Click here for the instructions in PDF format for quick and easy printing – requires a new or updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Click here for the pattern piece(s) – requires a new or updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Havf a Heart™ Heart Ornament or pincushion in 2 sizes ©Tracy L. Chapman & Sew Thankful Inc. December 2011.  All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this complimentary pattern at no charge to others, for personal or NON-PROFIT use, for guild and group projects is granted provided all copyright information and references to Sew Thankful are kept in tact one each and every pattern copy printed/distributed. Permission is also granted to individual crafters (doing their own sewing themselves)  to make reasonable quantities of finished items to sell at individual craft fairs, boutiques, etc. If quilt or sewing shops wish to share this pattern with their customers, permission is granted provided that a COMPLETE printed copy of this entire pattern with all copyright information and all references to www.sewthankful.com  is included along with the finished item at NO CHARGE for the pattern itself other than a nominal fee to cover cost of paper and toner. Pattern may be included in a prepared kit that is sold , subject to all the previous requirements. For any other use, please contact tracy@sewthankful.com to obtain the appropriate permission and/or licensing. Use of this pattern is voluntary. End user assumes all risk. Neither Tracy L. Chapman nor Sew Thankful Inc. shall have  any liability with respect to loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this project.   SEW THANKFUL and the SEW THANKFUL logo are a federally registered Trademark/Service Mark of Sew Thankful Inc. Sign up for the FREE eNews at www.sewthankful.com for notice of future complimentary projects.

Make your ornament as plain or fancy as you desire.

Make it plain! You can use a single fabric (all 4 hearts the same color) or go scrappy with all 4 hearts different fabrics.  Make it fancy! You can make a truly special, customized ornament by using a solid fabric as one side (half) of the heart. Use the plain side as your canvas!  Embroider a name, date or special message. Or draw, paint, write, appliqué, embellish with beads, buttons, silk ribbon or hand embroidery, or other creative, personal, artful ideas.

Please read entire pattern carefully all the way through at least once before you cut or sew.

Two Sizes – Finished Measurements:

• Large – approximately 4.75” high x 5” wide, depending on how full you stuff it
• Small – approximately 3.5” high x 3.5” wide, depending on how full you stuff it

Materials required for EACH ornament: 

Click here for the project instructions in PDF format for quick and easy printing – requires a new or updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Click here for the pattern piece(s) – requires a new or updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

My dear husband, Jeff, recently decided to take up road bicycling with me so we could experience some wonderful adventures together.  I have done a fair amount of bicycle riding, but I’ve never seen the balloons by bike.  So…

This morning we took  a nice 14 mile ride and here are a few pics:

It’s really amazing to see so many balloons in the air all at once. It still excites me after more than 15 years of seeing it and being around them.  I have to say that seeing them by bike was even more incredible than I thought it would be. It’s hard to explain the glorious, peaceful, graceful beauty…just makes me happy to be alive and celebrate life.

My plan is to get more close ups of the balloons this week.  Let’s all pray for continued good weather so the balloons can launch, everybody can stay safe and I can hopefully get some great pics to share.

This week I was busy sewing samples and making up kits for the Half & Half Apron project sheet (instructions by Karen Montgomery of The Quilt Company).

I’ve got to say I LOVE this little apron pattern/project.  It works up so easily and so quickly and the results are fantastic.  All the seams are finished and quite professional looking.  The pocket is fantastic–though it blends in with the apron body so you need to look closely. You could add lovely monogramming or other cool embroidery to the pocket very easily before stitching on the apron.

Here are the samples I’ve sewn so far:

Half & Half Fandingo Dark Pink/Orange apron sample

Half & Half Apron Fandingo Pink Floral sample

Tracy’s Review & Tips

1. The Half & Half Apron project sheet is very well thought out, nicely illustrated and very easy to follow step-by-step.

2. Unfortunately, there is no specified seam allowance on this project.  I used a 1/4″ seam allowance throughout and it worked perfectly.

The only place that might require a slightly deeper seam allowance is at the waistband since gathers are used and it may be tricky for beginners to deal with “gathering lines of stitching” that close to the fabric edge and stay within a 1/4″ total seam allowance. If you need to go a wee bit deeper than 1/4″ when sewing on the waistband, the project will still come out very nice.

3.  For those who do not know how to do “gathers” there is no instruction on how to perform that technique.  There is one illustration that gives you some clues.

Here is how I prepared my gathers: I make two parallel lines of long machine basting stitches very close to the edge of the fabric.  On one end of the lines of stitching, I find the bottom thread tails for each line of stitching and pull gently.  This creates a ruffling effect and you can slide the fabric gently to spread the gathers evenly to the center of the apron.  Repeat  on the other side until gathered fabric is even across the project and project dimensions are correct.

4. After I finished the apron instructions, I added top stitching to the waistband and ties — all the way around.  You could use decorative top stitching for an even fancier result.  The reason I added the stitching to the waistband and ties is that I know it will help keep the ties flat when I wash the apron in the future.  Without stitching, the ties are likely to “tube up” and twist in the washer and dryer making it more difficult to press flat.  Top stitching also adds more durability and a nicer overall finish to the ties.

These kits make gift making go sew much faster!  And…once you’ve made one, I bet you’ll be burning through your stash whipping up even more great combinations.

Kits also make FANTASTIC gift giving ideas for fellow quilters or sewing enthusiasts…since this particular kit includes the fabric and the project sheet of instructions, all the recipient needs to get started are rotary cutting supplies, thread and a sewing machine.  What quilter doesn’t already have an ample supply of those tools?

When is a setback an opportunity? When we decide to make it one.

This week I suffered a minor personal, physical setback. While I was working out on Monday morning I tore the ACL (one of 4 ligaments) in my left knee. I may have also damaged the MCL & meniscus – we are waiting for MRI to know the full extent. I’m now on crutches.

On one hand this is a big disappointment. It will slow down my training and I will probably need surgery. It may take 6 months or more until I am fully rehabbed.

On the other hand, I am gaining new insights from this experience that have stimulated exciting new sewing and quilting related ideas. I have a whole new perspective.  Hopefully, these are  “worthy” project ideas that I will be able to share with you this year. AND…since my wings have been clipped so to speak, I have more time each day to develop them.

In the end, I know my destination and I have confidence that I will make it eventually. I am not in a competition. Each day I  remind myself that I need to savor each step of the journey and explore the insights and richness found in the opportunities as they come.

Time is the most valuable resource we have.  How we spend it matters. Once it is gone, we can never get it back.  Not for any price.

How about you? Do you have a setback that you can turn into an opportunity? Tell me if you’d like to share.  I’d love to hear about it.

Throughout 2009 I have worked diligently on achieving a more healthy, active lifestyle.  Thanksgiving 2009 brought our family a new tradition:  The Hobbler Gobbler 5K walk/run.

The event started a little after 9AM on Thanksgiving morning.  It was maybe, barely 39 degrees.  But it was sunny and we were feeling fine.

We did not participate in the timed race. For us, this was just a family event for FUN.

Full of energy and ready to go!

Jeff and I split up to go with the boys at their pace. Jared & Jacob had never gone more than a mile before so they were a little worried about finishing the distance. I went with Jared; Jeff went with Jacob.

As we walked/ran, the boys talked to us about things they love and the time flew. We were done before they realized how far they’d gone. It was an AWESOME start to the day.

Jeff & Jacob coming down the last hill before the finish.

Jeff and Jacob cross the finish line -- feels *SO* good!

The keeper of my heart -- early, late and always. Happy Anniversary Jeff! November 29, 2009 marks the most fabulous 12 years of my life!