Category Archives: Design Wall

On the Design Wall

Posted on August 16, 2020 by heARTs Creations

quarter block

Scraps, scraps, scraps. A container full of one and one half inch scrap strips! There is also a bin of polka dots that has been waiting to be used. The blocks are quarter log cabins with the centers made up of four patches of polka dots.

qtr one block

This option for arranging the blocks just didn’t work for me.

I’ve arranged the quarter log cabins several ways and putting four together for one full log cabin block was most pleasing to me.

qtr log cabins

For now, this is my layout choice.

There’s a long way to go. I’m now piecing more four patches. Adding the strips goes fairly quickly and is fun sewing.

scrap box

Lots and lots of strips to choose from!

I’ve been doing a lot of organizing and although I don’t feel as though I’ve been sewing that much, I have really been quite productive. Hmmm. Maybe it’s because I’m not going anywhere during quarantine?!

How about you – how have you been using your time?

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The Geese are Flying!

Posted on December 1, 2019 by heARTs Creations

thumbnail_img_1702.jpgBusy week – blowing leaves, Thanksgiving, decorating the house and family.  I did manage, however, to work on the flying geese for my Tula Strings quilt.  I sewed two cutoffs together and from that made the flying geese using a paper piece pattern I drew on EQ.  What I love about this is the accuracy.

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I narrowed the inner border and the geese borders are on three sides.  One more to go – yippee! Then, unfortunately, it will go to the land of unquilted flimsies until next year. This will make five flimsies and there are 3 Hospice flimsies.  There’s also a quilt at the Jazz that I’m slowly getting quilted.  It will be a joy to get this one to the stage of binding.

I keep telling myself “One Quilt at a Time.” Except it’s always many more than that!

 

Linking up with:   Oh Scrap!, Needle & Thread Thursday

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Tula & Shot Cotton Strips

Posted on November 24, 2019 by heARTs Creations

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Progress! Yeah! I first brought this project to a retreat in SC and got a number of blocks completed.  It then it made its way to the Fall Quilt & Sew-In and I completed all but about 4 blocks.  At last they are all complete, sewn together, and the first border is on.  This solid border, however, is probably going to be reduced. Unfortunately, there was gobs of rain today and could only get this inside picture – pretty dull.

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The border is my next step.  There are a ton of the cuts from the strip sets that will be stitched in pairs, solid fabric added, to make flying geese. At least that’s the plan now!

A not so fun house project is taking up the bulk of my sewing time. Once that’s complete, I hope to attack this for a happy finish!

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Post Retreat + Enjoying my Passions

Posted on May 8, 2019 by heARTs Creations

After being home a week, I’ve finally made it to the computer to do a wrap up of my somewhat productive sewing at a quilt retreat I attended in South Carolina.  I began the week full steam ahead by making string blocks for a border that I cut into fours. I then paired each with a white on white square and made half square triangles.  All of my notes were at home (why oh why??) so I just made bunches!  This is the quilt top I was preparing the border blocks for:

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These are the border blocks, not yet attached to the quilt:

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And these are the leftovers! They will make a sweet little quilt. I will either add a couple of border to make it a baby quilt or add to it to make a lap quilt. That is a decision to be made at a later date.

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Following my “string fling” I just piddled.  I did some pinning, some sewing, but didn’t really attack anything else with much vigor. Mostly I enjoyed my time away and being with an awesome group of quilters!

What’s really been keeping me busy is the great outdoors.  I am in the process of dividing my ferns. They are truly glorious this year! And tree work was done in our yard and this pile of mulch was the result. I can only load a few wheel barrels a day and do the spreading. Hubby cut this pile of wood and we’ll need to get a log splitter to finish the job. This is not fun yard work.

There is also much weeding to be done. I attack it a bucket at a time and have the wonderful ability to look past the weeds and enjoy the pretty plants and flowers. Fortunately, my one side bed manages to stay weed free!

 

The temperatures here have been glorious so I am enjoying the outdoors fully.  I will sew more when it becomes very hot – mid to high 80’s and gardening do not go well together for me!

Embrace ALL your Creative Passions!

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Tribal and Thread

Posted on January 9, 2019 by heARTs Creations

Oh how I loved this pattern when I first saw it and I had the perfect collection of fabrics! The pattern is “Tribal  Influence” by Pamela Goecke, Aardvark Quilts. The fabric collection is David Butler’s Parson Gray Curious Nature plus a few other random fabrics in my stash that I threw in. Here it is in progress:

tribe in progress (medium)

Yes, it was a lot of cutting and Yes, it was a lot of sewing. The almost completed quilt top sat in my closet for about two years and finally I pulled it out a week ago because I wanted it finished! I added another row to the top and bottom and then a border. I was going to add a pieced border and then another plain border but decided “enough!” The backing and batting are prepped and ready to take to the long arm professional. I even have the binding all ready to completely finish this quilt. The best part? After all this time, I still really like it!

tribal

Thread – last year I posted a pic of all the empty thread spools from 2017. I began saving them again in 2018 and here they are! No, once again they weren’t all full, but really, that is a lot of thread. And yes, I’m saving them again. I already have three empty spools! I never really gave much thought as to how much thread is used in quilting. Obviously, it’s quite a bit!

 

Linking up with: WIPS on Wednesdays, Midweek Makers, Needle & Thread Thursday

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On the Design Wall

Posted on November 28, 2018 by heARTs Creations

Finally I have something on one of my design walls!  I’ve already eliminated a couple of blocks that just didn’t “fit.” Yes, it is all Kaffe fabrics. AND – all from my Kaffe scrap bin! (Not that the bin appears to be any less full.)

