New York Getaway

I know its been a while since I last posted, but that's because I've been on vacation!

Kind of funny that my sewing bag is just as big as my duffel bag!

I finally took some time off from work and just got away for a bit.

We stayed at Watkins Glen State Park which is near the Finger Lakes in up state NY. We always seem to have great luck at state parks. The facilities are well kept and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They even have security patrolling so its very safe.

The first day we walked down to The Gorge, which is one of the main features of the park. It was really beautiful.

We then took a stroll down to Seneca Lake.

 
When we travel I always look for local quilt shops and I found the most darling shop right down the street from the park!

O'Sushannah's Quilts and Gifts, nestled right in downtown Watkins Glen, is what I dream a quilt shop to be. Don't get me wrong I love my shops at home. But something about this place made it so much more.

For starters the place was huge! Everywhere I turned there was more amazing fabric!

Do you see the Swoon!

They also have retreats and classes in the upstairs portion of the shop.

I loved all the adorable samples!

 

The owner, Sue, was telling me that they will be featured in the Fall issue of Quilt Sampler Magazine with this quilt. And they were also voted a top 10 shop! Way to go girls!

And I couldn't leave without some goodies. After two trips to the shop I had a happy bag full of these beauties.

I can't wait to cut into these!

The next day we made a quick trip to the Corning Glass Museum.

This quilt like mosaic is all glass! Amazing!

And then since we knew we wouldn't be this close again in the near future we decided to go to Niagara Falls.....in the rain.

But the 2+ hour drive gave me some time to stitch some hexies!

Even in the rain it is still so amazing.

We got completely soaked. But I did manage to get a delicious local treat!

And since we were sooooo close we skipped on over to Buffalo for some authentic Buffalo at Nine Eleven Tavern. I normally don't eat chicken, but I kind of had to. It was seriously the best buffalo I've ever eaten.

And on our last day we made our way back to the harbor for a delicious meal at the Village Marina.

Tired, but happy camper!

The Sea Serpent! So yummy!

All in all we had an amazing trip and I especially had a good time de-stressing.  Although roughing it camping can be a little work, especially in the rain, its better then any day at work. I can't wait to get out there again!

Swoon Top Finished!

Ok so holy crap I finally finished the Swoon top! I am so excited!

With the borders attached (thank you Kati for help with the measurements) it comes to a whopping 93"x93"! This is the biggest quilt I've made to date!

It was a lot of hard work, but it totally has payed off. I am so in love with this. Now comes the even harder part of finding batting and backing for this monster.

 

 

I'm so close to knocking Swoon off my 2013 WIP list, but with the top done I'm itching to start other projects from the list.  Here's a sneak peek :)

Another Cathedral

In other news.......

I really love this tutorial from Kim of My Go-Go Life. My first Cathedral was so fun to make I just had to make another. Actually, I really didn't feel like sewing the other day, but then some how just by sitting down in front of the sewing machine I was able to make something.

This time I tried stuffing it with half fiber fill half crushed walnut shells. It was fairly difficult so next time its either one or the other. I like the walnuts since it gives weight to the pin cushion but the stuffing is much easier to stab into so we will see for the next one.

I am going to give this one to a co-worker who quilts. She is a traditional quilter who is just getting into more modern designs and fabrics. I hope she love's it!

Modern Mini Quilt Challenge

Hello and happy Wednesday!!! Today, I decided I would enter the Modern Mini Challenge hosted by Jennifer of Ellison Lane Quilts. I think its a super fun challenge! You should do it too!!!!

It is super easy to enter here's what you do:

You can enter any mini quilt that you've made within the past 6 months. Remember, a mini quilt can be a mug rug, a mini quilt, a pillow, a table topper, etc. Only one entry per person. 

Size requirements: must be at least 6" x 6" and no bigger than 24" x 24". 

You can enter a mini quilt made from your own design or from a pattern. Please give credit to the pattern designer in your description. 

Link from your blog (a NEW post please), your Flickr account or your Threadbias account. Remember, you don't have to have a blog to enter!

I've entered my XO Pillow I made back in February. You can read about how it came into being here and here. I wish I could have entered something brand new, but I just found out about the challenge yesterday!

 

XO Pillow

Dimensions: 12"x16"

Designed and created February 2013 by Me!

Fabric: Random stash fabric

Isn't it purrrrty?!? I actually "love" this pillow so much it stays out all year :) I really hope you join up with the challenge. I would love to know what you all have entered! Leave me a comment with your entry so I can take a peek!

Stash Bag

I've hit a road block with my Swoon Quilt. Seems as though my energy for adding borders is depleted. It is getting tough to wrestle that top under my machine. But that's not to say I'm not still sewing. Check this out!

 

I saw this fabric a little while ago and told myself not to buy it since I don't neeeed anymore fabric. But after some time had passed I went back to the store and that same bolt of happy mustaches was sitting there begging me to make a bag of it and so into my basket it went. It was practically twisting my arm! I swear it :) That Alexander Henry and Michael Miller sure do make some irresistible fabrics!

When I got home I immediately started cutting it up! I used this Reversible Bag pattern from Novita at verypurpleperson.blogspot.com. It was so easy to make and just what I had in mind. Having the reversible option is really great since I'm in love with both prints.

I had so much fun making this bag! I really like the instant gratification and functionality of making handbags. Actually, I liked it so much I already bought more fabric so I could make another! :D

I love those little anchors!!! But I can't decide on a lining....which one should I use??