Quilting in NYC, Part 2... The Sweets

Hello Everyone,

So here is the story... I have two types of radar, one is for fabric, the other is for sweets. As Karen and I were walking to Victoria's home in NYC, my sweets radar went off BIG time.

I spied this little shop that was not really in plain site. But I saw the window sign saying Crumbs Bake Shop. So, naturally, I veered off course and told Karen we had to go in. All I can say is WOW!! What a treat. Thelma, this post is for you and it is a definite thumbs up! Here is the virtual calorie tour.

One of the yummy displays of their sweet confections. Beautiful and mouth watering.

Victoria's Daughter received one of these lovely cupcakes with the purple flower on top.

Another yummy display.

So this is the biggest cupcake they make, the Colossal. And Colossal in every way, price, size and calorie count!

This photo I took for size comparison to their medium cupcake. Big isn't it?

Cupcakes weren't the only thing on the menu, they had brownies my personal favorite. So I had to have one. I debated a little bit between the fudge brownie on the right or the cookies and cream brownie right next to it. Guess which one I picked?? Yep, the cookies and cream. And with all the walking I did that day, I did not feel one iota of guilt, not one!!

This one we picked up to bring to Victoria. Turn your head away Victoria, don't look at the calorie count. I have to say, having that calorie count front and center is a real killjoy. I think that all eating establishments in NYC are required to have them upfront and personal. Dampens the mood a little.

Took one of these babies home for the teenage son.

These were just too pretty not to take a photo.

Here is the personal four pack my family ended up with... from top left is the Squiggle (that was mine and oh so divine!!) cream filling inside. Next to that was an apple cinnamon for the hubs. It was filled with real apple filling, just like an apple pie. Next was the cookie dough for teenage daughter.... all gone. And the cookies and cream also finished!!

A piece of advice if you want these, definitely cut them in half or quarters so you can enjoy them slowly with a nice cup of tea or coffee. And don't worry about what your thighs might look like afterwards, just enjoy!

By the way, they deliver! Just click here to go to their website.

Stay tuned for Part 3, NYC the ending. In the meantime, be sure to browse my shop, lots of new items arriving daily.

Until Next Time...

Quilting in NYC, Part 2... The Sweets

Quilting in NYC, Part 1... The Visit

Hello Everyone,

On Saturday, September 11, I visited NYC. Yes, it was a solemn day for people in the city and throughout the country. For people who know me, they know that I don't enjoy going into the city by myself. So when Karen (The Selvage Quilter) and Victoria (Bumble Beans) both invited me down to spend the day at their guild, I jumped at the chance.

Because Karen lives close to me, she was my "tour guide". I just sat back and enjoyed, it was a beautiful day. Thanks for the ride, Karen!! We met up with Victoria at her home for a lovely lunch and then onto the guild meeting.

The Chrysler Building. See some New York Beauty inspiration at the top?

The Empire State Building.

Now onto the meeting. The speaker today was Terry White a very talented quilter who spoke about embellishing your quilts with beads.

Below are two of my most favorite quilts that she showed to us.

Whimsical, bright, and bold.

Then onto some show and tell. There were tons, but here are the most significant ones for me.

This woman used Victoria's technique from 15 Minutes Play to create this wonderful quilt.

Here is my friend and host for the day, Victoria, showing a quilt that she made to thank someone for giving her a Singer Featherweight!! She looks quite serious here, doesn't she? The quilt will be loved!

And this gorgeous quilt is Victoria's Kitchen Sink Quilt. You may have seen it over at her blog, but it is spectacular in person. And big too!

And here is my lovely tour guide and friend Karen. She is showing off this beautiful quilt that she designed for the guilds BOM. You should be able to find the block on their BOM page of their website by clicking here or here. The quilt is beautiful in person.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where I will show you some of the sweets that were purchased!! YUM!!

Until Next Time...

Quilting in NYC, Part 1... The Visit

I Heart Ikea In My Studio!

Hello Everyone,

Organization, that is such a key for me to keep me going. To use up the space I have efficiently is a huge help. Ikea helps me to do that. So, I will take you on a little tour of my studio and show you the Ikea pieces that keep me going....

This first piece is a Besta unit. It is meant to hold your TV unit on top. I didn't choose casters, just the legs.

These units fit perfectly under my long arm and hold lots of the products that I carry in my shop. You can get different combos with drawers and doors too.

I am sure that many of you have seen these pictures of my personal stash. Kind of crazy isn't it?? Well, Ikea shelving is at it again. These are the Expedit bookcases and I literally have them all over my studio. Holding my fabric... see Stephanie's Oak Park Bag hanging there?

Holding more fabric. I love the size of the little cubbies. They are perfect so that your fabric doesn't flop over. However, mine does get a little messy because I tend to play with it a lot. See Stephanie's Prickly Pear bag there....

More Expedit cases, but this layout has the desk extension which I love and is a great place for my sewing machine and studio cat!!

These two units are Varde and are part of their free standing kitchen cabinet line. I have another one in the studio too which holds my AccuQuilt Studio Cutter. Sorry, forgot to take a photo.

