Friday, February 17, 2017

Happy Flower Quilts Blog Hop and Giveaway!


Today is my stop on the Happy Flower Quilts blog hop hosted by Zakka Workshop celebrating one of the most anticipated books in the quilting world, "Happy Flower Quilts" by Atsuko Matsuyama.  Many of us have had the Chinese translation for years and about flipped when we found out it was going to be published by Zakka Workshop in English.






































I have loved Atsuko Matsuyama's body of work for many years.  As a Japanese quilter and fabric designer, her fabric and designs have inspired my own sewing and quilting and made me want to be better at my craft.   I was also thrilled to discover that one of my favorite bloggers and designers, Kristyne Czuperyk from Pretty By Hand, is one of the technical editors for the English edition.






































I had great fun making the "Flowers and Birds Baby Quilt".  The fabric I chose is the soon to be released "Old New 30's Collection" and "Dots and Gingham" made and provided by Lecien Corporation.  As a World Ambassador for Lecien I have the wonderful opportunity of working with many of their fabrics and this line did not disappoint, it is gorgeous and perfect for this project!  The pattern incorporated both applique and embroidery.  I used Lecien Cosmo embroidery floss. 













































































The book was an absolute joy to work with!  The instructions are clear with detailed photos and good explanations of the techniques used for each project.  Pattern sheets are provided for all of the various projects which include quilts, bags, pouches, pin cushions, sewing kits and more.

Zakka Workshop is generously giving away a copy of Happy Flower Quilts by Atsuko Matsuyama, at each stop on the blog tour.  The giveaway is open world wide.  To enter leave a comment on this post and a winner will be chosen on the last day of the blog hop, Wednesday, March 1.



Please visit the other blogs and IG for awesome projects and lots of eye candy! 

After the blog hop there will be a Quilt Along on Instagram (#happyflowerqal) featuring the Happy Flower Quilt Sampler, featured on the book cover. The quilt along will be hosted by Kristyne (@prettybyhand), Wynn (@zakkaart), and Melissa (@ohhowsweetco). It will kick off on March 6th.  We hope you join in on the fun!









Wednesday, February 15, 2017

2017 Patchwork Quilt Along - February Block
















































Today marks the second installment of the Patchwork Quilt along, hosted by the Fatquarter Shop, which benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation.   This month the block pattern is "Diamond Panes" and is quick and fun to make!  The patchwork quilt blocks are FREE to download on the 15th of every month.  We only ask a suggested donation of $5 to our Make-A-Wish campaign for each pattern you download.

For my quilt I am using Retro 30"s Child Smile by Lecien.  It's a fun happy fabric and is a joy for me to work with!

All of the information about the quilt along as well as the pattern can be found on the Fatquarter shop blog, the Jolly Jabber.  We hope you join in on the fun!


 
 
 
 
 
 We have some wonderful quilty friends joining along for this great cause! Be sure to check out their blogs every month to watch their process, and to see what fun fabric collections they have selected!

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl (@jedicraftgirl)
Amy of Diary of a Quilter (@diaryofaquilter)
Andy of A Bright Corner (@abrightcorner)
*Bonnie of Cotton Way (@bonniecottonway)
*Camille of Thimble Blossoms (@thimbleblossoms)
Debbie of Happy Little Cottage (@happylittlecottage1)
Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)
Heidi of Buttons and Butterflies (@buttonsandbutterflies)
Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)
Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)
Pat Sloan of PatSloan.com (@quilterpatsloan)
Renee of Sewn with Grace (@sewnwithgrace)
Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)
Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)
Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)
Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)
Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)
Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie of Moda Cutting Table
 
Please share your progress and creations with us on our Patchwork Facebook group. Post your blocks using #patchworkquiltalong on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.