
Modern Mix Blog Tour
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
Indianna
I like the sound of the camera bags – with christmas on the way they would make fantastic gifts for friends.
Henria O.
Looks like an awesome book! I would love to win it!
Donna
Cool Book! I can see many possibilities for the wall organizers.
Sara
Love your blog! I think it’s one that i need to start following!
Thanks for the chance of the giveaway!
Nancy in IN
I love to camp and we did a lot with our boys. Now we get to take our grands. Grands love to explore!
Thanks
Melody
I’ve seen a couple of projects from this book and it looks wonderful. I may just have to buy it for some Christmas presents.
bea
This book looks really fantastic. Excited to see all the little glimpses of it.
Keri P
LOVE the bed quilt. I have been searching for the perfect pattern for my room and THAT IS IT! Ooooh. please pick me!!!
Sandy A in St. Louis
Thanks for the great interview! Love the green quilt folded up on the back of the chair. So pretty!
Linda Moran
This sounds like a very cool book! Since an iPad is in my future, I’m intrigued by that project, and I do like the folders you showed. I also love the straight line quilting – while I’m working to improve my free motion, her quilting really is quite elegant.
Cory
I am loving the projects I have seen in the book and would love to get my hands on the book to see the rest. Thank you for the chance to win one. Take care and God bless, Cory
dolores
Ah…I do love that quilt on the cover!
BTW…I’m sure having fun with the Bloggers’ Quilt-UberFest…this is the first time I have ever done one of these…awesome!:)
Tsoniki Crazy Bull
Wow, I love the party planning! I am always amazed when people pull together that kind of thing. I always feel like I’m doing a good job when I make the cake myself and have a party at my house. Hahahaha This looks like a great book and I really need to make the wall organizers.
Jan
I always like the two truths and a lie interview questions. I think #3 is the lie, she never worked in a fabric store.
Jean MN
Looking forward to more pictures of the Harry Potter party. That’s a sweet idea! Very much in love with the books myself. 😀
Kris
Been seeing this book online, looks like a good one…thanks for the chance.
Mary Ann
Great interview! I think the lie is #2! And thank you for the chance to win this book, photos are wonderful.
MoeWest
I love the picture of the orange and white quilt. My sister who ‘doesn’t like quilts’ would love these modern ones I’m sure. Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
Mary on Lake Pulaski
This sounds like such a great book from your description Scott! I would love to own it! I think the lie is number three.
robin
I really like the brown & green quilt shown. 🙂
Katie Doggart
The items in the book look amazing….Can’t wait to see more. Thanks for the giveaway!!
Deserae Fiedler
I would love to win! Such great ideas!
DianeY
After hearing about her Harry Potter party, I have no doubt that she made all her friends Willie Wonka costumes for Halloween!
Deb
I would love to have this book! I love the cover quilt!
Valerie
This book looks like so much fun!
Caroline Clouse
I would LOVE to win this book! I have seen a couple of quilts in the pictures posted that I would love to make! Thank you for the giveaway!
Roberta
You did forget Robert but you could leave Brad off the list. Book looks awesome too! Thanks!
Debi
Great questions! Thanks for us a different glimpse at the author! Can’t wait to get my own copy!
Anne
This is one of those books I’d really like to win. Sounds full of great ideas.
Shelley
Love that bedquilt – may have to add to my to do list in red and black! Please let me win the book so I can start the quilt right away!
donna baker
I love that gorgeous first quilt-the book sounds awesome!! Thanks-
LoLoJo
The book looks absolutely fabulous! Would love to have a copy myself.
MarciaW
Thanks for the stop on the blog book tour – and like your blog because you are out-of-the-box in your thinking and design great quilts. Yesterday couldn’t download uberfest block so will be off to try. Would also like to have a copy of this book to use so thanks to you both for the giveaway.
Sew Create It - Jane
Oh what fun! Please count me in :o)
Rosanne Derrett
I’m definitely going to have to buy this book. I love Jessica’s fabric. I liked Timber, but I fell in love with Kingdom. Time to go and buy some of that too!
Judy C in NC
I love these reviews – so much more information is learned about the book. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity to win it Judy C
Hannah
Love the quilt pictured. Just started sewing so not sure if this quilt would be too advanced for me. May need to start with a smaller quilt.
