Hey bloggers!  Has everyone been busy sewing this summer?  I have been working on several different projects miraculously in between going to work, doing housework, doing yard work and trying to enjoy summer vacation with the kids.  I was so busy I didn't get to post my pics from last weekend so here they are.  So my big news is I decided to enter my first quilt contest.  It is the Grand Central Terminal Quilt Contest in celebration of Grand Central Stations 100 Year Anniversary here in NYC.  I figured since I am a native New Yorker and I work across this beautiful landmark I just had to enter it.  I visited the City Quilter (the only quilt shop in NYC) to pick up some NYC fabric to use in my quilt.  Here is what I came home with.  The 4 fabrics on the far right were specifically designed by City Quilter and must be used in the quilt. The others I just bought to see how I will use them if at all. If you would like more details on the contest just go to www.cityquilter.com

Here is a sneak peak of one of my blocks I will use in my Grand Central Terminal Quilt.
It's pretty cool to see my blocks coming together off of a sketch I did on a piece of paper and transforming into actual quilt blocks.  This is my first time really designing something on paper and doing all the math myself.  Good thing I like math!

I made this mini quilt that can be used as a table runner or wall hanging using my large twister ruler.  I love this ruler.  I can't wait to make a whole quilt with it.  I will be selling this at my Fall Craft Show this year. 
 It measures 23x31.
 

Here is the back of the large twister mini quilt. You can see the quilting. I shadowed all the twisters as I need much needed practice with FMQ.



I decided to use some of the NYC fabric I purchased for my quilt and made these cool kitchen towels.  I will be making these as well as other NYC themed items to sell at my craft shows this year.  Thought it would be a cute keepsake for those visiting NY.

I finally finished putting together my tulip blocks into a row.  Although they were a little painsaking for me I do love the way it came out.  So what projects is everyone working on?  Anyone do craft shows?  Would love some tips, tricks and advice.  This year is my second year participating so I am sure there is much more too learn although people were very impressed with my booth and items I had for sale.  Looking for some Fall ideas if anyone will care to share. I have 2 shows before Thanksgiving and need to make Fall stuff. I have plenty of Christmas items although I will be making different things to add to my inventory.   Thanks for visiting!

Happy Monday to all!  Hope everyone had a wonderful July 4th weekend.  Mine was a little quiet and I did manage to get some sewing in.  I finished a couple of projects and started new ones of course.  Here are a few things I accomplished!  This was my first attempt at making the tulip block.  Although I love the way they came out they were a little painstaking for me.  I've come to the conclusion that I don't really enjoy working with the smaller pieces.  Each square measures 2.5 inches and the finished block had to measure 6.5 inches which miraculously I managed to pull off.  I still have 4 more to make in different fabrics for my "Around The Strip 2013" Monthly Class I am taking at my local quilt shop.  The finished quilt is gorgeous, can't wait to see mine all finished! Sew far my rows are looking pretty darn nice!!

Below is another finished project for my friends 11 year old daughter who is undergoing chemo to treat her leukemia.  Her favorite color is purple and she loves butterflies.  I had all the fabric in my own personal stash and this is what I came up with.  I did shadow quilting in all the squares using contrasting pastel colored thread.  Sure hope she likes it!   

Below is the back of Andrea's quilt.  I had just enough of the butterfly fabric for the backing.

 It was as though it was just meant to be!

A closer look at the quilt.  I placed her label in the lower right hand corner of the quilt.

Here is a closer look at the label I made for Andrea's quilt.  I printed the Guardian Angel pic with the Guardian Angel prayer.  I really like the way it came out.

Here's a picture of my great nephews tumbler quilt completed.  Tumbler quilts are fun to make and they come together very quickly so if you are ever in need for a quick quilt you need to put together I highly recommend the tumbler quilt.

Here is the backside of the tumbler quilt.  I've seen some really unique quilt backs on the internet, especially on craftsy.com and this is perfect when you are short on fabric like I was in this case.  :)

I finally sandwiched and quilted my mini quilt.  I did simple "stitch in the ditch"quilting which can be better seen on the backside.  This will be a cute table topper or wall hanging.  I think I will try to sell this one at my upcoming craft shows this fall.  

The backside of the mini twister quilt.

Since I was on a roll.  I decided to get started n my Glamping quilt.  I love this fabric line by Moda.  It is sew pretty I didn't want to cut it sew I decided to just sew the 10 inch squares  in rows.  I will add a 2.5 inch white border and a 3-4 inch outer border in the red fabric with circles used in the blocks and the back will be that luscious red fabric with the old vintage campers.  The best part is this one is ALL mine and will go in my RV.  Can't wait see it finished!  In the meantime I have to go shopping for the outer border fabric as well as the backing fabric. Darn we all know how much quilters hate shopping for fabric...lol What projects did you work on?  Please share your pics and stories.

Labels for Quilts

I completely forgot to post the labels I finished off for my great nephews!  I think they look great!  I am finally putting these two quilts in the mail this week.  It is a surprise so I can't wait for them to receive them!

How do you do your labels?  Do you embroider?  Hand write them?

Close up of tumbler quilt label

I decided to place it in the lower right corner

Completed onsie quilt.  Love the dinosaur fabric!

Close up of onsie quilt label

I centered it on one of the onsies to make it look like part of the tshirt

Quick Little Project!

Hello bloggers! I haven't had too much sewing time lately dealing with house chores and other...well lets just say...STUFF but I did manage to make a cute table runner for my new antique sewing machine.  It just looked sew plain sitting atop of my cabinet I felt it needed something pretty to lay on.  After pulling out some charm squares I purchased a few years ago from ebay I decided to make Half Square Triangles. I love the browns and pinks together!  I found the border and backing fabric also in my statsh and with left over pieces of batting from other projects I finished this half square triangle runner.  I really love the way it turned out and the best part is I didn't have to spend a dime, although you don't have to twist my arm to go shopping for more fabric.  I do love shopping in my fabric statsh and finding great combinations in my own closet!  See sew all that extra yardage of fabric does eventually come in handy!   I wish the pics came out a little better.  Doesn't pick up the true colors of the runner but you get the idea!

What's the fastest project you've every come up with and for what occassion?

My antique sewing machine seems to love it!

Here is a pic with flash but the fabric came out too light in this pic.