Hello and welcome to the Sweet Celebrations blog hop.
We are mother and daughter team Jo Kramer and Kelli Kramer and we are proud to say we have three projects in this book, “Sweet Celebrations”.
We took this picture a year ago to the date back when we were frantically trying to get a picture of ourselves as part of our submission to the Sweet Celebrations book. Â We wanted to take the picture with our beagles, Puppycat and Gracie. Â It was quite the day! Â They weren’t cooperating, and to be honest, we weren’t cooperating the best either. Â Just recently Gracie passed away and there is a new puppy on our horizon…I can promise you, it will be a beagle. Â In fact, we just picked out a new puppy.
We are casual country farm girls. Â Notice we didn’t even dress up to get our picture taken. Â The guys in our lives are farmers and work long hours. Â We sew to pass the time.
As part of the blog hop, we were given a list of questions to answer. Â We decided to split it up leaving some for Kelli to answer and some for Jo to answer. Â Here’s Kelli’s questions:
What is your favorite part of quilting–fabric selection, piecing, quilting, binding–and why? My favorite part of the quilting process is choosing the pattern, the fabric,and getting all of my fabrics ironed and cut. When I make a quilt, I am very picky about the process. I like doing all of the ironing at once, all of the cutting at once (and organizing all of my cut pieces into nice little piles), and all of the sewing at once for each step. I don’t like to sew three blocks to see how it will turn out and then continue on. Quilting is the part of the process that I like the least. Binding is a bit of a bittersweet process for me. I like knowing that I finished another quilt, but it’s a little bit sad because the quilt is finished.
Do your pets/kids/spouse help of hinder your creative process?   I really don’t have too many hinderances when it comes to sewing or my creative process. My beagle Puppycat usually sits in a chair in the corner of my sewing room carefully supervising. Sometimes she sits on my sewing bench with me, but sometimes she decides that she wants to play fetch and will grab a toy and sit at my feet whining until I throw it, as she knows I won’t say no. As my boyfriend farms, he usually doesn’t come home until 9 or 10 at night depending on the season. By then my back is usually a bit achy and I’m ready for a break. Overall, he’s pretty supportive as he has learned the hard way that sewing is my therapy. When we moved last summer, he even gave up a dining room so that I could have a sewing room downstairs. I think he’s a keeper!
If you and your dearest friend were going to dress as a horse, would you be the rear end so she could be the front? Tell us how you became friends. This is a quite interesting question. Me and my best friend/mom became quite close friends as she housed me for 9 months prior to making my appearance to the world and she’s been stuck with me ever since. There were a few years when we didn’t get along/I thought I knew everything. I swear though, the older she gets, the smarter she gets….or maybe the better I get at listening. In regards to the horse situation, I would definitely allow her to be the head. She’s better at presenting things in a more complete way and definitely thinks before she speaks. I tend to be a bit more stubborn and drag my heels a bit. I also have to be pushed, poked, and prodded to do things…like add borders to a quilt or finish a binding. Over all though, we work quite well together. Things that I don’t like doing are things that Mom enjoys and things that really bother her are things that I love doing!
What sewing accomplishment are you most proud of? My biggest sewing accomplishment to date is being featured as a Moda Bakeshop Chef. I had previously dabbled with designing, drawing, and coloring blocks here and there, but never really done anything serious. One day I sent a copy of a quilt I had been working on to Mom and after much proding and poking (I’m the horse’s rear end remember) she made me submit it to Bakeshop. When I found out that the quilt was accepted, I was so excited. It validated the hard work I had put into working on matching up seams, keeping a true quarter inch seam allowance, and the design work I had done on the quilt. When I finished the quilt and showed the Bakeshop readers what I had created, all of the kind comments and works of encouragement really made my day and I knew then that even though I was relatively new to quilting, it was something that I had done and done well.  Next on our horizon is a project that will be featured in a national quilting magazine.
Here are Jo’s question:
What have I gained from the online quilting/sewing world?
