Tuesday 11 February 2014

Hearts for Keeps

Hello everyone and thanks for joining me once again on my little crafty adventures!

I have started something new and it just happens that it's appropriate for Valentine's Day this week, but that wasn't really planned - we surely all know that love needs to be spread around all year long and not only on particular days, although I do acknowledge that anything that brings hearts and love some extra attention must be good, so Happy Valentine's Day to you all - every day!

Oh and while I think on - for sometimes I forget to include the link, naughty naughty - I am linking up to the lovely Chrissie with this little stitchy for  Stitching Sunday - many thanks Chrissie!




Okay, so we have a pretty flowery heart and a little bouquet of flowers and where is this leading us?




Ah well - so here we have a few more hearts and pretty flowers - AND some rather gorgeous fabrics too . . . . . . are you thinking what I'm thinking . . . . . . ?



It's not too difficult to guess is it . . . . . . 

we're looking towards another quilt of some description, and a little help and advice too, which I have definitely found in these two books - 'Beginner's Guide to Quilting' by Elizabeth Betts and 
'First Steps to free-motion quilting' by Christina Cameli.

First are some pics from Beginner's Guide …...




and here are a few from First Steps ……




Hopefully you will be able to enlarge these pics and have a clearer look at some of the beautiful projects, as well as the lists of contents and a little sneak preview of just a very small sample of  the wonderful hints, tips and advice included in these two great publications. I can't praise the authors of these two books highly enough - such expert advice available for very low cost - why wouldn't you treat yourself to these if you have caught the patchwork/quilting bug and really want to go, go go! And even if you're not a total beginner, I'm sure there are those of you who would love to give some of these projects a try …...

My decision about where I was going with these hearts was made before I found these books so I won't be doing any of these projects just yet, but you can be sure I am itching to get cracking on a few of them! And of course I will be referring to them while going through the process of putting this little piece together! 

And while on the subject of quilts, although there are many beauties in familiar blogs and on the web all over the place - too many to list that really have inspired me no end by beginners as well as very experienced quilters - do take a look at the lovely Hannapat's First Quilt here - she has produced such a gorgeous piece and on that particular post also includes a few links which may prove helpful to you if you are interested in 'having a go'. Through these links I was led to YouTube videos expertly done by Jenny from 'The Missourie Quilt Co' - you can't go wrong by taking a look at these.


I just want to brag about my dear Hubby's veggies now - the tomatoes are finally ripening and zucchinis are growing by the hour - see what you think . . . . . .




. . . . . .  ah mother nature, how you bless us with your delights, thank you, and to J and his green fingers!


Have a wonderful week each and every one of you, you are very special and important to me! Also thank you again for all your lovely caring messages which I appreciate more than you know!


With my love,
Joy xoxo






64 comments:

  1. Hi Joy! I love the idea for your first quilt and appreciate all the links and resources you cited. I have some squares cut for a patchwork quilt, but I need to cut many more and dread the thought of cutting material even though I have good tools....I just need to be brave and do it!!! You encourage me to be brave :) It is so cheering to see your garden produce, especially since we still have a yard full of snow and ice! Wishing you and yours a happy week xx

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    1. Ah Gracie - making a start can be rather daunting, I agree, but once you take the leap you'll be fine, I'm sure - just do it! When I made my little quilt (last post) the whole idea was less worrisome because I had the little girls and puppy stitchy waiting for their surrounding fabrics, and those had already been so well chosen for me, but I was a bit nervous! As you have a few squares cut ready, why not begin and just add to as you go - one step at a time, yes?
      Wishing you warmer weather and happy gardening when you can get to it - but besides, you are going to be busy quilting for a while anyway!!! haha! Warm hugs, Joy xo

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  2. Those wispy and delicate flowers in hearts will look marvellous in a quilt! How enterprising of you to want to make one. I'm sure it will be a beauty!
    Your husband's vegetable patch looks wonderful. I really love the flowers of the yellow courgettes (zucchinis).

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    1. You have such a lovely way with words Sandra - wispy and delicate flowers, I like that! Thank you for your vote of confidence, I think I've been bitten by the quilting bug after trying to not think about it for so many years! It is a bit of a challenge though! J x

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  3. How pretty!, pretty fabric, pretty stitching ... And what a wonderful bounty of vegetables.
    Happy valentines day !