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This is from Kathy Doughty’s book, “Making Quilts”. I started this one out as  planned color, with each round being a particular color. Unfortunately, it wasn’t really working for me and am now putting it up as scrappy. I see that I have a lot of rearranging to do, but I need to walk away from it for awhile. I’d like to have it all set to sew together this weekend when I go away to sew with a few friends – we’ll see.

I’ve done quite a few quilts now with Kaffe fabrics. They are on the top of my favorite list, but am ready to something very different next time I allow myself to begin a new project.

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End of May – Lots of Sewing!

Posted on May 31, 2017 by heARTs Creations

We had lots and LOTS of rain this past month. In one week alone we had five inches at our home! Yes, the rain is great, except it makes it a bit soggy to garden. So, what to do? Sew! I’ve also been getting my projects ready for the June week long residency I will be enjoying. Normally my end of month wrap-up’s progress list shows all. However, I’ve prepped six charity projects to bring with me for the residency, and will group them together for now. (Note: Below list updated May 31, 2017)

May 2017 Project List

Yes, I am bringing a LOT, but I would rather have way too much than not enough. I’m also bad about getting bored with a project part way through and want to move on to another. I’m also being very careful about stocking my tool box. I’ve included two full packs of sewing machine needles and a 5-pack of rotary blades. I’d rather not have to go down the mountain to get any sewing supplies. Lots of threads and two sewing machines will also be going with me.

Tribe in Progress (Medium)

Now, back to a project that will not be going with me – Tribal. I loved this pattern when I first saw it and had fabric in my stash that worked. Though not difficult, it is quite a bit of sewing. Now that it’s on the design wall, I really want to move it along, so off I go!

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Modern Batik Challenge

Posted on May 21, 2017 by heARTs Creations

An Island Batik Ambassador Adventure

For May, we were challenged with a Modern Batik quilt. My first choice was to do a small wall hanging – I find those a little easier for modern than a larger quilt, but then I decided it was time to break out of the mold and go bold so I chose to do a small lap quilt.

Modern Batik

I went through all my yummy Island Batiks and chose blues and greens, various neutrals for the top portion and a neutral for the section out of the main square. I love this color palette and doesn’t that make sewing them together that much more fun? This quilt is made up of all five inch squares set on point. I did do a pencil sketch, but somehow when the squares were on the design board, I was not happy. What to do? I had them all cut. Then a funny thing happened. I sat on the sofa on the other side of the room and looked over at the design wall and it appeared totally different than when I looked at it straight on! I liked it! Whew!!

Modern Batik

Lots of piecing and then straight line quilting. Wouldn’t it be interesting to know how many stitches are in the quilting? Then again…maybe not! I used Aurifil 2311 (neutral) for the piecing and Fantastico 5166 for the quilting – both a dream to work with.

Modern Batik 2

Be sure to check out all the Modern Batik creations by the Island Batik Ambassadors here.

Linking up with My Quilt Infatuation, Silly Mama Quilts

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Workin’ It Wednesday – Pups & Kittens

Posted on March 29, 2017 by heARTs Creations

Pups, Kittens (Medium)

At a quilt camp in the Spring of 2016, in the NC Mountains, Sue Bouchard of Quilt In A Day gave a workshop on her pattern “Tribe.” The quilt consisted of many blocks using various techniques.  One technique I learned was how to make flying geese in a new way using the mini geese rulers.  Another focus of the design of the blocks was fussy cutting. I had some  adorable fabric with pups and kittens in my stash and decided to go with it.

If you look closely you can see the little fish bones in the left kitty fabric and the little fish in the fabric in the block on the right – such fun!

The little paw prints and bones are just great on the doggie fabrics. I love the bright orange against the royal blue.

Pups Kittens setting (Medium)

I have finished twenty blocks and decided it was time to put them together! I didn’t want to do just plain sashing, so after looking at many quilt settings on (you probably guessed it!) Pinterest, I sketched my plan with dimensions and gave it to hubby to put it on EQ.  I can never minimize how delighted I am that he learned this program and does this for me! Sometimes it’s such a treat to be spoiled and it’s a great way for him to share in my obsession passion. The plan is to finish assembling this quilt top on Friday at a sew-in. Would love to keep with this plan!!

 

 

 

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What I’m Working On

Posted on January 14, 2017 by heARTs Creations

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For quite some time I’ve wanted to do a postage stamp quilt – a true postage stamp with 1 inch finished squares. I pulled out a bunch of my Kaffe prints and found a neutral batik that I love. This is a wall hanging – another day I will do a larger one (maybe?). The arrangement is somewhat of a colorburst. I did have fun arranging all the pieces.

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Now for the border. After sketching on paper and deciding on dimensions, Hubby put it in EQ for me so I could print out paper piecing patterns. The sewn piece on the design wall is not trimmed yet, and will be much smaller when done. Now I just need to decide what will go in the outside corners. I haven’t given that much thought yet or played with it, but would certainly welcome suggestions.

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I also got out my black and white scrap bin. Boy is that bin jammed packed! There is now a pile of 2 1/2″ squares that will be pieced as Leader-Enders. This will be my first quilt that will be entirely black and white. I’m thinking of using solid black and solid white half square triangles to make a Buckeye Beauty block. Much more sewing needs to be done before that decision is made.

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Maybe, just maybe, by February I’ll have another empty project box!

NOTE:  Quilt & Sew-In Retreat Fall II still has openings! Hope you’ll join me for all the fun!!

Linking up with My Quilt Infatuation

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