At the Table :: RDB x Zwilling Cookie Swap Collaboration

If you've been following me here for very long, you probably already know that I'm a member of Rainy Day Bites Cookbook Club. Every month, we have a couple of featured cookbooks, and join in challenges for cooking and baking from them. Well, a while back, the host, Deborah Balint @rainydaybites, asked me and nine other members if we'd like to participate in a collaboration with Zwilling @zwilling_usa and Workman Publishing @workmanpub.

Our assignment was pretty specific - share about Zwilling’s new Fresh & Save CUBE Baking Set and the accompanying vacuum sealer, as well as a new cookbook, COOKIE SWAP! Crowd-Pleasing Cookies That Are Easy to Make and Perfect to Share by Lauren Chattman from Workman Publishing. We were also asked to bake some cookies from the book. That I could do!



Making a video was a bit of a challenge (see it here!), but so far, I’ve tried three cookie recipes – the Gingery Chocolate-Orange Slice-and-Bakes, the Double Peanut Butter Cups, and the Very Vanilla Sprinkle Cookies. Let’s just say, they all got a star in my book! Another thing.... Deborah of Rainy Day Bites is having a giveaway for both the CUBE Baking Set AND a copy of Cookie Swap! Go find her on IG at @rainydaybites and enter to win!

In addition to the baking set and cookbook, Zwilling sent us all a few 'thank you' gifts...a saucepan, a nonstick fry pan, a digital scale, a whisk and another small set of cubes. 

And in addition to Cookie Swap, Workman Publishing sent a bonus book - Cook Color. Pretty generous, right? I'm grateful to have been able to participate and refresh the storage of my baking supplies, as that's been on my list to do for a while. Mission accomplished.

Oh Christmas Tree Advent Day 16

My first year with an Advent stitchery, I've really been enjoying stitching most evenings on my Oh Christmas Tree panel from Stitchdoodles. I've been using threads I had on hand - perle cotton, Aurifil 12wt and embroidery floss - in colors of my own choosing. Most have been similar to what was suggested, but I've used teal and magenta a few times, when they haven't been suggested at all. So yeah, I'm making it my own.

Here are some of my favorite trees I've stitched....

So I'll just continue on. We're over 2/3 done, with the end in sight!

2024 Lined Drawstring Bag Sew Along

As usual, I've been following along with the Lined Drawstring Bag Sew Along with Jeni Baker @jenib320. Her reusable bags are very popular in our family, so need them or not, I always add a few to our collection each holiday season. First up, I had to try her new Wreath Block Drawstring Bag Tutorial, which makes a cute, festive bag approximately 10" tall, 7" wide, 3" deep. I think it turned out really cute!

Next up, I tried Jeni's new Book Drawstring Gift Bag Tutorial in two sizes - see upper left and lower right in the photo below.

I also made the two penguin bags this year using the mini accent variation in Jeni's Expansion Pattern, as it's pretty much my favorite bag style. The one in the upper right is the Everything Bag size; in the lower left is the Project Bag size. I also have a few other bags cut out and ready to sew, but I think I'll wait and see if I need them this year. 

In case you're interested in making some lined drawstring bags using Jeni's pattern, she offers A LOT of tips and ideas on her Lined Drawstring Bag Sew Along page, and every year she adds more and more. This year she added really helpful Tips for Sturdy Drawstring Bags and Tie-Dye Cotton Twill Tape Tutorial in addition to the new Wreath Block Drawstring Bag Tutorial and Book Drawstring Gift Bag Tutorial. There are SO many ideas and options. We really enjoy using them year after year.

Merry Mix Day 10

Well you may have seen on IG that my design wall is filling up with Merry Mix blocks for the mystery quilt-along with Melanie Meyer @mellmeyer. Even though I haven't shown it all on Insta, all my fabric is cut, so now it's just sewing and sewing.

Each day around 3 PM my time, I check to see what the next day's assignment will be. So far, we've made 'trees,' quarter-circles, stars, and stripes. I wouldn't be surprised at all if we have more of at least some of those to sew up in different colorways. We've yet to add in our second neutral, which for me, is a dark gray. I'm kind of looking forward to that!

"I Heard It on the Radio" Exhibit Celebration

On December 2 at the KEXP Gathering Space in Seattle, the artwork of nearly 40 members of Seattle MQG opened to the public for viewing. The exhibit was the culmination of the "I Heard It on the Radio" challenge that we had been given months ago. Works were inspired by a song chosen by the maker, each between 60" and 100" in diameter, with tenets of modern quilting kept in mind. 

Many thanks to the Challenge Committee – Bridget, Chandra, Jackie, Karen, Kae, Kelty, Lorinda and Martha - for making the vision a reality.

During the challenge, a playlist had been made of all the inspiration songs. You can have a listen too, by scanning the QR code above.



I had the pleasure of visiting the exhibit on December 4, the evening of the opening reception, and it was good to gather with members to celebrate and enjoy the exhibit, most of us seeing the quilts for the first time.

You may remember my "Surrounds," made for the challenge earlier this year. I shared the quilt, but not my inspiration song, which was "Seattle" sung by Perry Como. Or as I think of it, "The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle." I remember it often being on the radio here in the Seattle area when I was a kid.

It was actually composed by Hugo Montenegro with lyrics by Jack Keller and Ernie Sheldon. It was the theme song for "Here Come the Brides" TV show, and also sung by Bobby Sherman, my teenage heartthrob. Yeah, I have fond memories around this song, and think of it often when the skies are blue here in the PNW.

"Surrounds," inspired by Seattle by Perry Como, created by Debbie Jeske

I took photos of several other quilts that caught my eye (and that I was tall enough to get a photo of), and I hope you enjoy seeing just a smattering of the gorgeous work displayed.

