Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

I’m Starting My Happy Collection

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I am starting my Happy Fabric collection!  Truth be told, the collection in the photo above I have had for a year or so, but haven't quite had a plan as to how to use it.  It is Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit Fabrics.  Something very special will come of this, I just know it.  Thelma made two quilts using this group, Bounce by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company and Summer Day, a Miss Rosie Schnibbles pattern.  The fabric is super cute, you should try to get some if you can.

I came into a small amount (very small) of money this month, and have decided to put it towards expanding my Happy Stash.  I have had the best luck on Etsy, of all places, finding collections by more modern designers that had passed under my radar, given my obsession with Civil War Reproduction fabrics in the past year.  Some designers I love are Joel Dewberry, Kate Spain, Denyse Schmidt, and Anna Maria Horner.  I will share the goodies with you as they arrive in my mailbox.

This is what came today—Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt.  How yummy is that, and notice how it would go great with the Hope Valley line in the top photo.  Oh my goodness, this is way more fun than I was expecting.

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81 responses to “I’m Starting My Happy Collection”

  1. I, too, have been expanding into some more modern fabric designers. You named all my favorites! Can’t wait to see what you make with them. Fun to work with the bright fabrics in the spring and summer.
    Also LOVE love love your new watermelon header:-) Makes me smile as here in the east we are patiently awaiting some sign of watermelon weather….

  2. I, too, have been expanding into some more modern fabric designers. You named all my favorites! Can’t wait to see what you make with them. Fun to work with the bright fabrics in the spring and summer.
    Also LOVE love love your new watermelon header:-) Makes me smile as here in the east we are patiently awaiting some sign of watermelon weather….

  3. I, too, have been expanding into some more modern fabric designers. You named all my favorites! Can’t wait to see what you make with them. Fun to work with the bright fabrics in the spring and summer.
    Also LOVE love love your new watermelon header:-) Makes me smile as here in the east we are patiently awaiting some sign of watermelon weather….

  4. Hope Valley is one of my favourite lines and looks so pretty made up into quilts. I look forward to seeing what you will make.

  5. Hope Valley is one of my favourite lines and looks so pretty made up into quilts. I look forward to seeing what you will make.

  6. Hope Valley is one of my favourite lines and looks so pretty made up into quilts. I look forward to seeing what you will make.

  7. After years of French General and Three Sisters I finally started buying brighter, “happier” fabrics about a year and a half ago. I use them for quilts and whatnot that are not for me but for resale with only a few exceptions. I am still a Country French/Shabby kinda gal so those colors and designers will always appeal to me. I am just happy to be using fabrics that look bright and cheery in my stash and I can let the more modern parts of me outta the bag!

  8. After years of French General and Three Sisters I finally started buying brighter, “happier” fabrics about a year and a half ago. I use them for quilts and whatnot that are not for me but for resale with only a few exceptions. I am still a Country French/Shabby kinda gal so those colors and designers will always appeal to me. I am just happy to be using fabrics that look bright and cheery in my stash and I can let the more modern parts of me outta the bag!

  9. After years of French General and Three Sisters I finally started buying brighter, “happier” fabrics about a year and a half ago. I use them for quilts and whatnot that are not for me but for resale with only a few exceptions. I am still a Country French/Shabby kinda gal so those colors and designers will always appeal to me. I am just happy to be using fabrics that look bright and cheery in my stash and I can let the more modern parts of me outta the bag!

  10. Hope Valley had ‘caught my eye’ also but had resisted it, now I am having some regrets but I had previously bought a jelly roll of Happy by Me and My Sister Designs (old now) and the background fabric for Floral Bouquet in the, “Jelly Roll Quilts”, book. My family said, “Mum, why did you buy that?” We all need some happy, fun fabric in our lives even if we only look and pet it. Sounds like it’s time for yours to play happily with the sewing machine. Have fun!
    My previous comment was posted by my phone and those buttons are smallish so sorry for the errors. It is hard to pick them up at the time.

  11. Hope Valley had ‘caught my eye’ also but had resisted it, now I am having some regrets but I had previously bought a jelly roll of Happy by Me and My Sister Designs (old now) and the background fabric for Floral Bouquet in the, “Jelly Roll Quilts”, book. My family said, “Mum, why did you buy that?” We all need some happy, fun fabric in our lives even if we only look and pet it. Sounds like it’s time for yours to play happily with the sewing machine. Have fun!
    My previous comment was posted by my phone and those buttons are smallish so sorry for the errors. It is hard to pick them up at the time.

  12. Hope Valley had ‘caught my eye’ also but had resisted it, now I am having some regrets but I had previously bought a jelly roll of Happy by Me and My Sister Designs (old now) and the background fabric for Floral Bouquet in the, “Jelly Roll Quilts”, book. My family said, “Mum, why did you buy that?” We all need some happy, fun fabric in our lives even if we only look and pet it. Sounds like it’s time for yours to play happily with the sewing machine. Have fun!
    My previous comment was posted by my phone and those buttons are smallish so sorry for the errors. It is hard to pick them up at the time.

