Fun Little Valentine Project

19 comments
I must admit I get my best ideas from other people's blogs. Maybe you do, too. So many great ideas are out there that I would make my own but I have a job and a family and unfortunately I have to sleep as well. Once in a while I come across ideas that I simply must incorporate into my sewing life.
I saw this darling and fabulous little heart placemat on Jen's blog. Jen graciously said I could post her photo. I haven't really sewn a small fun project for a while now. And I've been really wanting to make something for Valentine's Day. Jen bought this place mat for a song but I want to make one like it but a bit bigger, sort of mini table top size.
So I drew up my heart outline and cut 2 1/2" squares and 2 7/8" squares. I cut the 2 7/8" squares cross wise to make the half square triangles and moved forward from there.
Of course I love red, I love scraps and mixes of patterns. This heart is a bit like my Valentine's Day flag from years ago. Look at the blend of print and dot together. Super cute I think.
I got this far with it. I'm supposed to be working on my Row by Row quilt pattern. And I am making progress with my pattern. But this heart project is kind of like playing hooky. So as a reward for working on my pattern for several hours last Saturday, I whipped up this heart Sat. evening. Now I need to quilt it and bind it.
Des from Quilt Taffy had this super fantastic post about using perle cotton to machine quilt. Read about it here. I thought this would be a good time to try out Des' technique. I know the spool above probably isn't the right gauge but I don't have anything else right now to show. If you look closely at the price tag you can see "Fillmore's 5 and 10 cent". It is old stock and might be too thick but I might still try it.

Thanks Des and Jen. Blog ideas are just wonderful

-nanette
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19 comments

Annette said...

I love it! So fun to look at those awesome fabrics. I'm looking forward to seeing how the quilting turns out. I've never heard of doing it that way before. Sounds really interesting.

em's scrapbag said...

Your heart is adorable. Thanks for the tip on the pearl cotton. I'm going to have to try this.

AnnieO said...

Really cute, Nanette! I'm with you on finding great ideas on blogs--sometimes to the detriment of my sewing time as I'm spending too much time on the computer :) Hmm, how are you going to use the perle cotton--on a cone holder?

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I so agree with you - other people's creativity always inspires me and encourages me to do more. Your valentine heart is so pretty, and you know I like RED!

strawberrycream39 said...

Oh wow, Nanette, your heart is just gorgeous!! So glad something on my blog could inspire you, since you inspire me so often!! :-) That is so interesting about machine quilting with perle cotton. I need to read about that now! xo Jen

Tara said...

What a cute heart!!

Shelley said...

Yummy heart and great idea! I think my friend and I should have a sew day this week and make one for our kitchen islands!

Unknown said...

Those fabrics look perfect. I have a good mind to ry one out myself as a large kitchen hot pot mat

Lucy | Charm About You said...

The heart is just adorable!! Please could you tell me what the fabric with the little people is?!

Corrie said...

You are right, your heart is super cute! Great reds & the little poeple.

Nedra said...

I thought Des' post was so fascinating too! I'm looking forward to seeing how your project turns out and if the older thread will work.

•stephanie• said...

darling as always!
i, too, am thankful for inspiration from other blogs.
especially yours.
every year when i get my "love squared" quilt out, i think about you . . .
thanks!!!!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

it has been awhile since I stopped by, somehow I deleted you off of my google reader and I have so many on it I never noticed.
I love the heart placement.
Karen

Thimbleanna said...

Very cute Nanette -- I can't wait to see it finished. Especially if you're going to use that heavier thread -- I've always wanted to try that!

Carrie P. said...

Very cute! I am working on a heart pillow that I saw on someone else's blog. It was a tutorial. Mine is a little different but like you I get some of ideas from other blogging too.

Raina's Home said...

Funny, I was just looking at some crochet cotton thinking the same thing only too fat... embroidery floss came to mind then. Love the heart... my daughter wants to make a heart in purples for her room. Thanks for the wonderful idea. Oh, and how about those GIANTS???!!! ;)

~Niki~ said...

love this! i definitely get most of my inspiration from blogs.

Shari said...

Love your scrappy heart! (Sounds like a good name for a country western song just for quilters).
Am looking forward to seeing how the cotton goes in the machine.

Retrogirl said...

Scrappy goodness! LOVE the valentine print!!! =D