Tutorials

Simply Charmed Blog Hop – Circle of Love

Feb 11, 2012 / 305 Comments
Welcome to day 9 of the Simply Charmed Blog Hop hosted by Melissa of Happy Quilting. 

Each blogger was given the challenge of making a Valentines project using one Charm Pack from Deb Strain – Always and Forever. 
So, I decided on a simple wall hanging / table topper.
Circle of Love

Materials

  • 1 Always and Forever charm pack
  • 1 1/2 yard solid for background fabric, border and binding
  • 1 1/4 yards for backing fabric
  • Applique – Stitch n Wash + fabric glue stick, Applique glue
  • Template plastic
  • 45″ x 45″ wadding 
Cutting
  • From each charm square cut:
    • 1 – 2″ x 5″ rectangle
    • 1 – 2″ x 3″ rectangle
    • 1 – 3″ x 3″ square
  • From solid background fabric cut:
    • 1 – 27 1/2″ x 27 1/2″ square (Centre Block)
    • 3 – 2″ strips WOF (width of fabric). Cut these into 72 – 1 1/2″ x 2″ rectangles (Border block)
    • 2 – 1 1/2″ strips WOF. Cut these into 8 – 3″ x 1 1/2″ rectangles and 8 – 5″ x 1 1/2″ rectangles (Corner blocks)
    • 4 – 2 1/2″ strips WOF (Binding)
Assembly
Step 1 – Making the border blocks.
Block 1
  • Sew a solid 1 1/2″ x 2″ rectangle to each end of a 2″ x 3″ charm piece. Make 12.
  • Sew  a 2″ x 5″ charm piece to each end.
  • Make 12 – 5″ x 5″ unfinished blocks.
Block 2
  • Sew a solid 1 1/2″ x 2″ rectangle to each end of a 2″ x 3″ charm piece. Make 24.
  • Sew to each end of a 2″ x 5″ charm piece.
  • Make 12 – 5″ x 5″ unfinished blocks.

Block 3
Select 4 red toned 3″ x 3″ charm pieces

  • Sew a 1 1/2″ x 3″ solid rectangle to the top and bottom of a 3″ x 3″ charm piece. 
  • Sew a 1 1/2″ x 5″ solid strip to both sides of the 3″ x 3″ charm piece. 
  • Make 4

Step 2 – Adding the borders

  • For the top and bottom border, alternate Block 1 and 2 until there are 6.
  • Sew these 6 blocks together. Finished width is 27 1/2″ x 5″
  • Attach top and bottom border to 27 1/2″ background solid square
  • Repeat for side borders adding block 3 to each end.
  • Attach side borders.

Hint: At this stage I chose to quilt the background as I was using hand turned appliqué technique to add the hearts. It is a personal choice whether you quilt at the stage or later.

Front – swirls in hot pink thread
Back – lighter pink thread

Step 3 – Preparing the Applique Hearts

Download Heart Template here. Remember when printing, do not ‘Fit to Page’ or scale file.

I used a product called Stitch n Wash – a light fusible product sold by Floriani. There are many techniques available for appliqué. You may choose to do raw edge or hand turned for your project. I like hand turned appliqué as it makes the hearts puffy and gives them dimension.

  • Trace the heart shape onto back of fusible product. Cut on trace line.
  • Press as per manufacturers instructions to back of 3″ x 3″ charm piece. Notice the placement on the square. This will give me a nice 1/4″ seam allowance all around.
  • Cut around heart shape leaving 1/4″ for seam allowance for turning.

  • Using a sharp pair of clipping scissors, clip into seam allowance on curved edges to a few threads away from outline. 
  • Using your glue stick, turn over the edges and glue to fusible template.
  • Make 26 hearts
Hint: I separated the charms into colour groups – reds, deep pinks and light pinks and whites. I used red for the corner block 3 and centre hearts. Deep pinks for second row of hearts and the remainder for the outer circle of hearts.
Step 4 – Applique layout
  • Find the centre of the background by folding it in 4 and finger pressing.
  • Place the 4 red hearts on fold lines with equal spacing between them.
  • Using a 10″ dinner plate make a paper template. Fold the template in four to find the centre.
  • Place the 8 dark pink hearts evenly around the circle with the tops of the hearts just protruding from under the template.

  • Make another template 14 3/4″. Fold in 4 and find centre.
  • Place the remaining 14 hearts evenly around the circumference of the template.
  • When you are satisfied with the layout, place a dab of appliqué glue to fix the hearts in place and pin.
  • Using matching thread and appliqué stitch, sew the hearts in place.
Quilt, bind and label your project and share it with someone you love.

Finished Quilt Size : 36″ x 36″

Finished Block size ” 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ (Block 1, 2 and 3)
I hope you enjoyed this Valentines project. Today as part of the blog hop, Judi from the Green Fairy is giving away one lucky blogger a $25 gift voucher. Not only does Judi have a wide selection of discount Moda pre-cuts, she is one amazing and talented quilter.


To enter the giveaway today
1. Please leave a comment sharing any story about Valentines Day.
For example, I had a job which allowed me to travel overseas, so I would write anonymous Valentines cards and post them from all sorts of odd places around the world. My friends would receive them and spend weeks working out who they were from. 
2. For an extra chance, please become a follower and tell me that you are now blog stalking me.
To enter the grand prize draw, go here for a chance to win a $200 gift voucher from the lovely Kimberly and team at Fatquartershop. 
The giveaway on this blog is open until 20th February 2012.

Don’t forget to visit all the other blogs for your chance to see some amazing projects and enter the giveaways. 

