Moda Lissa

Friday Funny

2012-01-27T05:58:00.002-06:00

You dont need to understand the words to appreciate the humor in this video.

Love the sweater! Wish they had one in my size.

3 pounds

2012-01-22T12:47:00.001-06:00

I only gained 3 pounds during my week abroad. My suitcase actually gained more weight than I did. The low weight gain is miraculous due to the foods, breads, wines and more breads I enjoyed during the week.

The trip begins heading to Frankfurt Germany. Leaving DFW airport around 3:00 in the afternoon arriving in Frankfurt, approx. 9:00. Drop off the luggage and head straight for the Messe Fairgrounds. This place is huge, 10 buildings... Oops 11 buildings, they added a new building this year. We had two days to cover the entire show. This involved some serious walking. I should have brought my pedometer to see how many steps we took. We had it all planned and knew if we were pressed on time we could skip a couple of buildings. Who needs to see an entire building of curtain rods, blinds, etc? Would you think there were that many different ways to hang curtains? First show day we had been up for 30 hours not counting the occasional nap on the plane.
Remember this show does not allow pictures so I don't have much to offer except a notebook full of sketches that only I could decipher.

This show is so different than the quilt shows or gift shows. Hiemtexel is the largest home dec show in the world. The vendors exhibiting here build small countries. Bedding companies suspend beds from the high ceilings as if they were swings on a playground. Rainbow of towels, rugs, robes and slippers displayed along antique led tubs with claw feet and a babbling brook flowing through the booth.
I was enamored with a rug company that made rugs from the leather labels of blue jeans. There were patched denim rugs, rugs from silk ties, felted wool rocks rugs, and even rugs made from zippers. Rugs, cushions, footstools, loved it all. Reminded me of stuff I tried to patch together in high school. The down side to this isn't I could take any of this home.

The one exhibit I was able to take a few pics from was the exhibit from the Frankfurt school of fashion, Tales of the Unexpected.

One tradition is too plan an evening at any of the apple wine (apfelwein) restaurants in old town of Frankfurt. Wagner's is like stepping back in time and enjoying a German meal, fellowship and some new friends regardless of the language differences. Enter the restaurant, pull back the thick red velvet curtains that shield the inside from the cold and embark on rooms and rooms full of big long tables, benches and chairs. Complete strangers sit right along side you. They call this family style. Where I come from they call family style where they dish your meal in big dishes placed on the table, you it pass around and help your self. Here you don't share food unless you want, you share the table.
Due to it's popularity, it is a great place for the tourists to gather. This seems to help with the language barriers. The food is amazing from wiener schnitzel to the sausage sampler platter. Ya, the sausage platter was as gross as it looks in the picture, but one thing stands true, whenever we travel we try and do as the locals do. If you are in Nashville you have to listen to country music, so if you are in Germany you have to have sausage and sauerkrat.
I am not a big fan of the apple wine. Reminds me of when I was a kid and accidentally left apple juice in my lunch thermos. I opened the lid and it exploded. I told my dad I think I had just made beer.

Alsace, France
The real adventure begins as we rented a car and began the drive to visit the charming area of Ste. Marie Aux Mines. We made sure the rental car had a GPS system. We weren't the least bit nervous. GPS IN GERMAN!
This wasn't like rental car companies here where there are people everywhere. Nope, they just sent us out down a very,very long hallway, an elevator and a huge garage. We played with the GPS, when a man pulled up behind us. He worked for the rental car company and was only there to park another car in our soon to be vacant parking spot. He changed the language to English and we all had a good laugh.

The European Patchwork Meeting 2012 will be having an exhibit with some of Mark Dunns antique quilts and textiles. We met with Rhinetex, the Moda distributor along with the organizers of this event.
The entire trip I felt like the guys on The Bachelor television show when all they can say is "Amazing." However my word was "Charming!"

pictured above - the exhibition hall, meeting with the team, Maarten and William at the Amish exhibition, the B&B we stayed during our visit.

on the road again
Drove to Heidelberg, Germany to see the "charming" castle and enjoy a cappuccino and a bowl of soup. The soup here is like no other, all the ingredients are so fresh and I am sure full of rich cremes. I decided to turn the rest of the trip into a soup tour trying to order it for every meal.

Had to get on the road to make sure we arrived at our next stop before nightfall. The GPS was great but there is something about driving in the pitch black along winding roads through the mountains with a voice repeating merge right at the next round about.
The drive was breathtaking through the Swiss Alps. Those are some big mountains!! We arrived at nightfall in Como, Italy. A perfect ending to a perfect day.... And I think no u turns that day.

January is off season so the area was very quiet but that didn't take away from the charm. We visited any yarn or quilt shop we could find along our route.

Antipastos, fresh fish, wines, cappuccinos, chocolates, breads, olive oils, cheeses and a few more soups rounded out the stay in Como. This is probably the town where the 3 pounds happened.
I can officially say I have been to Milan. (driving to the airport at 4:30 in the morning) This just means will need another trip back to see Milan in the daylight.

-modalissa

disclaimer

2012-01-13T06:00:00.001-06:00

How many times I have I said I have the greatest job ever?

I am saying it again.

I DO.

This week I will be attending the Hiemtextil show in Frankfurt, Germany with the VP of design from Moda.

This is a huge show for the home dec world. 10 separate buildings full of everything from mattress, machinery, curtain rods, blankets and more. There are vendors from all of the world exhibiting their newest products. All it would take is a couple of pictures sent to some knock off country to ruin their campaign.

This is the show where hotels go to design their towels. They don't order them right off the rack at JC Penney. Who knew? It is an interesting show that covers completely different industries and certainly opens your eyes to the fact that there is a market for pretty much everything.

I wish I could post pictures to share the adventure with each of you but pictures are strictly, I mean STRICTLY forbidden. I have even seen someone try and sneak a picture and immediately security guards swarm the perpetrator.

The booths are incredible. They actually build entire structures. I will share whatever I am legally allowed in a future post.

Then we are visiting the venue for European Patchwork 2012 in Alsace, France. We are excited about this show because they are doing an exhibit about Mark Dunn, the President of Moda along with several other exhibits, contests, and classes. The exhibit is going to have some of the quilts and textiles from his collection on exhibit for the first time anywhere. More to come on this event also.

So while we are in that neck of the woods, we thought we would visit the venue. Pray for me because we are renting a car and I am the designated driver through the beautiful countryside from Frankfurt to Alsace. I am sure this will bring some interesting stories about U-turns and more.

I titled this post Disclaimer and the real reason I wanted to do this post is to let all of you know that if there is a random post on my face book page it is probably because my favorite son (in his mind) has hacked into FB and left posts to the other kids. He gets bored easily! Please disregard them.
Be back in a week and a recap of the trip.

happy quilting,
lissa

the baby maker

2012-01-11T08:32:00.000-06:00

Have you ever seen the movie, The Proposal with Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds
and my idol Betty White?

Betty White is classic in this movie as the future grandmother in law to Sandra Bullock, even faking a heart attack to make sure the marriage actually happens. If you have seen the movie, then you certainly know of the "baby Maker" scene, where Betty White gives them a quilt to sleep with, aptly named the baby maker.

My oldest son was married end of September. Yes I know I have shown these pictures before but this is another opportunity to show off my new daughter in law and my proud son.

Okay back to the quilt. Grant and Misty didn't really have a color scheme so I struggled with what I should make them for a wedding gift. It had to be perfect! I decided to do a friendship quilt using charm packs of assorted naturals. I sewed a few fabrics around the squares and instantly fell in love with the quilt. I knew they would love it also and certainly be surprised. I think this is about the time I decided to make it a friendship quilt. I secretly got addresses of family members, friends, co workers, old college buddies etc. and mailed each of them a square of fabric, a pen and a return address envelope. Then I waited and waited.

Have you ever been so excited to work on a project that you just couldn't sleep?
Well this was one of those projects for me.

I waited and waited for some blocks to start arriving so I could sew. This is also when I learned of several change of addresses as envelopes were returned as undeliverable etc.

Their wedding invitation was printed on a hankerchief with lace edging.
It was the perfect size to cut and use as one of the squares adding such a keepsake to the actual quilt.

One of the first squares to arrive was from Nate Miller, a local 6 year old friend of my sons. He drew Grant and Misty along with the two kids, dog and a butterfly that he thought they would have after they were married. Sounds like a perfect life to me, right?

My best friend gave them a platter with the weeding invitation printed on it. How cool was that? She always has the best ideas.

I had to add some grey squares as that is one of her favorite colors and it certainly added a vintage feel to the quilt.

The fun thing about sewing each of these squares as they arrived was that I tried to hand pick some of the fabrics to co ordinate with their friend's block. I was able to add a 30's print with little kids on it.
After all it is named the baby maker.

Kate Benz sent in a wonderful quote from Mother Teresa."It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters."

I was able to use some of the fabrics that I had bleached and over dyed for a vintage look.

Everyday I was so excited to get the mail to see how many blocks arrived and ignore the bills!!

Now I was doing all of this in the formal living room where I had moved my sewing room. The kids live locally and could drop by at any time so this certainly added a bit of adventure to the project by keeping the project hidden.

This is one of my favorite quotes. How much simpler can it be said?

If you read my posts you know that I am addicted to pinterest. (you can find me here.) If I am addicted to something I do like to share my addictions, so Misty is also on pinterest. I looked around to find a quilt she had saved and pieced the back of the quilt using that design making the quilt reversible. The perfect grey Sweetwater fabric had just arrived so I was super pumped.

Misty keeps the quilt rolled up and in a basket because she worries about any of the signatures disappearing if she has to wash it to many times. I will let you know if I see it out being used or maybe I should send Betty White over to throw it on their bed.

If you would like to get the pattern to make your own "baby maker" check out Rita at Red Pepper Quilts website. Rita does not call the pattern, Baby Maker, The pattern is named Tiffany.

Thank you Rita for the design inspiration for this project. It was perfect.

Friday Funny

2012-01-06T06:00:00.003-06:00

I haven't had too many things for my Friday Funny's but thought all of us on the New Years Diets would like to invest in this Vacuum.

Headed to the gym.
Have a good one.

Resolutions

2012-01-03T12:00:00.001-06:00

Did I scare you with my crazy organizing post? I could say that I had a week off and didn't know what to do with myself, or that I lounged around for two days and caught up on all my blog reading, or I wanted to get all the decluttering done so I wouldn't have any excuses not to sew uninterrupted.

Well all of the above is true.

Does that make me normal?
Hope so.

The next big dilemma in my life was what to do for a new year's resolution. There are so many choices.

I read about a gal that committed to exercising 1 minute a day. Makes sense. You have to get started somewhere was her theory and setting the bar so low as a minute, she certainly could exceed this. It was all about getting started.

I really wanted to commit to making 1 pillowcase a day for the million pillowcase challenge, so I am GOING to MAKE one a week. The bar may be set too low on this one also but I can go no where but up.

I see all the blogs that have a picture a day, man oh man, I wish I was that talented, creative and disciplined to do that. I did find a cool app, Photo365 that I am playing with.

This is what the website says.

Photo 365Version 1.0An app that remembers your year one photo at a time.

Add a picture from the camera or albums.

Save multiple photos in a day.

Share your pictures on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or e-mail.

View your photos by the month.

Beautiful and easy to use.

This will be fun to add a picture for peoples birthdays, special events, etc. The creative part will come in when I need to add a picture for a date like today, January 3rd.

Well worth my .99 investment.

There are so many other resolutions I could or should make but this is the one I have chosen for 2012.

Resolve to make at least one person happy every day, and then in ten years you will have made three thousand, six hundred and fifty people happy, or brightened a small town by your contribution to the fund of general enjoyment.

Hello 2012

2011-12-31T12:03:00.000-06:00

Hello 2012,

Today is the last day of the year and I think I am ready!!

Last night I had my semi-annual sock matching party. In the past this was a New Year's eve tradition but I did it a day early. Yippee!

I have always had a hard time telling the boys clothes apart. Between hand me downs, stray clothes from random friends, 4 big boys and their dad, I really don't know whose stuff is whose, especially socks. ( I never had a problem with Jillian clothes) This has been a struggle my entire life. Now that my children are grown and this shouldn't be much of an issue, Right? I guess this is where my lack of housekeeping skills also plays a part. I would rather quilt than clean!
Kids have moved in and out, taking only what they "needed" and the leftovers remained so I once again have orphan socks. One year I cleaned the entire house hunting for any lost socks so I could get ready for the upcoming sock matching party. Once I was sure they were none of those little devils hiding, I packaged up all the pairs and took them to Goodwill. I bought several pairs of one style sock, all the same size, that ALL the males in my household would wear.
Makes perfect sense.
Or so I thought, then one little pesky stray sock makes it way into the cycle and here we go again. All the kids were here for the holidays, they live local so it is no big deal if they do not take all of their belongings ---- More stray socks.
For years, Gary was in bed early for New Years Eve because he had to work at 3:00 in the morning. My big event was having a sock matching party, tricking some of the kids to help, setting all the clothes back an hour and ringing in the New Year.
You may wonder why I set the clocks back an hour?
I live in the central time zone which gave me options on which channel to watch the festivities in Time Square. The ball would actually drop at 11:00 on one of the channels. I would let the kids stay up to watch the ball drop, blow their noisemakers, drink apple juice in plastic champagne glasses and GO TO BED.
This gave me a full hour of silence and reflection, not counting the I'm thirsty or Jarrod hit me interruptions.
An hour alone when you have 5 kids and a husband that works from home was sheer heaven.

