Author Archives: heARTs Creations

Lots of Prepping

Posted on September 17, 2017 by heARTs Creations

Finishes – I’ve had a couple but they are “secret” for now. I am also spending much time prepping – prepping for the Fall retreats and what I’ll be sewing at those retreats.

First up is my December Island Batik project. Yes, I work ahead – it’s just my nature. I actually have September’s project done (to be posted on September 27 with a give-away), October’s project done and just need to quilt January’s project. We have the month of November free, with no project. I’m so thankful we are given our full list of projects in the beginning of the year. Without revealing too much, I’ll just say that I cut all these most gorgeous blue, purple and silver batiks into strips. It will be such fun, easy sewing at retreat!

blue Batik strips

Project Boxes (Medium)

Secondly, I am doing a scrappy quarter square log cabin. I was inspired by Stitched in Color. This is so truly scrappy – I went through each of my six scrap containers and cut, cut, cut. The sashings are with a turquoise grunge. I know I will love this quilt!

qtr log cabin heARTsCreations.com

Do you work ahead? Do you plan your projects or work purely by inspiration?

Round Robin – The Last

Posted on September 10, 2017 by heARTs Creations

Round Robin (Medium)

RR Brunch (Medium)

Oh how bittersweet to do our last reveal. We gathered at my home to enjoy some social time and brunch. A home can be so much more conducive to chatting and visiting than a restaurant. Oh boy, we quilters sure can talk!

After our meal, we ventured down to my studio to reveal each quilt one by one. I can’t begin to tell you how humbled I am by the talent these 3 ladies possess. First up:

Judy's Round Robin

Judy’s quilt. When I saw this reveal, I immediately thought it had to be my favorite of all of them. The various rows are so different and interesting. And those 3-D blocks in the last round – Wow!

Helen's Round Robin

Helen’s quilt. Okay, now it’s obvious that there won’t be a favorite for me. I love this one too. The colors are like a great party – and if she gets it quilted soon, it will be ready for Christmas – another Wow!

Deb's Round Robin

Deb’s quilt. Now do you see what I mean? This too is great! And the fabrics, oh the fabrics. Deb did the 365 quilt (yes, the whole thing pieced and quilted) from this line for her bed and the Round Robin will hang on the wall in her bedroom. Wow yet again.

Joyce's Round Robin

My quilt. Oh the creativity. A small border, quilting and black and white binding and she’s done. Well, not that easy because the quilting will be quite a challenge for me but am looking forward to it. And yes, once again – Wow!

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I just loved being part of this Round Robin. I would definitely do one again – in a few years that is!

Linking up with Off the Wall Friday

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Posted in Art, Color, Fabric, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting, Round Robin and tagged Color, Quilting, Scraps. Bookmark the permalink.

Blog Hop & Give-Aways!

Posted on September 4, 2017 by heARTs Creations

Back to School – that’s the theme for the Island Batik Ambassadors in September and we’re doing a month-long Blog Hop!

We’ll be introducing the newest fall lines and as a bonus, each ambassador will be doing a giveaway and…so will Island Batik! The schedule for the blog hop is below. I’ll be back with my hop and give-away on September 27. I can’t wait for you to see these beautiful fabrics!

WEEK 1

Monday, September 4 – Beaujolais
Quilting Affection Designs • FunThreads Designs

Tuesday, September 5 – Country Dozen
Cheryl Lynch Quilts • Inspired Layers

Wednesday, September 6 – Bonsai
Little Bunny Quilts

Thursday, September 7 – Sakura
Masterpiece Quilting

Friday, September 8 – Empress Garden
Dessert Bloom Quilting • Slice of Pi Quilts

WEEK 2

Monday, September 11 – Fresh Pick’ins
KISSed Quilts

Tuesday, September 12 – Lotus Blooms
Kathys Kwilts and More

Wednesday, September 13 – Olivera
Joan Kawano • Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

Thursday, September 14 – Rise & Shine
Den Syende Himmel • Sally’s Quilting Corner

Friday, September 15 – Diner Days
Ark Angel Creations • Karen Overton

WEEK 3

Monday, September 18 – Seas the Day
KISSed Quilts • Whispers of Yore

Tuesday, September 19 – Vineyard
The Inquiring Quilter • Inchworm Fabrics

Wednesday, September 20 – Abalone
PamelaQuilts • Yellow Cat Quilts

Thursday, September 21 – Batiks Go Retro
Adventures in Applique and Quilting

Friday, September 22 – Captain’s Anchor
Purrfect Spots Designs • Beaquilter

WEEK 4

Monday, September 25 – Cherry Berry
Freemotion by the River • Mary Mack Made Mine

Tuesday, September 26 – Lobster Bake
Seams to be Sew

Wednesday, September 27 – Solstice
Bejeweled Quilts • heARTs Creations

Thursday, September 28 – Sour Apple
Seams Like a Dream • Kauffman Designs

Friday, September 29 – Zen
Lizard Creek Quilting • Quilt’n Party

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Posted in Art, Color, Fabric, Island Batiks, Modern Quilting, Pattern, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting and tagged batiks, Blog Hop, Color, Give Away, Patterns, projects, Quilting, Quilts. Bookmark the permalink.

My Secret “Garden”

Posted on August 31, 2017 by heARTs Creations

Secret Garden I heARTscreations.com (Medium)

If you have followed me for any amount of time, you probably know that I am a huge Kaffe Fasset fan. I love the colors of his fabrics and the amazing artistry. Along with Kaffe, Brandon Mably is also on the top of my list.

Secret Garden front and back (Medium)

I started this quilt over a year ago at a retreat. It has been pieced for a while, but it was awaiting quilting. I entertained the idea of quilting it myself as I have been doing a few more than usual, but after looking at the top for a while I decided that a long arm was the way to go.