Wow..how do I answer that question quickly??!? I can’t.  I can say that I have gained the best batch of friends a gal can ask for.  Serious.  When I recently purchased my new APQS Millennium,  I asked fellow blogger Judy from Patchwork Times for some advice.  She was right there and answered right away.  I have made connections with so many companies in the quilting industry through my Try in on Tuesday’s posts where I try out new products and publications.  I’ve got great reader friends who understand the sorrow I’ve been going through when my beloved beagle Gracie died.  I have friends who send me fabric scraps so I can keep working on my pineapple blocks.  I’ve met amazing friends who are Bonnie Hunter groupies like I am.  I got connected with the gals from Country Threads and had an opportunity to go to quilt market in Cincinnati with them.  I’ve gotten real close to fellow Moda Bake Shop Chef, Michelle from Michelle’s Romantic Tangle.  I’ve been blessed by sweet Ila who always is sending us goodies.  The list goes on and on…..From the time I started blogging 3 1/2 years ago to now, my circle of friends has grown globally and I LOVE that.  In our small home town there aren’t a lot of people who are quilt crazy like I am so all of you help me feel “normal” and I thank you for that.
We were asked to share a recipe with you. Â We made our recipe quick and easy. Â We know all you would love a yummy treat to celebrate the Fourth of July…this one requires little prep time so you can quickly get back to sewing.
Here’s the recipe.
Are you are wondering what our project is….well we don’t want to reveal too much…but we can say, these quilts are our designs.
You can actually make both quilts at once. Â How neat is that?!?!
We also have another quilt in the book! Â We had so much fun working on projects for the book. Â Can you image? Â We made the three quilts in just over a month!
Now here comes the best fun!! Â All of you have an opportunity to win a Moda precut…we LOVE fat quarters packs (don’t you??) and your very own copy of the book, Sweet Celebrations. Â Just leave a comment here telling me what your favorite Moda precut is.
If you want more chances to win and some great recipes, hop over to see some of the other featured Moda Bake Shop Chefs.
October 1 – StashBooks and Moda Cutting Table
October 2 – Melissa Mortenson and Melissa Corry
October 3 – Mary Lane Brown and Natalia Bonner
October 4 – Lissa Alexander and Corey Yoder
October 5 – Jane Davidson and Angela Yosten
***October 6 – Jo & Kelli Kramer (THIS IS US) and Stefanie Roman
October 7 – Sherri McConnell and Megan Jimenz & Heather Andrus
October 8 – Angela Mitchell and Ellie Roberts
October 9 – Katie Blakesley and Aneela Hoey
October 10 – Amy Smart and Angela Pingel
October 11 – Vanessa Christenson and April Rosenthal
October 12 – Moda Bake Shop
October 14 – Readers have until midnight on the 14th to comment on all the blogs for the giveaways.
October 19 –Winners announced on all the blogs.
Thanks for stopping by.
I love all precuts!!! I suppose if I had to choose one it would be the fat quarter stack. Thanks so much for the recipe and the giveaway!
My favorite precuts are layer cakes. I find I can do so many things with that size!! Love your post today. What fun!
i like fat quarter bundles … you can use them for small projects, applique, anything you’ve a mind to.
My favorite pre-cuts for now are charm packs, mostly because of the cost.
You two are so great together, plus the dogs of course. Can’t wait to see your quilts in the book.
I love the layer cakes, but often get just the charm packs – to be able to touch all the fabrics is very satisfying.
Jo, I have enjoyed your blog – I’m a farm girl also.
def. a FQ bundle! love those pre-cuts :]
I’m one of those quilters who’s never bought any Moda fabric (yet!), but I do have to say: I love fat quarter bundles … seems like a fat quarter is big enough to be versatile, but small enough to be realistic! :-) I enjoy your blog, and thanks for the giveaways!
I really, honestly love all of the moda precuts ! I usually buy charm packs if I don’t have a specific project picked out but I want to hoard some of a certain line before it is sold out ! Good luck when you get your puppy (in the next month or so?) !
My favorite is charm squares and the new “candy” squares!
I am a big fan of charm packs as you get a mixture of the whole range in a collection. :)
fat quarter packs – more fabric to play with!
My favorite Moda precut is the fat quarter bundle. They are the biggest pieces and you get a piece of all the different designs in that line of fabric.
I love the charm packs, that way I get some of the whole line and then can decide which to buy yardage of. Also like the new little 2.5″ squares, saves cutting time, which is my least favorite part of the quilting process.
Thank you so much for a chance at the give-away.
