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:
(still one of my favorite creations EVER!)
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!!!!
**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.
I love the bunny wreath! I’m heading over to the bake shop to check things out :)
Amazing projects. I’m so excited to see what’s in that book!! I’m new to sewing and Moda has totally inspired me!
Congrats on the book!
Congratulations on having one of your designs in the new book. This progressive dinner is so much fun.
I have really had fun browsing through your blog. Love the projects you have made and the tutorials. Thanks for the invitation to come visit and I will definately have to make up that soup!
Mary
YUMMY – I love Italian sausage in just about anything !!! Thank you for this great recipe.
I am in love with Moda Precuts. Just endless possibilities.
A pregressive dinner anyone would love to attend.
Oh, I love your projects. I can’t wait to see what you are doing with the Sherbet Pips! I have 3 charms and a jelly rolls of this and just can’t decide what to do with them.
You have some really great projects on Moda Bake Shop. Can’t wait to see the book.
Love , Love the diaper bag.
The book sounds wonderful. Congratulations on being a part of it!
That recipe sounds delicious! I think hubby might have to fix that for us this week.
Sue
I love soups so the recipe is a keeper and I love all you have to share on your site so it is a keeper too – now if I won, I’d definitely be able to keep on sewing : )
I love your blog and great patterns. This book is so exciting. Thanks for the soup recipe – can’t wait to make it!
Oh my gosh, I want that pink chair!
What a great adventure of creativity! I am enjoying this so much. Thanks for sharing your talents. Have a blessed day
I really like your diaper bag and hope to try it out someday!
your chair is so comfy! the warm soup was just what i needed!looking forward to the book-best add it to my ‘wish list’ now!
I love your workshop/studio!
This book does look like there will be great projects in it, can’t wait for it to come out! This is a great blog hop and you have had lots of projects on the Moda Bake Shop that are really cute. That soup sounds pretty good.
Thank you for the tour of your sewing room – so much to take in – and your inspirational projects and can’t wait to make the soup.
i love the clutches. thanks for the opportunity to win.
Thanks so much for inviting me to your progressive Dinner . . . this is so awesome. I just love your sewing room and wow that Polka Dot Chair is sooooo inviting. I am truly loving this. Thanks so much.
LOVE your polka dot chair…fabulous! Congrats on making it in the book!
I love your sewing space!! And dinner looks tasty too.
That recipe looks delish! I will definitely be putting it on my list of winter dinners – it’s cold up here in Minnesota! Thanks so much!
Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks too for the opportunity to win.
Can’t wait to make the projects in the new book. Congratulations on being a Chef!
would you please put my name into the virtual hat?
love your blog
The soup is delish and I can’t wait to serve it up to my family. We have tons of snow and it is below zero here so just the ticket.
Thanks for a lovely time. And the giveaway as well. I can’t wait to get a copy of this book.
I love your sewing room! Beautiful!
Congrats on the book!
love your blog…you can’t comment on January 22. :(
Awesome projects, yummy looking recipe and cool work area :)
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com
I’m loving the Progressive dinner, finding great new blogs to read. Recipes for cooking, Moda fabrics, I eat and I sew what could be better than this,other than our families what more do we need… Thanks for the chance to win!! ;>
Love your Moda projects and that soup looks delicious!!
I just love your Moda projects, and the recipe, Thanks.
I like the monkey quilt…I have some of the same fabrics and am going to make a quilt for my daughter!
This is so exciting for you! I have stalked your Moda projects for a while… and looking at all those delicious charm pack projects make me want to start a quilting project. TO. DAY.
Congratulations – can’t wait for the book!
Oh – and more pics of the sewing place please. We stalkers need our fix! LOL!
Congratulations on being part of the book..I can’t wait to get a copy..hopefully free :)
WOW, it’s all amazing! I loved my visit in your charming sewing room. The polka dot chair is adorable! Thank you for the delicious soup!
You are so inspirational!
Congrats on the book! I can’t wait to get a copy!
I’m having a linky party, if you would like to come join, there is a prize!
Have a great weekend!
Love, Brenda
Deck The Halls of HOME with JOY
Thanks for all your posts! I love reading what’s happening in the polka dot chair! LOVE the his and her baby name quilts.
I am also making a Funky Monkey quilt it is very similar to yours. I’m finishing it up this weekend but I have some sneak peaks already posted but will be posting the finished project in the next week or so. So come by and check it out:
http://thefabricjunkie.blogspot.com/
Christine
I can’t wait to explore all the neat projects in this book. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful projects with us at MBS.
