Welcome to the Moda Bake Shop Progressive Dinner

I'm back, I'm back! Thanks so much for all your well wishes during my injury, surgery, and recovery. The surgery went well, though I will admit that the recovery has been a little rougher than expected. But enough about that. Even though I'm typing this post by "hunting & pecking" with my left hand (7th grade typing class term!), I wouldn't miss this post, because I finally get to share some exciting news ...

I'M BEING PUBLISHED IN MY VERY FIRST BOOK!! YEAH!!

Fresh Fabric Finds is an upcoming title from Stash Books, and it extends the bake shop concept into book form. For those of you unfamiliar with the Moda Bake Shop, it's a wonderful online resource for free patterns & project ideas using Moda's pre-cut offerings, including fat quarter bundles, fat eigth bundles, layer cakes, jelly rolls, honey buns, and charm squares. I've been fortunate enough to have a few projects featured on the site (see them here), and I was both thrilled and honored to be included in the book along with 15 other talented "chefs".

To celebrate the launch of the book (scheduled to be released this May), we're hosting a Progressive Dinner Party and giveaway. First, the giveaway part. One lucky reader will win a copy of Fresh Fabric Finds and a fat eighth bundle (currently my favorite pre-cuts!) of an upcoming fabric line TBD. To enter simply leave a comment here on my blog, and I'll randomly draw a winner on Friday, January 28.

I can't say too much about my specific project for the book (yet), but I can give a hint

and tell you that it's one of the projects featured above.

Can you guess which one?

Want to win even more? To win the grand prize of over $200 of Moda pre-cuts, visit every blog hosting the Progressive Dinner Party, and comment on every post. Again, a lucky reader wil be selected from all who enter. Start here at the Moda Bake Shop, and be sure to visit all of the other chefs. Here's the schedule:

January 20
Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts
Roslyn Mirrington of Bloom

Vanessa Christenson of V and Co.

January 21

John Adams of Quilt Dad

Monica Solorio-Snow of The Happy Zombie

January 22

Kimberly Walus of Bitty Bits and Pieces

Melissa Mortenson of The Polkadot Chair

January 23

Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt

Vickie Eapen of Spun Sugar Quilts

January 24

Rachel Griffith of P.S. I Quilt
Lissa Alexander of Moda Lissa

January 25

Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts
Sweetwater

January 26

Angela Yosten

Jenny Garland

And now for the dinner part of the post. We were each asked to provide a favorite recipe. Now this may not surprise you, but I'm not much of a cook (even though a psychic once told me that I was a great Italian chef from Tuscany in a previous life!), but I'm going to share one of my wife's FAVORITE recipes. It might sound a bit odd and it requires a bit more work than a typical salad, but I promise that it's always a show-stopper and she's asked to bring it again & again!

Barley and Corn Salad with Arugula and Green Beans

Serves 6

*** NOTE: we always double this recipe!! ***

2/3 C. pearl barley

1 lb. green beans, trimmed
1 C. fresh white corn kernels (cut off cob)
4 large bunches arugula (about 4 oz. total)

1/2 C. olive oil
1/4 C. white wine vinegar
2 T. minced garlic
2 T. minced fresh thyme (this is important)
2 t. Dijon mustard

3 1/2-oz. package of Feta cheese (crumbled)

Cook barley in boiling salted water until tender (about 30 min). Drain; cool. Put in large bowl.

Cook beans in salted water until crisp-tender (about 4 minutes). It depends upon the size as to how long they take. Put in ice-bath, drain, pat dry, and cut into 2-inch pieces. Add to the barley. Mix in corn kernels. Coarsely chop arugula. Add to barley mixture. Add beans and cheese.

Whisk olive oil, vinegar, garlic, thyme and Dijon. Pour the dressing over the mixture. Be careful not to put too much dressing on. Season with salt and pepper.

Quilt Dad project sightings

Thanks so much for all of the questions you've been posting in the comments of my last post. There are some really good & interesting questions, and I'm getting pretty excited to answer them. Some of the questions were directed at Mrs. Quilt Dad, so she's even agreed to answer some of them. Should be VERY interesting! Be on the lookout for a "20 questions"-type post in the near future. And don't forget that my giveaway is still open for a few more days!

