Blue and White book

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Give away closed. Winners have been notified.

Frances Reed and Kathy Stokes

It is never too late to share these beautiful quilts in the latest book series from Martingale Publishing, Blue and White.

The book’s release date was perfectly timed with Pantone’s color of the year release.

Don’t know how that happened, great minds or coincidence, probably both.

Country Surprise by Nancy Mahoney.

Nancy is a very prolific designer. She is a Bernina ambassador, has done several books on paper piecing, is published in magazines, teaches online and on cruises.

This one is mine!

The subheading of the book is 13 remarkable quilts with Timeless Appeal, so I planned on making a classic orange peel design. To be quite honest I was not happy with how my points on the applique lined up, so I decided to add some sashing. I loved how it turned out. What could have been a big mess-up actually made me do some creative thinking and design a completely different quilt?

Baskets in Blue from the collection of Julie Hendrickson of JJ Stitches.  Julie has a  shop in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and is a quilt historian and collector. She has shared one of her antique baskets quilts in the Blue and White book.

Cornered by Jill Shaulis of Yellow Creek Quilt Designs.  Jill’s shop is in Pearl City, Illinois. Jill certainly creates timeless projects in everything she touches.

I love everything that Camille Roskelley of Thimbleblossoms creates and

this is another quilt that is added to

my never-ending MUST MAKE list.

Antique Hunter’s Star from the collection of Jennifer Keltner.

Doesn’t this hunter’s star just sparkle against the snow?

Tree of Life by Paula Barnes and Mary Ellen Robinson of Red Crinoline Quilts.

Bliss by Debbie Roberts

Sapphire Star by Lisa Bongean

Talk about timeless. This design is incredible and the quilting is over the top!

Timeless by Sherri McConnell

Singing the Blues by Helen Stubbings

Antique Album from the collection of Jenifer Keltner.

Midnight Sky by Laurie Simpson

I have 2 books that are looking for a good home!

Are you needing a new project to start then you may be the perfect home?

Leave a comment and let me know which quilt you

would make first and I will pick a winner at random.

I will announce the winner on my April 8th blockhead post.

If you know you will love this book, now is the best time to buy one from your favorite independent bookseller.

Let’s all keep our favorite shops in business.

 

-modalissa

 

Blockheads3- Janet Clare- block 12

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Welcome to Janet Clare’s block in the Blockhead’s series.

Janet’s block is titled Hampshire Star and the pattern can be found on Janet’s blog.

Janet’s line, Geometry is what inspired my fabric selection for my blockhead’s blocks. I love the combination of greens and blues together. You will see her fabric used throughout the year and additional fabrics from my stash added.

There is quite a bit of piecing this week but just consider it therapy for those of us quarantined.

I wanted to share my tricks on making my block happen.

I constructed this block in quarters.

There are 4 identical quadrants to this block so this helped with the layout

or making sure I placed the triangles in the correct position, and not drive myself crazy.

I placed the pieces right on top of each other and chain pieced them, pressed each section with a wooden presser and continued to complete each of the 4 units. With so many small seams, I decided to press my seams open as I went.

Laying out the 4 units and rotating them to make sure they were going in

the correct position before sewing my final 2 seams.

Using triangle papers for this block was a lifesaver.

Lisa Bongean has created a video on how she uses the papers. Click here to view.

Have you tried the triangle papers yet?

Please stay safe during this trying time and thank you so very much for following along.

Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the Hampshire Star block:

Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.

BlockHeads- Robin Pickens- Block 11

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Block 11  was tough for me. I haven’t been able to focus. I could not decide what to do with my fabrics. Then I read Robin’s inspiration for her block and I jumped right in.

You can get the pattern at Robin’s blog, click here. Be sure and also follow Robin on Instagram, here.

By bringing the shapes together and uniting them with HST blocks in the center, the block can play as a flower bloom with petals or a clover. Using the color play of accentuating a side in reds/pinks brings out the heart in this bloom for LOVE!  -Robin Pickens

During this crazy time of self-quarantine due to the COVID-19,  there is no better thing than to share the love via our craft. I decided to go with all greens like a 4 leaf clover and adding an extra dose of love with a pink heart.  I added some of my collector pins to this picture. While I have been a big collector in the past, I have Marie Condo-ed and minimalized my collections but still, have lots of little stuff that fits in big mason jars and does not have to be dusted. I do miss all my junk! What do you collect?

 

 

Once I made the 8″ block I decided I needed a 4 leaf clover pincushion so I made a small version.

To add a stem, I cut one of the squares in half diagonally and added a 1″ strip of fabric. Press towards the stem and square up the block.

Since this is Robin Picken’s block design it was a no- brainer to use her textured solids called Thatched.