Cheryl
I love the circle quilt on the cover, the colors are great together. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
grapes and hearts
I came over from quilt dad for your quilt uberfest and stumbled upon your book review and the interview which I enjoyed very much! Thanks for that and the giveaway ;o) Happy quilting!
VickiT
Great interview……but which one of the three was the lie? I bet it’s the last one that she’s never worked in a fabric store. I hope you’re going to tell us when the winner is drawn. lol
Thanks. I really have seen some awesome quilts from this book during the tour already. They are just wonderful. I hope one day to be able to make some that look half as great.
Lydia
Got to get my hands on this book, it looks absolutely wonderful.
Angie
Great Interview – Way to go Jessica!
Rebecca
I’d love to spend hours looking through this book 🙂
Dawn
I think I need the wall files too. Thanks for the giveaway.
sharon
I like the cover quilt and I have the fabric from which I would construct it.
Thank you for the chance to win
Rita Goshorn
thank you for the good review and telling about its author, jessica levitt. i am following the reviews and enjoying the blogs about the book. it would be nice to win this book! thanx for the opportunity to do so!
Jocelyn
This book looks absolutely awesome! Thanks so much for the review.
Allison C
This book is on my wish list so I would be stoked to win it! I love modern quilts and I think I would really enjoy this book!
Deb
Love the photo of that quilt thrown over the sofa. I’d love to be entered for the book.
Kate F.
Will we ever get to know which is the lie? I’d guess #3. Also, that bead quilt is making me swoon!
quilary
I love the rainbow party theme. Thanks for the chance 🙂
kim mcintosh
I am new to quilting (and your blog) but am in love with both already. I will be trying my hand at something very soon and would love to make a quilt for my daughter.
Shelley C
The cover picture is so important, it needs to draw a reader in and that quilt does just that!!!! I LOVE IT! I need more glimpses into that book.
Loretta T
The wall pockets would be handy.
Patty
Interesting questions…and the book sounds like one I’d use alot.
Beth T.
I love Jessica’s quilts, and from reading the interview I get the impression she’d be a lot of fun to hang out with. (Pardon my dangling preposition.)
Kathy Davis
I love to sew and my favorite is making quilts. My dream is to one day have grandkids to sew for.
Dacia Reid
Win or lose I am going to have to have that book! I love the quilt on the cover.
Tamie
I’d love to have a copy of this book. Thanks for the interview.
Sara
Oh, I just love those wall organizers – I really need them, too.
Patti
So many wonderful projects to choose from! Thanks so much for introducing us to Jessica and her fabulous book.
Jodi Guerrero
Wow !! What alot of eye candy. The mostly white quilt had gorgeous quilting on it. My phone case is holding on by a thread, I’d love a new one.
Super interview Scott. You always ask great questions. Looking forward to the rest of the tour. Thank you for the giveaway and a chance to win.
Deanna
thanks for the post and the blog hop.
Kathe
Looks like a real ‘must have’ book for the reference library – thanks for all the info and the giveaway.
charlotte
Looks like a great book. Would love to win one.
Jodi R
Will you tell us which ones are truth and which is a lie? I would love to think that it is that she has never worked in a fabric shop…
Jennifer Gail
I would love to give this book a whirl:)
Heather
We did a Hogwarts Party and the pumpkin juice was a big hit. Love the idea of re-using the tablecloth fabric. Thanks. Please enter me in the contest
Cristin Wilson
I agree, Brad Pitt all the way 🙂
Looks like a fabulous book – its already on my Christmas List!! yay!
Thanks so much!
MaryBeth
What a cool book. Thanks for sharing.
DianeH
Thanks for a chance – looks like a fabulous book.
Lisa Marie
A very entertaining interview! I love blog tours for books because I can really get a feel for the book to see if it’s something that interests me. This one looks great!
Carol Y
I love the wall pocket organizers – so much nicer and personable than the ones in the office supply stores. Thanks for the chance to win!
Claudia
The wall pocket organizers will make nice Christmas gifts. I can personalize them by jobs and hobbies with appropriate fabric.
Carole B
My creativity isn’t quite on the scale of Jessica’s :0), but I’m also most creative in the middle of the night/early morning –perplexes my German husband infinitely. Thanks for the interview and a chance to win!
anne
What a simply fantastic book. I would love to win. Thank you and have a great day!
Cherie
Looks like an amazing book! I love the picture for the Rainbow & Unicorn party — so creative!
