Category Archives: Quilting

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!

Round Robin Round 1

Posted on May 17, 2017 by heARTs Creations

Round Robin (Medium)

Four of us decided to do a Round Robin this year. We each made a center block of our choice, gathered the fabrics we wanted to be part of the quilt and then pass it on to the next person who then adds a row of their own design around the block. Three things that I love about this Round Robin: #1- The other 3 quilters in this group have amazing talent (a bit intimidating actually). #2 – There are no deadlines; it is a very loose schedule. #3 – Each of us will only have to do three rounds. I would not want to do this with a larger group. (following pics were taken in a restaurant without the greatest lighting.)

Here are the original blocks:

Here is round one for each block:

When I was working on round 1 and began pinning it to the center block, it hit me: “I’m working on someone else’s quilt!” (I did the round with the polka dot fabrics above.) A bit intimidating but I did like the results. I haven’t a clue what I’ll be doing for round two. Time is not my friend right now, so I haven’t even pulled out the fabrics and quilt to begin to get ideas. Best of all, I know they will be patient. I also know that whatever is sewn onto my quilt will be amazing!

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Posted in Applique, Art, block pattern, Color, Fabric, Projects, Quilting and tagged projects, Quilting, Round Robin, swap. Bookmark the permalink.

Sew Much Sewing, Sew Much FUN!!!

Posted on May 9, 2017 by heARTs Creations

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Just back from the Quilt & Sew-In Spring Retreat and WOW! It was such a good time. I am always impressed with the fun attitude and amazing camaraderie at retreat. I am also always wowed at how much everyone accomplishes and their exceptional talents. There is so much to show, I will do this in two parts.

Our Venue: The Meadowbrook Inn, Blowing Rock, has been home to the Quilt & Sew-In Retreat for five years. The sewing room is bright and each sewer gets their own table. There are 3 pressing stations that are counter height, and 3 cutting stations counter height. Each day we start out in the pretty windowed breakfast room.

Thank you Island Batiks for the pretty charm packs for everyone!

Free Spirit and Rowan Fabric also generously donated hexie charm packs with Kaffe Fassett, Joel Dewberry and Denyse Schmidt fabrics. Building up our stash!!

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The “Mad Button” game was played and lasted 24 hours. It was brutal! If someone said “quilt” or “fabric,” one of their red buttons would be taken – she with the most red buttons won. (Thinking about how often you say those two words? ) Cindy played with a fun and ferociousness that couldn’t be beat – 21 buttons gave her the win! She scored a ceramic magnetic pin dish with pins.

Quilt! – the Quilt & Sew-In’s very own first cousin to Bingo, was played several times over the weekend. Winners enjoyed the new Oly Fun craft fabric by Fairfield. Great opportunity to try something new!

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Whew! There’s LOTS more to share – tomorrow. Visit again to see the amazing creative projects by all who attended! Sorry, I have to use this word again – “WOW!!!”

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Posted in Art, Color, Fabric, Hexagons, Island Batiks, Projects, Quilting, Quilting Retreat, Sew-in and tagged projects, Quilting, Sewing. Bookmark the permalink.

Where Did April GO?

Posted on May 2, 2017 by heARTs Creations

It has been a beautiful Spring here in the Piedmont. A few really hot days, but mostly seventies with sunshine and just the right amount of rain. I have been more motivated than I have been in several years to work in the yard. There is a mighty lot to catch up on! The daffodils were spectacular, the azaleas were joyous and now we are awaiting the next blooms. I planted several annuals in pots – no longer do I plant masses of begonias or impatience in the ground (too much work!) And, what I used to spend on plants I now have allocated to quilting!

I did manage to spend a good amount of time sewing and April certainly produced positive results. The above quilt for Hospice was made from bright random strips of batiks donated by Robert Kaufman. (I’m working on using the Ipad camera, so sorry it’s a little fuzzy.) To date this year, six donation quilts are completed. I also completed a top that is going to be a wedding present for a special couple (I’ll save that for another post). I’ve got some things ahead of it before I quilt it, but am planning on doing that in August. The wedding isn’t until October so I should be safe – hopefully!!

