SunBurst Granny Square Blanket

I've seen these lovely Granny Square blocks in IG posts and haven't really taken the time to investigate...but all of a sudden I needed a new evening project, and a break from my English Paper Piecing ongoing two year heirloom project.....I know I'm really just procrastinating again...but I really need to switch up my evening projects so I don't get bored not to mention throw in the towel on the hand sewing! 🙄

I'm making lots of white hexies for sides and top/bottom, and sashing for each triple diamond

3/4" hexies fit perfectly in the embroidery floss storage containers!

Anyway, I looked up Granny Squares hoping to find these fun blocks and yeah for Google, this is what I found out...the block is called a SunBurst Granny Square and there are lots of free patterns and tutorials out there!!

I had a few (5 to be exact) Bernat Cotton large balls left from when I was crocheting Ponchos, and being as its finally turned hot around here, cotton seemed the smart choice!! It won't be as scrappy as some of the blankets I've seen online but, with a variegated yarn and 3 solid colours, I think it is going to be gorgeous.


I started with this tutorial from Nittybits, but I learn new stitches better with a visual, so I found a four part YouTube video too from Bella Coco.

I had 3 blocks completed and was using the  join as you go method to finish the blocks, when I stumbled upon  a continuous join as you go sheet and tutorial. Well, I'm always up for a new challenge and learning experience and it just makes sense to have less joins and ends to weave in. With 4 rounds per block of ends to weave in already, I'm all for cutting out anymore.

So I pulled out the yarn from the 3 blocks I had already joined together and got thinking that maybe I wanted my blocks to be a little bigger anyway...so I'm adding the squaring round now instead of using it for the joining round!!

Now I have the continuous joining layout sheet (follow the link) and the 3 part YouTube tutorial is found in the same link.

I will still be using the green to join and would have started but I need to buy more yarn and didn't mix my yarns up enough for my liking so will start joining after I have crocheted a few more.
Hope this gives anyone thinking of trying theses lovely little blocks the info and inspiration they need to give it a go!!

Will post more pictures as the blanket grows...as it turns out these colours will go perfectly in my little grand baby's room, arriving in October and already getting spoiled.....lol! This baby will have no shortage of blankets and quilts to cuddle with, not to mention, baskets, bags or anything else I know how to lovingly create for this little treasure!!

Have a great week everyone and 
Happy Memorial weekend to all celebrating !!

One Block Wonders BOM........May Blooms Link Up

One Block Wonders BOM 

May Blooms Quilt block was sponsored by 

and I used these fantastic shades from the Cottom Supreme Solids line.....

and the result was this lovely version of my May Blooms Quilt pattern....

 I love how the blocks came together to form these lovely flower blocks, but I wanted to add some length, so I came up with the idea to add some text to one of the borders...

and what else do you add to a May Blooms Quilt then April Showers....bring May flower
Just Perfect!

I don't always know when I start a quilt project who I'm making it for, 

but usually somewhere along the building journey it all becomes very clear....

and I knew part way through that I was making this one 

for my wonderful Mother-in-law! I was able to gift it to her on Mother's Day, and she loved it!! 

So I've shared my version of the block in a few posts now.....

Now it's your turn to share ...

Remember you only need to have sewn one block to link up and qualify

 for this months prize draw, of a FQ bundle, donated by RJR Fabrics

here's another link to this month's pattern...you still have time to make a block and link up....

The Link up will run from May 27 until midnight on June 2

Can't wait to see your block(s)/project!

An InLinkz Link-up

Our Winner is.....
Sharon

100 Days My 100 Photos....And Quilting Update

I have been having so much fun with The 100 Day Challenge, in-between two rounds of  a cold that just wouldn't let go....I think I am finally on the mend!

Picking up my much neglected Nikon....has started me dreaming of another lens (maybe a really good wide angle lens for some great landscapes!!)  

But some how that makes me feel like I'm cheating on my fabric stash, lol!

 If you have been following my #100daysmy100photos on Instagram you may remember the tulip picture I shared. I said in the post, I only had one tulip and it wasn't in my garden...thought you might like to see a behind the photo kind of shot, lol!! Yup its a few bulbs that got missed when the flower bed that was under this tree was removed. I guess I should mark this spot and dig up the bulbs later and transplant them, so they won't get mowed when grass starts to grow here.

Here are a few of the shots that didn't get posted

 I have been getting some quilting done too, though during the weeks I was fighting that cold bug, I sure slowed down.
I am way behind on my pattern writing and still haven't completed the full May Blooms pattern, but it is coming and will include 2 block sizes and 3 quilt sizes for each. Don't forget I post all my patterns in my Craftsy Pattern Shop.

While we are on the subject of the One Block Wonders....how are you block(s) coming along? We are getting close to the end of the month and the link up party, which will go up this Friday May 27th and run until June 2nd. (remember you only have to sew one block to be able to link up and get in on this months prize!)

This month's sponsor is 

What Shade Are You......

and don't forget that Rita has generously offered the "WONDERS" code for 20% savings 

This is a close up of the appliquéd April showers...rhyme  I added to my quilt. I was so thrilled with the way this quilt came together and love how the Cotton Supreme Cottons looked in a gradient pattern....I gifted this beauty to my wonderful mother-in-law for Mother's Day this year. I was over to her house the other day and was thrilled to see it resting on her sofa in the living room!! It makes me so happy when a quilt is loved!!

