Dogs and Cats version of the Heartfelt quilt

Introduction: This post is brought to you by one of the ladies in our small group, who all got together to make the Heartfelt quilt.  The following pictures represent her variation on the original quilt.  I absolutely love all the different aspects of this quilt.  Truthfully, I love all the different variations that came from each and every person in our group.  There were four of us that participated in making this quilt, and you will see, they are all completely different.  I already posted about my finish, on Aug 14/2025-My finished version of the Heartfelt quilt, and this version is the second finish.  I'll post the rest in future posts.

This quilt was finished back on May 16/2024, it is primarily blue, red and brown.  There are numerous references to dogs and cats within the quilt, with panels used, fabrics that had bones, or paw prints, and lots of fussy cut dogs and cats.  Every block was treated special, with it's own unique features, but a blog is just not big enough to post them all!  Instead of the words along the perimeter, this maker decided to make a bunch of crazy scrappy hearts.  They finish off the quilt so well!

In the making of this quilt, there were some "reject" blocks.  Honestly, I don't like using that word here, as these blocks are also worthy of being on the front, but there was not enough room.  Instead, these blocks were assembled in two columns and placed on the back.  Here is a picture of the back.

I asked the maker to share with me a few of her favorite blocks and this is what I received.  This first block, which is actually an accumulation of four blocks put together, to form one block.  One quarter section is a block from the original Heartfelt pattern.  It looks completely different when assembled together in a set of four, with fabric colour placement and the distraction of the fussy cut dogs running through the middle of the block.  So cute!!!

This block is in loving memory of her beloved Chloe:

This is in loving memory of her beloved Owen:

I hope you enjoyed seeing this individuals variation.  Throughout the making process, this maker continually added in her own touches to make the end quilt more of a representation of her tastes and personality.  I think it turned out fabulously!!

Take care everyone and don't forget to take come time for yourself.

Work in progress update - To Grandmother's House We Go wall hanging

I started this quilt back in Jan/2016, when I first posted about this wall hanging.  I posted some more from Feb 1-May 24/2018 in various posts.  Then from what I can see from previous posts, I got distracted while I returned to doing more on my Hexagon quilt and Gathering Flowers quilt.

These panels are backstitched in black.  The first panel is the third design on the wall hanging.  I finished this after May/2018 sometime, however couldn't tell you exactly when, as I didn't post about it.

This next panel is more recent.  I started it after finishing the one above, however only to the "Over the River" part.  That's when I put it aside.  When I have too much time on my hands, sitting around waiting, I have to keep my hands busy, so when I started going to the hospital all the time, I pulled this one back out and started working on the rest of the words.  I finished it some time in Oct/2024.

Then once the above one was done and I was still often going to the hospital, I started this last panel.  I haven't worked on this one for about a couple of months now, as hospital visits dwindled.  I'm thinking of getting back to it soon.  I'd really like to finish it and hang it on my wall.

As a refresher for those who don't want to go back to previous posts.  Here is the pattern that I am working on.  Middle panel and bottom panel are done, plus all the pieced blocks and pieced borders are completed.  Once I get this last panel done, everything will be ready to assemble.

Take care everyone.

Work in progress update - Gathering Flowers quilt

Interesting question....WIP versus UFO?  That was the topic on April 30/2021 by Yvonne @QuiltingJetgirl.  Discussion is at: hhtps://quiltingjetgirl.com/2021/04/20/wip-versus-ufo-discussion/  

I have to say that the consensus in the comments were relatively the same, though the perspective of whether you call your project a WIP or a UFO is more individual.  It's a personal opinion and as Liz wrote, "based on intention".  Liz also wrote that classifying something as a UFO, is like admitting that it will probably never get finished.  I liked her definition....lol.

I used to have a "UFO" list and sometime in either 2022 or 2023, I started calling my list "Quilt Progress", which is another word for Work in Progress.  It has a more positive spin on the list itself.  If it is on my list, it means I have "intentions" of finishing it.  

My oldest work in progress is the Gathering Flowers Applique quilt.  I started this back in May/2011, prior to starting this blog!  I don't call it a UFO, because from time to time, it does come out to play.

