All you need is love - Feb Nurture Circle - Do.Good.Stitches

This month I am the quilter this month for the Nurture circle of Do.Good.Stitches. I signed up and had a million ideas. For some reason I had it stuck in my head that I was the quilter in March. I think it is because we are going to Seattle in March and I decided to sign up for another month since I would be traveling. Thankfully Louise emailed me to remind me to get off my bun and plan a quilt. I have a hearty folder of potential quilts saved as most of us do. I decided since it was February and Valentines Day is around the corner  we should but together some blocks filled with L - O - V - E.

So this month we will be making an assortment of heart blocks. All blocks will be made of your choice of Red, Pink and White/Low volume Fabrics. For the first block I would like everyone make one of the following blocks.

Heart A - The heart from Michael Millers Cupid's Arrow quilt.

To make Heart A you will need to cut 

(2) 3.5" background squares

(4) 4" background squares

(10) 4" heart fabric squares

You can make your heart the colored portion of the block or the background can be the colored portion. Let your imagination run wild.

Draw a diagonal line on the back of each of your 4 - 4" background squares and 3 - 4" heart squares.

Match one 4" background square with one of your 4" unmarked heart squares.

Sew 1/4" to each side of your diagonal line

Match one marked 4" heart square with one of your unmarked heart squares

Sew 1/4" to each side of your diagonal line

You should now have 7 squares sewn together

Cut along the diagonal line to separate into half square triangles.

Press toward the darker fabric in each HST and trim to 3.5"

Lay out your block as pictured

Sew together and alternate the direction that you are pressing your seams. The final block should finish at 12.5"

OR

Heart B - The "Be good to your heart" block by Amy Smart from Diary of a quilter

Amy has great directions on her blog so I won't reinvent the wheel. Pick any three fabrics you would like (red, pink, white/low volume) Make sure there is good contrast between the fabrics you choose so the hearts pop. Alternate the directions you press your seams. The block will finish at 12.5"

AND

Heart C - Everyone will make some simple heart blocks from Allison @ CluckCluckSew

Directions here

Multiple size measurements here

Please make (2) 6" blocks and (3) 4" blocks. 

Again choose any combination of red/pink/low volume fabrics.

Any questions let me know!!

Busy busy bees....

My poor Janome had its first run in with the sewing machine doctor. She got jammed up and something bent inside and the bobbin was sliding around and needles were snapping left and right. I took her in and had her all fixed up, my trusted 100 pound Bernina picked up the slack while she was away.

Despite some set backs with my machine I was able to finish up these projects and get them sent off for Margaret's Hope Chest. The first is a finished quilt for "A Mother Hope". This is for women who are struggling with postpartum depression. I was able to use all fabrics from my stash with the exception on the backing which is a pretty blue flower print that I didn't get a good picture of. 

The next one is a pixilated heart for "Hearts of Hope". I added extra rows to the top and bottom to increase the size some. I wanted to quilt this as well but was up against a time line with a broken machine. This top went to Margaret's Hope Chest as well.

Finally my last project were these "Be good to your heart" blocks for Margaret's Hope chest.

I already have a bunch more projects in the works. I just joined a circle of do good stitches and am working on a baby blanket for a co-worker as well as 100 projects around the new house. Pictures to follow. Hope your weekend was amazing!

Take another little piece of my heart.....

So much sewing so little time. Here are the works in progress as of this week.

A Mother's Hope for Margaret's Hope chest.

Top finished, back is ready, need to rescue batting from storage. 

Had an accident with one of my quilt hangers during the quilt shoot and was replaced with my trusty husband. See how he wears the other quilt toga style. 

I added a row of pink squares on both ends of the quilt to make it a little larger. In all honesty I didn't add up the squares correctly and ended up cutting way too many!

 My be good to your heart blocks for Margaret's Hope Chest. I sew more when I have a free minute

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Half a Heart!

Are you tired of being cooped up in the house? Have you forgotten what it feels like to have the sun on your face? Do you long to leave the house without having to take 15 minutes to layer up? Well spring is nowhere in site so you are going to have to get some warm fuzzies elsewhere. How you may ask????? 

Do something good!!!!

 It makes you feel good!!!!

Great way to use up some of your stash!

Great reason to buy more for your stash!

Margaret's Hope Chest has two projects in the works until the end of March.

I am working on both of them at the moment....

Project #1: Pixelated heart

This still needs a few rows added. I wish I had used darker pinks for the heart!

Project #2: Be Good To your Heart Block

Great way to use up scraps from your stash. Most of these came in scrap bags and weren't really my thing. 

Project #3: Mother's Hope Quilt

Top is almost together. Need to finish sewing top and border.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced