Category: Uncategorized

Kisses from Gammy

6 Comments

October is more than just a month of falling leaves and pumpkin-spiced lattes; it’s a time when the world turns its attention to a cause that affects millions of lives – Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This annual campaign aims not only to raise awareness about the most common cancer among women but also to educate, support, and inspire action.

I am humbled and honored to be a part of the annual Stitch Pink campaign with Moda Fabrics. This year Moda has partnered with Camille Roskelley and Aurifil threads.  We all know someone that has been effected by Breast Cancer including my mom, aka GAMMY!

Gammy was not just an ordinary woman; she was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who possessed a heart filled with wisdom, patience, and an infectious sense of humor. But above all, she was incredibly strong, especially when faced with the formidable opponent called Breast Cancer.

She had always been the cornerstone of our family – a source of endless love, guidance, creativity and laughter. We all admired her not only for her resilience but also for her ability to find joy in the most challenging of circumstances.Gammy loved loading the grands upper a fulfilled trip to Chuckie Cheese with an endless supply of quarters. She loved chatting about your latest boyfriend or girlfriend and no topic was off the table for her.  Another thing Gammy loved doing was leaving a big ol’ smooch on everyone’s cheek, so when it came time to make my stitch pink project, I decided to reproduce this kiss.

I cut the lighthearted charm pack and layered the pieces, topstitching them with Aurifil threads to a base cloth. Piecing the red charm packs together to create lips and raw edge appliquéd them to the pillow top. I came across a “Gammy’s Girls” clothing label and knew it was a sign I had to include it on the pillow.Gammy’s Girls was the name of my sister and I’d company that made and sold things at craft fairs.

one label just wouldn’t do the job, so I added some additional ones as a representation of what a fashion icon Gammy – Ruth was. Making this into a pillow was the perfect finishing touch so that it can be hugged and loved on as much as she hugged and loved on us.

She left behind a legacy of strength, wisdom, patience, and laughter along with lessons on living life with resilience, grace and humor.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder that unity is powerful, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease. By fostering awareness, supporting research, and encouraging early detection, we can create a world where breast cancer is not a threat to future generations. Let October be a month of inspiration and action, reminding us all that our collective efforts can and will lead to a future without breast cancer. Thank you for taking the time to read about the inspiration behind my life and my project!

Get screened!

-Modalissa

Candy Corn Quilt

6 Comments

I have made this quilt at least 3 different times and have a friend that just asked for one so time to reshare the post from 2015.

 

candy corn quilt

I recently posted a picture of this quilt on my Instagram because I love it.
I love the colors.
I love the pattern.
I love the quilting.

I love, love, love it.

Someone asked me about the pattern and colors so I thought I would share it here. When I went to hunt down

the good pics, I remembered it was featured in the April May 2013 QUILT magazine.

So here are their nice styled, color corrected pictures from 2013.

my candy corn quilt in QUILT aprilmay2013And here are the details if you want to make your own version using Bella solids.

9900-51- Buttercup,

9900-81 Goldenrod,

9900-83 Grey,

9900-125 Betty’s Brown,

9900-147 Coral,

9900-162 Amelia Apricot,

9900-171 Etchings Charcoal,

9900-185 Zen Grey

9900-209 Clementine,

9900-210 Strawberry,

9900-213 Mustard,

9900-244 Harvest Gold.

A fat quarter of each.

The background could be anything but I used 9900-182 Porcelain (4 1/4 yds.)

I refer to this type of quilt as a 12 pack, not a 6- pack that is something completely different. Pick your favorite 12 colors, add background of your choice

and the possibilities are endless.

Choose all shades of greens and browns for trees,

blues and greens with a little white on top for snow capped mountains,

30’s prints for a retro quilt

or just a combination of all your funky favorite fabrics as a scrap buster!

