Last of the Valentine's Day Runners

In several previous posts here I have shown you the Valentine's Day runners I made this summer.  The last one is not a runner but a small table topper.  I did not have enough scraps to make an additional full table runner so I thought a table topper would be perfect to use the last little bits and pieces.

The small table topper using the last of the scraps.

 

I started the table topper with a large orphan block that was fairly simple in design and presentation.  I put this block on one side of the topper and pieced a different design on the other side.  I used this block to determine my overall size of the topper.

 

The remaining orphan blocks from the scrap bag.

 

The smaller pieced blocks I used in the front side of the topper.  By adding a pieced center and borders this side was done in no time. 

 

Front of the table topper.

 

The topper was quilted with the free motion hearts and connecting loops I have been practicing.  The front of the topper has a lighter colored thread so the quilting did not detract from the pieced center.  The back has a darker colored thread so the quilting really pops out.

 



The darker thread makes the quilting stand out.

 

Side one

 

Side two

 

This topper can be used on either side depending on the look you want.  I only had a few scraps left from the bag and they went into my stash of squares. 

The last of the scraps.

 

See how much fun you can have using up your scraps and orphan blocks.  One scrap bag down only about a hundred to go.  Check out these posts to see my other runners.  Happy scrapping!

 

Danna

Valentine's Day Runner from Orphan Blocks

Here is the second table runner I made this summer from the scraps my friend gave me.  She had a bag of leftovers from previous quilts and runners that included some orphan blocks.  I love to create using orphan blocks because half of the work is already done.

The completed runner using three orphan blocks.

 

In the bag was one large orphan block comprised of four half square triangle units and a solid border.  The other orphan blocks were leftover half square triangles. 

 

The orphan blocks and scraps.

 

I placed the large orphan block in the center and put borders on the smaller half square triangle blocks so the three were the same size.  I used a wide solid pink border on the two outside blocks to allow the center block to shine.  Using some of the other scraps I pieced a patchwork border with various sized rectangles.

 

Some of the scraps I used in the border.

 

Each block in the center of the runner has a heart quilted in the middle.  Again practicing my free motion quilting.

 

The middle block has a larger heart than the outer blocks.

A small heart in the center really makes the blocks pop.

 

The table runner turned out really cute with all the leftover scraps.  I used it on my large dining room table for my Valentine's Day décor.

 

 

Have fun using up your Orphan Blocks and scraps.  Be sure to check out these posts to see the others created. Pretty in Pink Table Runners &

 

Danna

Valentine's Day Table Runner - A Little Late

In a previous post I talked about my Valentine's Day table runners I created this Summer.  The first table runner was made from the left over scraps from this post Donations Quilts - What a Joy!  I had just enough to make the center coin style panel and then add some simple borders. 

A coin style center panel is the highlight of this runner.

 

I like the way the mix of the reds, browns and pinks compliment each other for a true Valentine's Day feel.  The back was pieced with a pink and white polka dot and brown and pink ends.

 

The pieced back gives you two looks in one runner.

 

I also pieced the binding in the brown and pink solid fabrics to add a little movement in the outer edge.  The quilting in the center is straight lines 1/4 inches away from the seam lines and a meandering pattern in the coin section.  The border quilting was a little more of a challenge to myself to practice some new free motion shapes.  I quilted hearts in the outer border with loops between them.  They are not perfect but for a first try not too bad. (Sorry for the blurry picture - I could not get my camera to focus correctly)

 

More practice on my free motion quilting

Hearts with connecting loops.

 

This runner was quick and easy to put together and fun to make. I will post more about the other runner and table topper from the original group later. 

 

Danna

Pretty in Pink Table Runners

Okay, time really does fly when you are having fun.  I made several Valentine's table runners this summer and was waiting to post them until closer to February 14th.  Well, that date has come and gone by a month.  So I thought what the heck I will post them anyway so you can get a head start on next Valentine's day.

I was using up some scraps a friend gave me which allowed for easy piecing since some of the blocks were already created.  I made two table runners and one table topper out of her scraps and some I had on hand.