One of the most fulfilling things about this whole blogging / Flickr / Moda Bake Shop / Fat Quarterly business is hearing (& seeing) that I've inspired people to make things based on an idea or inspiration that I had.

Here are a few amazing projects based on my tutorials and patterns that I wanted to showcase and share with all of you:

Krista / Poppyprint made this "Flying Fish" table runner using a selection of Japanese fabrics. The pattern was featured in the first issue of Fat Quarterly. Krista selected some beautiful fabrics and took my pattern to the next level by having those diagonal bars end in a triangle of the same fabric, creating some nice movement and unity among the different pieces of the pattern. Thanks, Krista!

Beth made this "Off the Grid" sliced nine-patch quilt (first featured on the Moda Bake Shop) using one of my favorite fabric lines of the moment, Hunky Dory:



Love that pieced back! Nice job, Beth.

Here's another Off the Grid quilt made by Betsy. Betsy useed another of my favorite new fabric lines, Botany.


How cool is this? Betsy made a pillow to coordinate with her quilt. What a great idea!


Betsy, if you ever get tired of this set, just let me know and I'd be happy to take it off of your hands. It will have a happy home here ... I promise!


One of my more recent tutorials was for an iPad sleeve, which was also featured on the Moda Bake Shop. I wasn't quite sure how well this one would be received, since relatively few people have iPads ... and I figured that those that do would be getting some cool leather portfolio or something. I was so happy to hear that at least two people have used my tutorial ... and gave me some good feedback on it, too.

This first one was made by Julie (aka jaybirdquilts) for her mom. She used the Remix line by Ann Kelle for Robert Kaufman for the exterior and Moda Snuggles fabric for the interior. Isn't it great?

Photos courtesy of Julie Herman

And here's a beautiful version in blue and green that was made by Tacey, who emailed me these photos:



Thanks, as always, for all of the great feedback on my different patterns. I'm working on another quilt pattern right now for our 2nd issue of Fat Quarterly (coming this July), and have a few other things rattling around in my head ... so stay tuned!

MBS | iPad sleeve tutorial

OK, I am back from quilt market and I have so, so much to share! The experience was phenomenal and my head is still spinning from everything I saw, everyone I met, and all of the exciting things that lie ahead.

Alas, the real world (aka my job) beckons and I am behind, behind, behind. No time to blog about market or share all of the great pictures I took yet, but in the meantime I have a new Moda Bake Shop tutorial to share.

While I was at market, my tute for three different iPad sleeves went live. If you have an iPad, or have a friend / spouse / significant other / family member / co-worker that does, I promise this is a FAST project that looks great when it's done.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Another "Off the Grid" sighting

I heard from the lovely Sarah a few weeks back, letting me know that she had just finished a quilt made from my sliced nine-patch pattern (from the Moda Bake Shop).

And here it is ... being shown off by Sarah's lovely assistant!:


Isn't it great?


All pics are from Sarah's blog. You can read more about Sarah's quilt on her post about it here.


Thanks, Sarah! Does anyone else want to share?

I love collaboration ...

... which is why I loved working with Julie of jaybirdquilts on our latest Moda Bake Shop project. What's on the menu? Pillows. And lots of 'em.

Go check it out and let me know what you think!

Some more neat-o's!

When I had the idea to write my "Neat-o" post a few days back, I was overwhelmed by the number of things I had to share all of a sudden. Even with everything I wrote about, I knew I was forgetting a few things! Which is just as well because that grew to be a way-too-bloated post as it is ...

Here is an addendum to my previous post, if you will ... 3 more neat-o's to add to my collection!

First, every March the team over at the Stitchin' Heaven Howdy blog hosts a Tribute to Male Quilters. I was so excited to be asked by Nicole to be featured again alongside some really talented men, including Ryan, Charlie, Gene, Matt, Greg, and many more. Here's the post in case you want to check it out. Thanks again, Nicole & the Stitchin' Heaven team!