The shelves above the units are Lack. They are really handy and I am constantly using them. One of the nice things about Ikea is that many of their products come in different colors to suit your needs. Plus the prices are pretty reasonable. You just have to do some of the assembly.

I hope you have enjoyed this little tour. Maybe it has even inspired you to take a trip to Ikea.

Until Next Time...

I Heart Ikea In My Studio!

Wonderful Wednesday

Hello Everyone,

For the month of September, during my 10 year celebration, I thought I would have a regular feature on my blog called Wonderful Wednesday.

I thought in the post I would share some things that make my Wednesday Wonderful. Then at the end of the post, I would make YOUR Wednesday Wonderful!!

The first thing that makes my day wonderful would be my kitties.

Here you can see Rolo modeling his favorite quilt, freshly washed and warm from the dryer. He loves this.

Here is my Beanie keeping me company while I am reading blogs and doing some computer work. She loves to keep me company and is often my studio cat.

Little Pavi getting a breath of fresh air. He loves watching all the critters and happenings outside the windows.

What do we have here? Two special bundles sent from my friend Stephanie!! A total surprise. They will be given to a wonderful group of ladies who put together preemie quilts for 2 local hospitals. This year one of the hospitals have a need for 600 little quilts!! Thank you, Stephanie for your thoughtfulness.

NOW for YOUR piece of goodness. For TODAY and TODAY only, you may take 15% off any pre-cut fabrics in my online shop. That means fat quarters, half yard bundles, jelly rolls, charm packs, etc!! Just use the code bundles15 at checkout to get the discount.

By the way, the kitties helped me pick today's dose of goodness.

Have fun and you can start shopping by clicking here.

Until Next Time...

Wonderful Wednesday

Star Struck Winners!

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all having a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!! The weather here is gorgeous and we are going to spend sometime outdoors tomorrow. I am looking forward to that for sure.

Anyway, I think you have all been wanting to know who won the Star Struck Quilts book and $20 Gift Certificate to my online shop. Thank you to all who entered! If you didn't win this is definitely a book that you should go out and grab. It is totally worth it!

The winner of the book is Kim from Angelic Fairy Quilts. I have sent an e-mail to you, I just need your snail mail address for the book to be forwarded on, thanks and congrats!

The winner of the $20 Gift Certificate to my online fabric shop is Brenda from Nebraska! Congratulations!!

Don't forget, today is the LAST day of the BIG sale on my website! To get 21% off use the discount code 10years at checkout. Click here to get started and have fun!!

Until Next Time...

Star Struck Winners!

First Dose Of Goodness

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for all your good wishes and kind compliments from yesterday's post. I can't tell you how much I appreciate each and everyone of you!! But I definitely can show you...

So let's kick off this month of celebration with my first dose of goodness! Let's take a little look at some of the things that I have in my shop...

Beautiful Kona Cotton Solids. Lots of new ones just added.

Wonderful Fat Quarter and Half Yard Bundles.

Luscious Westminster Fiber Fabrics!! (A personal favorite!)

Silky smooth Art Gallery Fabrics on the right and Liberty Arts on the left.

Free Spirit lovelies.

More Kona beauties!!

I hope you like all that you see because I would like to extend to all of you a discount for shopping in my online shop! Yay!! The discount will be good from today through midnight September 6. You will receive 21% off!! Why 21% because that I wanted to double the amount of years I have been a long arm quilter and then add a year for my online shop.

So, how do you get your discount?? Easy peasy... just do all your shopping, then when you are checking out use the discount code 10years and voila... your discount will be applied.

Everything will be discounted except the books (which are always 20% off), and the kits. So enjoy shopping over this long weekend. Everything will ship either today, Saturday, or Tuesday. Just click here to get started.

Remember lots more in store in the month ahead!! See you soon and have a fantastic weekend!

Until Next Time...

First Dose Of Goodness

Celebrating 10!

Hello Everyone,

It has been 10 years since I began my long arm quilting business. I can't believe it has been that long, I have been having so much fun!

Over the years I have learned so many new things and have met so many wonderful people who have touched my life in many ways.

Everyone so talented, giving, and friendly. Also, it goes without saying that they have ALL been an inspiration to me.

My Gammill Statler Stitcher has been the backbone of my business, and I love it!! But it because of all of you that I have been able to continue doing what I love to do on a daily basis.

But not only have I been able to continue quilting for all the wonderful quilters out there that entrust me with their masterpieces, I have been able to expand to.... my online fabric shop! My shop, believe it or not, is coming up on its ONE year anniversary!

One of my dreams was always to have a quilt shop and now I have the next best thing, a virtual shop!! Thanks to all of you!!

I have also grown as a quilter and pushed my limits and have had my first design published. I want to continue to grow, but I want to continue to share that with all of you.

To celebrate my good fortune with you and my 10 years in business, plus one year with my fabric shop, I will be doing all sorts of special things throughout the month of September!!

So you will need to check back here, on Facebook, and to sign up for my e-mail happenings. This should cover it all. But stayed tuned and check back on Friday for your first dose of goodness!!

Thank you, all!!

Until Next Time...

Celebrating 10!