  13. I agree with Suzan – we have our favorite styles, but it is fun to get some different, happy and bright fabrics in our collections. That is why I love making the Schnibbles – you can use fabrics that you normally wouldn’t use for a whole bed quilt. I usually call these fabrics brights – but even better, I like calling them ‘happy’.

  14. I agree with Suzan – we have our favorite styles, but it is fun to get some different, happy and bright fabrics in our collections. That is why I love making the Schnibbles – you can use fabrics that you normally wouldn’t use for a whole bed quilt. I usually call these fabrics brights – but even better, I like calling them ‘happy’.

  15. I agree with Suzan – we have our favorite styles, but it is fun to get some different, happy and bright fabrics in our collections. That is why I love making the Schnibbles – you can use fabrics that you normally wouldn’t use for a whole bed quilt. I usually call these fabrics brights – but even better, I like calling them ‘happy’.

  16. How delightful!!!! Methinks I need to get my colorful kid fabrics, hand-dyeds, and bright geometrics out of their various drawers and put them together to see what I have. They’ll be wonderful eye candy!
    Do you think your recent appreciation pf these happy colors has anything to do with Miss E’s colorful wardrobe? 🙂 Maybe so …!
    Hugs!

  17. How delightful!!!! Methinks I need to get my colorful kid fabrics, hand-dyeds, and bright geometrics out of their various drawers and put them together to see what I have. They’ll be wonderful eye candy!
    Do you think your recent appreciation pf these happy colors has anything to do with Miss E’s colorful wardrobe? 🙂 Maybe so …!
    Hugs!

  18. How delightful!!!! Methinks I need to get my colorful kid fabrics, hand-dyeds, and bright geometrics out of their various drawers and put them together to see what I have. They’ll be wonderful eye candy!
    Do you think your recent appreciation pf these happy colors has anything to do with Miss E’s colorful wardrobe? 🙂 Maybe so …!
    Hugs!

  22. Fabulous choices Nicole. Those are some of my favorite designers as well. I look forward to seeing the new fabrics you purchased.

  23. Fabulous choices Nicole. Those are some of my favorite designers as well. I look forward to seeing the new fabrics you purchased.

  24. Fabulous choices Nicole. Those are some of my favorite designers as well. I look forward to seeing the new fabrics you purchased.

  28. I too, have been finding myself attracted to the bright and cheery colors in the last few years. I used to favour the earth tones. Kate Spain is one of my favorites too!

  29. I too, have been finding myself attracted to the bright and cheery colors in the last few years. I used to favour the earth tones. Kate Spain is one of my favorites too!

  30. I too, have been finding myself attracted to the bright and cheery colors in the last few years. I used to favour the earth tones. Kate Spain is one of my favorites too!

  34. I bought a few FQs of Hope Valley a while ago and have been hoarding them. No pattern was good enough. I recently bought a FQ bundle of Florence by Denyse Schmidt and feel better in letting go of the Hope Valley. LOL! I decided the make Camille Roskelley’s On a Whim pattern with my Hope Valley. It’s on my 2014 list. I just finished gathering all the fabric to take on retreat recently. So it will be here sooner than later.

  35. I bought a few FQs of Hope Valley a while ago and have been hoarding them. No pattern was good enough. I recently bought a FQ bundle of Florence by Denyse Schmidt and feel better in letting go of the Hope Valley. LOL! I decided the make Camille Roskelley’s On a Whim pattern with my Hope Valley. It’s on my 2014 list. I just finished gathering all the fabric to take on retreat recently. So it will be here sooner than later.

  36. I bought a few FQs of Hope Valley a while ago and have been hoarding them. No pattern was good enough. I recently bought a FQ bundle of Florence by Denyse Schmidt and feel better in letting go of the Hope Valley. LOL! I decided the make Camille Roskelley’s On a Whim pattern with my Hope Valley. It’s on my 2014 list. I just finished gathering all the fabric to take on retreat recently. So it will be here sooner than later.

  37. I’ve noticed I’ve been gravitating towards your new fabric choices as well though the decor in my home says NO. I’m now working on things for the new girl in our family…DIL…not grand…yet. LOL

  38. I’ve noticed I’ve been gravitating towards your new fabric choices as well though the decor in my home says NO. I’m now working on things for the new girl in our family…DIL…not grand…yet. LOL

  39. I’ve noticed I’ve been gravitating towards your new fabric choices as well though the decor in my home says NO. I’m now working on things for the new girl in our family…DIL…not grand…yet. LOL

  40. I love (and have) both of those collections. Maybe seeing what you decide to make will inspire me to use mine! Here’s to happy fabric!

  41. I love (and have) both of those collections. Maybe seeing what you decide to make will inspire me to use mine! Here’s to happy fabric!

  42. I love (and have) both of those collections. Maybe seeing what you decide to make will inspire me to use mine! Here’s to happy fabric!