Leftover scraps from a jelly roll quilt

Simple and sweet

Table topper in pink an browns

 

The next few posts will go into a little more detail about how each one was made.  I hope these will spark some ideas for next year's Valentine's Day projects.

 

Danna

Pinterest Challenge Pin #1

The first pin I selected from my boards is one that has been there for several years. I had purchased all of the supplies and they were sitting in my cabinet but I had not taken them out and used them. So, this challenge has pushed me to get them out from under the cabinet and use them. Raise your hand if you have the supplies for a pin and they are sitting in your cabinet.

Pinterest Pin #1

This pin is a cleaning pin from my Household Hints board. You take a dish scrubber and fill it with half dish soap and half white vinegar. It is used to scrub your shower and/or bath tub to remove soap scum. I tried it out in the shower last night and it seems to work quite well. Now I am too embarrassed to show you before and after pictures but I feel like my shower is a little cleaner today. I plan to use it every time I take a shower and scrub one section at a time. It might take a few days but hopefully my shower will get cleaner and cleaner. Then I can convince (aka bribe) my children to use one in their shower.

I now have a new commitment to using the pins on my boards. If they are only saved for prosperity in the cyber world they have very little value in real life. So, what pin have you decided to use this week? Please share a comment on this post Pinterest Challenge and Giveaway so we can all learn from each other and you will get your name in the giveaway drawing at the end of the month.

Danna

P. S. If you follow me Danna Webber on Pinterest I will add an additional entry for you in the giveaway.

I am an ADD Creative Soul

If you are a creative person you know how it feels when you get an idea you want to try and you just can't wait any longer.  I am that person who will stop in the middle of one project and start a new one just because I have to try it now!  The other day I walked into my craft/sewing room and noticed a skein of yarn I had purchased a few days before.  Even though I had my table stacked to the brim with three other projects in process I pushed everything out of the way and started making a scarf out of the yarn.  See the lovely result here A Girl Can Never Have Enough Scarves.

My piled high work area before

I just jumped into a new project.

 

At that moment I decided I was an ADD Creative Soul.  There is really no other way to describe my brain when it comes to the creative process.  I am not this way in any other aspect of my life. (A procrastinator by nature but not ADD).  The lure of what could be created by that new idea just reels me in so fast my head is spinning.  I am sure there are others out there like me that jump from one project to the next and then wonder why our crafting/sewing areas are always in disarray.  Well now I have a diagnosis for you - Attention Deficit Creative Soul.  I guess I could seek treatment for my constant lack of attention but I like to think it keeps things fresh and always moving.  Oh look, I wonder what I could do with that new package of spoons?  Gotta go see you soon.

Danna

Pinterest Challenge and Giveaway

CHALLENGE

 

Everyone loves Pinterest and all the wonderful ideas, recipes, DIY projects you can find.  But I wonder if there are more people like me who "Pin" ideas quite frequently but never seem to get back to acting on those wonderful finds.  So, I thought it would be fun to challenge myself during the month of March to select one pin per week and actually use or do that pin.  Then I thought maybe some of you would like to join me in this challenge.  Who knows we might just find a new favorite recipe our family will love or create that perfect gift for an upcoming celebration.

Here are the guidelines so we can all share in the fun:

1. Select one or more pin(s) from any of your personal boards per week.  It can be a recipe, craft project, cleaning solution etc.  Anything that is already pinned on your boards.  Save the new pins for another challenge.

2.  Actually do the action the pin requires.  For example, make the recipe, create the craft, use the cleaning solution, try the new exercise etc. 

3.  Share a comment on this blog post what pin you used and how it turned out.  Did your family like that new chicken dish or did they give it a thumbs down.  Did you try that new exercise and you have not been able to move for three days.  You get the idea.

4. BONUS FUN: For every pin you try and share a comment I will place your name into a drawing for a free gift at the end of the month.  You may try more than one pin per week but please share a separate comment for each pin you try.  That way you will get the proper number of entries for the prize drawing.

I hope you will join me in using some of the wonderful ideas found on Pinterest.  Ideas are wonderful but they can not enhance our lives if they stay on the shelf or in this case the Pinterest board.

Have fun!!

Danna