Judy's Bag!!!

Okay, if you have been around for anytime at all, you know that "3-D" sewing is way out of my comfort zone.  So I decided to stretch myself a little and take Jud's Bag making class as part of the Cedar City Retreat that I am teaching at.   And guess what, I did it!!!  And I even finished the entire purse before the end of class.  Yippee!!!!

Barbara was kind enough to take the class with me and hold my hand throughout the class.  I was super happy to find that things actually made sense.  I think my understanding of all things sewing 3-D is growing, and I was pretty excited about that ;)  Barbara got a few snapshots of me.  I am glad she missed the ones of my tongue sticking out in concentration :)

When we finished the outside we hung them on the wall.  It was so fun to see everyones different fabrics all in a row.  I used my beautiful True Colors Damask for the outside and finally decided (thanks for the help :) on the  Grey Lodge Lattice for the pocket.  Barbara also choose a Joel Dewberry print.  What can I say, we are huge Joel fans :)

And here is a snapshot that you might never ever see again.  Yes, that is me hand stitching.  Can you see how I don't even know how to hold the needle correctly.  I am not a be fan of hand stitching, but luckily this stitching will never show as we were just securing the fabric where the grommets would go ;)

I opted for the grey pocket on the outside (thanks for all of the great advice) but still loved that mint, so there is a happy punch of Turquoise Lodge Lattice on the inside pocket.  It just makes me smile each time I open the bag :)

I have been having so much fun stuffing it full to take to my classes.  I just love it!!!   And the crazy thing was, when I was done I thought, "Hey, that wasn't so bad, maybe I could make another".  Yup I just might get into this whole bag making thing after all ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!

Linking this finish up to Amanda's, Sarah's, and Fort Worth Fabric's :)

Kitchen Stitches Celebration and Giveaway

I am super excited today to be sharing a little more about my contribution to the Kitchen Stitches book compiled by Karen Burns for Martingale Publishing.  My project is this super chic bistro tablecloth and napkins. I figure, everyone needs the perfect go-to tablecloth.  You know, the one that will match for just about any occasion.  So I designed this set to be just that.  A bit of a conversational piece with some flair while still being super practical.

The tablecloth and napkins are super easy and super fun to make. You can see my love of applique coming out in the project as that is pretty much all you have to do :)   Just spend a night watching your favorite movie (Pride and Prejudice) while you cut out the applique, and then the next day stitch it in place.  And Wha-la, you have a beautiful chic new table set that is sure to be the center of dinner conversation.  I hope you love this little set as much as I do, it sure was a fun one to design and create :)

There are so many amazing projects in this book.  I have already picked out 5 and added them to my "to-do" list.  I mean, I am in the kitchen almost as much as I am in my sewing room so I think it is in need of a  whole lot of fun added to it :)  

It is such an honor to be among these uber talented designers. So do you want to get the low down on what they made??  Pop on over to Martingale's blog, Stitch This, to see more of the wonderful projects and the designers in this book.  And didn't I mention something about a giveaway????

While you are over at Stitch This, leave a comment answering the question given and you will be entered to win one of 14 copies of Kitchen Stitches as well as the grand prize of a $100.00 Martingale Gift Certificate!!!

Good Luck to you all, and have a Happy Quilting / Cooking Day :)

Star Light Star Bright - Cutting

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of posts for the Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long.  If you would like to join (and have a chance to win one of 4 of the $75.00 Gift Certificate grand prizes sponsored by The Intrepid Thread and Fat Quarter Shop ) you can find a list of the post links here :)  Here is the schedule

Jan 15 - Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement

Jan 29 - Cutting

 Feb 5 - Flying Geese

Feb12 - Half Square Triangles

Feb 19 - Building Block Centers

Feb 26 - Building Block Sides

Mar 5 - Building Block Corners

Mar 12 - Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky

April 2- Star Light Star Bright Parade and Grand Prize Winners

So here we are at Jan 29th , so let's get right to it :)  

THIS WEEKS ASSIGNMENT - CUTTING

All of the cutting will be done using the same type of charts that we have been using so far.  Simply find the size block and layout that you are making and that will tell you the cutting you need to do.  If you have any problems viewing any of the charts, just click on them and they will com up larger :)   Here is the finished sizing chart, just in case you need a reminder of the block size and layout you are doing :)

PRINT FABRICS

We will start but cutting out all of the "print" fabrics.

