A Crazy Weekend Tale... And a Winner Too

I know I'm late posting the winner of the April Showers polka dot bundle, and I'm terribly sorry.  It has been a wild and crazy weekend around the prsd4tim2 household.

I think I mentioned that it was WH's birthday this weekend.  So, we celebrated.  I had a big plan - Friday we would go out for an early dinner, then a movie, then home for cake and presents.  Except that somehow the plans always get altered.  WH didn't feel like a 5pm dinner on Friday, so we put that off until Saturday.  (Clever boy, getting to celebrate his b-day for 2 days, rather than just one!)

So Friday night we headed off to the movie.  We saw God's Not Dead,  a Christian film which, despite the decidedly un-grammatical title, was actually very good.  I always like a good movie that leaves the sex, violence, and innuendo out, and this one was perfect.  Not to mention that the message was something I'd like to see more of.  I honestly hadn't heard of the movie before Friday, but it was very enjoyable.  Afterwards, we decided we were hungry after all (or maybe it was just that it was 9:30 pm), so we had a quick (and cheap) dinner at Steak 'n' Shake.  Then we came home for cake and presents and a FaceTime call with our youngest, who hadn't been able to reach her daddy earlier in the day.

Saturday morning was full of errands (WH didn't tell me until Friday he needs a new suit - and quick!), LDS Conference, and a headache the size of Texas.  We finally did get our fancy dinner (and the best steak in Pensacola) on Saturday evening.  If you ever visit Pensacola, McGuire's is the place to go.  (Yup, those are $1 bills on the ceiling - the tradition is to sign them and hang them anywhere and everywhere; then about once a year they count them - for tax purposes - and move them all higher.)  A bit of local color.

Sunday morning, I had WH at the airport at 5 am and had just come home to take a nap when he said he wouldn't be able to get out of Pensacola, but there were seats on the Gulfport flight.  So we drove to Gulfport.   It's about 120 miles to Gulfport and takes about 2 hours from our house.  Usually when I drive him to Gulfport, I turn around and head right home, but this time something said to hang around, so I had breakfast, and sure enough, before I was finished, he called with the bad news that the Gulfport flights had filled up too (there were more than 30 seats at 8 am!) and he was going to rent a car and drive.  But the only place that had cars was Pensacola.  So we drove home and he finally got on his way about 4 pm, roughly 12 hours after the alarm went off.

Exhausting!

And then there was the plowing through 275 emails so I could read all the bloggy comments before I wrapped up this giveaway...  So here I am on Monday afternoon picking the winner of the FQ Bundle of April Showers Dots (kindly supplied by Westwood Acres Fabrics) that I should have done on Saturday.  So sorry.

Cue the drum roll...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

81 

Timestamp: 2014-04-07 21:43:52 UTC


Who is my good friend Jess from Australia, who said:

81  Jess @ Scrappy n HappyApril 2, 2014 at 4:31 AM

Surely I like you on FB! I will go and double check now :)

 So congrats to you, Jess!  I'm off to email you now!  

Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate my Blogiversary!!   I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments about their Easter traditions! 

It's my Blogiversary!

It's my 4th Blogiversary!!!  This little blog has come a long way since that very first post.  In fact, the very first post didn't even include a photo.  The photo above is actually from my second post about the Most Dangerous Cake in the World.  And if you were to go back and look at that first post, you would see that I really never - ever - had any intention of becoming a blogger.

But here we are some 4 years and more than 485 posts later.  I find that blogging is a great way to chronicle my crafty achievements, as well as document some family events.  And I've made some great friends through my blog, which is perhaps the highlight of it all.  You have all been so wonderful and supportive.  It warms my heart to know that I am not alone in this crazy quilty life.

To celebrate, let's have a little giveaway, shall we?    The prize will be a fat quarter bundle of Bonnie and Camille's April Showers dots from my favorite little fabric shop.  I've just opened up my first charm pack of April Showers, and I have to say, these dots are so fun!  I hope you'll love them too.

To enter:

1.  Leave a comment below and tell me your family's favorite Easter tradition.  If you don't celebrate Easter, how about a fun spring tradition your family enjoys. 