TIP: Don't count the socks becasue the numbers could be overwhelming. I think about cutting quilt pieces for the newest project. If a quilt pattern requires 1,890 pieces, how eager are you to jump on in and tackle the project? I don't count, I just start cutting. (or folding if talking about socks.)

These are the remains of my sock matching party. A dozen or so remain sport ankle socks tied with the one lone black sock. One more laundry cycle and if their mate doesn't magically appear these guys are gone!!

Closets are Cleaned

I guess once a girl scout always a girl scout. Always be prepared was my motto in my closet as well.
Monthly bloating? better keep that bigger size of pants.
Laura Ashley dresses may come back in style, better keep it just in case.
Never know when you may need a pair of bowling shoes, or a pair of railroad coveralls for a Halloween costume?
Well that is all gone except I did keep the bowling shoes.
I tend to shop for clothes like I shop for fabric. I like plaids, florals, textures and patterned pieces which I have learned doesn't make for a very versatile wardrobe. You can use a beautiful floral print in several sewing projects, but the gals at work would certainly start to wonder if my washer was broken if I wore the same floral shirt too often.
So I de-cluttered the closet, bought all new thin coated hangers and even some little clothes divider tabs like they have in the dept store. You know the kind that separate the mediums from the larges? Just write on the tab and hang it over your clothes rod to keep the short sleeve blue shirts separated from the long sleeve blue shirts. Yes, I know I must be sick.
This obsession will pass but I thought I strike while the iron was hot.
Wait there's more.... If you hang all your clothes with the hanger going backwards on the rod, once you wear them, hang them up in the right direction. The next time I am ready to purge, I can quickly see the garments I haven't not worn all year.
The clothes that the hanger is still backwards on the rod. I am trying it!!

Imagine trying to purge your fabric stash with this approach. The fabric you haven't used in a year, purge?!! Goodness NO! Fabric is better aged, it will not go out of style like my high waisted pants or the Laura Ashley dress I had since high school.
The dress did make it into my fabric stash. It was 100% cotton, imagine that!

TIP: Once your side of the closet is all pretty, you might as well go ahead and tidy up the hubby's side. I didn't organize his with dividers for long sleeve or short sleeve but it is color coordinated.

Outdoor flood lights (you know the ones too high to reach) all have a bright shiny new bulb in them. Tall kitchen cabinets cleaned. Thanks, Jarrod.
Christmas is all put away and I even have Valentine's towels in the guest bath.

Some one please take my temperature!

I think I am ready for 2012. Let's make it a good one!

good laugh

2011-12-21T16:09:00.000-06:00

handmaderyangosling.tumbler.com

You may have seen on my pinterest that I have started pinning these creative pictures featuring the heart throb Ryan Gosling. Whoever thought of this is brilliant. Go over and check them out for yourself.
Wouldn't these be great as posters for your craft/sewing room.
I wonder if he is getting handmade gifts under his tree.

The Ugky Sweater Party

2011-12-14T08:27:00.006-06:00

Today is the annual Moda Christmas party. Lots of fun and merriment will be had by all. No Christmas party would be complete without the UGLY Christmas sweater competition. Please remember that ugly is in the eye of the beholder. Do not take offense to an ugly sweater that may be your favorite pretty sweater.
I have my own version of the history of the ugly Christmas sweater but I turned to Google and searched....
History of the Ugly Christmas Sweater and found this article by Martha McCarthy .

'Twas the Night Before Finals: The History of The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party...

Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties originated like the Post-it note: by accident. No, a 3M scientist was not goofing around in a lab, but the birth of the legendary Ugly Xmas Party tradition was one big fat accident. It started with elementary education teachers. They began sporting the sweaters like it was their job. This had a trickle down effect...slowly but surely infecting soccer moms, soccer grandmoms, art and music teachers, retired people, volunteers, PTA-goers, thrift store shoppers and the racks of Kohl's department store. Ugly Christmas Sweater Fever (as it is clinically referred to) had reached epidemic proportions.

No one died, fortunately, but this huge mass of people were really really ridiculously confused. For some reason, they thought they looked good. Really good. Super stylish. Cute as a button. Hollidazzlin. But no, they were sadly mistaken.

They looked hideous. For a long time, the non-Ugly Xmas sweater wearers remained in the closet. No one wanted to make the first move to alert these sad souls of their super sad situation.

A flip switched somewhere around 2007. Many attribute it to white people*. White people and their undying thirst for theme parties. One college co-ed sported a said sweater to a regular Christmas party. Everyone loved "Ugly Sweater Guy." Next thing you know, people are calling their elementary education teachers, their soccer moms and their local thrift stores in search of a sweater to wear to the next party. They know they've seen em...now they must track them down.

uglyxmasparty.com

Well my story started about 2005. The day after Christmas my sons insisted on going to the mall for the after Christmas sales. This should have been my first clue that something was terribly wrong.

We always went to Dillard's to meet up with one of the ladies that worked in the school counselor's office. (Mrs. Neinhiser you never knew what an influence you had on this whole ugly sweater phenomenon.)

The boys rushed to find Mrs. Neinhiser because she knew where all the over sized , glittery, shiny, tacky Christmas sweaters were. The boys would very strategically go through racks of bargain priced sweaters, planning their wardrobe for the following year.

This became such a trend that the dept stores no longer had any Ugly Christmas sweaters left. I guess the ugly stuff sold at full price. We spent many years hunting the thrift stores looking, looking and looking for UGLY. Imagine that we didn't find any Ugly!!

acrylic sweater for 75.00 from TheSweaterStore.com

Now my crew is quite the crafty bunch and they are not afraid of a hot glue gun, rotary cutter or even using one of their brothers cashmere sweaters to create their own version of ugly. These sweaters included ornaments, bells and even lights. I wish I had some pictures to share of their sweaters but....

they would not allow me to have evidence of all the things they used of mine that they shouldn't have messed with. Am I the only one with such "creative" or sneaky kids?

This trend has certain grown. It was even covered on the Today Show this morning.

Have no fear, my boys no longer have to scour the thrift stores. There are plenty of websites where they can buy brand new Ugly "tacky" Christmas Sweaters.

Look what one of my sons will be wearing this year. I don't think I am going to borrow this sweater for the company party this year.

What's the next trend?

Ugly Christmas Ties?

DISCLAIMER: No Moda company sweaters were shown in this blog posting.

and this just in from my husband

Life isn't fair, but it's still good

2011-12-05T05:58:00.001-06:00

Written by a woman on her 90th birthday

This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the end!!!!!!

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Quilting From Little Things Tour

2011-12-01T00:01:00.001-06:00

I am honored to be included on this blog tour along with such a diverse and talented line

up of fellow bloggers.

Thank you, Sarah for including me.

I have known Sarah and her family for many years. Her passion for quilting

and teaching has always been apparent in everything she touches.

Material Obsession by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke

Sarah's first two books, Material Obsession one and two, hold treasured spots on my bookshelf

and I can't wait to add her newest, self published title, Quilting From Little Things.

Sarah's newest book, Quilting From Little Things, is a feast for the eyes with

brightly colored quilts, brilliant photography and

close-up detailed pictures.

Click here for a look.

You may wonder about the name of the book....Quilting From Little Things.

Sarah's passion for teaching continues in this book by clear detailed illustrations and instructions to make a "dolly quilt."

Sarah teaches a new technique, how to practice it and accomplish the technique

by making a small doll quilt. Then move on to using the same technique

to make a larger version with your new skill set.

The techniques include projects from beginners to advanced including

paper piecing,

foundation piecing, set- in seams

and more.

This quilt is my current obsession.

Feathered stars have always been on my to do list.

Funny Story:

I had a piece of paper hanging on the wall behind my sewing machine with all of my UFO's. On the top of the page, I had written, TO DO LIST.

Sometime, I am not quite sure when, my husband had added the words... in this lifetime. Do you have a to do list of quilts you want to make that is longer than any one lifetime?

This quilt has moved up my perpetual quilt...to do list.

I am actually waiting for a new Christmas 2012 fabric line to arrive any minute

because this is the quilt I am going to make.

One more comment about Sarah and the quilts in this book.

Sarah's color sense and combination of fabrics is inspiring. There is an international flair

(after all she is from Australia) to the combination of scale, color and design.

Ask for this book at your favorite independent quilt retailer.

Thank you for stopping by, now hop on over to see what the prolific Monica has to say...

The Happy Zombie http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/

Friday 2nd December:

Mrs Schmenkman Quilts http://mrsschmenkmanquilts.wordpress.com/

True Up http://www.trueup.net/

Saturday 3rd December:

Pink Chalk Fabrics http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/

Pam Kitty Morning http://www.pamkittymorning.com/

Sunday 4th December:

Sew Mama Sew http://sewmamasew.com/

Pat Sloan http://patsloan.com/

If you are just joining the blog tour, please visit my fellow bloggers that have posted earlier in the week.

Monday 28th November:

Fat Quarterly http://www.fatquarterly.com/blog

Amy Ellis http://amyscreativeside.com/

Tuesday 29th November:

Thomas Knauer http://www.thomasknauersews.com/

Wednesday 30th November:

Camp Follower Bags http://campfollowerbags.com/

Ryan Walsh http://www.ryanwalshquilts.com/

Quilting From Little Things blog tour begins today

2011-11-28T05:43:00.001-06:00

Now that any remaining turkey is made into soup and the holiday shopping, decorating, cooking and caroling has begun, take a break and visit the following bloggers on the Quilting From Little Things blog tour, featuring the newest book from Sarah Fielke.

international book cover

Monday 28th November:

Fat Quarterly http://www.fatquarterly.com/blog

Amy Ellis http://amyscreativeside.com/

Tuesday 29th November:

Thomas Knauer http://www.thomasknauersews.com/

Wednesday 30th November:

Camp Follower Bags http://campfollowerbags.com/

Ryan Walsh http://www.ryanwalshquilts.com/

Thursday 1st December:

The Happy Zombie http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/

Moda Lissa http://modalissa.blogspot.com/

Friday 2nd December:

Mrs Schmenkman Quilts http://mrsschmenkmanquilts.wordpress.com/

True Up http://www.trueup.net/

Saturday 3rd December:

Pink Chalk Fabrics http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/
Pam Kitty Morning http://www.pamkittymorning.com/

Sunday 4th December:

Sew Mama Sew http://sewmamasew.com/

Pat Sloan http://patsloan.com/

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T06:22:00.001-06:00

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
Happy Thansgiving to YOU.............

- Posted using IPAD

do you pin?

2011-11-11T06:07:00.027-06:00

Do you Pin?

I have been trying to explain this obsession to some of my friends.

Some have caught on and ~~curse me~~, I mean thank me for exposing them to my obsession called Pinterest.

thank you happy zombie and pat sloan for getting me hooked months ago.

Here is how it works and why you NEED it.

Have you ever found a cool picture on the www and then saved it to your computer only to come across it months later and not remember where you found the picture? I have.

Pinterest is a digital filling cabinet saving the image and the source in your own little folder or as they call it on pinterest, Board. I guess a better description may be a digital bulletin board that you can share with the world. They can share back.

My sister in law is a fantastic cook, so I follow her boards for recipes.

I found this yummy recipe for apple cake with brown sugar glaze from http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/2010/09/caramelly-appley-delicious.html from Stephanie's Boards.

I saved (RE-pinned) this picture into my recipe folder (Boards) and I not only have an enticing picture but also have the recipe and the source of the recipe. You can also follow this recipe site just as

if you would "LIKE" someone on Facebook.

I have a board that is titled Decorating things.http://pinterest.com/modalissa/decorating-things/

You can create as many boards as you can dream up.

Endless possibilites.

http://www.craftynest.com/2009/07/old-dresser-rolling-tool-cabinet/

This saves the picture along with the tutorial of how to make it from Craftynest.com

It is time for that NEW haircut but you didn't save the latest picture of Jennifer Aniston?

Pin it into your Haircut folder.

Did you read about some fancy wine you just have to try?

Pin it and you will remember it!

Hey I like that slogan. If anyone is reading this from Pinterest feel free to borrow it.

There are so many things to discover that have already been pinned on Pinterest, but don't let that limit you.u. A picture from any website can be pinned and saved. Install the Pin It icon to your favorites tool bar to quickly pin an item from the web without being on Pinterest at the time. You will love how convenient this is.

Your pin can be shared on facebook and twitter.

Another great feature of Pinterest is that you follow people or just follow one of their boards that your are interested in. An example is my new adorable daughter in law. Yes, she is an avid pinner! When Ii was making their wedding quilt I made the quilt reversible by looking on her pinterest and finding

designs she liked.

As soon as she saw the back of the quilt, she said, "I saved that on Pinterest!"

Yes she did! (I will show this in a future post.)

And of course I have my little folder where I am saving ~~Modalissa~~ MONA LISA pictures.

