Tag Archives: spring

A Touch of Elegance

Posted on April 14, 2019 by heARTs Creations

Several years ago I made a pretty set of pillowcases for our bed and hubby loved them. How disappointing when one met its demise. He asked for another set! What a nice break to do some easy and quick sewing. I did them on my Jazz because it sews really fast – 1,000 stitches a minute! The first set I did is rather bold and fancy and goes with our burgundy set of sheets.

PC 4 (Medium)

Next I chose a print to go with our turquoise set. It seemed a bit plain until they were all together and on the bed – a great look!

PC 3

For the third set, I chose this feather print. It goes with our gray set of sheets and is really quite elegant. Pillowcases are also a great way to use up yardage that you may not necessarily use in a quilt.

PC 1 (Medium) PC 2 (Medium)

Funny how the little things can make a difference. Now I’d like to make a few sets for our guest beds (but after I finish another quilt or two!) (NOTE: All the fabrics used in these pillowcases were prewashed)

Spring has definitely sprung here in the Piedmont. Every day there is an explosion of growth and color – absolutely my favorite time of year. The pollen is the downside, but so overshadowed by the wonderful goodness. Here for 34 years, and have not yet taken it all for granted!

Spring (Medium)

New to Me & Different Technique!

Posted on March 1, 2018 by heARTs Creations

An Island Batik Adventure

Try a Technique For the month of March we ambassadors were asked to try a new technique – something we had never done before. The list we made amongst ourselves was endless: binding techniques, different types of applique, specialty rulers, clothing construction, art quilts, and the list went on and on. There were so many more things to consider, many of which I have done at least once. Maybe not perfected, maybe not well, but I had done it. Hmmmm. Then I saw a pic of a fabric vase type of structure. Okay! Here I go!

After sketching and cutting out a shape from paper, I played with it in a standing up position. I then cut that shape out of a heavy stabilizer. Having chosen several bright batiks, I began to cut them into random rectangular shapes, join them and place the piece onto the stabilizer securing it with basting spray. I also added another bright batik as the backing. I chose several of my Aurifil threads and quilted all the sections and then trimmed around the outer edge. I finished the edge with satin stitching and yes, this part was tedious.

Vase base heartscreations.com

Now the vase needed some life, some dimension. I covered a thin piece of rope with fabric and zig zagged it onto the base. I cut out a front and back for two random shaped flowers from a bright pink batik and sandwiched them with a leftover piece of some Thermore batting pieces I had, giving them dimension. This is a wonderful light weight batting to work with. I machine quilted each flower and added some beads in the center of each and then went on to make three leaves using the same method. After arranging the flower and leaves onto the base, I stitched each piece onto the base.

I then put the piece on end, made it into a cylinder and hot glued it together. And there it is! A glass vase hides inside nicely tucked away. It’s perfect having a yard full of daffodils this week – in the vase they went. So much color and the promise of Spring!

Vase w flowers heARTsCreations.com

Linking up with: NTT, One Monthly Goal

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Posted in Applique, Art, Color, Fabric, Island Batiks, Projects, Quilting, Thread and tagged Beads, Color, flowers, projects, Quilting, spring, 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.

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.

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.

A Little Bit Retro

Posted on February 22, 2017 by heARTs Creations

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Know what this is?! For a little more than 40 years I have had an outdoor clothesline. All our laundry is no longer hung outside on a regular basis due to allergies from pollen, but I do manage to hang some things out, especially in the winter. Recently, when I grabbed the clothespin bag I’ve had since day one, I couldn’t help but notice how shabby and threadbare it was. How the clothespins were staying inside was amazing.

So…off to the home dec fabric bin to pic out something light and spring like. The home dec fabric is a heavier weight than quilting fabric and was the most practical choice.

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I simply copied the original bag making just a couple of tweaks. The original bag had a paper cord that I replaced with a cable from my hubby’s electrical supply stash. I used button holes instead of grommets and used the original sturdy hanging frame.

And Ta Daa!! A new clothespin bag sure to hold up for the next 40 years!

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Scrapbuster Sunday – COLOR!!

Posted on May 14, 2016 by heARTs Creations

Out came the yellow, orange and brown scrap bins. I pictured a warmth and brightness with these colors. The stick pinwheel blocks were easy and fairly quick to put together. I arranged and rearranged the blocks so many times on the design wall. I altered colors, put them in rows and once I started to group the like colors I liked it better. The arrangement I chose just sort of fell into place. I love it!

Borders can really enhance a quilt and bring it to life. I pulled the “sticks” into the border corners coinciding with their colors. I think it pulls the colors out and then are enhanced by the brown borders.

I also scrappy pieced the backing. Usually when I do a scrappy quilt, the bins appear to have the same amount of fabric in them as when I started. Not so this time – score!! There aren’t many oranges left and very few yellows. Even the browns are somewhat limited. Yeah! A true scrapbuster!!

I love how my quilter quilted this one. She used both curvy lines and straight – a great vision for what this quilt needed.

I’m calling it “Autumn Sunshine.” Yes, it is Spring – but I think the name definitely fits. (Someone did suggest this name to me and I only wish I could remember who it was so I could give her credit.)