Summer Sampler 2017

About a month ago, I received an e-mail about joining a summer sampler series.  I received three separate e-mails from Faith of FreshLemonsQuilrs, Katie from SwimBikeQuilt, and Lee of FreshlyPiecedQuilts.  I did participate in their summer sampler series a couple of years ago.  It was called the "Vintage Quilt Revival" and it was based on the book that they (Faith, Katie and Lee) had just published.  That was quite a fun quilt to make.  

Anyway, this time we were to purchase the pattern and wait for an e-mail with instructions on how to make each block every Monday.  Of course, I ordered my fabric late so I just caught up this past weekend with the first three blocks.  I basically stayed with the fabrics that were suggested but I added a few more blues.  I received the first two blocks without all of my fabric so I waited patiently until all of them arrived.  The instructions give a 12" and a 6" version of each block.  I am toying with the idea of making both sizes but I have only done the 12" blocks because I am trying to organize my stash, patterns and quilt books to be in one place and not scattered somewhere in four different places in my house.

Block 1:  Millcreek Star

Block 2:  Tilted Star

Block 3:  Celestial Star

These blocks, so far, have been fun and easy to sew.  Fortunately, I like to paper piece so the third block was easy to do.

I also have to apologize that my blocks do not look very pretty.  I am not a good photographer and I can't seem to get the colors to come out looking like the fabrics that I used.  Sorry....

If you have Instagram, you can see some of the other blocks on #summersample2017.

2017 Saturday Sampler - Month #4

This month's block is called the "Libra."  It is a very pretty block and easy to sew together.  As I have stated in the past, we are making a 12 block quilt in solids and we have the option to also make another quilt with Civil War Reproduction fabric.  I chose to do both type of blocks.

12.5" block 

Sewn in the Civil War Reproduction Fabrics.

2017 Saturday Sampler - Month 3 - Centaurus

This month's Saturday Sampler is called Centaurus.  It is easy and I love the fabrics.  I opted to make a modern block with solids and a 1800 Reproduction Block.

Centaurus Block made with 1800 Reproduction Fabric

Modern Block with Solids

Sleigh Bell Block of the Month - Month 9

This month's block of the month for the Sleigh Bell Quilt is an ornament.  It was very easy because the instructions are easy to understand and the pieces of the block are large.

I enjoyed this little ornament.  I usually sew with the television on and I watched the last NCAA March Madness game:  Kentucky vs. North Carolina. I also enjoyed watching the game and sewing my block.  

Three more months to go and all of the blocks will be complete.

Creative Grids - Week #2 - Strippy Stars

This week's Creative Grids class focused on the "Strippy Stars Ruler," Designed by Deb Heatherly, CCRDH2.  The companion book, "Strippy Stars," is a very good book that shows all of the stars that can be made with the ruler and all of the instructions are included.

Strippy Stars Ruler/Tool - CCRDH2

Strippy Stars Book by Deb Heatherly

The difference between these stars and the Ohio Star Blocks is the legs of the Strippy Stars are longer.  On the Ohio Stars the legs are exactly half of the of the center piece.

Jill gave us enough fabric to make one 4" Strippy Star.

We used the 4-inch mark on the ruler to make the block above.  It is an 8-inch square block.

I used the 1 1/2-inch mark on the ruler to make this 5-inch block.

Making the 8-inch block was very easy to make.  Our homework for the next Creative Grids class is to make four blocks again.  I can't wait to do it.

New Class - Creative Grids

Last Wednesday, I started a new class/club:  A Creative Grids Club.  It is a 12 week class and we meet twice in one month.  Our first class was last week and we learned all about the Creative Girds 6" Log Cabin Trim Tool.  

Each time we meet, Carol and Jill introduce us to a new Creative Grids Tool/Ruler.  I was a bit skeptical because I dislike log cabin blocks.  My blocks are difficult to piece because of the fabric and somehow I cannot cut them straight.  

They explained that this tool helped each block to be similar and easy to sew together.

We watch a video on the TV in the classroom and we are given fabric.  Once the video is done we try to make the block:  a 6" Log Cabin.

This is the block we made from the fabric that was given to us.  It was fun and very fast to sew together.  

We were given "homework":  to make four additional log cabin blocks.  I just finished this tonight.  I like the look and I was able to use some of my scraps to complete the homework.

2017 Mystery Saturday Sampler - Month #2

Month #2 went without a hitch.  I had finished Month #1 quickly and brought it with me to the class last Saturday.  When you show the previous month's finished block, you get the next block pattern and fabric for free.  It is such a DEAL!  This month's block is called "Antila."  It was a fun block, fairly easy to put together and a very pretty block.  As with last month's block, there was the option of making a block out of 1800 Reproduction fabric.  I opted to do it again, as I did last month.

1800 Reproduction Fabrics

Solid Fabric

I apologize for the lighting while taking the photographs of the blocks.  I did not use the correct lamp so the photos did not turn out well.  I will do better next time.