Holiday Week Wind-Down

Are you still a bit woozy from wrapping paper explosions and cookie eating?  Things have simmered down here quickly and I plan on spending the next few days stitching and video watching.  Santa delivered here a few days early and I've been playing with this the last couple of days.

Yep - a new sewing machine - a JUKI TL2010Q.  I used it a bit on a quilt retreat this summer and I liked it.  Since my Featherweight is looking like it might not last much longer - this is the 21st century version of a simple, straight stitching machine.  I'm very happy.

I also found out my most favorited photos of 2015.  Yep, that pretty much sums up the year.

Besides taking a few slow days of stitching - I know that 2016 is quickly here and that means taxes, paperwork, and the dreaded "inventory."  Do you want to help me with the last item?  I certainly would rather send an item to you than have it hang around for the "counting".  So, between now and midnight of New Year's Eve - everything in our Etsy store is 30% off.  All you need to do is use this coupon code when you check out -

COUNT

Happy Holidays and have a great 2016!

Laters,

Laurie

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas to you and yours,

Polly and Laurie

Colors of the Year - 2016

Have you seen all the hubbub about Pantone's™ pick for color of the year?  First of all - they picked 2 colors instead of 1.

There was much love AND hate spewed over the choices.  What do I think? I Think that it was certainly a better choice than last year, and I happen to love me some blue and pink -  But hey, who cares what I think.  I do know that these 2 colors will feature in one of our upcoming projects this year - mixed all in with our red, whites, and blues.  While working on this top secret project (to be unveiled this spring) - we have a bit of fabric left over to share.

I have cut a few fat quarter bundles of the Serenity/Bliss color combo.  You can find them here in our etsy store!  And as you probably know - it's all Moda - all the time.

Laters,

Laurie

All In A Row - and Lots More

Do you need a last minute gift? Do you need a little inspiration?  The Moda All-Stars All in a Row book is now available from Martingale Publishing.  You can make one row like my sand pail table runner here - or you can put lots and lots together to make your own All In A Row quilt.  Remember, all royalties from the sale of this book go to No Kid Hungry.

Have you got all your holiday ducks in a row?  I'm working on it.  The tree is up.  Unfortunately, any picture I take - it seems all I can see is the wires from the lights.  Sigh.

Other creative stuff is happening here and, of course, I can't show you yet.  All I can say is that the scraps that have been "created" by this flurry of rotary cutters and needles will stock my scrap bin for years.

I went out of my comfort zone and even tried a 3-dimensional sewing project.  This is the start of  the Maker's Tote by Noodlehead.

 That stitching that's around the zipper?....... it's hand sewn.  After ripping out machine top-stitching for a third time - I tried something more familiar.

I need to get back to making more scraps, but I'll leave you with this.  It's my new favorite winter salad.

Heirloom naval oranges just came back to my local market.  How good are they?  It's like they are oranges to the power of 10.  This salad is sliced heirloom naval oranges, diced celery, julienned celery root, and minced parsley.  The dressing is:

1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon apple juice or cider

1 tablespoon apple vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Laters,

Laurie

FRIVOL WINNER!

Thank you everyone!  The winner of the Frivol tin 2 - the Minick and Simpson's Polka Dots and Paisleys -

The Girlfriend Gap

email me at lauriesimpson92@gmail.com and I'll get your Frivol out to you asap!

Laters,

Laurie

Gifts in a Jiffy - Part II

We have your back here at Moda.  You want the perfect gift for a quilter - or non quilter?? Look no further than FRIVOLS!

This is Frivol #2 - the Polka Dot and Paisley Frivol by yours truly.  Look how nicely it plays with the next Minick and Simpson collection - Miss Scarlet.

But I digress..... You want a gift for a quilter - The Frivol all packaged up in it's tin box is practically irresistible.  Seriously, have you picked one up yet? It is quite satisfying to hold in your hands and imagine ripping open the cellophane and getting down to business.

Do you need a gift for a non-quilter?  You have time to MAKE the quilt inside the irresistible tin - and gift the complete quilt.

I'm starting one today......  

YOU can start one next week - We are here to help with your holiday gifting - just comment here about Frivols, gifts, gifting, Holidays, or whatever - and make your comment before midnight Friday December 4th - and this will be sent right out to you. Plenty of time.  

Laters,

Laurie

Gifts in a Jiffy

I have a couple ideas for hand-made, hand-sewn Holiday gifts.  I bringing back this oldie, but goodie.This was our Wool Penny Rug Table Runner that came out with the Independence Trail wools.

I realized today that the size of this runner - 16" x 27" is not only quick to stitch up - I have a whole other way to go with it.

I have some of the Moda Toweling in my stash that is finished at 16" wide!!!!! Yep - it's all ready to go - just hem the other 2 sides - or add these stitched "tongues" like the original.  There are many different options and colors of Moda Toweling.  I'll list these 2 options in our Etsy shop.

You can of course use wool like the original.  You can also stitch up your wool scraps on toweling for the appliqué.  Me?  I have lots and lots of cotton scraps - so that will be the new version of this table runner.

I'm auditioning a few right now.  

Here is the pattern download.....

Here is the blue stripe on natural.....   Here is the white stripe on Natural

Hope you have lots of time to start and finish some hand made gifts.  

Laurie