February 2 – Heather from http://www.quiltstory.blogspot.com/
February 3 – Melissa from http://melissaslilaclane.blogspot.com/
February 6 – Angela from http://cuttopieces.blogspot.com/
February 7 – Amy from http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/
February 8 – Natalia from http://www.piecenquilt.blogspot.com/
February 9 – Jessica from http://twinfibers.blogspot.com/
February 10 – Katie from http://www.swimbikequilt.com/
February 11 – Jane from http://quiltjane.blogspot.com/
February 13 – Corey from http://www.littlemissshabby.com/
February 14 – Happy Valentines Day and the Grand Prize Winner Announcement.

Thank you Melissa for organising the hop and Judi, Julie, Leah and Kimberly for being such generous sponsors.

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305 Comments

  • Martina

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 8:10 Reply

    Oh I love your project. So sweet! Thanks so much for sharing!
    We don,t really celebrate Valentine's day in our family. We try do show our love through little surprises during the year. But since I am connected to the bloggerworld I always saw those cute projects and read stories, so this year my loved ones will get a little giftie from me. Even for my DH I have a miniquilt in work to show him my love. Cute!

  • Kristy QP

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 9:09 Reply

    Gorgeous quilt Jane! Love the plate tip for getting a tidy circle.

    I don't have any Valentine's Day stories to share – how sad! I'll have to remedy that!

  • Jennie P.

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 9:45 Reply

    My dad used to always bring me and my sister valentine's gifts. They were smaller versions of what our mom got 🙂 We'd get a few flowers and some candy or a stuffed animal. I always thought it was so sweet of him to think of his girls as well as his true Valentine (my mom.) I never knew any other dads who did such a thing. 🙂

  • Swedish Scrapper

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 10:57 Reply

    What a stunning table topper quilt! I love the deep grey you chose to offset the pinks, as well as shocking pink threads for the circle quilting!

    My cautionary Valentie's story: one year, when I was about ten, I brought in Valentine's cards for all but one of the kids in my class, the girl who bullied me. The teacher asked if I had counted wrong and I answered that I hadn't. I felt so ashamed (and still do) when I saw how alone and miserable she looked. So not worth it, she was just another kid like me, needing some smiles and heart jokes just as much as I did.

  • Sheila

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 11:27 Reply

    One year on Valentine's Day we were traveling home and got caught in an ice storm and were stranded on the side of the road for hours along with many other travelers and our supper that day was a loaf of bread we had to break off and yet it was a great memory . Lovely project!

  • Lisa Marie

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 11:45 Reply

    Your project is gorgeous! Typically people use white as a background for valentine's things but the grey is a fresh twist and looks outstanding. And the pink quilting thread on the grey really finished it beautifully.
    No big valentine's stories, but I do remember my Dad always wrote these cute and silly poems on the envelopes of cards he gave to my mom and to me and my sisters on Valentine's Day. He is definitely not a touchy-feely kind of guy, but this was bad poetry at its sentimental best.

  • FML Crochet

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 11:51 Reply

    Our first Valentine's Day, I gave my hubby, then boyfriend, Scooby Doo boxers with hearts all over them. That was 16 years ago and he has never worn them. 🙂

  • Jessica

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 12:07 Reply

    We don't do Valentine's day in our family, but I can remember when I was in school I would wish and hope that some boy would give me a valentine!
    Your quilt is fantastic! Love the quilting!

  • StitchinByTheLake

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 12:08 Reply

    I love the way you use gray. I wouldn't have thought of it but it's perfect! The first year my husband and I were married he gave me a bracelet and necklace – we were college students so they were not expensive pieces. I still have them 48 years later and this year passed them on to my two daughters. blessings, marlene

  • Dorian

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 12:10 Reply

    What a cute wall hanging, love how the hearts are in a circle. Thank you for the tute, and a chance at winning.

    I am not a V-day girl, haven't celebrated since I was in grade school buying valentines for all my class mates….and that was awhile ago 😉

  • Mary Grace McNamara

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 12:16 Reply

    I love to shop after Valentine's day for interesting packaging, like the plastic hinged-top boxes shaped like a heart that I use for my safety pins. Of course the added bonus is that I must eat the yummy stuff inside before I can use the packaging for something useful!

    MGM

  • Johanna

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 12:39 Reply

    Beautiful project! I remember one Valentine's Day, my sister HAD to have this huge teddy bear with an I Love You heart. I can't even imagine her boyfriend (now husband) carrying this thing out of the mall. He is very easily embarrased. I'd love a picture of that!

  • Béa

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 12:41 Reply

    Thank you for this very beautiful project, I really love it and will make it …I can't receive fabrics at time for Valentine's day 🙁
    I'm already a happy follower.

  • Linz

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 12:52 Reply

    Wow! That is wonderful!!!! So very cute! Great tutorial, thank you!

    For Valentines, my hubby and I get frosties and french fries. It our tradition! It started in our starving college days! 🙂

  • Mom2RyandSis

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 13:00 Reply

    Love your mini quilt! I haven't really done much for Valentine's day in the past. I plan this year to make my kids "bouquets" of mini candy bars, I saw a few at the flower shop yesterday and they were so cute!

  • Vroomans' Quilts

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 13:01 Reply

    Lovely heart quilt – I think we all have one of those templates – the plate I mean!! Best Valentines was when I found out my first grandbaby was coming – he's now 5, but still a happy memory, my special Valentines.

  • jlk

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 13:04 Reply

    When I was dating my husband, Curly, we went on our 3rd date the day before Valentine's Day. As we were walking around DC, a homeless man came up and asked if we would like to buy one of his hand drawn cards. It was $1. Curly paid the guy, wrote something in it, and handed it to me. It was the weirdest card I have ever gotten, but I thought it was awesome. The next day, the actual Valentine's Day, I waited all day for a phone call or email. He decided it was "too loaded" of a day to call me when we were just newly dating. A month later we were engaged.

