Hugs and Kisses: Love is in the Air

5 lonely hearts looking for a quilt

This is the story of how a family of 5 hearts were looking for a quilt home. I submitted this block to Quiltmaker to be featured in an upcoming 100 Blocks magazine. I've been in the last 3 and personally, this was my best one. But she came back to me and once I heard about this Hugs and Kisses Blog Hop, I knew that these lonely hearts could become center stage right here. All of the fabrics are from Windham (the Spin Collection, Delight by French Bull and .Com Collection).

I had to trim off the side strips from the Stacked Hearts Block and then I was left with a rectangle. Hmmm. How in the world do you work with a rectangular block? I took two 10" squares and cut them each into 2 triangles (right down the center: two black triangles, two white triangles). I sewed the black ones on the sides, then the white ones on the top and bottom. Trimmed.

This is now a square, tho the triangles are not equal

It is now a square (honest, though the triangles aren't equal). Then using my magic formulas for setting ANY square on point, I cut two more dotted squares in half and set my block right side up. What do you think? (The 7 page color pattern includes my bonus chart for setting any blocks on point with side and corner triangles).

Stacked Hearts Quilt - 21" x 21" (Pattern available on Craftsy)

One more quilt block. This is from my new book and I remade the pattern for the Beginner's Mariner's Compass. I call this: North, South, East, West; Loving You Has Been The Best. Why? Because I met my husband in the south (south of the equator, that is, in Swaziland, Africa). We have lived in the North and East (DC area), the South (Atlanta and Africa) and the West (California).

North, South, East, West - Loving You Has Been the Best! (36 years!)

This is a 16" block. Easy. Quick. Done! You can see the Beginner's Mariner's Compass in purple batiks that's featured in my upcoming book and it just goes to show you that wearing different colors can truly change a mood.

Here's why I love paper piecing. Just look at the wrong side of the block? Doesn't it look like I used templates? Neat 1/4" seams; the points get pointy because of the criss-crossing of the stitching at the tips. And I press long seams open.

My method: pre-cut patches, trim previous patch to 1/4" seam before adding next one

And, yes, that is interfacing in the center. That's how I turn the edges under (no needle turn for me). Then I applique it on over the center opening. I will be trimming away the interfacing before quilting.

One more Hugs and Kisses project. Using my 7" Hosanna block from my new book (Paper Piecing Perfect Points), I sewed what I call Cupid's Arrows. Three of them using some Blank Quilting fabrics (except for the stripe). Don't you love it?

Cupids Arrows Table Runner

Happy Valentine's Day. May all your quilting be happy and your friends loving.

My GIVEAWAY is a set of twenty 2-1/2" strips of luscious reds from Blank Quilting. (That's about 1-1/2 yards of fabric). Just vote on your favorite of these 2 blocks or even the Cupid's Arrows runner. No wrong answers! I must, must, must have your email in order for you to win. Contest ends Monday February 18 at midnight (EST in the USA). 

Red Hot Collection of twenty 2-1/2"' strips by Blank Quilting

 Now it's time to thank Madame Samm and Jane's Fabric and Quilts! What sweethearts, right? And there is SO MUCH MORE INSPIRATION waiting for you with the other bloggers I share this special day with:

Dachsies with Moxie

From This to That 

Sew at Home Mummy 

Everyone Deserves a Quilt 

A Geeky Crafty Life 

Charlottes Creations

The German Mom

Debby Kratovil Quilts (you are here)

NorthHills Quilter