Ombre Love quilt pattern & some heart tutorials

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Quilter’s are always planning ahead, and this is the perfect time to get some heart inspiration and ideas for Valentine’s Day. I’ve got a new”ish” pattern to introduce you to, and I’ll share some free heart tutorials further down in this blog post that are super cute too!

Ombre Love Quilt Pattern

Let me introduce you to Ombre Love, an easy layer cake pattern that is super sweet! And it’s on sale in my Etsy shop for $6 until February 1^st!

I’ve always loved hearts: drawing them, making stuffed hearts, cooking heart-shaped sugar cookies, and making heart quilts. I also love precut fabric, and I designed Ombre Love to work with Layer Cakes (10” squares). The quilt size is 63” x 78” and the block size is 9” (finished). It’s a nice lap size or you could make it a little larger with an extra border. The nice thing about this quilt (besides its cuteness) is that you can use the scraps to make a second project. I made an 18″ pillow with scrappy half-square triangles.

The cover quilt is made with a layer cake of Chestnut Street by Fig Tree for Moda Fabrics. I love the color palette and I’m a sucker for anything with black or gray included in it.

I just started on a new Ombre Love quilt and I’m using Olive’s Flower Market by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics. I’ve had this layer cake in my stash for several years, and it’s perfect for this quilt. These blocks are just too sweet!

Two blocks from my new Ombre Love Quilt Pattern @ The Crafty Quilter — Ombre Love Quilt Blocks

The key to this quilt is using a Layer Cake that has a good mix of colors that range from light to dark. You could also use your stash and cut your own 10” squares to suit your needs. But even if your fabric doesn’t have that nice ombre gradation, it still makes a pretty cute block.

Farmhouse Love, a free quilt pattern @ Laugh Yourself Into Stitches

Heart Tutorials

Fortunately, hearts are a beloved and popular shape so there are a bunch of heart tutorials out there to get you going! I have quite a few of my own from years past, but first I’ll direct you to Susan at Quilt Fabrication. She just posted a wonderful roundup of 22 Free Heart Patterns!

At Laugh Yourself Into Stitches, you’ll find this beautiful Farmhouse Love quilt pattern (for free!!). I love the combination of hearts and stars; the black fabric adds to the modern farmhouse vibe.

Sometimes a pillow is all you need to add some sweetness to your Valentine’s Day. This Patchwork Pillow Love tutorial by Sterling LaBosky for the Moda Bakeshop is sure to please!

If you have a spare jelly roll, then check out the First Love Quilt Tutorial by Kairle Oaks of Handcrafted Goodness for the Moda Bakeshop. You can easily make it bigger by adding more blocks.

The Crafty Quilter heart tutorials

One of my most popular tutorials from 2018 was the Ombre Heart Quilt Block tutorial. This is very similar to the blocks in my new quilt pattern, but it isn’t precut friendly and it’s smaller. The block finishes at 6″ square and a bunch of them would make an adorable baby quilt.

Ombre Heart Tutorial @ The Crafty Quilter — OMBRE HEART TUTORIAL

My Woven Heart Block tutorial has its roots in Scandinavian tradition. They are simple to make and there is no curved piecing involved. The half circles are made using a faced technique of applique that is very easy and forgiving. Don’t worry if you don’t like applique. It’s more like piecing – I promise!

This LOVE Letters Mini Quilt is small and sweet; perfect for the person that enjoys applique. It’s only 12″ square, so you could incorporate it into a quilt or a pillow, too.

For something different, check out my Quilted Heart Tutorial. These stuffed hearts would make great sachets, ornaments or gifts for a special someone.

If you’re feeling more crafty than quilty, then you’ll like this Hearts & Burlap Canvas Tutorial. It’s SO fast and easy, you can even get your kids involved!

I hope you found something to tickle your heart and your sewing machine today! Remember, you can purchase my Ombre Love Quilt Pattern here (pdf only) for $6 until February 1, 2020. Thank you for your support and for allowing me some time in your day. Happy quilting!

December UFO & WIP Winner and my own WIP’s

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Hi everyone! It’s been a crazy week of loved ones falling ill, but I think everyone’s finally back on the healthy list. Without further delay, I have a winner for the December UFO & WIP Challenge. We had 60 entries last month and many Christmas projects and gifts made!

Entry number 46 was randomly chosen and that goes to Kathy J. for her quilt, “Peace On Earth”. This is a beautiful combination of applique and piecing! Congratulations Kathy!

Peace on Earth made by Kathy J. and winner of the December UFO & WIP Challenge at The Crafty Quilter — Peace on Earth Quilt by Kathy J.

I really enjoyed seeing everyone’s finished projects in 2019. I completed quite a few myself! As I mentioned before, I will not be hosting another UFO challenge this year. But I will be bringing more fresh content, tutorials, tips and quilt alongs in the months ahead.