2.  If you're a follower of my blog (or become a follower) you get a second entry.  Just leave a second comment.

3.  For a third chance to win, head over to my Facebook page and "Like" it and leave a comment there, then come back and leave another comment (sorry - I'm not tech savvy enough to manage comments in two places).

WH's birthday is Friday, so we'll close the giveaway Friday, April 4, 2014 at midnight, and I'll choose a winner sometime Saturday.

Please be sure you are not a no-reply blogger.  You can leave your email in the comments if you're not sure (wendi dot mihalik at gmail, for example.)

Thanks again for visiting my blog and celebrating 4 bloggy years with me!
 

Tula Pink Giveaway Winner

I just love this little froggy - he's so expressive!

I should have done this yesterday, but I just wasn't feeling bloggy.  I woke up yesterday morning and remembered that I was supposed to attend a baby shower and hadn't made the gift.  So I started a project... that took way longer than I thought.  I ended up giving the mommy-to-be a card and a promise, so she will get her gift today.

Anyway, I'm here today bright and early to announce the winner of the Quilts From the House of Tula Pink book and charm pack (BTW:  did you see BD#1's post on Quilt Market where she met the fabulous Tula?)

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

8 

Timestamp: 2013-05-26 13:27:32 UTC

 I thought it was so cool that it was such an early commenter this time...  Anyway, #8 was

8. Joyce  May 17, 2013 at 11:17 AM

I am a follower!

Congratulations, Joyce.  I'm off to email you.  And thanks also to Joyce and everyone else who follows this little blog.  I hope you find something useful or inspiring here from time to time.

400th Post Giveaway - Quilts From the House of Tula Pink

This is my 400th blog post, a fact which amazes me no end.  When I started this blog, I NEVER, E-V-E-R thought that I would really blog - you know, actually write in this forum.  Regularly write.

I really started the blog just to be able to see - and comment on - pictures of my grandchildren (gratuitous photos of grandchildren inserted here), which you know is almost as necessary as breathing, if you're a Grandma.  But once again, I digress...

I have decided to honor the occasion with a giveaway.  I really like doing giveaways.  I love reading the comments I receive.  It's so fun.  I try to answer every one, although sometimes its kind of daunting, and I know that in past giveaways I have missed a few.

So, to celebrate my 400th blog post, I am giving away Tula Pink's book Quilts From the House of Tula Pink and a charm pack of the remaining prints I have of Prince Charming.

I regret that this won't be a complete set of the fabrics in the line, as I have used and/or given away a few of them.  But there is a respectable selection remaining in my stash, and I want you to have something to work with when you get the book. 

You can see that I've used this particular fabric a lot.

So, what do you have to do to win this little gift?  You have up to four chances to win:

1. Just leave a comment here and tell me about a project that's on your quilting bucket list, and why.  Or tell me about a project you are currently working on.  That's all - you will be entered in the giveaway.
2.  If you are - or become - a follower, you get a second entry.
3.  LIKE my Facebook page, or if you have already done so, just leave a comment on my FB page and then come back here to enter. 
4.  Use your favorite social media to tell your friends about my giveaway - blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, etc., then come back here and let me know.

This giveaway will be open until midnight Central time on Friday, May 24.  I will post the winner on my blog by Sunday, May 26.  Please be sure you are not a no-reply blogger.  I will immediately choose another winner if I don't have your email address.

Thanks for visiting - and good luck!

Blogiversary Giveaway Winner

I apologize for the delay in announcing the winner of this gorgeous bundle of fabric in my 3rd Blogiversary giveaway.  Now that my husband is only home on weekends, they seem to pass even more quickly than they used to as we try to get a week's worth of chores crammed into two days - or in this case three. His birthday was Thursday (happy birthday, dear!) and so we had a bit of a celebration. 

He wanted a birthday cupcake - German chocolate is his favorite.  Have you ever tried to make just one cupcake from a box mix?  So, in a bit of cleverness (OK, so it was just me that thought it was clever!) I went to Michael's and picked up one of those giant cupcake cake pans and made him a cupcake.  I did love the look on his face when he saw it.  =}  And I got to use the cake pan for the YW bake sale auction the next day.  Two for one!  Ha! Ha!


