February 10, 2014

February Fill Hearts

I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day. I will leave that to the younger generation. But I do believe in love, sharing and caring. I love making hearts of any shape. I use hearts to decorate my Christmas tree. I use them as gifts. Talking about gift giving, if you haven't already entered my blogiversary on the previous post please do. The entry is open until Sunday 16/2/14. 

In this post I have a few hearts and a finished journal cover to show you. Enjoy!


Heart making is addictive. I started last year and I have been making them ever since. Each heart has it own unique design and embroidery on them. I pick up a piece of fabric and just start stitching. I like some more than others. I do love this one in the above photo. I like it just as it is!


Another heart I finished and stuffed a few days ago. I patched it with a piece of upholstery fabric. I only used dyed fabric on my first few hearts, but I thought I would add some other vintage fabric to some of them, and I love it. 


I found this I love you pop-up card template on Pinterest so I thought I would try to make one for February fill hearts. If you want to make it to give to that special someone, just click on the link here.


In preparing for my textile trip in March. My three friends told me that they will keep a journal on the trip. I already have a blank journal, but I want to make a cover for it. I set to work layering dyed silk fabric including one from a silk blouse. I appliqued a few hearts for good measure!


Lots of stitches and embroidery all over the piece.  I love stitching on my dyed silk. It feels so soft and lovely when I handle the journal. I will enjoy using it on my trip.


Have a peak inside my journal. I added a few pockets inside to store receipts, tickets and cards. I've also used Gesso on the pages before I started writing on them.


This is the underneath of the journal. I like using sheet-cloth for the base of my piece. This particular piece came from an Indian publisher. When we get the journals at my work they come in large and heavy parcels and this sheet-cloth was the outer layer on the parcel. It was perfectly hand stitched. I had to unstitch all those stitches carefully so as not to rip the cloth. A total of one yard of fabric was used for each parcel. We receive at least one of these parcels per month, so you can see how much fabric I saved each year. It is lovely to stitch with. 

Until next time.
Nat




18 comments:

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Lovely Hearts Nat....and I see them on the Journal too...what a beautiful Journal!

Nedra said...

Your added stitching really makes these hearts so unique and wonderful! I especially like the first one.

Jeanie said...

Although I have already entered your drawing I just HAD to tell you how wonderful every photo in this post is! That card is wonderful -- I've always failed terribly with pop-ups; I may have to check that link. And your journal cover is especially handsome. You are in serious creative production -- and it's all lovely! Happy Valentine's Day!

ria vogelzang said...

What a true works of art! They all look gorgeous, Nat!
Love, Ria.

Ginny Huber said...

I do love your blog posts and seeing the photos of the projects..always inspiring, Nat! Where are you and the journal and friends going for your textile trip??

Jeannie said...

You are the Queen of Hearts! I love the woven heart and the pop up book is fabulous! Thanks for the link. Your journal cover is gorgeous! Wouldn't it be wonderful if everything came shipped in cloth instead of paper and the obnoxious peanuts were replaced with wadded up cotton? I can always dream. :) Have a wonderful week!

Els said...

Your book cover is a beauty Nat !

Needled Mom said...

Your hearts are just lovely, Nat.

I'll bet that journal will be filled with all sorts of fascinating pieces by the time you return. It is such a great idea to remember your upcoming trip.

neki desu said...

the journal is awesome!

Anonymous said...

This is so inspiring. I just don't dare start another project right now, but you are really make a case for fabric and embroidery. Helen

Lis Harwood said...

I've loved reading about your journal cover in more detail. Fancy the sheet cloth arriving from India, just for you!! Have I missed something? Where are you going on your textile trip? Where ever it is I look forward to sharing it with you on your blog :-).

Nifty Quilts said...

All of these projects are stunning! You hand dyes, your stitching, your original, artful way of putting all the elements together. Bravo!

Terry said...

More hearts, stitching and a glorious journal cover all a feast for the eyes and your creativity.

The pop up is super. What book is the text from?
Great repurposeing of materials.

Janet said...

I see you as an artist Nat, the fabrics, the stitching and the projects as a whole are so wonderful. I love what you've done for your journal, seeing it makes me want to run my hands over it.

ARTISUN said...

Gosh Nat, I just don't know how you get so much done as well as work full time. You inspire me everyday!
xox, Deb P.S. Your journal is to die for. LOVE!

Tracy said...

Hearts are a common decorating theme for Christmas here too. :o) Well, the heart is my favorite motif for just about everything--and creative-wise too! LOVE all your stitched hearts, Nat... the journal cover is stunning!! :o) Happy Valentines's Day ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

'Queen of Hearts' is right! each so unique! each so lovely!!

Peggy said...

Hi Nat, I love your journal cover as I already said on Instagram, I think! The hearts are so sweet, each one with their own personality. And thank you for the link, I'm going to check it out! Hope you're going to tell us more about the textile trip you're taking? xo

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