Summercrafter

It's that time again for another project from Camille Roskelley's book Simply Retro, this Quilt Along is being hosted by Jana , check out the other posts on her blog.       Do you have tons of strips and scraps from other quilts and projects? Don't tell me you threw them out?!?!  This project is perfect for such left overs. The best part is there is not much "aligning" to worry about, or any mismatched seams likely to be noticed. That's why it's just "my kind" of project!   It's called "Adorn" and it's a six point star.      (photo by Jana)   During this project I tried out three new tools and techniques!    First, I used spray basting. Got this bottle 50% off at Joann (one of those "no minimum" low rate shipping offers too) I sprayed the backing fabric and smoothed on the batting. DON"T SPRAY YOUR TOP!!       Second, I got to try out my 60 degree Tria...

Hey everyone! Welcome to another Friday Night Block Party. I sure needed a block party this week, did anyone spike the punch? Just kidding!!       This week's featured block is not as easy as half-square triangles as they are paired up with Flying Geese blocks.  When analyzing blocks you'll see how simple units yield a more complicated block. Watch those corners!!   According to The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt Book , which you'll be seeing more of on future posts, this block has 2 names (at least)!           Can you guess what it is?       picture courtesy of Room3@Tamaki Primary   Yep! It's called "Whirlpool." Below it's featured in only 2 colors.     It's also called Windblown Square which incorporates 3 colors.     The quilt blocks in this book have names pertaining to life on the farm so each  block is a little ...

I am a poor party planner. With all the running around, the details always fall by the wayside, and no one really notices after all the time invested. So I don't sweat the small stuff for parties, not anymore.  How do I do a party? I get generic plates, character cake, some character decor $5 or less, a pool or a great location.  This year though, I really wanted a banner, which I now know is called "bunting" or "pennant."   So 2 hours before the party I get this great idea, which apparently is how they are born, racing against the clock.   Using a bottle cap, paint bubbles on cardstock.    Sit in front of fan for speed drying.       Meanwhile, cut letters with the Cricut real size 3 1/2 inches.   Although it has great "beachy" graphics, I used this Cartridge for the font.       When the paint is dry, mark on one side of the paper, the width of t...

The most desirable and "have to do" pattern in the Simply Retro Book by Camille Roskelley has to be  "Dwell" the quilt of houses.        Picture by Jana!   Not only does she use the softest palette, but the are also fun and easy to make. In no time I practically had a neighborhood!! Okay maybe it was just a street block but you know what I mean.   I am quilting along with Jana following all the projects in the book and I can barely keep up (can you tell I'm panting?)       While I am really committed to doing each project and at minimum one block to start, I am also trying my best to use scraps for the "test run."     As you can see in my eagerness to get this together I flipped the pieces so the first house is not quite right.   Everything went along swimmingly while I pieced.   But when I started to quilt, that's another story. I always use the teal thread when I u...

Hi everybody! So glad you could make it to the Block Party this week, even though school has started in some places and we are TI-ERD, exhausted.  Well, sometimes when we are so drained of energy, we get clumsy or lazy, so besides dirty dishes, we may be seeing some broken dishes at this party.          Today's featured block is called "Broken Dishes" and it is also made with Half Square Triangles going any which way! Some other names for it are Hourglass, even Paddlewheel or pinwheel, it all depends how your arrange them.   "Broken Dishes is a simple quilt block made from half-square triangles arranged in a four patch. The squares are arranged at different angles to create the effect of broken dishes. It’s popularity dates back to the 1790’s and is one of the most common blocks in quilt history. It is a fun block to make with all different colors of fabrics or of just two colors."   Source: Utah State Univer...