Day 5 of the Merry Moda Blog Hop - My Day - Wahoo!

Welcome to the final day of the Merry Moda Blog Hop. It's my turn to post along with 3 other Moda designers - and I'm in really good company. Of course, no matter who else was on the schedule with me I'd be in good company. My cohorts for the day are:

1) Jen Williamson of Basic Grey

2) Sandy Klop of American Jane (She's posting on Moda's blog)

and

3) Sandy Gervais of Pieces From My Heart (you've got to hop on over and see her pictures of funky glasses. I love the moon and stars pair.)

So lets cut to the chase and get to the Giveaways. Leave a comment, any old thing, and we'll have a drawing Monday morning to determine the winner of 3 separate precuts from Linda and my new line "Farmer's Market".

A Farmer's Market Turnover (there are 2 new patterns using these turnovers - I just love triangles and it's really nice when you don't have to cut them yourself) ........

and a Charm Bundle

And a Jelly Roll. (All 3 go to the lucky winner).

They'll be on our website and in shops in March for those of you who want one but don't win.

My block for the Moda Schoolhouse was a pumpkin. When I first drew the block for the Schoolhouse, it was an appliqued pumpkin. I got a phone call telling me that there was no way to get the pattern on a recipe card. So we discussed how I was going to get my pattern for a 12" block on a recipe card since I do applique. After pondering a bit I decided to piece the pumpkin and applique the stem :). Where there's a will, there's a way. I really kind of like it for a change.

For the Merry Moda Blog Hop I decided to make a Tablerunner using the pumpkin block.

You can download the pattern for the block and for the tablerunner by clicking on the words below. If you'd like to order a kit for the Tablerunner, we have a few available. Meanwhile here's the pattern for the block and the tablerunner.

Download Now!

All week I've been having everyone pick their favorite quilt kit to be on special for 15% off. Well, it's my turn and I just can't do it. Linda Brannock years ago said that whenever anyone asked her what her favorite quilt was, the answer was always "the one I'm working on". I'm the same. I always get excited by the quilt I'm currently designing - at the moment next year's Mystery Quilt.

So I decided to make the sale storewide. Everything in the store is 15% off today only with free shipping on all orders over $50.00 for the continental US. (And as usual when we do something new - like coupons - we have to work the kinks out. If the checkout doesn't take the 15%off and charges shipping, Byron will catch it and refund the money through PayPal. We think we've got it right and there's a new catch every time.)

Meanwhile here's my recipe sheet to download. These are really yummy, even if I do say so.

Download Now!

The sale is for today only. You have through the weekend to comment to win the Farmer's Market precuts. We'll draw a name Monday. And don't forget to hop on over to the other Moda blogs. Merry Moda Blog Hop!

Day #4 - Merry Moda Blog Hop & Puppy Poppers

Welcome back - It's Day 4 of the Moda No-Name Blog Hop. (Different designers have come up with different names. Sandy Gervais calls it the "Gifts Galore" Blog Hop. Kate Spain settled for the Merry Moda Blog Hop after deciding that the Moda Jingleblog Hop might turn into Jingleblop.

The designers to visit today are:

1) Camille of Thimbleblossoms

2) Kathy Schmitz at her blog

3) Edyta of Laundry Basket Quilts

4) Kate Spain at her blog and

5) Lisa Bonegean at Primitive Gatherings

Whatever you call it (and I think I'm going with the Merry Moda Blog Hop - thanks Kate) it's got lots of great quilt blocks and giveaways.

Back here at Jan Patek Quilts I'll introduce you to my daughter Kelly

and her cohort, our dog Spike. Kelly is my word person - she does all of the write-ups and sends the emails. And you should all know Spike by now. He is my faithful companion. Wherever I am, he is. His only drawback at the moment is that he loves to chew plastic and cardboard. He wanted to come with us the other day when we went to buy our new microwave so we let him. He, of course, had to stay in the car when we went into Sears. We had been to Sams the day before and hadn't unloaded a few things. When we came out all of the boxes were shredded. He didn't touch the bread or the nuts - just ate the boxes.

He and Kelly picked the House on Hill kit for the special today. It's where she grew up and where he lives now. The code for the 15% discount is house15 and houseship will get you free shipping.