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    1. Thanks so much Taci - once I have finished the little stitchies it's then time to start preparing the fabric and, although I am excited, I also have a wee bit of trepidation about it! J's fresh veggies are looking lovely aren't they, thank you for your kind message. Joy x

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  4. Hi Joy, what a great quilt idea. I've never managed a quilt, cushion cover took years. Inspired by your veggies, the weather here is so miserable at the moment (though thankfully more floods here), that I long for some sunshine and planting plants and seeds.
    Happy Valentines to you and all other fellow bloggers.
    S xx

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    1. Hello Sarah and thanks so much for your message and good wishes - I do hope the sun shines for you SOON! Joy x

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  5. What beautiful stitching on your squares, they will make a wonderful personal quilt. It's lovely to see summer veg growing when it is so cold and wet here. I have never managed to grow zucchini in a pot. Have a lovely week. Julie x

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    1. Hiya Julie and thank you so much - gosh that bad weather over there just goes on and on doesn't it! Keep smiling lovely! Hugs, Joy x

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  6. OOhh so much inspiration! I am tempted to buy 'First Steps to free-motion quilting' by Christina Cameli as I could do with more advice on that subject. I really love your appliqué hearts with the pretty embroidery flowers - you are so artistic! Take care, Sam xx

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  7. Joy, I just ordered the book!!! I have no will power at all! Sam xx

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    1. Aha Sam - join the club, I have no will power either when it comes to books - but these two really jumped off the shelf at me and I couldn't put them back!!! You won't regret your purchase, there's so much in there you'll be having a fab time! Love, Joy xo

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    2. Hello Joy, my book has arrived and it is indeed very good. Thanks for sharing this - just reading through the first few pages and I know I will get lots from it. Thanks again, Sam xx

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  8. Dear Joy
    Your quilt is going to look beautiful - I am looking forward to following its progress. Lovely looking veg too, which makes me look forward to summer (especially important with the constant rain we have had this winter).
    Have a good week.
    Ellie

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    1. Thank you Ellie - I can hardly wait to get stuck into the next step! Wishing you sunshine! All the very best, Joy x

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  9. These book reviews are so tempting...and I love the heart bits and pieces. I think it wold make such a special quilt. Your veggies look so good too -I am sure they were just as tasty ;-). have a good week xx

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    1. Hi Leeanne, I hope all is well with you and yours - sorry for tempting you but they really are such helpful books . . . . . happy days to you, and hugs, Joy xo

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  10. your hearts are so pretty Joy and thank you for a peep into those books. I would love to be able to quilt and I have nothing but admiration for those who do, I would love to try it one day but I can't sew a straight seam so I have a feeling any quilting I attempt wouldn't be much use to anyone! Your hubbies veggies look great, there is nothing like home grown produce. I can't wait to see what you are going to make with your hearts. :)

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    1. Ah we're not all called to the same crafts Linda but don't underestimate yourself - it mostly comes down to practice anyway and if you decided to give it a go I'm sure you would be very successful at it! Big smiles and hugs, Joy xo

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  11. Your hearts look beautiful Joy, so do your husbands veggies! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your quilt as it progresses! xx

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    1. Thank you Amy, and I'm looking forward to getting on with it and showing you its progress, hugs, Joy xo

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  12. This is going to be beautiful! I love your hearts and the lovely fabric. The veggies look delicious, yum! :) Have a wonderful day Joy xx

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    1. So lovely to hear from you Elisabeth, and thank you so much! Joy xo

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  13. your blocks are lovely! It will be a gorgeous quilt

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    1. Hello Wendy, welcome to my little spot and thank you so much for your kind message!
      Joy x

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  14. Your stitching is gorgeous Joy, I can see a beautiful quilt made from those gorgeous hearts or a beautiful bunting fluttering in the breeze. the garden looks amazing, hug to you dear Joy,
    Meredith

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    1. Thanks so much lovely Meredith - all will be revealed, and I'm really happy the way it's progressing! I hope all is well with you, warm hugs, Joy xo

