Fall Parade

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Living in Texas, we don’t experience four seasons. We have winter and summer with a glimmer of spring and fall squeezed in. So when fall is in the air or even just marked on the calendar as the first official day, it is time to act. With Orange being my favorite color, it is time to pull out all my orange quilts.

I shared this quilt top in progress on a previous post but sent it to Maggi Honeyman to let her work her magic, so I had to show it off again. She quilted the quilt with an allover ORANGE PEEL quilt design. It was a perfect complement to the quilt.

The magic of layering the quilt top, batting, and backing and stitching the layers together is what makes quilts so unique.

Then I sent the quilt home with my daughter to get some pictures of the quilt out on her farm. (Thanks, Jillian!)

 I will be sharing some more of my ORANGE- Fall quilts over the next few weeks. It helps me pretend that it isn’t in the high 90’s here in Texas.

Just in case, the quilt above is a pattern from Fig Tree and Co. named Pumpkins and Cream, stock # Ft 1465.

 

Happy Fall Yall,

-modalissa

Little Farmstead Living

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I live in Farmers Branch, a small town that
sits immediately north of Dallas, Texas.
I have lived here since I was eight years old. Three of my five kids live here, and all four of my grandkids live here.
My oldest grandson just started Kindergarten at the same elementary school I attended.
Why I mention this, is our family roots run deep and while I live in a suburb of Dallas, Texas surrounded by international business,
bustling highways, I love anything country/farmhouse related.

When I found out Martingale was publishing a book from Julie Thomas, I knew I had to own it.

I have followed Julie on instagram for quite a while and love everything she does.

Now I get to drool over the pages in print as she shares how they
“created a country life just past the city limits.”

Sounds completely heavenly!

Not only is the book full of gorgeous pictures, but it is also full of how-tos,
such as creating an outdoor eating area.
Many of these ideas are doable regardless of your space.

Gardening? My brown thumb doesn’t work, but I love reading about it,
dreaming about it and eating out of other people’s gardens.

Chickens Like Pumpkins Too.

This saying made me giggle.
My daughter lives in the country and raises chickens, so I do enjoy fresh, colorful eggs.
I will certainly send my pumpkins to the farm as treats for her chickens.

And if this is not the cutest thing ever,
an Olde English “Babydoll” sheep.

Not sure if this is Teddy, Winston or George but I
could stare at him for days.

A great book to add to your Christmas wish list! Available at your favorite book retailer. Stock #B1500

(all above photos used courtesy of Martingale publishing)

The book will be in stores October 1st, but as a special treat, I have an advance copy that I am going
to share with one of my country girl readers.

Leave a comment and let me know if you had an animal growing up.

I had many animals, but one of my favorites was my duck named Frito.

I will pick a winner at random on Wednesday the 18th.

 

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

  Winner

Stars and Stripes Quilt-along

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Recently Julia Davis of @redrainbootshandmade hosted a
Stars and Stripes Quilt along featuring the
Stars and Stripes pattern from Camille Roskelley of Thimbleblossoms.

I had already made one of these quilts but there is nothing like a quilt-along to encourage you to jump in on another project.
Several people in my family have hinted that they want their own flag quilt and I have a fairly large family!

My daughter (only girl with 4 brothers) got wind that I was making another one
of Camille’s quilts and she decided
she wanted to make one as a gift.
I couldnt believe this and I didnt dare want to pass up the opportunity of JIllian making a quilt.
She hasn’t made a quilt since she was in fourth grade.
She did win a prize at the Dallas Quilt Show for her sunflower nine patch quilt.
She seems to think it was a participation ribbon and all the kids got one.
I dont remember it like that at all!!

Jillian lives about an hour away from me but comes to town often, so we took this project on.
She had a deadline!!
She was on a mission!!

Great photo props in the country!

A little photo op in the country with a lady bug landing on one of the quilts…
GOOD LUCK!!

JIllian showing off the quilt she made that will be gifted this week.

I always joke that it is just as fast to make 2 quilts as it is to make 1,
so while she was sewing away I was cutting and cutting and cutting.

She thought she would never finish which was quite humorous.
What she didnt know was that I was sewing another set of flags after she went home.
I found the perfect shade of green (jillian’s favorite color)
and a yummy green fireside/snuggles fabric for the back.

Sent both quilt tops off to the quilter  (Red Velvet Quilts) in time to finish before the fourth of July.

I have made several flag quilts in my lifetime but I have never made 3 from the same pattern, really 2 and helped with the third.

