Moda Modern Building Blocks is FINALLY here!

Sometimes at  Quilt Market I get a bit fanatical about certain new products/fabrics that we see! This was totally one of those products! We were walking around the showroom floor and Moda always has a great booth, so I was just quietly admiring it, until ... OMG Modern Building Blocks Quilt practically jumps off the wall and screams to me... "YOU MUST MAKE ME, YOU MUST HAVE ME... NOW!"

So, of course when we finally sit down with our Moda rep. I basically badger him on the WHEN, WHERE, HOW SOON, etc. of when I can get my hands on this wonderful kit! I tried to talk him into letting me take some part of it home.. I couldn't convince him.

All of that to say.. last week when these beautiful kits showed up at the shop.. I was ready to halt all ordinary daily life activities and go pick one up. Unfortunately, most days I act like a grown up and decided not to just abandon all the kids for my kit. (I went the next day!)

I have decided that since it is such an amazing project, that we MUST do a workshop at the store next quarter where we can all cut and sew together, though I have to admit, I'm starting mine now.. gotta be able to give you all some tips and tricks!

And, my first tip.. LABEL ALL FABRIC! While Moda did a great job putting the fabrics together and packaging it all so beautifully.. they did not label the individual pieces.. so, here is my labeling system.

The fabrics come layered by smallest size to largest size cut. The first stack is all the Fat Quarters up to the 3 yards of the off white fabric!

 

I didn't take a picture of the 3 yard piece of fabric.. it's pretty obvious which one that is! Also, because it confused me the first run through.. the binding fabric (it is Navy) is included and is tucked in between the 3/4 and one yard pieces! 

I labeled each piece with its color number and name, since as you go through the pattern card, the fabrics are only labeled by color number. 

Once I cut the first block, I labeled each of the pieces with their corresponding letter, and put the entire stack in a zip lock bag. 

DISCLAIMER: It took me about half an hour last night to go through and sort/label each of the fabrics, and then about an hour to sort/cut my pieces for BLOCK 1 this afternoon .. I'll get back to you on whether I am just slow (because I don't want to mess it up) or if I come up with a better system. 

Right now my idea is to cut block by block that way I can cut a few blocks, then sew a few blocks to avoid getting bored!

Anyway, I am SUPER excited about this project and can't wait to do the "workshop" at the store. I might even have to make another one with a few of my favorite prints and solids! Stay tuned, and make sure you get over to Seams Like Home to pick up a kit.. they are going quickly! 

Happy Sewing,

Enjoli (and Gertrude)

And we're off... Again!

I'm finally feeling like I've recovered from our trip to Valdez (which was awesome and exhausting), just to turn around and head back out on Wednesday. Though I really can't complain because this time I'm headed out with the hubby to Seattle to watch the Broncos/Seahawks re-match! :) We're Broncos fans, so we're hoping for a little better outcome this time! 

And, in true Enjoli fashion, I am cramming in three projects before we leave! As of last night I have 1 of 3 complete! I decided that I needed a blanket for the plane, a nice big carry-on bag to carry said blanket and a new stroll around Pikes Place bag! :) My husband thinks I'm crazy, maybe I am, but at least I'll be crazy in style! 

For my "stroll around Pikes Place" bag, I chose the Noodlehead 241 Tote! I used mostly Art Gallery, Indelible, as well as an Angela Walter print for the lining. I decided to make the strap adjustable, but once it was done, I decided I liked the length and stitched it down. If I decide to, later I can just undo that stitch and adjust the strap a little more. 

I'm not going to lie, I am pretty excited with how it turned out. 

Here is the pattern if you want to make one too! It really is a simple bag to make, and like all of her patterns, the instructions are great!

For my extra large carry on bag, I chose the Noodlehead Poolside Tote! (Are you sensing a trend?!)

As you can see, we're still in the construction phase on this one! I have all the pieces cut and interfacing fused, now just to find a few moments to sneak away and start sewing! I used more pieces from Art Gallery's Indelible line, as well as an awesome striped denim we had in the shop!

Here is the link to find this pattern, it is going to be BIG, but I think it will work perfectly to tote my plane blanket and reading materials!

And, for my cozy plane blanket, I'm pretty much making it up as I go, but I have some awesome fabrics cut and washed! I am using a few of our new Birch Organic Cottons, and a coordinating Organic Fleece, which is oh so soft!

Doesn't that look comfy?! The two prints are the organic cotton and super soft once washed! And I won't tell you how soft the fleece is, you would be jealous! Though, I will say, if blue isn't your color, we have it in brown and yellow too! I may be buying more of it! 

So, all of this is to be finished by Wednesday afternoon, since I have to be at work by 3, am teaching that night and then headed to the airport at 10 pm! Hmmm.. do you think I can do it?! 

I hope you all get some sewing in this week, and if you are football fans ... look for me in the Seahawks stadium! I'll wave!

Happy Sewing,

Enjoli (and Gertrude) 

Valdez Quilt Festival was a Blast!

Well we made it back from Valdez on Monday night! It was a busy but fun trip! We had a bit of sun while we were there too! This was the gorgeous view from the Convention Center! 

We had a booth where we were selling notions and other items. It was a fun week spent enjoying some sister time too! 

Gertrude had a good time, I think she enjoyed being out of the closet for awhile! We put her to work stitching out a new OESD Free Standing Lace Pumpkin design. The table she was on was a little wiggly under her weight (don't tell her I said that!) so she was stitching slower than normal to keep from jumping off the table. 

All the ladies were quite intrigued with her and that she could stitch such a design. We even had a few ladies come by to say "Goodmorning" to her every day, and one gal that gave her an encouraging pat on her way by! It took three days for Gertrude to stitch out the Pumpkin and the ladies checked on our progress everyday. 

Gert was quite proud of her finished pumpkin! 

Gertrude's little cousin, Timmy got adopted by teacher Brenda Clyde and was happy to be headed home with her on Sunday afternoon! 

We stayed at the cutest B&B just before you head into Valdez. The owner Suzy took great care of us and we had delicious home cooked breakfast every morning. It was kind of bittersweet, as we were the last guests to stay at the B&B. The B&B is closing and the property had been sold. Suzy was off on a grand adventure to Germany, then on to Idaho to live next door to her son and his family! 

We had such a great time in Valdez, getting to sew and visit with other quilters. We even got to spend time with friends we made our first year working the festival! We look forward to heading back again in 2016! 

If you didn't make it this year, check out the Festival website and make plans to join us in 2016! We really have a fun time!

Happy Sewing,

Enjoli & Gertrude