I appreciate the feedback I received on my previous blog post about what you’d like to see more of. I have a running list so if you’d like to add any ideas to it, leave me a comment. It will get added to the list!

I’ve been working on bringing my Word of the year, Balance, into my life. I’m starting with this small wall hanging that will be completely covered with free motion quilting when it’s done. More details to come when it’s finished!

Balance quilt by Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

I’m co-teaching a block of the month at The Granary Quilt shop in California (there’s still a few spots left if you’re interested). I made the first 12″ block of the pattern, Timeless Tradition. It’s so cute and fun! I’m in my happy place when I’m piecing quilt blocks like this one. The fabric is from a bundle I bought at a quilt show – it’s a combination of different collections.

12" Block from the Timeless Tradition BOM pattern by Bits N Pieces. Made by Julie Cefalu

That all for now. I need to catch up on some emails, but I’ll be back soon with some heart ideas. Have a great weekend!

Sew Thankful Sunday, January 2020

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{I love the idea of “paying it forward”. I think the world would be a better place if we could spread some joy and acknowledgement of good deeds done by others. I try to do that once a month for my Sew Thankful Sunday posts. I highlight some great content that I’ve found on other people’s blogs that I hope will inspire you and reward the originator by bringing traffic to their site. If your blog has been mentioned without your consent, please let me know and I will take you off the current list of featured bloggers.}

Sew Thankful Sunday January 2020 i s a great place to look for new projects and organization ideas!

I love the fresh start that January brings! It might be time to start a new block of the month program, a new project or just organize your sewing room. Whatever you choose, I’ve got you covered in today’s list of things I’m sew thankful for!

Note: If you use Pinterest, please pin from the original source and not this blog post. Remember, you can click on any of the images in this post and it will open up a new tab to the associated link.

The beginning of a new year calls for a calendar. Not just any calendar, but a Quilter’s Calendar from Connie at Free Motion by The River. This is a downloadable pdf with each month on a separate page that can be printed on 8.5 x 11 paper. How awesome is that!

Is your sewing area overflowing with scraps? Then this is your year to participate in a Scraps-Along Challenge with Sherri at A Quilting Life. Each month she will give you a scraps sewing challenge and a scraps organization challenge. This month is all about Jelly Rolls!

Do you need a simple project to begin the year? Then look no further than Gigi’s Thimble for a Two-Color Irish Chain Quilt-Along. Amber will guide you for 8 weeks to make a twin or queen size quilt. This is a free quilt along, but you must sign up to receive the weekly instructions.

Did you know that January is National Hot Tea month? The folks at We All Sew want to help you celebrate with a round up of their favorite sewing projects to help you enjoy your favorite cup of tea with a friend.

Celebrate National Hot Tea Month with sewing projects from We All Sew

If you’re looking for a wonderful (and free) block of the month to start the year, check out Pat Sloan for her Out West! 2020 BOM. Each month Pat will share a block pattern along with some tidbits about the Old West. Saddle Up!

Every year, Fat Quarter Shop hosts a charity quilt along that will benefit a particular organization. This year’s Bloom Topia Quilt Along starts on February 1, and will be benefiting Make-A-Wish. This quilt along will run through July 2020 and it is free, but with a suggested $5 donation each month.

American Quilter’s Society is having a Quilt Along 2020 that will include an entire quilt each month! The patterns are free and range in size from 60″ square to 96″ square. Challenge yourself while learning new techniques each month.

A new season of Project Quilting kicks off today at Persimmon Dreams. Projects are posted on Sundays and you have one week to complete the quilt. Each season lasts 12 weeks with 6 challenges and includes weekly prizes for those who enter the link-ups.

I’m sure you’re feeling inspired (if not overwhelmed) at the sewing possibilities for 2020! I’m sew thankful for everyone featured today, and I hope you found something special to add to your bucket list this year. Thanks for stopping by and Happy January!

My One Little Word and plans for 2020

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Hi everyone! It’s the beginning of a new decade, and this year I’ve decided to participate in the One Little Word workshop with Ali Edwards. I’m choosing one word to focus on and guide me throughout the year. The workshop will have monthly prompts to bring my word into my life in a creative way.

One Little Word cloud for Balance @ The Crafty Quilter

My word for this year is BALANCE. It was hard choosing just one word, but I think this one speaks to me in many ways. I need more balance in my physical body, in my day-to-day routines, in my personal life, in my creative pursuits, and in my blogging work. I felt like I was always chasing the clock last year (or it was chasing me), and I definitely didn’t give myself much time to just pause and be still. I’m sure I will discover more ways to bring balance into my life throughout the year, and I already feel good about it.

One of the ways to bring your word into your life is to make it visible. I immediately thought of a quilted wall hanging with the word, BALANCE, free motion quilted in the center. That’s my new project for January!