April Project List

How was your April? Did you spend it in the garden? Did you do sewing or work on a different hobby? Read some good books? I love to hear how others spend their creative and/or down time.

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Posted in Art, Color, Fabric, garden, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting, Scraps, Stash and tagged Charity, Color, flowers, garden, projects, Quilt, Quilting, spring. Bookmark the permalink.

Snow Fun!

Posted on April 19, 2017 by heARTs Creations

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I recently traveled outside of my “box” and entered the Martelli Quilt contest. There was a theme choice of Winter, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Autumn. I chose Winter and was sent these templates:

Winter Templates

There was no set criteria except for the size of the finished panel. My interpretation was that although we did not need to use all the templates, I should use as many templates as many times as I could. My guess was that the quilt panels would be displayed at market and/or shows to show how the templates could be used. I used the quarter round template 38 times, the Snowman template 3 times and the mitten template 6 times. This did not seem to play into the judging, however. I did not make it as a finalist, but thoroughly enjoyed the process. For a few days I threw myself into this project. My only regret is that we don’t get the panels back (we do keep the templates.)

I had fun creating the winter sky with a bit of crazy, no plan piecing. Embellishing the snowmen definitely fed my creative side.

Would I do this again? Probably not this particular contest unless there were more guidelines and would be able to get my project back when the company was done with it. It was, however, definitely an excellent experience!

Snow Fun (Medium)

Linking up with Em’s Scrapbag, WIPS on Wednesdays, Let’s Bee Social, Silly Mama, and My Quilt Infatuation

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Posted in Applique, Art, Color, Fabric, Pattern, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting and tagged Color, Patterns, projects, Quilt Contest, Quilting, Snowmen, Templates, Winter. Bookmark the permalink.

A Southern Quilt Shop

Posted on March 5, 2017 by heARTs Creations

The “Reading Room”

Two weeks ago a friend and I visited Charleston, SC with a side trip to Summerville, SC which is just outside Charleston. It is a charming little town with shops and restaurants and best of all, a great quilt shop. People, Places and Quilts is in a fine old building. It is such a treasure hunt as you go from room to room, each filled with fabrics, tools, threads and so much more.

Diane, the owner is a delight as was the other staff members there. They are all friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Above is Diane the worker bee, Diane the Owner and Diane my traveling companion. Then there is me and my cousin who lives in Summerville.

There are quilts on display everywhere – such inspiration! Some on display were also class samples.

Lots and lots of fabrics. Prints, batiks, solids and many scrumptious flannels.

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This antique cash register was not only a joy to look at – it works and is used for all the shop sales! Do you embroider? Applique? Work with wool felt? There was a whole section devoted to all of those!

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I strongly suggest you stop by to see this wonderful shop if you are ever any where near Summerville. I’ve checked out their class list and might just have to “visit” my cousin soon!!

Colorful 16 Patch

Posted on March 1, 2017 by heARTs Creations

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Daffodils and so much more are in bloom, temps have been very moderate for spring, all of which makes staying in the studio a little tough. I also was gone for a week to Florida in January and last week four days to Charleston, SC. I did, however, manage to complete a 16 patch that was started two years ago! I love the brightness of this quilt. All shot cottons were used. These fabrics were a bit challenging to use especially when quilting. I found a secret to using shot cottons is to starch, starch, starch!

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It was an appropriate finish for this early Spring – I couldn’t resist a pic with the daffodils. When it was complete, I looked at all the finished quilts in my home (no, I won’t try to give a number!) and decided this quilt was better designated as a Hospice quilt. It should bring some brightness to a patient or family member.

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Today’s link-ups: WIPS on Wednesdays, Em’s Scrapbag, Let’s Bee Social

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Posted in Art, block pattern, Color, Fabric, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting, Scraps, Stash, Tips and tagged Blocks, Charity Quilt, Color, Fabric, projects, Quilting, Quilts, Sewing, Shot Cotton, spring, Tips, UFOs. Bookmark the permalink.

heARTS Creations

Category Archives: Quilting

End of May – Lots of Sewing!

Round Robin Round 1

Sew Much Sewing, Sew Much FUN!!!

Where Did April GO?

Snow Fun!

A Southern Quilt Shop

Colorful 16 Patch

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