admin October 8th, 2011
Welcome to the Blue Nickel today!
I get the special treat today of sharing with you my friend, Jessica Levitt, and her book Modern Mix. 
I first met Jess online through her blog, and then we met in person at Quilt Market in Pittsburgh where she was pitching her first line of fabric, Timber. Everything Jess does is detailed and very exact. She was an engineer in her earlier years, and it plays out in her creativity now as evidenced by clean, straightforward lines and no-nonsense approach to everything (how she stays my friend, I do not know, because I do not adhere to any of those virtues)....probably because we only see each other once a year…. 
Looking through Modern Mix, I have to say it really is truly Modern! The designs are all very clean and streamlined, if I didn’t design my own quilts there are quite a few in here that I would love to make. These definitely shout that these are not the grandmotherly little cottage quilts (which I love too). These are the NYC loft type quilts that will be classics for a long time.
That being said, there are two projects that I find truly, truly tempt me….first the wall organizers pictured below. The Lord knows that I need better organizing skills that’s for sure!!
And the second project that I might make if I have the time (okay….stop laughing now, alright?) would be the camera/phone case (no picture, you have to buy [or win, see below] the book) What I really love about the case is how Jess developed a little chart with the calculations to make this fit multiple little devices…you know the ones that run our world? Who wants a standard black case when you can make your own in your favorite fabrics?
I did a little interview too with Jess, so here is that as well.
I figure everyone else is going to be asking all the “relevant” questions….I like to go down a different path….
Besides quilting, you are the party queen as far as I can tell. Tell the Blue Nickelites about some of your favorite party themes that you have come up with and share a few great photos if you can.
- I do indeed love to throw a good party. I used to design and plan weddings but lately it’s all about my kids’ birthdays. Probably my favorite is always the last one, which in this case was a Harry Potter Party! I’m a huge fan of the books and so is my daughter, and last month she got to invite 20 of her friends to come experience Hogwarts complete with classes and Quiddich. I haven’t blogged this one yet so this picture is a sneak preview.
- I also loved her Unicorns and Rainbows last year and my son’s Construction Party.
How do you include you love for sewing into your party planning?
- I love to use fabric to decorate because I love fabric so much. I sew table cloths and runners, bunting, and even favor bags. After you can re-use the fabric from the tablecloths. For the Harry Potter party each child got their own robe to wear and take home!
Your most creative time of day? or night?
- Late, late, LATE at night. I rarely go to bed before the wee hours of the morning.
Who’s partying with you on your iPod this week?
- I’m sad to say I don’t listen to much music lately…but maybe it would be any of the Glee albums.
You need a quick meal. Is it Kraft macaroni and cheese, Burger King, or Grilled buffalo burgers with rosemary hollandaise sauce and a side dish from Martha Stewart’s latest ? (you know, something simple and easy to prepare)
- Mac and Cheese is most likely. I do cook sometimes and enjoy getting fancy, but most nights it’s broiled chicken or fish, some veggies, and pasta/rice.
Describe your perfect camping adventure with the kids so far…..okay Glamping…I know you are not a “Camping” person!!
- This summer we were in the Thousand Lakes region of New York and it was amazing. First, it’s didn’t rain much like it has the past few years. The weather was beautiful and our campsite was very pretty and private. I really loved the air there and there were just enough sites/attractions to see to keep us occupied. I like a place where we can commune with a nature some, but also go do stuff.
On Heartthrobs: Brad, Johnny, Hugh
- All of the above. And you forgot Robert. But I’ve always been a Brad Pitt fan back to his young and single days… Who can forget Thelma and Louise?
On cookies: Chocolate Chip, Snicker-doodle, Macroon
- Chocolate Chip all the way.
Two truths and a lie.
- 1. My first quilt was teal blue and dusty rose….very 80s.
- 2. In college I made costumes for my friends and I to be characters from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
- 3. I’ve never worked in a fabric store.
See she is pretty incredible, isn’t she? and so is the book… You could buy it…like I did, or you can leave a comment here (Comment on anything you want, no rules on this one)..and on the 22nd after the tour, I will randomly draw a name from the comments and Stash Books will send you your own copy. You can in fact sign up at all these blogs to win!!
Here is the schedule for the rest of the tour….Tomorrow check out the Uber-riffic Alissa Haight Carlton. She’s got game I tell ya!
10/6/2011-Sew Mama Sew Beth Wilson
10/7/2011-Jaybird Quilts Julie Herman
10/8/2011-Blue Nickel Studios Scott Hansen
10/9/2011-Handmade by Alissa Alissa Haight Carlton
10/10/2011-Stop Staring and…Start Sewing Jona Giammalva
10/11/2011-Quilting is my Therapy Angela Walters
10/12/2011-Stitch Magazine Blog Tricia
10/13/2011-Oh Fransson Elizabeth Hartman
10/14/2011-Gen Q Magazine Jake Finch
10/15/2011-Quilt Dad John Adams
10/16/2011-Confessions of a Craft Addict Mary Abreu
10/17/2011-Amy’s Creative Side Amy Ellis
10/18/2011-Pink Chalk Studio Kathy Mack
10/19/2011-Connecting Threads Blog Melissa Burt
10/20/2011- Keepsake Quilting blog Betsy Markert
10/21/2011 – Juicy Bits – Jessica Levitt herself
