Texas Roadtrip QAL- Hill County

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You can find more specific details about this QAL, such as fabric requirements, at My Fabric Relish and Pretty Little Quilts.
There will be a lot of fun information and prizes, so I hope that you
will be able to follow along even if aren’t able to make the quilt!

– See more at: http://www.pixelstopatchwork.com/2014/05/deep-in-heart-of-texas-roadtrip-quilt.html#sthash.p5ek0S3j.dpuf


You can find more specific details about this QAL, such as fabric requirements, at My Fabric Relish and Pretty Little Quilts.
There will be a lot of fun information and prizes, so I hope that you
will be able to follow along even if aren’t able to make the quilt!

– See more at: http://www.pixelstopatchwork.com/2014/05/deep-in-heart-of-texas-roadtrip-quilt.html#sthash.p5ek0S3j.dpuf

Welcome to your next to the last stop on the Texas Roadtrip QAL. 
By now you have many of the highlights around the state and discovered many of the gems that give Texans our bragging rights. 
I was born in Kansas but as the ol’ saying goes….
 I got to Texas as fast I could. 
Really it was my mom and dad that came to Texas as soon as they could since I was only 5 years old and couldn’t drive when my family moved to Texas. We started out in Lubbock and eventually moved to Dallas when I was 8.
Both my mother and father were native Texans so when I was told about this project I knew I wanted to play along. Making the blocks and reading about many of the parts of the state have brought back many memories of family reunions, road trips, and various adventures along the way. Enough about my families antics. You can read about my roadtrip down memory lane August 17th when I post the final quilt project and link up for prizes.
So today you are here to learn a little about the Texas Hill Country.
The area that defines the Hill Country varies depending on who you ask. It does however cover 25 different counties from as far north as  West Austin and south all the way to Bandera and into San Antonio. Bandera, Texas is the Cowboy Capital of Texas. The town still has hitching posts outside many of the  stores because it is not uncommon to ride your horse into town. Bandera also has as many honky tonks as it does churches. SIDE NOTE- This weekend, July 26th is the National Day of the American Cowboy. If you happen to visit Bandera, be sure and stop at the O.S.T Restaurant and enjoy your meal in the John Wayne room.  I seriously have done this! I won’t share about the Honky Tonks we visited during the family reunion. Yes, Bandera also has a quilt store, Gone Quiltin’.


Everything is bigger in Texas except for maybe our hills, so to have an area of the state know for the  hills, granite rocks and native brush tells you we are pretty proud. So if you visit, please no comments on the size of our hills. I could go on and on and tell you about the quaint downtown streets, the antique shopping, the mega outlet malls, the inter tube rides down the river but there is not enough time. You will just have to experience the charm for your self.

Any road trip is sure to include a few stops along the way at any and all quilt shops. So I will list just a few.
You won’t want to miss Creations in Kerrville, Texas.

Julie and Kathy
They won’t mind that I borrowed this pic from their website.

Kathy and Julie are precious and have owned this shop for over 34 years so you know they are doing things right.

Another must stop is the Quilt Haus- New Braunfels
Memories by the Yard- San Antonio, Texas
Honey Bee- Austin
Las Colchas – San Antonio
Uptown Blanco Textile Studio ( I haven’t actually been to this one but I will on my next roadtrip.)

There are as many quilts shops as their are longhorns so I also wanted to include a few links that are state wide quilting events. Be sure and check them out.
http://www.rowbyrowexperience.com/texas-row-by-row-experience.htm
http://www.quiltacrosstexas.com/

The fun part of this project was we were all making the quilt step by step as the blocks were posted on the QAL. We didn’t have each others quilt blocks in advance. Since I am one of the last to post, I thought I could do a HILL block to represent the hill country but that was too predictable. I choose to do a Bed and Breakfast block. 

