Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along - Star of Bethlehem

I cannot believe it is May already!  This year is seriously flying by.  And May means we are working on the Star of Bethlehem block for our Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along!!  I don't know about you, but I've been looking forward to this block.  It is so pretty!  Here is Julianna's version of the block....

 

Don't you just love the shooting star effect?  Julianna is seriously so talented.  I'm so happy she's letting us do this quilt along!!  So here's the link to Julianna's original post for the block and here's a link to the pattern.  Don't forget to turn off the scaling.  I'll see you on the last day of the month for our link up!

Speaking of which, here's the link for our April link up.  Grab a button!  We've only done 4 blocks so far so definitely time to join in.

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Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along - Dala Horse

Today's the day! Last day of the month means we are linking up our Dala Horse blocks for this month's block in the Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along!  As a reminder, here is what our quilt designer's, Julianna's, block looked like...

 

And here is my version...

 

Now it's your turn!  Grab a button and link up your finishes!  Starting tomorrow, we'll be working on the Star of Bethlehem!

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    An InLinkz Link-up

Today, I'll be linking up with My Quilt Infatuation for NTT, Fort Worth Fabric Studio Fabric Frenzy, Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop, and Quilt Art Designs Paper Piecing Party.

Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along - Dala Horse

Today is the first day in April, and I promise, no April Fool's jokes will be played here today!  Here's where we are so far on our Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along...

 

This month, we're working on the Dala Horse.   Here is Julianna's version...

And here's what she had to say about the Dala Horse:

The origins of Dala Horse are well known: it's Scandinavian icon. I knew that it's well-loved by quilters, so I have to include it in the quilt patterns (good news is that Dala Horse will be one of the 4 patterns available also in bigger size). What I didn't know is that it was on the list of prohibited items, but it was long time ago, so now we can admire it peacefully.

I had never heard of the Dala Horse so this will definitely give our quilts an international flair!  

So here's a link to Julianna's page about the Dala Horse where she links to her shop with the pattern.  And just in case you are having trouble finding it, I've included it as a PDF here.

Come grab a button and play along!  It is definitely not too late to join in the fun.  And remember to come back at the end of the month and link up your completed Dala Horses!

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Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along - Snowflake

So, did you get your snowflake blocks for March completed??? I finished mine up over the weekend. Today is the day to show off those blocks and link up for our Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along!  Here's my snowflake block...

 

Let me just say that this one was a bit more challenging.  We had 17 paper pieces.  My paper piecing skills are definitely improving with this quilt along.  Here are my first three blocks together...

 

I'm having so much fun with this one!  Now it's your turn.  Come show off your snowflake block and let's see how everyone is progressing!

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Today I'll be linking up with Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story, Show and Tell Tuesday at I Have to Say,  Too Cute Tuesday at Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Handmade Tuesdays at Ladybug Blessings, and Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts.  And on Wednesday at WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced and Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts.  And finally, on Friday with Quilt Art Designs for Paper Piecing Friday and Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?!?

 

Now here's our linkup for your snowflake blocks...

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along - Snowflake

I'm so late with this post!!!  I'm terribly sorry but this flu bug has been kicking my butt.  Thanks to Julianna at Quilting Under Rainbow, we are being allowed to do a quilt along using her fabulous paper piecing patterns.  This month we are making the easier of the two snowflakes.  Here is Julianna's version....

 

Isn't it gorgeous???  I'm pretty excited about this one and am hoping to attack it this week.  When I do, I'll be giving a step by step process on how to make it for those of you who are iffy on your paper piecing skills.  

I also received an email last week about having difficulty in printing the pattern.  I've gone ahead and attached it here.  Hope it helps!!

So come grab a button and join us in the fun.  The linkup will be on March 31st and run for a week so you have plenty of time.  And I'm working on another fun prize for one of the linkers this month so come play!!

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Be sure to stop back by tomorrow to link up your leader/ender projects!

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Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along - Bell

I know I've been missing lately. I'm sorry guys, but I've been so sick that I just haven't had the energy to sew.  I know, shocking right?!?  But I'm starting to feel better and actually touched the sewing machine last night so we're getting back on track.  But....today's the day for our February link up for our Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along!!!  This month, we're linking up our bells...

This month's block was a bit more challenging.  But I absolutely love it!!  Guys, I'm not an expert at paper piecing.  I'd consider myself pretty new at it actually.  So if I can make these blocks, anyone can.  Next month, I'll share with you how I put the block together.  They are supposed to get gradually harder as we go so I'm hoping if you see some tips to make it easier, you'll feel encouraged to join us!  :)

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Now for the link up!  Let's see your bells!

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

A Little Bit of Everything

The last week has been absolutely crazy!!  Cassidy had her first competition of the season on Saturday so we've been crazy busy getting ready for/through that.  We have another one next weekend so I'm trying to get as much done in the few non-crazy days we have before then.  So let me catch you up on what I've been doing.  First up, I made some cookies for Cassidy to take to competition...

 

My daughter is a red velvet nut so when I saw these red velvet sugar cookies over at Creme de la Crumb, I knew I had to make them for her for Valentine's day.  And they didn't disappoint.  The recipe for the cookie is different than any cookie I've made, but both Cassidy and my middle son, Alex, swear they are wonderful.  I haven't tried them because I'm trying to avoid too much in the way of sweets, but if the icing is any indication, they are absolutely right. 