  • LynCC

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 13:34 Reply

    🙂 Not many Valentine's Days ago, Scott totally forgot about doing anything, and when he waltzed in the door super-late from work, having not even called or sent any email notes all day long, it took him about 3 minutes of confusedly wondering why one wife and two upper-level high school daughters were giving him the Silent Treatment and even the famous Devon Glare to realize what had happened. He silently spun around and reappeared 15 minutes later with a chocolate bar from Walgreens. Says my 16yo: "Nuh-uh!!! You gotta do better than that!!" After he left, she spins around totally huffed and says to me, "Can you *BELIEVE* how dense men can be???" I was just laughing! (Couldn't be too mad at him, as I knew how crazy work was at the time, getting ready for a big inspection.) He did a lot better with the second trip. My girls just cracked me up, though!

  • Melissa

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 13:52 Reply

    When my husband and I first started dating I made him alittle box with pink construction paper and filled it with chocolate fudge. He still has it! 🙂

  • LJ

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 13:58 Reply

    We always made Valentine boxes each year when I was a kid. They were used as our own personal mailbox. I still love to get mail – nowdays, I'm happy with snail mail and email!!

  • pinsandneedles

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 14:11 Reply

    I love this table topper! I don't have a Valentine's Day one and I think this is the one! Thanks for the tutorial!
    As far a a valentine's Day story…really don't have one. We don't do much for Valentine's as our anniversary is the week before. Maybe some chocolate, please!

  • Lisa Cox

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 14:18 Reply

    One year on Valentine's day, I had to work a 13 hour shift at work. I got home too tired to even think about cooking. When I came into the house, all the lights were off and I figured that my boyfriend was out practicing with his band as we normally didn't do anything for Valentine's Day. I walked into the kitchen, and was surprised to find him standing by the table that was decorated with candles and my good china. He sat me down and served me a delicious steak dinner. I, of course, married him. LOL

  • Janet

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 14:24 Reply

    So cute. I loved how you used the plate to center that circle of hearts. Such an easy idea, yet I had never thought of it. Thanks. My birthday is Valentine's Day, so when I was small, I used to think everyone was celebrating just for me. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • miamihoney

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 14:33 Reply

    My first Valentine's Day as a Momma, I may have dressed my little one in a red cloth diaper and placed him on a fuzzy blanket holding a sparkly heart and sent the photo evidence to many, many family members. He will probably hate me for it when he sees them as a young man. 🙂

  • VickiT

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 14:43 Reply

    Great looking table topper Jane. Thank you very much for taking the time to do such a great tutorial for us. It's wonderful.

    Gosh, I'm not thinking of any other stories without repeating onces I've already posted during the blog hop. 🙁 If I do have any, I'm not remembering today. My brain is about a hour from our house right now because we have a new Granddaughter that's going to be making her appearance today. YAY.

  • Debbie

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 14:53 Reply

    I LOVE this little quilt! Thanks so much for a wonderful pattern. When my daughter was 10, we had a b-day party for her with 10 girls. I had a scavenger hunt with construction hearts all over the house. I wrote Valentine words and favorite bands and movies on them. Such fun having a Valentine baby.

  • B Greene

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 15:11 Reply

    My favorite Valentine's memory involves my high school fundraiser selling carnations. An ex-boyfriend gave me a red carnation (red = love), while my current boyfriend only gave me a pink one. I guess the pressure worked, because I have been married to the pink-carnation giver for over 25 years!

  • Karenkay

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 15:20 Reply

    I have no special valentines story, but we do have a nice dinner and do the chocolates and flower for our daughters!
    Love the project you put together for us. Thanks!!

  • ♥Duff

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 15:24 Reply

    I am a happy blog stalker!! OH, I just love this project. And your tutorial is amazing–I know how difficult they can be to write but yours is clear, concise, and oh my do you make it look easy-peasy!

  • trudys_person

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 15:27 Reply

    I love this table topper! Great use of charms and excellent tutorial! I don't have a Valentines story, but my husband did once send me a love letter with the word "sweetie" misspelled throughout – he called me "sweatie" … hilarious!

  • karen

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 15:42 Reply

    The only interesting thing that ever happened to me on Valentine's Day was that long, long, ago I had a boyfriend dump me! Can you believe that? All for the better in the long run. Anyhoo, thank you for the opportunity. your project is tres cute, and I love the little plate trick.

  • Newbie Jen

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 16:09 Reply

    I am stumped for a good Valentine's Story! Now that we have 3 kids, my husband and I rarely even celebrate on the actual day. For instance, we were able to get a babysitter tonight, so tonight will be our big night out! Hey, at least we keep the romance alive, right?

  • Jennie

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 16:19 Reply

    That little quilt is darling – I've been needing a small project to try my hand at applique. This just might be it.
    As for a Valentine's story – my husband and I met 11 years ago today (the 11th) and he gave me one of his favorite paintings as a Valentine's gift.

  • Sunnybec

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 16:25 Reply

    I use to put chocolate hearts in my husbands lunch box…which always made his work mates laugh… but to be honest when we were younger it wasn't such a big day, we just use to send cards without any names on….and get upset it we didn't get any!!!!!!!!

  • Lynda

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 16:34 Reply

    I have just signed up to stalk you – just printed out the lollipop quilt instructions and love what you have done with your charm pack for valentines.

  • Tiffany

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 16:43 Reply

    I remember my parents always made Valentine's a special dinner for us also – by using candles and making a "fancy" meal. Us kids always felt so special and grown up on that day!

