Happiness is...

Happiness is whatever makes you happy! I know you guys make me happy ALL THE TIME!!!!!  From your support here, facebook,and twitter to other things like...

I had two surprise packages this weekend and they both made me SQUEAL with JOY!!!!!

The first is from Lindsey at LRstitched!!!!!! WOW!!!!! I was part of a New York Beauty pillow swap and I cannot believe my beautiful pillow!!!!!! Everything about it is PERFECT!!!!! There was also a sweet little Heather Ross surprise in the package. I am one LUCKY girl!!!!!!

THANK YOU LINDSEY!!!!!

GORGEOUS quilting!!!!!

The perfect pillow will live here for the time being so I can see it from my sewing machine and be happy and inspired and hopefully Adam will not wear it as a hat!

The second package is from Sally,who I had my first ever fabric swap in January, she lives in Australia and is over the top sweet! I had NO idea she was sending me anything at all!!!!! Many heartfelt thanks to you Sally, you are so thoughtful and kind :o)

There was something for everyone, as you can see Adam was VERY quick to notice the package for himself!

Adam's was opened speedy quick and it was a dinosaur egg!!!!!  He was so excited!!!!! This was the best photo I could get, he is moving very fast these days!!!!!

There were these goodies for ME!!!!!  The top two are delicious smelling soap and lotion from a shop in Austrlia that I cannot get here. Sally sent me a bar of soap from this shop in Jan and it sits in my sewing room...SMELLS DEVINE!!!!!! They must start shipping internationally or I may have to move down under ;o)

The fabrics are these beautiful fabrics by Saffron Craig and Layla Campbell for M&S Textiles . Katy says the Purple dots would be a perfect wallet and I have to agree!!!!!

 In Katy's package were some lovely smelling sachets 

and these adorable hair pins ( perfect for summer) by fibberitigibbet!

 I am very grateful for all of my happiness and thank you all so much!!!!!!

New York Beauty Block four and cause for celebration!

Tula Pink Nest...Ahhhhhhhh...need I really say anything else? Not really but I pulled my stash to make the New York Beauty Block 4 for a secret swap. I found out that my victim has a bit of a "thing" for Tula Pink and I do too so I think it was a perfect match!

I used Lee's tutorial ( AWESOME job Lee) and I found out something SUPER COOL!!!!! You can put freezer paper through your PRINTER!!!!

Little secret...I have arthritis ( both hands...really sucks) and trying to draw even trace lines is a little difficult at times. I had my freezer paper, and my little pencil and I was tracing away in front of The Voice ( I just watch for Adam but Lindsay was BRILLIANT and I am sorry she is gone) and it looked like Adam ( my Adam not Adam Levine so there is no confusion)  had done it!  That is a lie, my Adam could have done WAY better...anyway...I cut my paper to 8.5x11 and popped it in and VOILA...perfect lines without any  tracing!!!!!

** after I did this, I googled it and found out it has been done ( like everything) so not news to anyone but ME,lol!

I think my NYB 4 is a STUNNER! Now I have to quilt her and make her into a pillow :o)

Now for my Cause for Celebration... I am going to MARKET!!!!!!! I cannot believe it! This will be my first market so if I look bewitched, bewildered or just plain lost please say hello and let me know I AM in Kansas ( City that is) and that it is really market ;o)  Really if you see me just say HELLO anyway!!!!  I will be carrying a HUGE red patent leather bag and hopefully wearing red patent leather shoes. I wear really boring clothes so I need something to spice me up!  The BIGGEST exciting thing...I get to meet Sara IN REAL LIFE! We have been friends for YEARS online and this will be our first face to face meeting!!!!! It will not be really face to face though cuz she is a wee tiny thing and I am NOT! Anyway really looking forward to it :o)

** I was so excited I completely forgot to mention I will be working in the fabulous Laurie Tigner Design  booth so make sure to come on by there say HOWDY and look at her stunning longarm quilting!!!!!

Hope to meet you there!!!!!

The paint fumes must have gotten to me!

It is Monday and time for the next New York Beauty Block. This week is Block 7 by Jeni from In Color Order.  Stunning block!!!!  I will blame the paint fumes for making my memory lapse and almost forget!

{ photo by Jeni}

I am extra excited since the new budget month is here so I could buy a new printer cartridge, which means I am back in the being able to make NYB blocks again!!!!!  Did I mention how much I am HATING being on a budget. I guess it is making me use my stash, which is a good thing, so the silver lining and all that, right? 

And... if you have not seen this fabulous interview with my sweet Sara at Pellon go have a peek. Sara is not only beautiful and talented she is kind and humble too! I simply adore her!!!!! LOVE YA SARA!!!!!!

One last goofy thing, we have 99% of the doors up and Katy walks in, sits down and says, " Nice! Good Luck keeping those clean!" I love my daughter. I did not have the heart to tell her about her new chore cleaning cabinets ;o)

Welcome to the New York Beauty Block Quilt Along!

I am so happy, excited and thrilled to be sharing with you the first block ( block 0) or the beginning block for the  New York Beauty Quilt Along.

Many thanks to Sara at Sew Sweetness for inviting me to take part in a fun series!!!!

There are so many talented quilters that will be joining in this fun adventure into some of the most stunning paper piecing blocks I have ever seen!