 This area has such great memories for me because many many years ago I was a young stay at home mom. I was making and peddling my wares at various arts and craft shows. This was way before e-bay, etsy and all the other wonderful ways to be able to sell handmade items that they have now.
The Country Peddler show was coming to Fredrickburg, Texas and this was the big time kind of show. I had no idea what I was in for.  My husband told me about a gal that he had met coaching the boys t-ball team. He said, “I think the two of you would really hit it off.” 
I invited her to come with me for the weekend and to help me out at this show. There wasn’t a single hotel room in town available so we found a charming little bed and breakfast to stay in. The house was on the back side of an existing home so finding it in the dark was an adventure all by itself. We were expecting two rooms as the Inn Keeper described on the phone. When we arrived there was one bedroom, one bath, a few steps along with a small door and a tiny keyhole. Once we opened door there was the most charming small bed inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Charming is all I can say about the decorations and attention to detail. We had a wonderful weekend and like my husband said, we did hit it off and have been best friends for over 25 years.
So when visiting the Texas Hill Country please visit the bed and breakfasts so you can truly experience all the hospitality and charm this area of Texas has to offer.

BED and BREAKFAST QUILT BLOCK

Small Alice in Wonderland house

Here is a link to download the instructions.

 If you have missed out on any of the blocks and want to also win some prizes here are the complete details.

The schedule for the QAL is as follows:
June 2 – Dallas – Ashley at Urban Spools
June 5 – Tyler – Colleen guest blogger at Pretty Little Quilts
June 12 – Fort Worth – Lindsey and Jodie at Fort Worth Fabric Studio
June 16 – Amarillo – Aoife at thREDhead
June 19 – Lubbock – Jada (guest blogger) at My Fabric Relish
June 23 – El Paso – Jennie at Porch Swing Quilts
June 26 – Midland/Odessa – Donna at Donna’s Lavender Nest
June 30 – Big Bend – Cristina at Pretty Little Quilts
July 7 – Houston – Teresa at Third Floor Quilts
July 10 – Beaumont – Taryn at Pixels to Patchwork
July 14 – Austin – Amanda at What the Bobbin
July 17 – College Station – Hilary at Young Texan Mama
July 21 – San Antonio – Ellyn at Ellyn’s Place
July 24 – Hill Country – Lissa at Moda Fabrics
July 28 – Rio Grande Valley – Melissa at My Fabric Relish

Melissa and Cristina have arranged some fabulous sponsors:

Donna’s Lavender Nest
Fat Quarter Shop
Urban Spools
Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Lily Rose Quilts
Moda


You can find more specific details about this QAL, such as fabric requirements, at My Fabric Relish and Pretty Little Quilts.
There will be a lot of fun information and prizes, so I hope that you
will be able to follow along even if aren’t able to make the quilt!

– See more at: http://www.pixelstopatchwork.com/2014/05/deep-in-heart-of-texas-roadtrip-quilt.html#sthash.p5ek0S3j.dpuf

The schedule for the QAL is as follows:
June 2 – Dallas – Ashley at Urban Spools
June 5 – Tyler – Colleen guest blogger at Pretty Little Quilts
June 12 – Fort Worth – Lindsey and Jodie at Fort Worth Fabric Studio
June 16 – Amarillo – Aoife at thREDhead
June 19 – Lubbock – Jada (guest blogger) at My Fabric Relish
June 23 – El Paso – Jennie at Porch Swing Quilts
June 26 – Midland/Odessa – Donna at Donna’s Lavender Nest
June 30 – Big Bend – Cristina at Pretty Little Quilts
July 7 – Houston – Teresa at Third Floor Quilts
July 10 – Beaumont – Taryn at Pixels to Patchwork
July 14 – Austin – Amanda at What the Bobbin
July 17 – College Station – Hilary at Young Texan Mama
July 21 – San Antonio – Ellyn at Ellyn’s Place
July 24 – Hill Country – Lissa at Moda Fabrics
July 28 – Rio Grande Valley – Melissa at My Fabric Relish

Melissa and Cristina have arranged some fabulous sponsors:

Donna’s Lavender Nest
Fat Quarter Shop
Urban Spools
Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Lily Rose Quilts
Moda


You can find more specific details about this QAL, such as fabric requirements, at My Fabric Relish and Pretty Little Quilts.
There will be a lot of fun information and prizes, so I hope that you
will be able to follow along even if aren’t able to make the quilt!

