Tag Archives: Quilting

A Happy Flower

Posted on August 30, 2020 by heARTs Creations

sunflower

There’s been a lot of sunshine here but with that has been intense heat and humidity. Many hours of sewing and quilting was becoming somewhat unjoyful for me so I went down a different path. I had ordered some large art paper and the first happy thought I had was a sunflower and I drew a very simple drawing

sunflower drawing

The center of the flower is strip pieced, cut and sewn again to give the illusion of a woven center. Beading in the center gave it more dimension and made it look more like a seed center.

center

The leaf is three dimensional.

leaf

Lots of fun was had when choosing bright yellow batiks for the flower. I sewed narrow strip piecing of yellow batiks, then cut for the petals. Hubby helped me choose the unconventional green striped batik background. It surely makes the flower pop!

sunflower

Ahhh. Joyful in the studio once again!

Oh Scrap! Monday Making

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Posted in Art, Color, Fabric, Projects, Quilting and tagged Art Quilt, Color, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

Playful

Posted on August 23, 2020 by heARTs Creations

My quilting journey began somewhere around 2006 to 2007. I purchased a magazine, “Quilt It, Two Block Quilts” and immediately loved two of the quilts. The first is in the back of my quilting closet, partially quilted. Each time I take it out thinking I’ll finish it, I’m reminded that I don’t care for it very much. I also remind myself that a fair amount of work went into it, especially as a beginner, and that I should finish it so I can donate it.

The second pattern was for “Baby Love.” In 2018 I finally got around to pulling various fun fabrics and copying the paper piecing patterns. In December of that year I worked on some of the blocks while retreating with a few quilty friends. Can you guess? The project box just sat on the shelf until earlier this year. Somehow I was motivated to get it together. I did, however, simplify and modify the pattern some. I didn’t use all the NY Beauty blocks. They’re in the orphan quilt box waiting for lightening to hit me with a brilliant plan!

Funny how after sitting for so long, I was super motivated and quickly got the top put together. Some weeks ago I pulled the top from my hangar of “flimsies,” found a batting and used a gray fleece for the backing.

Oh how I love having another finish. And where is this quilt headed? To play with the other baby quilts I have waiting for some unknown future arrival. Now I call that being prepared!”

Linking: N&TT Whoop Whoop

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Posted in block pattern, Color, Fabric, Modern Quilting, Projects, Quilting and tagged projects, Quilting, Scraps. Bookmark the permalink.

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.

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.

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.

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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Posted in block pattern, Color, Design Wall, Fabric, Organization, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting, Scraps and tagged Color, projects, Quilting, Scraps. Bookmark the permalink.

Squirrel, Squirrel, Squirrel!!

Posted on August 2, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Oh the opportunity I saw when the Great Corona Lockdown began. I was going to sew, sew, sew, and I did just that! I completed several quilts, made progress on several Works in Progress and best yet – I emptied many project bins! And then it happened – SLAM! I began to feel like going into my studio and sewing was a J-O-B. So I stopped. This is supposed to be a joy, not a chore, so…

I immediately ordered a large pad of drawing paper, some Tyvek sheets and checked on my supply of Lumeire paints. The plan is to do a few art quilts. Not too big, not too complicated, but hopefully fun! I have four planned and began on the easiest one first. I pulled various brown batiks, sewed some strips together and then pulled some dark brown batiks and cut thin strips.

Next quilt will call for various yellows and I once again chose batiks. I’ll be doing a flower and I love the way these fabrics will (should) work.

And some blues for a sky background.

I know, not too much exciting to show here, but I am excited – Yeah!

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Posted in Art, Color, Fabric, Pattern, Projects, Quilting and tagged Color, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

Happy Quilt Mail

Posted on July 26, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Such a joy to see a box on the front porch that wasn’t an Amazon box! It was a box full of quilt goodness from Elaine in Missouri. She sent a full quilt top for Hospice. This is such a happy quilt. I especially love the green that peeks out among the cheerful oranges. This donation could very well go to a male patient. Most quilt tops seem to be more appropriate for female patients so this is a total win. This flimsy is now hanging with four other Hospice flimsies. I’m guessing this will be the first of those to get quilted and bound.

And that wasn’t all! There were all these fabric pieces. No doubt our little group will put these to very good use.

How exciting to see all these little blocks! Most definitely a future leader-ender project . Admittedly, I am so tempted to play with them, pin them and set them up by my sewing machine. But…I’m trying to be disciplied to continue working on my present project/s. Ha! Let’s see how long I last!

Many, Many thanks Elaine! Your generosity will go a long way.

NOTE: If you have a donation for our Hospice ministry, please contact me hereor leave a comment on the blog. Quilt tops and blocks are being accepted at this time.

Fly Geese, Fly!

