"Love Someone" - A Mini Quilt

At guild meetings, we often have a swap. At last night's meeting, as in past years (remember the lost Valentine mug rug? =/ still lost, btw), we swapped Valentines!

 I found myself looking for a new project in between all the others (like that's anything new) and, since we like to try modern techniques, I tried this tutorial on Moda Bakeshop by Erica of Kitchen Table Quilting. The directions are very clear and the pictures were helpful - I highly recommend it if you want to try improv curves. Be warned that this technique takes more fabric than you will think... :) Instead of all solids, I mixed in some prints.

I love quilting words! This kind of just came to me as I was quilting, so I went with it.

Anyway, this little quilt was a joy to put together and even more of a joy to quilt. I thought swirls and pebbles would adorn the inside of the heart in a whimsical way, and that the improv squares on the outside would provide the much-needed presence of straight lines for balance. On the curves of the heart, you'll notice I quilted with random waves. The kind of quilting that lets me shut my brain off and play is totally the best. I do realize, of course, that I used red thread on the top and white on the bottom. I honestly just started and didn't realize until a minute in, so I continued. Oh well. I'm still really happy with it. Hopefully the recipient (Laura) doesn't mind. :) Another little quilt (or table centerpiece) done and in a happy home!

Purple binding! By the way, have you seen this purple quilt yet by Elizabeth Hartman? Oh... my... goodness.

Gemma @ Pretty Bobbins asked to feature me on this week's I Quilt! Linky Party (thank you, Gemma!!). I love Gemma's blog and I regularly pop over there for inspiration. She does beautiful work! See her post about balance and the linky party for FMQ this week:

Linking up to:  Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation, TGIFF, Crazy Mom Quilts