Anyway, I finally sat down and asked Mr. Random Number Generator to give us a winner for the Mo Bedell Full Moon Lagoon bundle.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

155  

Timestamp: 2013-04-08 12:27:27 UTC

who is

155 Cecilia  April 2, 2013 at 6:31 PM

Happy Blogaverisary! I would make a pretty tote bag. Thanks for the chance to win.

I loved that in her next comment she said she could actually hear Abby and Britton laughing in the photo!  Made me smile!  And I think her tote bag will be awesome out of this fabric.  Hope she sends me a picture.

So I'm off to email Cecilia.  Thanks to everyone who commented and helped to make my blogiversary a success!  I apologize for not responding to all the comments this time {yet}.  I seem to be busier now than ever!  But I did read every one and hope to respond to you in a day or two.

3rd Blogiversary Celebration in Progress- and Giveaway!

Celebration in Progress!

Today is my blogiversary!  (Can you believe I started this blog on April Fool's Day??)

When I started this little blog three years ago, I never thought I would actually blog, you know?  I started the blog so that I could comment on photos of my adorable granddaughter on her mommy's blog.  Now, three years and some 377 posts later, here we are.  It's kind of amazing to think how far three years will take you.

That little granddaughter is 3 now.  Oh my!

And she has a little brother who will be a year old this week!

That seems like reason enough to celebrate, don't you think?  (Can't you hear them laughing??)

Anyway, I've decided to celebrate by giving away this luscious Fat Eighth bundle of Full Moon Lagoon by Mo Bedell.  I {heart} this yummy bundle.  I really think I will have to buy one for myself - the colors are soooo beautiful.  If you don't happen to win it, you can purchase your own from Westwood Acres.


So what do you need to do to enter,  you ask?  It's easy peasy:

1.  Leave a comment below telling me what you would make with this delicious fabric if you are the lucky winner.
2.  For a second chance, follow my blog, or let me know you are already a follower.  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know as that counts as the second entry.
3.  For a third entry, like my Facebook page, or let me know you already have, and leave a comment here.  (If you'd like to leave a comment on my FB page too, that would make me smile.)
4.  For a fourth entry, use your favorite social medium - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, your blog, or other social medium to let other folks know about this giveaway, and then come back and leave a comment.


So, you have four chances to win.  All entries must be left as blog comments - it's just easier to manage that way.


Pleeeeeeease be sure you are not a no-reply blogger.  It breaks my heart when I can't notify the winner.  If you are a no-reply blogger, and don't leave me your email address in your comment, I will immediately choose another winner.  Sorry.  (If you want to fix this, here's a handy tutorial.)

 This giveaway will be open until midnight Central time on Friday, April 5th.  I will choose a winner on Saturday morning sometime.

AAAAAnd, be sure to check back tomorrow - tomorrow is my day to post in the Charm Madness Blog Hop, and I have something planned that I think you will like.

Comments for this post are now closed.

HR FQ Giveaway - A Winner (and a Loser)

I have to apologize for the tardiness of this post.  I had promised that I would pick a winner on Sunday, but the prsd4tim2 household was taking turns feeling a little (lot) under-the-weather yesterday and it just didn't happen.

I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments about what makes the perfect tote bag.  Everyone seems to agree that pockets are the Number One Thing, followed by straps, and then other random and/or innovative details.  I will be doing an update of my 1-Hour FQ Tote on Leona's blog in two or three weeks, and I plan to incorporate many of your suggestions, so thank you all for your input.

By the way, if you like Tula Pink, Leona is giving away some OOP fabric this week.  When you finish here, why not hop on over and enter her bloggy giveaway???

And now, it's time to pick a winner of the super fun Heather Ross Crafty Chloe fabrics...

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 96 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Well, I never have figured out how to get the little widget thingy to work, but this was my first pick.  And wouldn't you know, #96 is Debbie, who is a no-reply blogger, isn't a follower, and didn't leave an email address.  Thanks for stopping by, Debbie, but you may want to adjust your email and privacy preferences, or leave an email addy in your comment.  I'm sorry I can't give you this yummy fabric because I don't have a way to contact you.