Second, I received a really nice email from Jan, who blogs at Another Hatchett Job about my Split Nine-Patch pattern from the Moda Bake Shop. Her aunt has been sewing her whole life, but only recently started quilting and has become a huge fan of the patterns featured on the MBS. She's already made two quilts from my pattern!! Wow, I am flattered. Though her aunt doesn't blog, Jan has posted pictures of the quilts here. (That's one of them shown above.) Thanks for letting me know, Jan!


Finally, I was reading a book with my daughter yesterday in a doctor's office waiting room when I came across this charming little illustration of a quilty quail family. Isn't it great? Of course, I love that the whole family, including Papa Quail, is in on the act. It's taken from an Ed Emberley ABC alphabet book. Just wanted to share it with y'all!

Have you had any neat-o moments recently? I'd love to hear about it. Trust me, it's fun to share!

"Off the Grid" Sightings

I've been so delighted to see some people's interpretations of my "Off the Grid" Sliced Nine Patch pattern that was posted on the Moda Bake Shop last month.


Flickr user Mel Sews recently posted this completed quilt. She also used the "Wonderland" line (like my original) but substituted the honey bun strips with a solid brown linen. I love the different look that it gives to the quilt!

Lynne from Quilts and Cats recently completed this stunning version made from the "Tranquility" line by Sandy Gervais. Lynne's using hers as a wallhanging. Hmmmm, a great idea as I think about how we'll decorate our next home ...

Poor Jess (aka hectichousehold) recently broke her arm, and do you know what she did to soothe her pain? She hit her scrap bin and made a quilt block based on my pattern! She even improvised a bit and added a few more slices. Check it out:

I absolutely love seeing what you've all done with my pattern. And I have to admit that I am glad (and relieved!) that you've all said such nice things about the tutorial. I'm still fairly new at this, so the feedback is awesome ... and I'm so glad that you're enjoying it!

If you make an "off the grid" quilt, I sure would love to see it!

I've been baking ...

Check out my newest project, posted today over on the Moda Bake Shop! I hope you like it.

My MBS Debut!

Yes, it's true! As of this morning, I am the Moda Bake Shop's newest designer! I am just so very excited to be included among so many talented quilters and sewists. This is such a personal accomplishment for me!

My first tutorial (though hopefully not my last) is for a quick & easy table runner that packs a punch through the deliberate placement of color and value. I hope y'all like it.

Head on over to the Moda Bake Shop, check it out, and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your feedback ... but seeing as it is my first time trying to write any type of project instructions, please be gentle! If you make one, I'd love to see it. Also, be sure to add it to the MBS Flickr pool!

I've got a few more things up my sleeves, so stay tuned ...

Ponyo, Bag-Making, and Dipping My Toes in the Waters of Embroidery

Happy Saturday, everyone! I hope you're enjoying your weekend.

Before I get to any sewing pics, just wanted to share that we took the kids to see "Ponyo" today. What a beautiful, sweet little movie. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, and I wasn't sure if it would hold my kids' attention -- we've never seen a Miyazaki movie before, despite all of the good things I've heard -- but they sat through the entire thing! I thoroughly enjoyed it, too ... so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it! Is it weird that I saw great ideas for quilt fabric colors and patterns throughout the entire movie ... ??



Quilt blocks took a bit of a backseat this week to some bags. It all started when my sister-in-law asked me to make her a bag. She is getting ready to start taking golf lessons, and she wanted a pretty, feminine bag to carry her golf shoes in. I said "sure", but wasn't really sure what to make. I haven't attempted zippers yet, so I was looking for something to help me avoid them.

Then I came across the Charming Drawstring Beach Bag tutorial over at the Moda Bake Shop. It seemed perfect! I had a charm pack of Soiree on hand, so I quickly pulled this together:


I think it turned out great! It was super easy to make. And I appreciate the fact that it's machine-washable, since those golf spikes will undoubtedly get a bit muddy from time to time.