  • Julie

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 17:02 Reply

    Last year we decided to involve the kids in Valentine's day more. We gave them little presents and cute Valentine's from my husband and I. It was so fun we're doing it again this year!

  • Jayme

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 17:19 Reply

    This year I plan to cut out a bunch of little hearts and write things thy I love about my husband on each one. Then I'm gonna tape them all over the bathroom Mirror so that he has to take the time to remove them so he can get ready for work. 🙂 super cute quilt! Thanks!!!

  • Anna F

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 17:35 Reply

    Valentine's Day is not a big day for us, but we do try to make it special in little ways like a thoughtful card or everyone's favorite for supper followed by a favorite dessert. I have never decorated for it, but I think that is going to change. This wallhanging is awesome. I really like it. Thank you for taking the time to put together this tutorial and sharing it with us.

  • Jansie

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 17:38 Reply

    Such a beautiful wall hanging! I just love it. Thank you for sharing the tutorial.
    My Valentines story is pretty simple. I love giving out children's Valentines and Candy Hearts to my co-workers every year. Makes me think of when we were all kids and it makes people smile. 🙂

  • Marcia W.

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 17:40 Reply

    My baby brother the cowboy told us how he goes about buying presents for my SIL (he combined anniversary and Valentine's this year). A friend of his daughter's sells jewelry. Bro goes to her home (boots, spurs, hat, and work clothes), hands her cash and says, "this is how much I want to spend, no more, no less." She looks through inventory, picks something for him, and he takes it home. My SIL is amazed at his "good taste."

  • Dianne Neale

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 17:47 Reply

    My husband hates that the card companies make so much money, so I have a card made from hardboard that comes out every year for valentines, wedding anniversary etc!

  • Maria Kievit

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 17:50 Reply

    Funny story: Last year I came home from a 2wk mission trip to Nicaragua around Valentines, and even though we grow flowers in the spring time ourselves, hubby had gone to neighbouring greenhouses, picked up fresh and potted flowers and plants, and to top it all off bought me the biggest frying pan possible. This was his story: The old one wobbled too much on the new stove, and they were on sale! Still loved it, and love using the pan!

  • sandyb

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 17:53 Reply

    We really do not celebrate Valentine's day even though I am making something for our Grandson – a crochet Muno – oh boy what a funny looking creature that is – well anyway – I am sure I have some stories besides the stories I have told many times about our daughters bringing home their wonderful cards but I truly cannot remember them.

    Love your project. Love the hearts.

    Thank you!

    sandyb720@gmail.com

  • KarenD

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 17:53 Reply

    I wrote 50 different reasons I loved my husband, each on a different small piece of paper, and hid them around the house for him to find. It took months and was great fun!

  • iluvmybugs

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 18:00 Reply

    Pretty wall hanging/table topper and great tutorial! We do special things for each other throughout the year so it's like celebrating Valentine's Day all year long.

  • C.

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 18:18 Reply

    Super, super cute quilt! One year we tried chocolate waffles with whipped cream and berries for breakfast–so good! christina112358 at gmail dot com

  • Mom who loves to sew

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 18:18 Reply

    Your gorgeous Valentine quilt just converted me to be one of your new followers to your blog. I love love love the beautiful job you did on that……even your quilting was perfect! What great use of charm squares. I would even use that border method for another quilt. You are sooooo creative!

    Just being with the same man (my husband) for 37 years is the best reminder every Valentine's Day. Enjoy the holiday with your loved ones and thanks for the opportunity to win such a great prize. I'm already printing directions to make this quilt!

  • Natalya H

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 18:42 Reply

    I get cute messages from my husband tucked in different places. One time, he dropped by at my work and as he has a key to my car, left a note for me to find on my front seat. I had no idea he had dropped by!

  • JoyceLM

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 18:56 Reply

    I remember making Valentine's mail boxes out of construction paper & lots of glitter when I was a kid. After that we'd make individual valentines and "mail" them to our classmates. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • Becky

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 19:07 Reply

    What a super cute quilt! I love the quilting on this and hope that I can get some more practice so I can try this on mine. I really need the practice first 🙂
    I am a new follower.
    I think I am all out of stories because I can't think of any that I haven't shared. My kids have always been the one's who loved Valentine's Day. My spouse and I like to do sweet things for each other every day of the year.

  • Susan

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 19:11 Reply

    That's a lovely quilt or table topper. Thanks for the idea on the border. It will come in handy on a lot of quilts! Valentine story: I was in the used bookstore and my husband had already found his books. He wandered next door to the florist and came back with the most wonderful bouquet in a beautiful vase with a big bow around it. Roses and baby's breath and greenery and carnations and daisies.

  • Rebecca

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 19:14 Reply

    I head to the store and buy discount chocolate after valentine's day and hide it from my hubby and kids 🙂
    ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Kristy

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 19:25 Reply

    Beautiful project!!!!

    My family owns a florist, so there are lots of "interesting" stories to tell. 🙂 Truth is, I'm always glad to see Valentines over, it's a high stress time! However, it is the day my hubs proposed to me….after my very first Valentine's working….no surviving a florist! 😉

  • KatieQ

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 20:19 Reply

    When I was a little girl, my lovable, but clueless father used to stop off at Woolworth's on his way home from work and buy my mother a pair of nylon stockings as a Valentine's gift. He would bring me a small chocolate heart. The year I was 12, he bought me a pair of stockings. I guess I should have been excited because it was his way of recognizing I was growing up, but I really wanted the chocolate heart.

