Simplify

Mouse ears and fat quarters

So you already know that a week ago my Scrumptious pre-cuts arrived, but what you probably didn't know, is that the next morning we packed up the car and drove to (where else?) Disneyland!  We had planned the trip before I knew that fabric was coming at the same time, but I am so glad we still went, even if I was plotting what to do with the fabric much of the time.  (Can you blame me?)

The beach was perfect, as always.

As was Disneyland.  

(Carrie, I bought these Mouse ears and took this photo just for you! They wouldn't take them off!)

Our friends, the Lesues just happened to be there as well (shocking! ;-), and we had the best time with them. As always.  

Gosh we love that crazy place.  We have annual passes this year, so we've been trying to get good use of them.  So far, so good!

The Scrumptious yardage arrived while we were gone, so as soon as we got home I started sewing and haven't stopped. (Sorry about the Instagram photos, I'll get some better ones for you soon!) 

(He's such good sport)

So yep, I'm having the best time sewing with Scrumptious, and enjoying mixing it up with happy-go-lucky even more. Tonight I made a project that used both of them and a little Marmalade as well.  It all plays so well together!  

If you need me over the next month or so, it's a safe bet you'll find me here:

In my pajamas.

You've been warned. 

Scrumptious

Hello there!  Guess what I found on my doorstep today?  This happy little bundle!

 I think it has a bit of a Ruby vibe, which makes me super happy!  

stats:

Scrumptious by Bonnie and Camille 

for Moda Fabrics

showing at May 2013 Quilt Market in Portland

available in September

Isn't it scrumptious?

Just because

Sometimes with so much sewing that needs to be done (and fast!), it is hard to find time to do some sewing just because.  You know, just picking out some fabric, turning on a movie and sewing.  In December I was sewing all my Happy-go-lucky projects, January was busy with Craftsy projects and getting ready for that, and I just got word that our new Market line will be here in a week or two and I'll start getting ready for Spring Quilt Market.  

So, on Friday night I pulled out a stack of fabric (mainly Good Folks by Anna Maria Horner) and started cutting it up. The big boys were on a campout with Jarom, and Nic was in bed so I had the house to myself.  I whipped up a few Swoon blocks and went to bed way later than I should have.  

It was awesome.  

Saturday was a really busy day, but as soon as everybody was in bed I snuck back down and made a few more blocks.  

So now with 4 blocks done, I just need 5 more (or 7 if I want to add another row- haven't decided yet!) and I'm good to go.

I may not get much sleep this week because these little stacks of fabric are going to be calling my name until they are all made into blocks...

As much as I love my orginal Swoon quilt out of Ruby, it still travels for various events, is photographed and considered a sample.  (Darn it.)  

Which means once this quilt is done, I will finally be able to snuggle up in a Swoon quilt on the couch with the little people.  It's about time, right?

A few more things:  

*There's a really awesome Swoon-along flickr group over here, where you can see about 3000 (!) different Swoon quilts.  Check it out!  

*The winners of the fabric in the last post are Ashley Williams who is about to start her first quilt, and Deanna Carpenter who is making her second Swoon.  Congrats ladies!  Email me at camille(at) thimbleblossoms.com and send me your info so I can send those out.  Thank you to everyone who entered!!  It is so great hearing from all of you!

*And just so you know, PDF patterns are still on sale for a few more days with code PDF30.  Yes, including Swoon.  :-) (code has now expired- thank you!!)

And finally, a quick qeustion for you.  When you are looking for a new project, what do you look for?  Is it a new technique?  Something quick or something that would be a challenge? A favorite block? A certain cut of fabric?  Just something that catches your eye?  I would love to know!

 

Moda Quilt Along

Hello!  I'm Camille Roskelley, quilter, mom of three boys, one half of Bonnie and Camille and designer of Thimble Blossoms patterns.  If you are here new here, welcome!  Feel free to make yourself at home.

It's no secret I'm a sucker for sampler quilts.  I made the Farmer's Wife quilt last year, and am still working on hand quilting it, but I have enjoyed every second of putting it together.  Here's the quilted half:

And the not yet quilted half.  I have to hide this quilt from myself so I'm not tempted to sit and stitch when I should be getting other things done!  

You've probably already heard, but Moda started something pretty great this week.  A quilt along!  It should be a lot of fun, and by the time you visit all the blogs, you'll have 30 different blocks and a setting all ready to go. Yep, a whole quilt.

As you can see, I'm just about ready to start a new sampler, so I couldn't be happier about the timing. The Moda sew along blocks are 9", and I don't believe any of them have templates, so you can just start cutting and sewing.  Here's my block, which I am going to make when I have two seconds to spare.  I just returned from a trip to Denver to film a Craftsy class (more on that here) and am running a bit behind so I haven't had a chance to make it quite yet, but I certainly will. 

I've had a thing for friendship stars lately, as you may have noticed from my Round and Round quilt, and have a few more things I want to try too.  Like a quilt with all teeny tiny friendship stars.  Scrappy, don't you think?  All I need it is a few more hours in the day and I'm good to go!

While you are sewing, be sure to watch this video, from Fall Quilt Market where the designers talk about their blocks.  I wasn't at Market, which means I'm not in the video, so it's really great. 

