Sunday, November 15, 2020

Inspired by Nature Blog Hop and Give-Away!





Welcome to Love & Kisses!  This pretty collection designed by Kathy Engle for Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting. The precuts are available in some stores (I do have 10" squares available in my Etsy shop) and yardage will be shipping to shops soon. Please contact your favorite and ask for it!


The theme this month was Inspired by Nature. But this fabric has cute hearts and swirls, dots, feathered quilting designs that feature hearts, and hearts in the dot patterns. I love it all! But how do hearts translate to Inspired by Nature?

Well, I know a lot of warm hearted people, and people with big hearts. Their human nature is to be giving and generous, sweet and funny, and positive and uplifting. They share their hearts in everything they do for others. So, Big Hearts is inspired by their nature.

It was so windy at the beach that I couldn't get the quilt smooth against the slats of the fence, it was plastered! I couldn't move it. 
During the quilting process on my Amara long arm.




I've done heart blocks before, but wanted something fun that would show off all the fabrics and not cut them too small. I thought for days about how I wanted to design this, until I came up with hearts of different sizes. The smallest is 6", there are 5 12" heart blocks, one 18", one 24" and one 36". I planned it on a 3" grid. Even after planning it, I needed to change a few placements and determine how to sew it together. The largest heart has 2 smaller size hearts inside. The label even has part of the hearts on the top edge. When I was making the 6" block I miscalculated the size of the triangles for the top, so the extra ones were added to the label.


6" block and the lovely Lockets panto.  It has swirls similar to ones in the fabric tjaps. 



Here are the details: Design is mine, using EQ8

Quilt measures about 91" square.

Love & Kisses fabric, all 20 SKUs were used in various places. Background is Grey solid by Island Batik. First Border is Petal, and outer Border is Purple, Island Batik Basics. Binding is Amethyst, also a Basic. Backing is a wide back I have, a grey swirl.

Batting is Hobb's Natural Cotton with scrim

Thread: Aurifil 50wt for piecing Color 2024 White Aurifil 40-3 for Long Arm Quilting in color 3840 French Lilac, a lavender/purple variegated.

Quilted on my Handi-Quilter Amara with Pro-Stitcher using the Lockets Panto from Urban Elementz.

Photo Locations:  Jones' Beach, Long Island, NY.  Special thanks to the family who let me borrow their teen to get wrapped for the photo.  Her mom asked, "Did it feel good?"  And the daughter said "Yeah, very good!"  Made my day!  It was very windy, so I had a challenge getting more photos at the beach.  I did lose a clothespin.  Other photos were my yard, and bedroom.  

Outtakes! 

Right before I lost another clothespin, and was afraid the quilt would blow into the neighbor's yard.  It did go high enough.

I was just about to put the quilt on my bed and Hazel thought it was play time, and put her ball down.  Rather than have a lumpy quilt display (over the ball) we played for a minute then she let me put the Hearts quilt down.  The one in the photo is Crystal Ball Jewel Box, one from last year's hops, which I sleep under every night.  Love it!

Disclaimer:  All fabric (except backing and binding) were provided by Island Batik for me as an Ambassador.  Hobb's Batting, Schmetz Needles and Aurifil Thread was also provided.  I purchase the 40-3 for quilting on my Long Arm.  

Give Away! Island Baitk is giving away 2 collections of Fat Quarters.  Please enter their drawing by using the Rafflecopter link below. 



There are 2 other Ambassadors with Love & Kisses inspiration for you.  
The Hop also continues this week, so please check out the other collections.  

Please comment, follow my blog and follow me on Facebook and Instagram!  I'll be sending someone who leaves a comments a selection of Island Batik fabrics.  I'll cover shipping to USA, but if you live elsewhere and want to pay the difference to ship to you, please comment. If' you're chosen as a winner, I'll tell you the difference, and make it worth your while.  Thanks so much for reading.  

Maryellen

53 comments:

Beth said...

What a heartwarming quilt! Thanks for sharing. And a special thanks for including the photo of Hazel. It never fails that trying to get a good quilt photo inspires furry family members to need attention immediately, does it?

Ellee said...

Your hearts are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Kathy,
Your quilt is cute. I love the hearts within a heart! I can see any girl enjoy sleeping under it. petuniakr@aol.com

Elizabeth said...

What a wonderful pattern you designed to use this great fabric.

tac73 said...

I love your heart warming quilt! I am especially interested in the hearts within the hearts. Thank you for sharing it.

Megan said...

Love it! Great quilt and fabulous fabrics.

Gene Black said...