So, as promised, I'm off to pick another winner...

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 70 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

And #70 is Jessica, of the Quilty Habit blog.  I'm so excited I actually have a winner!  Yay!

#70

Jessica February 18, 2013 at 8:09 PM

I think the perfect tote bag needs a pocket somewhere!

And Jessica seems to echo everyone's first choice in tote bag perfection.

So thank you to everyone who entered.  I'm off to email Jessica now.

Be sure you stay tuned - I'll let you know when the Tote Bag Perfection post will appear on Leona's blog.

 

Last Day - Heather Ross FQ Giveaway

Today is the last day of the Heather Ross FQ Giveaway!  But don't enter on this post - be sure to go here and follow the instructions to enter. 

I have really enjoyed reading all the comments about what makes a fabulous tote bag.  I'll be incorporating many of them into my guest post on Leona's blog in a couple of weeks, so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, head on over to the giveaway post and enter.  You never know  - it may be your turn to win!

Celebrating 350 Followers - Heather Ross FQ Giveaway

I noticed the other day that I had reached 350 followers on this little blog of mine!  I've been mulling over what I could do to say thanks to those of you who read about my crafty and quilty adventures, and I thought, "What could be better than to share some of my stash with them?"

I have some Heather Ross prints that BD#1 gave me last summer from her shop.  Aren't they cute!  This line was from Hancock Fabrics, and is called Crafty Chloe.  I think this is a complete collection of the prints, but if not this is a complete collection of what I have.  The selection is 5 FQ or 1-1/4 yards of fabric.  These prints are perfect for fussy cutting! 

I recently made a 1 Hour Fat Quarter Tote for a swap with the sock monkeys.  I think it turned out pretty cute.  Kinda quirky, but fun!  This is enough fabric to make one for yourself, if you so desire.

And I'll be updating the 1 Hour FQ Tote on Leona's blog in the not-too-distant-future, so be sure to come back for a peek.  I think she's planning a giveaway of her own soon, so you might want to check in sometimes...  just sayin'...

So how do you win these adorable prints?  Well, here's the scoop.

1.  Leave a comment below and tell me what makes a great tote bag.  Inquiring minds want to know.  What does a tote bag need to be "perfect"?

2.  Be (or become) a follower of my blog and leave a comment to tell me so (2nd entry).

3.  LIKE my Facebook page, and then leave a comment on the blog to let me know you did.  If you already LIKE my page, you can just LIKE the post to count for the giveaway.  =)  (NOTE:  Comments on the Facebook page are wonderful - and welcome - but won't count in the giveaway.  But you would make my day!) (Possible 3rd entry.)

4.  Post on your blog about this giveaway, then come back and leave a comment letting me know.  (Possible 4th entry.)

5.  Mention this giveaway on Instagram, Google +,  or other social media, and then come back and leave a comment.  (Possible 5th entry.)

So you have 5 possible entries to win the fun HR FQ bundle. BE SURE YOU ARE NOT A NO-REPLY BLOGGER.  The winner of my last giveaway was a no-reply blogger and I had no way to contact her so I had to choose another winner.  Too bad for her. =(

The giveaway will close next Saturday, February 23 at midnight.  I will let Mr. Random choose the winner sometime Sunday. 

Good luck!

Think Christmas Blog Hop {Choosing Another} Winner

NOTE:  The Milestone 300th post, 200 follower giveaway is still going on - if you wish to enter that giveaway, go here.

As promised, on Thursday, I let Mr. RNG choose a winner in the Think Christmas Blog Hop giveaway from the previous Friday.  But alas, that winner was a No-Reply blogger and didn't respond to the winner post.  It is so disappointing when a no-reply blogger wins.  It just seems sad.  I really wanted to give the winner this gorgeous bundle of DS Quilts fabrics, but she didn't respond, and somebody should win it.  If you go to all the bother to have a giveaway, someone should win, right?