– See more at: http://www.pixelstopatchwork.com/2014/05/deep-in-heart-of-texas-roadtrip-quilt.html#sthash.p5ek0S3j.dpuf

 June 1 – Quadrant 1 pattern post – Download

June 2 – Dallas – Ashley at Urban Spools

June 5 – Tyler – Colleen guest blogger at Pretty Little Quilts

June 12 – Fort Worth – Lindsey and Jodie at Fort Worth Fabric Studio

June 15 – Quadrant 2 pattern post – Download

June 16 – Amarillo – Aoife at thREDhead

June 19 – Lubbock – Jada (guest blogger) at My Fabric Relish

June 22 – Quadrant 3 pattern post – Download

June 23 – El Paso – Jennie at Porch Swing Quilts

June 26 – Midland/Odessa – Donna at Donna’s Lavender Nest

June 30 – Big Bend – Cristina at Pretty Little Quilts

July 6 – Quadrant 4 pattern post – Download

July 7 – Houston – Teresa at Third Floor Quilts

July 10 – Beaumont – Taryn at Pixels to Patchwork

July 14 – Austin – Amanda at What the Bobbin

July 17 – College Station – Hilary at Young Texan Mama

July 21 – San Antonio – Ellyn at Ellyn’s Place

July 24 – Hill Country – Lissa at ModaLissa

July 28 – Rio Grande Valley – Melissa at My Fabric Relish

August 17th- final Link up and givewaways from Fat Quarter Shop, Fort Worth Fabric Studio, Urban Spools, Donna’s Lavender Nest, and Lily Rose Quilts,and last but not least Aurifil.

Texas Roadtrip QAL
 
Thank you to Melissa and Christina for organizing such a wonderful project. Thank you to Kay for being my best friend for all this time.

-modalissa

Blogger Girls BOM Final Reveal

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 Hope you have had fun following along on the Blogger Girls BOM. 
I made my quilt into 2 wall hangings for Holiday presents.
To see every ones finished quilts visit 
Sherri from A Quilting Life – aquiltinglife.blogspot.com
JoAnne from  A Patriotic Qulter – http://thepatrioticquilter.blogspot.com/
Denise from Quilter’s Window ~ Quilterswindow.com/blog/
Jodi from Pleasant Home ~ www.pleasant-home.com/
 
QuiltPictureII.jpg
To download the patterns, visit Monique Dillard of Open Gate Quilts. 
Pattern are free for a little while on her site so download them now.
Sending my quilt tops to the quilter today. 
Can’t wait to see what magic happens with the quilting.
-modalissa

Straight and Arrow

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I am so lucky to work with such a talented group of people. One of the gals is Holly Hickman.  Her brain is amazing. You may have seen her quilt in a recent Quilts and More Spring 2014 publication. I knew when she made that quilt that I would want to make it once the magazine came out so I hoarded the fabrics.

Quilts n More 2014- Straight and Arrow by Holly Hickman quilted by Natalia Bonner

Wanting
to make a certain quilt and hoarding is not uncommon for me, but for some reason
this one actually got done. Arrows are such a trending thing that I had
to jump right on this project. My husband is 5/128 Chickasaw Indian which makes the kids 5/256. I think this is the reason for their newly found attraction to Indian items.

Holly Hickman’s quilt- quilted by Natalia Bonner

I was surprised when my eldest son, Grant loved this quilt so I am sure it will find a place in his home. I made the quilt extra long because I really wanted to use the pre- printed log cabin fabric.
 

  He is a tall
dude so this would cover him from head to toe. Don’t you hate those
“throws” that are big enough to actually get cozy under?

  My version of Holly’s quilt is quilted a little different and I added a little bit more border fabric. I can’t wait to throw it in the wash and deliver it to #1 son. 

