Need last minute valentines idea
 

I need an idea for an easy and quick Valentines present for my 84 year old mother. She lives in a retirement village, and said today that all her friends have been bragging about the creative things their daughters make for them. OK, I got the hint--I've been neglecting the small gifts I used to make for her while zeroing in on bigger projects. Now I'm desperate for something that I can make and mail in time. Any ideas? So far, the best thing I can come up with is a heart shaped pieced "mug rug." My project could either be pieced or utilize the embroidery machine (5x7 limitation). There's got to be some good projects out there somewhere. Please help me find something unique and creative. Thanks, Connie

What about a quilted postcard?

a lap quilt? or quilted vest?

Can she hang anything on the outside of her door with a suction cup? A small heart wallhanging would be both welcoming and on display to those friends. Then you could change it seasonally. Quilterscache should have a heart block. If not, it wouldn't be hard to draft one with plain blocks and HSTs.

I had never heard of Quilters Cache, so looked it up, and looks like it will take a lot of research to find a heart pattern. Any way to do a "search " on that site? Anyway, that gave me the inspiration to google "heart shaped quilt block" and I found www.with-heart-and-hands.com and it has a lot of heart shaped ideas. Looks like I might find the basics for a wall hanging there. Good ideas, thanks. Connie

You could do something like this wall hanging. Just use Wonder Under and cut out your hearts and instead of sewing them down and then quilting, layer and sew around the appliques. That way it's appliqued and quilted at the same time.

I added lace down one side and across the bottom. You wouldn't have to do the piping and it would go faster.

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Very pretty wall hanging

Look at Moda Bake Shop. They have some cute Valentine projects.

On the right side of the with-heart-and-hands.com site , there are a lot of links to some different hearts......some really nice!

Does she use a walker? How about a pretty bag for her walker all decorated up for valentines. Also, I have had a beauty shop in a retirement center for 27 years. The ladies love it when someone gives them a gift certificut to have their hair done.

This tutorial might help. http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...y-t176619.html

Jan in VA

Four squares by four squares, 6 reds or dark pinks, 2 lights and 8 R/L HSTs with a border and a hanger and you're good to go. The picture has 3 by 4, but it's not symetrical. I just included it so you can see what I'm talking about. [ATTACH=CONFIG]306451[/ATTACH]

There is a beautiful pieced heart on Quilters Cache I think its called patchwork heart

OK, I'm back from doing errands and have supper fixed, so now I'll go back to Quilters Cache at my leisure and try to find that. I was just too rushed this afternoon, and all those pages seemed rather daunting. I appreciate this suggestion, and all the other responses I've gotten. I'll do my research this evening and see what project I can tackle with the stash I have on hand. Unfortunately there are no local fabric stores, so I'm also limited to usung whatever I have on hand. I will try to plan better in the future. Don't like feeling rushed when I'm creating. Ya'll are the greatest for listening to me and trying to help me out. Thanks bunches.

When you go quilterscache, go to the bottom and click on 'quilt blocks galore'. Then look for the Patchy Heart alphabetically.

A small table runner to use as a dresser scarf, or a small heart shaped placemat for a small table or tray topper. Loved the idea of the decorated walker bag or mini door hanging. My Mom lived in an assisted living home for several years and bragging rights are very important to them; and they DO keep score!

Another idea- make a quick pillowcase with some pretty heart or flower fabric. You tube has a tutorial.

I made my mom a hanging card holder to put the cards in. I also included small note paper and writing utensil for anyone visiting or helping her to add little "love" notes.

A lot of great ideas here, I like the ideas of a shawl to keep her warm and she can prould display what you made her.
Here is one I like.
http://www.e-patternscentral.com/det...l?prod_id=6081

I have bookmarked a pattern for a fleece wrap, really quick and easy. What did I do with it though?

How about a heart shaped mug rug, along with a mug filled with heart shaped chocolates.