Hmmmm, it’s so hard to pick a favourite pre-cut! If you’re asking about the size of the pre-cuts I would have to say I love the charms & fat quarter cuts. Now, if you’re asking about which fabric design, I would have a hard time picking one! I love too many!
Good luck with your little addition to the family.
I love charm packs, but would love to try out some layer cakes to make some lovely HSTs! My next goal is to start my own stash of Fat Quarters to build up a selection of fabric for my colour spectrum quilt.
If I had more money, I’d say fat quarter packs or layer cakes. However, at my current income (p/t instructors don’t make much), you’re more likely to see me purchasing 1-2 charm packs depending on the project. This way, I still get a little of my favorite collections without breaking the bank! Or I can purchase one charm pack at a time of my favorite designers and save 4-5 to make a big quilt.
My favourite is fat quarters – lots of options and more fabric, too.
I love the fat quarter bundles although I don’t really buy a lot of precuts. Love seeing the pictures of you and Kelli. It sure shows that you have a great time working together. Beautiful quilts also.
Hi, Jo! Congrats to you and Kelli on your success. I have only used Moda jelly rolls and charm packs and absolutely love them. One day I would love to get a fat quarter bundle. Oh, the possibilities! Thanks for the giveaway! Love your quilts! Can’t wait to get myself a copy of the book. Looks yummy!
I like jelly rolls. Love your quilts – making two at once is great! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d say Layer cakes but thats because i’m working on my very first quilt with the moda winter elegance layer cake!! it’s fab
I love charm packs! Thanks for the chance to win some great fabric! Can’t wait to see your new book.
I love using fat quarters, so I can mix and match as I please. The book looks great, wish me luck in the giveaway!
Your quilts are lovely, and my interest is peaked at what you are telling us about them… ! I just love Fat quarters – they are so versatile!
I too love the fat quarter packs!! But I’d be happy with charm packs, too… I have a fabulous relationship with my Mom. She is not into crafting like I am, but is always encouraging and helping me along the way. Thanks for the chance to win :)
I am a fat quarter girl. Love the quilts that you and your daughter have in the book. Red is my favorite color.
My favorite is fat quarters. neat idea to be able to make two quilts at once.
I love fat quarters. Right now, I’m stuck on Moda’s Batik Dancing In The Rain line. Yummy!
I am a GREEDY GERT, so my favorite precut would be a fat quarter; but I am a collector of all of them. . .jelly rolls, honey buns, layer cakes, and charm packs. The more fabric you have, the better off you are in my book! (MY husband would NOT agree! :))
Wow, I’m not sure I have a favorite. Because to me fabric is fabric. I do have some ideas for using layer cakes, but of course fat quarters gives you an option to make something bigger. Thanks for the story and pictures.
I love fat quarters AND jelly rolls! Precuts are my favorite. I hardly buy fabric any other way.
i love fat quarters thanks
My favorite pre-cut is the charm pack. I love to make table runners and often, the charm pack has just the right “scrappy” mix to make a gift.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a book. Thanks for participating in the blog hop. Good luck with your new puppy-girl!!
I’d have to say that I love fat quarters as precuts. The are just the right amony for so many of the quilts that I make. You get more bang for the buck with them!
I love fat quarters and layer cakes!
Oh, what an adorable little puppy!! I love Beagles. We had one when I was growing up. His name was Bugle– named for the funny sounds he made.. :-) He lived 12 years.. and was a wonderful friend. ..
Your dessert sounds so yummy! I am definitely going to give that a try!! :-) And your quilts are so pretty!!
I love any sort of pre-cut– they’re so nice because they make projects come together very quickly and they match perfectly– so whatever you choose to make– it looks wonderful! :-) Moda has so many gorgeous fabric lines to choose from, it would be impossible to choose a favorite– there are MANY!! :-)
Thank you for the chance to win!!!!! :-) :-) :-)
I love charm squares. I can make a quick gift with charm squares. Thanks for the chance to win this quilt book. I love the idea to be able to make two quilts at once.
I have tons of fat quarters- my precut of choice. I also love charm packs and layer cakes for the sample of an entire line. How fun. Thanks for participating in the hop.
I absolutely love your quilts! They are both just gorgeous. I really do not have a favorite precut, I am non-discriminating. Lately, I have been working with charm packs. They are all fun!
