Sliced - Pattern Keeper

I don't know if I've ever mentioned how big a fan I am of Chopped on Food Network.

It's on auto-DVR. It's one of those shows that I don't have any handwork projects going while I watch it.

So imagine how thrilled I was to hear about Moda's Sliced competition.

All the excitement of Chopped with fabric? I'm in!

Here's my entry to the audition rounds:

Requirements:
Item must be for Office/Studio space
Fabrics must showcase a Moda precut
Must use a buckle
Must use batting

At first I thought my idea was a little crazy but the more I thought about it...the more I wanted to make it work.

I don't know about the rest of y'all but in this fabulous age of websites and blogs I am *constantly* printing out patterns. They get shoved in all sorts of piles around my office. They get coffee on them. They get stolen by the cats. They get crinkled...it was out of hand.

So I made a pattern keeper.

I pulled charms from the Meadow Friends charm pack and paired them with a gorgous green from the Twirl line.

It gave me the chance to try out a Wonky star block. Which I'd been meaning to do.

Flip it over and you have this:

The center is a vinyl window. My patterns stay protected from the craziness of the office but are still viewable.
Added bonus: Dry erase markers!

I will readily admit that I have a bit of craft ADD. I'm usually working on more than one thing at a time and sometimes I'll jump between projects by the hour. Being able to cross off where I left off in a pattern is amazing. Plus I'm not damaging any of my patterns. No reprinting/repurchasing.

Interior:

As you can see I've got more than one pattern inside. I use paper clips to keep each one separate from the other. 

I used overall buckles for it for a couple of reasons. 

One I just really like how they look.

Two, when I'm done for the day I can close it *and* hang it:

Let's just ignore how I can't put nails in a wall straight, shall we?

I know exactly where all my patterns are. There are no clumps of paper all over the place. And I've got a cute little wall hanging. 

Can you tell I love it?

Bonus pic of the moment when I felt I was getting my full Chopped experience:

For this episode I am the girl that cut herself sewed through her finger.

It was so quick. The needle went in before my eyes saw that my finger was in the way. 

I'm pretty proud, though. First I caught it before I bled on my fabric (yay!). Second, I wrapped it in paper towel and packing tape (I forgot to pick bandaids up at the store last week) and kept on sewing.

About five minutes later I was totally laughing.

Now that this is finished I've got a couple projects yet to wrap up before my birthday on Saturday.

Works in Progress:
Mini for Modern Mini Challenge (top finished)
My FLoS piece needs a tag and a hanging sleeve
Tree Mini