Bella Solid Peaks quiltI shot a pic of the quilt with my Iphone as I zipped by the quilt laying on an unmade bed at my sons house.
The quilt looked even better washed and used. I love it when a quilt has been put to good use.

Tag me if you make a version of this quilt. I would love to see it.
Here is the pattern for your use.
Enjoy!!

-modalissa

Scrappy Celebration QAL

7 Comments
Time flies! I can’t believe it has been 10 years since I did a quilt-along with American Patchwork and Quilting for their 20th anniversary.
Fast forward to their 30th anniversary and I am honored and proud
to be featured….on the cover…
APQ April 2023 Cover

I am a newbie to using the quilt design software, Electric Quilt. To play with this I started adding a variety of nine patches, four patches and any similar block. I fell in love with the mathematic look of the quilt and knew I just had to make it.

All images in this blog post are used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine . Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved.

Let’s skip to the good part. American Patchwork and Quilting is featuring my quilt as one of their 2023 QAL and they have a Facebook group you can join to play along. I am going to make another version of this quilt during this QAL using red, white and blues with my collection of Minick Simpson fabrics.

If you want to join in, the details are included below.

Pattern Details

Finished quilt: 63-1/2×72-1/2″

 For this quilt, you’ll need:

  • 1-1/8 yard total assorted pink prints
  • 2-3/4 yards total assorted white prints
  • 1/2 yard total assorted red and dark pink prints
  • 3/4 yard total assorted green prints
  • 1 yard total assorted orange prints
  • 1 yard total assorted blue prints
  • 7/8 yard total assorted yellow prints
  • 5/8 yard orange-and-white print (binding)
  • 4 yards backing fabric
  • 72×81″ batting

All of the following info is available here also.

Get the Quilt-Along Pattern

Quilt-Along Schedule

The quilt-along runs from February 20-April 16. While there is a recommended sewing schedule (see below), you can also sew at your own pace!

Scrappy Celebration

If you’re posting on Instagram, use the hashtag #APQQuiltalong to share your progress.

I hope you join us as I share more about Electric Quilt and all things 9 patch.

and lastly THANK YOU so much to the talented team at American Patchwork and Quilting. The April issue ( on newsstands now) is full of wonderful projects and a look back over the 10 years. I have drooled over the pages and talented in this issue.

-Enjoy!

Shirting quilt top

14 Comments

I am crazy over stripes, denim, blues, and blacks so when I came across this quilt top, I knew it had to come home with me. The price was right and I had no idea what I would do with it but it was going to have a good home.

The quilt top was pretty threadbare, I auditioned it for a curtain thinking I would be so Ralph Lauren circa 1980. I loved it but was outvoted on the charm factor I thought I had created.

A couple of weeks ago, Anna Dineen of A Wandering Path taught a class to make the Ultimate Travel Bag from By Annies Pattern Company.

I could not make up my mind what fabric to use, so there sat this lonely quilt top in all its beauty, wanting to be showcased and taken out on the town. The quilt top almost jumped off the shelf screaming pick me, pick me.

I used a knit fuse interfacing to protect the threadbare areas, sent it off to be quilted and it arrived back in time for our first bag class.

Bag making was new to me, mainly because it requires supplies I do not usually have on hand such as interfacing, zippers, mesh linings etc.

Most of the time I may dive into a project late at night and with quilting, I have all the fabric and supplies I could possibly need. I learned that I could actually do this and I loved it. and I also learned I needed to stock up on supplies for when the next late night bag making bug bite me.

I am not in the habit of cutting up a quilt top, but this one was in bad shape. Now I can carry it proudly as it has gained a new life as my patchworked travel bag!

Pattern # PBA251 byannie.com
Back view of my bag

Here is a video clip from Annie. If you are not a bag maker, dive in. It is lots of fun and Annie had all the supplies I need to make it happen. Enjoy!