How nice to have Pasta and Polka Dots in one place! Thanks for the inspiration.
I am so impressed by your sewing room, mine is always such a mess and it just isn’t big enough.
Yummy recipe
Congratulations on the book.
I love pasta fagoli. Glad I didn’t fill up on the strawberry truffle and punch. I had dessert first!
I already commented on the other blog, but HAD to comment here–your sewing area is DIVINE!! I love it–soooooo cute and welcoming. Wow!! Enjoy it!! (that chair is wonderful!!!!)
michelle
Yumm-o on the soup! I love soups like that but my husband does not because of the beans. I am a like like yourself sewing wise I love to sew a varity of things. I have been making clothing for a while and now I am back into quilts for a change up. Pluse I am learning quite a bit from every one else too. I would love to design my own stuff but fear holds me back.
A great sandwich to go with that soup would be a tuna melt.
pink polka dot chair is too cute! very creative stuff!
Fun book, fun projects. Oh to pick a favorite would be hard and to pick a favorite Moda pack would be harder!
The skirt is cute and thanks for the recipe
Oh, I love your moda creations! What talent. And the soup recipe looks great too.
I love your blog! I’ll be back regularly. Congrats on the book.
This book looks awesome, just based on the designer blogs I’ve been following. Congrats on being included! Your soup recipe looks totally delicious!
Sandy E-H
Bemidji, MN
Love your projects!! Your soup was totally delicious! Thank you! And thank you for the giveaways! You will sign your copy right? ;-)
adorable sewing room! gotta ask… where did you get those amazing dress forms?
Love the polka dot chair, so fresh and ‘spring-y’! Congrats on the book too.
stunning work
YUMMMMMM! Love those projects AND the pasta! :)
Very cool book project. I have a son named Ben, very cute personalized baby quilt.
Keep the patterns coming! I’ll be watching for the book.
Sherry
I love your work space. What an orderly, practical, and beautiful spot to work!
Thanks for the recipe! I love your bakeshop projects and I look forward to your new one!
Congratulations! I love the wreath and have been in a wreath frame of mind as of late so will be excited to add this to my to-do list. I am so looking forward to the book and am so, so happy for you. ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
Love your projects – especially the patchwork skirt. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love your sewing room! what an inspiration :) Congratulations on the book…can’t wait to see what you cooked up!
Love that your polka dot chair is really real! I’m so excited for this book, and thanks for the yummy recipe!
I am going to have to make the diaper bag for my best friend who is pregnant with her first baby right now!! She’ll love it. Congrats on the book. I can’t wait to see it.
Having great fun visiting all the blogspots…thank you for being part of all the events…love your baby quilts
Your polka dot chair, how cute!!! Wow, are you awesomely creative! Wish I could come visit you and your beautiful sewing room, and maybe have some of that soup! Congrats on the book. Looking forward to buying it. :)
What Fabulous projects!!Congratulations on having one of your designs in the new book. The recipe looks Yummy!!..TFS!!
My GOODNESS what a busy girl you have been!! All those great projects!! Can’t wait to get the book!!
I love your patchwork memo board, and that soup sounds delicious!
I love your projects and your sewing room! The polka dot chair is to die for! Cannot wait for the book to come out in print!
I am sooo excited about the book. I’ve only been quilting a couple of years and I love all the projects I have tried from MBS. Congrats for your contribution!
And I can’t wait to try the soup. It looks great!
LOVE that chair… also, thanks for such great ideas!!
Sew much fun! :D
I love your designs. I will be back!
Congratulations on all the success Melissa! Wow! The book looks amazing. You are so talented, it’s not like I’m surprised, but I am truly thrilled for you. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
I am going to have to whip up some of Traci’s soup too. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything made by her that I haven’t loved (but that goes for you too!).
That polka dot chair is to die for. o.O
Can’t wait to see the book.
Can’t wait to see the book.
Melissa, Congratulations on being a part of this wonderful book! I am SO excited for you and your success! The sneak peak looks great, and I can’t wait to see what you do with the pips! (isn’t that what they’re called? sherbet pips?!!)
soup looks delicious! I think my family would like it too. WE LOVE SOUP! thank you!
problem is now I’m wanting a poka- dot chair to eat it in :0) SEW CUTE!
I really enjoy your blog and tonight my husband had the tasty soup. It was a real hit! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Love the projects! Thanks for the yummy recipe!
I love the diaper bag! Can’t wait to see the book.
I am new to your blog and enjoyed visiting! Thank you for all your inspiration! Congratulations on the new book.
Beverly in WA state
How I love your polka dot chair. Can’t wait to see the book