St. Valentine's Day Swap

I participated in my very first swap.

What better than a St. Valentine's Day swap that 

celebrates love & chocolate all in the same holiday.

The swap was hosted by Amy at

Bumble Bee Lane.

Just look at all of this.  It said at least 4 items - there are about 20!

My very generous swap partner Linda at

Country Pickins is entirely too kind.

I had to take a picture first so it is not on my table, but

that place mat will get center stage on my table.

There are soaps and the marble looking thing in the box is an

incredible little needle keep that I am so impressed with.

I have never seen one like it - it has a little

tube inside so when I open it, the needles won't go flying

(It's as though she knows me:)

Oh, and coasters that I love, 

and a sign that will go next to my door as soon as

I am finished posting.

The hearts are perfect!  I have seen some like that

and thought about making myself some,

but time got away.

And chocolate - yum.

Well, a very big thank you to you Linda,

not only for all the goodies, but for making

my first swap a happy one.

Also, thank you to Amy for coordinating it.  

What a lot of work she has done to make sure that

it is a positive experience for all.

Bloggers never cease to amaze me.  Your generosity and

kindness is above and beyond.  It's a kinship of sorts.

I feel like I am with friends, that we are all human

and many of us face the same challenges, and

just enjoy a little kindness - both giving and receiving it. 

Have an absolutely beautiful day filled with

everything that makes you smile.

Until next time

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Free St. Valentine Pendant Tutorial

Hello All,

Just thought I would share a little project with you ~ enjoy.

You could of course make just one, or a string of them like I did.  I am a bit of a romantic so I chose a little piece of Shakespeare's and put a floral heart in between.

The verse I chose was:

Doubt thou the stars are fire

Doubt that the sun doth move

Doubt truth to be a liar

But never doubt I love

You could do something as simple as "Be 
Mine," or just various fabrics.  It's meant to be fun - low stress and enjoyable.


















First take a piece of copy paper and folded it in half the long way.  Then draw a line from the upper outer corner to the center at the opposite end and cut so when you open it, it looks like this.

You will need one from fusible web and two from fabric cut about 1/4 inch larger than the web - see picture. You will need to do this for each section if you are doing a string of them like I did.

Next take that triangle paper and fold it back in half the long way like when you cut it.  Then draw half a heart and cut it out.

If there is a certain font you like, you can print it out, and trace it onto your fabric (if the fabric is light enough.)  Then stitch the words centering them over the heart so you can cut it out.
Now you are ready to make a sandwich. You will fuse the triangles together right sides out according to your fusible web instructions.  Center your heart on the triangle and stitch about 1/4" in from the edges.  You can use a decorative stitch or a long basting stitch etc. - whatever you choose.  It's supposed to be fun remember so enjoy & just do whatever.

   Now cut a strip of coordinating fabric about 1/2-5/8" wide the width of fabric (44".)  Use your longest straight stitch to stitch down the middle of this  skinny piece of fabric.  If it isn't directly down the middle, it will still turn out:)  Gather to fit the lower two edges of the pendant.  Stitch in place.

I made my own bias tape long enough to fit my seven pendants and make a loop at each end.  If you want to do this, I cut strips about 1 3/4" wide, ironed it in half lengthwise then folded each side in to meet the center crease.  Place each pendant in the bias tape and stitch the entire length. If you would like the hearts a little more raggedy looking, you can take mailing tape and roll it backwards then brush the edges.  This will fray-up the edges a little.  I think I might do that to mine.
That's it.  If there is any part that needs clarifying, just shoot me an email.
Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches