It’s no secret that I love hearts. It’s not so much a Valentine thing (although I do like Valentine’s Day). It’s the shape of them and the deep red colour they usually are.
So last week I took a happy walk along Queen Street West and visited the ancient sewing supply shops there. This area is changing now but these shops, which have been located there for a very long time, are filled from top to bottom with the most amazing supplies for making things. They are dusty and a bit haphazard but I so love going into them, and have done so since I was a teen. I’m sure there is still some fabric there that I actually touched back then.
And for the most part, the shopkeepers are kind older men. In fact, one of them just gave me the piece of black, red and white cotton, when I asked to purchase the least amount I could.
So I brought my loot home and touched it and looked at it for a couple of days, envisioning what I was going to make. Then on Saturday, while we were shut in by the blizzard with the name of Nemo (yes, it was significant enough to be named!), I dug in and just started winging it.
I used my sewing machine to make the cotton heart shapes, backing the patterned fabrics with solid red cotton. Then everything else was stitched by hand, while Nick and I re-watched the movie The Hunger Games. It was his idea, knowing that I would enjoy seeing it again, and I love him for that.
I included a wooden skewer into some of them so I could decorate some plants. And I hung the smaller embroidered hearts with thread and a branch to make a wall hanging.
It was suggested to me that I should include upright pictures when I make things because they are better for pinning to Pinterest, so here are some. (I’d like to thank anyone who has pinned any of my things to your boards.)
About the chair in these pictures …. When I met Nick he had just made major changes to his life, getting rid of most of his belongings, selling his home and moving into a room in a rented apartment with some other people located right downtown. Basically he was leaving his past behind and setting out on a new adventure. But one of the very few things he held onto was this old red chair. It was an old cast-off piece that was already chipped and twice repaired when it entered his life when he was a preteen. He tells me he was this close to leaving it behind years ago, and I am so glad that he decided to keep it. I made the animal print cushion for it when we first moved in together.
I really appreciate you taking a look and wish you a great Tuesday.
<3 loulou
I linked this up over at Nifty Thrifty Things
You just started winging it?!! Your DIYs are always SO impressive and this one I can actually picture seeing in my house. It’s quite sophisticated. I’m going to share this!
I love Nick’s red chair and the history behind it! Those hearts are gorgeous, folksy and cool! x
I love hearts too. I have kind of gone back and forth with them. I love them, but have always worried that they are cliche or cheesy. Recently, I decided I don’t care. I will put hearts in my artwork. And I will not feel shame over it. Heart lovers unite!
Your fabric ones are adorable and I loved hearing about the fabric store. I would love that place. I am always drawn to places like that. I sense treasure.
Your hearts are so good. They look really pretty around your house. I like hearts too – I make my lavender bags heart shaped and I’ve even put them on my tea cosies…
So. I pinned this now just because you made such an effort with the pictures! Which are gorgeous. As are the hearts. :)
Thanks Annika. You are so sweet.