Free 💗 Quilt Block Pattern + Tips to Reignite Your Creativity

Hello Friends!

I have some good stuff to share with you this week, but first of all, let's pause and celebrate the fact that we made it to February. 😅 In honor of that fact I've got a few fun and simple heart projects. Some would be festive last-minute Valentine décor, others would be sweet gifts.

This Log Cabin Heart Block Tutorial - a free pattern from Sydney Nordgren - was one of the most popular posts on my site last year.

Pull out those scraps and put them to work on this absolutely delightful Log Cabin Heart quilt block tutorial! Sydney also shares so many fun things you can do with this block! Click below to get the free pattern!

Need a Creative Boost? Try These 10 Tips

Winter is such an easy time to feel stuck in a creative rut. Or maybe you're just wishing you had a little more follow-through on the ideas you do have.

In this guest post, quilt designer Samantha Dorn shares 10 simple, practical tips to help you make time for creativity, protect your energy, and actually move projects from “someday” to done.

If you could use a fresh little reset, you’ll love this one. And honestly, trying just a couple of these tips could spark some creative motivation or bring back some of your "sewjo". Even just looking Samantha's beautiful quilt photos is a guaranteed pick-me-up.

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Fun Finds on the Web - Quick Valentine's Day Projects + Scrap-busters

This heart pennant pillow is super quick and simple to make. Use raw-edge applique to stich the hearts in place. It's easy to customize - make one any size you want! - and fun for using favorite scraps.

One year I whipped up fast and EASY little Fat Quarter Tote Bags using some cute red + white fabric for a quick little 💘's gift for some nieces. Plus it's a great way to bust through your FQ stash.

Andy of A Bright Corner has a tutorial for the sweetest teardrop-shaped drawstring bag - perfect touch for adding a sweet treat.

Amy Morgan shares a free pattern for a pixelated heart mini quilt here.

​Connecting Threads is having a huge Winter Clearance Sale that includes notions, precuts, kits, thread, etc. If you need to replace notions or thread in particular, now is a good time.

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I did something this week that I haven't done in 18 years. Or rather, I didn't do something that I've been doing for the past 18 years. In all those years I have put out at least one blog post each week. And this week, I honestly didn't have the creative energy to do it.

The world - especially in our country - feels so heavy and contentious. I'm not going to lie, it's exhausted me. And I'm trying to figure out how to navigate it without being consumed by it.

Here are a few things that helped me this week (and I share in hopes that one or some of them help you too):

Watching for and supporting the helpers, getting myself outside to walk, limiting the doom scrolling (and social media in general), eating at our Peruvian friends’ food truck, visiting two wise, wonderful friends in their homes, including one of my BFF’s, Lynette, who recently turned 90.

Lynette and I were neighbors for 16 years until she had to move into a retirement home a couple of years ago. Visiting her gave me a spark of joy. (Also, best quote of the visit as we talked about missing her home and how she spends her time now: "I never in my life thought I'd get so excited about bingo." 😂)

Also putting my hands to work finishing the bag I shared in last week's post. This one is for another BFF of over 40 years whose baby is fighting cancer and who will be heading out of state for new medical trials this week. (Yellow ribbon is for Childhood Cancer Awareness, free cancer awareness ribbon block from the Fat Quarter Shop, bag pattern is Wool and Wax tote by Anna of Noodlehead. Anna's bag patterns are my favorite.)
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Right now I feel overwhelmed wanting to help everyone who’s suffering. If you’re feeling helpless or hopeless, channel that energy into loving your neighbor. And a real, in-person talk with a wise friend can do wonders.
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xo,

Amy

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