Here is the schedule of blocks:
March 5 - Kim from My Go-Go Life {Block 0}
March 12 - Sara from Sew Sweetness {Block 5}
March 19 - Megan from Canoe Ridge Creations (Block 1}
March 26 - Kati from From the Blue Chair {Block 8}
April 2 - Jeni from In Color Order {Block 7}
April 9 - Amy from Sukie Don't You Know Who I Am? {Block 6}
April 16 - Katy from The Littlest Thistle {Block 3}
April 23 - Lee from Freshly Pieced {Block 4}
April 30 - Amy from amylouwho {Block 2}
May 7 - Lindsay from Lindsay Sews {Block 9}


I hope you will all be joining us for the entire series!!!! And please come and add your blocks to the FLICKR GROUP



This first block is a great way to practice your paper piecing before treading into some of the other blocks. It is beautiful, easy and a quick sew. 


First you need to go here and print out Block 0 or the Beginner Block. If you are making a full circle ( four blocks) you will need to print out four. All the blocks in this quilt a long will be from this site.

For each block 8in ( block 0) you will need 


Six 6x 2.5 in of fabric
Three 6 x 3.5 in of fabric
One C piece
One A piece


I recommend a washable glue stick, a metal ruler, and a heavy duty needle { I used a jeans needle}


You will use the 6 x 2.5in fabric pieces for the 1,2,4,6,8 and 9 sections. Use the 6 x 3.5in pieces  for the 3, 5 and 7 sections.

If you are making a complete circle you will need four of these sets

I made my outer section with just one of the templates. This is my personal choice, since I am using white, I like the look more { and less cutting, sewing and ironing} . You may be more comfortable with the two pieces and that is good too :o)


Using a 14x9in piece of fabric folded in half I placed the long edge on the fold and cut it out. 


edit to add: One of the really nice commenters pointed out something I had not noticed. When doing this step make sure to cut the seam allowance on the bottom of the template. Cut only the bottom seam allowance. Thank you so much Katherine for letting me know! 

Set your stitch length to about 1.5

When you have cut out your pieces put the B part up on a window or up to a light and you can see the lines through the paper

Place your first 6x2.5 in fabric over the first section on the back of the template with the fabric facing right side out looking at you :o) You can place a small dot of washable glue stick on the fabric to help secure it to the template.

Place the second 6x2.5 in piece over the first piece right sides facing

Hold this back up to the light and you can see where your pieces are to make sure you have it placed correctly.

Using 1/4in seam, sew on the line between the 1 and 2

Fold the template at the seam you just sewed

And trim to 1/4 in

I need a little extra help in the visual department so I pre fold my next lines. I had a great suggestion from Mary @ Needled Mom that was BRILLIANT, a metal ruler. If you have one...they are EXCELLENT!!!!! Thank you Mary!!!!!

Super easy, using the side of the ruler, just prefold the lines so you have a visual of where the next line is on the unlined side of the template

I have found that pre-trimming helps speed the process for me. I find have better placing with angled paper piecing if I do this process.

 After you have trimmed your seam

turn the fabric flap open

Turn the template right side facing you

With the fabric flap open, bend the template where the fold is for the next section, in this case 3 trim the flap to 1/4 using the fold as your guide

Flip back to the wrong side and open flap

 Hold it up to the light to see a perfect 1/4 in for the next block to be easily placed!!!!!

Take your first 6x3.5 in piece and lay it right sides facing on the number 2 piece

Sew the line between 2 and 3

 Flip open

 Turn over

 fold at the number 4 section

 Trim to 1/4 in

 Open and take your next piece of fabric, place, right sides facing...

Sew between 3 and 4

 I bet you guys are getting into the paper piecing groove now!!!!! Open...

Flip....

Trim...

open and ready for the next section...

 Right sides together...

And sew...

 Repeat the process until you have sewn the line between 8and 9

When you have sewn all the sections you will have this!!!! Now dry press :o)

Flip her over

and trim at around using the 1/4 inch guide that is on the template

Turn her back over and remove the paper

When all the paper is removed, take your part C and place it in the center of the inner circular part. Pin in place

I like to secure the ends. place a few pins between each end and the center to help when sewing the curve. 

Then I go a wee bit pin crazy { Hi, my name is Kim and I am a pin addict} I know there are fabulously talented people that can use one or two pins but I am seriously NOT one of those people! I love all the help I can get!!!!

I switch my heavy duty needle back to my quilting needle and set my stitch length back to it's normal setting at 2.4. Starting at the edge, sew the circular part. Go slow and make sure the bottom fabric does not bunch. I know I did not remove my pins, I normally do but I just forgot today...

After removing all the pins. Repeat the process with the outer section. Find the center, pin in place and sew!!!!

When you have finished, iron the block and trim to 8.5 inches

WOO HOO!!!!! Your first beautiful block of MANY!!!!

If you are making the set of four to make a circle,  after pressing. I would  recommend open seams, I did not do mine with open seams and I am regretting it! Take two of the four blocks and line up the seams, pin into place and sew. Repeat with the other two blocks.

Take the two blocks and line those up, pinning the center and where the seams match.

Press open and you will have...

Thank you and I hope I was able to give a good tutorial for the first block. If you have any questions or need me to take more photos of the process please shoot me an email!
I am looking forward to more in this series! Thank you so much Sara for inviting me to take part!!!!!