But I am hooked on this quilt and will probably make many more. Remember that big family I mentioned?

Wishing everyone a wonderful Independence Day!

-Modalissa

June, so it must be time for….

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It is June so it must be time for
PUMPKINS!??!!

If you follow me, you know I love Orange so  the new fabric line ALL HALLOW’S EVE by Fig Tree and Co is possibly my favorite line of 2019. I begged Joanna of Fig Tree and Co. to let me test one of her new patterns. I didn’t really beg.

This could be considered another one of my “secret sewing” projects since I was working on it in February, at a
retreat by the ocean!

Life is rough, but a girl has got to do what a girl has to do!

Too much laughing or too much wine or a combination of both made me make a few different diversions from
the orginal pattern. I love it just the same!

The pattern is Fig Tree, stock #FT1465 and is headed to stores now. Fabric is shipping to stores also.

The quilt is off to the quilter and I can’t wait to show it off completed.
The quilt will then be added to Moda’s trunk show program where it will go on tour to some quilt shops.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I love Antler Quilt Design’s ruler for this project.
This is the mini simple folded corner ruler that makes cutting the corners a breeze.

Here is a representation of the range of fabrics in the line courtesy of Moda Fabrics! 
If you are an orange collector like me you will want to stock up on these prints, Seriously!!

Can you say BOOO-tiful?

And if All Hallow’s Eve was not great enough, I have been hoarding a bundle of Christmas Figs! I have got to try the greens and oranges together! Enough about my Fig Tree crush!!

Do you have an all time favorite fabric line? How about an all time favorite fabric designer?

pieceful quilting,

-modalissa

Secret Sewing

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I love the phrase “secret sewing”. My whole life is based on secret sewing. I get to work ahead on many of the lines that Moda produces. I get to try out new products. I get to use products I thought I would never need like the Shape Cut ruler by June Tailor. While doing some of my secret market sewing, more on that later, I remembered that one of the girls in the office swears by her Shape Cut ruler. I am a pretty fast and accurate cutter so I did not see the need to have to fit my rotary cutter into a little sliver just to make a cut. Never say never! I tried it and I loved it!

Why did I love it? One of my secret sewing projects was to make a quilt to be displayed in the Moda Quilt Market booth. It had lots of strips sets and I do like to layer and cut which can lead to your ruler slipping and sliding.

I laid out the strips right sides together and butted the seams next to each other. Then shifted the strip sets so all the seams were not on top of each other. This is where the Shape Cut ruler came in so handy. The weight and size of the ruler kept all my layers together and I did not have to move the ruler. Yeah!!

My pieces were all ready to go to the machine and sew and sew and sew!

Now that Quilt Market is over and Bonnie & Camille have introduced their next line of fabric, Early Bird, I can show my “not a secret any more sewing.”

Hide & Seek Pattern # TB 234 by Thimbleblossoms

Fabric will arrive in stores October 2019. It will be here before you know it.

Thanks for listening to my secret sewing story and my new love, of the Shape Cut ruler. Yes I did have to give Janet back her ruler but I am now a proud owner of my own!!

On A Roll

69 Comments

(giveaway closed)

Available now, stock # B1498

Moda Jelly Rolls have been around since 2008 and I can’t believe how many wonderful projects, tools, notions, patterns, and books have been created based on the 2 1/2″ strip. I will never forget the first time I used a jelly roll. After working a full day at the greatest job ever, I went home, opened a jelly roll and started sewing. So theraoutic!

The Moda All-Stars have done it again, each quilt is based on a jelly roll. Some of the quilts have additional fabrics added, some of the quilts are appliqued. There is something for everyone, 16 quilts all in all shapes and sizes sure to inspire.

Row 1, L to R

Not Too Sweet by American Jane
Chain Reaction by Kansas Troubles
What’s the Commotion by Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

Row 2, L to R
One Roll Wonder by Me and My Sister
Square Dance by SweetWaterCo.
Pineapple Quilt by Zen Chic

Row 3, L to R
Sweet Butterfly by Stacy Iest Hsu
On Flip Side by Linzee McCray
Trifle by Janet Clare

Row 4, L to R
Apricot Jelly by Corey Yoder
Rule Roost by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs
Mounation Climbing by Betsy Chutchian

Row5
Maisy Daises by Fig Tree and Co.


and last but not least Parfait by Sherri McConnell. Can you believe these projects all started with a Jelly Roll?

The proceeds from the sale of this book are going to Schools on Wheels, an organization that provides academic tutoring to children living in shelters, motels, cars, group foster homes and on the streets in Southern California.