From topcultured.com

And to substantiate my fetish here is an excerpt from The Boston Globe.
The current toast of the web is Pinterest, the visual pinboard for collecting and sharing content online. The “pinning” phenomena is spreading from its modest beginnings to appearing in national media outlets. There are over 2.5m monthly active Pinterest users on Facebook. A co-founder of the site has over 500,000 followers on Pinterest. Ron Conway (an investor in the site) remarked that Pinterest’s user growth rate is what Facebook’s was five years ago. Earlier in 2011, it was valued through venture financing at $40m and, most recently, just a few months later, at around $200m.

Pinterest is an entire community with so much to discover.

I hope to meet you there. Follow me at modalissa. Let me know if you are on Pinterest and

I will check it out.

When Harry Met Sally

2011-11-03T06:17:00.002-05:00

Have you ever worked on a quilt project that you just couldn't sleep? You were so excited to see it all come together that you would sneak off to your sewing machine for hours at a time?

I make alot of quilts but I must say that this happens to me a couple of times a year. I even dream about sewing the quilt when I do sleep. I know this may seem extremely odd to some of you, but for those that have caught the fever they will know exactly what I am talking about.

My quilt is featured in the current issue of American Patchwork and Quilting.

While I was making this quilt, I thought I should name it When Harry Met Sally. You all know the hiliarious movie starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal?

If you read my blog often you know that I like to mix different moda designers lines to challenge myself on fabric combinations. I choose two totally opposite groups, Little Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings and paired it with Etchings by 3 sisters. Just like the movie where two total strangers meet, these two fabric lines seem strange to include in the same project.

But I love it!

As I sewed the dark browns, blacks, tans, blues and greys on one side and then mixed the soft romantic floral on the other side, I couldn't help but think of this movie and the power of opposites attracting whether in a chick flick, real life or a patchwork quilt. Throwing in some medium fabrics on both sides for the "Clash Factor" helps make it all interesting.

The Log Cabin block is one of my all time favorites. I made larger blocks for a graphic look. The color and layout options are endless. You can find all the instructions on how to make this quilt in American Patchwork & Quilting, but I have taken those same blocks and given you several layout options below.

I didn't name it When Harry met Sally for the magazine but will probably always refer to it as that.

So with any quilt I make I have a few scraps left over. It isn't enough to make the quilt but it will get you started and I am giving it away here along with a copy of the magazine.

Leave a comment and tell me your favorite quilt block.

I will pick a winner Saturday night the 5th of November.

Make sure you have an e-mail address that I can contact you.

my beautiful scraps

this isn't a great picture but I had to introduce Bo's new puppy, Cassie. A black lab with huge feet just like my boys!

Thank you for stopping by. Good Luck and Happy Quilting.

COMMETNS FOR THE GIVEAWAY CLOSED.

The Winner is

charlotte said...

I love the idea of mixing two such different lines. How clever of you to have come up with that. It never would have occurred to me. I love the log cabin. I also love the simple 9 patch.

November 3, 2011 6:31 PM

MARKET

2011-10-26T10:24:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow we hop a short plane ride to Houston Texas. 2 crazy days of setting up booths, sales meetings and seeing old friends. I always have intentions of remote blogging, but there is not enough time in the day. So I thought I would post a few links here for you to enjoy some sneak peeks to anything moda.

Alicia - one of our machine quilters have a few peeks on her blog.

Kate Spain talks about her Good Fortune.

Aneela Hoey from across the pond shares her adventures and projects.

Bunny Hill's Ohh La La is just that. She continues to amaze us with her sophisticated baby lines.

Cosmo Cricket has posts about her newest line of fabric but I enjoyed this post more. Fried Mac & Cheese. Oh I am so hungry!

Jan Patek is on the road!

Malka will be at Market for a meet and greet!

me and my sister are in an auriful booth hop. I wish I could win a big package of auriful thread!

Polly and Laurie will be there.

Sweetwater is ready to roll!

You can follow all of the moda designers from the moda webpage. including any updates and new designers.

Thank you to all the sewers, binders, designers, painters, packers, builders that work behind the scenes to help put the moda show together.
Susan, Chelair, Lorinda, Mariza, Eladia, Sophie, Aida, Kathy,Victor, Ted, Isla, Alicia, Alison, Sue, Valerie, Jan, Sherron, Sara, Maggi, Holly,Outlaw, Ducky, Barb, Sherri, Diane, Crystal, Nancy, Barb, Rachel, Sherri, Gerri,
Yosten, Emily, Dennis, Herbert, Juan and of course the "other" Lisa.
If there is something you would like to hear about that goes on at market, leave me a comment and I will see what I can do.

Winner of the last book giveaway

2011-10-23T07:26:00.001-05:00

And the winner of stitches from a one room schoolhouse is
MahSistersQuiltTrunk
Everybody loves Renee' and everything she does. For thoses who do not know her she is a true person inside and out. A dear friend. Congrats to the winner.

Thank you for following along on my week of book reviews and giveaways.
This next week begins the week of quilt market and the next weekend is quilt festival in Houston. If you have never had the chance to go to Festival, put it on your bucket list. The show is really quite incredible.
I will be going to festival on Friday so I will take lots of pictures to wet your appetite for future projects!

Modalissa

Stitches from the Schoolhouse book review

2011-10-22T08:18:00.001-05:00

Hello all, this is Jillian. I am moda lissa's daughter. I have drawn the winners for the past two days. My mom, baby brother and I have been on the road moving me to my new place in Florida. I am a little late on posting the winner. I let my mom sleep in after driving a uhaul and towing a car for the past 18 hours. So for today's winner i have choosen, Glenda From Florida. Her comment was, The winner of the yesterday's sweet water book is.
This looks like a great book--I love to make little things for the house, and for gifts. Thanks for the chance to win.

Leave a comment to have a chance at winning the next book. I will try and draw the winner on time tomorrow.

STITCHES FROM THE CLASSROOM
Projects Inspired by Classrooms of the Past
By Renee Plains
Published by Kansas City Star

This is a charming book based on the concept of the one room schoolhouse. I was drawn to this book because like Renee, the author,I collect turn of the century class photos. Each child in the pictures tells a story. The quilts in this book also tell a story creating heirlooms for tomorrow.

Swetwater's Simple Home book review

2011-10-21T06:15:00.001-05:00

and the winner of yesterday's book is:

Dirt Road Quilter:I would love to cook up the recipes in this book. I've got a stash of precuts that would certainly appreciate being let out of the closet! And after cooking for a crew of cowboys for 2 weeks, it would be nice to cook something that doesn't require me to be in the kitchen! Thank you so very much for your generous gift-away! :)

Today's feature is the wonderful new book by the talented gals at Sweetwater.

SIMPLE HOME

sew something handmade for every room- 35 projects

I want to make them all but I would really like to do this for my office. I don't know that I could keep it so neat but at least the organizers would make it pretty!

Love it!

The rules are:

You must have a way for me to contact you via e-mail. This will be short and sweet. I will draw the name by 6:00 am tomorrow morning. (Thursday) A 24 hour giveaway.! Go for it and thanks for stopping by.

I am going to break my record for most daily blog posts. Of course this number is not very high to be able to break the record.

Fresh Fabric Treats Book Review

2011-10-20T05:58:00.002-05:00

Another good book. I saw this book on a shop hop last week, but, I was being good, and only getting stuff that was already on my list. I read lots of things about WWII. Both my grandfathers were in WWII, but they were both 'old men' by the time they served (one had even been in WWI). Was the comment left by cheryl2quilting who won yesterday's MINICK and simpson book.

I love flipping through the pages of this book. It is not the newest book but it certainly has a lot of projects that are prefect for the upcoming gift-giving season. Yes Gift Giving and I am giving one away today.

Fresh Fabric Treats published by Stash books and features 16 different "recipes" (That is code word for projects so the men in the household think we will be in the kitchen. Instead we are in the sewing room!)

from a few of the talented "chefs" featured on the Moda Bake Shop.

This project is made by Kimberly Walus. I love the organizer tote that has bags inside made from fabric and clear vinyl to keep all your things in plain sight.

I said it was the beginning of gift giving season so go ahead, leave a comment, By now you know the drill. I must be able to reach you via e-mail and you must leave a comment before 6:00 in the morning. (Friday) A 24 hour gift- away.! Lack of sleep makes me think I am funny by making up new words.

Good Luck!

The best part of this is that I am going to give this book away to some who leaves a random comment. You must have a way for me to contact you. This will be short and sweet. I will draw the name by 6:00 am tomorrow morning. (Friday) A 24 hour giveaway.! Go for it and thanks for stopping by.

Victory Girls Book Review

2011-10-19T05:58:00.019-05:00

Stitched with prayer is the winner of the carrie Nelson book from yesterday's post.

Hey it's me and I am making 2 posts in a row. Imagine that! Today I am sharing a brand new book published by Kansas City Star. The authors are good friends of mine and happen to be moda designers. Their style is classic and timeless. I think they are the female version of Ralph Lauren.

Victory Girls by Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson

Patriotic quilt and hooked rugs from the WWII era.

An exerpt from the dedication page of this book.

Victory Girls is intended to serve as a testimonal to the women who supported World War II on the homefront through sacrifice, service and selfless dedication to the war effort.

-Incredible!

This is a giveaway for the Polly and Laurie Fan club. You know who you are.

Tell me why you must have this book.

The rules are:

Another bite of schnibbles book review

2011-10-18T05:58:00.001-05:00

The greatest thing about my job is that I get to work on projects in advance of their release date to the world. The bad thing about that is sometimes I don't have much to blog about. Of course, this is no excuse for my lack of posts. I am also lucky because I happen to have a neighbor across the hall from me that is kind enough to show me all the new books and patterns streaming in. So to win back my loyal readers and anyone else that is bored to death, I am going to do a book review for the next several days starting with Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's. Carrie's newest book from That Patchwork Place has hit the stands. Carrie is such a talented wordsmith. Every project has a creative name and an entire story to go along with it. The wealth of information this one woman retains in her brain is amazing. Maybe she can come up with another word for amazing so all the dancers on dancing with the stars will have something else to say.
I would certainly want to be on her team during Trivia night.

Ruby by Bonnie and Camille is shipping to stores now so I thought I would show you the quilt made from a previous line of their fabrics. This quilt was made by an associate of mine Debbie Outlaw. (remember the chocolate cake in my birthday post?)

Not to brag but I also have a quilt in the book. (THANK YOU CARRIE!)
And I need to mention that Alicia Keys from Heirloom quilting did a super job quilting mine. Check out her work if you are looking for a machine quilter.
The best part of this is that I am going to give this book away to some who leaves a random comment. You must have a way for me to contact you. This will be short and sweet. I will draw the name by 6:00 am tomorrow morning. (Wednesday) A 24 hour giveaway.! Go for it and thanks for stopping by.

Gingham dog baby quilt

2011-10-17T05:58:00.002-05:00

baby quilt in progress.... It looks like it is finished but we are just waiting for the little boy to be born so I can add his name, date of birth, etc in the big empty grey area.

When I learned that Holly was having a boy and doing her nursery in dogs, I thought of the patchwork dog pillows that you see in antique stores.

I knew I couldn't tackle the box type pillow and all those set in seams, so I decided to make the quilt above.

This is a perfect project to make using any of your 2 1/2" jelly roll scraps.

Block measures 14" finished. Each print square is 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" cut. This block uses white as the background.

This block uses Grey as the background since Holly's nursery is grey.

(grey dot is from Aneela's group debuting at quilt market- in stores Feb.)

If you are a grey junkie, you will want an entire bolt for yourself. I promise.

If you are interested in making some dog blocks, the above diagram shows the basic cutting and piecing directions for one block. All print blocks are cut 2 1/2" square.

Here is a diagram of 3 blocks across, 4 blocks down with 2" finished sashings.This diagram makes a quilt that is 50" x 66".
hope you enjoyed this quick project!

50 and NOT COUNTING

2011-10-10T06:05:00.000-05:00

As if I could turn back the hands of time, I am posting backwards. I turned 50 before my son's wedding but I couldn't wait to post about the wedding..... SO the week before Grant and Misty's big day, I had a big day as well. My 50th birthday..

I wanted to share a few pics from this momentous occasion!! I have the reputation at work not to show up on my birthday because I hate for anyone to make a fuss.(There is a long story about this I will save for another time) So they did a super whammy trick on me and had a party on a different day. The girls here were clever in creating a theme for my party. It had to be 50 of something.....

Chelair gave me a red and white crocheted doily her mother made. Inside it was 50 pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. Of course this came in handy because the next week I was headed to Vegas. I am sad to report that I no longer have any of the coins, but will always treasure the red and white doily. Dollars, confetti, ribbons and "50 sucks" suckers were thrown in by some of my other "friends" here.

Susan, who had the brilliant idea of 50 of something, gave me 50 fat quarters from her stash all neatly pressed, folded and displayed in a paper trunk. She even found this treasure from a 1997 Deb Strain Christmas collection. Susan's birthday is coming up. I will have to see if I can create something from these fat quarters and Re-Gift her.

Cheryl and I share the love of Salsa and everything spicy. I received a colorful bowl full of enough ingredients to make salsa for the week. Delicious!!

Outlaw snuck in 50 fortune cookies. I start each morning with a fortune cookie and a cup of coffee.

The first fortune I received said, "Treat yourself to something of quality. You deserve it." I was so excited I ripped the fortune in half so I don't think it counts. Did you know that you are supposed to add the words... IN BED to the end of your fortune. Read the above fortune and add In Bed. It makes every

fortune pretty funny.

