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