  • LesQuilts

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 20:31 Reply

    Hi! I'm not sure I have a favorite memory, I remember one year our boys made Valentine's for the parents! Our stayed on our fridge for over 1 yr!
    This year, I'm making my own memories with some surprizes!
    Take care, Leslie

  • janie

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 21:26 Reply

    This is the cutest little Valentine's quilt I have ever seen, always hesitated to make a Val. quilt because of the shortness of the time we can use it, but, this one you have designed is perfect. Can't wait to make it.
    That in itself will make this a special Valentine's Day for my loved ones.
    thanks.

  • nlcalendar

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 21:36 Reply

    I am now a follower of your blog. My niece was born on Valentine's day and it's always fun finding Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day cards combined.

  • Pat V.

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 22:00 Reply

    Hubby and I toast one another on Valentine's Day with the toasting goblets from our wedding. Other than that, we just have a nice dinner at home, so nothing really stands out as a "favorite" story.

  • Tracee

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 22:58 Reply

    My memory is finding little chocolate hearts hidden all over the house in strange places, so as I would go about my weekly clean I would find one here and there, and it would always make me smile and make me think of my husband. It's the little things that are always the sweetest.

  • Quiltin' Sandy

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 23:01 Reply

    Hi Jane. I love your table topper and your choice of background is terrific. The tutorials on this hop have been so good, I am going to make your topper and Melissa's apron for sure. 🙂
    My unforgettable Valentines day was more than 25 yrs ago. My hubs is not the romantic kind, although we usually go out for dinner, and one of my friends at work had a hubby who was always sending her flowers/choccies/teddy bears/balloons, etc. Anyway this V. day at work, the florist delivery man came in with an enormous plant which I assumed was for Faye, but it was for ME from my DH and you know? I still have that plant in a big pot outside my back door. It is a Syngonium called " White Butterfly" 🙂

  • Narelle

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 23:03 Reply

    'Circle of Love' is very sweet! I can imagine heart chocolates adorning the centre 🙂
    My valentine's story involves two people very much in love becoming engaged on this day over 25years ago now … hubby and I 🙂

  • Jessica

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 23:16 Reply

    This is such a beautiful wall hanging. Last year my hubby and I went to the Melting Pot (a fondue place) and had a wonderful time without the kiddos. Not sure how they would have done with the pot of chocolate at the end 🙂

  • SisterlyLove

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 23:47 Reply

    That's a beautiful quilt!
    I don't really think I have a valentines day story. I'm single and I always end up babysitting the best nevvies and nieces a girl could have. So we have candy and cake and watch silly movies. 🙂

    Genevieve
    jenny(at)ykwc(dot)net

  • Jennifer

    Feb 11, 2012 at @ 23:52 Reply

    We like to keep our Valentine's day simple and sweet! No expensive gifts! I like to make little handmade things for my husband and he usually gets me little treats! It keeps it a sweet, non-commercialized holiday for us!
    I just LOVE that quilt!! I wish I were that talented!!!

  • thegoose

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 0:19 Reply

    I had a boyfriend who gave me a diamond ring once for Valentine's Day. He hid it in some ice cream. But he was so fastidious that he put it in a plastic bag first so it wouldn't get dirty. I didn't marry him. The end.

  • Rose M.

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 0:21 Reply

    We don't do Valentine's Day at our house but I do have a Valentine that my FIL sent to his future wife (my MIL) by mail back in 1929 when she was 21 years old. It was addressed and signed in pencil and it is very precious to me!

  • quilary

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 0:42 Reply

    I'm racking my brains to come up with a story, but Valentines Day is just another day in the year. The sweetest things are the little cards that the kids bring home from school!

  • karen

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 0:50 Reply

    Wonderful quilt, loved the grey background with the pinks and reds. Loved your blog! Definetely became a follower before posting. My aussie bloke has been slow to catch on to Valentine's Day. I started with my 2 girls as todllers, giving them heart shaped chocolates, cookies, cakes and sandwiches for their lunches. Which was a big talking point when they went to school. Dinner was always a favorite main and dessert with the table set with each place having Valentine's day cards, chocolates and flowers. It only took 10 years for my husband to catch on and become a self starter! thanks karen

  • LM

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 1:22 Reply

    My friends birthday is Valentine's Day, and one year her husband threw a surprise party at a restaurant…yep, our rowdy group of 10 (incl. 2 kids), amongst all the couples…

  • Helen L

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 1:25 Reply

    I love your quilt: I have it bookmarked so I can make it later. It's a great design! I can see it with flowers in place of the hearts. And it was good to see that you quilted it before appliqueing the hearts on. I've never seen that done before, but I can see that it would make the quilting much easier. Thanks for the great idea!!

  • ELNM

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 1:52 Reply

    I received a flowering shrub one year from a guy for Valentine's Day. At the time, I was in college, living in a dorm. I know what roses mean, but a shrub?!?

  • Tara

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 2:21 Reply

    V Day story? Well, this hasn't happened yet, so let's just pretend…My sister is due on Valentine's Day so if my niece makes an appearance this Tuesday it will become my new fav V Day story 🙂 Beautiful tutorial btw!

  • Deb

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 2:30 Reply

    My husband and I celebrated Valentine's by going to Olive Garden for lunch today. It's a 1 hr, 45 min trip to our closest location, but it sure was worth the trip!

  • Unknown

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 2:54 Reply

    My least favourite thing about Valentine's Day is that everything is so expensive that day. I've forbade hubby from buying me anything for the day! But he's most welcome to spoil me any other day of the year!

  • Vickie

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 3:08 Reply

    One of my former jobs was delivering balloons. It was alway great fun to deliver a bouquet to a guy at work. Seemed to really embaress them.

