Stacked Class . . .

I love to take a quilting class now and then.

More for the company of creative women than anything else really.

So when found out my buddy Karen was teaching a class

at the City Quilter, I couldn't resist.

The quilt she was teaching is from Allison Harris' book,

Growing Up Modern.

Stacked. A baby quilt.

So I gleefully trekked into the city with a bunch of fabric.

Here is what I did in the first part of the class.

As usual, I jumped in and took off and then . . . 

I had that big floral, which I love, but it was on the end.

(And yes the huge pile of fabric at the bottom is what I bought, didn't need, but love)

Luckily for me this was a two night class.

When I got home I realized that making this quilt bigger

would be a good fix.  

I took apart the rows I had already sewn and added

two more large florals.  Tada!

But . . . I need to slap some borders on it.

Karen, que the Beyonce "put a ring on it" music.

She did a little dance . . .  I wasn't quick enough to video.

She is cute.

One of the things I love about taking a class where everyone 

is making the same quilt, is seeing how everyone

approaches it.  What fabrics they pick, how they arrange it.

Everyone talking about it together.

Love that!

Since we had a snow storm cancellation for the second class,

we all had an extra week to get things together.

Lots of beginners in this class, and they did so great!

I also love being in a class with all levels of skills

and experience.  Sometimes the newbies ask the best questions

and you say to yourself "huuummmm, didn't think of that!"

Here is Sandy working hard on her pieced backing.

She was determined to get that baby done!

My borders.  I did a black and cream wonky checkered

and then I will add a wild chaotic outer border 

to accent all the colors in the center.

You gotta love a teacher that brings wine to the class!

Karen's classes are so much fun!

And so is she.  If you get a chance to take one jump on it!

Here is our group from the second session.

There were a couple missing because of the reschedule,

but we still had a ball.

on another note . . . .

this is courtesy of Cocktails and Thread . . .

So fun!  I love my queeps! (quilt peeps!)

Playing hooky . . .

This time of year always brings out the hooky playing in me . . 

Today Gidget and I headed to the Garment District in NYC 

to do a little exploring.

Putting a finger under the needle . . 

Climbing the needle to the button . . . 

Window shopping . . .

Pacific Trimming . . . 

Buckles . . .

Zippers . . .

Sequins . . 

B & J Fabrics . . .

Yummy fabrics . . .

M & J Trimming . . 

Lots of ribbons . . .

More ribbons . . .

The lovely elevator gentleman at the Mood building . . . 

It's been forever since I got into an elevator and someone operates it for you!

Amazing ribbons at Mood . . .

I could have ogled all day!

and a palette of makeup colors . . . 

You know I can't resist color!

So what did you do today?

Any hooky action in your future?

A Quilty Weekend . . . .

Even though the temperatures here have been mighty chilly,

I ventured into the city both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend.

First up, Our Metro Mod Guild Meeting.

Always tons of fun to see all my quilting buddies!

Three of our group quilts were on display.

So great to see them up close again.

This quilt was based on Stripes.

This quilt is our Cheddar quilt.

(Sorry the colors are so wacky in my photos)

This was our first group quilt,

Everyone brought a strip and we pieced them together.

Looks like the Princess and the Pea bed!

We also had our Kandinsky challenge up,

Just a couple more blocks to add.

For this challenge, Michelle cut up a color copy of the painting,

and each participant took a part and interpreted it in their own style.

It really looks remarkable in person.

Can't wait to see it all finished.

This is one of my faves from the show and tell.

Really cool.

You will be able to see all the show and tell 

on the Mod Blog in a few days.

As I was walking back to the train Saturday,

I saw this bar decorated for Mardi Gras.

Is it that time of year already??

Then onto Sunday's adventures.

David, Earamichia and I met to discuss ideas for

a challenge quilt we are collarborating on.

Many ideas flying and giggles thrown around 

and I think we have a great idea.  No pictures of any of that until June!

But . . . as we were lying around the floor contemplating, 

Earamicha jumped up and said,

"Okay we are going to make quick improve blocks showing who we are.

We will just cut and glue and see where this goes."

In about two minutes she set up a table and chairs,

whipped out a box a great fabric and three pairs of scissors.

It was tremendous fun!

Everyone got pretty quiet really fast.

Below is David's.

This one is Earamichia's.

And of course, you would know this is mine! 