-modalissa

Nested Churn Dash Quiltalong

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I am sure you have seen this quilt all over the Internet by now.
 A very talented and uber creative Jane Davidson of QuiltJane has started this quilt along and today is my day to post my version of this quilt. 
First I have to tell you a little story. Jane participated in my Low Volume Burgoyne Surrounded #APQquiltalong project.
Quilt Jane’s version
Tone it down main quilt photo
Here is my version
 The Fabric and value placement that Jane used in her quilt creating an entirely new design. The quilt is not even recognizable as the traditional Burgoyne Surrounded pattern.
So when it came time to make my version of Jane’s Nested Churn Dash, I thought I would get all artsy fartsy and make the fabrics start as a pinwheel in the middle and spiral out to the edge. I was going to shade each piece as if you were looking into the eye of a tornado. 
I was going to ….. was the tricky part of that plan. Didn’t happen!
  
Instead I opted for Positive Negative. 
I am really into that right now.
Everywhere there was a light I used dark instead and to keep the design simple I used Bella Snow in place of the prints in the design.
Now let me tell you this did get a little tricky because I was actually sewing backwards from what the pattern said and what my mind knew of the design. I loved how one single block came out.
That is all Jane asked us to do, one single 24″ block to make a mini quilt.
But, of course I saw that Miss Rosie was making a big quilt and Jane had done that super duper quilt for the #APQquiltalong. I couldn’t just stop at one block. I am a little competitive like that.
For the big version, I made every other block positive backgrounds and the other negative backgrounds. Confusing?
In cutting the fabric pieces the only thing that changed was what I used for the center square, so this was actually quite easy once I got the hang of it.
Here are the pieces for one of the 4″ blocks.
Here is a different block design. I just rotated the bar sections.
Now I have flipped the half square triangle sections.
Then by swapping out the center square, I have a negative version of my first block.
It really was fun playing with the simple possibilities to achieve a few different block designs.
If you are making this quilt, Jane has given all kinds of options to make your 
half square triangles, in this post.
I wanted to show you one more.
 Forgive me, because it is really hard to tell from a single picture what exactly this ruler does. It is called Bloc_Loc. It comes in a variety of sizes. I just happen to own the 2 1/2″ and the 4 1/2″ ones which is exactly what I needed to make this quilt.
The center of the ruler has an  1/4″ indentation. The ruler slides right up to the seam allowance and locks in place. This ruler only works if you press your seam to one side.
Here is a video that explains how cool this is. 
Once you square up the blocks you will have this cute little pile of scraps.
I love the 4″ blocks all by themselves as well.            
Just to update you on the list of blogger’s participating. Check them out.
June 10th – Kim Niedzwiecki – http://www.gogokim.blogspot.com.au
June 11th – Pat Sloan – http://www.blog.patsloan.com
June 12th – Lissa Alexander – http://www.modalissa.blogspot.com
June 13th – FatQuarterShop – http://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com.au
June 16th – Frances Newcombe – http://www.bellybuttonsboutique.blogspot.com
June 18th – Sherri McConnell – http://www.aquiltinglife.com
June 19th – Sara Lawson – http://www.sewsweetness.com
June 20th – Amy Smart – http://www.diaryofaquilter.com
June 21st – Katy Jones – http://www.imagingermonkey.blogspot.com
Be sure and post your pictures to the  Flickr Group to win some beautiful Aurifil thread packs and other great prizes. 
Use #NestedChurnDash on IG, FB, Flickr and twitter. Winners will be announced 30th July 2014.
 Can’t wait to see your version of this quilt.

Blogger Girls Month 6 BOM

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 It is that time again for the Blogger Girls’ Block of the Month. The final month of free block patterns includes month 6 blocks.
Next month we will be showing the final quilt and the layout directions.
 

 Amazing how different these two blocks are using the same pattern. Can you spot the difference in how the templates were used?
Clue: top corner
Once you spot the difference you will also spot my mistake! I didn’t even notice it until just now! I guess it happens to all of us.

Some of the other blocks.

Be sure and stop by all the blogs for the Block of the Month.

