NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

WE HAVE A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
janpatekquiltsinc@gmail.com.
Please send all emails to that address

Friday, September 23, 2011

Day 18 - Jan Patek of Brannock/Patek

Welcome to Day 18 of the Moda County Fair Blog Hop.


I have fond memories of County Fairs in Harper, Kansas where my brother and I would go spend the summer with our Great Aunt Odell and Uncle Carl Elliot. The fairgrounds was right down the street from their house - Kid heaven!




Aunt Odell and Uncle Carl owned a house in town and they also owned a farm outside of town where we would go for picnics and fishing. Our summers there were a huge influence on my life today. They're pretty well the reason we now live in the country. (Cousins Wayne and Katherine had this great chicken house and my Grandpa Laird who lived in Kansas City had a huge garden and a chicken house in his back yard.)




Lissa Alexander - our favorite marketing guru at Moda asked

"What's your favorite Fair Food"? Caramel Corn and hot dogs.

Since Sandy Klop has already told you about her Caramel Corn, Pep got busy and made our favorite Caramel Corn.




Cranberry-Orange Caramel Corn



12 cups popped popcorn (about ½ cup kernels


1 cup dried cranberries


½ cup whole almonds


½ cup butter


½ cup packed brown sugar


¼ cup light colored corn syrup


2 Tbsp orange juice


2 tsp vanilla


½ tsp baking soda



1. Preheat oven to 275. In a very large bowl combine popcorn, cranberries & almonds. Set aside.









In a 2 qt saucepan cook and stir the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat until butter is melted. Stir in orange juice. Bring to boiling over medium heat. Boil at a moderate, steady rate for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda (mixture will foam up).


3. Pour the syrup mixture over the popcorn mixture in a bowl; stir to coat well.






Transfer to a 15x10x1 inch baking pan or shallow roasting pan.






Bake for 30 minutes, stirring twice. Transfer caramel corn to a large sheet of greased heavy foil; cool.




When it's cool, put it in a large bowl and serve.






And with four grandkids in the house for the weekend, don't expect it to last very long. :)



Do you have a pet? Boy, do I! His name is Spike. He is 6 months old and he's an English Bulldog. And I'm sorry to say that he's getting rather spoiled. He loves sitting on laps - and quilts.






Here he is asking pretty please can he make a bed on the quilts.







And here he is after he's been told "No!". Spoiled or not there are limits. :)



What's your Guilty Pleasure? Climbing in bed at night with a good book and a piece of chocolate. (And please don't tell my dentist - who is also my son. He says that sugar on your teeth before you go to sleep is a huge no-no.) Ah well, that why it's a guilty pleasure - once in awhile.



What's on your bucket list? 1.) A trip to Alaska and down the coast to see the whales.

2.) A tour of the New England states and Maine to see the leaves in the Fall. The 2nd one may never happen because Market is in the Fall.



Now for the Goodies. I have two to give away - (Many thanks to Moda, of course) - a Fat 1/4 bundle and a Jelly Roll of Linda and my latest line "Together". The line has shipped and should be at your local quilt shop now.

Leave a comment, any old thing at all, between now and October 2nd when I get back from the AQS Festival in DesMoines. We'll have a drawing then for two of the names and send out the prizes.






And here's our free pattern to download. It really is from both Linda and I. Years ago she gave me a Pineapple Trivet stuffed with bay leaves. When we needed a County Fair type project for the Blog Hop her trivet came immediately to mind. You can't believe the awesome smell you get when you set a hot dish on it. So from Linda and I - Enjoy!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Day 14 of County Fair - Barbara Brackman

First, here's "Shoo Crow!", the quilt that's hanging in the back hall. It won't be going to Arkansas or Iowa but is staying home to make us happy when we head to the back of the house. The pattern for it is in We Gather Together, one of my Kansas City Star books.

It's officially Fall at our house - the summer quilts have been folded and taken to the loft and the Fall quilts put in place yesterday. This is Oak Leaves and Turkey Feathers. If you want the pattern you're in luck because it's in Country Paths and Country Paths is our special this month.



The foyer quilts are hung on a board that's painted the same color as the wall. Then the board hangs on hooks on the wall. We used to hang each quilt on the wall but Pep came up with this idea. It's a lot easier to take the board down to take one quilt off and put another on.

Except - of course - when you have help.


Boy, did I get a dirty look when I told Spike he couldn't make a bed on the quilts.

