National Sew A Jelly Roll Day.  Saturday, September 18, 2021.

Isn't this text print terrific?  ModaMichelle created it for this year's event.  More on that in a few minutes.  

If you're wondering what this is about, we're going to start sharing some of the things coming on our calendars.  I keep running lists in my notebook, and I'm often asked about "what's coming".  A lot.  There's sewing, making, cooking, events, and a few random things that have caught our attention so it's on my list.  

Did you know that September is National Sewing Month?  Created via an official proclamation in 1982 from President Ronald Reagan, this month-long celebration is to "recognize the importance of home sewing to our Nation."  We know it's important all the time - can I have a show of hands of those who kept their sanity the past eighteen months because of sewing?  

A vintage Brother sewing machine in Michelle's office - an envy-inducing, eagle-eyed thrift-store find.

To celebrate the month, we've put these things on our sewing-related to-do list:

• Start a new project!  Or at least start planning one.  Because that's always exciting.
• Finish a work-in-progress.  (Project in Bag?)
• Clean our sewing machine - dust, oil and change the needle.  (If your machine hasn't had a "spa day" in awhile, this is a good time to schedule a through cleaning and adjustment at your local sewing machine shop.)
• Clean and/or organize your sewing room.  Or at least a drawer or shelf.  
• Take a class - in person or online - or find a tutorial on YouTube and learn a new tool or technique.
• Find a shop or guild that does charity sewing, and donate some of your unused fabric and tools.  (Ask first to see what they might need.)

There are two sewing-quilting books coming this month that we're looking forward to - It Takes Two by Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobson, aka Me & My Sister Designs, and Hearth & Home by Sherri McConnell.

Compiling their six best-selling, two-fat-quarter patterns, It Takes Two shares new versions of their Ditty Bag, Ruffled Zipper Bag, Two Fat Quarter Bucket and more.  It Takes Two! will be in shops on September 1.

Side Door by Sherri McConnell is the cover quilt for Hearth & Home, and one of the fourteen projects included.  Coming in mid-September, the book features quilts, tablerunners and pillows.  

Non-sewing-quilting books?  There are two books on my nightstand right now - The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny and We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz.  (Yes, I know about Kindle and e-books, but I will always love the feel of a real book, especially at night.)

We'll have a few more Christmas Make & Takes to share this month - a couple of different banners, a cute wreath made with a charm pack, stockings made with a quilted panel, and I can't remember what else.  

Consider this a teaser.

If you know me at all, you probably know that I love interesting holidays.  National Ice Cream Sandwich Day?  I'm in!  (Not in September - that was August 2nd.)  But there are two to note for September.

September 19th, National Talk Like A Pirate Day. It might sound silly but this is a nationally recognized fundraiser to support the Childhood Cancer Support organization in Australia.  And there was a time when you could get a free donut at Krispy Kreme by speaking - and dressing - like a pirate in the shop.  (Sadly, that's been discontinued.)

On September 22nd, we'll celebrate Business Women's Day.  The day honors the accomplishments and contributions of women working in every level of business.  Did you ever notice how many businesses in the quilting industry were created by women, and are owned and operated by women?  

September is also National Chicken Month, and National Mushroom Month.  Before you laugh about that, I have a seriously good, one-pot recipe to share - One Pot Chicken & Mushroom Orzo by Chungah Rhee of Damn Delicious.

Per the comments, make sure you lower the heat after adding the orzo.  It should be simmering, but not boiling.  And stir it frequently to make sure there isn't any orzo sticking to the bottom.  Also, I chose to coarsely-loosely chop the mushrooms and the spinach, and I might have added a bit more cheese.  (I also recommend Chungah's Warm Potato Salad.) 

By the end of September, most of us should start seeing more good apples at the grocery store, so add this to your weekend repertoire.

Smitten Kitchen's Breakfast Apple Granola Crisp.  It's not too sweet, and the leftovers won't last long as I think it was better the second and third day after baking.

This is on my list to make for National Sew A Jelly Roll Day because I will. be. sewing.  

Did I tell you that there will be five new Project Jelly Roll patterns for 2021?

From left to right, the patterns are Quadrangle, Tiddlywinks, Savannah Squares, Step This Way, and Taffy.  Tiddlywinks and Taffy are made with the Project Jelly Roll 2021 Half-Hexie template.  (We'll also be sharing a quick pattern for a pillow made with one charm pack and the template later this month.)

I'm hoping to get to make this Quadrangle quilt using Ruby Star Society's First Light.

All five patterns will be available on Saturday, September 18th from your favorite quilt shop.  (If you don't have a shop near you, or you're in lockdown, we won't leave you hanging.)

Another one of the things I save in notebooks, and pin to my mood-inspiration boards are quotes that I run across.  Like so many of us, they inspire me, make me laugh, and make me think.  I share them with friends, and they are shared with me.  Here are two recent favorites.

And this one... because Cinderella.

Last, and definitely not least, September will also mean sharing my favorite new quilt book, Quilt Recipes by Jen Kingwell.

This beautiful, hard-bound book includes twelve quilt projects and twelve dessert recipes.  (The Oatmeal Cookies are as good as it gets.) There is so much more to share about this wonderfully personal book in the coming weeks.

There will be more happening in September, but that's what's in my notebook for now.  

Notebooks.  September.  School supplies.  That's a whole topic for another day.

Go.  Create some magic today.