Glowing Hearts QAL - Make Five Heart Blocks

I am happy that the method to make the bottom half of the heart has been so well-received! This week we are going to make the five heart blocks that are on the dark background.

I also think that we should show off our first heart blocks, don't you? There will be a linkup at the end of this post to show one heart block on your dark background (or whatever colour of background you are using). I admit this is also because I am so curious to see the fabrics you've chosen! Two of my yoga students are joining in with this quilt along and I got to see a photo of one block, and wow, I love it as well as what she's doing with the entire quilt!

SAHRR#2 - Aquamarine

The name of this quilt just popped into my head when I was writing down details in my longarm notebook. Upon checking that I did indeed have the colour link correct, I learned that the colours of this gem vary from lighter blue to deeper blue-green, but they all evoke the colours of the sea and sky, which is right up my alley or should I say beach! It's the birthstone for March, and the gemstone brings calmness, clarity, and serenity. It belongs to the mineral beryl. (Note to self for a good name for another blue and green quilt!)

The border is a perfect match; you’d think I planned the colours in the quilt from it! It’s actually a piece I bought many years ago in Alberta for a quilt back when my aunt took me to a quilt shop near Barrhead, which I just found out today is still there, and which my cousin‘s partner frequents! I had about 1.5 metre left, most of which was only half the width of the fabric but I was able to get four 1.5" borders and three of the 4.5 strips I needed for the binding. A few extra joins of half-width of fabric strips easily made enough for the binding with about a fat quarter now left. 

Gratitude and Glimmers #94

Welcome to my post for the month of all things I like and for which I am grateful.  This is out one day after the Thursday usual post time because I didn't want to interfere with this week's instructions for my annual Quilt Along. You can find links to more posts like this one at LeeAnna's blog, Not Afraid of Color. Glimmers are the little things that give me a frisson if you will, of joy or happiness or excitement or all three.

This first one was a definite glimmer when I read it on Instagram.

Glowing Hearts - Tutorial for Lower Heart Section

Are you ready to begin piecing some hearts? I bet you are. If you are like me, you rarely make it through cutting out an entire quilt before you have to pause and “just sew up one block”.😄 However, this week is just half of the heart, the bottom half. It uses a pretty unique way of making it. Remember you can pick up the pattern at SandraJaneQuilts if you want to sew ahead or make the throw. 

*Note that my Gratitude post will be out tomorrow so as not to interfere with the QAL.

Here are the pieces I cut out last Friday for my Glowing Hearts version. The maple leaf is rough cut for now about an eighth of an inch all the way around. I’m using the Crafted Appliqué™️ method for this.

Summer Vibes

First of all, Happy St. George's Day! He is the patron saint of England, the one who, legend has it, slayed the poor dragon. His colour is red. I'm a bit chuffed as my mum would've said, when I realize that the RSC colour of April is red, and I'm making a red and white quilt for my Quilt Along! She read all my blog posts, and I just know this first paragraph would make her grin in English pride.

When I made my second version of Winter Blues I wanted to make it in warm vibrant colours, totally opposite to the cool blues and icy background of the photo shoot. So I give you Summer Vibes which, I think, definitely is the opposite!

It’s actually spring, not summer, here in the northern hemisphere, and our pink magnolia isn’t quite open yet but she is the closest to a full floral background in my yard for today!

SAHRR #2 and RSC

While I was sewing up the throw version of my newest pattern, I started sewing the blocks together for my SAHRR #2. This was the one where instead of doing a round each week according to the prompt, I made a block. I ended up with seven blocks, so of course I had to make two more for a 3 x 3 set.

It turned out so well! I’m so happy to get that striped heart that is in the centre out of the orphan block drawer and into such a pleasing quilt.

Glowing Hearts Quilt Along - Cutting Instructions

Now that we have decided upon (or maybe there are still a few possibilities to decide upon) our fabrics, it's time to cut them up.

Be sure that your fat quarters are the full 18" x 21". If you wish to work ahead, or you wish to make the throw version, the pattern is available in my Etsy shop, SandraJaneQuilts. It is on sale for 25% off now through midnight on Easter Monday. There are instructions for three quilts within this pattern, each one unique. Once I have the Glowing Hearts version quilted and her glamour shoot wrapped up (see what I did there?!), I will update the cover, and send it out to those who have bought it. Here it is at present: