2010 has been a very busy and creative year!
My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of my blog readers
who encourage and inspire me to continue journaling
and sharing my quilting adventures.
..
who encourage and inspire me to continue journaling
and sharing my quilting adventures.
..
I am grateful for the time you've taken to stop by
and for the countless comments that have been left on my blog posts.
Thank you so very much!
and for the countless comments that have been left on my blog posts.
Thank you so very much!
I am going to take a blogging break over the holiday season to spend some time traveling with my family. We will be spending the next few weeks in New York City where we are hoping to enjoy a white Christmas. Of course I have already marked the map with many must see local attractions (patchwork/fabric/yarn stores!). Should time and internet connection permit you may see me pop by here to show you what we've been up to.
In the meantime, take care and enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.
p.s. NYC "must see" and "must go eat" recommendations are very welcome!
You're going to my favorite city. So much to do and see. Have a fabulous time.
ReplyDeleteHi Rita,
ReplyDeleteI hope that your have a fabulous time with your family, enjoy New York (I have never been there but woudl love to visit around Christmas time, I am sure it will all look so magical)
I have very much enjoyed visiting your blog and reading all your goodies, keep it up, but enjoy your well deserved break!
Merry Christmas to your and yours,
Have a fabulous time! I bet Purl Soho is at the top of your list!
ReplyDeleteI've only been to New York twice, but my brother just got back and raved about Eataly.
Enjoy your break....we will miss reading your posts.....all the best to you.....good health and happiness in 2011. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
ReplyDeleteRita, you are an amazing blogger! We should be thanking you for sharing with US! You are going to love NYC. Please please please come back with pics and stories from Purl Soho! I didn't know that place existed when I was there a couple years ago, or I would've gone myself. Have a blast and happy holidays! You deserve it :-).
ReplyDelete-michelle
Bon voyage Rita. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteNYC at this time of year is just wonderful. Everything is decked out for Christmas. Beautiful decorations!! I have some Christmas suggestions.
ReplyDeleteGo to the Rockefeller Centre for the ice skating and gigantic Christmas tree and the most amazing decorations. Opposite is Saks of Fifth Ave. They have beautiful window displays. If you are there in the evening they have a lights and music show.
If you have time go to the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. The year we were there they had live camels on stage as part of the nativity.
That's just a few suggestions. Have fun!
What a lot of great quilts. Such color--great accomplishment
ReplyDeleteIf you like musicals, try to go see Wicked - awesome show! The fabric district is a lot of fun to walk around - the smaller the store, the better the prices! And don't miss Times Square - crowded but a lot of fun!! Safe travel!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the inspiration Rit! A very merry Christmas to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels x K
PS: Will email you over my NYC list x
I live in NYC so if you need any advice, let me know! Make sure you go to Levain Bakery on the Upper West Side - best chocolate chip cookies! Also, make sure you stop by the Chelsea Market.
ReplyDeleteThis time of year - get tickets for the Radio City Rockettes!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and have a great trip!
Oh if you are in Byrant Park make sure you go to Max's and get the most amazing hot chocolate on earth! You can skate there too. You have to stop into the City Quilter on 25th street too. Great fabric stores on 38th street too, but I'm sure you have figured all that out already. Have a great trip. Love your 2010 quilts!
ReplyDeleteRita -
ReplyDeleteI love visiting New York any time of year, but don't get to do it as often as I would like. I thought maybe this year and started collecting online articles:
9 reasons to visit NY during the holidays: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40538205/ns/travel-seasonal_travel/
NY's best-kept secrets
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39510554/ns/travel-travel_deals/
you can go to Mood in the garment district - where they buy fabrics for project runway. Note that stores are often closed on weekends in the garment district.
Tinsel Trading: http://www.tinseltrading.com/index.php It is an extraordinary shop: ribbons, buttons, decorations. Here are some comments about the place: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tinsel-trading-new-york
Window shopping is great. Hit the main stores, including at night when all the lights are lit. Also, go to see the Antropologie store. Its a very popular chain of stores, and they always have unusual windows for the season. All major stores are beautifully decorated inside as well. Most, if not all, have special items for the holidays that aren't available online and are only available for the current holiday season. I have lots of stuff that I use only at this time of year and think of NY every time I use it.
One summer, my kids loved roller skating in Central Park with so many locals. Best idea ever, as we now always visit Central Park and do what New Yorkers do (always something going on). We also checked out the NY Times for what was going on locally. Here's an example (love the readers' suggestions and links to Frommers):
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/new-york/new-york-city/overview.html
We once stayed in Battery Park for 2-3 weeks. Loved it for lots of reasons, including the walkways along the river, parks, local restaurants, some really beautiful buildings, marina, etc. Stayed there in summer, but I'm sure it's beautiful and dressed up in winter. My kids liked being able to see statue of liberty from our window.
Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
Pippa
Are you serious!?! You made 38 quilts this year??? Holy Cow! I've been thinking lately if I could make approximately that many quilts in a year. Sort of a challenge thing, I was thinking 1/wk. I bet you've found it pretty difficult or perhaps you would have, had you decided to do it ahead of time. If you have a minute, could you let me know how this worked?
ReplyDeleteWe went with our family to NYC this spring and had a blast. I just enjoyed walking around - so much to see and so many people.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I wish I had been to see was the Folk Art Museum - I hear they have a great quilt exhibit.
My kids loved the Statue of Liberty and Elis Island. My 5 year old threw the biggest tantrum when we had to leave "Lady Liberty." It would have been cute if it hadn't lasted a half hour. :) If you go pay a bit extra and get the audio tour, it is worth it.
Leila
have a wonderful Christmas in NYC, I would love to see the city sometime at this time of year. I don't have any recommendations as I have only been there once for a very short visit.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed looking at your quilts so much and you have made your simply way of machine quilting so interesting to me that I am going to give it a try on a table topper that I am making my mother this week. I normal hand quilt everything but I am giving it a shot.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Enjoy the trip!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous time in NYC.
Go to the Carnegie Deli...yummy!
http://www.carnegiedeli.com/home.php
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time of year to visit the big city :) Have a wonderful trip and a wonderful holiday season! Thank you so much for sharing all of your beautiful work, thanks for so much inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThat is great! Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteWow seeing your work in photo galleries shows just how amazingly productive you are (and colourful!).
ReplyDeleteI adore NYC and try to go every few years. My must sees probably wouldn't be all that nice in Winter so I shall suggest the obvious- Ice Skating at the Rockefeller centre - so much fun! The Museum of Natural History is wonderful for kids and adults. The Cloisters is a hidden gem of a museum which would look beautiful under snow.
Have a wonderful time!
Purl Soho is a must-stop for fabric! http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/purlbee
ReplyDeleteWe just got back yesterday and especially enjoyed Bryant Park (they have a permanent artist fair in December along with ice skating and fantastic food vendors). We stayed near Times Square and ate at several restaurants... Tony's (family style italian with opera singing servers) and Trattoria Dopo Theatra (wonderful cozy italian) were both great, but our favorite was the Brooklyn Diner on west 43rd, best chicken pot pie I have ever had and the desserts were to die for, highly recommend. All three were a hit with our small children too :) oh, we also went to Lion Brand Yarn studio and of course Purl soho, both are definitely worth the visit!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy, Rita - NY, one of my favourite places - be good to yourself - see you 2011!
ReplyDeleteHugs - Lurline♥
Just across the street from Penn Station is the Hotel Pennsylvania, and in the lobby is Lindy's for the best NY cheesecake EVER! A must every time we go into the city! Also, you should always try and spend at least a couple hours in the Metropolitan Museum of Art....it's therapy! See a show, and there is a kiosk in Times Square to get 1/2 price matinee tickets...see anything...they are all good, especially musicals! For a little romance, a horse drawn carriage through Central Park is cozy, and window shopping in the evening is a must! Strolling the streets of midtown....fun!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time!
Definitely stop by Chelsea Market for food and shopping... Daisy May's (Hell's Kitchen) for BBQ (SOOOOO GOOD!). Shake Shack has great burgers... Papaya King has amazing hot dogs and papaya juice.
ReplyDeleteThere's great coffee at Stumptown and Gimme Coffee (there's one in Nolita, and another in Williamsburg, Brooklyn). If you go to Stumptown, make sure you take your cuppa and go sit in the lobby of Ace Hotel because it's got such a brilliant atmosphere.
Have loads of fun, make sure you have hats, scarves and gloves with you ALWAYS.
A store I went to while there was ABC home store. It's at 888 and 881 Broadway at E. 19th. It's VERY eclectic with everything from jewelry to chocolate to furniture to some clothes. Super cool place. Of course, you also have to go to Rockefeller center.
ReplyDeletei've loved seeing all your quilt progress! enjoy your break :)
ReplyDeleteHow Wonderful to be going O/S Especially to NY..I would love to do one year...
ReplyDeleteHave a Lovely time away & Merry Xmas to you & your Family...