And regardless of the fact that I was on my "Shedding for the Wedding diet", Outlaw made one of her wonderful cakes. She has been so kind to let me share the recipe here. I gained 10 lbs.

Mississippi Mud/ Fudge Cake

4 eggs

1 c. butter(original says oleo)

2 c. sugar

1 1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 c. pecans - chopped

1/3 c. cocoa

1 tsp vanilla

pinch salt

Melt butter & cocoa, add to other ingredients. Bake 350 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes in a floured and

greased pan. Time will depend on size of pan.

Spread 1 jar of marshmallow whip over cake while hot and top with icing.

Icing-

1/2 stick butter

1/3 c. cocoa

1/3 c. or more of milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 box powdered sugar

Melt butter. Add other ingredients. Have icing warm enough to pour over cake.

AND AS IF THAT WASN"T ENOUGH......

My tricky husband and family threw a small impromptu surprise party at our favorite burger joint. I thought we were headed there to watch the Dallas Cowboys opening day.

My husband thought I might have figured it out, but he said, " I knew when you came downstairs dressed like that, that you didn't know about the party." And he let me go any way. After all I was in my lucky Emmit Smith t-shirt. My daughter and now daughter in law helped him pull off a wonderful evening. They even had everyone take their picture holding a "BIG 50". Here are a few of the pics!

I will move forward with my blog posts now, thanks for letting me share the pics and catch up on a few of my posts. Thank you to all my family and friends for making me feel so special.

My first born bites the bullet

2011-10-07T18:17:00.000-05:00

My oldest son has found himself a good ol'Kansas gal. (I too am from Kansas)

Thought I would share some of the wonderful wedding pictures.

A special shout out to Camillle Roskelley for joining my whacky family in Vegas for this event and sharing her photography skills with us.

These two pictures are very iconic. The guys are making a toast, the girls are saying a prayer.

I have one daughter, now I have a daughter in law and guess what?

Her Grandmother is a quilter!

Thanks for letting me share a few of the pictures.

9-11 Peace Story Quilt

2011-09-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of 9-11. We all remember exactly where we were when the first tower was hit. Barely time to catch our breath and the second tower was hit. We have all read the heart warming stories, dedications and remembrances for this solemn occasion. I came across an interesting story about an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, titled the 9-11 Peace Story Quilt. The exhibits runs from August 30th through January 22nd, 2012.
The 9-11 peace quilt was designed by Faith Ringhold, after receiving an e-mail from Grace Yun. Grace works with a nonprofit in New York helping children in under served neighborhoods. Grace and Faith met and went through all the posters drawn by children ages 11-19. The assignment was simple, create a poster for peace inspired by 9-11.

The 9/11 Peace Story Quilt contains three panels each measuring 72 by 50 inches. Some 50 NYC kids helped construct it with artist Faith Ringgold

No one knew how this simple project would soon take on a life of it's own.
Here is an excerpt from an article written by Nicole Lyn Pesce for the NYDailyNews.com.

"They said to me, 'Well, we went through the same thing, but that's not really our story," recalls Yun. So one afternoon in 2002, she handed out paper and markers to a roomful of kids ages 11 to 19, and asked them to create posters for peace inspired by 9/11.
Then they sat in a circle and shared their work.
"You could hear a feather drop," Yun says. "Every one's breath was held as you got to tell your story. Every story was different, yet every story was the same."

To read the entire article, click here.
Faith put the art into a book. Book by Faith Ringhold, What will you do for Peace?

She pulled some of the images from the book to create 3 panels with 12 peace inspired quilt blocks. The children helped transfer the art on to cloth. Ringhold even invited many of the children to her home and also meet at Lincoln Center to teach them to quilt.
"It is incredible to see these different stories motivated by one particular thing — in this case, peace — brought together forever in this work of art," says Ringgold.

One of my sons birthday is on 9-11. He lives in New York. Maybe we can go see this exhibit together. Happy Birthday T-bone!

Happy Anniversary!

2011-09-06T08:51:00.002-05:00

gary in the silver bullet tux

OMG!

September is a month full of "Days" for our family with many birthdays, anniversaries and more.
Today we are celebrating 31 years of "Wedded Bliss". Love ya, bear!

Finish a Project

2011-08-29T06:45:00.000-05:00

My friend Pat Sloan contacted me about ANOTHER ONE of her great projects.

She blogged about a challenge that is basically challenging everyone to finish a project. Well, we all know how great it feels to FINISH because a true sign of being a quilter is that you have more than one project started at any one time.

So can you do it?

Can you finish one of your projects?

IF so, what are you going to do with that project?

Do you have a quilt just laying around?

Have you made something that may not fit your home decor anymore?

Well of course Pat has an answer for that also. She has teamed up with Victoria Findley Wolfe of Bumblebeans to collect 400 finished quilts for the Basics Shelter that Victoria supports in NYC.

Read about Victoria's efforts from this past year and the generous people that contributed 300 quilts.

She has also created a flickr page so you can see all the quilts donated.

It continues to amaze me

with the

hearts and generosity

of quilters everywhere.

Thanks to Pat and Victoria for making this happen.

- lissa

Quilting improves your health

2011-08-25T06:24:00.001-05:00

The following is an excerpt from a June 13th article in the Daily Mail Reporter from the UK.

But quilters, it seems, have every right to celebrate their craft after researchers found that it is ‘uniquely’ good for you. A study found quilting improved well-being in ways that physical and outdoor activities could not, and offered a creativity that had been ‘stifled’ in the modern world.

They interviewed quilters and found the activity helped their cognitive, creative and emotional well-being, particularly among older people.

The use of bright colours was ‘uplifting’, the activity distracted from the stress of work, and quilting offered challenges such as maths and geometry. It also increased confidence and had an important social side.
Professor Jacqueline Atkinson, co-author of the study and a quilter herself for five decades, said: ‘Doing something that engages you and that you enjoy is key. As adults, we don’t often do enough that includes fun and play.
Graduate student Emily Burt interviewed 29 members of the group and the transcripts were analysed for the study, published in the Journal of Public Health.
Beneficial: The researchers said more consideration needed to be given to hobbies, from reading to train spotting, and their potential for enhancing well being.
It concluded that: 'Whether it is growing vegetables, knitting a jumper or discovering a new scientific formula creativity may be fundamental for well being and has received little attention so far within public health.
'Exploring creativity and what people do in their everyday lives, which they deem creative, may be an important avenue for well being promoters.
'Additionally, more consideration needs to be given to all hobbies, from reading to train spotting, and their potential for enhancing well being.'

Craft Scotland said interest in quilting amongst younger Scots was increasing but there was no measure for how many people take up the hobby individually or in clubs.
She said: 'We’ve definitely seen an increase in groups doing quilting socially but also individuals.
'Historically older groups of women did quilting but women in their early 20s are getting together and children's groups are also taking it up.
'People are investing in quality pieces of quilting, but also looking to make items themselves and re-use materials they have in their homes.
'I can only see the popularity increasing.'
The craft industry contributes around £3 billion a year to the UK economy.

photo courtesy Barbara Brackman

Now we didn't need a study to prove that to us, did we?

Several years ago there was a therapist in our area. She was also a quilter. She would hold monthly "Therapy" sessions where everyone would gather around a quilt frame, hand quilt and talk. Maybe this is why our grandmothers didn't need a therapist. I have another word for a therapist, A LIFE COACH and we could all use one. Or maybe we should just pull out our grandmothers quilting frame

and invite a few friends over!

One more funny story - I hope my husband doesnt read this. When the kids were younger I told my husband I needed therapy. Now of course he assumed this meant a therapist and I didn't tell him any different. So I took some $$ and went to lunch with a friend, spent time at the boookstore, or any other theraputic thing I wanted 1 day a week. It really did help! and I think my husband probably helped a little more around the house because he thought I was loosing it!!

Maybe it is time for more therapy!!

Challenge

2011-08-24T07:02:00.001-05:00

In our area it is back to school time. Setting the alarm, packing lunches, signing forms, carpool, speed zones are just a few of the things that many people are busy with this week.

I saw this old sign for a school zone and thought it was quite a symbol for us all. Not only for school zones but also just a good symbol for life.

SLOW

A few more weeks and it will be Labor day, the official end to summer.

2011 is almost over.

I know that is so depressing.

Where does the time go? What happened to SLOW

So I thought I would throw out a challenge for Labor Day to the end of 2011.

I have listed several 25 things.

Feel free to leave a comment and add some things we should all do in this 30 week challenge.

I challenge you to choose one thing each week to slow down and enjoy for yourself!

Walk barefoot in the grass

Spend a day doing nothing except relaxing
Pack your lunch and eat at a park

Get a massage

Go technology free for one day

Get a makeover at a makeup counter

Have Champagne for no reason at all except to celebrate life

Call a friend for lunch

Compliment a stranger

Buy fresh flowers for your home

Ask more questions and talk less

Light Candles

Brag on yourself at least 5 times

Say hello to a stranger

Pretend for one day that you don’t know your age

Smile a lot. Best beauty tip on the market

Random Act of Kindness- possibly to a teacher

Write a note to someone that impresses you. don't sign it

Donate to a charity

Eat your favorite chocolate

Bubble bath and a good book

Doodle and fill the whole page

Look through old photos

Leave compliments on your bathroom mirror with dry erase pens- for yourself

Skip!

my BFF

2011-08-19T14:00:00.010-05:00

the kay mayor story

Don't really know where to begin. My BFF has packed up 30 years of memories

and headed to Florida. I guess she has retired.

Kay and her 3 kids, Katie, Jason and Bubba

As we packed up her treasures, we came across many pictures of the past 30 years.

Believe me she has many more pictures but here are just a few of the ones that

are a small part of the mayor /alexander history.

Doesn't take much to make these kids happy.

Jillian is tempting the boys with the box of vanilla wafers.

Kay loves the water and the outdoors so Florida will be a perfect home for her.

We drug the kids to many fishing adventures.

kay would bait the hook and I would feed the kids.

How did the two girls put up with these boys? I will never know. Since then I added two more boys for jillian and katie to tolerate.

Watermelon at the park! Great times!

Running around the park!

Picnics!

Potty breaks- didn't matter whose kid it was. We all know the look.

Grant and Katie together at a football halftime.

She was grossed out and I don't think he would get too close.

Travis believed he was a real elf because the other kids convinced him he had pointed ears.

We made all their costumes for one of many Christmas parades.

Bubba, Katie and Jason

Kay and my baby , Bo.

Bubba and Jillian in a fashion show. Thanks Bubba for being such a good sport. I doubt any of your Air Forces buddies read my blog.

Travis' 1st birthday!

Travis' second mother, Katie. Katie is grown, married and expecting her first child in April. She will be a wonderful mother.

Happy New Year 2000.

Jarrod

Many summer these hunks took over South Padre Island!- scary!We would let them take the jeep out to cruise the strip. Then we would follow them and laugh at how cool they thought they were.

Lots of high school graduations together.

Jason and Jarrod

Jason headed off to the Air Force Academy. When we were packing Kay's stuff to move, we actually found all of the hair that is on Jason's head in this picture. He had shaved his head before leaving. We thought we had found a dead animal.

Jason and Grant share the same birthday so many celebrations happened on September 1st.

Snuffers birthday party

We marked time, events, birthdays and graduations at our favorite restaurant, Snuffers. We tried to line everyone up for each photo op. Sometimes it was successful, sometimes not!

I decided to leave this picture upside down, because I thought when Kay moved my life would be turned upside down. I am so proud of her and I have adjusted with little or no medication.

I started this post on New Years eve 2011as therapy. Kay pulled out of her driveway on Christmas day on a new adventure.
I am actually posting this now because I am headed to Florida to see....................

Katie and Danny's baby. Kay's grand baby.

And the Alexander Mayor/Zell adventure continues!

Cabbage and Roses Lone Star

2011-08-18T07:45:00.001-05:00

This has been one of my favorite quilts ever ever. The collection was chocolat by 3 sisters.

Yummy, rich fabrics that were good enough to eat. Get it the name of the group-Chocolat

The quilt pattern was named, Truffles.

Debbi Duckworth made the quilt and no picture can do it justice.

I got to thinking

about this quilt

and this fabric.

Cabbages and Rose- Northcote Range

This line has yummy linen/cotton solids in it. I wish blogs would let you touch the fabric but until then you will just have to believe me.So I set forth to use the denim linen as my background. I love how it turned out!

Did I tell you that I don't do the "A" word? Applique.

So here is my version of the quilt above.

Pattern here.

I have included a link to the chocolat pattern if you want to give this project a try.

Northcote Range by Cabbages and Roses will be in stores September.

You got it Dude!

2011-08-12T05:59:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday. Let's all go around saying, yo

u got it Dude today!

A little known trait about me- I am easily amused as you can see by this post!

Cut the cake!

have a good weekend.

FWQAL week 2

2011-08-11T05:59:00.001-05:00

Oh my, What fabrics would a Farmer's Wife use? I thought this collection looks like overalls and dirt.

Not really! Here is a sneak peek of the new Blueberry Crumb Cake line by Blackbird Designs

(in stores November)

along with some Little Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings.

( in stores any second)

Then I had to start mixing it up, right? Are you supposed to use your scraps. No time to get off the farm and go into town to get new fabric. So I added some bunny hill greys, barbara brackman red and deep dark purples. Then I was ready to start week 2 of the FWQAL class.