"Hooray for Hazel," inspired by Horray for Hazel by Tommy Roe, created by Cordelia Nance @notmadebyrobots

"Modern Pop Sunrise," inspired by Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles, created by Karen Braitmayer @kbrtymr

"Into the Woods," inspired by Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim, created by Jackie Benedetti @tinwoman48

"They Say the Neon Lights are Bright," inspired by On Broadway by George Benson, created by Martha Peterson @onceawingnut

"A Day for You," inspired by If I Had Words to Make a Day for You by Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley, created by Linda Kucera @lkhomework

"Hum Along with Me," inspired by Stop by Jane's Addiction, created by Louise Wackerman @imfeelincrafty

"Sunshine and Spider Webs," inspired by Sunshine by Frozen Orange, created by Rachel Berryhill @rachel_lynn000

"Fade to Black," inspired by Fade to Black by Metallica, created by Rachel Singh @liketosew

"They/Them," inspired by Deadname by Flasch, created by Tiffany Muskrat

So hope you enjoyed a little glimpse of the exhibit. Honestly, I was so impressed with the exquisite modern quilts created by my fellow members. The exhibit was a joy to see and experience.

Nocturne

Considering Kona cotton is usually the fabric I use most and stash, it's always fun to see what the new Kona Color of the Year will be. Just a few days ago, it was announced that the new limited edition color is NOCTURNE, a rich deep purple!

Browse through the lookbook, or the Kona IG feed @konacotton, and you'll see several samples of quilts made with Nocturne. I'm definitely a fan, and at some point will be ordering a bit to incorporate into my making for next year. Just for fun.

Mocha Mousse

With very little fanfare, Pantone announced their 2025 Color of the Year yesterday, Mocha Mousse. 

Received with somewhat skeptical reviews - at least on their IG post - I personally kinda love it. And with Sarah @saroy and Elizabeth @elizabethkray hosting the Pantone Quilt Challenge 2025 next spring, I'll definitely be playing with it. Daughter dear, Rachel @snippetsofsweetness has already ordered our official Pantone swatches, so I'll be searching for good fabric matches in the months ahead.

Meanwhile, I can't resist sharing a review of my previous Pantone-inspired quilts. It's tradition! Next year will make 14(!) years.

:: Peach Fuzz 2024 :: "Keen"

:: Viva Magenta 2023 :: "Verve"

:: Very Peri 2022 :: "Red Cross Meets Very Peri"

:: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating 2021 :: "Some Like It Medium"

:: Classic Blue 2020 :: "Utterly Blue"

:: Living Coral 2019 :: "Timeless"

:: Ultra Violet 2018 :: "Grape Fizzy"

:: Greenery 2017 :: "Evergreenery"

:: Rose Quartz and Serenity 2016 :: "Pantone Meets Bias Tape"

:: Marsala 2015 :: "Sizzling"

:: Radiant Orchid 2014 :: "Radiancy"

:: Emerald 2013 :: "An Emerald Table"

:: Tangerine Tango 2012 :: "Tangerisk"

So what do you think? Like it or not, do you anticipate dabbling with Mocha Mousse in the new year? If you haven't joined in the Pantone Quilt Challenge before, I encourage you to. It's always a fun challenge with amazing results.

QuiltCon Entries

So yesterday, QuiltCon acceptance notices went out and I was 0/5. None of the quilts I submitted were accepted. A tiny bit disappointing but honestly, I understand that if 2269 were submitted and only 460 (about 20%) were selected, my odds were not good. And I'm ok with that! I've had several turns at showing at QuiltCon, and am grateful for that.

Meanwhile, here's what I submitted this year....

Side Chairs, one of my new creations this year. I kinda thought it wouldn't 'fit,' but I love it, so worth a shot.

Albersesque, my latest Bee Sewcial group quilt, which was entered last year and didn't make the cut so wanted to give it one more try.

 

Keen, another new make this year, and one a lot of folks really liked, so I thought why not?

Split Second, which was made for the Windham Artisan Cotton 2024 Challenge, but not accepted. I love it so I figured I'd try one more time.

And finally, Diamond Cut, which  I entered at the last minute, just because I sometimes have better luck in the small quilt category. Not this time. 

So oh well. I thoroughly enjoyed scrolling on IG last night and seeing gorgeous quilts that both did and didn't get in. It was quite the excellent show, just as I expect the one at QuiltCon 2025 will be!

November Fabric Usage

Brace yourselves. Worse than October, I brought in A LOT of fabric last month....

First a stack destined for Christmas gift-giving bags + a solid needed for Block Studies Collective this month + that top black and white stripe, which was stash-necessary, and I'd used it up on those black and orange potholders.

Knowing December would be busy, I treated myself to the Tara Faughnan-curated bundle for BSC. I committed to that a couple of months ago, so what can I say?

And then, after rummaging through stash for what I wanted/needed for the upcoming Merry Mix  Advent quilt along, I placed an order for several more solids. One downfall of normally purchasing half-yard cuts is that you don't have enough to really do a project such as this. Hubby and I actually worked together to choose colors for this quilt, so at least I'll be making something that coordinates with our other holiday decor and that we'll both appreciate. In fact, there were two of the lighter teals here (pictured below), so we could see which we liked best, so the other will go into the stash. And then that aqua star print was a bonus, since I'm liking that print so much. 

So yeah, that's a lot. I feel better knowing it all was (mostly) purchased for a specific project, but still. Hoping December is spent just using it up!

November Fabric Usage

Used up: 13.97 yards [10.17 projects + 3.8 recycled/donated]
Brought in: 19.25 yards 
Net: 5.28 yards