Travel Safe.
cheers
Enjoy your holiday, look forward to seeing your posts back as I like your style!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time. Relax. Enjoy the sights and sounds and your family. We'll be here when you return.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites have already been mentioned, ABC Carpet and Home, Purl Soho and Tinsel Trading! All must sees. Can't wait to hear about what you do!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and have a great holiday! I am curious to know what the coffee is like in NYC and how it compares to Melbourne's! Have a good rest too!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time in NY! Enjoy the rest from quilting, enjoy looking (purchasing?) more fabric and go back to Melbourne refreshed and ready to entertain all your Blog followers in 2011. I have loved reading your Blog for over a year now - always inspiring and such clear photos and thoughts. Thank you. Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful holiday Rita. Love the blog. Hope you get your white Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAren't people wonderful giving all that advice? We're hoping to go to NYC at Easter, so just written it all down! Look forward to you blogging about the best places to go when you get back! Have a fantastic trip.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so nice Rita. Have a great safe trip and I look forward to some lovely snaps on your return.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you leave some fabric for the rest of us.
LOL
Merry Christmas! Have a great trip.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time away with your family. NYC is a place I'd love to go. Can't wait to see what you get up to.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy - I hope you have a lovely White Christmas - keep in touch!
ReplyDeleteSafe travels..
Love,
Karen
Wow, what an amazing feast of quilts this year, Rita - thanks for sharing them, you've been a real source of inspiration for me since I found your site. Have a very Merry Christmas in NYC - I've only been there at Easter but it's an amazing place at any time of year, I'm sure. Can't wait to see what 2011 will bring. Best wishes, Susanne
ReplyDeleteThank you Rita for all the inspiration you have given me since I found your blog. You have really helped me more than I could ever write.
ReplyDeleteI hope your Christmas is white, your journey is calm and your holiday is fantabulous.
Oh, and that the shopping is plentiful, natch ... x
Have enjoyed your blog for a while now - enjoy your trip to NYC! Christmas is the best time to see the city - be sure to go to Macy's and see Lord and Taylor's windows. Our favorite restaurant is Crispo on 14th St (they have a website crisporestaurant.com so you can check out their menu).
ReplyDeleteenjoy my favorite city in the world!
ReplyDeleteart in nyc is fabulous. of course the met, the guggenheim, & moma are must see venues. but don't miss the folk art museum, both locations. lots of quilts!
and for a huge laugh and great comfort food (sweet potato fries!), there is a funny restaurant in chelsea called trailer park. and it is blocks from another fabric store, city quilter.
have fun!
Happy holidays, hope you and your family have a fun and safe trip! Thank you for the year of beautiful inspiration.
ReplyDeleteOh I so wish I were going to NY. It is my dream. I hope you post all about your trip so I can live vicariously through you. Have a very blessed and wonderful Christmas. And BTW what a full and wonderful year you have had with all the beautiful quilts to show for it.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and enjoyable holiday, Rita. And I'll keep my fingers crossed for that white Christmas for you. Love all your beautiful quilts and even though you'll be gone for a while, I'm still going to browse your site for inspiration.
ReplyDeletebeen here. loved it!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.devinyc.com/2011/index.html
enjoy.
:)
What an amazing quilty year you've had!!!
ReplyDeleteHope the trip to NY is the icing on the cake.
Have a blast!
Andi xx
Your collage looks brilliant !!
ReplyDeleteWe were in NYC in October ... dinner at Scarpetta stood out .
Worthy of the special night out .
Happy travels
http://www.scottconant.com/restaurants/scarpetta/new-york
Have a wonderful time in NYC with your family! Wishing you the best holiday season!
ReplyDeleteSame wishes back, I'm looking forward to your return, I love stopping by to see what you're up to.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your travels! You probably already have this on your must-see list, but do go to the American Folk Art Museum to see the Bird of Paradise quilt (http://www.folkartmuseum.org/?p=folk&t=images&id=1739). Truly drool-worthy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing you quilt journaling with us. Enjoy your travels and looking forward to hearing about them.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great trip! I've loved ooooh and ahhhh over your quilts all year. I'd sugguest Donut Planet for a super tasty breakfast treat in NYC.
ReplyDeleteThank-YOU Rita for inspiring us every week with another gorgeous quilt! Your work is amazing and your blog is definitely one of my very most favoritists. Have a great time. Enjoy a well-deserved break!
ReplyDeleteRita,
ReplyDeleteYou MUST go see/do/eat:
1) FAO Schwartz (toy store from Home Alone)
2) Ice skating @ Wollman rink in Central Park (it is wayyyyy better than Rockefeller Center)
3) Macy's on 34th street
4) Walk down 5th avenue
5) Visit the Plaza hotel and buy yourself one of the gorgeous Christmas ornaments they have
Have fun and enjoy! I will be enjoying my Christmas in NY as well and hope that the weather is great!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I look forward to seeing your pics when you return.
ReplyDeletei rarely comment, but i always devour each one of your posts. your work is amazing and i appreciate all that you share here. have a happy holiday!
