New York City

The days are flying by and it's almost over a week that I took a four day trip with my son to NYC.

An on-line offer, hotel and flight, that I couldn't resist we booked our room at the King & Grove Hotel, a boutique hotel on the 29E29Street close to the subway. Flying out of Toronto at 6 in the morning and arriving at 8 we took the Staten island ferry to view the Statue of Liberty.

A visit to the new Word Trade Centre and the memorial of the Twin Tower which was very emotional.

A visit to the Leica Gallery.

Re-fueling with coffee and cupcake.

Lucky us, the first Friday of each month free entrance to the 

Neue Galerie.

Located at the Upper East Side at Central Park. Free nights means the line to get in stretched 2 blocks long!

This Gustav Klimt was sold for $135 million and makes it the most expensive painting ever bought at the time.

For any fabric lover PurlSoho is a must stop like seeing the Time Square. Travelling with my son that means for me the time is ticking and be fast. I know time means nothing if I am in fabric stores.

  Purl's curated colour bundle of fabric which is so hard to open!

Evening walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Sunday morning in Central Park to get some quiet time.

( just kidding...)

If you see this dessert you know that you are in Little Italy....

No trip is complete with a visit to the Grand Central Terminal.

Quilt Canada

Last weekend I prepared the final touches on two of my quilts to be shown at Quilt Canada for the Modern Quilt Guild. Sitting outside in the sun sewing the binding and hanging sleeves on these little guys came out of the woodwork.

Color Dive

 by Anna Maria Horner

This quilt was quilted by Heather@ campgroundstudio.

Great contrast with my still lush green lawn.

The silk screen image on canvas was used as my label.

My second entry is my still most favourite quilt.

The Meadow quilt by Lizzy House.

quilted by Jo@ supposecreatedelight, Idaho

Lizzy is coming back in June and will teach this quilt pattern again at the workroom!

Plaster and Wax 101 with Kathie Vezzani

I am late posting this online class with Kathie Vezzani but you still can join in. This is week one and the very funny and humorous Kathie will show you how to combine plaster with layers of wax to create an encaustic painting. I met Kathie on several art retreats and you can't miss her burst of energy for the love of painting.

Here is the link to sign up  http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/group/plaster-and-wax-101xg_source=msg_mes_network

I know Kathie is waiting what I create on my hot plate but that has to wait a little bit.

A quilt for Alice

My friend Alice celebrated her birthday last week and I made a larger lap quilt for her new cottage.

Her dream was always to spent time outdoors and it is true if you visualize your dreams and ideas it will happen. She bought her own tiny island with a cottage. A good swim will take you around the island.

To relax she likes to read sitting at the dock. I think this year a quilt comes in handy since we have a slow start to spring.

The quilt is made out of random pieces of fabric and cut to 12" blocks.

 The idea started with this scarp fabric piece as I know that my friend is fond of wolves.

The workroom in Toronto sells scrap fabric bundles and they come in so handy with many projects. The are colour co-ordinated which I like.

Backing: Salt Water from Tula Pink

Batting: This time I chose  Polyester which keeps you warm without the weight.

Stitch and flip workshop with Jacquie Gering

This is Jacquie's stitch and flip quilt.

So what happens after a workshop........

you

start

to see

new things.

I only can rave about this workshop. In the first hour Jacquie shared the techniques and how to create 

shapes and make them move directions. Sounds simple but the process is experimental.

Here are her quilts with the stitch and flip variation.

Lots of laughter in this class. She will return this summer to Toronto and I signed up for another class.

The Gypsy Wife and Stitch & Flip

In a few hours I am on my way to London , Ontario.  The trunk is packed with food supply for my son who studies at Western and will be in heaven for at least a week with nutritious meals. Yes, and there is space for fabric and a sewing machine on the back seat. Tomorrow I am taken the " stitch& flip" workshop with Jacquie Gering. Chantal from Hyggelit is hosting the event in Ilderton. For the last couple of days I am cutting and filling bags with fabrics sorted by colour. So it seems that I am organized and not ending up with a huge pile of fabrics during the workshop.

fabric stash blue - one of the nine colours

..... and just on my way out I had to finish block one for the Gypsy Wife quilt due for Friday.

Enjoy the week.