Awhile back, I read a post on Pleasant Home.  She mentions that some folks don't even know they are no-reply bloggers.  I have to admit, when I was new to the blogging world, I was a no-reply blogger for awhile.  I wondered why I never won giveaways and no one ever responded to my questions.  I don't think I even knew there was such a thing as a no-reply blogger.  

 Well, I'm not going to reinvent the wheel in this post.  Pleasant Home has done a great tutorial on how to see if you are a no-reply blogger and how to fix it.

Anyway, today I was going to let Mr. RNG choose another winner but I got a server error (doesn't seem to be my day), so I let WH choose the number.  I said, "Honey, pick a number between 1 and 199." And he looked at me like I had two heads and said, "OK, 100."  Just like that, we have a winner.    That's pretty random, right?

Lucky #100 was...

100. Courtneysews August 3, 2012 2:07 PM

We love decorating! Thanks for the great give-away!

I've already checked to see if Courtneysews has an email address, so I'm off to send her an email.

Congratulations, Courtneysews!  I hope you enjoy your FQ bundle of DS Quilts fabric.

 

Milestones!! A{nother} Giveaway

I know that I just finished a giveaway yesterday, and I really had something else planned for today, but when I logged on this morning and found that this will be my 300th post I just couldn't resist.  That seems like reason enough to celebrate, but I've been promising a 200th follower giveaway for awhile now, and reached that lucky milestone last week!

So here it is.  Another luscious bundle of DS Quilts fat quarters - 2 full yards - for a lucky reader.

 You have a maximum of three chances to win:

1.  Just leave a comment telling me what you like best about fall.  (Personally, I'm really looking forward to cooler temps and less rain - but no hurricanes!)  Please make sure I have a way to contact you!

2.  If you are a follower of my blog, you get another entry, so leave a comment to let me know.  If you become a new follower, that counts too - just be sure to leave a comment.

3.  Leave me a comment my Facebook page.  You can even "Like" me if you haven't already.   I'd love it.  Facebook "page" is kind of a new medium for me, and I'm trying to figure out how it works, and the comments there last time were very helpful.  I'll count the FB entries at the end of the blog entries.

Please, please, please, make sure I can contact you!  If you are a no-reply blogger, I will immediately choose someone else. The winner of the last giveaway was a no-reply blogger, and I find that a little frustrating.  The waiting is killing me.

That's it.  Comments will close on Wednesday, August 15, and I'll draw a winner on Thursday, August 16.

The giveaway is now closed.

Announcing: The Think Christmas Blog Hop Winner!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit during the Think Christmas Blog Hop.  Wasn't that fun?  Lesley and Madame Samm did a GREAT job of putting together a wonderful hop, and I, for one, am inspired to get started on my Christmas sewing.

I had so much fun reading about your favorite Christmas traditions.  I am so grateful you all shared such precious memories with me.  So many of them sparked memories of my own Christmases.   It was a marvelous trip down memory lane as I tried to respond to all your comments.  Thank you so much for sharing.

So are you ready to pick a winner?  We had 183 comments on this post and 16 on FB, making a total of 199, so I asked Mr. RNG to pick a winner for us.  He picked

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

59 

Timestamp: 2012-08-10 03:03:55 UTC

who is

aiah23August 3, 2012 10:29 AM

I am a new follower now! My favorite family tradition was wrapping last minute gifts on Christmas Eve. My mom would always give me my sister's gifts to wrap and she would have to wrap mine. I'd go into my own bedroom, put on A Christmas Story, and do that:) Still to this day I think back fondly on that although my sister lives in CO with my 7 y/o niece and I have my own family and home now.

This particular tradition reminded me of a time when one of my daughters was about 12 and was left to babysit her siblings as mom and dad went Christmas shopping or to a holiday party or something.  She usually helped at Christmas by wrapping all the gifts except her own.  Apparently this was a boring (and very quiet) evening because she unwrapped every gift, tried on all the clothing, examined everything else, then wrapped it all back up and put it under the Christmas tree.  

But of course, when Christmas morning came, there were almost no surprises for her and she didn't enjoy it very much.  I remember thinking that I hadn't done a very good job on her gifts that year.  She was well into adulthood before she shared what really happened on that Christmas so long ago.  The memory always gives me a good laugh.  To this day, this particular daughter swears she doesn't like surprises, but you should see her go after her stocking on Christmas morning.

