I know some would argue that Valentine’s Day is really about gimmicks, buying cards, and expectations…but I think it is a darling holiday and I hope to make it a big deal in our home.  A few weeks ago I did some decorating for the big love day–TODAY!

This is a very quick and easy project idea.  I took some scrapbook paper, a couple paper punches, and old fishing line and made some simply sweet banners for around the house.  The dots are hanging above Elias’ door and the little guy has loved them.  It is so fun to see his face light up at something unexpected.

My mother-in-law surprised me with a Valentine present and I have used them at every opportunity since.  This at-home-mama is in the kitchen A LOT!  The oven mitt even has some cute hearts quilted on it which I will be using in the below project.

I meant to have this runner done by today, but alas I just could not pull it off.  I totally had a Valentine’s Day charm pack fall out of my fabric stash a couple days ago and thought I hit the jack pot!  My lucky day!  I was inspired by Jodi over at Pleasant Home…who wouldn’t be??!…to do some pinwheels and prairie points.  I used her Moda Bake Shop project and just mini sized it to work for a runner.  It needs a bit of quilting and the binding.  The runner has a lot of white in it and I began thinking about sticky fingers, snot, and drool…I am tempted to tea dye it when I am finished but Tony said no way.  I guess I will wait until it gets stained and then I will dye it.  We’ll see how long the white lasts.  (I know the lighting is terrible, but for some reason I seem to always be working on blog postings after the sun sets.  hmmmm…)

Keep it simple and have a sweet day!

I was inspired by the Pleasant Home blog to use up some of the fabric that I have in my stash.  She says she is not going to buy any more new fabric until all of her projects are caught up…I’m not going that far, but it does feel good to get a 3-year shelf sitting project started!

So here is the project of the weekend.  I bought this fabric when I worked at The Calico Shoppe in Eau Claire WI.  As I was ironing the fabric, the smell of the fabric brought me right back to the shoppe.  Oh, how sweet!  A little trip down memory lane…

The pattern I am using is “Twist and Shout” (I modified it a bit) by Terry Atkinson.  I was again reminded why I like her patterns so much–she does a fabulous job of making everything as easy and fast as possible.  If you are a beginner quilter I highly recommend doing some of Terry’s patterns as your first projects.

First I made my “strip sets.”

Then you do a secondary cut.

Here you see my 3 piles from my different strip sets.  (strip sets=fast cutting!)

Your blocks go together just by sewing the strips together in different ways.  I started this last night and I already have all the blocks done!

I am using Civil War fabrics for this quilt.  After I wash it and it gets all crinkly, it will look like it has been around for years–love it!  This quilt will actually be a gift for a special someone…can’t wait to get it done in time for the big day!