Finished Valentine Heart Quilt

February!  I love Valentines Day and it's colors - bright reds and pinks to distract me from the reality of winter outside - the cold, the bare trees, the often gray skies, and the dormant landscape waiting for spring.  This year there is rarely any snow to make the outside pretty.  It's a great time of year for getting cozy inside, and creating and completing projects.  

Image 1: Finished Valentine Heart Quilt

In the spirit of completing projects, in January 2018, my Valentines Heart quilt was finally completed!  I created the top probably a decade ago and displayed the pieced top in a frame for several years.   

Image 2: Quilting Detail

I love the fabrics I used in each of the scrappy hearts and backgrounds, but the quilt top kept calling to me to be reworked and quilted.  

I decided to stitch down each heart with a tight machine zigzag stitch using gold metallic thread.  After that, I free-hand long arm quilted the top as an exercise in getting better at long arm quilting.  And just last month, a friend sewed the red binding on after finding out binding was a real road block for me.  

Image 3: Valentine Heart Quilt Detail

I guess one message to those with un-quilted tops (or other unfinished projects) is heaps of encouragement - projects can be finished years later when skills catch up with the vision for the project.  Enjoy making quilt tops you love, and perhaps you will finish them later.  **CREATE**!  

"Art is never finished, only abandoned" - Leonardo da Vinci

(of course, he didn't say that in English...) 

Image 4: Heart Quilt Top before reworking and quilting

I hope the bright and saturated colors brightens your day.
Blogs are a great way to document progress. I featured the quilt top in a 2011 post here, and I find it amazing that it took 7 years to get it completed!

Image 5: Heart Quilt Top before reworking and quilting detail

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

I blog for fun and my blog is ad free.  Comments encourage me, and I sometimes need encouragement. Please leave a comment if you have time!  Anonymous comments and  comments months/years later are welcome!

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If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy:

Batik Stars

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Circle Quilt

Flower Mirror

Glass Flowers 2

Rock Window

Heart Window

Spring Hutch

Valent Hutch 3

Valent Hutch 2

Valent Hutch 1

Mosaic Hearts

Valentine Ball

Button Heart

Button Love

Spring Mini-Album

Mixed Media 1

Vintage Lace

Valentine Shelf

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I am linking to these parties:
Jan Olson: My funny Valentine (Entry 45) A Valentines projects only party

Classical Home: Homemaking Party Th 6xa (Entry 64 of 64.)
Lakeshoredrive: Bouquet of Talent Sa 6p 283 (Entry 43 of 190.)
Maison de Cinq: Sundays Home Sa 7p (Entry 5 of 260.)
Darling Diaries: Good Morning Mon 156 (Entry 24 of 65.)
Silver Pennies: Sundays Party 254 (Entry 107 of 177.)
Rustic Refined: Dishing it and Diggin it 186 (Entry 4 of 258.)
Jembellish: A-Round-Tuit 400 (Entry 35 of 200.) I was featured!
Dwellings: Amaze me Monday Sun 5p 251 (Entry 9 of 116.)
IShould: Inspiration Mon Sun 5p (Entry 191 of x.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a 457 (Entry 21x of 84x.) *
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues (Entry 10 of 69.)
Dedicated House: Make it Pretty Mon 241 (Entry 97 of 149.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 410 (Entry 22 of 252.)
Good Random Fun: Good Random Fun 44 (Entry 16 of 42.)
Ruby Tuesday: Ruby Tuesday (Entry 2 of 14.)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Monday 202 (Entry 48 of 310.) 
Cedarhill Farmhouse: The Scoop Mon 5pm 312 (Entry 60 of 460.)
Maria Elena: Tue at Our Home 243 (Entry 39 of 179.)
Mersad Photography: Through My Lens 131 (Entry 40 of 51.) 
Snapcreativity: Show and Tell Mon 7pm 305 (Entry 8 of 312.)
Cupcakes: Project Inspired Mon 7pm 260 (Entry 2 of 243.)
21Rosemarylane: Share Your Style 156 (Entry 256 of 342.)
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 341 (67 of 192)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 374 (Entry 160 of 367.)
Gingersnapcrafts: Wow me Wednesday 337 (Entry x)
DIY dreamer: Let's Share 298 (Entry 187 of 315.)
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 283 (Entry 50 of 156)
A Delight: Home and Garden Thur 311 (Entry 137 of 169)
Imparting Grace: Grace at Home 285 9:30A Th (Entry 144 of 178)
My Thrift Addiction: Vintage Charm 119 (Entry 14 of 51) no food
Celebrate: Celebrate Story 114 (Entry 77 of 134.)
Lets add Sprinkles: Keep in touch 6 (Entry 20 of 22)
French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 149 of 198) *
A Glimpse Inside: Handmade Hangout Th 190 (Entry 192 of 222) *
Fromgardners: Handmade Hangout Th 5pm 192 (Entry 192 of 222)
Katherines corner: Thurs favorite things Th 6a  (Entry 220 of 290.)
Marcela Cavaglieri: Finde Frugal 202 (Entry 12 of 37)
Life as we know it Th 271 (Entry 172 of 220)
Grandmas House: Wed Party 73 (Entry 182 of 185r)
Ducks In a Row: Wonderful Wed 263 (Entry 6 of 329.)
Pieced Pastimes: Saturday Sparks 258 (Entry 42 of 243)
Mythriftyhouse: Waste Not Wednesday 89 (Entry x)
Interiorfrugalista: Talk of the Town 110 (Entry 90)
Clairejustineoxox: Creative-mondays (Entry 138 of 138) also fashion
Eclectic Redbarn: Happiness is Homemade (Entry 230 of 268) *
Happy Nester: Friday Friends (Entry 7)