Did I mention there is a flickr group where you can add all your photos and meet other quilters?  Well, there is.  If you would like to join us, here are the links to all the designers who are participating in the sew along:

 FEB 18th

Barbara Brackman 

Basic Grey 

Blackbird Designs 

 

 FEB 19th

Bonnie- Cotton Way 

Brigitte- Zen Chic 

Anne- Bunny Hill 

 

FEB 20th

Camille- Thimble Blossoms 

Deb Strain 

Eric & Julie Comstock 

 

FEB 21st

Jan Patek 

Joanna-Fig Tree 

Jenn Ski

 

FEB 22nd

Kaari-French General 

Lynne-Kansas Troubles 

Kate Spain 

 

FEB 25th

Kathy Schmitz 

Edyta- Laundry Basket 

Lauren & Jessi Jung 

 

FEB 26th

Lisa- Primitive Gatherings 

Malka Dubrawsky 

Me & My Sister 

 

FEB 27th

 Minick and Simpson 

Pat Sloan  

Sandy Gervais 

 

FEB 28th

Sweetwater 

Stephanie Ryan 

Vanessa Christenson

 

March 1st

The Cutting Table

Pretty great huh?  A big thank you Moda for organizing the whole thing!  

In case you didn't hear, Moda has provided some pretty amazing treats as well. Two lucky winners will receive a Marmalade Layer Cake and a Charm Packs of Vintage Modern. Just leave a comment here with your favorite Thimble Blossoms pattern and you'll be good to go.  

Oh, and if you've had your eye on any of them, you can use the code PDF30 to get 30% off any PDF patterns in the shop this week, including the new ones.  Yay!  (code has now expired- thank you!!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Comments are closed for this giveaway.  See the winners here!

Camille

Where the magic happens

Well, I had quite the adventure this week. I did something I've never done before, and well, it turned out to be an amazing experience.

Sunday morning the family dropped me off at the airport and I made my way to Denver. The next morning found me at Craftsy (yes, CRAFTSY!), ready to film my quilting class.  Crazy, right?

 
I was excited, nervous, and to be honest, a little bit terrified. And that first day of filming was rough! Everyone was wonderful, but apparently there is a pretty steep learning curve to teaching on camera. (At least there was for me!) Day two and three though? So. Much. Fun. I had the best crew ever (EVER) to work with, and we had such a great time.  I would do it again in a hearbeat!  

(The crew learning to free-motion quilt.  The general consensus?  Not as easy as it looks!)

My class won't be ready for a month or so, but I will definitely keep you posted when it is ready to go. I apologize ahead of time for my voice.  Do I really sound like that?  

Just in case some of you are wondering what in the world Craftsy is, it is an amazing website that is dedicated to the crafting world.  They have classes on everything from quilting to knitting to cake decorating, and they are all put together really well.  They also have great fabric deals, a blog (you'll recognize a few of the writers!) and a whole bunch of other great stuff over there.  After meeting all the amazing minds behind all this?  I'm even a bigger fan. True story.  Every single person there is incredible! 

I actually worked on the (free!) Craftsy Block of the Month before I went to film mine and thought it was really great, and when I got back I signed up for Sarah Fielke's Big Techniques from Small Scraps quilting class.  I recently bought both of her Material Obsession books (1 and 2) and they are some of my very favorite quilting books.  I am so excited to get started on her class!  There are a few others I have my eye on as well... I need more hours in the day.

Anyway, where was I?  Oh yes, my last day in Denver.  Mixed feelings for sure.  Sad to leave such a high energy, creative environment but ready to go home and see my family, just in time for Valentines.  

Excuse me, Valintimes.

Hey Craftsy, I need an extra long nap, and then I'll be back.  You guys are way too much fun.

(Holla ;-)

 

FQS Designer Mystery Blog hop

Hello! If you are here for the Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Designer BOM post, you are in luck! I'm not exactly sure what I am supposed to show you, since it is all very hush hush, but I can tell you it is out of Avalon by Fig Tree and it is going to be just as amazing as the last one. That one was my favorite, but I'm a little biased. How are your Vintage Modern blocks coming along? I'm way behind, but plan on catching up this summer. Can't wait!  I'll keep you posted. Are you ready to get started on your next one?  

The way it works, is you sign up for it and each month you get a really fun block designed by one of the Moda designers, as well as all the fabric to make the block. Pretty great, right? Since my mom and I designed a star block, we were asked to blog about our favorite stars/celebrities. (Oh, and Vanessa and Kate are posting theirs today too!) My favorite celebrity? Oooh, that's tough.  I'd have to say probably Brad Pitt.  But not really Brad Pitt himself, because of this stage:

And these commecials:

(Have you seen the SNL parodys?  Oh my gosh.)

But more of the Brad Pitt from this scene of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

For heaven's sakes.  

Wait, what was this post about? Oh yes, the Fat Quarter Shop Block of the Month. I've never met a Fat Quarter Shop BOM I haven't liked, and this one is no exception. It's pretty awesome. You should do it. Oh, and enter today's giveaway while you're at it!

Thanks for stopping by,

Camille