This week we talked about Marti Michell templates and showed how you combined different templates to get additional shapes. I MUST ADMIT I am a strip piece kind of girl. I don't use many templates. BUT, I am a convert. I will show you the entire process after Week 3 of classes. Just wait until you see what Marti has done for us all to make this so easy!

These gals in class are such troopers by letting me take their pictures and post them on the www.

I may have spoken to soon. Can you say paparazzi?

Yes she is a real farmers wife of United Notions

The funnest part of the class is the show n tell.

Sometimes it is the excuses why they didn't get all 2 of their blocks done in a week. But that is okay. These are busy farmers wives with cows to mill and chicks to feed.

Kelli is using batiks and prints

Eladia- Shabby Chic

Outlaw- red white and blue

Mariza-earth colors

Holly- Aqua, orange and green, grey

Jamie- Bright modern

Michelle- civil war

Sarah- vintage modern

Nancy- classic blues and aquas

Ducky- Blackbird

This is just a few of the people. It is so interesting to see all the different looks all in one place.

DISCLAIMER: This is quite a competitve group of gals. They are already trying to one up each other. Anything from making more blocks than assigned, bringing their fabric in the latest and greatest storage systems to branding their notebook like chelair pictured below.

Of course the inside of the notebook is even more impressive than the outside full of

marti michell templates and who know what all else.

no class is complete without a sonic cup in the background

eladia and mariza

And look what someone did for me!!

Took my book and had it wire bound. Ask at staples, office maxx, office depot

or kinko's. The price varies but well worth the $5.00 to $7.00. Thank you Outlaw and Stiff!

Tune in weekly for our progress. We have a few surprises in store for you.

Summer House Project

2011-08-10T05:58:00.001-05:00

A layer cake of Summer House byLily Ashbury was distracting me. I wanted to make something but did not know quite what. This color palette is not my normal look but I just had to make something, anything!

Then I remembered Cynthia Lammon's project on the moda bake shop shown above. I was immediately inspired. When I have this " quilt fever" sometimes I am not good at reading the directions, I just jump right on in. Somewhere I missed that Cynthia did this project with a charm pack instead of a layer cake. By then it was too late, I had already matched up my fabrics in sets of two and was pretty determined to cut and sew on Summer House immediately! And I did!

SUPPLY LIST:

1 layer cake of your choice.

3/4 yard sashing and inner border

outer border 1 1/4 yds.

5 blocks across by 5 blocks down

(I used 25 of the layer cakes)

62" square

Step 1: Pair 2 prints, right side up.

Cut a 2 3/4 strip and a 5 1/2 strip. This will also leave you a 2" strip which will have used

all 10" of the layer cake. Set aside the outer strips so you can make additional cut on the center section.

This is where the martenelli rotary mat comes in so handy. Just turn the mat to make your next cuts.

*The diagrams above are just an example of the sizes you can cut the layer cakes. Any measurements will work and create a more free form look. All the blocks will eventually be trimmed to 9" squares. have fun and create your own varieties.I would love to see your projects.

Move the center square to the back of the set of 2 fabrics as shown below. Sew together.

The layer cake is 10" so you will have a bit extra once you put the blocks together. Trim to 9" squares.
Block finishes at 8 1/2"

Each set with make 2 blocks- positive and negative.

A moda layer cake has 42 squares so this method will yield 42 blocks. I only used 25.

SASHING

Cut 20 sashing strips, 9" x 1 3/4" and join the blocks together. Measure the length of the row and cut strips 1 3/4" x length. Repeat until all 5 rows are sewn together.

Measure the height of the quilt and cut 2 side strips length x 1 3/4". Add to the sides creating

a small outer border.

Cut border 6 1/2" wide.

This collection has wonderful large scale prints so a larger border could be added. This quilt could be made quite a bit larger using the remaining layer cakes. This one is a perfect size for a picnic.

thank you Cynthia for your inspiration.

Check out the Lily Ashbury blog for these adorable printables that match her fabric!

thanks for stopping by

fabric cooking

2011-08-08T19:24:00.001-05:00

On Friday, I started a campaign on my Facebook Page

to save energy.

No Laundry

No Cooking

over the weekend.

Well I tried, but I did get into the kitchen and decided to cook up something.

Fabric

I have a super top secret project I am working on.

I want the fabrics to be just as individual and unique as the project itself. I am trying to achieve a "worn" "loved" look including the look similar to vintage sheets.

I need a range of scale and prints.

So.....

I got out a big pot of water, a jug of bleach and started to play.

hello betty

I know bleaching fabric is probably not the best thing to do for textiles. It will probably rot away in 50 years or less. This project is not a museum piece but will have a special place in my heart.There will not be anything like it anywhere else in the world. In fact if it does last for 50 years and some tries to date it, they won't be able to. Many one of a kind pieces will be used. I will let Barbara Brackman know what
I am doing so she will be able to document it for a museum someday.

Name this group. An oldie but a goodie.

I dug out pieces from past collections and threw them in the pot. My family knows that from time to time I am "Cooking" fabric and not to dip a spoon in the "stitcher's cauldron."

Rooftop Garden just came in and it is an rich bright jewel tone group,
BUT I had toDUNK it just to see

There is no exact science for this experiment so be sure and play with items
you don't mind "messing up".

Some of these colors are really "weird" No store owner would buy an entire bolt of
some of the shades. But there is something so unique about the pieces that you can't
help but fall in love with their "special aged characteristics." Bleaching fabric or Rit color remover
works just like baking cookies. Once you take the cookies out of the oven they continue
to cook. The fabric continues to fade so remove in time to let it keep cooking.
Also anything wet such as the fabric appears darker. It will be lighter when dried.
You can always bleach it more.

You can NEVER add the color back.

These pictures are some of the dots. (Did you know I love dots?) They are lined up next to the fabric that was bleached. It created a wonderful range of colors. (Picture above-Love the 2nd from the bottom-

grey with cheddar dots- just in case you love it to- Rooftop Garden stock # 32432 32, also comes as a small dot, 4th one up, stock #32434 32) So vintage and yet so modern!

Heaven- Dk.Grey, Cheddar, Dots- I need a moment.

Always keep a piece of the original before dying so you can see the change. I cut layer

cakes and charm squares in half.

Now look how quirky these colors are. I love them and I am happy to have a piece that is 5" x 10" just in case I need a clash factor piece that looks as if it had been on the prairie for 50 years.

NOTE: If you ever get a chance to take a class from Barb and Alma of Blackbird Designson fabric dying, do it! They remove color and overdye and have a great time.

Some fabrics changed so much that I couldn't match it up to the original without matching the

actual pattern shapes to each other.

I bleached a bunch of fabrics but I left them in the dryer.

I guess the only energy I was interested in conserving was my own.

I sure hope some one in my family is doing laundry......

because I have lots of new fabrics to sew with.

Opps here I go again, Can't cook or clean!

it's Friday

2011-08-05T05:41:00.002-05:00

This makes me smile and I will confess I got up and danced a jig in coppell, texas

Today I am Rich!

2011-08-03T06:13:00.000-05:00

I received this in the mail.

I opened and found a wonderful piece of art from Sandy Gervais that I will treasure for many reasons.
My cup runneth over or maybe more appropriate is...
I am a stuffed pig! I mean that in a good way.
Thank you, Sandy!

You may remember this as one of the pieces of art in the series from the Pillow Talk blog hop. Sandy was the featured designer on day 22 of the blog hop. Sandy shares a bit of history... not just a bit, she listed every fabric line she has created! AMAZING!

Well Guess what? The Moda designers are all busy working on an upcoming blog hop.
Sandy Gervais will be starting the hop on Sept. 6th. So Mark your calenders and see what interesting tidbits these designers have to share with you.
I know many of them may whine and complain about the things I make them do
AND
the questions I make them answer.
Have no fear, I will just sit here and
know that I am as
"happy as a pig in mud"
or something like that.
Follow me and I will keep you up to date with the details!

Toddles for now!

Saturday morning with the nicest niece

2011-08-02T06:13:00.001-05:00

It isn't too often but it is FUN when it happens.
My niece Kennedy dropped by to spend a few nights with us before the summer was over.
Saturday mornings in a house full of teenagers is a very quite place to be. Kennedy, not wanting to miss a thing, stays up late with the older crew but is still a fairly early riser to see what "Izzy" is up to.

(that's me!)

She is into fashion like any 12 year old and she is also

expanding

her wardrobe to include the junior high colors.

You know how they say what goes around comes around?

Bows? Hair Bows?

I haven't made hair bows in 20 years, so these arthritic hands had to limber up and

I had to hold my tongue just right, but we proceeded to update her wardrobe.

Kennedy is quite crafty herself.
She taught me how to make duct tape flowers pen toppers.
She learned this craft in camp. Yes her camp was in Texas. If you are not from Texas, you may not understand that Duct Tape is a "staple in this neck of the woods".
It is available in all different widths and colors.
(NOTE TO SELF: Get some Duct tape for Grant and Misty's wedding gift.)
A quick google and you will find these any more uses for the handy tape. The list could go on forever.
I have listed a few and highlighted my favs in red.

Hanging posters.

Decorative book cover.

Fix broken tail light on vehicle.

Twist a long piece into rope

Tape wires down on floor or out of the way.

Reattach rear view mirror.

Repair cracked windshield/window.

Patch ripped clothing.

Hide unsightly wallpaper seams. ( or use as wallpaper)

Repair broken hoses.

Use as art medium.

Band-Aid for really big cuts.

Attach leg splint to broken leg.

Toilet paper.

Taping annoying people to walls, floor, ceiling, or bed.

Holding together computer cases.

Make lawn furniture.

Roll into a ball for hockey practice.

Use to pull unsightly hair.

An entire roll can be used in place of a bedroom door to keep someone in for hours.

Wrapped around newspaper to make a dog chew toy.

Mute function for humans.

Climbing rope.

Earrings.

Shoe designs.

Girdle.

Replacement for airplane glue.

For store owners: great way to keep the wigs on mannequins.

Seat belts that will REALLY keep the kids still.

Putting up Christmas lights (easy removal).

Add several layers to your car's bumpers for a much safer ride or to hold your bumper in place.

Lift and separate when you don't want to wear a bra or can't have straps showing.

Make a wallet out of it.

Patch hole in canoe.

Make letter for letter jacket.

Hold your letter to your letter jacket.

Hold batteries in remote control.

Use instead of nail polish.

Belt.

Wrap your ankle for sports.

Write term paper on it.

Graduation present.

Can be used to put back together a shredded term paper.

Stop your jeans from fraying.

Hair ties.
Remove lint from clothes.

Makes great bumper stickers with a sharpie!

Cook a baked potato in it.

Hold car door shut.

Put it on your lawn and paint it green. Say good-bye to mowing.

Patch a hole in your swimming pool.

Make a swing for your kids.

Fix holes in your sock.

Home security system - tape up doors and windows.

Attach it to the end of a yard stick (sticky side out) as a way to get pennies out from behind the couch.

Surgical bandage.

A clothesline when you're out in the middle of nowhere. (Peace Corps favorite.)

Wrap freshmen up in it.

Use to make the lines in the middle of the road.

Write on it and stick to some one's back.

Tape Tupperware containers together in a way that you can stack them on top of each other for more storage space.

Tape Nerf basketball hoop to the back of a door because they just don't stay on their own.

Repair smashed pumpkin.

Resurface your trampoline.

Can be used to clean the floor when no vacuum is available.

Make a ball.

Patch up fish tank.

Halloween costume.

Wrapping Christmas presents.

Blister repair.

What is your favorite use for Duct Tape? Sorry I didn't have a finally picture of the Duct Tape Pen toppers. The teenagers woke up and they were hungry.

See ya next time, Kennedy!

Grocery rant

2011-07-31T20:13:00.001-05:00

Guess what Costco has?
64 count PK. of toilet paper

56 oz. Plain or peanut m & m's
36 ct. Dr. Peppers

Breakfast croissants
Awesome ice cream bars in the deli
Beautiful flowers
Jumbo vitamins and razor blade refills

Self check out lanes!!!!

Yes self check out lanes.
I have a Costco 4 miles from my house and a Sam's 4.5 miles the opposite direction from me. So it is not about location, but rather brand preferences. Prices and selections are pretty similar. I prefer Costco because you wheel your cart to the check out lane, a staffer loads your jumbo bulk items on the belt, and with the ease of a single swipe of a plastic and your items are boxed and bagged ready to take home.
Now they have self check out lanes just like all the grocery stores. I must confess I am a bit critical of the grocery store experience. At 15, I was a cashier at a major grocery store chain. We actually had to push buttons on a register and even multiply in our heads sometimes! We did everything but deliver the groceries to our customers home and unload them! All through school I worked the graveyard shift. There was no self check out. Back then, I wish there was a self check out, so I did not have to strategically plan my nightly trip to the restroom when the store was empty. I still today remember all the produce codes and can scan an item better than the next guy.
A friend of mine is on a gluten free diet. She told me she orders all her special diet foods through amazon.com. She has a standing order delivered to her front door weekly.
CAN YOU SAY HEAVEN?
I love technology and probably couldn't do without it. However I do miss the days of the good ole' fashioned milkman.