I love the fat quarters since i think they give us the biggest opportunity for variety in our quilts. boy do i love scrappy. i love the new quilts and am anxious to see how to make 2 at once.
I love any fat quarters designed by Bonnie and Camille.
Love the jelly rolls = so fun to use.
Your quilts are beautiful! I love that you are country girls – me, too! Gotta love those Beagles, too. My favorite precut is fat quarters!!!!!
I like them all but I find myself using charm packs the most; thanks for chance!
I like most pre-cuts but I usually buy charm packs or layer cakes. Thinking what I’m going to do with them is great fun!
Congrats on the book and thanks for the giveaway!
I love all the precuts but my fave is probably a layer cake :)
I have only used Charm packs. I love to use them for projects because they work up quickly and make for instant gratification. Would love to try a jelly roll sometime. Thanks!
I love fat quarter bundles. They are so versatile! thanks for the chance to win!
I’m starting to discover a lot of fun projects with jelly rolls. I just love all the options with any of the Moda’s precuts. Moda Bake Shop is such a fantastic idea. Thanks for the contest and participating so that we can see your beautiful quilts.
I love just about all the pre-cuts. When I got into quilting I started buying the charm squares when Moda put them in a little tin!! From there it went to jelly rolls and layer cakes. I always buy new charm squares all the time. I have to start buying more layer cakes.
I love the charm packs and the strips. They are so quick and easy to use. Thanks for the opportunity on the draw.
I love that yall quilt together! My mom and I both learned to quilt this year and we love doing it together now! :) I love fat quarter bundles but I’m loving the new Moda mini charms! Too precious!!
congratulations to both of yous. i like all of the pre-cuts because they that all of the cutting time out of my projects. this way i have more time for sewing. sorr to hear about gracie.
I really like the Mod Century fat quarter bundles Jenn Ski – I love all pre cuts but mostly charm packs and fat quarters.
Thank you
sandyb720 at gmail dot com
I am very embarrassed to say that I was the one who said, “Why in the world would ANYBODY buy 21/2″ strips of fabric?” OMG How I absolutely LOVE jelly rolls and I confess that I head straight to the precuts in the quilt shops FIRST!!
Thank you for giving me a chance to win.
My fingers are crossed. ;)
Connie
SE MN
I have always love fat eights..but have jumped on the bandwagon and absolutely Love LOVe LUV Jellyrolls! Seriously easy to use!
I have only used the charms and that was to make skirts for 3 of my granddaughters:) I have another pack that I am thinking of using in a disappearing 9 patch. So with such limited experience, I can’t say that I have a favorite. I also have a jelly roll that I want to try using.
I like birds & berries by Lauren & Jessi Jung
I seem to buy a lot of Charm packs but I really do LOVE fat quarter bundles and Jelly Rolls.
Love that you and Kelli sew together, I hoping someday my daughter will show an interest in quilting. Thanks for the chance to win.
Yes, I agree with many earlier comments. Fat Quarters are what I buy the most of when I buy precuts. You two seem to have so much fun! How fortunate you are that you both enjoy quilting! Congrats on the lovely quilts in the new book! such talent.
I love fabric….and I love fat quarter bundles….because you get more fabric in those, right?! LOL!
My favorite is fat quarters…more fabric so more options. I like the look of your quilts; hope to win a copy of the book so I can check them out in detail. Thanks for the chance.
I love charm squares and fat quarter bundles.
Thanks for the chance to win.
My favorite pre-cuts are tied between Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes, they both suit different tasks
…although its ALWAYS Jelly Rolls for a quick Charity 1600 quilt at my guild
I love jelly rolls- they make the project so quick because you are not having to cut the strips.
Loved the post- enjoy visiting your blog regularly. Thanks for the chance to win such a nice book.
Regards from western Canada,
Anna
I love the FQ bundles. I don’t know that there is a quilt out there that I couldn’t stretch that bundle to nearly make the top (no sashing of course) :p well I may be exaggerating a bit. But honestly those are my favorites. Thanks for a chance to win and loved reading about you two. You seem to have lots of fun together. :)
My favoirte precut woudl be fat quarter bundles, but what most often comes home with me are charm packs…easier on the wallet for an impulse purchse! Enjoy your new puppy! I know how hard it is to loose a four-legged friend. Your recipe sounds yummy! Will have to try it and also pass it along to my nephew in college. Perfect for small kitchen cooking! Great quilts for the book! Keep having fun!