Red and white quilt book winner

3 Comments

Friday was a 12 hour whirlwind of a day at Quilt Festival. Several of the Moda team hopped on the first flight out of Dallas for the 50 minute flight to Houston. While we had all been in Houston for Market the week before, it was time to go and see all the festival shops.
Our first stop was to rush to Lisa Bongean at Primitive Gatherings. I had to get some of her new rulers that are designed to cut stems.

Have you seen Lisa’s rugs made using mini charm packs? Perfect Christmas presents!

Pattern available at your favorite store or from Primitive Gatherings.


I snapped a quick pic of Erin Smith and Tammy Vonderschmitt. They had smiles on their faces with no sign of exhaustion even though this was the 9th day or 11 days straight living in hotel rooms and working in convention center settings. (Amy Matheny not pictured)

These gals were manning the Moda booth. They demoed cake mix papers and showcased all the many things that can be done with Vanessa Christenson’s ombre line of fabrics.

Vanessa Christenson and her sweet daughter, Katie were in attendance. Look at the cute skirt Vanessa is wearing that is made from her pink ombre fabric. Vanessa has an entire Pinterest board devoted to inspiration and patterns for her Ombre fabrics. Click here to follow the pinterest board.

Another stop was to visit Karen at Home A la Mode. She is the queen of demo’s and I always have to stop by to see what she is working on.

27 aisles of quilt goodness and almost 4 miles of steps, then rush to  the airport in time to find our plane delayed. A little bit more time spent with good friends and then home. Can’t wait until next year to do it all over again.

Winner of the Red and White quilt book giveaway is:

October 28, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Mary Durham says:
My favorite quilt show has been the Outdoors show in Sisters, Oregon. There were so many beautiful quilts, but it was also such a fun atmosphere. Someday I hope to go to the shows in Paducah and Houston.

Please send me an email or DM with your shipping information.
Enjoy!,

Lissa

No Comments

 APQ Podcast

If you know of Pat Sloan, stand up and clap your hands.

Now that we all have gotten a bit of cardio in, I wanted to let you know I am honored to be a guest on American Patchwork and Quilting’s podcast, hosted by Pat Sloan.

Tune in Monday, April 16th 3-4 central time. I am segment 4 in the show. I could say she saved the best for last but I don’t know who the other 3 people are so she probably just picked me for last becasue she knows I get nervous!

So tune in.

It should be a lot of fun.

You can listen on the computer, subscribe by itunes (search American Patchwork & Quilting), or download to a player.

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast

Another little goody is that if you go to Pat’s Radio Show page on Monday, she has always has a find of something she likes, recommends or features! I can’t wait to see what it is on Monday.

 

A Piece of Cake Blog Hop

39 Comments

Today is my day on the A PIECE OF CAKE blog hop. I have known Peta for quite a while and I am so proud and excited that she has shared her creativity with us.

Thank you, Peta for asking me to participate.         

There are 14 different projects in this book and many of them are on my must make list, but

when it came time to

 decide which quilt to make I knew I needed to make the LOVE quilt. I have perfect person for this quilt,  my {little} grandson, Jacob.

His mama loves the graphic fabrics from the  Savannah by Ginger line, so I dove right in.

This quilt was fun and easy to make.

A quick quilt just perfect for gift giving.

There are two sizes of the LOVE quilt. I went with the 45″ x 60″ version.  The quilt is big and chunky and has plenty of room so that I can add some big stitching with Aurifil threads.

Let me introduce you to one of my grandsons, Jacob Ryan Alexander, Cub for short.

He is a whooping 6 months old and is just as cuddly as he looks.

 Jacob kindly modeled to show off his new quilt.  Don’t you just want to pinch those little legs?
He completely understands that it still needs to be quilted.

A few of the squares from the animal panel fit perfectly inside the big heart. Speaking of big hearts, isn’t this kid the cutest thing ever?

A little bit of stitching, a pieced binding and some quilting will finish off this project.