Kelly also helped Spike pick out and type his recipe. We're having to use a new site and we're having trouble with it so at the moment you can't download it. Hopefully we'll have both of the recipes for you tomorrow. Luckily, all my things for my post are already on the blog page ready to post. Whew!. All of this new technology is great .... but can be stressful.

Yay! - she got it fixed. Way to go Michele.

Here's his recipe. To download, click on the words below.

Download Now!

Day #3 - Lots More Goodies

Day 3 brings us to the blogs of 5 more great Moda designers. You won't want to miss the quilt blocks and giveaways of:

1) Bonnie of Cotton Way

2) Kaari of French General

3) Liesl of Oliver and S

4) Karla of Sweetwater and

5) Ellen of The Long Thread

They've really got some neat stuff for you.

Back here I'd like you to meet Byron (or Max to his dad & I). Here he is with sons Quinn & Cullen. (Quinn had decided he didn't want his picture taken.) Byron does all of the computer work - first of all figuring out how to make the new updated Quickbooks work, then invoicing and charging all of the clubs and orders. Then he emails the invoices to Tori who ships them out. He does all of this while going to school and raising 2 very active boys. And he is greatly helped in the raising, etc. by his significant other Michele. Michele is the one who makes things "download" and figures out how to get my fabric as a background on the blog. Together, they're a pretty good team as well as being pretty nice individually.

When I asked him which kit he wanted to put on special he replied that he wanted one with eggs or chickens or devils - something to go with his Deviled Egg recipe. I've had some chicken kits (Flags & Chickens & Kids) and a little devil in the Trick or Treat kit but they're all sold out. So we decided on Blessings Baskets. The vines wouldn't be growing at this time of year, after all, so we can use the baskets to gather eggs. :) Use the promo code blessings15 for the discount and blessingsship for free shipping.

Download Now!

To download a copy of his recipe, click on the words. Well, it didn't work this time. We'll see what we can fix it to download tomorrow. I just love left brain stuff. :)

Day # 2

There are 5 great Moda designer's blogs to hop to today. Along with Lynne from Kansas Troubles are Joanna at Fig Tree, Julie of Cosmo Cricket, Lucie fromSummersville and Liz at Paper Pie. Each and every one of the has a great block for your Moda Sampler Quilt. And there are some great giveaways too.

Back here at Jan Patek Quilts Tori is my Girl Friday. She cuts kits, orders fabric, prints patterns and does all of the shipping. Lately the shipping has involved a trip to Kidder twice a week (1/2 hour each way) so we can be sure to get things out. Unfortunately for some reason our local post office is somewhat unreliable since last March. And right now Tori and her family are moving to a new house. Nobody was in any shape for pictures so we'll have to do that sometime later. I really hate it when people post bad pictures of me so I don't want to do it to Tori and Wendy. Anyway, Tori has picked Family Circle as her kit for you. To get 15% off just type in the code "family15" and then "familyship" will get you free shipping too. Family is certainly uppermost in her mind right now.

Here's her recipe for a great dip for the Holidays. In her words "there are no real directions for the cheese dip. Just throw it together and call it good!" Sounds yummy to me.

To download a copy of the recipe sheet hit the button below.

Download Now!

Day #1 - 4 Great Moda Designers & Triple Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies too

Today is Day 1 of the December Moda Designers Blog Hop. Each day four or five of the designers will show you the quilt block and recipe that they presented at the schoolhouse session at Salt Lake. You'll be able to download their patterns and recipes - a little Holiday gift to you from us. And some of the designers that weren't at Market have added a block and recipe to the mix. At the end of the week you'll have the blocks for a great sampler quilt (my favorite kind of quilt) and maybe even a wallhanging or two and lots of great recipes.

The designers featured today are:

Minick and Simpson - (you've got to see Polly's house and I want that giveaway rug)

Bunny Hill's Anne Sutton

Barb & Mary from Me & My Sister

Deb Strain

Meanwhile, at Jan Patek Quilts, I needed something to post each day besides the designer picture. It's a neat picture but could get really boring after a day or two. I decided that everyone here could get in on the act. Each day you'll meet one of the great people who help Jan Patek Quilts stay together so I can design and sew - my favorite things in the world outside of my family and dog. And they'll give us a recipe for our Christmas party and pick their favorite kit to be on sale for the day.

