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...

Whew! I thought I'd never get this done but I enjoyed it so much. A great motivator to finish is using some fun fabric. It provided great stress relief, once I got started I could not stop! But I've only finished the top, quilting is yet to be done.      This pattern is called "Playground" in Camille Roskelley's Simply Retro book (you can get it here  or at her store Thimble Blossoms .)  I'm quilting along through this book with Jana .       Here are two ways to change how the block looks.         Mix up the colors and patterns.     Or leave them more uniform, Both work!     I used Baby Big Top Circus Collection  (or part of it) by Timeless Treasures. I got a Fat Quarter bundle at Craftsy , take advantage of those 50% off sales!!      Here are more of the blocks up close.      ...

I really like this block. But more so, these great combining fabrics I was so glad to have in my stash!       The striped one I got at Fat Quarter Shop on clearance at the end of "a year." The fabulous flower print I got on my first trip to Hobby Lobby . No one told me Hobby Lobby had fabric!  But no worries, I was well prepared to spend : )  It was a great church activity and field trip for the ladies, but the driver of the van probably wasn't so thrilled driving 2 hours (to and from) with chattering ladies behind him; but he was a trooper, thanks Pastor!       This block is project three on the Simply Retro Book by Camille Roskelley and it's part of the Quilt Along Jana is hosting.   I'm a little behind on this one, but here it is. I wonder if you can guess why I have four attempts?    I do love the fabric but there was something else going on, that I finally realized had no solut...

For the Simply Retro Quilt Along  I'm participating in at Jana's blog, we are starting on the third project in the book.  But first I wanted to bring you up to speed with the progress of the first two I have started. You can also check out more of Simply Retro on Flickr . My first Simply Retro project "Swell"  which I did in red, white and blue had been delayed in the quilting department. I decided to quilt it in the Baptist Fan design, but I wasn't happy with how it was turning out with the machine. SInce I had to spend a day in a hospital waiting room, I decided that I would quilt it by hand (a first for me)  and so it's taking a while to finish. See how it's turning out.     The other project in the works is "Retro" a great block with a splash of color popping in the quilt.     This is a baby quilt, and I have a feeling I'll be delivering this quilt after the baby arrives. I am waiting for this gre...

I am so glad that I signed up for this quilt along.          Thanks Jana! Check out her blog and see what it's all about! There are lots of pics of other great projects, take a look here , here  and on flickr !   I am not going to tell you that it's easy to keep up with these weekly postings but it's a great excuse to lose sleep! I am really enjoying myself working on these projects as well as learning new things and moving along very quickly.  The funny thing is every time I look ahead at the next project, I know exactly who is going to get it!    Here is the second project in the book. If you are a quilter, a beginning quilter, this book is the perfect place to start working with patterns. Easy, Peasy!!   You start with squares.    Lots of squares.     Group your squares.   Turn some into Half square Triangles.     Before you...

Look what my sister got me for my birthday last month! Thanks sis! XO I am telling you, for gifts, hints are great but a direct link is the way to go! ; )     You can get Camille Roskelley's latest book at her shop or take a sneak peek over here . But you really won't need to. I can tell you that every thing in this book is fabulous and easy and total eye candy. Really!   With patterns running anywhere from $1.99 on Craftsy to $9.00, I figure if I like three patterns in a book, I've already got my money's worth. Well, I can honestly tell you that this book was a steal! While I won't be able to make every quilt the actual size,  and I am tempted,  I am going to make something using every pattern. They are that good! Did I mention they were easy? I usually do things my own way, but following patterns is a great way to learn new techniques and the tricks of the trade that are so helpful when creating your ow...