I finished two blocks in Aug-Sept/2019, three blocks from Jan-Mar/2020, one in Oct/2024 and two recently in July/2025.  Some of the previous posts were from Jan 14-Mar 16/2019.  I posted about the last two finished blocks recently on Aug 6/2025, but searching my blog achieves, made me realize that I didn't show any of the previously finished blocks or if I did, I couldn't find them.  So let's do an update.

Centre double rose with swirling branches, source unknown, completed Feb/2020:

Crossed Leaves, Baltimore Basics by Mimi Dietrich pg.64, completed Mar/2020:

Wreath with berries/cherry wreath, Baltimore Basics by Mimi Dietrich pg.74, completed Sept/2019:

Centre double rose with buds in corners, source unknown, completed Aug/2019:

Blue straight basket with hearts, Baltimore Basics by Mimi Dietrich pg.84, completed Jan/2020:

Distelfink (Good luck bird, my version), Inspired by Tradition by Kay MacKenzie pg.18, completed Oct/2024

Plus the last two completed blocks that I recently posted about on Aug 6/2025 called Handwork progress on my Gathering Flowers quilt.  There are 12 more blocks to complete, so it will be a while, but I will try to be a bit more regular with posting about my progress.

Take care everyone and don't forget to take some time for yourself!

My design wall on tracks

As I was posting my blog post for August 10/2025-Scrappy strings chevron quilt, I realized that I never did post anything about finishing my design wall/boards.  Way back on October 14/2023, I posted about changing the location of my quilting space from a small back room, to a larger more open centre space.  At that time, I just hung a sheet up over the closet doors as my design wall.  It served the purpose, until I was able to do something about it.  During my Christmas break of 2023, my mom came and helped me finish my design boards.  

These are my completed design boards.  I installed two separate tracks with two separate boards, to give me more design space, using the least amount of "wall" space.  Each board is 5' wide and 8' tall, for a total of 10' wide space if I need it.  They move independently and can both move out of the way for access to the closet behind them.

These tracks are not your usual box store tracks.  They are industrial tracks and can support as much as 500 lbs. each.  Not that I will need quite that much, but with the weight of the frame, plus blocks and pushing and pulling them as needed, I wanted something very sturdy.  Sometimes I feel I have monkeys that come to visit, who like to climb and hang on things.......lol......(ie child proof too!).

The tracks are spaced far enough apart that anything (including pins) on the design board in the back, don't get disturbed.   Each track is 10' wide to allow me to move the boards all the way to the left, to get access to the closet that is behind the design boards.  Or I can move either one to the side so that I can view both boards at the same time.

This picture below was taken back in Dec/2023, prior to covering the panel with batting, flannel and the black fabric trim.  I thought this would help with understanding the construction of the panels, in case anyone is interested in making a design board like this.

The framing is made with 2" x 2" spruce wood/studs, screwed to each other on the ends.  Then there is a thin wood, 3/8" underlayment, which is screwed to this frame to provide more support and sturdiness, without it making the whole panel too heavy.  Once the wood frame was complete, I then inserted the insulation and secured them to the back of the underlayment with large washers and screws (initial glue/adhesive was not working).  

Lastly I installed the coverings.   I lay the batting down first to cover the insulation, gluing the batting to the insulation with spray adhesive and stapled the edges to the front side of the perimeter wood, to lessen the bulk.  Then this was followed by the flannel, pulled taught, which was also stapled to the front side.  The black trim came next.  That was installed upholstery style on the front, to the edge of the wood, and then pulled to the back of the frame and stapled there.  Hope that helps!

Take care everyone.

Started a Basket Case quilt and where I left off on it

I found this pattern online way back when......and left it at that.  I was not ready to make it.  I kept the picture for inspiration and for the details of the maker, to know where to get the pattern.

Recently in March, during my time of mending, just before my second surgery, I did some quilt shop, shopping therapy, and came across this pattern again, so I bought it.  I went home and immediately started a couple of blocks.  

Over the course of a couple of days, I proceeded to make another hand full of blocks.  Nine in total.  Then they were put aside....hence how a UFO is established....lol.  