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  15. Oh hello my lovely and what pretty hearts you've created. I love them and yes before you spilt the beams I thought to myself it would make a dam fine quilt. We are not big on valentines here it's an all year affair but it's lovely to see some hearts around blogland and especially these beauties. They've cheered me up as I'm lying in bed thick of a stinking cold. Thank you for the mention, you're a sweetie ( and too kind!!). Yes YouTube is simply wondeful for quilting. How lovely that we are both doing this together. I was itching to start cutting today, but it's been a complete bed day, maybe later this week. Sending much love xxxx

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    1. Always so lovely to have your message dear Hannapat - thank you for being so very kind and caring! I'm so sorry to hear you're having to rest up and hope everything will be fine for you again soon! I too am so happy that we are both going through the quilting process together and I'm also 'chomping at the bit' to get more work done on it! Get well soon and take good care of yourself! Much love and healing, Joy xoxo

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  16. Joy, your creativity inspires me and makes me smile! I just love your latest project, the perfect combination of embroidery and your new-found quilting love! Ths will be a beauty, no doubt, and I can't wait to see what fabrics you choose to with it. Wonderful to see garden bounty, gives me hope that it will be summer here again one day... Chrissie x

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    1. Ah you are so lovely Chrissie, thank you - and also for the opportunity to link up once again! Do enjoy your week, and I hope sunny weather is on it's way to you! Love, Joy xo

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  17. Joy. Your stitching is totally joyful. And the veggies look totally scrummy. Enjoy every sweet minute.

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    1. Thank you so much Linda - wishing you loads of happy! Joy x

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  18. You're not a beginner!.....she says in a teasing slightly disbelieving way, head to one side. :-) haha
    Those blocks are adorable and they will be beautiful in a quilt. Hmmm I have a heart quilt too I could do a Valentines type post too...thanks for that idea.
    I have that free motion quilt book too, I am trying to do a bit of machine quilting as my next challenge, something I am not confident to do but I have seen so much on others blogs that I am thinking it may be doable. Those veggies are spectacular, down in Melbourne it's been so hot the tomatoes have refused to ripen....I know silly but true, the heat almost makes the plant dormant. Well this comment is turning into an essay so until next time......xxx Susan.

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    1. You're so funny Susan - I always have a laugh with you! I just popped over and checked out your gorgeous heart quilt - it's amazing! Yes, I can see that a fair bit of practice will be essential for me before getting into good fabric with the free-motion - it is a bit scary but then we all like a challenge don't we! I know you'll do a fab job, as always, and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. Funny that about the tomatoes - it explains why ours have taken so long to ripen - I hadn't thought about that being the cause so thanks for that.Love, Joy xo

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  19. Pretty, pretty fabrics and stitching! Your quilt will be so beautiful, I just know it Joy. Those veggies look fantastic too, so fresh and colourful.
    Marianne x

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    1. Many thanks for your vote of confidence lovely Marianne, I really appreciate it!
      Hugs, Joy xo

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  20. What pretty hearts and flowers - I'm looking forward to seeing your quilt when it's finished.

    And what gorgeous veggies - I love summer squash (which is what we call the yellow zucchini). And tomatoes! It will be many long months before we have fresh tomatoes here in Wisconsin ... so thank you for sharing yours. :)

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    1. Thank you Sue, lovely to hear from you - keep warm! Hugs, Joy x

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  21. I am so jealous of those vegetables. February is the month in this house where we get to the end of our own veg in the freezer and i start to get allotment dreams at night! I loved the first heart and then when I saw lots I was blown away, they are so beautiful. You have given me an idea..... Jo x

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    1. OH that's great Jo, you're good with ideas so let's see what's happening! Hugs, Joy xo

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  22. Hello Joy, Your little patches of hearts and flowers are so delicate and will look amazing made into a quilt. I can imagine you are itching to get started. What a wonderful vegtable patch your husband has, they look wonderful and I bet taste it. The is nothing to beat home grown vegtables.
    Hope the migranes have disappeared.
    Take care
    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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    1. Hello Irene, thank you for your welcome message - and you're right, I am itching to get going on this! The tomatoes have taken ages to ripen this year so it's lovely to see them come on now. Its a whole week since my last migraine started Irene, so I am hopeful that they will disappear again, thank you for asking! xx Joy

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  23. I have a friend who makes the most beautiful quilts Joy, so much patience.. I don't have it I'm afraid :) The vegetable garden looks tres productive, home grown tomatoes always seem to be so much more flavorsome don't you think!

