::Valentine Heart::

Admittedly, I'm not much of a holiday person.   I like a small celebration here and there, but I don't go over the top.  Case in point, some of our ornaments never made it onto the Christmas tree.  Yup, they sat there in a box next to the tree, but not on the tree.  And those that were put on the tree didn't get placed until the 23rd.  Please don't call me a Scrooge.  It's not that I don't like holidays, I do...  I just don't like the disruptions and the fuss.  Most years, our tree is taken down Christmas day 'cause the hubs and I like to vacuum up those needles and put everything back in place as soon as possible thankyouverymuch.

So, it is a bit ironic that I bust out the Valentine Hearts early.  Not so much 'cause I love 'love' and all that mushy, gushy romantic stuff but because the shape of a heart makes me happy.  It just does.  And pink and red together are eye candy.  I just like 'em.   

 

::New in The Studio::

Greetings from Chicago.

My littlest and I got here

in time to celebrate

my niece's 2nd birthday. So fun!

Flannery got the birthday cupcakes

from

Sweet Mandy B's.

OMGoodness. Delish.

Before I left Philly,

I made this sweet shirt.

Gingham + hearts = of course!

Pieced Heart Applique Tutorial

Our grandmothers, aunt and mother are all quilters and while I love quilting too...I don't seem to get around to making any since they're large projects. I need something quick and easy but that will give me the same satisfaction of putting together scraps of fabric. Here's my solution: pieced applique!

1. Choose 3 pieces of coordinating fabric. I went with my trusty combo of pinks and greens - taken from my stash of scraps. Other choices could be navy and pink, blue and brown, yellow and red, turquoise and red... you get the idea! (Just make sure they are pre-washed and ironed.)


2. Cut fabric into strips that are 1.5 to 2 inches wide and 3 to 6 inches long. No need to be precise! I was too lazy to make them the exact same and it doesn't matter AT ALL! Great, huh?
















3. Sew 2 strips together - right sides together using a quarter inch seam.
















4. Sew the 3rd strip on- same as above.
















5. Iron seams flat toward darker fabric so that they don't show through the light fabric. That's a quilter's rule!































6. Iron Heat N Bond onto the back of the strips making sure to keep seams flat and the fabric flat. Again, no measuring. Watch your fingers! (I use Heat N Bond Lite that you can sew with. It comes on a roll with a purple label at JoAnn's.)



















7. Let cool for a minute!

8. Draw a heart shape onto the Heat N Bond but be careful not to press too hard and poke a hole through to the fabric. I like to use a stencil but the more adventurous might like to draw it freehand and fun! (I find my shapes online, print and trace onto plastic found at JoAnn's in the quilting section.)



















9. Cut out heart.
















10. Iron onto shirt per Heat N Bond instructions. Let cool!
















11. Zig zag stitch around the edges.



















12. Hand sew a vintage button for an added detail.




















*Fabric choices and color combinations are endless!

*The number of fabric strips can vary anywhere from 2 to 5 or more pieces depending on the strip widths and size of the heart. Don't be exact... cut the pieces different sizes!

*Appliques can be added to shirts, placemats, hand towels, bath towels, aprons, bags, scarves, etc.

* Applique shapes are endless. Search online for outlines of shapes or draw freehand.
Stars, numbers, letters, animals, etc...

If you have any questions, leave it in the comments section for us to answer.


















And make sure to find us (and some pieced applique shirts!) at the Lankenau Hospital Christmas Fair  in Wynnewood, PA: December 2, 9:00-5:00, December 3 10:00-4:00.

How sweet are these precious children?





A friend of mine takes the most amazing pictures of her family and friends.


It helps to have children as cute as these.



Notice the girls' outfits? I whipped up 2 pillowcase dresses for these sisters right in time for Valentine's Day. I'm in love with this fabric.



I've only found it in one store and not even online.



I made sure to stock up because it's the most gorgeous heart fabric.

























Seriously, I'm in love with this baby.