I LOVE the jelly rolls! Seeing just a peek of all the wonderful fabrics and the anticipation of imagining what I could do with them is almost as much fun as actually breaking it open and using it!
I have probably made more items with charm packs but I also like jelly rolls.
I LOVE fat quarter packs/bundles – I love going to quilt shops and just “fanning” thru them as they are so nicely bundled up. However “fanning” them in the store is as close as I ever get to “having” them…. The price tag is the part I have a hard time getting past – espeically with times they way they are. I’ve tried to be frugal and use what I already have – however that can get boring if you know what I mean. I think the charm packs are cute too – however I am afraid to buy them thinking I’d not have just enough of a piece color for what I might be making. I love your blog and am jealous of your new long arm :) Enjoy sewing on it iwth your daughter – what great memories you are both making together!!!!
I’m working with a fat quarter bundle of Vintage Modern right now so I’d have to say that’s my favorite today. Tomorrow….I’m bound to say another fabric choice is my favorite. Beautiful quilts, ladies…..can’t wait to see the third one in the book.
love Love LOVE your quilts! I just finished a quilt with a jelly role but I think my favorite would be charm’s.
I love fat quarters. You can get so much out of them. Thanks for sharing a bit of yourselves with us. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love fat quarter bundles… you get to enjoy the whole line of fabric!
The only pre-cuts I have used so far have been fat quarters, though I do have a jelly roll but have been too apprehensive to use it as yet.
My fav is fat quarter bundles. I’m excited for the book & a chance to win.
I love to use FQ- I can mix and match and always get leftovers for smaller projects :)
Many thanks for the great givaway!
Fat quarters are my favorite.
I like jelly rolls and layer cakes…so many things I can make with them!
Pretty quilts!
My favorite are the FQs. So fun! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love layer cakes. Beautiful quilts you made!
Gosh, I love charm packs, but jelly rolls are probably my favorite because I’m an unintentionally wonky cutter and I just love the precision of their 2.5 inch strips.
Charm packs are so easy and versatile. I love them. Thanks for sharing the pictures of you two. Nice to see who you are. And, thanks for the opportunity to win.
Fat quarters are my favourites as yu can so so much with them. Lovely countryside.
Jelly rolls! I love jelly rolls. I have 3 in my stash right now ready to go but I don’t want to untie the ribbon.
I love jelly rolls, there are so many new patterns to use them with. I love your blog post mostly because they are so interesting and your a midwest gal who loves quilting!!!!
I have to go with Fat Quarters as my favorite!!! Thanks for sharing in the blog hop!!!
Fat Quarter Bundles…you get to see the whole wonderful line at once! Thanks for the chance!
Give Thanks Layer Cake is my favorite precut. Thank you for the great giveaway.
I would have to say jelly roll is the most versatile for the projects I want to work on.
Charm pack and fat quarters so far – have not tried any of the other pre-cuts – Trying to be good and use what is in the stash – but every so often need to add some new spunky something to spice things up a bit. Can so relate to your wonderful relationship with each other – my daughter and I are bestest friends also — we also play well together..
What pretty quilts and to make both at once – now that is interesting..
Thanks so much for the chance to maybe win something….
I love them all. Any fabric size is used in my quilting projects. Would love to win. Thanks for the chance.
I absolutely love Fat Quarter Bundles! They are so versatile. You can cut layer cakes, charms, jelly rolls, and honey buns! Particularly great when you’re in love with a fabric line – the versatility alllows for multiple projects!
I am a FQ kinda gal. I think the Layer cakes are a good addition to my stash as well.
I buy charm packs because that is what I can afford. I would LOVE to have a FQ pack someday.
I love fat quarter bundles! They are perfect for jump-starting any new project!
I fell in love with Moda fabrics after I bought a few charm packs off the internet. Now I prefer to purchase layer cakes, ‘cuz more fabric means more fun!! I also just bought my first mini-charm packs just for fun. Thanks for the give away!
I love fat quarter bundles. I have picked up several charm packs to make some Schnibble quilts and Primitive Gatherings designs.
Congrats to you and Kelli!! Great job!