What fun to be sewing along with Thermoweb. In the middle of winter, Valentine's Day comes along to brighten up the days with bright and happy decor. It’s so fun to create sewing projects with reds, pinks, and whimsical designs. Carla here from Creatin’ in the Sticks and I’m so excited to share two quilt block designs I hope you will have fun creating.

Hippo Love and Llama Heart Quilt Blocks

Unfinished Size: 8 ½” x 8 ½” Finished Size: 8” x 8” By Carla Henton at Creatin’ in the Sticks please read through the complete instructions before starting.

Hippo Love and Llama Heart Quilt Blocks Supplies:

Patterns: Hippo Love Quilt Block by Carla Henton at Creatin in the Sticks Llama Heart Quilt Block by Carla Henton at Creatin in the Sticks HeatnBond EZ Print Lite iron-on adhesive – 1 sheet for each block or HeatnBond Lite if you want to trace the templates Fabric: 1 fat quarter for the background (white) Assorted colors of scraps of fabrics (I'm using Michael Miller Fabrics Garden Pindot) Aurifil Thread #2692 InkJet Printer, Iron (I love my Oliso), Sewing machine, Sharp scissors, and other basic sewing supplies. Optional: Embroidery floss.

Fabric Cutting Instructions:

Background: 1 for each block – 8½” x 8½” square Applique pieces: see instructions below

Prepare the applique patterns

If you are using HeatnBond EZ Print Lite sheets, print the applique pattern pieces with your inkjet printer. The patterns have been reversed for you. Follow the package instructions for printing and bonding to the wrong side of the fabrics. NO TRACING! How awesome is that?   **TIP** To prevent the fabrics from showing the background fabrics, simply fuse interfacing to the back of the fabric before applying HeatNBond adhesive. The interfacing will just add another layer of protection from “show through.” Cut out all applique pieces on the solid black lines, peel off the backing paper, and place applique with the adhesive side down on the 8 ½” x 8 ½” background piece of fabric. The layout key is included in this pattern. Make sure to a leave ¼” seam allowance around the background block.

Bond the Applique Pieces to the Background

Following the package instructions, work in sections to press the entire applique to the background until the entire applique is fused.

Stitch around appliques

Use a straight, zigzag, or blanket stitch to stitch around each applique piece with Aurifil thread.

Stitch Llama eyes, nose, and heartstrings. Stitch Hippo eyes.

Embroider or machine stitch the lines for the llama and hippo eyes, the llama nose, and llama heartstrings using the key as a guide. Have fun making Valentine blocks. Soon, I will be back to show a neat way to put them together into a project. Carla