The use of the hearts within the big heart is delightful. The quilt looks great.

Jane, Mulberry Patch Quilts said...

So pretty! I love that photo of your beautiful quilt by the water.

Brenda said...

Love the quilt!

Lori said...

Wow but this is just gorgeous. I really love the different sized hearts. And they really do show case the fabrics nicely. Thanks so much for sharing and for inspiring. I love Island Batiks. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Diantha said...

Such a nice idea for a quilt! And the fabrics are so lovely!

Barb N said...

When I saw the photo of your quilt on the bed, my eyes popped! I didn't realize it was that big. Beautiful! And such a fun way to crawl into bed at night, surrounded by love :)

Barb N said...

Quilting is my bliss!

JANET said...

Such a great quilt! The hearts say it all. Quilts are love!

QuiltShopGal said...

What a fun design and such a beautiful quilt. I love the heart in a heart.

Quilting is my joy

Jayne said...

Beautiful fabric and I love your quilt

Nancy L said...

Great choice of fabric for a beautiful quilt!

Emily said...

So pretty, Maryellen! I love the smaller hearts inside the bigger hearts.

bezaz said...

Those colors and hearts 😍

Cheri said...

This is stunning! I absolutely love the colors and designs of this line, and the way you used them is perfect.

barbara woods said...

quilting is my escape

Quilting Tangent said...

Quilting is a way to express my creativity.

Barb said...

Quilting is my joy!
barbkauo(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

Sharon Treece said...

Quilting is my way of keeping my sanity.

Angie said...

Beautiful quilt! Quilting is my favorite thing. angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom 🌻

Bonnie58 said...

quilting is my passion. Thanks

Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com said...

Quilting is my connection with those who came before me.

For the love of geese said...

This is awesome and a perfect design for this collection.

Kathleen said...

This is just perfection! I love it and all the different sizes of hearts.

Anne said...

It’s a Hug

Cecilia said...

This is such a cute quilt! I love the different size hearts. Thanks for sharing!
cecilialyoung at gmail dot com

Jollygirl said...

I love your quilt. I like all the hearts. Thank you for sharing it.

Kathy E. said...

Your quilt blows me away...almost literally! The inset hearts are so pretty and reminds me of a parent and child who are so close. Awesome quilting too!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

This is a great design. It's wonderful. Well done.

OhioLori said...

Love your Hearts quilt!! Quilting is my Sparkle... :)

Cindy Shelley said...

Love your hearts within hearts. Quilting is therapy.

Carol Andrews said...

Hearts within hearts! Can life get any better than seeing this beauty! Quilting is my sanity and seeing quilts like this is my inspiration to keep calm and quilt on during these crazy months of 2020.

CyndyL said...

Your hearts are beautiful, love the purples and pinks.

Pamela said...

I love your story of the inspiration for this beautiful quilt. I have been fortunate to know people with enormous hearts too. I should make a quilt in their honor! Thanks for sharing this.

MoeWest said...

Quilting is my way to relax.

GranChris said...

We all need some warm loving hearts right now. Beautiful quilt. All of you are inspiring all of us to keep creating.

mumbird3 said...

Quilting is my way of staying sane during COVID! Great quilt!

Linda H. said...

The fabrics are beautiful and I love the hearts. I can see Hazel loves it too!

cjmont said...

quilting is my jam, my zen, my happy place, and my obsession. love these batiks, such beautiful colors and happy designs.

Dawn F said...

I love your quilt and the inspiration behind it!

Sharon Aurora said...

Your quilt is so lovely and I love the sentiment behind it.

Michelle in Scotland said...

Quilting is my tonic; especially this year. I don't feel right if I haven't done at least some quilting. Love your heart quilt - I love hearts and have made a few things with hearts on, but I have to admit not a quilt this big. Love the hearts within the big heart; very clever and effective.

JW said...

I love the originality of a heart in a heart! The fabrics really make the quilt special.

cghundley said...

Oh I love the beautiful
hearts! Fabulous design.
Carla from Utah

Michele T said...

Loving the colours of your quilt and the design is gorgeous!!

T Holzer said...

So very nice, Mary! Thanks for sharing your quilt with us and have a wonderful Sunday.

Unknown said...

Maryellen I was lucky enough to see your truck show at Peaceful Patchers of the Park. What a beautiful presentation you gave our little group.I love the Bighearted quilt. I also love the Crystal Ball Jewel Box. I must also say that Hazel is quite a cutie! I am excited ti be a member of Evening Star once again and look forward to the day we can meet in person.

cjmont said...

a beautiful quilt as always.