Secret Garden heartscreations.com (Medium)

I just love the vibrant colors of this quilt and it feels so good to have another finish!! In October I will have one more bonus – I will be going to a Kaffe lecture and workshop. Woo Hoo! Lucky me – can’t wait!

And, YES – tomorrow is September already so here’s my August progress:

WIPS August 2017 (Medium)

Linking up with: My Quilt Infatuation, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop!

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Posted in Art, Color, Fabric, Pattern, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting and tagged Color, Kaffe Fasset, projects, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

After the Quilt Show

Posted on August 21, 2017 by heARTs Creations

LKN Show (Medium) Last weekend the Lake Norman Quilt Guild had its quilt show, “Sail Into Quilting.” I spent Wednesday with the judging and it was very interesting. I was pleased to see how positive the judges were with all the quilts, winners and non-winners alike. On Thursday we had set-up. If you have never been part of a show like this, it is very tiring. There’s a lot of physical labor that goes into it. With everyone having a positive attitude, it goes by quickly and there is much satisfaction when you see how beautiful it all looks. Above is a pic of the show from above. The two gals who are our design team do an amazing job and have done so for several shows now. I can’t imagine. Logistics is just not in my skill set.

ReachforSun hanging heARTsCreations (Medium)

I was honored and thrilled to have won ribbons. “Reach for the Sun” won a first.

flower-basket-pillow-2-large

My pillow won a first and specialty ribbon for “Best Embellishments.”

planetary-2-heartscreations-com

“Planetary” took second.

Kaffe whole 1 (Large)

My Kaffe striped tablerunner won a third.

Yeah! Retirement (Medium)

And last, although one of my favorites, this applique that I worked on and completed after my retirement, won an honorable mention.

It will be two years before our guild has another show. Thank goodness, can’t imagine doing one every year!

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Posted in Applique, Art, Color, Fabric, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilt Show, Quilting and tagged projects, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

Getting Ready for Quilt Show!

Posted on August 9, 2017 by heARTs Creations

Sail Into Quilting – The Lake Norman Quilters’ quilt show is

August 11 and 12 in Mooresville, NC.

Go to the link for location, hours and a $1.00 coupon. There are many amazing quilters in this guild and it will be worth the trip! There will also be vendors, raffles, gift shop and more!

Fortunately, I’ve had my entries finished which sure beats being under pressure at the last minute! There was, however, some final prep. All entries needed to be labeled and then the labels covered so that the judges cannot see them. After judging, the covers are removed. I laid out each entry on my big cutting table and carefully went over them looking for any missed threads. Truly, that can ruin an entry in the judge’s eyes. I then go over both sides with a lint roller and I do so furiously. We have a cat, and I don’t want even one cat hair on an entry. I then put them all in a guest bedroom safe and sound. Our cat is not allowed in the bedroom wing of the house and a shut door insures that he won’t sneak in there.

Burst of Color heARTscreations.com (Medium)

My last finish was my postage stamp quilt, “Burst of Color” using Kaffe fabrics and a neutral batik. I think this wall hanging is pretty, (and yes, the quilting a bit wonky) and hope I can find a place to hang it in my home. Where to put all my finishes is becoming a challenge! I’m going to have to begin to change out my wall hangings with the beginning of each season.

Burst of Color border heARTsCreations.com (Medium)

Today was the judging part of the show which is always so interesting. Sorry, I cannot divulge results – winners will be officially announced Thursday night. Heavens, if I were a judge, I’d need to give out lots more ribbons – the members of this guild just blow me away with their talent!

Burst of Color 2 heARTscreations.com (Medium)

I have seven entries this year. I only entered my favorite finishes, not believing they are contenders, but I love to show what I love. I’ll be at the Quilt & Sew-In table, so if you come, please stop by and say “Hello.”

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Posted in Art, Color, Fabric, Modern Quilting and tagged Color, Kaffe Fassett, Postage Stamp Quilt, projects, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

My New Bag – Quilt As You Go

Posted on August 6, 2017 by heARTs Creations

QAYG Bag heartscreations.com (Medium)

An Island Batik Ambassador Adventure

Intimidation! That’s what I experienced when I saw the August Ambassador assignment. I have never done a quilt as you go, and did not want to begin another quilt, table runner or pillow. After recently sorting through my handbags and tossing and donating a few, I decided it was time for a new one! I used a free pattern off the internet – The Phoebe Bag, and adapted the pattern to quilt as you go.

QAYG fabrics (Medium)

I pulled and pulled fabrics from my Island Batik bin. Purples won! Instead of batting or stiff interfacing, I used foam! In the fabric store it’s located with the interfacings and you can get it plain, fusible on one side or fusible on both sides. I chose the fusible on one side. Much to my delight it was a dream to sew!

QAYG 1st block (Medium)

I placed a rectangle in the center of the main part of the bag, and then placed another on top. I then sewed the two fabrics together, directly on the foam. I pressed open and quilted on top. I repeated that around and around until the bag piece was covered, then trimmed. I repeated for the back. For the straps and closure flap I used interfacing.

QAYG bag back, heartscreations.com (Medium)

Following the pattern, I added a pocket to the lining, and then a second pocket sized for my cell phone. I have a feeling this will be a favorite for a while. No doubt I will be using this method for another bag soon.

QAYG Bag 2 heartscreations.com (Medium)

Quilt As You Go

This August be sure to check out what the other Island Batik Ambassadors are creating for their Quilt as You Go projects.

Linking up with: Em’s Scrapbag.

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Posted in block pattern, Color, Fabric, Island Batiks, Pattern, Projects, Stash and tagged Color, projects, Quilt as You Go, Quilted Handbag, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

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