I was also inspired recently by Kathy of Pink Chalk Studios' blog post about the "Easiest Accessory Bags Ever" pattern by Fig Tree Quilts. That Kathy is a marketing genius ... it didn't take long for me to have that pattern (and some Aiden Natural Linen to go with it) in my shopping cart.


I had already made a smaller sized bag from the pattern as a thank-you gift for my mom for watching the kids a few weeks back. (Bummer I didn't get a picture of it -- I made it out of "Patisserie" and it was really, really nice ... if I do say so myself!). This time I decided to make the large laundry bag. I found 2 fat quarters of some orange "Summer in the City" prints in my wife's pile of fabrics that she had purchased a while back for her bag-making and decided to put them to good use.

Finally, because I was on such a tear, I decided to make another little Bake Shop bag, but this time I adjusted the pattern a bit. I happened to have 18 charm squares of "Neptune" laying around, and adjusted the dimensions of the bag to make it a bit narrower, a bit shorter, and I used some cuts of linen for the bottom instead of a row of charm squares.

I love how this one came out. It might just become a special carrier for my Doll Quilt Swap quilt!


There wasn't just bag-sewing going on at Casa Quilt Dad this week. Here are two little 5.5" square blocks that I made this week for Sudi-Laura, the winner of this month's "Baggie Bingo" draw over at the Mini Quilt in a Bag swap group:


Gotta love that Deer Valley!

Finally, I mentioned in my last post that I've been experimenting with something new -- embroidery! I've been really inspired by folks who incorporate embroidery into their quilt designs (see this and this and this and -- especially -- this), so I thought it might be a good skill to add to my repertoire!

I thought I'd start out small with a pillow. I asked my daughter what she might like on a pillow, and she said a cat. So I pulled this pattern from the "Sublime Stitching" book and got to work.


Not too shabby for a first-timer, eh? I think I cut the fabric a little too close to the yellow border, but oh well. The funniest part? As soon as I finished, my daughter informed me that she doesn't like cats anymore. Now she wants a unicorn. With 2 daughters, I guess I'd better get used to that. I think there's enough space in between the cat's feet and the yellow border to embroider a little girl's name. Maybe this will become a baby gift ...

(Great free embroidery patterns here, by the way.)

Before I get started on the unicorn, I have to finish this. Yes, I've already started a second embroidery project. No intended recipient in mind yet ... just want to keep practicing. I was TOTALLY inspired by this (and this and this). Free pattern here.


How about you? Been itching to try anything new lately?

Patisserie Kindle Holder

Happy 4th of July (a day late)!! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, whether you celebrated or not. We laid low this weekend -- had some friends over for a cookout last night, and went over their place for dinner tonight. Mrs. Quilt Dad made the cake pictured above in celebration of the holiday ... from scratch! And it was goooooo-ooood. It's a Barefoot Contessa recipe that she got from The Pioneer Woman. She says that Quilt Dad is her favorite blog, but I know I can't even hope to compete with the force of nature that is The Pioneer Woman.

Oh well ...

On Thursday, we decided on an impromptu overnight trip to our favorite beach spot in North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach. The kids had a blast ... it's always fun to experience the thrill and novelty of staying in a hotel through the eyes of a child.



I also managed to get a bit of sewing done this weekend. I recently bought my wife an Amazon Kindle for her birthday-slash-Mother's Day-slash-anniversary-slash-Christmas (need I go on? It's not cheap!) Of course, I had to make another Bookkeeper from the Moda Bake Shop for her to carry it around in. I love this pattern. Plus, I've got to protect my investment!!


This time I made it using a mini honey bun of "Patisserie" by Fig Tree Quilts. It came out much better than my first two attempts ... and more quickly, too!


I showed it to our friends who were over for dinner last night. One of them asked if I would make one for her to gift to her mother, who also just got a Kindle. I had enough Patisserie left to make an identical one to my wife's ... and whipped it up in about an hour last night. I think I've mastered the Bookkeeper!

P.S. There is no question that Roger is a true champion, but I was really pulling for Andy today.