Thank you for stopping by and to celebrate I will be giving away a copy of this book. Leave a comment telling me what is your favorite Moda precut  and I will pick a winner at random, Thursday evening. I will post the winner here Friday morning.

Be sure and stop by all the people participating in the blog hop, listed below

14 Aug Sedef – Down Grapevine Lane

15 Aug Jemima – Tied with a Ribbon

16 Aug Samantha – Aqua Paisley Studio

17 Aug Andy – A Bright Corner

18 Aug Kirsty – Bonjour Quilts

19 Aug Lisa – A Spoonful of Sugar Designs

20 Aug Alison – Cotton Factory

21 Aug Carrie – Moda Fabrics

22 Aug Nadra – Ellis and Higgs

23 Aug Angie – Gnome Angel

24 Aug Tara – Tara Sews

25 Aug Jules – The Creative Retreat

26 Aug Kristyne – Pretty by Hand

27 Aug Kimberly – Fat Quarter Shop

28 Aug Lissa – Moda Lissa

29 Aug Amy – Diary of a Quilter

30 Aug Kerry – Kid Giddy & Cat – Hello from Cat on Instagram

31 Aug Jane – Modern Makers Retreat

1 Sept Kate – Never Enough Hours

2 Sept Jodie – Vintage Ric Rac

3 Sept Sharon – Patches Indooroopilly (in store & online!)

4 Sept Amanda – Material Girl Quilts

5 Sept Amber – A Little Bit Biased

6 Sept Xanthe – Wife Made

7 Sept Rachel – Family Ever After

8 Sept Jenny – Martingale

9 Sept Amy – Nana Company

10 Sept Peta – She Quilts A Lot

 Karen McMahon, You are the winner of A Piece of Cake book. I have sent you an email and will get the book to you ASAP.

My drawing is CLOSED but keep following along the remaining people on the hop.

-modalissa

Save

lotus touts

7 Comments

If you have an email address,  you have probably received all kinds of email forwards that promise good luck and to pass along the email for continued blessings. This is one of those emails I have recieved and I am glad to say that after receiving in 2013, I am still alive and kicking. I have not won the lottery yet, but this list  is almost as good as winning any jackpot so I thought I would share it here.

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, ‘I love you,’ mean it.

FIVE. When you say, ‘I’m sorry,’ look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone’s dreams. People who don’t have dreams don’t have much.

NINE… Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it’s the only way to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don’t judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, ‘Why do you want to know?’

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say ‘bless you’ when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

Good words for all of us!!

-modalissa

1 Comment

I recently had the pleasure of attending the
Knit and Stitch show in London, England.

Yes, glamorous job, but someone has to do it.

One of the Moda designers, Janet Clare had a booth filled with patterns, kits, stitcheries and all kinds of goodies.
Janet was wearing her iconic Artisian Apron.

I love it… wear your creativity!
Read more about Janet here.

Right down the aisle from Janet was Harriett Riddell, a performance textile artist. Yes, a performance textile artist.

I was drawn in by her eclectic table covering made from vintage linens, hankies and art. I knew there had to be a good story here.

While I did not officially meet her, I did stand and watch her work for quite a while. Harriett uses thread and a sewing machine much
like an artist uses paper and pencil to create characters.

Here is a bit of info about Harriett from her bio page.

Harriet Riddell was born in 1990 and grew up in Oxfordshire, England. Harriet is a mixed media performance artist, specializing in observational drawings using a sewing machine. Her artwork responds to and interprets the transient world on to a permanent canvas. Harriet encourages interaction by working in unusual locations and experimenting with the subjects the she chooses to stitch.

(photos used with permission of Harriett Riddell.)

At one of the fairs she “performed” while her subject pedaled a bicycle to generate power for her sewing machine.

I know I would be in better shape if I had to ride a bike to create power for my machine, but I would make a lot fewer quilts.

Thank you to Janet and Harriett for sharing your creativity with us.

-modalissa

Save