 Using the chart below, cut the squares for your desired size and layout from each of your fabric cuts. For a 2 x 2 layout there will be 4 fabrics, for a 3 x 3 layout there will be 9 fabrics and for a 4 x 4 layout there will be 16 fabrics.  So, for example if you were doing the 3 x 3 layout in a 32" size block, you would cut (1) 9 1/4" x 9 1/4" square, (20) 5" x 5" squares, (4) 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" squares and (8) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares from your first fabric.  Then repeat that process for each of your remaining 8 fabrics.

**  Note - When cutting the first large block  (Some number and a 1/4") I like to cut the strip the next inch up.  This allows me to sub-cut the most amount of pieces from the left-over strip.  So in our example, I would cut my first strip 10" wide, then sub-cut a 9 1/4" square from it and then I can subcut all of my 5" squares and on down with the smaller squares from the remaining strip piece :)

EDIT - I have heard that there are lots of you wanting to do some "custom" layouts (yippee!!) and need the cutting broken down a bit.  So I hope this helps.  Here is the image of a block.  The yellow blocks are your basic squares, the red blocks are the HST's and the purple blocks are the Flying Geese.

In the print layout directions, the first cut is for the Goose of the Flying Geese unit, the second cut is the HST's, the third cut is for the sky in the Flying Geese unit and the last cut are the basic squares.  So in our example this is the colors for the cutting.  

From each of  the (9) 3/4 Yard Cuts

(1) 9 1/4" x 9 1/4" Square  
 (will make the large triangle "Goose" in the outside FG unit)

(20) 5" x 5" Squares

(4) 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" Squares  
(will make the 2 small triangles, "sky" in the inside FG unit)

(8) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"  Squares

I hope this helps.  If you have any other questions on your particular layout, please don't hesitate to send me an email and I will get back to you asap :)

BACKGROUND FABRIC

And now, we can move onto the background fabric :)

 Using the chart below, cut the squares for your desired size and layout from your background fabric.  So, for example if you were doing the 3 x 3 layout in a 32" size block, you would cut (9) 9 1/4" x 9 1/4" squares, (108) 5" x 5" squares then (36) 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" squares, and (72) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares from your background fabric.  For the sashing from your background fabric you will cut (12) 4" x 32 1/2" strips and (4) 4" x 110" strips.

**  Note - On the longer sashing strips you will need to piece together strips to reach the desired lenghth.  So in the example we have been using, you will need to piece 3 WOF strips together and then trim the strip down to 110 1/2".  Then repeat this to make a total of 4 strips that measure 110 1/2" :)

CUTTING TIPS

Here are a few helpful tips if you are new to cutting or just want to see how I like to cut.  This is the way I like to cut, it is not the only way to cut, so if you do it different, great :)  Do what you are comfortable with.  This is just more tidbits that might help save your some time and eliminate waste.

1 - Always press your fabrics first, it takes a second more but will help in keeping your pieces accurate.  I like to keep my iron at a super hot setting and use a little extra water from a spay bottle if I have any creases or folds that don't want to come out with a simple pass of the iron.

2 - Check the sharpness of your blade before starting to cut.  Sometimes I like to layer my fabrics a bit, especially if I am cutting several fabrics all the same way (like in the scrappy layouts.)  I never like to cut more then 4-6 layers at a time, and if I am cutting that many layers I always need to use a really sharp blade.  But if you are still beginning, I don't recommend cutting more than 2 layers of one fabric at a time as the fabric really tries to shift the more layers you have.

3 - Whenever cutting yardage, I always like to cut with the fold in my fabric lined up along the 0 horizontal line on my cutting mat.  I always start by cutting a straight edge along the left hand side of my fabric and then (as long as my yardage is short enough) trim the selvages from the top of my fabric.  (Almost always along the 21" horizontal line)

4 - I like to cut in strips and use the lines on my mat as cutting guides rather than my rulers.  Once I cut all of the strips I need, I slightly separate the different size strips, still keeping them aligned along the 0 horizontal line and the nearest vertical line, and then sub-cut the strip using the horizontal lines on my mat.  This allows me to cut a lot of squares quickly.

5 - When cutting strips, I always like to start with the largest piece first.  So I cut a strip the width of my largest piece (*See the note of cutting it to the next inch) and then sub-cut that strip as needed.  When sub-cutting, I always start at the top of my strip and work my way down, thus allowing the scrap to be on the fold and creating 1 large scrap instead of 2 small scraps.  Any extra of that strip can normally be sub-cut  into smaller pieces needed thus eliminating waste.

NOW GO START CUTTING :)

I hope these cutting tips help :)  Now, have some fun with your cutting!   Here's my fabrics all cut up :)  This weeks assignment wasn't to hard, right :)   And now the fun part, you can enter to win the weekly prize :)

The Weekly Prizes are sponsored by the Fort Worth Fabric Studio and a huge thanks goes to them for their support of the Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long.

This weeks  prize is a $20.00 Gift Certificate to Fort Worth Fabric Studio

So what do you have to do for a chance to win this Gift Certificate?  Simple . . . Just link up your fabrics all cut up at the end of this post :)  You can link to a blog post or a flickr picture, or whatever.  Just make sure to link up by next Wednesday morning as I will be announcing a winner at the beginning of next weeks post :)

If you don't get your cutting done by next week you can still link it up :) (just not in time for the prize :)    The linky will remain open until the end of the Quilt-A-Long.  So if your out of town, or just had a busy week, no worries!!!  Just link up when you can :)

And Don't forget to add your beautiful cut up fabric to the Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Flickr group!!!  I am so excited to see all of your beautiful fabrics all cut up ;)

So let's get cutting!!!  And if you have questions, don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Totally Awesome

This afternoon I am hoping to cut into these wonderful Sphere jelly rolls :)  I have a design all worked out to make a twin size quilt to go on my oldest sons bed.  Sphere by Zen Chic for Moda is the perfect pre-teen boy fabric!!  It is hip, fun, modern, and in my son's words "Totally Awesome".

So here is to a Happy Cutting Day!!!  Oh, and this quilt will also be playing double duty as it will be a tutorial for the Moda Bake Shop ;)  So if you are in need of a cool twin boy quilt, it's on its way :)

Grey was the Fave :)

Thanks so much for everyone's input on my puling fabrics post.  I think Grey won by a landslide :)  I decided to give the combo a try this weekend as I needed to come up with a quick quilt back.  So I grabbed some of the purple damask and added a grey stripe and wouldn't you know, I love it!!!!  I am so looking forward to making the bag now!!

Oh, and if you are wondering what the quilt is, sorry, you will have to wonder a little longer.  Remember these geese from the beginning of the month, the secret project ones, . . . that's what is on the other side.  But I can show you the fun spiral I quilted.  I just love the way these turn out, which is good because otherwise it wouldn't be worth the aching shoulder of maneuvering that quilt in a circle a million times ;)

So what did you get done this weekend??  Any quilting goodies??

Goal Gone Insane

So each new year our family sits down and makes "goals" for the year, family goals and personal goals.  One of my personal goals was to exercise more this year.   In my mind, this goal meant trying to work out 4ish times a week instead of the two times a week I am currently doing.  Not amazing, but for me  this was a goal that would be hard, but manageable. Oh, and it should be noted, that for exercise I go to the pool.  

So a random little fact here, all of my husband's siblings and most of their spouses were and are runners.  Their father is the High School Cross Country coach and has been since their first child was in High School.  A lot of them still get up early each morning to run.  Even my kids love to run.  I am the odd ball in the family when it comes to choice of exercise . . . can you see where this is going???

Back to the story.  Unbeknownst to me, my Brother-In-Laws were making similar goals.  Their goals were to run a race this year.  Well, my husband's older brother took that goal and went to the extreme with it.   After a few emails and some gentle prodding, the family is now preparing to run the Redrock Relay.  A 187 mile, 36 hour,  Relay Race with 12 members on a team that run from from Brian Head to Zion.   Hoolay!!!