Saturday, I had 15 hours of sitting on gym bleachers.  Yes, 15.  I knew I'd go absolutely nuts sitting there twiddling my thumbs for that long so I grabbed some yarn and a crochet hook and a pattern off ravelry and went to work.

 

I haven't crocheted in years so I really didn't plan to work on something I'd keep, just something to keep my hands busy.  But, my friends, I had fun with this.  Trouble is, I don't have enough of the yarn to finish, have no idea what the yarn is to try to get more, so the project stops there.  So I did make a trip to the store Sunday to get some yarn to take with me next weekend, enough to complete the project I'm going to be working on.  Chances are, you'll see more crochet work here in the future.

Sunday, I was finally able to start working on my quilting projects again.  First up, the frogs for this week's installment of the Elephant Parade QAL.

 

I still need to do the handwork on them, but they are adorable.  The green one is for the Elephant Parade QAL and the pink and blue ones are for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

Speaking of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I also finished up the second block for the quilt that so scrappy designed.  This time it's a bear paw block framed by the sawtooth star.  I really had to dig deep into the scrap bin to find the pinks for this month.

 

Next up, I did this month's block for the Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along.   This month we are making the bell...

After working on this block, I thought that it would probably be good to walk y'all through it as it was a bit more difficult than last month.  Be looking for that later today.

And last, but certainly not least, we have this month's block for the Fat Quarter Shop's Snapshots QAL.  This month is the sewing machine.

I'm using my Miss Kate fabrics for this quilt along and absolutely love how this one turned out.

Okay, y'all, you're all caught up with me now.  Today we have the linky party for your leader/ender projects here.   And it's not too late to join in our Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along.

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Today I'm linking up with Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday, Monday Makers, BOM's Away at Whatahoot, Choose Your Own Block Along at Live a Colorful Life, Show and Tell Tuesday at I have to say, and Let's Be Social at Sew Fresh Quilts and My Quilt Infatuation for NTT Thursday.

Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along - Bell

I almost forgot that today was the day to post a link to our next block, the bell.  This is another beginner to intermediate level block.  Here is Julianna's version...

I had so much fun with last month's blocks and am really enjoying seeing other people's versions so come link up this week here.  One lucky person who links up will win a beautiful batik fat quarter pack!!  

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Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along - Christmas Trees Linkup

Today's the day!!!  Our first linkup for the Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along!!  Did y'all have as much fun with this block as I did?

I wish this picture could do this block justice.  The background just sparkles silver.  It's so pretty!  :)  I can't wait to see how yalls blocks have turned out.  I have a stack of gorgeous batik fat quarters that will randomly be given to one of you lucky people linking up your completed block.  I'll leave this open for a week and draw the winner next Saturday. 

Linking up with BOM's Away at Whatahootquilts and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story and Cooking Up Quilts.

Bring it on!  Let's see what you've made...

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    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Friday Night Sew In Goals

Hi y'all!  This week I happened upon a sew in going on tomorrow night.  I got all excited about the idea then never took the time to post about it.  Boy am I running late!  But here it goes...

It is being hosted by Sugarlane Quilts and there are prizes involved!  :)  Yup, just for doing what I'd be doing anyway....sewing!  So, here is what I want to accomplish...

First, I want to finish up the quilt shops for this month's row of the Quilter's Garden Swap.  Deana designed the cutest quilt shops and I've been making mini sized Dear Jane blocks for the quilts in each shop.  Here's Deana's design wall showing all of the rows so far....

Isn't she super talented????  I love this swap so much!  Can't wait to start constructing the houses.

Then I need to make the first block in our Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along.  Julianna at Sewing Under Rainbow designed this fabulous paper pieced series just before Christmas last year.  She gave me permission to host a year long quilt along to finish up this quilt by next Christmas!!!  This month's block is the Christmas trees.

So, yeah, not all of that is going to happen Friday night.  Let's just say those are my goals for the weekend.  :)  You should come sew along too!  It looks to be a ton of fun.

And if you feel like joining in on the Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along, grab a button and come play!

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Not So Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along!

Don't put up your Christmas fabrics yet!  I'm so excited to bring you a new quilt along.  Late November/early December of last year, the lovely Julianna at Sewing Under Rainbow created the Last Minute Christmas Quilt Along.  Well, at the time, there was no way possible to add another project to my list to get done before Christmas.  But I started wondering about working on it during this next year to have it done by NEXT Christmas.

Just look at these awesome blocks!  I mean, who could resist??  So I contacted Julianna and asked if she'd mind if I hosted a quilt along with monthly linky parties to make her quilt over the next year.  And she said YES!  She even said she has readers that were asking about making it over this next year.

So, I thought we'd do one block a month, doing the last one in December.  We'll do a linky party on the last day of each month.  And....I thought I'd even come up with a prize for each linky party to help motivate us to stay on track.  Yes?  I can't wait!

So, on the first of each month, I'll post a link to Julianna's page with the pattern.  The last day of the month, we link up.  Easy Peasy!

Here's the schedule:

January - Christmas Trees
January Link Up
February - Bell
February Link Up
March - Snowflake
March Link Up
April - Dala Horse
April Link Up
May - Star of Bethlehem
June - Angel
July - Candles
August - Reindeer
September - Nutcracker
October - Nativity Scene (Castle)
November - Christmas Gifts
December - Folk Snowflake

So...are you in??  I can't wait to sew with you!  Grab a button and come play!!

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