Star Light Star Bright Finished!

It is hard to believe that it was the beginning of February, when Melissa of Happy Quilting revealed her next Quilt-A-Long - Star Light Star Bright.  I had joined in on her Star Surround QAL and that quilt turned out to be my favorite quilt of 2013.  So I was very excited to join in on the fun again.

I didn't have any time to shop so I decided to use this pile of fabrics that had been hanging around for a bit with no real project in mind for it.  The fabrics are called Simple Marks by Malka Dubrawsky.

 I was intrigued by how this circle print would work in the quilt.  I always like a challenge!

I decided to go with only 4 blocks but make them big at 28" each.  This would make a finished quilt about 62" square.

As I looked at the pictures Melissa shared, I was really drawn to the sashing/corner stones and the patterns they made.  So I decided to make them out of a seperate background color to accentuate them a bit.















Well, here is my finished quilt!  I have to say I really like how it turned out!

Each block only uses 4 prints but the circle print really makes it look like more.  Both of the background fabrics are an older woven fabric line that Moda used to make.  They have a wonderful texture to them. 
 








Here are some pictures of the quilting while it was loaded on my longarm.  To squeeze it in between customer quilts, I had to work quite a few long days at my machine.

To trick the eye, I always like to come up with quilting designs that create blocks that really aren't there.  I loved the block that formed where the true blocks came together.

It was another very successful Quilt-A-Long.  It did take a few late nights but I was able to keep up with each weeks assignments.









 Thanks Melissa for hosting another great Quilt-Along.  If you haven't already seen the parade of quilts Melissa put together, you can pop over to her blog and check out all the rest of the finished quilts!

Linking up with Pretty Bobbins, TGIFF, Richard and Tanya Quilts, Fabric Frenzy Friday, Crazy Mom Quilts, Sew Can She and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

And as this is another item on my Bloom project list, I will also be linking up with Joanie's Trendy Quilts.

Finished QAL Quilt Top

Well, here it is!  The finished top for the Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long hosted by Happy Quilting.  I decided to go with fewer blocks (4) in a bigger scale this time so each block is 28" making this quilt about 60" square. The print fabrics are from the simple marks line by Malka Dubrawsky.

There are only 4 different prints used in this quilt so getting the colors to balance was a bit difficult.  But I love all the different patterns this block creates so I am looking forward to quilting it.  Melissa definitely came through with another great QAL.

While it is hard to see in these pictures I used two background fabrics that are just a few shade apart.  Both are older Moda cross-weaves - one is wheat colored and the other is a burlap color.  I really like the effect it gives the quilt. 

Melissa will be sharing a parade of finished quilts on her blog April 2nd.  You can also take a peek at all the finished tops here.  It has been great fun seeing all the fabric and color choices in each quilt.

I have scheduled time at the end of this month to get this one loaded onto my longarm so I should be sharing a completed quilt in early April.  Now to start thinking about a design....

Linking up with Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times, Anything Goes Mondays at Stitch by Stitch, Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story and Freemotion by the River for Linky Tuesday.

Star Light Star Bright QAL - Corners

I find it hard to believe that we are already nearing the end of Melissa's Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long.  In the next post on this project, I will be sharing the finished quilt top!  Guess I had better make some room on my longarm schedule to get it quilted up so I can link it up to the parade of quilts scheduled for April 2nd.

 This week has us sewing up the corners of our blocks.  With only 4 big blocks, whipping out these 16 units were easy peasy!

 Can't wait to see it all together!

  It is such great fun to see what fabrics others are using for thier quilts.  you can head to Happy Quilting and see for yourself how beautiful they are all turning out.

Linking up with Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times, Anything Goes Mondays at Stitch by Stitch, Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story and Freemotion by the River for Linky Tuesday.

More QAL Progress

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to share any of my progress this week.  

Technology is great but when it goes south, before you know it, you have spent hours and hours getting everything running again!

 So with a little coaxing, I was finally able to talk my camera into downloading my pictures!

This week's assignment for the Star Light Star Bright Quilt Along at Happy Quilting was to sew up the sides of our blocks.  With very few seams, I had these all done in an evening!

They are so pretty all laid out!  I can't believe that in a couple of weeks, we will have a finished quilt top!

I have really enjoyed seeing everyone else' quilts coming along.  You too can check them out here.

 I will be sharing this Anything Goes Mondays at Stitch by Stitch, Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times and Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River.