When I first contemplated this idea, I was excited.  I figured this was a great way to meet my goal and have a ton of fun in the process training with my BIL's and SIL's.  So I was all "I can totally do that".  Sure, I have never ran a 5-K (I have swam that far, but never ran) but  I can run 3 of them in a day and a half.  Then I looked up the actual  course and found it is a lot more like running 3 10-K's.   What have I gotten myself into?? My excitement is turning into some serious nervous excitement.

 So here I am  . . . a blank page when it comes to running.  So, all of you quilter/runners,  do any of you have any great running training methods????   I don't think I could run a 400 without getting winded so I am talking like super beginner training.  Do I just go out and start running???  Should I start now????  

I think this means I will have to adjust my "schedule" some more, I wouldn't want running time to interfere with quilting time ;)   Maybe I can convince everyone that our team name should be something quilty related like "Running with Scissors" or "A Running Stitch".    We could even wear cool patchwork shirts. Look how cool this patchwork shirt from Oki-ni  is.  I could totally make 12 of those and maybe use Riley Blake neon's so we won't have to worry about getting hit in the middle of the night ;)

Have a Happy Quilting   (and possibly running) Weekend!!!

Pulling Fabrics

So next week is the annual Cedar Chest Quilters Guild Retreat and along with teaching 2 classes, I will also be taking a class.  And not just any class, a Bag Making class!!!  Yes, I am trying to stretch myself and am going to do some 3-D sewing.   Lucky for me,  Barbara is taking the class as well, so I will have a pro at my side at all times.  So yes, I am a little less nervous about totally wrecking the bag.

So as the class is next week, I figured I best get picking some fabrics.  For the main part of the bag, I knew that I wanted to use some of my Joel Dewberry True Colors Damask print.  I love the design and I love purple, couldn't be a better fit.   But now, I have to decide on pocket accents.

Edit - You guys are the greatest , I was totally hung up on the Aviary and the yellow was just the wrong tone.   So here are some new options.  These are all from True Colors.

Grey Lodge Lattice???

Yellow Herringbone???

Mint Lodge Lattice????

What do you think???  Grey, Yellow, or Mint???  Or Maybe a combo of 2??

We're a Week In!!

Can you believe, it has already been a week since the Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long began.  (And it has been a crazy week at that.)   But no worries, you still have a whole week to gather your fabric to be ready for cutting which will be posted next Wednesday the 29th :)

I am so excited for this Quilt-A-Long!!!  Already, there are so many wonderful fabric combinations popping up in the Flickr group ;)  I can't wait to see these beautiful fabrics take shape ;)

And from the responses I have been getting, this is looking to be the biggest Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long ever!!!   I know I am just going to blown away with how many of you are quilting-along with me.  It just makes me smile, you all are the greatest.

We even have mini Quilt-A-Long's within the Quilt-A-Long.  Eeek, so fun!!!   I already know of 3 gals who have gotten other gals in their area to join in and they are all quilting together.  The Shenandoah Valley gals have even made a Facebook group.  I just love to see this spreading so much quilting love :)

Oh, and just in case you didn't see, that is my Anthem bundle  being cut up in the pictures from yesterday.  I am getting all ready for next week!!  Yippee :)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!!

A 3G Sewing Day :)

There was no school yesterday, so during nap time Grandma came up and we had a three generation sewing day!!!  So much fun!!!  

I can't explain how happy it makes me to see my daughter just soaking this quilting up like a sponge.  She is currently working on a little quilt for her sister's birthday and already has another 5 projects or so planned when she finishes this one.  (Yup, quilter all the way :)

I so look forward to years and years filled with more sewing days like this one!!  It truly is Happy Quilting!!!

Quilting Along?? Did You See This???

First off, let me say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for all of the kind and loving comments you sent my way over the weekend.  I can't begin to explain how much they buoyed me up, you are the greatest!!!  I still feel awful about making this error, but I am so grateful for how understanding everyone is being about it.

In case you missed it, I posted here on Saturday, that I found an error in the fabric calculations for the QAL. Horror!!!  It was awful!!!   Somehow, I completely forgot the sashing, in calculating the fabric requirements and the block sizes.  So I spent Saturday afternoon frantically adding more block options so we could have those nice bed size blocks and reconfiguring fabric calculations for all the size options.