  • Lindsay

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 3:19 Reply

    Not a lot of Valentine's stories for me, but I do remember the year I had to be out of town for work on V-day and my husband drove 3 hours to come and visit me and take me out to dinner. I thought that was sweet.

  • jmniffer

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 3:28 Reply

    Money was tight and my idea for Valentine's Day was to make a "heart shaped" meal. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, muffins, chocolates…everything was hear shaped and made with love. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.

  • Susan

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 3:46 Reply

    I used to deliver flowers at a military base where my husband was stationed. Valentine's Day was THE longest day ever, but I made the most money ever too! 😉 Another V-Day I worked in the shop and an officer came in at 5:00 p.m. wanting a dozen long-stemmed roses . . . right now. We had absolutely none, not even one. He made a stink . . . a big one . . . but he went home without roses that night! LOL

  • Happyme

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 4:39 Reply

    On Valentine's Day when my children were little I used to pack their lunches with heart shaped sandwiches. They always looked forward to that little treat!

  • Happyme

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 4:43 Reply

    I have been following your blog and shared your Desperate Housewife's Quilt blocks with friends recently. I am anxious to try the recent paper pieced block.

  • Gwen

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 4:43 Reply

    My favorite Valentines are ones that I received from my daughters when they were young.. These cards — crafted so lovingly from bits of construction paper, Elmer's school glue, ribbon, lace and glitter— meant (and still mean) more to me than the most expensive card from Hallmark. Their "I love you, Mommy! Will you be my Valentine?" messages filled my heart with joy! I have saved them all these years, and love to pull them out from time to time– just to remember those precious days when they were still my little girls (which they will *always* be… 🙂

  • Gwen

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 4:47 Reply

    I am a follower! 🙂 LOVE your quilt– topper– wall-hanging! It is so pretty! Also, I love your idea/technique for appliqueing the hearts! I've never seen it done that way, and I'm going to have to give it a try! I love applique.. it's probably my favorite! 🙂 Thank you for the tutorial and the chance to win! 🙂

  • Beth

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 5:31 Reply

    First, I want to tell you that this is the cutest Valentine's project yet. I have bookmarked your tutorial and can't wait to get started. Just have to clear some half-finished projects off my sewing table. (Formerly our dining room table.)

    Valentine's Day story: Well, today I remembered something sweet about my dad. He was a very romantic guy, and as a senior citizen always gave my mom a big bouquet of red roses for Valentine's Day. But he was very picky–he wouldn't buy them at the grocery store or Conroy's, where the roses were kind of cheap and of poor quality. He found a nursery where they brought in gorgeous roses and sold them in lovely arrangements. One year, he wasn't feeling well and asked me to run to that nursery–about an hour from my house–to pick them up, and then bring them on over to their home. I am so glad I did, because it turned out to be his last Valentine's Day, and his last romantic gift to my mom in 39 years of marriage.

    It's a good lesson to me, to remember to make the effort, to perform the seemingly small acts of service that may turn out to be bigger than I realize at the time.

  • quiltmom

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 5:44 Reply

    Valentines is always an exciting day in the kindergarten – they love making valentines and a pair of Rose colored glasses.
    Thanks for participating in the blog hop.
    Regards from Western Canada,
    Anna

  • Katina

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 6:36 Reply

    Loved your tutorial. It was extremely well written and the diagrams for the piecing were fabulous. And it's really really cute to boot!!

    Every year I make sure everyone at work (about 60 people) get something for Valentine's, usually candy and a cute "kiddy" valentine. It makes people smile so I love it. This year I scheduled the work birthday potluck on Valentine's so I am going to raffle off a giant bar of chocolate, as well as give my regular treats.

    thanks for all!

  • GranChris

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 7:40 Reply

    I suppose you want good stories but when you live in Chicago Febuary can be a scary weather month for driving. I used to go to work at 3:30 AM and one year a snowstorm hit with lots of ice under of course I slid on the ice and managed to hit the only other car on the road. A very expensive Valentines Day indeed. No one was hurt though so all was well except the totalled car.

  • Sue

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 7:51 Reply

    Valentines in not big in this house, I have a wonderful husband of 33years and everyday is Valentines when you are married to your best friend. However this week we are going to see Love Never Dies at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, not Tuesday but Thursday.

  • Binks

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 9:47 Reply

    This is so cute. I absolutely love it!
    I really don't have a Valentine's story, sorry. I have always loved making little baked goodies for my friends, but this year my stove is broken. Sadness…

  • Mhairi

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 11:39 Reply

    What a great tutorial. I don't have any valentines stories but I would have loved to be one of your friends. That is a great idea. I love it!!!
    The quilt is lovely too, thanks for sharing your wonderful tutorial.

  • Deb

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 13:00 Reply

    i am following you!
    I always loved making the valentine shoe boxes in elementary school and deliberating over what valentine to give to classmates.

  • Josie McRazie

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 14:19 Reply

    This is so beautiful and a great tutorial! My favorite for Valentines is always going to my Kids schools and helping out with the party! Only one more year left an no more kids in elementary 🙁

  • Mom C

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 17:08 Reply

    I was in my granddaughter's 1st grade class last week and saw several boxes of can with handles wired on. I think the kids will get to decorate them for their Valentine boxes. Can't wait to see hers when she brings it home. I remember making the large envelopes or bringing shoe boxes from home, and decorating them in class for Valentines. Great memories of a long ago time.

  • Cassandra

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 17:08 Reply

    I love your table topper! Thanks for hosting a giveaway. 🙂

    Back in high school, I didn't have a boyfriend and was feeling rather left out on Valentine's Day. My dad had a flower sent to the school for me! He wrote that it was from a secret admirer so that I could make all the other kids jealous. 😉 It totally made my day.

