What is Home a la mode?

Home a la mode is a step back in time. 

Get quality cotton linens for your kitchen or bedroom.  Tablecloths, towels, potholders, aprons and more.  Old style canisters and lunch tins are just a few of over 2,000 products Home a la mode offers.  

Our Quilt Shop has lots of MODA fabrics, books and notions… “If Moda makes it, we will carry it!”

ALSO, check out our newest line of Whimsical Fabrics with Nurses, Friends, Dogs, Cats, Girls and more… 

Our CARD in a QUILT… Say it with WORDS… get your panels off the website to let your favorite quilts have words of inspiration for that special someone. 

AND for all those travelers or locals, come check us out at our kitchen store at:  “Kaboodles” at 513 W Main Street, Denison, TX  75020  (across from Country Java).  It’s a 5,000 sq. foot store of arts, antiques and MORE!!!!

 

Christmas Manger Wall Hanging

Are you looking for a fun and easy Christmas project or gift?  Look no further!  We have created a beautiful wall hanging using our "Christmas Manger" panel and the Winterlude fabric line by Moda.  We have this kit for purchase on our website for $49.99 - it includes everything but the batting!

It's Been Awhile

Sorry we have been away from the blog world for a little while - the ladies of Home a la mode have been traveling all over.  In the last 6 weeks, we have been to Oklahoma City for the Affair of the Heart show, and the to Houston for the International Quilt Festival, and we are in Tulsa this weekend for the Affair of the Heart show again :)

We are busy making plans for the upcoming year.  We are really looking forward to growing this blog with new, fun product launches, videos & tutorials for quilts and crafts, and much more. 

We would LOVE to get your feedback - what would you like to see from Home a la mode?  Comment below.. you never know, there might be a prize involved ;)

Happy Birthday!

A few weeks ago, my amazing god-daughter turned the big 18!!!  I can still remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.  She has grown into an beautiful young lady, both inside and out.

She was my flower girl when she was 2-1/2 years old :)

Since I wasn't a quilter when she was born, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to make a special quilt for her.  And what a better thing to use than our "Say it With Words" panels.  I chose to use the Prayer Shawl panel because of the great sayings it has.  But I'll admit that is was also because it was charm pack friendly.  I chose the new LOL charm pack because of the great selection of colors, and her favorite is purple.  That, along with our quilter's grid and basting spray, made this a wonderful handmade, but quick project (I did the entire thing on a Sunday afternoon).

 Happy Sewing!  ~Jill

Bragging Rights - Peggy

At our recent show for the Plano Quilt Guild, we got to see and visit with one of our good customers, Peggy.  She had told us that the fabric she bought from us at another one of our shows had turned into a beautiful Saw Tooth Log Cabin Quilt.

And she was right.  Check out this GORGEOUS quilt she made using Moda Fabrics.  Along with the quilting done by Richard Larson, she now has a treasured keepsake to last for generations to come.

Remember, send us your pictures of what you have made and we will brag on you too.  Email them to me at jsmisek@homealamode.com or just post them to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/homealamode.

~Happy Sewing!

Back to School... Time to Sew!

I want to start off my congratulating all the moms out there with kiddos in school.  WE DID IT!!!!  We made it through another summer with our kids and they are still alive.  I don't know about you, buy I really LOVE my kids.  But I also love dropping them off at school with their shiny new backpacks, ready to learn... and then heading to Starbucks with my BFF to enjoy a cup of coffee without anyone needing anything from us :)

Here's a peak of my little angels starting the first day of school - my oldest started middle school and was too cool to let us walk her in :(

Well, now that the formalities of the "posting-of-the-first-day-of-school-pics" is over, it's time to get down to business.  We now have 9 months of "free" time - yes, we should probably be doing laundry, cleaning something, or other chores.  But let's face it, we would rather be sewing ;)

This is your formal invitation to "SHOW US WHAT YOU HAVE MADE"!!!!  We would LOVE to see our Facebook wall covered with pictures of what you have made - whether is be quilts, crafts, or anything else using Moda fabric, "Say it With Words" panel, or any of our other amazing products.  Make sure you share our Facebook page with all your friends, too, so they can see your creations as well.

Our newest quilter, Claire

Below is the story (short as it may be), written by my 11 year old about making her first quilt.

One day, I made the mistake of saying "I'm bored" at my Granny's (Karen) house.  It was the 4th of July.  She gave me some grid and charm packs and told me I was going to make a quilt.  It took forever, but I was so happy to finish it.  I love how soft it is!  Sincerly, Claire - The 11 Year old Seamstress.