The good news is that the print fabrics are pretty much the same, and the size options are now pretty much the same as well, you might just be making a different size block to get the same size quilt you were aiming for.   But, the bad news is if you have already bought your fabrics, you will most likely need extra background fabric.    The corrected fabric calculations have been put in the original Fabric Requirement post that you can find here.  

So if you haven't already, please go check it out, I would hate to have someone going off the old ones.  (Although,  if you wanted to continue without sashings you are allowed by all means, it just makes a very different design :)

So this post is meant to be a double check, to make sure that everyone quilting along is now on the same page so that we can move on forward.   I am so excited for this Quilt-A-Long and I know that we can get over this hump and have a great time quilting together ;)  And yes, I am so incredibly glad I realized this now, before we started cutting.  This was bad enough, that would have been a complete melt-down.

Oh, and in case you are still looking for fabric, the Quilt-A-Long Kits have been adjusted for the new fabric requirements ;)  Thanks to Julie for being so patient with me and redoing all of her kits ;)

          

     

Let's all have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long - Changes in Fabric Requirements!!!!

I am so very sorry to all of you wonderful readers who are planning on participating in the Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long, but this afternoon I found that I made an error in the calculations on the fabrics.  I forgot to add the sashing in the background.  When I found this I literally felt sick.  I can not begin to explain how frustrated and upset I am with myself for making this error.  I wish I could turn back the clock and start over.  But sadly, I can't.

So now, all I can do is try to fix this as best as I can so we can move forward.   Because forgetting the sashing also changes the size of the quilt, I have added some additional block sizes so that we can once again have those wonderful bed size quilts.   So now, you have even more to choose from.  

The good news is that if you have already picked your size, the print fabrics are pretty much the same.  It just might mean you are making a different size block.  So for example, the 3 x 3 layout to have a queen now you use the 28" block (a new size) instead of the 32" block.   And there was only a 4 1/2" difference in fabric for the print, so you would just have a little extra strip to add into the binding if you like.

The bad news is that you need more background fabric in all of the projects.  If you are doing the 1 x 1 layouts this is most likely not a big deal.  But as your projects get larger you are looking at a full yard or more extra.   I am so, so, sorry that this will cause some of you to go back to the store again.  If this is causing you a huge issue (like having to pay for additional shipping if you ordered online) please let me know and I will try to fix those problems as best as I can, including paying for your additional shipping.

You can find the New Fabric Requirements in the Quilt-A-Long Fabric Requirement Post here.  

Again, I am so, so, so, sorry!!!   Please, please, please, do not hesitate to email me with any questions :)

We will fix this together and move forward with the Quilt-A-Long and I promise we are still going to have so much fun!!!!

Class Finishes!!!

I am back from the Quilt St. George retreat and it was so much fun!!!  All three of my classes were just fantastic.  Each of the ladies in my classes were just wonderful. We laughed and sewed and laughed some more, and sewed some more. I made lots of new sewing friends and even got to meet, in person, some of the wonderful sewing friends I have made through this blog.  What a fantastic way to spend 2 days :)  Oh, and I even got to meet Dr. Bob from Superior Threads and earn my PhD in Threadology!!!

I love teaching!!!  It is just absolutely wonderful to be surrounded by quilting.  To hear the hum of so many sewing machines running all at once. (which did pop the breaker a few times, but I have realized that is just part of a quilting class ;)  I I love to see all of the different fabric choices and watch my designs come to life in so many different color palettes.  And yes, I leave each class thinking I need to make that particular quilt another three times because I have fallen in love with new color choices :)  Most of all, I love to see these ladies get so excited and have such a good time quilting!!

And while everyone was having a wonderful time with friends, they also worked real hard.  Seriously, those machines were humming.   And by the end of class, there were a lot of finishes to show for it ;)

Here are the finishes from the Braided Irish Chain class

And the finishes from the Starburst Class

And of course, I totally forgot to take my camera out for The Way The Crow Flies class.  I knew it was going to happen at some point :)  But those ladies did fantastic as well ;)

But like I said, these ladies worked hard and all their finishes totally shows it :)  All in all, an absolutely wonderful two days of quilting goodness!!!

