So many things to love about this quilt: houses ... hearts ... free patterns ... fat quarter friendly .... trees. The trees were really fun and, in this quilt, I love them as much as the houses.
I found the pattern download at Bear Creek Quilting Company, my go-to website for free patterns and (not free) fabric. Now that Fabric Depot has closed, I suspect I'll visit even more.
When my older sister and I were young, my sister went to camp for a week every summer. I don't remember where it was, but I do remember getting A&W hamburgers and root beer floats on the long (for a 6 year old) car ride there. When I saw this quilt, it brought back memories of those trips to the summer camp: the fresh smell of the fir trees, the musty cottages, the dock at the lake. At least, I think there was a dock ... and a lake ...the memories are very hazy. The only thing I remember clearly is that I had absolutely no desire to go to camp and never really understood my sister's desire to do so.
The pieced pattern uses just a bit of applique and I did even less. The flower circles are applique--easy--but there are supposed to be applique birds here and there, nesting on top of trees and houses. I have nothing against birds, but I found them to be a little ... fussy. As in, I didn't want to fuss with them.
This house, for example, should have a bird on the roof. I guess I just don't have patience for that kind of stuff.
Another applique flower and a stylized American flag, which I love and which also proves that Christmas stash can come in handy any time of year.
I started this quilt many months ago, before all of the babies started to arrive. I had originally purchased a yellow print for backing, but found this brown and white checkered print in the Outdoor Sale at Fabric Depot and am happy with my second choice. I needed six inches more in length and added a row of houses, now my very favorite part of the quilt.
A bit too much sunshine for taking pictures of a quilt, but then we NEVER complain about sunshine in Oregon.