 I also made two Scraptastic Baskets, large and small, a free pattern from the tutorial page of  Emmaline Bags.  It is such a simple pattern and what a fun shape

You may remember from a previous post, I made the Elephant Parade Quilt from SewFresh Quilts. Well I made the baskets to match, because my daughter loved the quilt so much she is going to use it for the theme for the babies room. (for those of you who are new here, my daughter is due in October, and I will be a Grandma for the first time!! I am so excited) The little elephant stuffy pictured here, is the first gift my husband (boy friend at the time) gave me....how sweet will it look up on a shelf in the new babies room...💗

And one last project....I've been making my Cross My Heart Quilt pattern again! This time using Garden Gate from P&B Textiles....and I have been gushing about it over on IG. I love this fabric, it makes me so happy....

I took my own pattern and put the blocks On Pointe! I love the new option! The original pattern does not give the directions for this, but I will either add a tutorial on my blog or add a revision to the pattern, in the coming weeks.

So now the only thing holding me up is what to use for the backing? I don't have anything in my stash that will work...and it's hard to choose a colour that will work online? Looks like I might have to take some of my scraps on a shopping trip!!!😇😃

Well that's all the new news for now! Have a great week and see you back here on Friday for the   One Block Wonders Link UP! 

Long Weekend Fabric Specials.....

Because nobodies stash is really big enough.........

Check out Sew Sisters for all the details

Monthly Stash Builder Special

use code 

"upstairshobbyroom"

Saves you 15%

It's My Day on the Modern Selvage Quilting Blog Tour.....

Have you been enjoying the tour so far?
I sure hope you have, I know I have been,
and finding some new online blogging inspirations and friends along the way is always a good thing!!

If you are just finding the tour now, here is the complete list of bloggers so you can get caught up on all the fun....

May 10 Riel at C&T Publishing Blog

                                                           May 11 Cindy at Live a Colourful Life

                                                           May 12 Yvonne at Quilting Jet Girl

                                                           May 13 Diane at Butterfly Threads Quilting

                                                           May 16 Krista at Poppyprint

                                                           May 17 Casey at The Studiolo

                                                           May 18 Leanne at She Can Quilt                                                                                                                     May 19 Sandy at Upstairs Hobby Room  (You are Here)

                                                           May 20 Mel at The Quilting Room with Me

                                                           May 21 Riel at The Q and the U

And finally it's my day and I can say all the things I have been so anxious to share since opening up the PDF copy I got to preview!!

*

First I'd like to say thanks to C&T Publishing and Riel for this fun opportunity.
It was just the push I needed....
 I finally got the box of selvages I've been saving, pressed and ready to become amazing quilt projects, and I even took a small bite out of my selvage stash and made one of Riel's amazing quilt patterns!

I really like the way this book is laid out, from the little peak into how Riel started quilting and why she wrote this book, to the basics for selvage saving and sewing, to the 17  small to full sized projects that are shared!
Modern Selvage Quilting includes all the information and visuals that you need to get started and be successful with your own selvage sewing!!

I knew even before I received my sample copy I wanted to try a  selvage block. With a box full of selvages, that  I've been saving since I first heard of using them to sew with, just taunting me....the hardest part was picking which of the project to try, because I liked them all.

For some reason my heart latched onto the Which Way to the Fabric Store quilt project, and one block quickly turned into 4 for a table runner.....but I loved the blocks so much..... 5 more blocks were made and a full quilt was born....lol

I just love how the solid selvages have the fringe.....adds another dimension to the blocks.

Another of the things I love about Riel's book is that she lays it all out for you, but with that information I felt the freedom to take liberties....
It's a bonus project, and while Riel gives you all the information you need to make this a precise quilt project, I let go of all of that and eye balled mine. I used white thread instead of changing for every colour and love the affect of the stitching and slightly crooked arrow shafts, it's all part of the no pressure sewing that I experienced making this project, and not at all how I normally sew...I'm pretty precise usually and will stitch rip to make things perfect...so this was not only fun, but a refreshing experiences for me!!
I think about quilt books like I do a recipe books, once you know the formula, you can tweak the recipe to your own tastes....and I love a good formula!

I want to use this a beach/picnic blanket so I also changed the block sashing size, and added extra borders to make the quilt larger! I even pieced some of the remaining selvages, using the techniques from the book, into the middle border. 💜💙💚💛❤️

I just need to bind and my newest quilt is ready to see some picnic action!!

So all I can add at this point is if you have wanted to do some selvage sewing, I recommend you grab a copy of Modern Selvage Quilting....unless you are one of the lucky ones who wins one during the blog tour!! Or buy your copy and if you are lucky enough to win, bless someone else with a copy!!

 Either way.........Good Luck and happy sewing everyone!!

Got the binding on in time!!!

Your Chance to Win

(and don't forget to stop by all the other bloggers to increase your chances...every blogger is having a give away...US residents will win a paper copy and international winners a digital copy)

 Let's keeping this one simple...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*this post contains an affiliate link