July 2014 Designer of the Month

Welcome to our JULY Block of the Month! I’m Designer/Radio show host Pat Sloan!

I think many of you have some of Camille Roskelley’s fabric on your self, and I know you have her patterns (Swoon anyone?) . I believe I’ve been collecting Camille’s fabric since she and her mom Bonnie first started to create with Moda.  The fabrics are so happy and the names are fun too!

I have had the pleasure of having Camille on my All Quilting podcast June 25, 2012 . You can CLICK HERE and scroll back on the player to listen

We continue our MONTHLY thread BOX giveaway (seriously folks… you could win a box of my thread which is over $120.00 value.. for making a quilt block… you have to join in!).

And we have an added feature this year of a machine quilting tip from Natalia Bonner. Look for that at the end of each interview!

EACH MONTH we will pick one random winner that has made a  block from our 2014 designers and that random person receives a FULL BOX of my Aurifil thread as the  prize! Winners are all contacted via Flickr email and posted at our FLICK GROUP HERE

Let’s get to know Camille!

When was your FIRST quilt sighting?

I grew up with quilts since my mom was a quilter, and so was my grandma, and her mom, and so on and so on. I come from a long line of quilters, so it’s hard to pinpoint when I saw my first one. However, it wasn’t until I was 14 and was finally allowed in to my first quilt market that I really found a love in quilting myself.

My first quilt was actually made from the fabrics I got at that show. Though they aren’t my colors now, this quilt will always be a really special one for me.  (CLICK HERE to read about Camille’s first quilt)

When you go to a quilt show, what types of quilts are you drawn to? 

While I have a love and appreciation for all quilts and for how many different styles there are out there, my favorite quilts are ones that make a statement. Something bold that catches you eye. Color plays a large part in this for me (heaven knows I’m a fan of red and aqua…) but the pattern is always what jumps out to me first. Also, fabric. A great fabric goes a long way. So to sum up, everything. 😉 Everything draws me in!

We all have parts of the process we ‘prefer’ more than others. What part of quilt making do you ‘Prefer’ most… least?

You know, I go back and forth on this a lot. For a while the machine quilting was my favorite, and then as my kids grew older, I found I loved an excuse to sit still and bind. Now I may have to go with the piecing. It is just so satisfying to watch the project come together. Every part of quilting is at one time or another my favorite. Except for borders. I do not enjoy borders!

Did you have a career prior to making art, and what was it? Do you still do that career while having your design business?

I actually graduated with a degree in Architectural Design, believe it or not. I helped put my husband through school doing residential drafting, and then started my company, Thimble Blossoms soon after he graduated.

I still love architecture, and I really appreciate a great house quilt.

What is your favorite place to visit in your hometown?

I grew up in a small town named Rigby, Idaho. It has many things that make it great, but perhaps the greatest is the Bambino, which is basically a deep fried pizza pocket. I worked at the Bambino shop in high school and lets just say I’ve had… a few more than I should have. If you are ever driving through Rigby, stop by The Great Bambino and get a classic for me. Also, my family all lives there, and they are pretty great too. 😉

Do you have a tip or trick to make your quilt making easier?

I have lots of tips and tricks on my blog, but my most popular helpful post is my Farmer’s Wife post. I made a Farmer’s Wife quilt a few years back (which I’ll be hand quilting well into my retirement at this pace) and posted how I made it and used all the templates. (CLICK HERE for Camille’s posts)

What are your 3 favorite colors of Aurifil thread?

Three favorites? Hmmm. Well, I’d have to go with the three in the middle of this photo. White 2021 first, because good heavens I go through a lot of it! It’s my favorite piecing and quilting thread. Then the Aqua (2830) and the cherry red (2270). But I love every color in my Simplify set too.

What does your studio look like, and what would you change in it? 

I have one wall of shelving that my husband and I built when we moved into our house, and it is filled with almost all of my fabric. One wall is all windows, another holds my bulletin board and cutting table, and the last wall has all my mini quilts hanging above my sewing table.

Last fall I started remaking all of my quilts in mini size and it started my new obsession. What would I change in it? I’d make it bigger, of course!

Anything else you’d like to share? 

Our new line for Moda, Miss Kate will be shipping next month, and precuts are out now!

I also have plenty of Miss Kate patterns, and lots of mini quilt patterns over in my shop. A new line is in the works, and a few other fun surprises too. 🙂

What woman Inspired your Quilt Block? 

Well, that would have to be my mom. She is such an inspiration to me, and never gives up, even when things are tough. I’m so glad we share a love of quilting and a possibly problematic obsession with fabric. 🙂 There’s nobody better.

(Camille’s mom is the wonderful designer Bonnie Olaveson visit her blog HERE)

**********************************

CLICK HERE For Camille’s block “On The Plus Side”

**********************************

And a few on the light side

• Last Movie you Watched– The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It was such a great show, and made me want to see more of the world!
• Your current favorite Song– When the Right One Comes Along by Sam Palladio
• The snack you crave- I recently traveled to Australia to teach classes, and discovered Caramello Koalas. It was love at first sight/bite.
• The Color you have always LOVED….. Aqua. It is the perfect color. True story.

Blog: http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/simplify/
Shop: http://thimbleblossoms.bigcartel.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thimbleblossoms
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thimble.blossoms

This is a GREAT reminder! I don’t think we clean our machine enough. The very talented Natalia Bonner has a Machine Quilting tip for you each month. Natalia will be quilting the final top for the Aurifil Gallery in Milan Italy!

Visit Natalia at http://www.pieceandquilt.com/

I decided we should have some FUN! Why don’t YOU help ME decide which fabric combination will be my July block? CLICK ON OVER and I have 3 options for you to pick from.  In a few days I’ll share what ‘you’ decided!

Are you on Facebook? I have a new group with the most incredible show and tell going on! You should see it! CLICK HERE to join me… I’d love to meet you!

*************************** JOIN our Aurifil Family  ****************************

The winner this month is  RunSewFun! She wins a Thread kit!

EACH MONTH we will pick one random winner that has made a block.. that person will receive a special Aurifil thread prize! This month our random winning block is from Sheila! Winners are all contacted via Flickr email and posted at our FLICKR PAGE CLICK HERE

Sign up for the Aurifil Newsletter… scroll to the NEWSLETTER box

Become a member of the AURlfil fan page on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/aurifil.quilt.thread