 

pincushion

I had fun quilting it to death with Aurifil green thread. Once this quartine is over we are going to have a heck of a St. Patricks day celebration along with any additional holidays we have missed.

Robin and I dressed alike while setting up a booth at the Road to California show.

Stay safe and keep sewing.
Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the Blooming Love block:

Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.

If you need a quick project to work on until next week’s blockheads’ block, how about making some medical masks? These are needed at our senior centers, children’s hospitals and I even had a request today from a friend that is a PA at a cancer center. If you need a pattern, there are many online resources just search how to make a mask.

There are so many options out there and while the fabric masks are not going to replace the N95 versions, there are many places that are accepting masks. Stay safe!

Enjoy,

 

Modalissa

BlockHeads- Stacy Iest Hsu- Block 10

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Welcome to block 10

Windmills by Stacy Iest Hsu

The windmill block pattern is available on Stacy’s blog as a free download. Visit Stacy’s blog to learn all about the inspiration behind this block. My version of her block is shown here.

I couldn’t wait to talk about Stacy today. Stacy is the creator of CUT, SEW, CREATE. This is a program of prepackaged panels with big easy shapes and some basic sewing skills making it a perfect learn to sew program.

So many fun, easy options.

These just make me happy.

Right now we all need some sunshine in our lives.

Stacy’s newest fabric is Sunday Picnic. The line features a panel of all the parts and pieces are shown

above to make your own Sunday Picnic play pieces.

Stacy is also a prolific quilt designer. Shown here is one of her patterns, My-Garden. The quilt stock number is SIH 036 and the quilt measures 64×84. Follow Stacy on Instagram to see what all she is working on.

Each week I an a few more tchotchkes to my block picture. This week I grabbed some items from my sewing room that were blue or green. One is a random strand of blue star ribbon. I am patriotic at heart and pick up anything I see that has stars on it.  The Olfa rotary cutter is a must-have,  and a good, I mean great pair of scissors like the Karen Kay Buckley scissors.

Here is the info about the scissors right off of Karen’s website.

Karen Kay Buckley’s 4″ Perfect Scissors-green

I have been using nothing but serrated edge scissors to cut my fabric for the past 25 years.  I love the way the serrated blade cuts into my fabric.  This special blade pulls the fabric into the scissors rather than pushing it away like traditional scissors.  Things you will like about these scissors…cushioned handle, easy for right or left-hander to use, blades sharp to the very tip, serrated blade keeps the fabric from fraying, lightweight and comfortable. The 4″ size is great for detail cutting on curves and points.

My favorite little treasure in this picture is what a friend of mine, Roseanne Kermes made.

Isn’t it the cutest thing ever?

Using an embroidery hoop and a few layers of pattern tissue paper to create your base, then add your message/word. Roseann used a Sizzix die-cut to cut out the words.

Here is a pic of the back of her hoop all nice and trimmed.
What word would you use on your hoop to describe your hobby?

Sew by Roseann Kermes

Okay back to the post at hand. How are you coming on your blocks?

Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the WINDMILLS  block:

Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.

Enjoy,

Modalissa

BlockHeads- Lella Boutique-Taos

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Block 9- Taos

I have had so much fun mixing fabrics during this blockhead journey. While some of my blocks are only 2 or 3 colors, some of my blocks have lots of different fabrics. Having colorful blocks will help me balance all the blocks throughout the quilt. Have you added any fabrics to your blocks other than what you first started with?

To download Vanessa’s block instructions, visit Lella Boutique.

When I was at Quiltcon in Austin a few weeks ago, I was working at the Moda Bakeshop booth. Around the corner comes a familiar face, she yells Lissa, I yell Sally. I had not seen Sally in at least 30 years and I will say we had not aged a bit. She had moved from New York to Austin and is a quilter! Sally’s mom was one of my girl scout leaders and I guess I have always loved earning my badges. Here are a few badges that have been added to my collection. I know I have certainly earned the credit card one. Once a girl scout, always a girl scout.

Vanessa has a couple of books that you should add to your bookshelf. Check out this youtube as Vanessa shares a peek inside her book, Charm School.

Jelly Filled by Vanessa Goertzen

Vanessa’s newest book is Jelly-Filled, featuring 18 quilts using Moda’s 2 1/2″ Jelly Roll Strips. To learn more about Vanessa’s book ask at your favorite book retailer or visit Vanessa here.

Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the Tahos  block

Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.

Enjoy,

 

Modalissa

BlockHeads- Laurie Simpson- Block 8

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Thank you for following along on my blog post last week. The majority of the blocks I have designed for Blockheads are all lovey-dovey inspired. Because I was doing hearts I also decided to add some pinks to my blocks. I get bored easily and that is probably why I lean to doing scrap quilts.  More to come on that when it is my turn again.