Your purchase of any of the Moda All-Star book helps us make donations to many of the causes that Moda Fabrics, Martingale Publishing and the Moda Designers believe in. Thank you for that!

Leave a comment and let me know what quilt you would want to make….. I have a few books that need to put to use!

enjoy!

-ModaLissa

Winners have been notified.

May 30, 2019 at 11:46 am

Paulette says:

Time to stop admiring jelly rolls and use them! I love the left cover quilt.

May 30, 2019 at 10:59 am

Teri says:

Of course I’d like to make all the quilts but the one that I most want to do now is Sweet Butterfly. I am looking for a special pattern for special girl and this looks perfect.

May 30, 2019 at 1:39 pm

Mary Ann Scanlon says:

It’s a toss up between Apricot Jelly and Not Too Sweet! Actually that’s one of the reasons I like apricot jelly, it’s not too sweet. (I crack myself up) thanks for fun give away Lissa.

May 31, 2019 at 8:24 am

Jane says:

Not Too Sweet really caught my eye! I would LOVE to own this book!

Positively Patriotic

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Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2019 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. 

Here is my latest project featured in the June issue of American Patchwork and Quilting.
Didn’t APQ do a fantastic job photo styling my quilt?

My heart goes pitter patter over anything red white and blue.

Magazines are on the newstands April 5th so in the meantime if you want to gather your fabrics, I used

some of my very favorite Bella Solids

Royal 9900-19,   2 1/4 yds
9900-200,           3 5/8 yds
Cherry 9900-230       2 yds

I am in love and honored to be featured in this issue alongside some other greatness including Susan Ache, Diane Harris, Jessica Dayon, Jo Kramer and Kelli Hanken, Tara Lynn Baisden, Victoria Findlay Wolfe and Heidi Staples. To find out more about this issue, follow American Patchwork & Quilting’s social media.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/allpeoplequilt

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/allpeoplequilt

Twitter: @allpeoplequilt

Instagram: @allpeoplequilt

My only problem is I wonder if they will let me borrow that truck for my summer picnic.

Enjoy!

-modalissa

 

Shirting quilt top

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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!

I love Quirky

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I love the word Quirky and I love little quilts, which is why I am taking part in Quirky Little Quilts quiltalong. I have choosen some of my favorite Minick and Simpson Christmas scraps.

Book and fabrics- Ready to go!
photo from https://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/

How super cool would it be to have a jar big enough to hold mini quilts or enough mini quilts to even fit into the jar! That is what I am going for.

Sheryl shared many tips on finishing the mini quilts and I can’t wait to get finished to try some of them out.

The Quiltalong starts on March 25th and all you have to do is make 4 mini blocks a week. To find out more details, click here.

Be sure to use the hashtag #QuirkyLittleQuiltsQAL when you post about your progress on Facebook and Instagram. I can’t wait to see what you create!

The Happiness Project

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Do you journal? I always have the best intentions but that does not get me very far. I have grand dreams of leaving elloquent books filled with wisdom and insight on life. There would be pages full of funny stories, copies of family recipes and historic happenings of the day.
WAKE UP! My abridged version of this is the Happiness Project journal. It is a small 5 year journal with about 3 lines per day. Just enough to jot a sentence or two of gratitude, major family events, a quote that caught my eye or a few words of happiness.
I am on to my second 5 year journal and will be finishing it up in the year 2020. Between these journals and my hot mess of pictures stored on google my family can enjoy a zany look into my mind!

I wanted to share some of the tips from Gretchen Rubin as great reflection and daily inspiration.  Enjoy!!

 

Twelve Personal Commandments

Be Gretchen.

Let it go.

Act the way I want to feel.

Do it now.

Be polite and be fair.

Enjoy the process.

Spend out.

Identify the problem.

Lighten up.

Do what ought to be done.

No calculation.

There is only love.

A Happiness Manifesto

To be happy, you need to consider feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth.

One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy; One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.

The days are long, but the years are short.

You’re not happy unless you think you’re happy.

Your body matters.

Happiness is other people.

Think about yourself so you can forget yourself.

“It is easy to be heavy: hard to be light.”—G. K. Chesterton

What’s fun for other people may not be fun for you, and vice versa.

Best is good, better is best.

Outer order contributes to inner calm.

Happiness comes not from having more, not from having less, but from wanting what you have.

You can choose what you do, but you can’t choose what you like to do.

“There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.” —Robert Louis Stevenson

You manage what you measure.

 

I would love to hear what is some of your favorite books.

-modalissa