Sherri from A Quilting Life – aquiltinglife.blogspot.com
JoAnne from  A Patriotic Quilter – http://thepatrioticquilter.blogspot.com/
Lissa from Moda Lissa ~ ModaLissa.blogspot.com
Denise from Quilter’s Window ~ Quilterswindow.com/blog/
Jodi from Pleasant Home ~ www.pleasant-home.com/
Monique from Open Gate Blog ~ http://opengatequilts.blogspot.com
The FREE patterns are available here.

Nested Churn Dash Quilt Along

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You may know Jane Davidson of QuiltJane from Australia. I love the name of her blog, Want It, Need It, Quilt.
She is starting a quilt-a-long of the Nested Churn Dash. This is big fun quilt block that has taken on a life of it’s own. Starting June 1st, 2014, Jane will be taking us through the steps to make a 24″ x 24″ nested churn dash block.
She has invited 10 of her favourite quilters who couldn’t pass up the opportunity to “Quilt Along with Jane.”
For the more adventurous, you can continue on and using the 24″ x 24″ finished block you can make a pillow or mini quilt or make a quilt, ranging in size from 28″ x 80″ (1 x 3 block bed runner), 54″ x 54″ (2 x 2 block setting), 80″ x 80″ (3 x 3  block setting) and 106″ x 106″ (4 x 4 block setting).
Fabrics – April Showers, Happy Go Lucky
by Bonnie and Camille for Moda 
Mark your calender
June 1st – Requirements, fabric selections and layouts.
June 6th – Tips and hints for making the blocks.
June 9th – Carrie Nelson – http://lavieenrosie.typepad.com/lavieenrosie/
June 10th – Kim Niedzwiecki – http://www.gogokim.blogspot.com.au
June 11th – Pat Sloan – http://www.blog.patsloan.com
June 12th – Lissa Alexander – http://www.modalissa.blogspot.com
June 13th – FatQuarterShop – http://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com.au
June 16th – Frances Newcombe – http://www.bellybuttonsboutique.blogspot.com
June 17th – Katy Jones – http://www.imagingermonkey.blogspot.com
June 18th – Sherri McConnell – http://www.aquiltinglife.com
June 19th – Sara Lawson – http://www.sewsweetness.com
June 20th – Amy Smart – http://www.diaryofaquilter.com
June 23th – Making a quilt using the Nested Churn Dash block.
June 30th – Finishing the quilt.
July 30th – Winners selected from the Flickr group.
The block pattern can be purchased and downloaded from here and here.
Upload your finished blocks or projects to the Flickr Group to win some beautiful Aurifil thread packs and other great prizes. Use #NestedChurnDash on IG, FB, Flickr and twitter. Winners will be announced 30th July 2014.

Roadtrip QAL

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Untitled
Texas
is a BIG STATE
so a 
BIG QUILT ALONG

was certainly in order. Join these Texas bloggers for a super sized quilt along beginning June 1st. Melissa from my Fabric Relish has organized a road trip that takes you through some of best known cities and possibly some of the little known places in Texas. Each stop along the way will feature a quilt block and a little bit about the area.

June
2 – Dallas – Ashley at Urban Spools
June
5 – Tyler – Colleen guest blogger at Pretty Little Quilts
June
12 – Fort Worth – Lindsey and Jodie at Fort Worth Fabric Studio
June
16 – Amarillo – Aoife at thREDhead
June
19 – Lubbock – Jada (guest blogger) at My Fabric Relish
June
23 – El Paso – Jennie at Porch Swing Quilts
June
26 – Midland/Odessa – Donna at Donna’s Lavender Nest
June
30 – Big Bend – Cristina at Pretty Little Quilts
July
7 – Houston – Teresa at Third Floor Quilts
July
10 – Beaumont – Taryn at Pixels to Patchwork
July
14 – Austin – Amanda at What the Bobbin
July
17 – College Station – Hilary at Young Texan Mama
July
21 – San Antonio – Ellyn at Ellyn’s Place
July
24 – Hill Country – Lissa at Modalissa
July
28 – Rio Grande Valley – Melissa at My Fabric Relish

The Roadtrip is going to happen though out June and July with all kinds of giveaways along the way from the following sponsors.