Mom C
So, which is the lie? I go in cycles, some weeks I’m early to bed, early to rise, others it’s late into the night and then I struggle to get moving in the AM. I have a walking companion, 6:00 AM unless it’s too icy, then we go indoors unless it’s too icy to even drive. We both have an hugemougus fear of falling! It takes forever to recover once you pass 50.
I love the pictures and the ideas sound great.
Joyce Mitchell
Would love to win a copy of the new book. Thanks for the giveaway.
Becky
I share your need for organization! Great interview and I love that you participate in the blog tours – of course, I would love to win the book, too!
Connie
Looks like a book I’d like to have in my sewing room. Thanks for the chance to have it.
Judi
That wall organizer does look like a must-do project. Who couldn’t stand to be more organized. Well, okay, maybe Martha Stewart, but I’m not her lol.
Jeannie
I LOVE the quilting that is showing in the photographs. I think I could do this and save $$$ instead of quilting with my credit card!
Donna Joy
What a wonderful book to add to a quilters library.
Thanks for sharing. I am having so much fun checking out everyones blogs and the quilt block they made. I will have fun sewing.
Kate
Gorgeous book! Thanks for the fun interview 🙂
Nancy D.
Looks like a great book. Thanks for a chance to win.
Sally
This looks like a great book.
Carla G
What a great looking book! Those wall organizers look like something I need too! And the green & brown quilt looks like a pattern I’d love to try! Thanks for a chance to win! 🙂
Penny
This seems to be such an interesting book and I just happened to stumble upon this book tour! I too want to make those wall folders and I love the idea of a chart to make the pouches in the size to accommodate many devices. That is a big downfall I find with so many patterns I want to make, since a mathematical fabric wizard I am not!! Thanks!
Margaret
Love the looks of this book. Regarding two truths and a lie, my guess is that #1 is the lie.
June
I love doing theme parties too. Great ideas you had and would love to see more of the pictures.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Rachelle
Love the look of this book. I’m guessing #3 is the lie
Pat H
Love the great party ideas! This book is a must have!
FHC
liking those wall organizers! excellent idea and execution!!
now how can we get some music happening for you ?….
Deb
Awesome book! I’d love to win…thanks for the chance!
byrney
Love those wall organisers….think I need them! fingers crossed and thanks…
roccagal
I love the whole look of this book! I would love to own it!!! Thanks for the chance!
jodi @ back40life
gorgeous – would love to have fun with this one!
Denny
I would love to win this book. I need help in clean lines! Well, clean anything, but that’s a bigger deal than just quilts.
Allison
The book looks awesome! Its definitely going on my buy list…if I don’t win it!
Heather H
The book looks awesome! I love those hanging folders!
PJ
would love to win this!
Xandi
I love those gorgeous large scale blocks.
DeAnn Oliekan
What a fun book!
Laura K
Great interview questions and answers! I would love to win the book; all of the projects you featured look appealing.
Jeanne
This book appears to be very fun. I too love the wall folders. So, just pick me and I will make them. 🙂
jenclair
I’d love to win a copy as the pictures or the projects are so good. Great interview!
Donna Joy
Great blog tour, wonderful book, would love to win it and start sewing. Thanks.
karen
The book looks gorgeous. I would love to win it!
Penny
I have enjoyed this tour. I like the wall organizers as well. Thank you for a chance to win.
Faye Nettles
Great book. The projects look awesome. I have some Moda Buttercup an Coral that would look great is some of these designs.
Marcia
Fun interview questions…and answers! Now I am anxiously waiting to find out which one is the lie? (Is it the one about not working in a fabric store???!)
Your Kingdom fabric is fit for a QUEEN! (Sorry ’bout the pun on words!) And your book looks AWESOME! Will continue to follow this tour and keep my fingers crossed! 🙂
Pam T.
I’m lovin’ all the descriptions and pictures of the goodies in this book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Karen Linton
The lie is #3, fo’ sho.
Nancy Sue
What a great book ! It’s been really great reading all the questions and answers and seeing the teasing pics. (Note to self to not drool on keyboard)!
Flaun
I’d love to get my paws on this book!
Carmen
I love your questions – very funny! Thanks for the chance to win!
Prairie Whimsey
Every blog keeps getting me more and more excited to delve into producing something so zen as clean straight lines and pure colors! I think I’ll request that our library purchase a copy!