Moda Progressive Dinner... join me

Okay. {deep breath}

I've been waiting what seems like forever to write this post.   You see last year, the kind people at Moda Bake Shop and Moda Fabrics asked if I'd like to contribute an article to a book they were publishing.   I was ecstatic! Then about 10 seconds later,  I totally panicked... I mean a book, that is a whole lot of PRESSURE!!!

I'm so excited to announce that the first Moda Bake Shop book has been published and is due out in stores this May!! Many talented designers have contributed to this book, I'm in awe that I get to be in such great company.

This will be the first time that I see my name in print, and I can't wait.  About 3 years ago I was browsing my local fabric store and saw a stack of squares of fabric and thought, "it would be fun to figure out something to make with all of those squares." So I put them in my cart and didn't think about them again for a bit.

A few weeks later I made this diaper bag, I was sold.  Being able to buy fabric already cut out seemed like a dream (as cutting out is my least favorite part of sewing). I challenged myself to see what else I could make from those little squares.

Next I made a few quilts..

I kept playing around and after a while I was asked to contribute to the Moda Bake Shop blog.   I am so grateful to have had that opportunity. Contributing to Moda Bake Shop boosted my confidence in my sewing abilities more than anything.  

I have so much fun dreaming up what I can make with all of those little squares...

Here are the projects that I've contributed to Moda Bake Shop in the past:

Patchwork Skirt

(still one of my favorite creations EVER!)

Angela's Diaper bag

Personalized Pillow

Patchwork Memo Board

Fabric Scrapbook

Snuggly Layer Cake Throw

Spring Flowers Wreath

his & hers baby quilts

and here is a little sneak peek at my next Moda Bake Shop project, it will be posted in the next couple of weeks!!

You can also click HERE to see some other projects that I've made with Moda pre-cuts.

Now I can't share with you my project from Fresh Fabric Treats yet, but I can show you a special sneak peek that they sent us.

As soon as I saw this my heart leaped a bit! This books is going to be awesome!!!  I can't wait to get it and try out some of the projects.

Now I come to the reason I am writing this post today.  Moda Bake Shop is holding a progressive dinner!!  Today you get to stop by my little blog for "dinner".. then make sure you head over to visit Kimberly Walus:

She blogs over at bitty bits and pieces.. her blog is totally awesome as are her Moda Bake Shop projects, you need to check out her blog, plus you can join her for Dessert on our progressive dinner!!!

If I were able to invite you all to dinner at my house, we'd have something warm and comforting, especially since it's so cold outside.  

I'd serve you some warm soup, crusty bread, then invite you to come and see my favorite room in my house, my sewing room...

I'd invite you to sit in my polkadot chair (yep, that's THE Polkadot Chair)....

then show you where I work!

But, since you can't come visit me and sit in my Polkadot Chair, I will instead share with you my recipe for that yummy soup.

This recipe is from Traci at Amazing Mae, it's one of our family favorites and one of the few that all of my kids will eat! Perfect for a wintry day!

Pasta Fagioli

1lb mild Italian Sausage

1/4 c. finely chopped onion

4 c. chicken broth

1 can petite diced tomatoes

1 can canelleni beans

1 can kidney beans

1/2 c. ditalini pasta

1 1/2 t. Italian Seasoning

salt & pepper

parmesan cheese

I use link italian sausage, you can also use ground.   Brown link sausage in olive oil in a large stock pot.  Remove from pan and slice into bite sized pieces (it does not need to be cooked all the way).  Add onions to the pan and cook until translucent.  Add sausage back to the pan. Add chicken broth, tomatoes.   Smash 1/2 can of the canelleini beans ( you can also use 2 cans of beans if you like).  Add kidney and canelleini beans to pot. Add pasta and cook until pasta is tender. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

Keep your eyes out for Fresh Fabric Treats to be released!! As soon as I get the go ahead I'll share with you my project from there. There will also be some fantastic giveaways going on here to celebrate!!!

In the mean time, make sure you stop by the other blogs on the Progressive Dinner!!!!

January 23
Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt
Vickie Eapen of Spun Sugar Quilts

January 24
Rachel Griffith of P.S. I Quilt
Lissa Alexander of Moda Lissa

January 25
Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts
Sweetwater

January 26
Angela Yosten 
Jenny Garland

**just a reminder, the giveaway is being hosted on my review blog, you can find the link on the "giveaway" post... comments left here don't count towards the giveaway.