Aiah23, you are a apparently a "no-reply" blogger.  Please email me your mailing address and I will get your lovely DS Quilts fabric off in the mail to you.  If I don't hear from you by the end of the day tomorrow, I will choose a new winner.

Think Christmas Blog Hop - A Simple "Merry Christmas" Quilt & Tutorial - Part I

Welcome to Day 5 of the Think Christmas Blog Hop.  Madame Samm and Lesley of the Cuddle Quilter have put together an awesome array of Christmas inspiration.  I share the day with these amazing quilters/bloggers:

August 3
Crazy 'Bout Quilts
Dexter Days
Cherry's Prairie Primitives
Somewhat Fanciful
Craftluver Marianna
Quiltscapes
Moments
Ruthanne at That Other Blog

I know that they all have something special prepared for you.  I can't wait to go visit and get some great ideas for my own Christmas creations.

Oh, and before I forget, I want to let you know there may be a reward for those of you who stick with me to the end of this post (HINT!  HINT!)

But for now, grab a cup of Christmas cheer, sit back and relax while I share with you my 

 Simple Merry Christmas Quilt

and Tutorial (Part 1)

The quilt is designed in two sizes:  

49 blocks, which measures 59-1/2 inches square finished

or

63 blocks, which measures 59-1/2 inches by 76-1/2 inches finished

As it happens, I designed the quilt (thanks Amanda for the inspiration!) for 49 blocks,  but I'm not a fan of square quilts.  I like a quilt that keeps my toes toasty, so I added two more rows.  The basic concept and design is the same.  Choose the one that you like best!
 

Fabric Requirements

For the square quilt (49 blocks):

      25 colored blocks

      24 white blocks

      1 FQ dark solid

      Approximately 3 yards backing fabric

      

For the rectangular quilt (63 blocks)

      32 colored blocks 

      31 white blocks

      1 FQ dark solid

      Approximately 3-1/2 yards backing fabric

The colored blocks in this quilt are from a Fat Eighth bundle of Ruby by Bonnie and Camille.  I love it's old-fashioned Christmas feel at the same time it has a modern flair.  So fresh!  I really love it!

The white is Kona White.  The dark solid is Kona Charcoal.

The backing fabrics include 2-1/2 yards of the red swirl and 1/2 yard of each of the other two Ruby prints.  (More about the backing in tomorrow's post.)

You may also wish to use a piece of fusible web (I used Wonder Under because it was what I had on hand) about the size of a Fat Quarter (18" x 22")

Other Tools and Supplies

Normal sewing accessories like sewing machine, thread, bobbins, etc.

Scissors (paper and fabric - can't stand it when someone uses my fabric scissors on paper)

All seams are 1/4"

RST = Right Sides Together

The Blocks

Choose 25 (or 32) prints from your Fat Eighth Bundle.  You need 9"x9" blocks, and you will notice that a Fat Eighth is 9" wide, so just cut 9" off the length and you're good to go.

Cut 24 (or 31) white squares 9"x9".  You can get 6 squares from a standard width of Kona, so you will need to cut 6 9" widths, then subcut into 9" squares.  

The Letter Blocks

Choose a font for your letters.  I chose HOWSER from among the many fab free fonts at eighteen 25.  If you haven't visited eighteen 25 drop by and give this blog a look-see.  There's lots of neat stuff there!

Once I downloaded my font (she gives instructions on the blog), I imported it into Microsoft Word and set my font size to 300.  Then I typed in MERYCHISTMA (because R and S are duplicated) and printed out my letters.  Sadly, each letter printed on a full sheet of paper, but oh well.  I traced the stem of the "I" a second time to serve as the hyphen in "CHRIST-MAS".

I carefully cut out my letters with the paper scissors and traced them print side down onto the fusible web.  Remember, they need to be in reverse on the fusible web to turn out right on the fabric.  (Yes, I have made this mistake a time or two!)  

NOTE:  You can skip the fusible web and trace directly onto the dark solid fabric and adhere using another method of your choice, if you wish. 