Have a good week. I have to go unload all my groceries.

- Posted using IPAD

really?

2011-07-24T15:21:00.001-05:00

Did you see what was over at Incredible things?

A month long interactive art project! Really? That is pretty incredible that writing a letter has

become a piece of art.

Here is the excerpt from their post.

A good old fashioned letter will always have a special charm that cannot be duplicated. Unfortunately, it’s so much easier to open your inbox and compose a message the modern way. Ivan Cash started a project that keeps the art of letter writing alive…at least for a few weeks. Save yourself the trouble of finding attractive stationery, the right pen and a stamp because Snail Mail My Email is a month long, interactive art project transforming people’s emails to handwritten letters that are physically mailed, completely free of charge. Your personal ghost writer will even add a little piece of artwork to your correspondence. $FREE

Yes it is Free! and mailed Free all in the name of art.

I can see Santa needing a ghost writer to answer all of his letters or does he have the elves just send an

e-mail form letter now?
I have all my mom and dad's letters from when they were first married. My dad was on the road traveling and he would write home to "Ruthie". In our world of instant communication, these letters talk about the weather, where he stopped along the road to eat, people he met and of course how much he missed his favorite child (ME). This was also the time of no cell phones! Tonight I am going to read through the letters and write some of my own artistic letters and send them through snail mail.

Have a good one.

-lissa

Farmers Wife Quilt along has begun!

2011-07-21T18:01:00.001-05:00

3 different lunch times, people coming and going, great fun, laughter

and a few racy real housewives pictures thrown in for fun.

There is so much FWQAL out on the web that it seems silly to post it here, but here I go. Today we started making design boards inspired by Lori Holt. Lori posted a picture of her designs boards a while back. I thought they were brilliant but didn't wait for her to post her how-to's. I had a class of 20 people coming up and I had to do some creative engineering. I salvaged as many layer cake card boards as I could possibly find. This is a 10" piece of cardboard that works wonderful for Lori's design boards. My board was not near as cute as Lori's but I will make many more.

We did the design boards because the crew here will be taking the pieces back and forth from work to home. This will keep the pieces all in place. I think everyone will be making more of these handy boards. I know I will. Sarah posted pictures of design boards on her blog.

She was busy taking pictures so I feel bad she didn't get her blocks cut,

but she has a

rockin'

design board.

Here is one of our HOT quilters striking a pose. Meet Jamie....

She is dating a Dallas Maverick and a Dallas Cowboy at the same time. She is developing her own line of cotton fabrics that when used, eliminate wrinkles on the fabric and on your face!!

Just kidding, but I had to add some hype so we could get our own reality show.

meet Eladia!

She is a fairly new quilter, relatively speaking. She has been quilting for 4 or 5 years and makes the most elaborate quilts!

Meet Katie!

Katie is visiting for a couple of weeks and the daughter of Deb Strain. We are sad that Katie will be leaving us soon but she is going to do the project long distance when she returns home to Ohio.

This is not Katie's first quilt, but I think she has caught the FEVER.

Our homework was make your design boards.

Make blocks # 2 and # 4.

Next week we will see Marti Michell's templates. Marti has cross referenced her template sets to correspond with the FW templates. Sign up for Marti's newsletter by August 31st to get weekly e-mails about the blocks and templates. Here is more info.

Hop on over to Sarah's blog to see more pictures!

Gotta go milk the cows!

The Real Housewives

2011-07-20T14:49:00.001-05:00

Okay I know what you are thinking, not those "real housewives"

I mean the real Farmers Wives of United Notions. You may not have heard of United Notions. United Notions is a multi line distributor that you may have only heard of it you were a store ordering notions, fabrics and supplies for your business.

The Gals at United Notions/Moda Fabrics have jumped out of the barn and into those crazy exciting Farmers Wife phenomenon.

In case you have been out milking the cows and not heard about this yet, let me catch you up.

It all started with The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird published in 2009. Then two very clever gals decided they were going to do a quilt along.

Angela and Amanda. put their heads together, both wanted to make the blocks, and the rest is history. Google the words Farmers Wife Quilt Along and you will see many

sewers that choose to be a farmer's wife.

Remember the show Green Acres

where Zsa Zsa Gabor left Manhattan to live on the farm with Eddie Albert.

Move forward 20 something years and we have shows like the real housewives.

Combine both of those shows and that would best describe the class that is starting here on Thursday!

If you read my blog, you know I could go one for days making silly comparisons but I will save some for after I have had my skinny margarita.

Every Thursday during lunch about 20 of us will be getting together to have a HEN PARTY. ( oops another play on words)

We have all different ages, styles, new quilters, hand piecers, etc. Along with making 2 blocks a week we are going to play with different notions. Do you know how many different rotary cutters are out there? Find out what are our must have tools as we show you our blocks from traditional to modern.

Monica even made a blog badge for you to use if you want to join in on the fun.

Camille is even doing it! Imagine a farmers wife in Las Vegas!

photo courtesy of Camille Roskelley

And my main counterpart in making this all happen is our very own

Little Miss Sew it All, Sarah Stephenson. Follow her as she will surely be posting her progress on the project as well. I will be watching to make sure no pictures or incriminating stories are posted about me.How can she be a real housewife with all those quilting supplies in her bed?

Biggest

2011-07-10T18:06:00.000-05:00

WORLD'S LARGEST INDOOR SWIMMING POOL

World Water Park , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada . 5 Acres

WORLD'S LARGEST OFFICE COMPLEX CHICAGO

Chicago Merchandise Mart , Illinois , USA

WORLD'S LARGEST SHOPPING MALL

South China Mall, Dongguan , China . 892,000 square meters

WORLD'S WIDEST BRIDGE AUSTRALIA

Sydney harbour bridge, Australia . 16 lanes of car traffic

WORLD 'S LONGEST BRIDGE

Donghai Bridge , China . 32.5 km.

WORLD'S BIGGEST PASSENGER SHIP

ROYAL CARIBEAN MS Freedom of the Seas.

4300 passenger capacity Inside

WORLD'S BIGGEST PLANE

Airbus A380. 555 Passengers

WORLD'S BIGGEST BUS

Neoplan Jumbo - cruiser. 2 in 1 bus....double deck 170 passenger capacity

WORLD'S HIGHEST STATUE

CHRIST THE REDEEMER STATUE, RIO DE JANEIRO BRAZIL

WORLD'S BIGGEST STADIUM

MARACANA STADIUM, Rio de .Janeiro. BRAZIL .

CAPACITY...199,000

WORLD'S COSTLIEST STADIUM

New WEMBLEY STADIUM, London .

90,000 capacity. Cost...$1.6 billion

WORLD'S MOST COMPLEX INTER-CHANGE, HOUSTON , TEXAS , USA

WORLD'S BIGGEST EXCAVATOR

Built by KRUPP of Germany . 45,500 tons. 95 meters high. 215 meters long

WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL

MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas , Nevada . USA . 6,276 rooms

WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE HOTEL

Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai . Only 7 Star Hotel in the World

Cheapest room...$1,000 per night. Royal Suite...$28,000 per night

WORLD'S LARGEST CHURCH BUILDING

Winners Chapel, Canaanland, Otta , Nigeria

Inside Sitting Capacity 50,000 Outside Overflow Capacity 250,000

WORLD'S BIGGEST ROMAN-CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL

IVORY COAST, AFRICA

WORLD'S BIGGEST FABRIC STASH

somewhere in America. Cannot release the exact location due to it may incriminate me.

KISMET

2011-07-06T18:00:00.004-05:00

I looked up Kismet in Wikipedia.

Fate or Destiny in Turkish and Urdu, a predetermined course of events.

It really is kismet to do this blog post.

In the OLD days before the Internet, yes I was quilting back then!, there were friendship groups and block swaps.The only difference is that your "friends" had to live in your area because you actually met with them to exchange blocks, ideas, techniques and inspiration. Recently I unearthed some blocks from a friendship exchange in the mid 1980's. These blocks brought back memories of the people that made them and the fun we had meeting once a month in each others homes. Where did I find these blocks? Of course I had stashed these in a super secret spot knowing I would want to finish them someday. Well I had them stashed away in the box of videos of the kids special events. So super secret that I didn't even know they were there. Have you ever done that? Hidden things so well that you were surprised when you came across them again. I had been petting these blocks and going through my stash of fabrics when a new ruler hit the market.

I had been hooked on Monique's geese rulers while making Miss Rosie's charm flying geese., so I knew that I had to try her newest ruler, Fit to be Quarter. (check out Monique's blog- she has a blog hop going on now)

Imagine my delight when I saw on the instruction page the information to make my "found blocks" from my exchange 20 years before. KISMET!
20 years ago I thought I was pretty smart to figure out how to strip piece this block. My dad was so proud thinking I had his engineer brain. I think it was more the fact that I had a bunch of kids and not much time to sew.
Here are a few pieces that I unearthed that showed my process.

So i jumped right in and started making more blocks

using red, white, blue or black layer cakes so I could mix a big variety of fabrics.

You make a simple unit similar to a four patch. Add a rectangle right sides together.

Using the ruler, mark your sewing lines. 20 years ago I did not have this ruler and it is not as simple as marking down the middle and sewing 1/4" on both sides. Trust me!

Cut 1/4" away from sewn line on each side and you will get 2 units as shown above. (finishing up some of my old pieces-can't you tell from all the extra fringe along the edges)

This is the layout I choose for my block swap. I lay out the squares and then chain piece them into sections vertically without clipping the threads. Then I add block 3 to the block 1 & 2 section. This helps me chain piece and keep everything in the correct order. Here is an illustration. I also wait to press until the block is pieced so I can make sure the seams are pressed in the direction I have sewn them.

You have sewn the sections together working vertically. Now add the 3 row without clipping the threads. The threads will act as pins.

Once this block is sewn it can be pieced in several different layout options. It has almost as many options as a log cabin block does. Play with the options.

Here are just a few of the layout options I am playing with. Off to make a few more blocks.

sorry for the blurry phone pics

Check out Monique's website for measurements, videos and more on how to use her rulers.

Cooking and the hot summer

2011-06-27T19:45:00.001-05:00

When my kids were little I finally learned it was not what I could cook fast that would save me time. It was things that I could cook slow by putting it all in the pot and cooking over low heat. My family ran from baseball games to soccer games to school events and more. I would say pretty much what the typical American family with a house full of rambunctious boys does on a regular basis.

My cooking strategies have changed since I received my panini grill press as a gift from my daughter. http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/electrics/grills-panini-presses/

I love it! I cook on it all the time. It is amazing how yummy a grilled cheese sandwich is with those even grill lines. No heating up the kitchen or standing outside waiting for the grill to heat up. Perfect for summer meals.
I am not that creative in the kitchen so I was excited to get the panini press to try a friend's cookbook.

Even more great is that my niece has a recipe in this book. Just imagine a PB and J panini. Sounds weird but it is yummy.
Here are a few of the other recipes listed on amazon with the cookbook.

Did I also say that my panini maker also gives me time to get back to the sewing machine?

Stay cool!

Lissa

Record winds in Dallas

2011-06-21T05:58:00.001-05:00

The winds are crazy here in Dallas with red flag alerts. This is bad for brush fires but good if you are interested in flying a kite!! I guess not literally.

Are you interested in winning some great prizes?

I know the answer is YES.

So all you have to do is visit

Moda's Facebook Fan page,

Quilting Arts facebook fan page

and Accuquilt's facebook Fan page.

On each of the pages you will get part of a code. Fill in the code on the last

stop to be entered for some super prizes.

If you win you will be so excited it will be hard to keep your feet on the ground, holding a kite or not!

Good luck!

And the winner is!

2011-06-20T10:46:00.000-05:00

Check out Kathy's Blog for the ist of all the winners!

From Day 7: Lissa Alexander - Moda Lissa's Blog:

Deb said...

The quilt that you started is beautiful. I'm sure enjoying the book tour. Thanks for the chance to win but not to eat alligator! :)

I bet everyone will be taking a second look at the menus when they see alligator listed!!
Thanks for following along! Congrats Deb!

I am giving away a book!

2011-06-16T05:58:00.001-05:00

Did my title peek your interest?

Today is my day for The Teacher's Pet

Strip-Smart Quilts Book Blog Tour
I have known Kathy for many years. She holds a special place in my heart for many reasons.
One is that she is Cajun and talks funnier than I do.
My husband
thinks he is Cajun
due to the time he spent with an
X-girlfriend that was Cajun but that is another story.
Every time I talk to Kathy she makes me think of my time spent crabbing, making Gumbo
(minus the okra) and Boudin. Kathy has included her recipe for Grits in the book which is
tame compared to the other things she could
be cooking up?

Yesterday you visited Elizabeth at Late Bloomers.We both chose the same quilt from the book. I would say great minds think alike. Right, Elizabeth?!

Well Kathy has cooked up some delightful patterns in her new book using 2 1/2 strips or
yardages cut into strips.
When Kathy asked me to be included in this Hop, I quickly agreed. I was to pick out my favorite quilt and tell why. Now rremember I am a middle child, so I had a hard time deciding on my "Favorite".
I like them all.
I studied and studied. I couldn't decide if I liked the quilt design or the fabrics used in the quilt the best.
Each of the fabrics Kathy choose for the quilts were perfect. I tried to choose something different than what she had pictured which was even a tougher task.