So today meet Wendy Karr. What - no picture. Well Wendy is camera shy and was helping Tori and her family move Friday before the rain set in, so no picture ........ yet. I have my camera ready and am waiting. Check back later.

You see Wendy's name on the pattern covers or books under "sewer". Wendy is an absolute whiz at piecing and machine applique. She does, however, hand all blocks that need hand applique over to me (or Amy or Marie). For some reason, she's just stymied by the hand work. Which really is fine with me because it's my absolute favorite thing to do. My day is not complete without some stitching to do each morning and night.

The quilt kit that Wendy picked is Tic-Tac Baskets. As you can see, it's just made for her - great piecing and machine applique. Today, until midnight, it's 15% off and free shipping. Just type in the code Tic Tac Baskets to get 15% off and then Tic Tac to get free shipping on your kit. We're new to the "coupon" thing so if you have any problems email Tori at jpqinvoices@yahoo.com (Byron's in class today) and we'll fix it.

Wendy, poor girl, just returned from a week in Hawaii so she said her recipe had to have macadamia nuts in it. I can't wait until our office party to taste them.

To print out a copy of the recipe sheet, click on "Download Now" below.

Download Now!

Come back tomorrow to get the links to 5 more Moda designers and their patterns. And to meet Tori and see what she has for us.

Ok, ok - so it's Winter

It seems that our days when it's in the high 60's are over here for awhile - probably quite awhile. At least we're not far enough north that we're getting snow already. I think we were already last year though.

The house is slowly changing seasons - Bittersweet wreath returned to the peg in the back room, Stars & evergreens on the door, twinkly lights overhead.

Dresden Turkeys came off of the back wall and will return to the loft while our latest Sue's Snowman Basket came down to the house. This is the latest Mini Quilt Club offering so if you belong to that club yours will be shipped next week. I really like snowmen because they're great for Christmas but then carry over into the new year since winter usually carries on after Christmas. And it's quick and easy and along with "Here Comes Santa" should give you something to stitch on each night.

And speaking of Christmas and stitching, a gift from Jan Patek Quilts to you - a free pattern or book (excluding KC Star and Quiltmania books) will be included with every order from now until the 1st of the year. That includes our Club & BOM shipments.

I'm working on next year's Mystery Quilt and the Blog Hop Pumpkin Tablerunner (still holding onto Fall a little - in my heart at least) every morning and night. It is pretty cold outside so Deuces decided to stay in and entertain us by playing with Spike while I stitched and Pep watched TV. They really like each other and didn't tire of playing until Pep had to get ready for work.

The Blog Hop starts Monday and we have some goodies in mind - Dec. 5th - 9th. See you then.

Skipping Black Friday.......

The last 2 years Kelly and I have cheerfully gotten up before the crack of dawn to join the throngs of shoppers looking for a deal on Christmas goodies. This year there just wasn't anything we wanted that was offered. So we just as cheerfully slept a little late after a great Thanksgiving dinner.

It was supposed to start raining Friday night so that morning I planted some bulbs (a little late here) and Jake turned over a couple of beds in the garden to ready them for Spring. We have some walking Egyptian onions that refuse to stay where they're put and we always have go get them out of the other beds or they'll take over. Grandma Laird's iris are safe for another year, thanks to Jake.

And our house and garden still have most of the vestiges of Happy Hollow. I do so love Fall.

I pulled all of the marigold plants, shook them a little and then laid them in the beds. Playing in the garden was a great way to spend the day. Then in the afternoon, we jumped in the car and went to Max's to have some post Thanksgiving pizza and cake with Max and Quinn and Cullen. Michele got home - she's working at Sears for the holidays and had gotten to work at 3:45. She said it wasn't too bad, all in all, for Black Friday.

Can you tell I'm not quite ready to let go of Fall?

I'm afraid Winter is on it's way though. The temperatures have drastically fallen.

I have one awesome potted plant that doing it's best to hold on. I almost feel like bringing it in the house tonight. Probably will.

We're getting excited and ready for the Moda Blog Hop though - Don't forget - December 5-9th.