Here are some pictures along the way.

 Pressing it all down

 

Got it all laid out and pressed!

 Time to start sewing

And, here's the completed picture!!!

Now, because summers get crazy and the school year is even crazier, she didn't get much of a chance to work on it.  That's why it took her until this summer to get it finished.  But I'm so proud of her.  She did the quilting and even the hand-sewn binding.  I guess it will soon be time for her to start another project... but I bet she never tells her Granny she is bored again ;)

~Happy Sewing!

Tablecloths to Curtains

We LOVE hearing from our customers - especially when they send us pictures of what they have made!!!

Check out what our friend, Susan, made with our Lakehouse Tablecloths :)

 

And here are her sweet comments:

Hello!

Just sending these photos so that you can see how darling the tablecloth “curtains” turned out in our cabin’s guest room. We bought these from you. They are darling. Thanks for the quick fulfillment of the order and the cute packaging. We’re very happy with our purchase!

If you have made anything with our products and would like to be bragged on, email it to me at jsmisek@homealamode.com.

Happy Sewing! ~Jill

It's Time for Another "Affair"

Once again, the ladies of Home a la mode loaded up the trailer (a day early this time;)) and headed up north to the Tulsa Expo Center.  Being that this is one of the hottest shows we do, we were praying for cooler weather.  But as you all know, cooler weather in the south during the summer only comes with a rain storm.  So, we got a little wet unloading, but at least we didn't sweat as bad (see, there is an upside to everything).

If you are in the Tulsa area, or are just looking for an excuse for an impromptu road trip, head on out to the Affair of the Heart show.  Tell us that you read about it on this blog post for a special prize :)

A quick, little 4th of July Bunting

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across this adorable idea on Pinterest and decided to re-create for the upcoming Independence Day celebration!  It was tucked away in the back of my mind, but when I ran across the flags in the Dollar Section at Target, the idea was born.

Supplies:

• Small fabric flags - I found these at Target and they were 3/$1 :)
• Burlap
• Jumbo Ric Rac
• Wonder Under
• Thread
• Sewing Machine

1. Cut the flags off the sticks to a uniform size - mine ended up being 4" x 6".
   
2. Apply Wonder Under to the flags.
3. Cut burlap to desired size - mine are 7" x 7" square.  If you need tips on how to cut burlap straight, check out our tutorial.
4. Iron the flags onto your burlap squares and stitch around the edges to secure.  Make sure you leave enough room at the top of the square to add the ric rac.
   
5. Stitch the ric rac to the top of the squares.  I left about 12 inches of "tail" on both ends so that I can hang however and wherever I want.
   

And voila, you are done and ready to hang!  Here's wishing you and yours a blessed holiday - and prayers to all the wonderful servicemen and women who help provide the independence and freedom we live under.

 ~Blessings!

An "Affair" Texas-Style

Many of you have met us along our journey with the Affair of the Heart shows in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.  Well, the amazing people of Affair of the Heart decided to take that wonderful tradition south of the border (well, the Texas/Oklahoma border that is).  

We have arrived, set up, and the doors are open!  Come out to the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio this weekend and visit us - we are in Booth #266-269.

Karen will be doing her demo of the AWESOME Quilter's Grid, we have more fabric than ever, and all 50 states in our Hand Embroidered State Towel collection. 

Tutorial: Toweling into Towels

Have you ever seen our collection of toweling and thought "so cute, but what would I do with it?"  Well, here's one thing... you can make your own kitchen towels.


SUPPLIES:

• 2 yards of the toweling of your choice.  Check out our selection here.
• Coordinating thread
• Twill tape or trim of your choice
• Iron and ironing board
• Rotary cutter
• Rotary mat
• Ruler
• Sewing machine

STEPS:

1. Take your 2 yards of toweling and fold into equal thirds.  Press the folds.
2. Using your rotary cutter, cut just to the edge of the fold, creating 3 equal pieces of toweling.
3. Fold over the edge the same distance as the side seams and press.
   
4. Fold over again to enclose the raw edge.
   
5. Repeat on the other end.
6. Cut approximately 5-1/2" of trim (you can alter depending on the size of the hook you want) and fold in half.
7. Slide the raw edges of the trim under the folded seam and pin into place.
   
8. Sew the seams down, staying close to the edge.  

And voila, you now have 3 new kitchen towels!