  • gmp

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 20:01 Reply

    This quilt is beautiful, love the hearts in a circle, and your addition of the grey fabric. Very pretty.
    Don't have a Valeninte, so it's not a special day for me.

  • June D

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 23:19 Reply

    I like the colors you selected for your project. The directions are very clear too. Please put my name in the mix for the drawing. Unfortunately no valentine stories are coming to mind – get so busy with things that it's just not something we do now. I still have the hearts my son and I painted when he was little – we used to make them for my parents….

  • bee

    Feb 12, 2012 at @ 23:47 Reply

    I don't have any Valentine stories that stick – no significant other makes that difficult! 🙂 I love getting flowers though.
    Love! the tutorial & the finished quilt – especially the grey background.

  • Jennifer

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 3:12 Reply

    What a wonderful quilt! Valentine's Day is never exciting for us – but thats fine by me. I am perfectly content snuggled up on the couch with my husband and the puppy watching movies. That is how we plan to spend this year to!

  • Tracey Rampling (The Peony Teacup)

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 3:13 Reply

    One year for Valentine's Day (oh, probably about 10 years ago) I decided to cook my boyfriend (now husband) a romantic dinner. I planned this weeks in advance, including making some spiced/mulled wine that had to infuse for about 3 weeks. The dinner was lovely… the wine, not so much! Considering how much effort I'd put in to making it, my disappointment factor was very high! I have never put that much effort into another Valentine's meal.

  • slacker

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 4:26 Reply

    One year I received 2 bunches of flowers at work on Valentine's Day from anonymous senders. It's 5 years later and I still have no idea who sent them! All I do know is that I was cheesin' like a Cheshire cat that day 🙂 thanks!

  • Jodi

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 4:40 Reply

    Thanks Sha for a great tutorial. Loving your table topper! Your boarders are neat, simple but alot of color all the way around. Like that you used gray for the background as well. What a neat way to "line" up the hearts you put in the middle. I'll have to remember that so I can use it in the future. Thanks again! We are not big Valentines Day folks so I don't have any stories. I did love getting cards that the kids made in school when they were young. I have held on to them and love going back through and reading them from time to time.

    Thank you and Green Fairy Quilts for the awesome giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Carla G

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 6:57 Reply

    When hubby & I were first dating in college he took me out to a Valentine's Day banquet and gave me flowers! Thanks for the great tutorial! 🙂

  • Dreamingof03 - Heather

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 11:54 Reply

    We don;t usually do Valentine's Day this year we did. Last Thursday, the hubby and I went out and just shopped around at goodwill's and Salvation Army. My hubby has never complained after all the fabric stores, antique malls and goodwills. Well this time, we bought each other gifts and he out did himself. I bought him a very limited Warcraft II collector's edition game with the unwrapped signed poster in it for $8. He bought me a 35 peice Set of Platinum China. I have always wanted china and he really knew my style. Colors and design was spot on. He paid $30 for the set. We got home and we were curious of what the actual value of our purchases were… not that we were wanting to resale.. but just curious. Well… I thought I had done well.. Spent $8 and found the exact same game only without the signed poster we got was selling for $400! Plus we had the unwrapped signed poster! Well, he outdid me. Even just one of the 14inch platters sold from the main site for $140 each and on amazon $98 each. He spent $30… and the set just based on Amazon prices is worth $705! I am not a rich person which is why I buy clothes and everything at goodwill, but this Valentines day, we managed to surprise ourselves by getting things for each other we both not only loved but were surprisingly valued!

  • Amy

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 13:03 Reply

    My DH & I were married on Valentine's Day – 24 years ago tomorrow, and he picked the date. 🙂 Thank you for the tutorial, very cute and very easy to follow!! Thanks for the chance to win!

  • Mary

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 13:43 Reply

    I love your project, especially the borders. Our Valentine celebration usually consist of a special homemade meal, usally steaks, with cherry cheesecake for dessert.

  • Mary

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 13:45 Reply

    I am now a follower. I thank this blog hop for helping me discover your wonderful blog. I look forward to spending some time looking at things you've made in the past

  • harleywife57

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 14:24 Reply

    This is just so pretty and striking with the gray background ! and your tute is so so easy to follow — THANKS !!!! We don't really celebrate Valentines day with much more than cards . One year , my husband and I went shopping at Walmart ( real romantic ,huh ???? yikes !! ) and the had red tea rose plants marked down to $2 . I told him to get me one and I'd plant it and see if it survives . It did ! It thrived for about 3 years . I am anxious to see if it comes back , because bunnies and other critters have destroyed my flower garden . Something has eaten up most of my lilly bulbs too !

  • Linda V

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 14:53 Reply

    Favorite Valentine's Day memory is when my hubby took me to a Sweetheart banquet sponsored by the church we were attending. We were young teenagers then and now we have been married 42 years this year! Thanks for the giveaway chance.

  • Heather

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 15:12 Reply

    When my kids were little I always prepared a red and white dinner on Valentines day. Some sort of pasta with red sauce, maybe some cauliflower and a white cake with strawberries and pink frosting. Seeing them do the same as adults reminds me that it is the simple traditions that really stick with them!

  • Needled Mom

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 16:34 Reply

    I LOVE this!!!!! The grey fabric is so wonderful with it. Thanks for the tutorial.

    Growing up my dad would always give us small gifts on Valentine's day and my mom would give my brother one.