Hehe.

So not a lot of "sewing" going on this weekend.

I did work on my hexies a bit.  

I really need to finish this one, it's getting too big to call

"my take with me" project.

As I walked back to the train on 125th street,

I spied this fabulous mosaic.

You know I can't pass up drinking in all that color!

Did you do something fun this weekend?

I hope so!

NYC Metro Mod Guild Meeting

Yesterday was our Metro Mod Guild meeting

and we were so lucky to have Kathy Miller of Michael Miller Fabrics with us!

Christine Osmers was also with Kathy and they were showing us the latest

things coming out at the up coming Quilt Market.

 Kathy is so nice and I actually met her years ago when she lived in my town!

 They brought their new solids fabric line for us to sample.

We each got a solid and a print.  So fun! The solids are so soft,

can't wait to get my hands on the 85 different colors!

Here are Nicole's bee blocks from September.

She did Dresden Plates or Wagon wheels.

 And David's blocks from August, centered on 41,

his age this year.  This is my first Bee, but I am loving it!

So wonderful to see all the different ideas we come up with.

 And here is the lovely Victoria in her vintage cotton dress,

That she says she won't wear out of the house, but really I think

it's adorable and with leggings and some cute boots,

she could start a trend! 

 One of our newest members showing off her 

"Keep the bogeyman away quilt"

It was adorable with lots of fussy cut eyes to keep watch.

All in all it was a great day together!

So fun to catch up with everyone and have a few laughs.

See what everyone is up to, and just see all those smiling faces!

What could be better than laughing women and fabric??

I tell you, I live for these get togethers!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

A Start, A Finish and Some News . . .

I am taking a class at the City Quilter in NYC this month.

I am mostly taking the class because there are two other

ladies taking it with me, so it's more of a social event.

I need no excuse to sew and giggle with GF's!

I really have no right to start ANOTHER quilt,

but well . . . . you know.

The class is a variation on Court House Steps.

Mine, (above) is not really following along with what we are supposed to do,

such a surprise!

This one below is what we are supposed to be doing,

but my mind is shot these days, (more later)

and I knew I would be ripping out more than sewing

if I tried to follow Judy's sample.

It is pretty though and in another time frame,

I will probably try it.

Here is my finish!

I finished my Modern Quilt for the Show!

I did a grid design for the quilting to follow along

with the Mondrian look.

I love the back and I have to say this is only the second

sleeve I have ever done and it was pretty easy.

My quilts don't really hang on a wall,

They are snuggled and loved.

And now for the news . . . .

Funny how things change so quickly.

I will be moving to an apartment in a couple of months.

That means pairing down 30 years of "stuff," from a house,

to a much smaller space.

The funny thing is, I am really loving parting with most of the "stuff!"

I am looking forward to a simpler life.

I will have a much smaller sewing space, but that's okay too.

Fresh start! It's time.

What have you been up to?

Sunday in The City

I thought it was supposed to be sunny today!

No matter, I was off to the city

for a class in fabric crochet.

It was a four hour class and we had to do ALOT of prep work

before hand to make sure we were ready to really learn something.

I am making a basket. This is as far as I got, I thought I had enough

fabric prepared to make the whole thing! hahaha.

ROOKY.

The prep work was cutting yards and yards of fabric into

2" strips and then ironing 1/2' edges inward.

Yes, the prep work wasn't fun!

This class was at the City Quilter and Judy was our teacher.

I love to take classes and be with other quilters,

it's so fun to sew in a group. It's exhilarating to learn something new!

This group was focused!

We needed to concentrate on the counting and adding . . .

But there was some fun involved too!

This is Judy's basket and her class sample,

about an hour into the class I asked her how much she wanted for it.

That was met with lots of laughter, but no price.

So on I crocheted . .

I ran out of my prepared fabric as I finished the bottom,

but I have to say I am going to iron the million more strips

I have cut and keep going.

This is a fun basket and I want one!!

While I was happily crocheting away,

who happened to peak in but the

lovely Victoria!

She was out and about shopping with friends.

I think they did some damaged, but I didn't see a thing I promise!

hehehe.

I was a good girl, just two yards of dots for binding.

On another note . . .

The Daily News yesterday was very funny.

Poking fun at the end of the world

We are all still here and things seem to be okay.

Keep sewing ladies!