Today is Barbara Brackman's day on the Blog Hop. Besides being a great fabric designer she is, of course, an awesome historian. Her blog is always full of interesting information and today is no exception.

And her free pattern is for a 60's retro Chicken Potholder. I loooove it!!! I have got to find time somehow, somewhere to make some. I'd say somebody could make some for me for Christmas but I'm the only one in the family that sews. Maybe I could talk Wendy into making some for me. And I even want her retro fabric. That I know where to get.


And speaking of finding time to do things, this will be my last post for awhile - except, of course, for my day on the 23rd.
I'm getting ready to leave for Ft. Smith, Arkansas and the Arkansas Quilt Congress. First I'll take Spike down to see my brother (the veterinarian) in Springfield, Mo. for an overall puppy checkup. Then on to Ft. Smith to teach 2 workshops on the 23rd and give a lecture on the 24th.
I'll pick Spike up on the way home, get here Sunday and leave Monday for Des Moines, Iowa and the AQS Festival there from Wed. 28th - Oct. 1st. - Booth 100
If you're in either area - come visit, please.
Then I need to get ready for Market - the fabric from our new line is due here that week.
Whew!

I am getting my blog ready to post on the 23rd and both Michele and Tori will make sure it's posted.

Meanwhile there are lots of great things in store for you on the Moda County Fair Blog Hop. Click here (or on the button on the right) to see what's going on each day.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Lucky Day 13 - Aneela Hooey & Day 12 - Blackbird Designs

Sorry I missed posting yesterday but I was in Kansas City all day with my Girl Gang. One of the things we did was take a sneek peek at the 2011-12 Girl Gang quilt "Sampler Spree". I don't do a lot of quilts with pieced blocks because I like my blocks to have something to say about what's going on in my life. They need to mean something to me. But this year I found quite a few that did. The pinwheel block stands for my friend Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Co. Jenny taught me how to get four 2" finished triangle squares out of two 5" charm squares. Wow! The basket blocks always stand for quilting and the log cabin block is an obvious favorite. 2011 is the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War and that is represented with the Lincoln's Platform block. The wheel block stands for travel and my trip to France this spring to visit the great people at Quiltmania.


So here's the quilt in tan. In color my quilt is made from our latest fabric line "Together" and Linda and my Classic Wovens. I hope you can find a Gang shop near you so you can make the quilt. If not, email us at janpatekquilts@yahoo.com and we'll see what we can do to help you.

Then hop on over to the UK and visit with Aneela Hoey's. She didn't have a booth at Market so there's no recipe card but she does have the instructions on how to make this darling "Tissue Box". The name of her blog is Comfort Stitching. How neat! Kind of says a lot about her doesn't it. :)


And then if you were really busy yesterday too, take a moment to visit with Barb and Alma of Blackbird designs. Their new fabric line Blueberry Crum Cake looks scrumptious and Alma has instructions to make this great Huswife.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Day 11 - Kansas Troubles.

This is not Lynne - it's Wilhamina. :) (Sorry, Lynne, I just couldn't resist it.) Obviously Wilhamina Witch. She might work quite well in the back hall. She's available as a kit (we have a very few left) or a pattern (we have more of those.) But she'll probably come with us to Des Moines. She's a good little witch and wants to go.



This is Lynne - a very nice lady


and her husband Robert. She says he's the one on the right.

You need to hop on over to her blog and see some of the neat things from the Kansas State Fair. I particularly liked the Duct Tape Division. Wow! Pep would have gone wild. He loves duct tape. He says it's like the "Force" - it has a dark side and a light side and holds the universe together. And I'm sure that's not original with him. :)



And while you're visiting her blog and seeing the sights at the Fair make a try at her giveaway of precuts from her new line, Cattails & Clover.

Here's her recipe from Market.



Thursday, September 15, 2011

Day 10 - Joanna of Fig Tree

This is "3 Pumpkins and 5 Black Cats". I'm thinking of quilts to put in the back hall while I'm gone. I think we have a few kits left though (as well as the pattern) and if we do, it will go to Festival in Des Moines too. Hmmm! I'll just have to keep looking.


Meanwhile, it's Day 10 of the Moda Blog Hop and Day 10 belongs to Joanna of Fig Tree who just happens to have as her free pattern --- chickens. Yay Joanna! You can download the pattern for free at the present time and she also has a few kits for sale as well as a yummy giveaway.



Here's her recipe card from Market.