And I even managed while in St. Geroge to finish up all the pre-work and get the Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long started!!!  (Yes, I was up a little late on Tuesday night :)   The first Quilt-A-Long  post went up Wednesday morning and had all of the fabric requirements, schedule, and the Prizes!!!!  Yippee, I am so excited.  This is going to be such a fantastic Quilt-A-Long ;)  We are spending 2 weeks to gather or order fabric so you have lots of time to jump in :)  It is going to be so much fun and with 1 x 1 layout options you can squeeze it in easy :)

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend :)

Linking up these finishes to Amanda's and Sarah's :)

Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long - Schedule, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes!!!

******  Note - The Corrected Fabric Requirements are now in this post.  Please note that these are different from the original posting.  (See here for explanation)  Again, I am so incredibly sorry for the inconvenience this is causing, I wish I could make it so like it never happened.  Please, please, do not hesitate to email with any questions you have.

It's here!!  The Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long officially starts today!!!  Today's post is going over everything you need to know to Quilt-A-Long.   There will be a post each Wednesday from January 29th until March 12 with weekly assignments and then there will be a Parade and Grand Prizes on April 2nd.  So . . . onto a little rundown on how it's going to work!!

THE HOW TO

The Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long is my own quilt design and I hope you enjoy putting it together.  The quilt-a-long will include 6 different sizes for the Star Light Star Bright block giving you multiple layout options.  You can also choose how many blocks you want in your quilt.  You can do a  1 x 1 block layout, 2 x 2 block layout, 3 x 3 block layout, and/or a 4 x 4 block layout.  This quilt will not be made by making one block at a time but rather a more assembly line process.  Once the units are done, then the blocks will be created.   I broke down the construction of the quilt into 7 weeks and then added an additional 2 weeks to get it basted, quilted, and bound.  The schedule will be as follows

Jan 15 - Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement

Jan 29 - Cutting

 Feb 5 - Flying Geese

Feb12 - Half Square Triangles

Feb 19 - Building Block Centers

Feb 26 - Building Block Sides

Mar 5 - Building Block Corners
Mar 12 - Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky

April 2- Star Light Star Bright Parade and Grand Prize Winners

So count on checking back each Wednesday to see what the next week's assignment will be.  You will want to try to keep up weekly as there will be prizes along the way!!   Be sure to take a picture of your finished weekly assignment so that you can link it up for the weekly prizes :)  Oh, and if you are new to quilting, no worries, this will be super beginner friendly! I will go through each step in great detail in the Wednesday posts.

CHOOSING A SIZE BLOCK AND BLOCK LAYOUT

So to start, you need to make some choices.  What size project do you want to make and with what size blocks. Check out this chart below to help you decide what size project you want to make and with how many blocks in it.  A 1 x 1 layout is 1 block, a 2 x 2 layout is 4 blocks, a 3 x 3 layout is 9 blocks (Kits provided for this layout) , and a 4 x 4 layout is 16 blocks.

Alright, have you chosen a size project.  Great, let's see what fabrics you are going to need.

THE FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

Regardless of what quilt you want to make you will need to choose fabrics to make your "star" which I refer to as print fabrics and fabrics to make up the background of the quilt ie . . background fabrics.   You will also need binding fabric and backing fabric for when you are ready to finish up your quilt :)  (Because we area all about finishes, no wip's here :)

Print Fabric Requirements

Use the chart below to determine the amount of print fabrics you will need.  In all layouts except the 1x1 layout the total number of fabrics are the same the number of blocks in your quilt.  The size of each fabric depends on the size of your project.  In the 1x1 layout, you will need to select 3 different fabrics.  The "Main" fabric is the fabric that makes up the "diamond" around the star.  The 2 star fabrics are the fabrics that will make up the star in the center of the quilt ;)

Background Fabric Requirement
  See the chart below for the amount of background fabric you will need for your particular size project.  ( I will be showing everything with a white background fabric, but you don't have to use white, feel free to choose any color you like for the background)

Binding and Backing Requirement
Refer to the two charts below for the requirements you will need for binding and backing for your particular project :)

THE STAR SURROUND QUILT-A-LONG KITS

I have asked my wonderful friend and sponsor Julie from the Intrepid Thread, to put together some custom bundles together for Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long.  And as always, she came up with some stunning options for you.   The Kits are made for the 3 x 3 layout and can be found in all 3 sizes (baby, picnic, and queen) in that layout.  Julie even gives you the option of choosing your background color :)    I went ahead and put each bundle into the quilt layout so you could get an idea of how they will look in the quilt. 