313258

Kaleidoscope Star Quilt

Today I am sharing a completed quilted wall hanging that I started in the 90's.  One that I actually finished this year - top piecing, quilting, and binding, all done!

Foundation pieced circle quilt

Finishing a quilt is kind of a rare thing for me. 

I started the quilt top over 16 years ago, before at least two of my now high school aged children were born.  The quilt top was foundation pieced, based on a pattern from a foundation piecing workshop I took at a quilt show in Minnesota, but with a modified center.  I have no clue who the teacher was anymore.  (I took the workshop last century, ha ha...)   

Detail of foundation pieced star quilt

I finished the top before the turn of the century, and it sat until last year when I quilted the top using a long arm quilting machine that I rented.  Then it sat until this year, when I actually put binding on it.  It now hangs in the family room above the PC. (Haha - I also completed that difficult step - hanging it!) 

Detail of fabrics and quilting on my foundation pieced star quilt

Although fabrics change over time, I feel the quilt doesn't look dated. (I realize that perhaps it doesn't look current, either...) But batiks are still popular, as well as star fabric, so maybe that helps. I also didn't use a "trendy" color scheme. I mixed batiks and non-batik fabric, pretty sophisticated for me.

I learned that binding a circle is a skill I don't quite have yet, so ignore the less then perfect edge shape.  

Recently I have been sharing a Kaleidoscope technique with photography that I have been playing with - with this quilt you can see I have been fascinated with Kaleidoscope like patterns for decades. 

Enjoy the upcoming Holiday season!  I hope that I can inspire you to finish an old project you may have from a long time ago...  even if the project might have to wait one year more until after the Holidays are over.  Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone!


Click on the images to see them enlarged. 

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Kaleidoscope Part 6

Kaleidoscope Part 5

Kaleidoscope Part 4

Kaleidoscope Part 3

Kaleidoscope Part 2

Kaleidoscope Part 1

Peacock Kaleidoscope

Mosaic Window

Batik Stars Quilt

Batik Scrap Quilt

Heart Quilt

Quilts Part1

I am linking up to these memes:
Nina Marie Sayre: Corona-quilt-along (Entry 25)

Connie at Freemotion: Linky Tuesday (Entry 54 of 62.) Quilt story: Fabric Tuesday (Entry 42 of 53.) Blossomheart: Sew Cute Tue (Entry 35 of 43.) Colorful life: Really random Thur (Entry 7 of 7.)
Richard/Tanya quilts: Link a Finish Friday 145 (Entry 5 of 23.)
Mollisparkles: Sunday Stash-102 (Entry 10 of 10.)
Quilt Matters: Thank God its Finished Fri (Entry 35 of 43.)
Confessions Fabric: Whoop Whoop Fri (Entry 45 of 69.)
Stitched in Color: Celebrate Color (Entry 46.)
Sew can she: Sat Linky party (Entry)
Quilt Infatuation: Needle-and-thread Thur (Entry 55 of 71.) *

Lakeshore Drive: Bouquet of talent 117 (Entry 199 of 208.)
Stephanielynn: Sunday Showcase 268 (Entry 65 of 201.)
Uncommon designs: Monday Funday (Entry 27 of 349.)
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 175 (Entry 1 of 69.)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 204 (Entry 29 of 78.)
Silver pennies: Silver Pennies Sun 97 (Entry 71 of 75.)
Jembellish: A Round Tuit 234 (Entry 207 of 224.)    I was Featured!
* Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues (Entry 75 of 163.)
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 163 (Entry 71 of 281.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 195 (Entry 91 of 243.)
Confessions plate Addict: The Scoop 147 (Entry 109 of 319.)
Etcetorize.ca: Make it Mon (Entry 61 of 73.)
Girlish Whims: Whims Wednesday 190 (Entry 64 of 187.)
Ivy and Elephants: Whats it Wed 144 (Entry 22 of 141.)
My Salvaged Treasures: Vintage Inspiration (Entry 32 of 98.)
Snap: Show and Tell 142 (Entry 29 of 153.) Family Home: Wow us Wed (Entry 16 of 38.)
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 128 (Entry 38 of 91.)
Creative Princess: Its a Party 186 (Entry 18 of 64.)
I Gotta create: Wildly original (Entry 75 of 157.)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 197 (Entry 28 of 91.)
French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 53ish of 201.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 84 of 244.)
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 167 (Entry 343 of 393.)
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 184 (Entry 119 of 149.)
Delightsome Life: Home and Garden Thurs (Entry 15 of 92.)
Someday Crafts: What Ever Goes Wed 250 (Entry 12 of 328.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 198 (Entry 99 of 303.) * Green Willow Pond: What We Accomplished Wed 67 (Entry 42 of 65.)
Shabbynest: Frugal Fri (Entry 162.)
ihavetosay: Show-and-tell Tue (Entry 27 of 39.)