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Day 9 - Liesl of Oliver & S

This is "Jack at the Gate" which is one of my Fall favorites for my back hall. I've got Punkin Heads there right now but will have to take it down soon to go to Arkansas for the Quilt Congress and then on to Des Moines for the AQS Festival there. I was going to put this in it's place but come to think of it, this one will have to go both places too. Decisions, decisions. Well, at least I do have a big selection to choose from - lots of Fall wallhangings and quilts. Hmmm! "Sunflowers and Scarecrows"? That's a good one too. It's in Primitive Quilts & Projects right now.
Jack at the Gate is available as a kit or a pattern if you want to make one.


Today is Day 9 of the Moda County Fair Blog Hop - Liesl of Oliver & S. She is a most charming lady and a welcome addition to our Moda Designer team. And she has the neatest patterns for children's clothes - their dolls too.


So hop on over and learn more about her. Here's her recipe from Market.


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Day 8 - Sandy Klop

This is my newest BOM "Cabin in the Pines" made out of Together and our Classic Wovens. It really makes me happy. I can't wait to see it hanging in my foyer but right now it's in France getting it's picture taken. And if you get the latest issue of Quiltmania, on the inside front cover Moda has an ad for Together and a picture of the quilt. :)
At the moment you can hie down to your nearest quilt shop for the pattern or get it from us if they don't have it. We're also offering a very few kits and I do mean a very few.


Now on to the Blog Hop and one of my favorite Moda ladies, Sandy Klop. At least she was until today. She just fell from grace because she stole my favorite County Fair food. I just love Caramel Corn. I'm not usually a sweets fan - much rather have the savory. And that's probably why I like it best - you get the sweet with the popcorn taste too. Well, I guess I'll have to reinstate her as a favorite Moda lady and share the Caramel Corn.


A few years ago Sandy came to the farm for a week and boy, did we have a good time. I just love her California colors and designs. And of course, we all know I love chickens. So hop on over to Moda's blog and get her free pattern and a chance on her fabric.



Here's her recipe from Market.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Day 7 - Minick & Simpson

I love Fall and I love pumpkins. This is one of the new "Together" quilts, "Pumpkins & Geese". The pattern is available now. You can get it at your favorite quilt shop or if you can't find it click on the title and get it from us. (The kit will be available soon - if you belong to the Quilt of the Quarter club, you'll get it with a 15% discount.) The quilt is 87" x 97". Flying Geese and Pumpkins - 2 of my favorite Fall things.

Anyway, besides showing a quilt each day that makes me happy - this really does tie into the Moda County Fair blog post for Day 7 - Minick & Simpson.
Polly (Minick) and Laurie (Simpson) are just the nicest people in the world as well as awesome designers. Be sure to hop on over to their blog to get their free pattern and a chance on some really great fabric.

This is Victory Girls - one of their latest quilts and a KC Star book you just have to have.



And you have to read Polly's favorite County Fair memory. It's about cupcakes and brought a huge smile to my face. Way to go Polly - you're my kind of cook.

Which brings me back to pumpkins. I know, my mind kind of jumps around, doesn't it? :)
Pumpkins and cupcakes. Polly & Laurie weren't able to come to Market so didn't have a recipe card. Here's the recipe for my favorite cupcakes - Pumpkin, of course. I think I'll make some for the munchkins this weekend. Thanks, Polly.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cupcakes

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

2 eggs beaten

1 cup canned pumpkin

½ cup cooking oil

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate pieces

Line 15 muffin cups with paper bake cups or grease muffin tins.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder & soda, salt and cinnamon. Make a well in the center of flour mixture. Set aside.

In another bowl combine eggs, pumpkin and oil. Add mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chip pieces. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.

Bake in 350 oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from cups. Cool completely.

Ice with canned chocolate frosting.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

9-11 First and Foremost - But also Day 6 - Basic Grey

Before we start the blog hop for the day let us take a moment to pause and remember those lost on 9/11/2001.
I usually remember things of significance in my life with a quilt. This is the 10th anniversary of that tragic day and if you would like to honor the day, the victims of that tragedy and their families by making this quilt, I'm offering a free download of the pattern today.
God bless us, Americans all.



It's called "Liberty Star". If you'd like a kit to go with the quilt you can get one by clicking here.

Today is also Day 6 of the Moda Designers Blog Hop and Day 6 belongs to Melanie Bauer of Basic Grey.

