Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A Heart from the Nest






As Valentine's Day is fast approaching, I thought I'd post about one of my hearts. There will always be posts about hearts at this blog. As I've said many times here...it's one of my favorite design elements and I use it in many different ways. Several years ago you would have seen many appliqued hearts here, as at my best, I was a fairly good quiltmaker and applique was my specialty.

I say WAS, because I have changed. Quilting used to be the ultimate as far as I was concerned. Nothing made me happier than sitting for hours stitching on a handmade quilt. I've designed, appliqued, pieced, embroidered and beaded quilts since I learned how to make a simple Log Cabin block back in 1978. And, loved it! But, like I said, I have changed. How? Well, as I have gotten older time seems to be getting shorter and shorter. There are a million things I'd still like to try and do. Then, also, a quilt takes just about forever, or so it seems much of the time, whereas a little embroidery or beading on a small project "feels" faster. While I don't opt for speed in my work...as you've heard me say...I like the tedious stuff, still, actually finishing a project in a shorter amount of time appeals to me. And, the most important aspect of the whole process is I'm actually having FUN!!!

Will I still make a quilt? Sure. But, fewer. And, hopefully, I'll actually finish up some of the UFO's in my stash. Meantime, I am loving making small pieces and using different techniques. Not to mention the fact that I am also trying to use up all the million or so "ingredients" that are stashed away here in the Nest. All those fabrics, beads, buttons, threads, ribbons. All that beautiful paint, the inks, the stamps. I could go on.

So, to celebrate Valentine's Day, here's one of my hearts! This one was made to hang from a china cabinet door or some such. I am showing it here hanging from the Nest door, I don't know why except I took this photo in the Nest very late one night last week and it didn't occur to me to photograph it in a "prettier spot."

This heart is one of my crazy quilted hearts. There are several different fabrics in it. It's stitched and embellished, just like my crazy quilts are. It's made of cotton fabrics, but the hanging loop is silk. A scrap leftover from something else. The same as my quilts would be. I have beaded the inside heart and the outside heart.....I LOVE doing this edging. I've said that before too. Remember? This "crazy" heart is featured in my etsy shop now.

Also pictured here is the place where this cool red heart was created....this is where I embroider and bead, with ideas galore running through my head.

So, this Saturday, February 14th, I'll be celebrating with my Valentine....and have since 1965. How cool is that? You have a great "CRAZY RED HEART" DAY too! Pat

17 comments:

BrenWall61@gmail.com said...

Funny I was working on hearts myself today. Your red heart is just gorgeous and I love the buttons showcased on it.
Happy Valentines Day

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat.

Thank you for your email. Your so sweet.
I wish we lived closer so that I could meet you and maybe you could teach me to crochet.

What a beautiful heart you made. Itäs so pretty.
And It's so wonderful to read that you have been married so long, that is truly beautiful.

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs from Bodil.

Anonymous said...

ups!
I got some Swedish letters in there! I hope you can read it anyway!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Oh, bestill my heart! That heart is GORGEOUS! Gorgeous! I LOVE it! Love it! :)

Melody Marie Murray said...

Wow. Gorgeous heart!

Elenka said...

Love all the details that show up upon close inspection. I love hearts, too. used to have them all over the house until one day I looked around and decided I had way too many of them hanging all around.

Anonymous said...

Morning Pat! THIS IS GORGEOUS!!! I am so inspired by your work; I made a little cross stitch that I turned into a pin cushion (last week) and was attempting to add the bead edge! Not as easy as you make it look to get everything even!!!(I'll be starting again!lol) I agree, I need something quicker now that I'm older too! This is one of the prettiest projects I've come across! I love crazy quilts more than any other. I'm not sure if I can keep visiting you because your projects are adding to my "must try this" list!lol Happy Stitching - Jeannette

Simply Lavender said...

Hi Pat......LUV the red heart!!
As usual, it has amazing detail and it's so gorgeous!
I have been working on some hearts for my shop too....guess it is that time of year! But like you, I adore hearts and like to use them year round. Thanks for sharing your lovelies with us!
Happy Valentine's Day with your sweetie!
Dix (lavenderhousegiftshoppe.blogspot.com)

Gayle said...

Wow, this is beautiful! 1965...that is incredible...it's time for me to add a heart to one of my quilts...inspired by you. :-)

Jackie said...

Lovely and a good idea for you to be making small things and putting a lot of time in.

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Your heart is beautiful. And yes they quilting of any kind eats up time. But we still love it.

Tina Marie the Willow Witch said...

Congrats on your 40+ valentines with your special one... Love the crazy red heart...

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful heart, and such a fun project. I know that beading took ages!

Shirley Lim said...

Your red heart is gorgeous! How nice to make a gift for yourself !

Robin said...

Happy Valentine's Day, dear heart Pat!!!! Yes, and another thing about quilts... you can only use so many of them and you only have so many family and friends for whom to make a quilt... on the other hand, smaller, quicker-to-finish projects may be given more easily... All in all, change is good and your work remains full of heart!!! Robin A.

Gaby Bee said...

Your red heart is fabulous! Love all the little details! Hope you had a great V-day!
Sending hugs,
Gaby xo

A Bit of Heaven

A Bit of Heaven
An original designed wall quilt with my vision of heaven on earth.