This is a pattern to use up jelly rolls, however I altered my blocks to fit the size of strips that I had on hand, which are 2" wide instead of 2 1/2".  Blocks turn out a bit smaller, but this way I get to use up strips from my already cut drawers.

The construction of this block is a bit different, so I am unable to use this as a leader/ender, as I get confused at curtain spots and end up taking too much time to sort it out.  That is primarily the reason why it got put aside, until I can make this the primary project.  I had it tucked away so well that I completely forgot about it.  I'll have to get this one back out!

Take care everyone and don't forget to take some time for yourself, you deserve it!

I started a stacking bricks quilt

I wrote a post about the inspiration of this quilt on Tuesday, August 12th and drafted it up to make one in the future, but I didn't think I was going to start one this soon....  Wednesday after work, I started cutting into my scraps that were smaller chunks of fabric.  I had a full bucket and now I only have half.  That cool!  Using up scraps is my goal. 

By the end of day, all the pieces were cut out and I had these rows set up to be sewn together.  The original quilt is sitting in the top right hand corner of the picture waiting for it's binding.

Today, I had the day off, to decompress.  What better way of relaxing than quilting?  I managed to sew all the vertical seams and half of the horizontal seams.  It's going pretty smoothly, with only a couple of mishaps with placement, that were easy enough to fix.

It makes me feel good, that I am almost done this one.  I have so many quilts on the go....  I really didn't need to start another one.  At least this one will be able to be crossed off the list quickly.  I don't usually stall out when I reach this stage of the construction.  

Take care everyone.

My finished version of the Heartfelt quilt

I realized recently, that I left my Heartfelt quilt as a cliffhanger.  I wrote about that on the August 13/2025 blog post called Heartfelt quilt words.  Prior to that, the last posted about this quilt was back on January 22/2024.  I have since completed this quilt.

For a bit of history, this was considered a BOM (Block of the month) quilt.  Our little group of ladies met up every month to sew on this quilt.  We started this back on Oct 7th/2023, then we met together for the first session at my place.  Then each month we met at the designated home to work together on each of our own Heartfelt quilt.

It was really nice getting together, sewing, socializing and watching all the different variations that came out of one pattern.  We even encouraged individuality in making the quilt each our own with sharing different block options and layouts.  I think they all turned out beautiful in each of the different colourways.

Here is my version of the Heartfelt quilt.  I chose to do all of mine in Red, pink and white. The background was using white with red print.  The letters were from Sugaridoo.  

I want to draw your eyes to the large X and O in the quilt that was made to stand out with the darker fabrics.  Purposely done to emphasize the theme of the quilt "Heartfelt" with, Hugs & Kisses (X and O) and there are other references to the same throughout the quilt, with the addition of a set of smaller x and o, plus different sized hearts.  Enlarge the picture and have fun exploring.

It was so fun to do this quilt!!  I loved the comradery that we had as a small group and watching all the blocks shape up.  The goal for me was to make sure I had fabric with enough contrast, as the whole quilt was being made out of only two colours.  I still wanted there to be a distinction between all the blocks.

Here are a few pictures of various sections for a closer view of the different blocks.  In this first one, we have friendship stars, a monkey wrench, flying geese and square-in-a-square blocks.  I wrote about most of these blocks in previous posts dated back from Oct 17/23-Jan 22/24.

In each of my eight-point stars, I decided to add in a four-patch to the centre (as seen below) and in all the sawtooth stars, I added a crazy block to add some interest.  One of the ladies in the group gifted my a paper piece pattern of this 6" crazy pieced heart.  These pictures go to show you that even though this is a two colour quilt, there are many shades of each colour from dark to light, or bright to soft. 

Here is one of my favourite blocks.  A set of four monkey wrench.  All have the same centre, each kiddy corner block has the same background, but otherwise they have everything else different.  So cute!  I love the texture/design of the zigzag fabric in the top left block.

Hope you enjoyed my version of the Heartfelt quilt.  Stay tuned for the reveal of the other versions from our group in future posts.

If you want to make one of your own, the pattern can be purchased from the designer Sandy/herself through ScrappyGalQuiltCo (no affiliation, just giving credit to the designer) at:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1510353224/heartfelt-quilt-pattern  

Have a great day everyone and take care.