . Lee Ann

The winner of the Breakfast at Tiffany's Charm pack is . . . .#32 who is MaryAnne

Congrats to both of you ladies.  I have sent you emails for your addresses :)

Quilted Christmas Ball Ornament Tutorial

 I guest posted this adorable Tutorial over at Stash Manicure  I am so excited to be posting there!!  So click on over to check out the tutorial there or follow below to see the tutorial here :)

What you will Need

( 1 ) 3 inch Styrofoam ball                                           1 foot lace or ribbon                                   

(12) 2.5 inch square pieces of base fabric                    Lots of straight pins with flat heads      

(16) 2.5 inch square pieces of middle fabric                 Hot glue 

(16) 2.5 inch square pieces of border fabric                 Ribbon or sting for a hanger

 Instructions

Step 1 - Begin by selecting the fabric that you want to be the center of the design. Place 2 squares wrong side together and pin to the ball at the four corners

Step 2 - Grab another base square of fabric and fold in half and then in half again. (Right side out). 

Open it up and place a pin from the wrong side of the fabric through the center of the square. Pin this to the center of the square on the Styrofoam ball.  (when pushing in the pins, it helps to use the eraser of a pencil, trust me, your finger will thank you :)

Step 3 - Fold your square down into a rectangle with the pin on the inside of the fabric.  Then fold the 2 corners of the rectangle down to the opposite edge. Place 4 pins along the bottom edge.

 Step 4 - Turn the ball 90 degrees and repeat steps 2 and 3 three more times.  Your ornament should look like this.

Step 5 - Find the opposite side of ball and repeat steps 1 through 3.  Finding the opposite side can be a little tricky and it is important so that it turns out the same.  The best guideline is to measure from one pin to another on both sides of the ball.  You want it to be the same distance apart :)

Step 6 - Pick your second fabric or middle fabric. Continue with the same folding pattern but start the second row approximately 1/2 inch out along the centerlines of the first row.  Place all 4 pieces.

Step 7 - Once the 4 main pieces are down begin placing the pieces on the diagonal. The easiest way to figure out the placement is to draw an imaginary line between the two points of the folded fabric already placed.  Then place the point of the fold about a 1/4" below that line.  Repeat for all 4 diagonals.

Step 8 - Flip the ball over to the other side and repeat steps 4 and 5.

Step 9 - With the final fabric or border fabric repeat steps 4 through 6, once again measuring out about 1/2".  All of your pieces on both sides should meet around the center of the ball or close too.

Step 10 -  Hot glue the ribbon around the ball so that it hides the unfinished edges and pins. Make a hanger out of ribbon or string and secure it to the ornament with pins or hot glue.

 And you are done!!  Now you have an adorable Scrappy Quilted Ball Ornament that didn't require any quilting.  Super fun and super cute!!

The combinations are endless.  I made this one for my daughter's first Christmas and added a cute little Pillow Tag to remember it by.  

I think next I will be making an all scrappy one in different reds, greens, and whites.  I would love to see what you make.  When you are done your Scrappy Quilted Ball Ornament feel free to upload a picture on to my Tutorial Flickr page.  

Off The Virtual Map :)

So we spent the weekend in downtown Indianapolis while my husband attended a conference.  When we got to the hotel we found out that there was no internet in the rooms (well I guess there was if you were willing to pay for it, however, we were not willing to pay for it).    So I found myself  for 3 whole days without the internet (minus two 20 minute intervals when my husband stayed in the room with the kids and I ran down to the lobby and answered emails as fast as my fingers could type.) It is amazing how out of touch you feel after only 3 days!!!  

So what do you do for 3 days in a hotel room from 8 -5 with no internet and 4 small children???  You sew, sew, sew!!!  This was my set-up

And this was the kids set-up.  When you don't have cable at home, all day cartoons in your pj's is like a little piece of heaven.

And yes, we did see more of Indianapolis then just the inside of the hotel room.  Each night when dad got down we went out and had a great time.  It really is a fun city!!

So now I feel a little more update . . . See ya tomorrow :)

It's Giveaway Time!!

Today is the day to giveback and celebrate!  I want to thank all of you wonderful people who stop by, read my quilting ramblings, and leave such sweet comments.  You all make my day, each and every day!!  So, Let's have a giveaway!

So first, to giveback . . . there were so many comments when I posted my Nature's Pathways quilt about how lovely the prints and colors were,  so I decided to make a little bundle of those prints to giveaway.  There is a 1/3 of a yard of the 8 prints I used in the quilt top.  So would you call that a Fat Third??

And now, to celebrate.  Why are we celebrating you ask??  Because last night, we reached 200 followers here at Happy Quilting.  I think that calls for 2 giveaway's.  So the second giveaway will be a Breakfast at Tiffany's Charm Pack.

So what do you have to do to have a chance to win.  Simple, leave a comment. (one per person, please)  Anything will do :)   I will choose 2 winners Monday morning on the 6th.  Oh, and you don't have to be a follower, but if you want to follow, it will get us all the closer to a 300 follower giveaway :)  GIVEAWAY CLOSED :)

Happy Quilting!!