Tag Archives: Color

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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Posted in Art, block pattern, Color, Design Wall, Fabric, Island Batiks, Modern Quilting, Pattern, Projects, Quilt Setting and tagged challenge, Color, Patterns, projects, Quilting, Quilts, Thread. 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

IMG_1596 (Medium)

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.

Adventurous Applique

Posted on April 5, 2017 by heARTs Creations

An Island Batik Ambassador Adventure

Adventurous Applique Graphic (Medium)

Our April IBA project was “Adventurous Applique.” This played perfectly into a little project I have been wanting to do – a little project tote bag. I pulled out a number of the six inch strips from the rolls we received from Island Batiks, cut them into various strip widths and sewed two sets together. I sewed those to a neutral top.

IMG_1583 (Medium)

I pulled out my bag of IB scraps and cut a bunch of long skinny flower petals. I fused a stem and then fused the petals. I did the flower as a raw applique and added a center.

IMG_1584 (Medium)

A lining was added and voila! A cute little project tote bag that’s full of color, color, color!

Applique Bag (Medium)

Applique bag inside (Medium)

Linking up with: My Quilt Infatuation, WIPS on Wednesday, Let’s Bee Social

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Posted in Applique, Art, Color, Island Batiks, Projects and tagged Color, projects, Quilting, Scraps. Bookmark the permalink.

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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Posted in block pattern, Color, Design Wall, Fabric, Projects, Quilt Setting, Sampler, Sew-in and tagged Color, projects, Quilting, UFOs. Bookmark the permalink.

Mini Madness!

Posted on March 23, 2017 by heARTs Creations

An Island Batik Ambassador Adventure

Mini Madness (Medium)

The March IBA assignment was Mini Madness – a paper piecing project that finished no larger than 24 inches. We could choose English paper piecing or regular paper piecing. I knew I couldn’t handle another hand work project so I chose regular paper piecing.

I wanted something light and spring-like. Choosing from the treasure chest of Island Batiks has been really fun. This mini has a total of 10 different Island Batiks!

The star center was fun to piece. After staring at the pieced star for several days, I knew it needed more than a plain border. Several sketches later, I chose to do a paper pieced border. Boy! This was time consuming! It was worth it – I think it really compliments the center.

A fun batik outer border and time to quilt. One big spiral and I now have a fun, pretty and spring-like table topper for my dining room table.

Try your own mini-madness – it’s very satisfying to do a smaller project and complete it in just a couple of days! Be sure to check out the other Island Batik Ambassador posts to see their creations!

Linking up with My Quilt Infatuation, WIPs on Wednesdays, Let’s Bee Social

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Posted in Art, block pattern, Color, Fabric and tagged batiks, Color, mini quilts, projects, Quilting, spring. Bookmark the permalink.

Reach For The Sun

Posted on March 15, 2017 by heARTs Creations

ReachforSun heARTsCreations (Medium)

Sunflowers are one of my favorites. They are so big, sunny and cheerful. And in the midst of the beastly cold snap we’re experiencing in the NC Piedmont, they are a welcoming sight. I’d wanted to do this wall hanging for some time and started it about 4 or 5 years ago. Thought I’d never finish it! The background is various sunflower fabrics sewn together in uneven strips. It was then quilted and bound. I wanted the sunflowers to make a BIG statement so I decided to do a dimensional applique.

ReachforSun on bench heARTsCreations (Medium)

All the petals and leaves were sewn right sides together then turned. The stems were cut on the bias, machine sewn down on one side then hand stitched on the other. The petals were put in place and machine quilted.

Reach4Sun Center heARTsCreations (Medium)

The centers of the flowers were fun to construct. Three quarter inch strips were sewn together, cross cut, then sewn together again to make a checkerboard. This project was definitely consuming me at this point! There was no way the centers could be sewn down by machine – too thick. I chose brown pearl cotton and a hefty needle, but still could not easily sew. Pliers to the rescue! This turned into work and made my hand ache, so I attacked it little by little each evening.

Beaded Bee heARTsCreations (Medium) BeeinFlight 2 heARTsCreations (Medium)

The centers still needed something so I added some beads. Then hubby suggested that the quilt needed a bee. I just stared at him for a moment and then declared, “you are so right!” A few sketches later and a trip to the store for yellow and black beads, the bee was taking shape in my head. It took a whole evening to stitch that li’l critter and I love him! Thanks hubby! After I added the bee’s “flight pattern” it was definitely time to celebrate – “Reach For The Sun” was complete!

ReachforSun hanging heARTsCreations (Medium)

IMG_1581 (Medium)

The date on the label should be February 2017 – when I made the label and quilted it in, I was SO sure the quilt would be done last November!!

Linking up with Em’s Scrapbag, Let’s Bee Social, WIPS on Wednesdays, Super Mom No Cape and My Quilt Infatuation.

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Posted in Applique, Art, Color, Embroider, Fabric, garden, Projects and tagged Applique, Beads, Color, Embroidery, flowers, projects, Quilting, Quilts, UFOs. Bookmark the permalink.

heARTS Creations

Tag Archives: Color

Modern Batik Challenge

Where Did April GO?

Snow Fun!

Adventurous Applique

Workin’ It Wednesday – Pups & Kittens

Mini Madness!

Reach For The Sun

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