Plans for 2020

The beginning of the year is a perfect time to reflect on the past year and make plans for the new. (See how I stay organized with My Quilter’s Planner here). As blogging has taken up more of my time over the past few years and has become more of a business for me, it’s important that I focus on what my audience wants and still have time to satisfy my own need to create.

For the month of January, I’m going to concentrate on projects that I’ve wanted to do but haven’t had time to do. Just for me. Just for fun. Yes, balance! But I’m going to share it all with you as I go along. I still want to inspire and motivate you along the way. I also have a book review that is way past due and needs my attention so that will be coming towards the end of the month.

I’ve been asked if I’ll do a UFO challenge again this year. The answer is no. I still want to encourage you to tackle your UFO’s and I want to keep working on my own. I will be following along with the American Patchwork & Quilting 2020 UFO Challenge. I’ll start by making a list of 12 UFO projects; they pick a number from 1-12 each month which is the item number to work on. I love the surprise each month! This month is #2.

I’ve been looking for an easy way to use my scrap fabrics to make a quilt. My black and white fabric bin is overflowing! Pat Sloan is hosting a Scrappy Traffic Jam Sew Along and it’s perfect for using up 2.5″ squares of fabric. I’m all in!

I just started cutting up my white fabric into 2.5″ squares. I’m using black fabric for the larger squares. I’m excited to get this going!

Something else fun that I saw on Instagram is a 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge. This might be a good way to increase your creativity in new way. Each day will have a new prompt. Day 1 was spots and dots. I’m still thinking about this one.

What do you have planned for 2020? Do you pick a word for the year or do you make resolutions? How about your quilting goals? I plan to continue to give you tips and tutorials for quilting and crafting. These usually come about fairly organically and spontaneously. I’m terrible at planning way in advance.

Disappearing 9-patch made by Julie Cefalu

I would love your input on what you’d like to see more of and/or less of here at The Crafty Quilter. Are you interested in seasonal projects? Christmas ideas? Challenges? Small projects? Big quilts? Organization ideas? Scrap busting? Quilt alongs? Leave a comment and let me know. This will help me plan for the upcoming year, and I would greatly appreciate it!

Happy New Year and thank you so much for being a part of my online community!

December UFO & WIP Link Up

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It’s the last day of the month and of 2019! The December UFO & WIP Link Up is way overdue – but it’s here (I had technical difficulties while in Texas). So, I’ve extended the end date to January 7, 2020. For more information about the 2019 UFO & WIP Challenge, go here.

The prize package for December includes a Nifty Needles assortment pack by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet, two mini charm packs of Walkabout by Sherri & Chelsi for Moda Fabrics, Pineapple Quilt Block Foundation Paper by Fat Quarter Shop, an Add-A-Quarter PLUS ruler, and my latest pattern, Lincoln Stars!

My December finish

I made pouches for all of my children and their significant others. Some were already made earlier in the year, but I did crank out four more this month. Most of these are from kits that I ordered from Sew Lux Fabric. They are my favorite place to go for pouch kits!

Pouches made by Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

I made two placemats for my son and his girlfriend. These are super easy and I used my own tutorial here. I still have two more to make to complete the set.

Placemats made using the easy placemat tutorial by The Crafty Quilter

I also made two travel-size pillow cases for my granddaughters and forgot to take a picture of them.

The biggest WIP that got completed in 2019 was the birth of our grandson, Benjamin Michael! He was one week overdue and we were hoping he would come while we were visiting post Christmas. On Sunday, 12/29, he decided it was time! Kelly made it look so easy (but we know it’s not) and it was an all natural delivery. He’s perfect!

December UFO & WIP Link Up

Now it’s your turn! I hope you were successful in finishing a project or two this month. Add a photo to the link up below and in one week I’ll randomly choose one winner to receive this month’s prize!

Link-up Rules:

You may add up to 2 finished projects.
One image per finished project.
Project must be quilting, sewing or needlework related.
The link-up will be open until January 7, 2020, at midnight, PST.
This month’s giveaway is open to US and Canada only.
Winner will be drawn at random on January 8, 2020.

Link-up Instructions:

Click on one of the blue “add link” buttons (below). Keep scrolling to the end. One section says that it’s closed and the other is open until 1/7/20 at midnight (my own technical difficulty).
Enter the URL of your link. If you don’t have one, click on the blue “enter without link” button. The upload widget will activate.
Note: If your photo size is too large, it may not accept it. You’ll have to re-size it to a smaller file size.
Enter a caption for your image. This should describe your project and it can include your name if desired.
Enter your email address. No one will be able to see this but me.
Agree to the InLinkz terms of service & privacy policy.
If you have any trouble, just leave a comment or send me an email with your photo attached. I can add it for you.