Thanks so much to everyone who came to Modern Domestic on Saturday or to Powell’s on Sunday (and especially to my husband Andrew, who came to both with the two kids and is a total rock star as always). The Modern Log Cabin Quilting parties were so lovely and everyone who came out to say hi was so cool. I wanted to write up a quick recap with some photos… thank you to Daniela for sharing hers from MD, and Patrick and Diane (for snapping some with my phone) at Powell’s.

The Modern Domestic party was just awesome. Beautiful light at the end of the day in that lovely space, seeing lots of PMQG friends and meeting some new Portland sewers and quilters, having cupcakes and wine, and signing books and giving away log cabin block kits… what’s not to like?

Just a quick note on the wine… yes, that IS a log cabin block on the label – !!! I originally saw a Pinot Gris by Patchwork Cellars on the shelf at New Seasons (that one has a double wedding ring design on the label) about a month ago, and got really excited to serve it at Modern Domestic. When I was planning nice party things, I went to their site and was awestruck to see that their Pinot Noir had an antique log cabin block in the Sunshine and Shadow style, with the red center (love). Oh, I just couldn’t believe it.

I called to find out which local stores carried both wines, and Brian was so warm and helpful and personally made sure I could successfully track down three precious bottles of each one by Saturday – truly the kind of friendliness that makes Oregon a very special place to live (and throw a party). I really can’t recommend their lovely wine highly enough… here’s where you can find it for your next craft night or cocktail hour!

After the book signing, we gave away prizes, and then everyone settled in to a super fun open sewing night upstairs and downstairs.

It was really great to see what everyone was making! Daniela, Monica, Marcia and I were all piecing blocks for QfQ, Christina was making a very nice intricately pieced block for a bee,

Jill was cutting for a new quilt, Jen was making a Modern Crosses (yay! more on that next week!), Bethe was cutting for a Vintage Linens-inspired tonal quilt, Gillian was cutting for a Single Girl Quilt (on my dream list so it was really great to see it in action), and Deb was making her daughter a beyond adorable Oliver + S ensemble – which I had the bonus treat of seeing modeled in person at Little T the next morning when we bumped into each other in the coffee line!

Getting ready for Powell’s was really exciting and also a little overwhelming. With two children under three, three boxes of lovely snacks, and three huge bags of quilts and patchwork projects in tow, we descended on the Pearl Room just in time to set everything up! Huge thank-yous to Diane and Jamin for helping me, Kevin, and Christopher from Powell’s get everything organized so nicely.

We had such a nice crowd, including five of Pearl’s closest buddies and their parents, and Christopher (who is making his first quilt – a crazy quilt!) gave me a really awesome introduction. I chatted about a few of the projects, my design process for a few favorites, how much I treasured the crucial help that some dear friends gave me this week when Pearl was sick, and then read my short history of log cabin quilting. I took a few questions about quilting and log cabin, and then everyone enjoyed delicious log cabin- and quilt-themed treats made by Kathy.

This was also an only-in-Oregon miracle! I’d met Kathy once about a year ago, and she’s good friends with my dear Diane. She’d emailed Diane saying how much she’d like to make some fun petit fours for a party if she had any suggestions for something coming up, and Diane connected her with me for what turned out to be a magical collaboration.

Kathy made us lovely apple tarts, fat quarter chocolate tarts, lovely macarons, and even log cabin block-inspired lemon bars (with, of course, the beloved red center representing the heart of the home). Awesome.

You can find her at her blog or right here if you’re interested in a pastry collaboration extraordinaire, too!

Then I signed books and got to chat with people, which was really fun. Everyone was so great, from old friends to people I’d never met before that afternoon. It really felt like a party all of the sudden!

Anyone waiting to get their book signed got to hang out by the long tables of projects and check them out along the way (with treats in hand). It was really fun to hear which quilts and bags and projects people were the most drawn to, or curious about… thanks to everyone who had nice compliments to share!

And yes, that is Michelle of PMQG (yay) wearing a hand-sewn log cabin pendant!

One last thing – speaking of Portland Modern Quilt Guild, I am super thrilled that my Anniversary Quilt from the book will be part of the Modern Quilt Show at PNCA that opens this Thursday!

It’s in gallery room 214 at PNCA, come by between 5:30 and 7:30 for drinks, snacks and quilts this Thursday, April 7… would love to see you!