Hometown in stores August, Ruby in stores September

I choose a jelly roll from Sweetwater called Hometown. I mixed it with a teeny tiny grey white polka dot from Ruby by Bonnie & Camille for my background.

I could use an entire bolt of this grey dot. Love it!

This is what I made. I may have to finish it up for perfect Father's Day gift for my X Cajun man.

Yes the header said I am giving away a book.

Leave a comment on my blog and Kathy will be using a

random generator to pick a winner each day.

Each winner will be receiving a book and ruler which will

be shipped at the end of the blog tour.

Tomorrow visit Vickie at Sugar Spun quilts to see her favorite

project and get another chance to win!

A Cajun gal told me there will be a grand prize also drawn for at the end of the book tour.

If Kathy share more of her recipes, beware! Have you ever had aligator? It tastes like chicken.

_modalissa

JUNE Holidays

2011-06-10T05:58:00.001-05:00

Every month one of the ladies at work (Nancy) posts the employees birhdays on all the bulletin boards throughout the building. She also posts a page full of "OTHER HOLIDAYS" for the month. There are so many fun options every month. I thought I would share with you the month of June.

JUNE HOLIDAYS

1 – National Go Barefoot Day

5 – World Environment Day

6 – D Day

12 – Raggedy Ann & Andy Day

14 – FLAG DAY

17 – National Flip Flop Day

19 – FATHER’S DAY

21 – First Day of Summer

25 – Leon Day

Leon is Noel spelled backwards.

6 months from today is Christmas

Have you started shopping, decorating and cooking yet?!

27 – “Happy Birthday to You” Day

INTERNATIONAL MEN’S MONTH

COUNTRY COOKING MONTH

NATIONAL FRUIT & VEGGIES MONTH

NATIONAL ICE TEA MONTH

THOUGHTS………

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. Anonymous

You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do. Henry Ford

LOVE THIS ONE- We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Winston Churchill

Strip-Smart Quilts Summer Blog Tour

2011-06-09T05:58:00.008-05:00

One of the great things about this industry is that you KNOW OF everyone.

It is a pretty small fish bowl.

But you don't actually know them. You could pass them on the street and not even notice.

I am honored to be included in a book blog hop with some new friends and some old friends all from the same fish bowl.

What is the girl scout song?

Make New Friends

Make new friends,

but keep the old.

One is silver,

the other is gold.

A circle is round,

it has no end.

That's how long,

I will be your friend.

Silver is precious,

Gold is too.

I am precious,

and so are you.

You help me,

and I'll help you

and together

we will see it through.

Across the land

Across the sea

Friends forever

We will always be

This version is a bit different from from I grew up singing but it still has the same message.

For the next ten days, make some new friends

as each us share parts of my

Old (not age) Friend, Kathy Brown's

great book,

Strip Smart Quilts published by That Patchwork Place.

Friday, June 10 - Pam Vieirra McGinnis - PamKitty Morning!

Saturday, June 11 - Laurie Simpson - Minnick and Simpson

Sunday, June 12 - Tara Darr - Sew Unique Creations

Monday, June 13 - Joan Ford - Hummingbird Highway

Tuesday, June 14 - Linda Lum De Bono - Linda Lum De Bono

Wednesday, June 15 - Elizabeth Scott - Late Bloomer Quilts

Thursday, June 16- Lissa Alexander - ModaLissa- That's Me!

Friday, June 17 - Vickie Eapen - Spun Sugar Quilts

Saturday, June 18 - Camille Roskelley - Thimbleblossoms

Sunday, June 19 - Debbie Field - Granola Girl Designs

A few random after Market items!

2011-06-03T05:38:00.001-05:00

I love what Karla, Lisa and Susan from Sweetwater create. They came up to me at the end of Market and handed me this wonderful print that had all the names of every collection and designer from Market. The print was tied with a polka dot ribbon and a moda charm. How did they know I love words, polka dots and moda? One gift that covers it all! Super. Did you know you can order labels from Sweetwater? I ordered some and I love them. I sew them on anything and everything I make.

Check out all the cool designs. You can even join a monthly club of labels.

When you go to Market twice a year you get to see and catch up with your old friends. I saw Jan Patek in the aisle during set up. She said congratulations on being a cover girl. I politely thanked her and went about my business. I hadn't seen Jan for months and I just assumed she was talking about APQ October.

Well Jan had just returned from France where she was a guest teacher for Quiltmania. She had already seen issue no. 83 of Quiltmania. Guess what! There was my quilt. You can't begin to believe the amount of time that passes from the date you complete your quilt to the date it is published. I feel as if I have sent one of my children off to boarding school and they finally have come home all grown up. Actually I had forgotten all about them having the quilt. Reminds me of when we forgot Travis at the baseball field.That is another story, he made it home safe and so will my quilt. Anyhow I was surprised and delighted!

I love this quilt. It is a double irish chain that has a watercolor or blended feel. I used lots of big prints from French Generals Pom Pom De Paris line. I even cut up the big stripe and used it as a background square.

When i start something like this that is "out of my comfort zone", I never know how it is going to come together. I am pleased with this one. I am glad Quiltmanina liked it as well. Thank you Carol!

The only change I would make is that you got to travel with your quilt when you sent it to France.
By the way Quiltmania magazine is available at quilt stores.

During the Memorial day weekend, I was perusing through the stack of books from Market. One of my new favs is Red White and Something Blue from That Patchwork Place. Those are 3 of my favorite colors along with brown, aqua, grey and on and on and on.

Then I come to this masterpiece! Just kidding! There was one of my quilts that McCall's had published. The entire book is a collection of quilts from past issues. So if you missed it then now is your chance.

I couldn't believe this quilt also featured French General fabrics. I didn't know how l much loved working with this line.

And last but not least I got to drool over something else that was a year and a half in the making. I had a very small part in this but I know several people that worked very hard on making it all happen.Thank you to Angela, Susanne, Jenny, John, Natalia, Vanessa, Vickie, Rachel, Julie, Roslyn, Melissa, Amanda jean, Monica, Sweetwater, and Kimberly.

Vanessaa's project. Which is cuter the quilt or the kid? Of course the kid wins every time!

Moda and Stash books sponsored a schoolhouse at Market. We all had lots of fun.

We had all worked long distance on the project, so it was nice getting to meet many of the chef in person,

Check out the moda bake shop for lists of book signings in your area.

I don't know about you but I am tired of talking about myself. Toddles for now!

-modalissa

what can google do for you?

2011-06-02T18:28:00.002-05:00

I am a google junkie. It is another one of those words that is a noun and a verb! Here are a few reasons you should become a google junkie also.

Google Documents
Google has created several ways to create documents that can be edited from any web browser. Google docs can be used to create customer questionnaires, surveys, pattern illustrations, and many other types of forms. Google documents can easily be added to your website. To read more, go to docs.google.com

Google Images
Do you have a newsletter deadline looming? Stumped what clip art to use? Visit google images for tons of free images. Many of the images are copyright free, but please do not use the ones that have restrictions.

The following two items I encourage every shop owner to spend a few minutes checking out.

Google Maps
With the summer vacation season starting, you will want to make sure you are represented on Google Maps.
Using your business phone number, google adds you to the biggest yellow pages in the world. It doesn't stop there. Add your website, store hours, pictures and videos. If you are offering children's sewing or quilting classes be sure and post that in your description. How many moms will be looking for things to keep the young ones entertained this summer? This is a great way for potential customers to learn more about you and what you have to offer. This is FREE! FREE! FREE! and takes about 15 minutes.

Google Alerts
I have talked about this before but it bears repeating. Have you ever wondered what people are saying about you and your store? Google Alerts will find out for you. When you create a google alert, you select the keywords that you want to be included. The keywords could be anything from the name of your store, our own name, etc. Each time it appears on the web, google will send an e-mail with a link to the mention. Alerts include web entries, blog posts, news articles and consumer reviews. I have my alerts to come once a day in one e-mail per topic. You can quickly scan the posts to stay on top of what is being said about your store.
Alerts are available for any topic. Do you have a favorite designer? Set up an alert for them.

I have a google alert for Quilt Market. This allows me to keep up with all the new things happening before during and after Quilt market. You may have an event that happens in your area, for example Outdoor quilt show, add that to your google alerts and watch the buzz. I even have a google alert set up for myself. I have an usual spelling so I thought my name would be a rarity. There is at least one other Lissa Alexander. She is much more prolific with her words than I am. I now know there is someone else that spells their name with 2-s's.

These are just a few of the many Google tools to implement for your business.

How many times have you said, "Just google it?"

Dessert Personality Test

2011-05-27T18:18:00.001-05:00

My husband, Gary, or as we call him DB (Dancing Bear), sent me this e-mail.

It is an interesting read before you plan your Memorial Day Dessert choices.

Pick your favorite dessert from the ones listed below.

This is very interesting.

No cheating.

If all of the eight desserts listed below were sitting in front of you, which would you choose (sorry, you can only pick one)! Pick your dessert, and then look to see what psychiatrists think about your pick as it relates to you.

REMEMBER - Make your choice before you check the meaning. After taking this dessert personality test, leave a comment with which dessert you are.

Here are your choices:

1. Angel Food Cake

2. Brownies

3. Lemon Meringue Pie

4. Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Icing

5. Strawberry Short Cake

6. Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Icing

7. Ice Cream

8. Carrot Cake

No, you can't change your mind once you scroll down, so think carefully about what your choice will be.

Keep scrolling.

Now that you've made your choice, this is what the researchers say about you...... SCROLL DOWN---No Cheating. Have a great memorial weekend.

1. ANGEL FOOD CAKE -- Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm and fuzzy items. A little nutty at times.. Sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of the day. Others perceive you as being childlike and immature at times.

2. BROWNIES -- You are adventurous, love new ideas, and are a champion of underdogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up you whip out your saber. You are always the oddball with a unique sense of humor and direction. You tend to be very loyal.

3. LEMON MERINGUE -- Smooth, fun, & articulate with your hands, you are an excellent caregiver and a good teacher.... But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time. A bit of a diva at times, you set your own style because you do your own thing. You shine when it comes to helping others and have many friends.

4. VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING -- Fun-loving, sassy, humorous, not very grounded in life; very indecisive and lacking motivation... Everyone enjoys being around you, but you are a practical joker. Others should be cautious in making you mad? However, you are a friend for life...

5. STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE -- Romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people, can be counted on in a pinch and expect the same in return. Intuitively keen. You can be very emotional at times but a true person in every way. You like to do things for yourself and help others learn about themselves.

6. CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING-- vivacious, always ready to give and receive. Very creative, adventurous, ambitious, and passionate. You can appear to have a cold exterior but are warm on the inside. Not afraid to take chances. Will not settle for anything average in life. Love to laugh.

7. ICE CREAM -- You like sports, whether it is baseball, football, basketball, or soccer. If you could, you would like to participate, but you enjoy watching sports.. You don't like to give up the remote control. You tend to be self-centered and high maintenance.

8. CARROT CAKE -- You are a very fun loving person, who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with... People like to hang out with you. You are a very warm hearted person and a little quirky at times. You have many loyal friends. You were meant to lead and teach others. A wonderful role model.

Leave me a comment on which is your favorite dessert.

No matter which dessert you picked, I think you are all sweet!

-Modaliisa

I am a statistic

2011-05-20T12:36:00.000-05:00

Has anyone ever done a statistic on how many people apologize for not posting regularly? If so I should be included in that number. Jan Patek sent me this video a while back. I thought it described what it is like doing a market.

Lots of helpers

everyone in good spirit

rounding up and coraling all the salesreps

hard work

creativity

A wonderful final project

job well done

http://www.wimp.com/sheeplight/

View the video to the end!

Thank you to all the moda team!

All nighter

2011-04-28T21:16:00.001-05:00

Each season before market I pull an all nighter. It is never planned, it just happens. I get on a roll, loose track of time and ta da it is morning. I thought this was going to happen the other night when I had a big bag of m&m's and monster energy drink standing by. I drank the monster and had a handful of "Quilters vitamins" as my Facebook friends call the candy coated chocolates. I was in bed by midnight.

I was recently in london where all the buzz of the pending nupitals was already in full throttle.

I loved this when Diana got married and I wont miss seeing Kate get married. William and Andrew are the same age of my two oldest sons. My oldest son is marrying his princess this year, so I will be on the lookout for wedding ideas. Hmmm! Should I wear a hat?

Well tonight is the big night (no Gary, I am not talking to you) it is the scheduled all nighter and wedding viewing party.

I have my sewing projects lined up. I am actually making a quilt for William and Kate. (that's how I roll) Of course they will have to wait until after market to receive it. No sneak peeks! The Royal military are guarding my blog and sewing room (actually dining room/sewing room).

Not my sewing room, just a pretty picture...
Lots of bobbins wound with auriful thread, stack of Moda fabrics ready, let the wedding begin.

Modalissa

Dots and sock monkeys

2011-04-21T22:11:00.001-05:00

I apologize in advance for not the greatest pictures.
I was trying to figure out a new twist on the old fashioned quilt as you go meets foundation piece project.
Cut 3 strips of cuddle cloth (Moda's super soft flannel solids) 13" x wof.
Using your favorite fabrics in a variety of widths, foundation piece strips leaving extra on each edge. This is good project for scraps, just make sure the strips are about 15" long so they can be sewn at angles and still cover the width of the flannel foundation.Flip and sew as you work your way up the strip of flannel. Trim excess fabric a generous 1/4" away from the flannel as shown in the picture below.