Posted on July 18, 2020 by heARTs Creations

So many cut off corners from my Tula Strings quilt just begging to be used for their own quilt. I have been wanting to do a quilt of all flying geese for some time – perfect opportunity! First, there was all the trimming of the triangles. The adding of the solids was done while at a sew-in with friends – it took forever! The final trimming of the blocks seemed to take more than forever. There was a lot of arranging on the design wall, rearranging, and yes, rearranging some more. The blocks occupied the design wall for at least a couple of weeks.

Then there was the sewing. Oh so much sewing! Each section I placed back on the design wall did get me excited. All in all, it did not take nearly as long as it seemed and the best part? I’m very pleased with the result!

There were some of the flying geese leftover and they were NOT going into the orphan block container. The backing was the best place for them and it made for a more interesting backing.

Quilted, Bound, Done – Yeah!

Links: Main Crush Monday Monday Making

NTT

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Posted in block pattern, Color, Fabric, Modern Quilting, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting and tagged Color, projects, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

Tula Strings

Posted on June 29, 2020 by heARTs Creations

At last! This quilt was a fair amount of prep, much sewing and now it’s done! What’s even better – I love it! The solids are all shot cottons and the prints are various Tula Pink prints, all of which are now out of print and many considered rare. I was originally inspired to do this quilt by one done by Quilt Diva Julie that she calls Optic Strings. I posted about this quilts beginning here.

There are playful blocks! See the racoon’s eyes peeking out?

And one of my favorites – Prince Charming!

Tula Pink fans could play I Spy with this quilt! This quilt had its beginning in September, 2019. I’m feeling rather accomplished that it’s complete in June of 2020!

Linking with: Monday Making

Needle & Thread Thursday

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Posted in Fabric, Projects, Quilting and tagged Color, Quilting, Tula Pink. Bookmark the permalink.

A Quilt for the Graduate

Posted on June 21, 2020 by heARTs Creations

This just doesn’t seem possible – my great niece has graduated high school! She is such a sweet, lovely and talented young lady so I wanted to commemorate this great occasion with a quilt (what else?!) AND…another work in progress completed!

The weather hasn’t exactly cooperated for pictures lately. Lots of rain and then major sunshine. This was my only window to take a pic, although a little too sunny. The closeup shows the colors a little better and the pretty quilt pattern the long armer used.

I do wish all the success and happiness to this fine young lady. I’m sad I couldn’t travel the distance to celebrate with her and the family, but current times warrant us to stay home. I know her parents will make it a festive and special celebration.

This spring has been a happy time for my very shady garden. The hydrangeas have been bursting and the mini hostas have formed a carpet with their cute bloom stalks. The ferns have also formed a carpet – such joy!

Happy Father’s Day!

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Posted in garden, Gifts, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting and tagged garden, projects, Quilting, spring. Bookmark the permalink.

Happy New Home Quilt

Posted on June 7, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Whew! The past two weeks have been mostly spent outdoors – in the garden and doing some much needed power washing. The temps had not yet reached the 80’s so it was perfect. Now I’m out there by 7 AM and in by 10 AM. It’s hot, humid and icky for outside work! I am, however, enjoying the fruits of my labor. Thanks to excellent spring rains, all is lush and there’s some pretty color.

I did manage to come inside to bind a quilt that I recently got back from my longarmer. My cousin from Long Island, New York, and her hubby, looked far and wide for their forever retirement home. They chose NC just 20 minutes from me! They are in a retirement community and love their choice and I am just so happy for them. What better way to welcome them than with a quilt.

It is super scrappy! Even the binding is scrappy. They can put this quilt anywhere and it will go with their colors! The blocks were string sewn into squares then cut for half square triangles. Having used them in the border, I was left with only bits which makes me very happy!

There are a couple of more bindings waiting for me. I do love finishes!

Linking up: Needle Thread Thursday

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Posted in block pattern, Color, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting, Scraps, Stash and tagged Color, projects, Quilting, Scraps. Bookmark the permalink.

Floating Stars

Posted on May 17, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Stars

My quilt guild makes patriotic quilts for returning vets. Much like Quilts of Valor, they are done in red, white and blue and many feature star blocks. With what fabric I had left of those colors, I made 15 floating star blocks that will be given to the guild member in charge of the patriotic quilts. At some point, at a workshop, these blocks will be incorporated into a quilt for a vet.

cut offs

When making these blocks, there are leftover cuts. After some playing, I put them together to make this cute mini. I don’t have a red, white and blue quilt of my own, so I decided a mini would be perfect to put out on a table in July. And here it is – my little mini. Pieced, quilted and bound in one day – Woo Hoo!! I love the blocks and how they went together!

IMG_2050 (Edited)

It has been a beautiful spring here in the Piedmont of NC – sun, rain, and not too hot. Much of my time is being spent in the garden, so….I will be taking a break for a couple of weeks and am looking forward to returning with lots of quilting excitement!

heARTS Creations