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    1. Hello Grace - you're friend must love her craft and I suppose once one is hooked ………
      Home grown tomatoes are delightful and much superior to shop bought, I agree! Happy snapping to you, Joy x

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  24. The hearts & flowers with those delightful fabrics are all so nice! Looks like you've got your work cut out for you for the next little while Joy. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Your husband's hard work in the garden is sure paying off. Have a great week! Wendy x

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    1. Hello Wendy, yes, this could be a huge task but what a challenge - I still need to find one more fabric to lighten things up a bit and then it'll be on! Happy days to you lovely, Joy x

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  25. Looks like you have caught the quilting bug, I cannot wait to see you latest quilt irs going to be gourgeous.Your husband really has green fingers, home grown is so yummy x

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    1. I have indeed Joy - really wanted to have a go when I was a young thing then put it on the back burner and didn't really feel inclined again until recently and now the urge is inescapable - I think that's a bug? !!! Hugs, Joy x

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  26. Hello Sweetheart - your hearts look stunning as is all the work you do. I Just love your embroidery and can't wait to see how it all develops. Thank you so much for the link which I will have a look at as my first quilt is on my to do list this year - only a lap quilt mind you! The vegetables look fantastic and bring some comfort to us all here that spring/summer will be on the way soon and we can move on from the dreadful happenings with our weather here. A wonderful post as always Joy, sending you special hugs and loves as always
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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    1. Hello Dear Dorothy, and thanks so much for another lovely message and sweet compliments! I'm so sorry your weather over there is so very bad and I really feel for those suffering from damage as a result of it - glad to know you are okay - do keep safe, dry and warm! Sending warming hugs, and much love to you, Joy xoox

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  27. I really like your embroidered hearts. I think it's such a nice touch to include some hand-stitched squares on a quilt. I am envious of your wonderful looking home grown veggies - all that colour and goodness! x

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    1. Thank you Gillian - I do like a little bit of embroidery included but I suppose like most things that will change - we must have variety mustn't we, it chases away any boredom that might try to intrude! The veggies are wonderful colours are aren't they and can't beat home grown. Hugs, Joy x

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  28. Hello Joy
    Hope you are well. Happy Valentines day to you. Gorgeous stitching Ooo another quilt! and it's going to be lovely i'm sure!
    Your book looks good perhaps I should invest in it before I attempt my first quilt.
    Aw look at those veggies! making me long for summer and my veggie patch.
    Hope you enjoy a lovely weekend.
    Keep on quilting FBxx

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    1. Hiya FB - always lovely to hear from you - and having checked your blog I'm happy to see you haven't suffered any damage during the awful weather over there!
      There are lots of YouTube videos also, FB, that you would find most interesting regarding quilting.
      Wonderful weekend to you and yours, love, Joy xo

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  29. I imagine you are going to make something rather lovely with those hearts. A cushion or the start of a quilt perhaps?! Well done to the vegetable grower, so nice to eat home grown! Heather x

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    1. Hello Heather, so nice to have your message, thank you! Progress is being made! Hugs, Joy xo

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  30. Hello JOY, A belated Happy Valentines Day.. I hope you had the most wonderful day. Your wee heart with flowers look fantastic. I am sure you will create a beautiful project with them. YOUR Veggie garden looks so fantastic.. It gives me hope that our Spring will arrive sometime. Hopefully sooner than later.. I wish you a wonderful weekend and week.. Hugs to you. Judy

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    1. Hi Judy, thank you so much for your good wishes and I hope your day was wonderful too!
      Your winter seems to be dragging on but surely Spring is just around the corner and your garden will bloom in the lovely sunshine!
      The project is coming along nicely thank you - lots of fun and frolics working things out, and I will 'show and tell' soon. The veggies are growing well too - and eating well!
      I love to have your messages, thank you so much for thinking of me, warm hugs, Joy x

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  31. What a perfect start to a quilt ... I can't wait to see it finished :)

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    1. Thank you so much Annie - an update coming soon! Joy x

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  32. Joy the hearts are so pretty and such beautiful fabrics, look forward to seeing the quilt develop.
    Clare xx

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    1. Hello Clare - so glad you like them - I hope to show more of the quilt later today - h o p e!
      Joy xo

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