Two Quilts for Valentine's

"For there is nothing lost

But can be found

If sought"

These are the poet's words that inspired this special keepsake retainer wall quilt. Centerpiece over-sized crazy patch heart block has a Victorian flavor. Delicate lace and ribbon frame it up at the outer border. Trinkets and treasures galore have found refuge here: tiny framed picture of Great Grandma Caroline; lace scrap, silver buttons and a garter from Grandma Josephine's button box; a Beehive bus token & fabric scraps from a 50s "owl" print dress come from mother Helen; accent pins, tiny scissors, antique key, Paris metro tickets, pewter spoon, wedding bands. What a pleasure to bring it out and recall the tender relationships once again!

A whimsical quilt to display in February. 

Through twenty teaching years, my sampler demo blocks collected themselves into seven completed quilts, each with a color theme for varied times of the year. 

"Favorites" are to be discouraged of course, as between parent and child. Still, this one certainly feels successful. Perhaps that is built in for most samplers, in my estimation.

Released as commercial pattern "Needle Nosh Sampler", my favorite blocks include the twig wreath and the bear paw with fuchsia & black large check batik patches.


"Nothing Lost" was a featured project through House of White Birches' Creative Scrap Quilting series and may still be available through them (whitebirches.com). 

"Needle Nosh Sampler" is available retail mail order through Hearthsewn (hearthsewnpatterns.com).

Happy Valentine's Day! 2013

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