Texas Roadtrip QAL

I Wasn't Born in Texas, but I Got Here...Texas Bumper Sticker

There is a saying that you is pretty common bumper stickers so I thought I would share here. I came from Kansas to Texas when I was 5.
Mark your calender. Where else can you take a 2 month road trip without leaving the comfort of your sewing machine?

-modalissa

fabric swaps

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Have you ever participated in a swap?
I know you were thinking of the show, Wife Swap and I don’t mean that kind of swap.
I recently had a wild hare and decided to participate in a few swaps. When I first contacted Michelle from Quilts from my Crayon Box, I think she was a bit puzzled. Why in the world would I want to participate in a moda fabric swap when I have access to all the fabric in the world? RIGHT?

 

Believe it or not fabric comes and goes and I am always kicking myself that the “good stuff” is all gone. I never let this get me down because there is always something better coming down the pipeline. The cool thing about this swap is there are pieces from 10 different Kate Spain collections. Seriously this stuff is priceless. To read about the swap, check out Quilts from my Crayon Box’s blog post.

 
The tough thing now is to decide what to make OR just pet them.

Another Swap that I participated in was the worldwide polka dot exchange put on by Prairie Stitches Quilt shop. Blog post here. 
Everyone knows that I love polka dots so this was perfect for me to add more dots to my collection. The world wide web certainly has connected us all but I miss the actual friendship groups, sewing circles and small group fellowship. Prairie Stitches organized this swap so each person would receive an envelope with a 10″ square from the actual individual that sent the fabric. This meant I received 60 pieces of mail that was not a bill, a catalog or junk. 60 pieces of fabric in the mail, quilter’s heaven.

some of my treasures

 Each envelope has a bit of a story that goes along with the person’s name, where they were from, etc. One of the gals has the same name as an old friend of mine from high school. I checked it out, not the same person but did end up re-connecting with an old friend in the process.
Another good exercise about these swaps is that it challenges me to use fabric I did not pick out making me have to work with an open mind and have fun with the creative process.
 
Funny side note: My daughter and I were in Florida this past weekend seeing my BFF. I overheard my daughter telling my friend, you should see all the fan mail my mom gets. This cracked me up. I quickly informed both of them that even though the letters were addressed to modalissa it wasn’t officially fan mail since I had sent them something first. I guess that makes it a reply to fan mail.

I hope each of you are having fun in your creative process and making many new friends along the way.

-modalissa

4 Comments

 What draws you to a quilt pattern? I have wanted to make a certain quilt from the Moda bake shop forever. Well to tell the truth I have several of the patterns printed and waiting in the wings to make but this one was calling my name.

I dove right in. The pattern is Sunday Potluck by KnottyGnome Crafts.  This quilt was faetured on the Moda Bake shop in September 2013. I loved how classic retro the fabrics were and it looked prefect for a Sunday picnic. I planned on making it using the American Jane collection, but I ended up using those fabrics for another project. So I had a Fig Tree and Co layer cake and wondered how different the quilt would look.
Same pattern, two completely different looks. what is your favorite way to change up patterns?

SIDE NOTE: This is a good reason to not try and take a picture on a windy day while your daughter is trying to hide behind the quilt top. My daughter will kill me if she sees this and probably never hold a quilt top for me again.

Enjoy,

Modalissa

Wishes B.O.M.

4 Comments



It is the first of the month so it is time to catch up on my block of
the months. on April 1st,  I shared block 4 from the blogger girls BOM
and today is my show n tell for the Wishes quilt along from Fat Quarter Shop.



I am on month 4 of the quilt along. These blocks are so fun because they are 18″ finished. They get big very fast compared to the blogger girls BOM that are 6″ finished.



Time to change my machine needle. See how the seams kind of pucker? Yep, should have put in a new needle. Do you not change your needle until it breaks? Guilty. I have read that you should change your needle every time you start a new project. I tend to work on several projects at once and time slips away.
So now that I have my monthly block obligations caught up, I am putting a new needle in my machine, giving it a fresh oiling and then on to making market quilts. Can’t wait to to show you a few peeks along the way.

-modalissa