I love color and love fabrics and since I opened the door for more color, I added a touch of color to this week’s block, 9 Patch Block designed by Laurie Simpson.

You can find the pattern for this block on Laurie’s blog.

I could make an entire quilt using this block pattern.

There are so many options on how you can color it.

I was also thinking this would make a fantastic alternate block

as the setting for my blockhead’s quilt since I am still undecided about the layout.

The little treasures that I added to my pic this week are some sports memorabilia

pins that I have had for a long time. Laurie is a big sports junkie,

so I had to use these pins this week.

There is nothing like putting on a baseball game while sewing.

Do you have a favorite team?

Blockheads- in progress

Keep in mind that I have no idea on my layout so I have been making different size blocks and playing with fabrics, but my biggest accomplishment is I am not behind!!

 

Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the 9 PATCH BLOCK:

Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.

Enjoy,

Modalissa

BlockHeads- ZEST

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We were working on our Blockheads blocks back in December, which seems so long ago. I watched the Gringe with my grandkids many times over the holidays, and we often talked about having a big heart. I named the block ZEST for great enthusiasm and energy and, of course, a big heart.

Here is the link to the pattern download. But wait, there is more past the download!

This block is so simple that I had to play around with all kinds of options.
My 4″ block is half and half.

As I have done in my other blockheads’ posts, I have featured a few of my treasures. This week I am showing two pins, modalissa and Moda certified. But one of my favorite treasures is this pin that was in my stocking many years ago. That year, after all the gifts were open, bellies were full, and kids were down for naps, my mom brought out a huge sack for my sister and me.

Each item was individually wrapped and had a handwritten explanation about the history of the treasure. My sister and I spent the rest of the afternoon going through the makeshift stocking while mom told us all about the goods. This reminds me of how we all tell the stories about the meaning behind our quilts and the messages they leave behind.

I couldn’t help but incorporate my family into this quilt, combining 4 of the 4″ hearts to represent my three grandsons and one granddaughter.

To represent my four boys and one girl, I did the same but made them as 8″ blocks and will add this to my quilt somewhere. Every quilt tells a story, and mine would not be complete without adding these.

I was in the process of photographing these two blocks, and it gave me an idea!

I made a heart in a heart version combining the 4″ block and the 8″ block.

This is probably not the most efficient way to make this, but sometimes you just have to roll with it. Here are my notes to make your own.

Using the math from the blockheads 8″ Zest heart block, layout as shown above.

One ruler I am obsessed with is Simple Folded Corners by Antler Quilt Designs.

Cutting away the extra leaving seam allowances makes this process quick and accurate.

Here is half of the block. Join the two sides together.

When I told Doug I was going to be using his ruler, he graciously let me give away a few!!

So I have 3 of the mini Simple Folded Corners. Who wants one?

Leave a comment, and I will contact three winners directly for your shipping info.

Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the ZEST  block:

Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.

Enjoy,

 

Modalissa

 

Farmhouse Fresh book tour and giveaway

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I am obsessed about everything Farmhouse. ( thank you Joanna Gaines)

Love the fresh look.

Love the timeless style.

Love the classic simplicity.

I have hunted for vintage grain sacks/ toweling and paid big bucks for it. When Moda started making toweling many years ago it became a basic but people still asked what do I do with it? Moda’s toweling is available by the yard, hemmed on 2 sides and assorted designs
and fabric weights.

In steps Jenelle Kent, taking toweling to a whole new level as shown in her new book, Farmhouse Fresh.

Adding appliqué is just one way to bling your toweling.


There is nothing more classic than making pillows from the toweling. The variety of fabric weights make substantial pillows. Adding buttons, ties and even embroidered panels take the projects to the next level.

The toweling is generally 100% cotton so it is great to combine with your fabric quilting fabrics.
I love this blue stripe and the tech organizer.

I desperately need to make a sewing machine cover and this one is calling my name!

Are you intrigued? There are more projects but I wanted to share that due to the popularity of toweling, Jenelle has designed a few fabric towelings that are 60″ wide. Duvet covers, quilt backs, home dec and so much more, but more on that later.

Farmhouse Fresh has 11 different projects and includes the embroidery stitches for everything. Any of these would make perfect birthday or hostess gifts for that special person on your list.

I have a book compliments of Martingale Publishing and I am going to
add a 3 yd chunk of toweling to sweeten the deal.

Leave a comment and tell me which project is your favorite.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED.

Be sure and follow all of my friends that are on the book tour for more info

and to see the projects they have made.
@piecestotreasure
@modafabrics
@helen_stubbings
@karenatsomerset
@gailpandesigns
@robinpickens
@janeteclare
@quiltedmoose
@corianderquilts
@debbie_maddy
@martingaletpp

#farmhousefreshbooktour
#martingaletpp
#piecestotreasure
#modatoweling

Come back on Wednesday the 26th as I share my block pattern for the Moda Blockheads 3.