Hop on over and get her free pattern and see what she's giving away.

Here's their recipe from Market.



It bears repeating. God Bless us, Americans All. We'll never forget.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Day 5 - Edtya Sitar - Laundry Basket Quilts

This is another quilt that makes me happy. It's called Punkin Heads. It's our Mini Quilt Club selection for this month and will be shipping out next week. At the moment it's hanging in my hall in the back of the house for everyone to see on their way to the kid's rooms - where we are all going constantly to pick things up. At least we get to see a neat little quilt on the way to the clutter. :)
It's made out of our new line "Together" and our "Classic Wovens". You can either get the kit or the pattern. I kind of like it.

After you smile at the Punkin Heads, hop on over to Edyta's blog. She is such an amazing, full of energy and gracious lady.
And she has a free pattern for this neat purse........


along with a chance to win a bucket full of goodies - including her latest fabric and her new book. You can beat that!


Here's her recipe card from Market.


Friday, September 9, 2011

Day 4 Camille Roskelley of Bonnie & Camille

This isn't Camille's house, it's mine - only mine isn't blue except in this quilt. I thought I'd start each day's post with a quilt that makes me happy and well, most all of them do. This is Happy Hollow and it's getting ready to go on the wall in my foyer where I can see it every day so I thought I'd show it to you too. If you want a kit, we only have 2 left. Once again, first come, first served. The pattern is in We Gather Together if you miss getting a kit or just want to use your stash.
I do so love Fall and we are having gorgeous weather.


And speaking of gorgeous, you need to hop on over to Camilles and meet her family and see her quilts. And get the story behind her dish soap bottle apron. She has the pattern for us too.


To get her pattern and a chance to win some "Ruby" jelly rolls click here.



Here's the recipe she brought to Market. Sounds yummy! I'll have to get Pep to make one.


I'm going to the dentist today to get my teeth deep cleaned. And it's such a pretty day! Well, at least my dentist is my son and he's taking me to lunch first. :) And I get to play with my grandkids. Gabriel and Lilly are both in preschool already - they grow up soooooo fast.
Have a good one ladies.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Day 3 - Me and My Sister

No - this isn't Barb and Mary :)
Sorry girls. That will teach you to beat me up with your suitcase at Market. (It really was an accident but I like to give them grief.)
It is Donder and Blitzen. We thought we were out but we found one kit in the wrong bin. If you want it click here. There is only one so first come, first served.

And we found 2 Pumpkin Wreath kits.

Always a favorite of mine. Click here if you want one of them. Again first come, first served.

Now on to Barb and Mary - really nice people and great fun. I love their blog post today. Just to let you know - I am NOT doing the pie thing on my day. Nope. :)
I do love their napkin ring idea so jump on over to their blog, catch up on their antics and get their pattern.
Here's their recipe from Market.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Day 2 of County Fair Blog Hop - Bunny Hill

You need to hop right over to Anne's blog. To begin with she is really a very entertaining lady - she and Chelsea - her chihuahua. If you have a baby or grandchild coming (or maybe just for you) you've got to try for her "Putting on the Ritz" precuts. And download the pattern for her cupcake banner or pincushion.

But WAIT - there's more. This is Henrietta Whiskers. Not only is the pattern awesome (Zoie would die for it) - the quilt is made mostly out of Linda and my "Lilac Hill" fabrics and the patterns are Free - for now.


Here's her recipe from Market. Enjoy!


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Untangling the mess and COUNTY FAIR BLOG HOP!

This is going to be a busy day - or should I say week. I think it's going to take us more than a day to go through all of last week's emails that came while we were out of town. And then we get to try to straighten out the problem with PayPal. We have no idea why they were sending orders to our old, defunct email address. And of course, all the problems had to come right after the Together give-away. Bear with us, we will figure things out and get you your orders.
On to what's up now.
Here were a bunch of us at Spring Market, getting ready for the Moda County Fair Schoolhouse.


Each of us designed a block that Moda put together into a sampler quilt. To learn more about it go to the County Fair blog button to the right.

This month, we're doing a blog hop. (You can get the list of who has what day by clicking on the blog button.) We'll each have all sorts of goodies to give away and a free pattern for a County Fair type project. So be sure to check back each day.

I can't paint pictures with my toes like Sandy G. so I scanned the recipes from everyone that we had in our booths at Market. Be sure to read Sandy's before you hop to her site to see what she has for you.