Repeat this process for the 3 flannel pieces. Choose backing fabrics. I used 3 different flannels from the funky monkey collections. (3/8 yd of each will do it but get 1/2 yd to make sure) Cut backing fabrics 13" x WOF.

This next part is touch to explain and tough to take 3D pictures.

Step 1: Lay two stripped pieced sections right sides together.
Step 2: Lay two backing fabric right sides together.
Step 3: Lay the backing sections to the back side of the dot sections. You will have 6 layers of fabrics stacked together if you count the flannel foundations.
Step 4: Sew 1/4" seam sewing through 4 layers of fabric. (you won't sew through the foundation flannel but you will sew right up next to it)
Picture below is the four layers stacked up in order.

The picture below is after the 2 rows are sewn.

The picture below shows what your quilt will look like when you open the sections that were just sewn.

Closeup of what the inner seam looks like.

Repeat with row 3 adding it to the center strip. Lay stripped section right side together to center strip. Lay backing fabric right side together to backing fabric. Sew 1/4" along the edge.

This completes your quilt top and quilting all at once. Press to eliminate bulk. Trim if necessary to square up edges. Additional quilting can be added if wanted during this step. Baste around edges and binding accordingly.
Stitch in the ditch where the rows are joined for added stability and reducing bulk.

I wanted a big chunky binding that would like a border so I did it a little different that a traditional binding.

And I actually used the back side of a printed fabric to get the color I wanted. The quilt washed wonderfully using the flannel as the batting and backing.

FRONT

BACK
I love it. It is the kind of quilt that can be washed and washed and washed. I think it will get cozier with every wash.

-modalissa

The power of words

2011-04-20T19:40:00.000-05:00

perhaps you have seen this

if not, well worth the time

if so, worth seeing it again

Guest Blog Post- PAT SLOAN

2011-04-19T06:11:00.004-05:00

If there were to be a reality quilting show, Pat Sloan would certainly be the one I would bet on. I always say she is the hardest working woman in the cotton business. Find out about Pat and her newest book using Novelty prints. Thanks for stopping by.

PAT:

There are endless reasons I love a 'Novelty' print. Often it is the image...

Who can resist Aneela Hoey's Sherbet Pips?

Or a great Sock Monkey fabric.. this is a quilt in my book

And let's not forget the 12 days of Christmas (I adore KateSpain!)!

After chatting to a zillion and one quilters about WHY a novelty print is used the same way a floral it, I wrote a book.

A book with 12 quilts that showcase these prints I love!

Not only that.. I give you a fun formula for adding a triple border to any panel..

can you say instant quilt?

Just the other day I had a baby quilt to make... I share the process using

a layer cake of Meadow Friends and the "Pair of Winners" Quilt.

Click here to see blog post 1

and blog post 2

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/2011/04/pat-sloan-novelty-anyone-part-2.html

Come visit all the sites where each blogger is featuring a quilt! AND leave comments at each site, we are giving away 2 copies from each blogger's comments!

Tuesday – 4/19/11
Carrie Nelson: - ALL ABOARD QUILT

Pat Sloan – http://patsloan.typepad.com

Wednesday – 4/20/11
Victoria Findlay Wolfe – CUPCAKES & CONFECTIONS QUILT

Amy Ellis – A PAIR OF WINNERS, VERSION 1, QUILT

Thursday – 4/21/11
Amanda Herring – ISLAND DREAMS QUILT
Barb and Mary at Me and My Sister – MONKEY BUSINESS QUILT

Friday – 4/22/11
Gudrun Erla – LET’S GO CAMPING QUILT

Erin Gilday – DOGGIE ADORATION QUILT

And if someone wants it Autographed I have them at my site! -PAT SLOAN

Thank you Pat for stopping by and sharing your creativity with all of us. We can't wait to see what all you have up your sleeve as new projects.

Lissa

to do lists

2011-04-17T13:09:00.001-05:00

I am a big believer of to do lists. Write it down and CROSS IT OFF especially during this time of year.

April 29- the big wedding- William and Kate

(To do- buy hat and fancy tea cups)

Next weekend - Easter

Next Weekend - Mother's Day

Next Weekend- QUILT MARKET

(the above are not listed in order of the length of the lists)

I have saved this post from Maria Kalman of the New York Times titled CAN DO.

It is a little story about Benjamin Franklin.

Maria writes, He believed in doing good everyday.

He made charts and had daily goals.

The picture below is his daily schedule.

(5:00 am to 1:00 am)

it's Friday, Friday, Friday

2011-04-11T19:36:00.000-05:00

It's Friday, Friday Friday

No matter whether you like this song or not, it does get stuck in your head.
My niece has gotten me hooked on it. I sing it any day of the week because we are all still looking forward to the weekend even if today is only Monday, Monday, looking forward to the weekend.
Have a great weekend, oops I mean week and then weekend.

modalissa or mona lisa

2011-04-08T05:59:00.001-05:00

Identity Crisis

Yes! I do work for the perfect company, have the perfect job, and the perfect blog title.

But I do want to let you know it did not all start at moda.

Did you take creative writing or speech classes? Well I took both. Standing up in front of a group is a nightmare for myself as well as probably 80% of the US population. My nightmare probably also had a lot to do with that I was 5' 7" by seventh grade. (yes all the boys were shorter than me well into my last years of high school, but I will save those issues for another time)

This is one of my favorite group class pictures. I could have been the teacher if I was not wearing that oh so stylish hat.(Thanks mom)

Guess which one I am?

Okay back to creative writing class.

The first day of 7th grade we were given an assignment due the following day.

We were to stand up in front of the class and introduce yourself in a "creative way".

We could write the "speech" down but no bigger than an index card.

Now this was sometime in the 1970's and hoping on the Internet was not an option.

I went home and cut out of the Enclcypedia (sorry mom) a picture of the mona Lisa. I cut yellow yarn and glued it to the picture, mounted it to my index card and received an A+ on the

first project for the year. I don't know if the teacher knew I was quite so "crafty". I didn't even to explain why I have two s's in my name but that did not effect my grade.

I wanted to update my blog header so I asked my friend Holly to help. I think we both said

at the very same time, "How about a paint by number?" We found one on Ebay and

I bought it. Weeks went by. I received a note saying I had a package at the post office from China. Geez Louise!, China? Low and behold it was a mona lisa paint by number kit.

I thought I was buying a paint by number that was already done.

Holly came up with this but she thought Mona Lisa looked a

little to "creepy" as a blonde.

My new blog header will be posted tomorrow so you can see the final results. (thank you Holly)

I hope this explains why I have always been partial to mona lisa and

thought it was a perfect nickname for my perfect job.

I do have a small collection of mona lisa items and

I can't resist taking pictures of moda lisa anytime I see one.

A shout out to Mrs. Montgomery because I am sure she never knew the "creative writing" project she assigned would stick with me over 30 odd years later.

In my 6th grade speech class, I stood up and did Elsie the cow by bringing a pint of milk. (my initials were LC) I think I may also have weight issues also. MOOO-MONA-LISA

and the winners are...

2011-04-07T12:08:00.000-05:00

The winners drawn were randomly drawn. If this is you please send me an e-mail with the shipping information.
Winner of Adventures with Leaders and Enders
is Kaye (4\1\11).... I relearned the importance of blocking a quilt once it is finished but before the bindings is put in to make it square.

Winner of Scraps and Shirtails II
is Beth.... (4\4\11)....Press seams open- I always pressed seams open for clothes, and to one side for quilting. I just finished a quilt where I pressed the seams open= I was surprised at what a difference this made.
Thank you everyone for stopping by and sharing. If you get a chance go to the comment form and read all the great re-learning tips. It is never too late to learn or to re-learn.

App swap

2011-04-02T08:11:00.001-05:00

The red and white quilt show was without a doubt the most incredible show I have ever been to. And talk about high tech, Joanna's nephew made an iPad app that shows each of the quilts up close and personal. If you were not there I highly recommend the app. It is not like being there but a close second.
Sorry my picture was vertical but you do have to turn your head in all directions to see these quilts, so you might as well do it on my blog also.
Joanna Rose and her family are donating the iPads used in the show to local schools. Again, amazing. I feel like I am on the bachelor and the only adverb/verb/adjective I can say to describe the event is AMAZING!
We all started talking about what app do you have and why? My iPad is a fairly new toy and I am just really learning about it. I don't leave home without it.
So I am putting out an app swap. ( you know like a block swap, but you don't have to make anything) if you want to join along,post a comment with your favorite app and why. I will put all of them into one post.

Leaving you with a video from YouTube about the show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty_XgIbH1hQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Re- Learning. Is that a word?

2011-03-31T05:59:00.002-05:00

Just a SHOUT OUT to everyone that has sent in

their block for the JUST ONE STAR project. I had the honor to start sewing some of the blocks together into quilt tops.

I joined the blocks into rows of 6 chain piecing them as I went along.

I have been quilt for 30 years and I continue to learn or RE-LEARN things. I recently attended a quilt guild meeting where Bonnie Hunter was the speaker. It was so good I went to another guild meeting 2 nights later. Bonnie has won the award for making the most fantastic quilts from scraps, leftovers and recycled, re purposed fabrics. Bonnie's blog, Quiltville is a must read.

Bonnie's book, Leaders and Enders, published by Kansas City Star is amazing.

This is the part where I re-learned.

Bonnie wrote an entire book that utilizes Leaders and Enders. The picture above shows what a leader is. Basically a piece of fabric to begin sewing on, before you start chain piecing your blocks together.
The leader does a couple of things.
1. It keeps your needle from coming un threaded.
2. It makes you not have those long pieces of thread to trim away.
The bonus thing it does is you can actually sew an entire separate project just by using leaders and enders.
You may remember my candy bar post from 2 days ago. I am making the dresden plate sections as my leaders and enders while I assemble Just One Star quilt tops.

Here is my ender (another dresden plate fan section) To make an ENDER sew half way and stop. Cut off the sections that you have chain pieced. Your ENDER now becomes your LEADER and you are ready to start chain piecing the next section. I love my auriful thread and using the LEADERS and ENDERS saves thread.

I never thought I needed to use a leader or ender. I didn't have much trouble with my needle coming un threaded BUT I did hate trimming those excess threads. The back of my projects looks so much neater.

1. Adventures with Leaders and Enders

and

2. Scraps and Shirtails II

Did I forget to mention that I got Bonnie to autograph 2 of the books while she was in town?

AND I am giving them away here.

Leave a comment with a sewing TIP or something you have RE-LEARNED

and I will randomly draw for 2 books

and post the winners on April 7th.

(1 book per person)

Moda Bake Shop box

2011-03-29T05:09:00.001-05:00

You may have seen one of the latest projects on the Moda Bake Shop by Tilly and Susan of the The Quilt Asylum in McKinney, Texas. I was going to do a post but she did such a fantastic job I am going to link there for the how to section of my post.

My post is about The Moda Bake Shop Candy bar boxes that are in stores now. The boxes are available

in two varieties, both are equally tasty.

The instructions to make a dresden plate using the same technique that the Quilt Asylum featured is included in the Moda bale Shop box. 4 sets of "Candy Bars" measuring 2.5" x 5" are included in each box. Add your favorite background, center circle and binding to make a quilt all your own. Instructions for a tablerunner are also included.

Of course I am kind of a fabric "collector" so I couldn't resist and had to have one of both.

Mixing the collections has been fun to see the different combinations.

Here is a picture of the completed quilt using 1 candy bar box.

But the SUPER DUPER GREATEST thing about the candy bar boxes is that there is a golden ticket hidden in 100 different boxes. Are you a fan of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? I watched that show so many times and wanted Charlie to find the golden ticket so bad! Charlie and his uncle were so excited when they finally found the ticket. Now I want YOU to find a golden ticket. Every golden ticket wins a gift bag full of moda products. That is SUPER! But the SUPER DUPER part is that each of the golden tickets will be entered in a drawing to come and visit the candyland we call Moda. We have had a few golden ticket winners but there are many more out there.

Ask for Moda candy bars at your favorite quilt or specialty store, cross your fingers and you just may be packing your bags to visit moda. Contest runs through August 2011

NO GOLDEN TICKETS WERE FOUND DURING THE MAKING OF THIS POST.

Friday Funny

2011-03-25T05:49:00.001-05:00

I am amazed by bi lingual peole. How can they get their brain to switch back and forth from one language to another? I thought Spanish would be fun to learn. 4 of my 5 kids know it and the some of the girls at the office put post it notes all over my office to help me. I decided to finally take the post it notes down. Then a friend of mine sent me this and I guess learning our language isn’t all that easy after all. #15 is my favorite.
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it - English is a crazy language!

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? You know this can go on and on.

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why when the stars are out they are visiblebut when the lights are out they are invisible.

You lovers of the English language might enjoy this… or is this just TEXAS language?

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP'.

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ?

We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost ¼th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP! When is rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.
When is doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so… it is time to shut UP!

Gotta go make UP some quilts. Have a good weekend.

-Modalissa

Did you ever wonder how I came up with modalissa? Watch for my post about that next week, opps week after next.