Category Archives: block pattern

Chequers

Posted on April 12, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Happy Easter all.  It’s been very quiet here and rainy, and gloomy.  We are following the state “stay at home” directive and well….let’s just say I did a lot of sewing today!

Chequers

This week I finally finished my batik Chequers quilt. The pattern is from the “Modern Quilts Illustrated book.  This baby took forever! When I went to put the completed blocks together, I wasn’t loving a few of my choices so I remade the blocks. Then – ta da! – I quilted it! If you know me, you know that other than small quilts like table toppers, I am not a quilter. It’s just not something I enjoy, but this one I was determined to quilt.  It’s all straight and curvy lines.  Burying threads took forever!

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Instead of using batting, I backed this top with a bright green fleece.  I love the weight and the softness.  This will be my new couch quilt to cuddle up with in the evenings when I’m chilled.

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I’ve also made more masks. I’ll confess – I’m not as productive in this department as other quilters have been.  My hats off to all those who are so generously making and donating a load of masks. Some have offered to buy them from me but I have so gladly gifted the masks. We’re in this together and even my little contribution can go a long way.

May you all stay safe, happy and healthy!

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Lots Going On

Posted on April 5, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Like everyone else, I have extra time at home because we are truly isolating.  This has led to accomplishments! First, I cut ALL my scraps.  Yowza! It was a lot!! Below are just the 1 1/2″ strips.

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Then, I completed ten face masks. There’s a thread out there that we may be required to wear them out soon, so I made one for each of my family.  I plan to make more for family, friends and neighbors. Honestly, I found these somewhat tedious to make, but also important to do. I did have a couple of 1,000 thread count pillow cases that we never used that I cut as the layer on the face.

Quilting and batik fabrics were used for the other two layers. Not only did I not have any elastic, but I understand that health professionals have said that the elastic is taking a toll on surface skin, so I used t-shirt material, cut one inch by 18 inches and pulled to make a cord.

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At the November 2019 retreat, blocks were pieced by the retreaters.  I put those together for a Hospice quilt. Would really like to get this quilted in the next week.

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Social media has been wonderful during this time.  As the Quilt & Sew-In had to be cancelled, we have been doing an “on-line retreat.” It’s also so easy to text or face time with family and friends. Imagine isolation before internet – Yikes!

I truly pray that all of you are staying safe and happy. So glad it’s spring!

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Stars for Baby

Posted on March 29, 2020 by heARTs Creations

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When at my fall retreat in November, a lovely young woman who worked at the Inn shared that she was expecting her first child. After seeing all the quilters’ work, she asked me about having a quilt made for her baby.  No need to ask me twice! She wanted stars and the colors red, black and gray.  Hmmm.  At first I thought those colors would be challenging, but instead they were a joy!

I mailed the quilt off to her last week. Sadly, I could not gift it to her in person as the Quilt & Sew-In had to be cancelled and now the Inn is closed.  Where is the quilt?? I mailed it to the Inn and as of right now, I have no idea.  I’ll wait a few days as I’m sure the Inn has been inundated with calls and emails.

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I love the way this quilt came out and how the prints came together to make a bright baby quilt. The quilting was done with pretty swirls – perfect for this quilt.

Scraps & Callie

Lots more time than usual is being spent in my studio these days as I’m sure is the case with most quilters I know.  One of my absolute priorities is to get all the scraps that have been piling up for much too long, cut.  (Even Callie is running away from this task!) I have both cutting machines out and they will not be put away until I have completed the job.  About an hour a day is all I’m putting into it so I don’t get burned out.

I’ve even cut out a leader-ender project – triangles for scrappy half square triangles. I love that the cut is accurate and there won’t be any dog ears to cut after sewing.

What has been keeping you occupied during this “stay at home” time?

Linking with:  N&TT

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At Home Retreat

Posted on March 22, 2020 by heARTs Creations

The Spring Quilt & Sew-In has been cancelled.  Although it was definitely necessary to cancel this event, it has made me somewhat sad as I so enjoy all the amazing creative souls that come to the retreats.  We laugh, we sew, we share, we laugh, we shop and yes, we sew! Some I only see at retreat. Hopefully there will be a rescheduling at a later date, but more likely it will all need to wait until next year.

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My last social sewing for some time took place last week at the home of a friend for 3 days. There were three of us and it was wonderful and inspiring.  As usual, I came away with some good tips. I have been sewing, sewing, and sewing the flying geese made from leftovers of my Tula Strings quilt. It really is a pile of sewing! As a result of our sew-in, I have on order a flying geese trimmer and how that should make the task easier! Actually, hubby has it on order for my birthday (smile).

I also started to put blocks together for the Tangled quilt. I am using Robert Kaufman Blueberry Park collection which is in a variety of fabulous colors with a white print. 

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How about we all have an At Home Retreat!

Sew to your heARTs desire!

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A Quick & Not So Quick Sew

Posted on March 15, 2020 by heARTs Creations

bird quilt

Purging and reorganizing have consumed me the last couple of months.  Last week I went through the two donation bins of fabric, blocks and quilt tops I have.  Some I passed on to other worthy causes.  I pulled a couple of quilt tops ready to be quilted. Then I found a panel of bird blocks. I immediately cut them and paired with two solid fabrics.  Two days later a completed Hospice quilt top was on my design wall!

bird block

This was such an easy and gratifying sew.  As soon as the fleece I ordered for the backing comes in, I’ll get it quilted.