  • Jo

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 17:06 Reply

    Oh boy, when I saw your Tutorial detail I followed you right away! Your style works for me and I am happy to have found you!
    Valentines Memory ~ hummm ~ after our 1st daughter was born, she was 6 months old, my hubby arranged for my friend to do my hair and his sister to babysit and we went out for Desert! I had to let the seams out of my fancy dress, we had desert in a fancy restaurant and weren't allowed to talk about the baby! It was nice to feel like a woman again!

  • Sherry

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 17:06 Reply

    My favorite remberance from Valentines day is making cut out sugar cookies with my now grown children. We would all work together and frost and decorate them. Your design and tutorial are fantastic, thanks for sharing.

  • Cori Lewis

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 17:07 Reply

    My husband and I don't do anything for valentine's day. But every year we get our boys a little box of their favorite candy and celebrate with family time.

  • Sherryl

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 17:13 Reply

    I have to tell you how very much I love this little quilt. It may be just the thing to get me to face my fear of applique! Thank you!
    – sunshdws at yahoo dot com

  • The Hungry Crafter

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 18:20 Reply

    I can't believe you call that a simple project — it looks amazing! My husband and I are not big fans of Valentine's Day, so we usually spend the day trying to pretend that it's not happenening. It just feels forced to me! We are very sweet year round, so I'm always more content with our usual day to day affection.

  • Quilt n Queen

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 22:40 Reply

    I luv your table topper tutorial….thanks for sharing your time and talent by participating in the Valentine blog hop. Also, a big thank you to Kimberly, Judi, Leah and Julie for the generous giveaway prizes. I am a follower.

  • Quilt n Queen

    Feb 13, 2012 at @ 22:46 Reply

    Valentines day is a day for weddings. My aunt and uncle were married on Feb 14th 65 years ago tomorrow. My one cousin decided to marry on Valentines day too but with Canadian winter weddings you always take a chance of getting a blizzard on 'your' day. At my cousins country wedding….the bride and groom made it to the church but half the guests didn't….sorry to say we didn't make it….but they are still happily married 40 years later. Luv your table topper…(o:

  • Kallie

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 1:31 Reply

    My valentines story isn`t much but here goes: I work in an NICU and it is so neat to me to see babes born on Valentines, just watching the joy in parents faces when they get to really see their baby for the first time and we wish them a happy birthday and valentines day at the same time. It just seems to be a very special moment to watch/be apart of. Thanks for hosting the give away!!

  • Kelli

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 1:35 Reply

    This is the cutest mini quilt I've seen in a long time. I LOVE it! I don't have too many memories, it's not that big of a deal at our house. I loved it when my daughter was really little and my husband took her shopping for our first Valentine's Day as a family. "They" got me a card and some candy roses. Precious!

  • MG

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 4:57 Reply

    Some years ago–maybe 5 or 6–I made up the "Valentine's Fairy," and even though my daughter is now 8-1/2, she still believes, or maybe just wants to so she'll get a present.

  • Mermaid Sweets

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 5:55 Reply

    Favorite memory is when my hubby (then boyfriend) bribed his roomates to leave for the night and cleaned the bach pad so we could have a lovely romantic night at his place.

  • GG

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 7:59 Reply

    Valentine's day- Since I'm a grandmother (GG is my grandmother name!)I send my 2 grandkids a valentine of their own. I always put this sticker on the back of the envelope. It looks just like I kissed the envelope- the sticker comes in many fabulous shades of red, pink, purple (lip size). Thinking, after the fact, that perhaps they're getting too old for me to send them Valentines, I checked in with my daughter to ask if they got them yet. 'Yes,when they flipped the envelope over & saw the Kiss, they said, Yea! This is from GG!' Are they too old? 'No, are you kidding?"

  • Urban Spools

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 13:59 Reply

    I love this little quilt! And I too, am a huge fan of needle turn appliqué. Thanks for an awesome giveaway. As for Valentines, it is my husband's daughter's birthday so that is what we celebrate on this day! My husband is so amazing that he makes every day like Valentine's day.

  • ljeanne

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 16:01 Reply

    A lovely, sweet Valentine for a special someone! My husband and I have shared 49 Valentine Days, he has never forgotten one – I am a lucky girl.

  • mary e

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 16:09 Reply

    today my hubs went back to work after 2 mos of recovering from back surgery….yeah for him and yeah for me. love your blog, now a follower. :>)

  • luvdafroggy

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 17:34 Reply

    Our first V-Day together, my husband gave me a stuffed velvet frog, which we named Tobias Winston McPhibbian III, AKA Toby. He sleeps with us every night and goes everywhere we go. He's been to California, Nevada, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Mexico. He's been on road trips and on airplanes. He's stayed in luxury suites and in tents. He was even sitting at the table on Valentine's Day when my husband proposed; after all…it was his first birthday! Now after 12 years, he's older and much more squished but he is part of our family. When my 7 year old is sick, she asks for Toby…just like I do. My favorite thing about Toby? That my husband knew me so well that he picked the PERFECT gift for our first V-Day together.

  • Lisa

    Feb 14, 2012 at @ 18:53 Reply

    Very lovely project. It's going on my to do list! One year we has about 5 couples over and I made and decorated double heart cakes for every couple. Very fun!

  • dsmjpalmer

    Jan 15, 2013 at @ 4:41 Reply

    thanks for the wonderful circle of love quilt! It is great and has been added to me list of quilts to make….got three in line to finish at the moment.

    Su in Michigan

  • dsmjpalmer

    Jan 15, 2013 at @ 4:43 Reply

    thanks for the wonderful and charming "Circle of Love." I have added it to my "to do" list. I have three quilts in process, I am completing then can start this great little quilt! have some nice red fabric with hearts in my stash.

    Quilting Su, in Michigan

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