But not today. Today I'm flying high and even the prospect of spending 20 minutes scraping off my windshield can't diminish my good mood. 32°, whatever. Freezing rain, bring it on. I just don't care because as of today I'm officially a Moda Bake Shop Chef!!
My first recipe, Just Keep Swimming, is featured today at the Moda Bake Shop. After our annual trip to Maine last summer (remember summer??) I was inspired to try my hand at incorporating fish into my quilt designs. This happy little project is one of the results.
Twelve tropical fish swim around colorful patchwork on this fun 16" x 16" little quilt. Just Keep Swimming is a fast and easy project that basically requires only one mini charm pack and 2/3 yard of a background fabric. I chose to make this version with a "Paradiso" mini charm pack by Kate Spain for Moda. I love her bright colors and bold patterns and I think they look great against the Bella Solid Royal Blue -- perfect for summer.
Here's a slightly quieter version of Just Keep Swimming, also made with Kate Spain fabric -- "Horizons" this time -- clearly I love Kate Spain's fabric.
Not sure if you noticed, but the fish are swimming in opposite directions in the two quilts. Just a little construction issue that I hammered out for my tutorial -- never fear!
Just Keep Swimming is definitely doable in a weekend. And if you'd like to turn it into a pillow, I give suggestions about how to do so in my Moda Bake Shop recipe.
The only problem I had making Just Keep Swimming was trying to find some sand for my cover shot! New Hampshire has been inundated with snow this winter and it's hard to even find exposed ground, much less sand. But last week I visited a nearby lake and after trudging 200 yards along a beach through knee deep snow, I managed to find a 2 foot strip of sand. I then proceeded to make a sand castle while wearing boots and a ski coat. Which was surreal in and of itself, but to top it off, the sand was water-logged and heavy and the wind blowing down the lake was arctic and by the time I finished, I could barely see through the tears in my eyes and the mascara running down my face -- hence the less than desirable sand castle. I'm sure I looked like a fool making a sand castle while bundled up for winter and sporting raccoon eyes, but I got my cover shot. And hey, it almost looks like summer, right?
Have fun making your own little quilt! And if the weather is getting you down, just keep swimming...