  43. It’s very interesting how our tastes change/grow/expand. And with those changes, our stashes expand, too 🙂 I’m really looking forward to seeing how you use some of your new fabrics. I love them all, but find it challenging to see how to use them. I’m sure you will inspire us!

  44. It’s very interesting how our tastes change/grow/expand. And with those changes, our stashes expand, too 🙂 I’m really looking forward to seeing how you use some of your new fabrics. I love them all, but find it challenging to see how to use them. I’m sure you will inspire us!

  45. It’s very interesting how our tastes change/grow/expand. And with those changes, our stashes expand, too 🙂 I’m really looking forward to seeing how you use some of your new fabrics. I love them all, but find it challenging to see how to use them. I’m sure you will inspire us!

  46. I’ve been hoarding a small collection of Denyse Schmidt’s Shelburne Falls, and recently purchased a charm pack of Ansonia. I love how they both look together. Not sure of a pattern yet, but I’m leaning toward Lori Holt’s Great Granny Squares from her new book. Still love the Civil War fabrics, but this is a lovely change, nothing too dramatic or modern.

  47. I’ve been hoarding a small collection of Denyse Schmidt’s Shelburne Falls, and recently purchased a charm pack of Ansonia. I love how they both look together. Not sure of a pattern yet, but I’m leaning toward Lori Holt’s Great Granny Squares from her new book. Still love the Civil War fabrics, but this is a lovely change, nothing too dramatic or modern.

  48. I’ve been hoarding a small collection of Denyse Schmidt’s Shelburne Falls, and recently purchased a charm pack of Ansonia. I love how they both look together. Not sure of a pattern yet, but I’m leaning toward Lori Holt’s Great Granny Squares from her new book. Still love the Civil War fabrics, but this is a lovely change, nothing too dramatic or modern.

  55. Ooooh, Hope Valley is one of my all time favorite collections! I haven’t met a Hope Valley quilt I haven’t liked and have used in a number of quilts and still have quite a stash! o:) Good luck collecting!

  56. Ooooh, Hope Valley is one of my all time favorite collections! I haven’t met a Hope Valley quilt I haven’t liked and have used in a number of quilts and still have quite a stash! o:) Good luck collecting!

  57. Ooooh, Hope Valley is one of my all time favorite collections! I haven’t met a Hope Valley quilt I haven’t liked and have used in a number of quilts and still have quite a stash! o:) Good luck collecting!

  61. Hope Valley is so pretty! Those are the colors I tend to use in my quilts so my friend calls them my “Florida Quilts!” Can’t wait to see what you make with them! Whatever you do, it will be happy!!

  62. Hope Valley is so pretty! Those are the colors I tend to use in my quilts so my friend calls them my “Florida Quilts!” Can’t wait to see what you make with them! Whatever you do, it will be happy!!

  63. Hope Valley is so pretty! Those are the colors I tend to use in my quilts so my friend calls them my “Florida Quilts!” Can’t wait to see what you make with them! Whatever you do, it will be happy!!

  64. Love the Hope Valley and have some of it, and other Denyse Schmidt prints. I saw a darling tutorial on Pinterest and “sent” it to you. sows a cute stash of DS fabrics in a cute design. Enjoy yourself! Happy Happy!

  65. Love the Hope Valley and have some of it, and other Denyse Schmidt prints. I saw a darling tutorial on Pinterest and “sent” it to you. sows a cute stash of DS fabrics in a cute design. Enjoy yourself! Happy Happy!

  66. Love the Hope Valley and have some of it, and other Denyse Schmidt prints. I saw a darling tutorial on Pinterest and “sent” it to you. sows a cute stash of DS fabrics in a cute design. Enjoy yourself! Happy Happy!

  67. What a great way to use your inheritence! Something that makes you happy and you’ll have something to remember the person.

  68. What a great way to use your inheritence! Something that makes you happy and you’ll have something to remember the person.

  69. What a great way to use your inheritence! Something that makes you happy and you’ll have something to remember the person.

  70. Hope Valley is really pretty! I think that purple is in the realm of the Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid 🙂
    My happy fabrics ARE the CW repros and I’m a bit low on those! Like where you are going, though!

  71. Hope Valley is really pretty! I think that purple is in the realm of the Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid 🙂
    My happy fabrics ARE the CW repros and I’m a bit low on those! Like where you are going, though!

  72. Hope Valley is really pretty! I think that purple is in the realm of the Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid 🙂
    My happy fabrics ARE the CW repros and I’m a bit low on those! Like where you are going, though!

  73. Hi I have been following your site for a while now from Melbourne Australia and I totally enjoy it.I have been using reproductions for a while now maybe a change to some brights for me too.
    Love your inspiration thanks Chez

  74. Hi I have been following your site for a while now from Melbourne Australia and I totally enjoy it.I have been using reproductions for a while now maybe a change to some brights for me too.
    Love your inspiration thanks Chez

  75. Hi I have been following your site for a while now from Melbourne Australia and I totally enjoy it.I have been using reproductions for a while now maybe a change to some brights for me too.
    Love your inspiration thanks Chez