 And as before, These bundles are at a special Quilt-A-Long discount price, but  Julie didn't stop there. Use the coupon code HAPPYQAL10 at your checkout and receive and extra 10% off your order.  Yup, that's additional discounts on your purchase that you can use on your binding and backing as well as your already low priced kit, Yippee Skippee!!!    Thanks Julie!!

Anthem Quilt Kit

        

Carry The Torch Quilt Kit  

        

  

Finish Line Quilt Kit

        

Gold Medal Finish Quilt Kit

        

         

Winter Games Quilt Kit

        

Aren't these just fabulous. Julie has impeccable taste in fabric!! Good Luck choosing a favorite!! It was a super hard choice for me, but in the end I decided I am going with Anthem.  I am so excited!  And like I mentioned, you can choose your color background as well.  So don't be afraid to do something other than white, look how adding a background color changes up these kits ;)  Stunning!!!!

Carry the Torch with Grey

Winter Games with Navy

THE PRIZES

I am so very excited about the Prizes for this Quilt-A-Long!!  I don't know about you, but I know that I am highly more motivated to keep up and finish when there are prizes at stake ;)  So how about this for a little motivation.

All those that finish their quilt top will be eligible for the Grand Prize.  The Grand Prize's are sponsored by The Intrepid Thread and Fat Quarter Shop and huge Thank You goes out to Julie and Kimberly for their generosity in these prizes.  Wan't to know what they are???

A $75.00 Gift Certificate that you can spend as you like!!  There will be 4 lucky Grand Prize winners, 2  winners will receive a Gift Certificate to The Intrepid Thread and 2 winners will receive a Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  Talk about some fun Shopping Sprees!!!  And if that whopping amount of fabric goodness isn't motivation, then I don't know what is!!

    

But . . . Sometimes it is hard to keep motivated when the end is so far away.  So for that . . . We have a little Weekly Motivation.  Each week you will be able to link up (You don't have to have a blog to link up, you can link to a flickr picture :) your completed assignment for a chance to win the weekly prize.    These Weekly Prizes will be sponsored by several of my Sponsors and will be so fun!!!

    

   

So ya,  there is lots of wonderful fabric to be won!!!  So keep up and sew on!!!

THE BUTTONS AND FLICKR

 Now down to the last of the nitty gritty.  First, If you are Quilting-A-Long and have a blog, It would be wonderful if you added the button to your blog :)   It really helps to spread the word and  the more that Quilt-A-Long the better!!!  If you have already added the button, thank you!!!

 

  <a border="0" href="http://happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com/p/quilt-longs.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik31iuIOx5j-Ee7SRPUDaK1NlO7WjKWbKG2e4qj0yRGSdaFZc-_7SHFFoFRQAVpLMUVP68DOTIzZawX1CxCs9U1witHdXU0wHFVQ1675V26NRgNrDDB8uCncq7SjKR9Z-09znebKY6bB0/s1600/SLSB+Button.jpg"/></a>

Second, I would love it if you joined the Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Flickr group.  You can post your fabric here, your progress, ask questions, ect.   And it is a super fun place to get to chat along with everyone participating :)  

LET'S GET GOING!!

So that just about wraps it up!!! You have two weeks for this assignment, round up your fabric.  On Jan 29th you will be getting your cutting assignments.

Now I know that was a lot for one post, so if you have any questions at all regarding the Quilt-A-Long please do not hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.  I don't want anyone to not participate because they are confused by my rambling :)  And one last thing, please feel free to make your quilt your own.  If you want a different layout, great!  Want to add a border, perfect!!  What ever you envision, you make it, all will be eligible for prizes :)  Now . . .  Let's get Quilting-A-Long!!!