 

Happy Sewing!  ~Jill

The Perfect Little Summer Dress (and it's super easy)

Recently, one of my adorable nieces celebrated her 4th birthday.  She truly believes she is a princess and insists on wearing dresses every day.  So, what is a better gift than a new dress.  I didn't really follow a pattern, but by using tips and tricks that I learned using Angela Yosten's Rags to Ruffles pattern.

My girls thought is would be fun to make her a matching dress for her doll as well. 

I found a tutorial for this pillowcase-style dress on the "Creating Kidstuff" blog.  Click here for the tutorial.


Happy Sewing!  ~Jill

Table Runner Tutorial

Our "Say It With Words" panels are great for quilts - but here is another fabulous way to sew up some inspiration.  This table runner can be used on special occasions or even everyday.

Snug up with a "Flannel Tonight" Quilt

For those of you who knew Karen back in her quilt shop days will remember the "Flannel Tonight" quilts that everyone HAD to make!  We finally got her to sit still long enough to write up a tutorial so we can share this great quilt pattern with all our friends.

Great gift ideas for Springtime Celebrations

Just recently, our beautiful goddaughter made her Confirmation and my husband had the honor of being her sponsor. 

After scouring the Internet for the perfect gift idea, I decided to look no further than the amazing Home a la mode website (I'm not biased or anything :))  I decided to make her a quilt - I loved the idea of a keepsake that she could take with her wherever life takes her.  Naturally, I turned to our line of "Say It With Words" panels - especially the scriptural ones.  I felt drawn to the "Beatitudes" panel - I felt this is a great outline for how we should live our lives.

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

My dad recently celebrated his birthday with us.  It was a great day with family and we were blessed with AH-MAZINGLY beautiful weather.  We all enjoyed so time outside, just playing and spending time together.  My wonderful hubby fired up the grill and we made our favorite burgers.

Tutorial Thursday - Table Grace Coasters

A few weeks ago, I posted a tutorial for the Table Grace Table Runner.  Here is the follow-up that I promised.

Our First Video tutorial & a Giveaway!

Have you been to one of our shows lately?  If so, you have been witness to Karen demonstrating our FAVORITE quilt product, Quilter's Grid.

Well, we decided to share this fun, educational experience with the entire world.  We are starting a series of video tutorials that will help in your learning and knowledge of quilting and sewing.

And we have hit 10,000!!!

This past weekend, the Home a la mode ladies were at the Dallas Quilt Celebration at Market Hall.  We had a great time and got to meet some amazing new friends, along with visiting with some old friends.

Our "Say it With Words" samples and Quilter's Grid were a big hit and we are busy getting the shipments ready to send out!

And as you may know, we were VERY close to getting our 10,000th order before arriving at the show!  Well, on Sunday afternoon, it happened!!!  And to make it more special, the woman who won is one of the amazing therapists that help with Karen's mom at the nursing home.

We look forward to the next 10,000 orders and meeting more friends along the way!

Friends Indeed

Just recently, some very dear friends of me and my family were transferred to Washington DC.  Although we know this is where they need to be, it was heart-breaking for me and especially for my youngest daughter.  My kiddos are at that stage of life where friends move away, and they don't really understand why :(

To commemorate our wonderful friendship, I wanted to send them off with something special.  What is more special than a quilt made from the heart.  So of course, I turned to our "Say it With Words" panels for inspiration.  The "Friends Indeed" panel really spoke to me - especially the one that says "True Friends are never far apart... maybe in distance, but not in heart."  I know we will see them again (we've already planned our summer vacation) and they feel in their hearts that their time in Texas hasn't ended.  We can only hope and pray that jobs and situations bring them back to us.

Just remember, the road to a friend's house is never long - or so I hope on our LONG drive this summer with 2 kiddos ;-)

Where have you been?

Do you like to travel around our beautiful 50 states?  What type of souvenirs to you gravitate towards?  Well, our collection of State Tablecloths and Towels are a wonderful way to remember where you've been, where you want to go, or just where your friends and family are.  They also make great gifts for those that have moved away.  Keep the memories of where life has taken you :)

Our Snowy "Affair"

We are back!!!  

 

After a somewhat treacherous drive north, we arrived.  This was the first time I remember wearing gloves, scarves, hats, and more layers just to set up the booth.  The unloading of the trailer took even more layers ;)

But now, after a warm meal and a comfy night's sleep, we are refreshed and ready to go.  We are located in the Travel and Transportation Building, Booth #195-196.  We have some great specials going on that you don't want to miss!  And Karen is doing a demo to make your quilting life easier (or you beginners can learn quickly), so stop by and visit with us.