Then on to the not so quick sew.  We recently put in new countertops and a backsplash in our kitchen.  The windows needed new toppers.  This was not a big undertaking, but mentally, I just wasn’t into it.  I found fabric I truly fell in love with and it was birds! So fitting, as we have many birdhouses in our yard, a few feeders and lots and lots of birds. After two days of sketching, cutting, sewing and lots and lots of griping – ta da! They’re up and I love them. It’s amazing how a simple window treatment can transform the look of a room.

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I was so pleased that I purchased fabric for the living room window treatments.  Hmmm, I wonder how much I’ll procrastinate and gripe before completing that project!

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“Little” Inspiration

Posted on March 9, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Last week on My Quilt Infatuation, I learned of a drive for little quilts for a NICU. You can learn all about this wonderful mission on Little Lou Lou Quilts here. I was so inspired! I got right to it. These darling fabrics with pretty colors and cute little sheep were in my donation quilt fabric bin. Cut 5 1/4″ squares later, it was on the design board.

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The next morning I got right to it. How wonderful to be excited about a project! Of course it went together in no time and quilting diagonal curvy lines was also quick. Bound and done!

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Yeah me – instead of my usual procrastination, I immediately got it off in the mail. I do hope this little quilt will bring more than warmth to a tiny little one. I covered the quilt in prayer and hope it brings comfort to the parents of that little baby.

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Thank you  for this inspiration!

Linking up: Needle & Thread Thursday

 

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Long Time Coming

Posted on March 1, 2020 by heARTs Creations

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Finally together! Over four years ago I mentored a high school senior and she made a quilt as part of her senior project. I also made all the blocks that she did before she arrived at each session.  She’s graduating from college this spring so….time to finish this quilt!

Not my colors. Surprise – I like it! It is bright which is definitely my style.  The quilt, backing and batting are all ready to go to the long arm.  This quilt is marked to be a graduation gift for another student (how fitting is that?).

Another project box empty – yippee!! Four tops are headed to the long armer – I’m actually excited about doing the bindings!

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Lollypop Trees Block 5

Posted on February 24, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Yeah! Block five is done and I am now working on the sixth and final block of Lollypop Trees.  The pattern has many more blocks, including appliqued borders, but I have simplified my plans for this quilt.

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It will be a wall hanging with two rows of three blocks.  The blocks are large, so it will be a sizeable wall hanging and the plan is to hang it over our bed.  The borders and sashing will be pieced. I still need to sit down and calculate the pattern for those – will probably recruit Hubby (the family math nerd) for some help. I also need to choose the two fabrics for the borders and sashings.

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This applique project has been quite a commitment and I’ll admit, extremely enjoyable and satisfying.  Above, my very first block was with a different background than what I’m using now.  I switched gears, but will use this block for a pillow although the stitching is not quite complete. I will consider it a major accomplishment when complete, although I won’t be enjoying that moment for a while.

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A HOT experience! A friend and I recently attended a hot glass demo workshop at Starworks in Star, NC.  Fun experience! And look at the pretty glass paperweight I made! Not a craft I will pursue further, but how fun to participate it and be able to more fully appreciate this craft.

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String Flying Geese

Posted on February 16, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Although it’s not yet quilted, my Tula Strings is a flimsy that I am SO happy with! However, there were over 200 cuts leftover which I have now turned into triangles.

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Lots of solid shot cottons have been cut into more triangles to turn the strings into flying geese.  About half are even pinned! These will be going to a sew-in with me next month where I will be joining two friends for two evenings.

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Why such ahead of time prep?  I’ve been in the midst of a massive cleanout of our home – closets, storage, and workrooms.  The plan is to have a yard sale on a pretty Saturday in March and then anything that remains gets donated immediately.  Although this process has been somewhat daunting, it really is quite freeing.

Knitting has also continued to happen.  I knitted these two dishcloths.  How fun! I’ll put them away to use as hostess gifts and stocking stuffers.  And my sock knitting?  Let’s just say it’s going – very, very slowly.  I am still determined to finish the sock I’m working on and then knitting it’s mate.  It’s a loooong term project. And I certainly won’t be knitting up socks as stocking stuffers!

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Cutting Quilt Blocks

Posted on February 2, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Spring Quilt & Sew-In has 2 spots available! Please come join in the fun & creativity!

April being not too far away, and the Spring Quilt & Sew-In Retreat, I prepped blocks for the charity quilts that the attendees will be sewing. The first block is for a quilt called Mid-Century Quilt. There’s a variety of blues and tans for the blocks and enough blocks to build a twin size quilt.

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Thank you Pineapple Fabrics for donating the fabrics used in these blocks.

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The next two sets of blocks are for nine-patch quilts. One will have various light neutral squares in the center of each block, with the remainder of the squares being scrappy. With the exception of some of the center squares coming from Pineapple Fabrics, most of the fabrics came from stash scraps.

The second set is also for a nine-patch twin size quilt with a gray pin stripe as the center square and the rest are scrappy.  Several years ago at a warehouse sale I bought a bolt of the gray pin stripe. It’s almost all gone which is very sad because it has been such a useful and attractive neutral.

Being charity quilts, my hope is that the completed quilts will bring a smile and warmth to the recipients.

Many thanks to all those attending the retreat who are always so enthusiastic about sewing the blocks!

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