Seeing Stars in Central Park

This has been one long work in progress - it's taken me over a year to finally finish this puppy!  I used two Central Park by Kate Spain charm packs and a Kona can't remember the color yellow as the sashing.  

I just bought Angela Water's new Free Motion Quilting book which gave me tons of ideas.  I think I just didn't know how to quilt this and that's why it took me so long to finish.  I attempted to do a paisley design from the book.  It turned out well, but I think I need tons more practice before mine looks like hers!  

I have been just using all prints for my backings lately and I wanted to break things up a bit.  What better way then to use the solid from the front?  

This is my entry in the Aug edition of the My Precious QAL hosted by Kelly at Kelbysews.  I just love Kate Spain's work, especially Central Park!  I've been on the lookout for more, but sadly it seems to be sold out everywhere :(  Oh well, I guess I'll just have to buy a ton of Cuzco to make up for it!

Happy sewing!

Bloggers' Quilt Festival 2012

Central Park has to be one of my favorite fabric lines of all time.  The vibrant colors, whimsical patterns, and the little squirrel with an acorn really spoke to me and I splurged and bought so much of it!  I chose to make a cracker box quilt for my first Central Park project.  I think this is the point in my short quilting career that I've identified where I begin to use much bolder colors and a neutral other than white.  Previously, I thought all quilts had to use a white background with pastel colors :)  I also experimented with echo quilting and am in love with how this one turned out! 



Full front view



Quitling detail



Back full view



Fall 2011 Bloggers' Quilt Festival

Presenting my entry in the Fall 2011 Bloggers' Quilt Festival from amyscreativeside.com!  I've chosen to submit my Central Park Moda Bake Shop Ritzy Cracker Quilt because it is so bright and cheerful, not to mention it was a breeze to whip up.  I quilted this using all straight line quilting, which was a new area for me.  Previously, I'd only free motion meandered because I'm a type A++ and if a line isn't ruler-straight, I want to rip it out and start over!  For this one however, I let myself relax and I think it turned out great.  It is perfect for the chillier nights we've been having lately.

Central Park Quilt Finish

I've been a slacker lately.  And not just since I sliced part of my finger off.  I'm doing much better, thanks!  It started before that incident.  Here is my lately finished Central Park Ritzy Cracker quilt, finished and fabulous!  


Moda Bake Shop Ritzy Cracker pattern
Moda Central Park by Kate Spain fabric


I decided to try some shadow quilting in the background spaces and absolutely love how it turned out.  To stabilize the printed area, I quilted a square in the middle.  The back is pieced.  It's really my favorite at the moment.  

Central Park Stars are coming along

Last night I finished the bulk of my Central Park quilt #2, modifying the Moda Bake Shop Charming Stars pattern.  I used half of my layer cake for this project because a) I'm cheap and b) you can't just have 1 Central Park quilt!  I'm planning to add more borders to make this quilt a little larger.  Happy quilting!

I'm back!

Last week was a busy one without much internet connectivity, but I'm back in action now!  


Here's a pic of my latest Moda Central Park project.  I'm super excited about this quilt!  I'm using the Charming Stars pattern at Moda Bake Shop.  It's so quick and easy, plus it's a great way to show off larger prints.  Instead of using the traditional white or ivory for the background fabric, I decided to use a sunny yellow color to make the stars pop.  What do you think?

Later this week I'll tell you all about my trip to Ikea :D

Central Park #1 quilt top finished

Last week I finished another quilt top - yippee!  This pattern is from Moda Bake Shop (surprise, surprise) called Ritzy Cracker Quilt.  I used Moda Central Park by Kate Spain.  I can't tell you how much I heart this fabric!  So much that I saved half of my layer cake for the Charming Stars quilt.  I can't wait to show you that one in the future!  All the pieces are cut, but I haven't started sewing the top yet.

Here's my official to-do list (quilts only - everything else would fill a book)


Finished quilt tops that need to be quilted:
1) vintage sheet checkerboard quilt top
2) Moda Verna friendship braid quilt
3) Moda Bliss jelly roll sampler quilt
4) Michael Miller Antiquity table runner
5) Moda Central Park ritzy cracker quilt


Quilt tops in progress:
1) Moda Central Park charming stars quilt
2) Moda Botany coin quilt
3) Charity quilt #4
4) Charity quilt #5

Work in Progress Wednesday

I sort of have this rule that I try to stick to when working on quilting projects.  I try not to begin a new project until I've finished one.  Since the pinwheel baby quilt seemed to be coming to an end, I jump started my next project just to see how quickly it'll come together.  The verdict - I'm already halfway finished with the blocks!

This pattern is the Ritzy Cracker Box pattern for charm packs from Moda Bake Shop.  You'd think I don't look for inspiration anywhere else, right?  They just have such wonderful ideas spewing out all the time!  I'm using half of my Moda Central Park layer cake for this project.  I'm totally in love with this line!  I'm going to have a hard time choosing borders, backings, and bindings (oh my!) because I think every single print is fantastic!