heARTS Creations

Cozy Cabins Log Cabin Challenge

Posted on November 16, 2018 by heARTs Creations

An Island Batik Adventure

What better project for the cold and wet we are experiencing this time of year than “Cozy Cabins.” Once again, as I try to minimize the number of Works in Progress I have in my studio, I thought of something simpler for this month’s Island Batik Ambassador project.

I love log cabins! At first I thought I’d do a table runner, but honestly, I have plenty of those and wasn’t very inspired. I also knew I didn’t want to do a full quilt. Ah Hah! Potholders! These will also make great stocking stuffers.

Many of the Island Batik bundles come tied with these really cool ties and they made for a perfect loop to hang the potholders with. I also used insul-bright batting to keep the user from burning their hands. This stuff really works! I chose a hexagon shape, some simple quilting and here they are!

Full disclosure – after completing these potholders, I reread our instructions for November and we were supposed to do a larger project. I’m begging for forgiveness. If I lay them all out side by side, does that count??

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Thank you to Island Batik for the fabrics used in this project and to Aurifill thread for supplying the threads.

Fun + Fun = Retreat Part II

Posted on November 12, 2018 by heARTs Creations

This year the retreat had a special event – Sew Original in Boone invited us for an after hours shopping night, special discount, Accu Quilt demo and dinner!! The dinner was amazingly yummy. What a treat! The demo was so well presented and very informative. Many of those attending already own an Accu Quilt and one or two added one to their studios after seeing the demo. There were even fun give-aways!

Of course, we shopped. And shopped. I was amazed at the haul a few showed off when back at the retreat.

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Thank you Melinda Rose for your invite and gracious hospitality!

There are just so many talented women who attend the Quilt & Sew-Ins and Show and Tell is one of my favorite activities there. Some bring a project they began at the last retreat, one worked on at home, or something they worked on at the current retreat. Talent, talent, talent!

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I am awaiting more show & tell pics and will share those soon.

Back from Retreat I

Posted on November 10, 2018 by heARTs Creations

Whew! Retreat is just so much fun – but really, 30 quilters?! There was a lot of sewing, sharing, laughing, games, prizes and fun, fun, fun. What a wonderful group. And I had the privilege of meeting some for the first time and there were a few that hadn’t been in a while. There are those that come every year. All lend so much to the retreat. In addition to North Carolina, they came from South Carolina, Virginia, Alabama and Florida!

Here are some of the pics – another took some and am awaiting those to be sent so there will be a second post soon. Each day began with a great breakfast to fuel us for the fun and work ahead. Lots of serious discussions too!

Beverly and Janet were obviously absorbed in their projects.

It’s not all sewing. Adrienne did beautiful painted rocks while Diane knitted scarves for a charity program.

Jean made a fabulous cover for her sewing machine and completed a nifty reversible apron.

One pretty and warm afternoon we had no choice but to go to Kilwin’s for ice cream. This has become a very yummy tradition!

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Betty Ruth was delighted to win at strip poker – things got a little rowdy!

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Lots of fun and laughing, but I have to admire the concentration and seriousness.

Pat was determined to complete her first quilt – a flannel rag quilt.

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Be on the lookout for Retreat Wrap-up Parts II and III!

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More Mail Goodness

Posted on November 4, 2018 by heARTs Creations

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How I love to get mail – especially packages! Once again I received a much enjoyed package from Jo of Jo’s Country Junction.

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First up: A quilt top that will be the perfect size for a Hospice Quilt – maybe even for a wheelchair bound patient. I will remove the large top and bottom borders, add another border, quilt and bind. Into the charity bin I keep to work on in the new year.

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Secondly, above is this ever so bright quilt top. This has cheer sewn all over the top! This quilt top will get a solid border (to help all that fun color), quilted and bound.

The bat blocks are totally adorable and fun. Not sure how these will be put to use as they are not appropriate for a Hospice quilt, but our group will confer and am sure we’ll come up with something!

It is just so very heartwarming to see just how generous quilters are. The goodness is passed around in so many ways and I am grateful to be a part of it.

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Sew Thankful!

Posted on November 2, 2018 by heARTs Creations

November is the month of “thanks” and I am truly thankful for the opportunity to be able to challenge my creative spirit mostly through quilting. Some time was spent away from home in October – a week in Southport, NC and a few days in New York City. Whew! Lots of fun, sightseeing, walking, bicycling, eating, more walking and more eating! However, not much sewing was done during that time.

That’s okay though. A scrappy was bound by hand while away and snippets here and there were done while I was home. I pulled out a Kaffe jelly roll flimsy that I had completed some time ago, did quite a bit of machine quilting and am now hand quilting. WHY? Because – it will just look better. Will not be a quick finish and that’s okay. No pics at this time, though.

I’m double checking that everything is ready for retreat that begins this Sunday!! So here’s October’s wrap up:

October Projects

Angel Wing – Southport, NC

Posted on October 31, 2018 by heARTs Creations

Hubby and I recently spent a week in Southport, NC. What a marvelous coastal town. Unfortunately, they did get some damage from Hurricane Florence, but just about everything was up and running. Lots of new roofs were being put on!

Our last full day hubby and I went our separate ways. I took a leisurely stroll up and down the main street of the city: Howe Street. Lots of shops of all kinds. Lo and behold – I came upon this shop filled with everything I love (except food!)

I was a bit skeptical before entering – how could this shop do all these crafts well? Will it be neat, tidy and well organized or a big mish mash of crafts? It is a totally excellent, well organized and beautiful shop.

There were so many choices for needlepoint, cross stitch and embroidery threads. There were also weaving supplies. Some I had never seen before.

And the knitting – oh the knitting! A huge selection of all kinds of yarns, patterns and completed examples. And yes, I crumbled. I bought this beautiful chenille yarn to make a small blanket (hopefully with a little help from a friend or two!) See the light green and white piece draped on the chair? That’s the one!

The quilting section – although not huge, I loved every single bolt of fabric there. Everything was bright and up to date. Be strong girl – just buy the yarn! There was also a nice selection of notions.

The owner, Donna, was camera shy. She does, however, invite you to come in person to meet her and enjoy this amazing and wonderful shop!

Angelwing Needle Arts, 507 North Howe Street, Southport, NC

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Sew Scrappy Fun!

Posted on October 28, 2018 by heARTs Creations

4 Patch Scrappy

This quilt was started as a leader ender. How fun it is when it gets to the point when there are blocks to sew together! I also enjoyed remembering that many of the scrap pieces were from years of many other quilt projects.

I decided to use all purple in the border instead of scrappy – it brought a cohesiveness to the quilt that I rather like.

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Something I rarely do – I hand stitched the binding down! I brought it with me on vacation and worked on it in the evenings. How nice to come home with a completed quilt.