Then I pressed the fusible web onto my Kona Charcoal.  

A note about fusible web - I really have a love/hate relationship with this stuff.  It makes some things so much easier!  But, I haven't found a brand that I love, so I tend to buy whatever is on sale or whatever is available.  I have found, though, that there are a few tricks to working with this product that keep me from tearing my hair out.  

First, this is one product that you need to PRESS, not iron.  Pick up the iron and place it down, leave it for a few seconds and do it again.  Don't move the iron over the fabric or you may have a mess.

Second, use a HOT iron with NO STEAM.  My experience is that the steam prevents the fusible web from bonding with the fabric.

Next, go over each area using the pressing technique described above TWICE to make sure you get a good bond.

Let the fabric COOL completely before cutting or trying to tear away the paper.

Sometimes a pin inserted between the fabric and the paper will allow you to separate the paper from the web without messing up the mesh bond.

Carefully cut out your letters using very sharp sewing scissors.  I find that my embroidery scissors work very well for this purpose.

The Layout

Take your pretty piles of colored and white squares and lay them out on your design wall.  It so happens that my design wall is the living room floor, and although I thought I took lots of pictures of this process, I can't find any without the letters already on them.  (I just remembered that those are the paper letters I cut out.  I think I placed them there to remind myself to use subtle prints that wouldn't overpower the letters.  And if it looks like they are standing on their heads, I'm sorry.  It's a small room and the best shot I got was from the wrong end and made them upside down.)  But anyway, the process is simple.  

ROWS 1, 3, 5, 7 (and 9, if you are doing the rectangular quilt):

Lay a colored block, then a white block, then colored, and white 7 across so that both corners are colored.

ROW 2, 4 6 (and 8, if you are doing the rectangular quilt):

Start with a white block this time and alternate white and colored until you have 7 across.

The letters will go on rows 2, 3, and 4.  You may want to choose some of the more sedate prints for these rows so the letters are more pronounced.

Fusing the Letters

Once you have the layout you desire, lay the letters on the squares where they will go.  The "M" in "Merry" goes in Row 2, Block 2, for example. 

Pin the letters on the fabric squares.  (I know, I know, this is a pain, but trust me!  If they get separated, you will wish you had used pins.)

Fold the fabric square in half both directions and finger press to find the center. 

Remove the paper from the fusible web and place the letter on the fabric in your desired location.  Use the same technique for fusible web above to adhere the letter to the fabric square.

Repeat for each of the letters in your quilt.

Return to the living room floor "design wall" and place the letters in their respective locations.  HINT:  Before you stitch, check your spelling, 

Stitching the Rows

Gather up your rows from your "Design Wall" and stitch together.  Note that I pinned each row individually  in the upper right hand corner to help me keep track of my placement.

Stitch the blocks together RST using a 1/4" seam.

Press the seams to one side, alternating directions with each row to reduce bulk.  Pin the rows together with the seams going opposite directions and stitch.

Voila!  Your quilt top is done!  If you come back tomorrow, I'll help you finish your quilt.

I hope you like my simple Merry Christmas quilt.

And now, if you've stuck with me this long, I think you deserve a reward, don't you?  

The giveaway is now CLOSED!

I have a luscious little bundle of Denyse Schmidt DS Quilts Fat Quarters to give away to one lucky reader.  Here's how you enter:

1.  Leave a comment below telling me of  your family's favorite Christmas tradition.

2.  If you are a follower of my blog, you get a second entry.  Yup, even if you become a follower today!  Just leave a comment to let me know. 

3.  For a 3rd chance to win, visit my facebook page and leave a comment.  You can even "LIKE" it if you wish - I'd really like that!  (All commenters on the FB page will be numbered after all the comments on the blog.)

You have until Wednesday, August 8th to enter.  The winner will be drawn sometime on Thursday, August 9th.  Please be sure I have your email address so I can contact you.  No email address = no valid entry. 

Also, you might want to drop back by occasionally...  I'm amazingly close to 200 followers and 300 posts, and that seems like it might be another good reason to celebrate.  Just sayin'...

Thanks for visiting!  And even though it's still August, Merry Christmas!