Monday, February 6, 2012

sew lovely

I recently entered a Valentine Swap over at my friend,  Tracy's blog.  Everyone who signed up was paired with a partner and I was paired with Jodi from Jolly Bee!  I cracked up when I got the email with her name because Jodi and I are already swapping buddies.  She blessed me over the holidays with a beautiful table runner and she's always so encouraging and friendly.
She's been a gift to me as a blog friend and I was thrilled to get another excuse to bless her.  But, she beat me to the punch.  She sent me this wonderful heart pincushion.  I've already put it to good use and loaded it up with pins.
After sorting through the ideas I'd collected I settled on making her a mug mat for some of her Valentine snacking....I saw a similar idea over on Andrea's blog and worked from that for my own version.
I used Rae's cheater binding to do the edging and I'm sure that I won't ever go back to binding small quilt projects the old way with cutting and binding and pinning and pressing.  This cheater binding was so fun that after I finished Jodi's, I made a couple more.  
I think it's an illness....I can never make just one of something.  I used my sewing machine to do all the stitching.  I had to go pretty slowly to do the hearts. I think these would also be pretty with hand embroidered stitches in place of the machine stitching.
Thanks to Tracy for hosting the Valentine swap and to Jodi, my partner, for my beautiful heart pincushion! Spreading love is so much fun....I hope you find some ways to spread love in your corner of the world!

14 comments:

trish said...

Aw. That is so sweet. :0)

Debi said...

Very nice... what a sweet idea!

Kristyn Knits said...

Sew lovely indeed! These are beautiful!! I know you put a bit of love in every stitch. xoxo

Andrea @ Knitty Bitties said...

Oh they turned out lovely!! I love that pink/white polka dot backing/binding. So happy I could inspire you a bit ;).

And the cheater binding ... I love it sew ;).

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

Lisa -- you brought tears to my eyes! I got home late from work last night and your little package was sitting on the counter. It totally brightened my day. I echo your sentiments -- you've been a wonderful and generous blogging buddy.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful, beautiful creations. I think their beauty surely comes in part from the loving intention behind them, as much as the fabrics and designs.

Tracy said...

LOVE all the love & hearts happening here, Lisa! BEAUTIFUL gift from Jodi, and just love that mini mat... So glad everyone had a great time with the swap. We must do again! :o) ((HUGS))

From All Stitched Up said...

What a nice friendship and very pretty hearts!

no spring chicken said...

Oh the cuteness of it all. I'm going to steal another of your ideas! The mug mat will be perfect for my away from home daughter. :)

Blessings, Debbie

Leslie said...

Wow, I love those cute mats. I really like how they turned out. So fun.

Maria said...

Hi Lisa, I have just "found" you while having a little read of favourite blogs and I am so grateful. Such inspiration - thank you. I love memorising Scripture but have never tackled a whole book, but.... And I can also see I am going to have to read the book on counting your blessings - it comes well recommended. Blessings to you from NZ.

Gigi said...

Oh, I ♥ all the pretty ♥ projects you've made ;)! And I've got to learn how to do 'cheater binding'.
Blessings,
GG

Gloria said...

Very sweet!! Jodi, and you are very deserving of such lovely gifts. Very beautiful!!

Happy Valentine's Day to you!!

xoxo...Gloria

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Love the mug mats!! I'm going to pop over and read all about the cheater binding. I have been away for so long and only lurking in the background to keep up with everyone! Trying to ease back, but I wanted to tell you I LOVE the birthday wreath you had a couple of posts back. I am totally going to be copying that!! Happy Valentine's Day!!