Thursday, February 13, 2020

My Mini Valentine

For a number of years we haven't really done anything special for Valentine's Day.  I used to bake a decadent chocolate cake with raspberry liqueur filling, and a chocolate-whipped cream-raspberry frosting.  That was before it was just the two of us to eat the entire cake, while both struggling to maintain a healthy weight.  But earlier this week while shopping at our favorite supermarket 25 miles from home, we spotted a display of sweet mini orchids and that was that.  We also hadn't splurged on flowers in the midst of the cold winter months for quite a long time, but this little plant simply said 'take me home and let me be your valentine.'
Two stems, one plant, a perfect metaphor for our lives together.  Two independent people, different,  joined together into one.

I don't have a red and white heart quilt to display, but I'll show you my February mini quilt, finished just in time for tomorrow's holiday (there's never a time when red and white Christmasy fabrics are truly out of season is there, lol).


This little quilt used up 144 additional HST cutoffs from the star blocks in my Christmas quilt of last fall.  That leaves somewhere around 80 more to empty their blue swiffer refill box, but I think they will just percolate for a few months while I think about what to do with them.  This little table topper measures 22-1/2 inches square.  It was ditch quilted in a square pattern around rows of triangles in the above view, though the quilting is difficult to discern from any of my photos.  The quilted texture may show a little better in the next close-up.


I'll link this post with Wendy at The Constant Quilter when she posts her monthly mini roundup.  In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy a very happy Valentine's Day, and maybe even a little slice of decadent chocolate cake!

20 comments:

Julierose said...

What a lovely mini quilt--really nice work hugs, Julierose

---"Love" said...

What a beautiful setting in that last picture! Happy Valentine's Day! ---"Love"

Kyle said...

What a great way to celebrate Valentine's day. The orchid is a beautiful color. Your red and white quilt is delightful and you used so many hst's. The quilt is a classic whatever the holiday.

Lizzy D said...

Your orchids are so special and beautiful---as is your little quilt.

lizzy

Janet O. said...

Welcome to the wonderful world of orchid ownership! :) Watch out--it can be addictive. Five years ago my daughter gave me one for Mother's Day and I am now the proud owner of 16 (since I gave two away recently). I am having a hard time resisting the beautiful ones in the stores right now for Valentines Day, but I really don't have room for more.
What a great mini for the season. And such a good way to use those bonus triangles. It looks so good. Makes me want to chase that squirrel. :)

Chantal said...

What a beautiful way to use up bonus HSTs. I love your February mini. The black border and binding is just perfect. Love your orchids too. Purple orchids were my wedding bouquet eons ago ... and we are still in love today. Enjoy the love of your life ... and some quilting too. ;^)

Debbie said...

The orchids are beautiful and such a treat to brighten your winter days. The mini is one that would make me blind.....but it is great finished!

Wendy Caton Reed said...

What a fabulous mini for February! Can't wait to link it up. I adore it. My mother kept her orchids beautifully. I never dared to even try. Best of luck with your new beauties.

Barbara said...

Lovely orchids...my mother's favorite flower.

Ruth said...

The orchid is beautiful and I love the red and white mini quilt! I need to get my valentine quilt out for the table.. Lately, I have been baking heart cookies with red sprinkles for Valentines day, so maybe I will do that this afternoon. BTW, it looks like I can comment on your blog again. I didn't do anything and didn't get any response to my request on Blogger "Help." Who knows, maybe they did something because of all the complaints!

Jan Hebert said...

Love the mini! I agree, red prints are just so fun to look at. Any time of the year. And your orchid, just a sweet touch to brighten up this gloomy time of year. I've never had an orchid! We don't do much for Valentine's day anymore either, but I have Grapenut Pudding in the oven for later, we like it warm with ice cream, yum! Jan in MA

FlourishingPalms said...

Oh Pat! Such a cute little quilt! But a ton of work, no doubt. You are so good to put to use all those little cut-offs. Most people would have tossed them out, or at least added them to a pet bed. :-) Those mini orchids are perfect for perking up an indoor winter Valentine's Day. So cute. We didn't do anything. After being married nearly 48 years, romance can be a little more challenging to bring to flame. :-)

Barb said...

love those tiny orchids. I've been looking out for one for myself.
Sweet Mini for February.
Happy Valentines Day

Hill Top Post said...

Oh, beautiful orchid...a metaphor of your lives together! So perfect for this special holiday! I love the reds in your oh-so-special mini quilt...really perfect for any season, twelve months out of the year!

QuiltGranma said...

What a precious little quilt, ang good to use up all those little HST's.

Quilting Babcia said...

Thank you, I think it will be perfect for most any holiday except Easter and possibly Thanksgiving! Though in truth it will be used mostly between December and February!

Quilting Babcia said...

It sure feels good to have this many corralled into a couple small finishes!

Barbara said...

That is such a pretty little orchid. Love your February mini with all those hsts! Wow!

Sue SA said...

Fantastic work, such a great way to use up scrap triangles.

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

Sweet February mini, wow all those tiny pieces. It's terrific and I like the symmetry of it. I've never been able to keep plants alive... maybe someday;). Orchids are beautiful.