See you then.

-modalissa

BlockHeads- Magic Block and triangle papers giveaway

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BLOCKHEAD WEDNESDAY

Today is a day of Magic. If you have even seen any of Lisa Bongean’s work then you will understand. Lisa creates magic with everything she touches.
She makes it all look so easy.
But the best thing about the process is that Lisa is a fantastic teacher sharing her tips on accurate piecing no matter how big or small.

My block is 8″ and I am happy with how it turned out but Lisa’s is 4″. You can see her block and get the pattern here.

Visit each of the designers listed below for their take on the MAGIC  block:

Be sure to check out the Block Heads Facebook Group and look for Block Heads 3 on Instagram – #modablockheads and #modablockheads3.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED-WINNERS NOTIFIED

Have you ever used triangle papers before? I am giving away an assortment pack to 3 of my readers. Just let me know why you need these by leaving a comment. The winner will be picked at random, Sunday, Feb 23rd.

 

Enjoy!

-modalissa

Guest Blog Post- Susan Ache

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Today’s post is a guest post from the uber-talented Susan Ache.  Susan is one of the contributing artists in my new book Sisterhood of Scraps. Susan shares with us all about hibernation and what she does in THE cold month in Florida. ( one little hiccup- that I am posting this in February but I think you will get the gist and enjoy Susan’s process.)

Susan’s quilt from Sisterhood of Scraps, Scrap Diving.

It’s not something I get to say often, but, I am a “guest blogger”.  Thank you, Lissa, for inviting me to your space.  Let’s get some introductions started.  Happy New Year to everybody, I’m Susan Ache (pronounced like hockey without the H) and, I play just about every day on Instagram @yardgrl60.  I live in Florida, sewing by day and stitching by night.

Now that you know all about me, let’s talk hibernation.  I am not about to spend my fun blogging time talking about new year resolutions cleaning and organizing my sewing room with tips and hints.  I am going to talk about how I turn my air down really low, throw food in the crockpot and hibernate in my sewing room for the month of January and sometimes February.  Florida gets a few cold days in February while the rest of the country is bundled up and snowed in during January.   Well, I like to be a part of that fun, so, let’s talk about what I like to spend my time doing.

Hibernating January is such a quiet month to plot and plan new quilt projects from my inspirations I have saved over the year.  Let’s not even begin to think that I write it down or count the number of things I want to get done, I just like visuals to let me know that it’s all there for me when I want to start.  You know those tabs you put in books to mark your favorites, or if you are like me, those patterns you put in a file, so you will never forget you want to make them.  January is my time to sit and re-evaluate what I really want to get done and what I really have in my stash to accomplish that.  I do love playing in my scraps, so most of the time, I am lucky enough not to have to cut into the “real” fabric, but, I do like to know that when there is something special I do want to make, I have the materials on hand.  The best part about my process is that I don’t actually “kit” my projects.  I get everything together, make little notes, and take a quick snapshot of it.  I keep that little “kit” photo in an album in my camera phone and will always have exactly what I pulled that day right at my fingertips.

 

Here’s the thing, I love, and I can’t even begin to say how much I just love to sit down at the machine and make a quilt block.  Hibernating January is my time to do this from all of my “kits” that I have pulled.  There are three main reasons why I make a practice block.  The first reason is that I like to see if I like the construction of the block and if there is possibly an easier way for me to construct it.  The second reason, how many times have you started a quilt and realized halfway through that you don’t really even enjoy making the block.  Well, by making just one or two blocks, I can pretty much tell if it is something I will enjoy making lots of.  And, finally, my favorite reason of all,  I have an extra block to throw in my “orphan” basket of quilt blocks, which always come in handy when I want to make a sampler quilt.

Having Hibernating January is also my time to play with all of the templates and rulers that I have randomly picked up at shops, shows, or online.  Taking the time to see what those things can do certainly helps me have more fun during the year when I finally learn how to use them.  Years ago, I found an entire little box in the back of my cutting table filled with all sizes of drunkards path templates.  I spent Hibernating January figuring out how to make curved piecing more comfortable for me, and to this day, it is one of my very favorite features of a quilt or a quilt block, and I feel confident making them because I carved out some quiet non-stressful time to practice.

Susan’s quilt from another one of her books, All About Color.

So, you may not have time in January to hibernate and plot your year, but take some time that isn’t for just cleaning and organizing to play with the things that make you happy.

 

Thank you Susan for sharing your January with us.

 

Enjoy,

-modalissa