I Made a Bag

It's for my mom - her Mothers' Day gift. She fell in love with the fabric when we were at The City Quilter in NYC and wished for a quilted bag. (The shop has their own line of 'city' prints and this one is called 'Times Square'.) I purchased a half yard and promised her exactly as she wished. We returned from our trip on the eve of Mothers' Day, so she was well aware her bag would be a tad bit belated.

I chose this tutorial from 'Sew Prim Khris' for a few reasons. I really like that it has the straps on the outside of the bag - which stylistically speaking I think adds some fun contrast and also because this tutorial had a pocket on the outside and my mom likes a pocket on the outside! I added the polka dot fabrics because A). My mom likes polka dots (you knew I was going to say that!) and B). My mom's favourite colours are black and purple (c'mon you KNEW it this time!). 

I only made 2 changes to this tutorial -  I quilted the main panels of the bag - only the top fabric and the batting, then I ironed on some lightweight interfacing to the batting and I made the front pocket a wee bit shorter to showcase as much of the NYC fabric as possible.

Pockets and polkas on the inside too!!! 

And the back...look at all those neato details in the fabric design. It truly does speak to the atmosphere of Times Square.

She sure is going to have fun carrying this one! Linking up with the 'Let's Get Acquainted' linky party hosted by Sew Bittersweet Designs.


Have a great week all!!

~Lisa

Joining in on the Fun! Bloggers Quilt Festival Entry #2

And for my second offering to the Blogger's Quilt Festival:

My Night of Hope Heart Quilt

This quilt was made with much love and donated to the Night of Hope, an organization which raises money for Breast Cancer research. My mom and I both volunteer for the Night of Hope, in memory of my mom's youngest sister (and my beloved auntie) who died of breast cancer when she was only 42.

  

NOH Heart Quilt

Finished Quilt Size: 48 x 60

Best Category: Throw Quilt

Quilted by: Me

Thanks for stopping by and having a looky at my entry. Best of luck to all the quilters entered in the festival. Why don't you pop on over to Amy's Creative Side and see what's cooking!!!

 ~Lisa

Joining in on the Fun - Blogger's Quilt Festival Entry #1

Hello all! I want to join in on the fun over at Amy's Creative Side and offer a couple of my quilts up for entry into the Blogger's Quilt Festival. First offering...

My Duplicity Mini

This quilt began as a take off from my original heart mini. Which was created in response to Jolene's beautiful heart quilt and also an interest that I had in trying this fabulous tutorial from Elizabeth at Oh! Fransson.

And peacocks for the back, so colourful!

Duplicity Quilt

Finished Quilt Size: 11 x 11

Best Category: Doll/Mini

Quilted by: Me

Thanks for visiting my entry into the festival. Best of luck to all the quilters. Now head on over to Amy's Creative Side and check out all the wonderful entries!!!

 ~Lisa

And the NYC Fabric Goes to...

Hello all, I am back from my trip to NYC and boy oh boy, did I EVER have a grand time. I truly love that city, it was my third time there. Next time I go, I am taking the small love of my life - so I can brainwash him into loving it too (I am sure it won't be that difficult - given the sheer size of the toy stores!).

I did go to The City Quilter (sooo many fabulous fabrics!!!) and I did pick up these 3 fat quarters of their 'City Line' for the Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaway...

NYC subway in white

Times Square at Night

Susy's New York

And the lucky winner is...Stephanie from 'Quarter Incher' - Comment # 55 (Random numbers generated May 12 2013 at 11:30:54) - Stephanie said,"I would love to go hawaii..still haven't been! I want to go hiking there!"

Congratulations Stephanie!!! Hawaii is one of my most very favourite places - you will love it there when you do go. I will email you to get your particulars, so that I can send you the package of NYC fabric fun. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks to everyone for participating, I had a blast reading through all of your comments - so many amazing adventures, all so unique and exciting. I like best of all that we all define adventure differently.

~Lisa

Posy Share and Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway!

Yay for my Posy finish - she is just such a carefree little quilt. I really enjoyed letting loose and playing with the low volume backgrounds and (ohhh ahhh) NOT matching every background square in each block.

Posy Quilt 40 x 52 in.

How about that Lotta Jansdotter for the backing?! It spoke to me from the bolt and I just had to bring it home - I love how it has both the bright and white of the quilt front.

Favourite block.

And now for my Sew,Mama,Sew Giveaway! This is my first time participating in this giveaway and I post this on the morning of the day I am flying across the continent to go on a great adventure. I am meeting 3 friends in New York City and I am super, bursting with excitement. Sooooo, I thought that a really fun thing to giveaway would be some fabric straight from the Big Apple.

Some time ago, Chrissie, of Made by Chrissie D, emailed me a fabulous list of fabric stores in NYC to visit (thanks, Chrissie!!!) and while I perused one of the store websites I found this undeniably amazing fabric....

Fabric photos from The City Quilter website

...and this amazing fabric is from the 'City Collection', made by The City Quilter in, you guessed it - New York City. I am going to bring home 3 fat quarters (depending on which ones they have in stock, of course) of this fabric to share with one of you, international entries welcome ! 

All you have to do is:

1. Comment on this post. I would love it if you left me a comment telling me about a great adventure that you have been on or would like to go on.

2. Followers get 2 entries. Leave me a second comment telling me you are a follower. New followers welcome!

Giveaway open until 5 p.m. pacific time, May 10, 2013. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED. THE LUCKY WINNER WILL BE POSTED TOMORROW!!!!! I will choose the winner by random number selection. Good luck everyone!!! Thanks for visiting my stop on the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway and go on over and check out what everyone else is giving away!

Linking up with 'Let's Get Acquainted' at Plum and June.

~Lisa