Seeing Stars - QAL

Even with all the projects I have going on around here, I'm delighted to say I have been keeping up with each week's assignment for the Star Light Star Bright Quilt Along at Happy Quilting.  This week was the simple task of assembling up our star centers.  As I am only making 4 giant stars, in no time at all, I was finished.

 At this stage, I can really see this quilt starting to come together.  I love the bold colors and the simplicity of only using these four prints throughout the quilt.

Once I start a quilt, I keep an eye out for a good deal on the backing fabric.  I was ecstatic that I was able to pick up the red and green circle fabric from Fort Worth Fabrics.  Not only was it on sale but they were temporarily discounting their sale items by an additional 20%. WooHoo!  To celebrate, I might have even threw a few other items in my shopping cart.

Want to see what fabrics other are using for this Quilt-A-Long?  You can check out everyone's links here.

I will be sharing this Anything Goes Mondays at Stitch by Stitch, Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times and Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River.

 

Star Light Star Bright QAL – HSTs

This weeks assignment for the Star Light Star Bright Quilt Along at Happy Quilting was to sew up all the MANY half square triangles.

Before the triangles could be sewn, a final color placement needed to be determined to know what fabrics to sew together.  With this QAL, there are lots of placement options and I have to admit, I agonized for days on this.

Melissa thoughtfully supplied some coloring sheets to assist with the layout but as I am a very visual person, I ended up putting the entire quilt up on a design wall  and played with various layouts.

One of the fabrics I am using are circles printed in lots of colors.  There were a few blocks I changed as the contrast was not strong enough.

I love the blocks though and hope to find another use for them in the future.

Trimming up all those HSTs was a breeze with my Bloc Loc ruler.   The task is still tedious though so watching the Olympics definitely helped.

Hurray...my half square triangles are done and I'm awaiting next week's assignment!

I will be sharing this with the following linky parties. Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River, Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts, WIP Wednesday with Freshly Pieced and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.  Be sure and check out these blogs for even more quilty inspiration.

Star Light Star Bright QAL - Geese Finishes

 I am so happy to be joining Melissa again for her Star Light Star Bright QAL.  This week our "homework" was to sew up the geese blocks.  

As I am making 4 giant blocks, this assignment went fairly quickly.

 I am really liking this quilt already!

 

If you are interested in seeing what fabrics others are using or to simply join in, you can simply follow this link.  I am in love with many of the color combinations I am seeing and can't wait to see these beautiful quilts progress.

I will be sharing this with the following linky parties. Anything Goes over at Stitch by Stitch, Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River, Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts, WIP Wednesday with Freshly Pieced and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.  Be sure and check out these blogs for even more quilty inspiration.

Star Light Star Bright QAL - Cutting the Fabric

Just last week, I made an eleventh hour decision to join the Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A Long over at Happy Quilting. The cutting instructions were sent out last Wednesday and I am happy to say I have my pieces all cut out!






I am loving these Malka Dubrawsky fabrics I chose for the project. These four prints are from her Simple Marks line. I think they look great with the warm tan fabric I have chosen for the background.


I can't wait to start sewing on this.

If you haven't seen the quilt, you can check it out below.  I am only making 4 blocks but at 28"each, the quilt will still be a nice lap size.

There is still time to join in on the fun! How about you, are you in?


Be sure and check out Melissa linky party to see what great fabrics others are using. There are so many beautiful color combinations - you really will want to check them all out.

 Linking up with Happy Quilting and Sunday Stash at Molli Sparkles.

Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long (Sure I can!)

At the last minute I have decided to join Melissa in her Star Light Star Bright Quilt-A-Long.  I have been waffling with the decision ever since she announced it in early January.  I thought I had finally convinced myself that I really didn't have time to participate and had erased it from my schedule and project list.

 My how things can change in a day!  I guess my defiant self is who got out of bed this morning and  decided to heck with sleep for the next few weeks.  I so enjoyed the Star Surround quilt I made in Melissa's last QAL,  I really do want to join in so I pulled some fabric, put it back on my project list and wrote it back into my blog schedule.

I decided to go with some Malka Dubrawsky fabrics I had purchased some time ago.  This is from her Simple Marks line.

I also pulled some dark blue Quilter's Linen and an older Moda cross weave for some possible backgrounds.  Not sure yet which way I will go.







I am hoping to work this amazing fabric in and create some fun effects in the HSTs.  I plan on making the 28" blocks so if my math is correct, these squares should just work!

I'm excited to get started!

Sharing my madness with Freemotion by the River, Quiltstory, Sew Fresh Quilts and Freshly Pieced.  If I tell enough people, then I'm committed to the project!