175177

Fantastic Christmas Quilt

Merry Christmas!

Snowman block in Miriam Meier's Christmas quilt

One of the most beautiful Christmas quilts I have ever seen is the "Baltimore Christmas" Quilt by Miriam L. Meier from Reedsville, Wisconsin.  This exquisitely appliqued quilt, shown below, has many beautiful Christmas blocks.  

"Baltimore Christmas" by Miriam L. Meier of Wisconsin

Miriam Meier's "Baltimore Christmas" quilt has a large Santa applique in the center of the quilt surrounded by a square of twelve beautiful blocks, framed by a wide sashed border.  Each of the blocks are festive and unique, and Miriam's applique work, embroidered details, and color choices feel perfect.  

Gingerbread men and candy block in Miriam Meier's quilt

For me, the best way to enjoy a Baltimore style quilt is to view the overall quilt, and then pause and study each of the different blocks making up the quilt.

Gingerbread house block in Miriam Meier's Christmas quilt

In a busy quilt show, it isn't always easy to take take the time to slow down an study each block like it is it's own quilt.  But since applique quilts take so long to create, taking more time to view the quilt makes sense to me.  And I always feel rewarded for the effort. 

Bells and bow block in Miriam Meier's Christmas quilt

Baltimore style quilts are created by time consuming hand applique work, and I wish I had the patience to  complete even one of the blocks shown.  I have attempted appliqueing small items, and I know how time consuming the technique is.  Hand applique work has few short cuts.   

I saw Miriam's quilt at the Madison Quilt Expo in September 2013.

Click on the images to see them enlarged. 


If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Batik Stars Quilt

Batik Scrap Quilt

Circle Quilt

Heart Quilt

Angel Window

Madonna Window

Christmas Hutch

Tree Pins

I am linking up to these memes:

Confessions Fabric: Whoop Whoop Fri (Entry 58 of 61.)
Sew can she: Sat Linky party (Entry 2 of gone.) 
ihavetosay: Show-and-tell Tue (Entry 10 of gone.)
Connie at Freemotion: Linky Tuesday (Entry 19 of gone.)
Quilt story: Fabric Tuesday (Entry 31 of --.)
Blossomheart: Sew Cute Tue (Entry 11 of --)  
Colorful life: Really random Thur (Entry 27 of --)
Pretty bobbins: Thur Quilt linky party (Entry --)
Hotpinkquilts :Finished Fri (Entry --)
Richard/Tanya quilts: Link a Finish Friday 93 (Entry --)
Quilt Infatuation: Needle-and-thread Thur (Entry --jan2)
Sew darn crafty: Thank God its Finished Fri (Entry --)

Stitched in Color: Celebrate Color (Entry --)

TShirt Diaries: Stashbusting (Entry ??)
Sand yellow door: Home (Entry 34 of --.)

Homecoming: The DIYers 42 (Entry 147 of gone.)

* Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday 181 (Entry 63 of --.)
Lakeshore Drive: Bouquet of talent (Entry 127 of --.)
Twiggstudios: Sunday show-off (Entry 88)
Maleviksrosentradgard: Saturday Show-off (Entry 60)
Stephanielynn: Sunday Showcase 225 (Entry 224) 
Uncommon designs: Monday Funday 48 (Entry 209 of --.) 
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 132 (Entry 33)

Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 29 (Entry 23) 

BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry ?)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 370)
Jembellish: A Round Tuit 184 (Entry 113) 

* Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues (Entry 19)

Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 163  (Entry 141)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 195 (Entry 286)
 Knick of time: Knick of time Tue 117 (Entry 84)
Snap: Show and Tell (Entry 153)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style (Entry 5) b
Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed 141 (Entry 61)
Family Home: Wow us Wed (Entry 92)
Ivy and Elephants: Whats it Wed 102 (Entry 158)
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 116 (Entry 25)
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 85 (Entry 57)
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 137 (Entry 64)

Someday Crafts: What Ever Goes Wed 201 (Entry 235) 
Sew Much Ado: We Did It Wed 185 (Entry 155)
Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur 179 (Entry 51)

Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 14)
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thurs 64 (Entry of 89) 
Creative Princess: Its a Party 103 (Entry of 84) 
City farmhouse: Inspiration exchange (Entry 224) 
No Minimalist here: Open house (Entry 163 of --.) 
I Gotta create: Wildly original (Entry 78) 
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 150 (Entry 63)

Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 139 (Entry 18)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 101 of --.)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 169 (Entry 56 of 234.) Still there in 2024!
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 53 of --.)
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 185 (Entry 53 of --.)

Tatertots: Party Palooza (Entry 358)
Funky Junk: Christmas (Entry 19 of --.) 

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 https://www.commonground-do.com/2013/12/be-inspired-169-home-for-christmas-and.html