ReplyDeleteYou have had a busy year - amazing when you see all the quilts in one spot!
ReplyDeleteWe are also heading to NY this weekend, so am looking at all the comments with interest. Two years ago the weather was such a shock (very cold!) but we just loved it. Perhaps I'll bump into you in one of those many fabric haunts.
Merry Xmas and happy travels, Alison
Have a wonderful and safe trip!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time with your family and I hope you have a white Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThe Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is awesome. Get the peanut butter, chocolate, and banana custard shake in addition to a burger and fries. You will wait in a long line, but it will be SO WORTH IT!
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
I live in NYC and am always recommending CHEAP/FREE things for friends and family to do. Here's my TOP 5:
ReplyDelete1) The Staten Island Ferry. FREE. Takes you from the South Street Seaport to Staten Island, and you can take it right back over. You get AMAZING views of NYC and the statue of Liberty, and it's much cheaper than one of the tourist cruises. Runs night and day, and takes about 50 minutes each way. They sell beer, snacks and hot chocolate, and the SIF is definitely my first rec. to every visitor.
2) Chinatown/SOHO: Chinatown is amazing to walk around and shop for scarves, bags, trinkets, etc. They have bustling fish markets, vegetable carts with exotic who-knows-what, and roasted ducks hanging in shop windows. Go an a weekday as it's wall-to-wall people on weekends. Eat at the hole-in-the-wall NICE GREEN BO on Baxter Street. Be sure to try the soup dumplings. Food is excellent and super-cheap. Across the street is the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for dessert! From Chinatown, walk up Broadway to SOHO, where you'll find loads of great fabric stores (including Purl) and shopping.
3. Museums: They're all great, but the MET and Museum of Natural History have suggested ticket prices, meaning you can pay $2 and get in. Amazing.
4. Empire State Building: This one isn't cheap, but the views are out of control on a clear day. Worth it.
5. 42nd Street: Walk 42nd street from East to West one day. You'll pass lots of landmarks like the UN Building, Tudor City, The Ford Foundation (that has a cool, open-to-the-public indoor jungle/garden), the Chrysler Building, Grand Central (eat at the Oyster Bar inside), Bryant Park (ice skating), the NYPL, then keep going and you hit Times Square!
Feel free to email if you (or any of you) would like more recommendations!
Above all, layer your clothing, wear comfortable shoes, don't be afraid of the subway, ask someone if you need help, and ENJOY!
-kim
triangle shirt
http://triangleshirt.blogspot.com/
Thanks for sharing all of your beautiful quilts and photos! Have a safe trip and a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays to you, I hope you enjoy your break! I knew that you were busy creating this year, but didn't realize quite how busy until seeing your photo collage. Just incredible.
ReplyDeleteWow -- what a productive and beautiful year -- you're amazing! And you LUCKY LUCKY girl -- I LOVE NYC at Christmas time. Must go see the tree at Rockefeller Center and the Macy's Santa is really fun. Also don't know if anyone mentioned Gray Line Linen -- they're on 38th or 39th -- otherwise I think my favorites have been mentioned. Have a FABULOUS time!!!
ReplyDeletehappy days and happy holiday!
ReplyDeleteWow, look at all that quilty loveliness you have had a busy year.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fabulous holiday season.
loooove nyc!that city is electric!
ReplyDeleteyou are such an inspiration with all of your quilting! take a break and looking forward to seeing all you get up to in 2011
Listen to the quilted cupcake podcast review of NYC. I think it will help with your trip. Have a great time.
ReplyDeleteWow! NYC at Christmastime is magical. How fun for you!
ReplyDeleteWhen you visit Purl Patchwork I also suggest Pearl River Mart around the corner part way down Mercer. (Also an entry on Broadway.) I just discovered it this year (http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2010/07/feild-trip-friday-pearl-river-market.html). It's a Chinese import store and full of beautiful (and cheap) goodies, including oil cloth fabric.
Have fun! Thanks for the constant inspiration.
I am new to the blog world and found yours through another blog. I am amazed by the beautiful quilts you have made and so much enjoy your musings. Have a safe and blessed holiday. Thanks for your inspirations.
ReplyDeleteI have been a long time lurker and have loved reading your blog - it's always very inspiring for me! Have a great holiday in New York - I hope you got out before the blizzard hit?!?! If not, I hope you stayed inside and warm! When we're in NYC we love to go to the St. Regis Hotel and sit in front of their big picture window just off the lobby (it's in a sort of private room and it's for anyone to use) and sip hot cocoa...we people watch and rest our feet - plus this time of year the hotel usually has a lovely tree in there! Go, sit, relax...you'll thank me! Happy New Year! xo, Nan
ReplyDeletethank you for a wonderful year full of inspiration!!!
ReplyDelete