A sweet DIY heart pillow with pocket for Valentine’s Day.
Hello there. It’s been a while.
Two weeks of nursing, changing diapers, postpartum mood swings, gazing nonstop at my sweet baby’s face, and just beginning to figure out how to balance the needs of an active four year old and a newborn.
Thank goodness for wonderful friends, family, and dinners delivered to our doorstep!
Today I wanted to share this—a heart pillow with pocket I made for Maia.
Heart Pillow with Pocket
The day Daphne was born I woke up at 4:30 in the morning with mild contractions. Unable to sleep, I turned on my bedside lamp and thumbed through Amanda Soule’s book, Handmade Home, a gift from a friend at my blessingway the week before.
I came across the “family heart” and knew that I had to give one to Maia when we left for the hospital. So, early that morning, while Harry and Maia were still sleeping, I sewed her a heart pillow with pocket for love notes.
It was an easy project, finished before the rest of the house was awake. I sewed through mild contractions full of love for my daughter whose lifeI knew was about to change with the addition of a sister.
MATERIALS
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, cut two heart shapes out of fabric. Cut pocket as well.
- Then, sew the pocket onto one of the heart fabric pieces.
- Place fabric right sides together and sew heart, leaving a 1 inch gap for stuffing.
- Turn fabric inside out and stuff. Whip stitch the remaining seam closed.
A special gift
That afternoon we dropped Maia off at a friend’s house, the heart pillow with pocket tucked into her overnight bag, and headed to the hospital. Daphne was born soon after and I became a mother of two; Maia a big sister.
MORE VALENTINE’S DAY PROJECT IDEAS
If you enjoyed creating this heart pillow with pocket, then try this heart pillow printmaking project.
Want more ideas? Click here for 30 Valentine Crafts and Activities for Kids (with a FREE printable list!)
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23 Comments
Lisa Anne
September 28, 2009 at 11:26 amThat heart is so precious. Glad to see you are back to the blogging world. It’s good tohear that the baby and everyone is doing well!!
cheryl
September 28, 2009 at 11:37 amI am impressed in so many ways! How sweet.
gisele
September 28, 2009 at 11:55 amAwww…. you make me cry! That is so sweet!
abbyjane
September 28, 2009 at 12:49 pmWe almost named our first daughter Daphne and I still love that name. If we have a third daughter I’m hoping we’ll get to use it! I also really liked this project when I read Amanda’s new book. I’ m hoping to get together with some of the mom’s from preschool and have a night to craft together and this very well may be the project.
Julie Liddle (ART IN HAND)
September 28, 2009 at 1:12 pmthe hormones must be contageous, bcs you had me in tears too!
Crafty Mom
September 28, 2009 at 1:16 pmHow incredibly sweet! What a perfect time to give that gift to Maia. Absolutely the perfect gift at the perfect time. And I absolutely LOVE that book!
Joanne
September 28, 2009 at 2:11 pmI so appreciate your tender hearted offerings, and creative inspirations. I’m leaving for Haiti soon, and will be away from the kids for a week without contact. Now I know how I’ll nurture our connection from afar. Even though they’re older, they’ll each get a heart with a pocket full of love notes. Be well.
Zoe
September 28, 2009 at 10:51 amSo glad to hear from you – I’ve been thinking of you all lots! And this post bought tears to my eyes.
beth
September 28, 2009 at 4:18 pmSo happy for you! Very sweet gift. Congrats on your new babe.
take care
elizabeth
September 28, 2009 at 5:38 pmCongratulations on your sweet wee one. Maia’s heart was precious and will be a precious memory for you whenever you remember Daphne’s birth. I’ve been a follower of your blog from the beginning of it and I just want you to know that even though I look forward to new posts, I totally understand the need you may have for a blogging break while you adjust. Don’t feel like you have to blog right now. Love on your littles and remember to be good to yourself while you heal and grow in your new role of the mother of TWO daughters. :-)
Ms. Knit-It-All
September 28, 2009 at 6:10 pmThat brings a tear to my eyes and a smile to my heart. What a lovely mama you are.
Rita Egloff
September 28, 2009 at 6:54 pmGOD BLESS YOU END YOUR FAMILY !!!
Umatji
September 28, 2009 at 8:25 pmBeautiful and welcome to number two! My number two is just 6 weeks old – number 1 is 3 1/2. an amazing journey every day. look forward to hearing about yours. go wel.
xx
Nina
September 29, 2009 at 12:35 amCongratulations on the birth of Daphne and a big congratulations to Mia for becoming a big sister!
Micha
September 29, 2009 at 1:59 amWhat a precious idea!
Amy B.
September 29, 2009 at 8:08 amYes, that made me cry too. You are amazing, Jean. I know you have a tender heart and so you are so tuned in to Maia’s needs during this transition. Lucky girls!
Anastasia
September 29, 2009 at 10:30 amThe gift you’ve made for the elder daughter has brought so much tender to her!.. and to me while I was reading this post. Our warmest wishers to you and your family!
fawn pea
September 30, 2009 at 3:39 amOh my gosh Jean, so sweet. I am in tears, too!
Donna
September 30, 2009 at 6:38 amSo, so sweet! Thanks for taking a moment to share this. I think I may need to order that book!
I’ve started a new tradition for our family with my handmade banners to mark each new month of the year. The kids get to help take down last month’s banner and help hang the new banner on the first day of the month. I think it’s a special way to celebrate while we learn the months of the year! My October banner is pictured up on the top of my blog, Growing Great Kids.
Wendy
September 30, 2009 at 7:22 pmWhat a beautiful idea! I’m sure your oldest daugther will cherish the pillow and the knowledge that her mother cares so deeply for her. Your newborn looks absolutely adorable!
Melissa Jordan
October 2, 2009 at 4:02 pmYou have two beautiful children!!! You are blessed to have your Mom to help you! Every Mom should have someone there to help them for the first month or two!
rae
October 6, 2009 at 5:41 pmthis brought tears to my eyes! i can just see you stitching away during labor! ;) you are such a sweet and loving mama and i am so thrilled to have maia in our class this year. thanks for sharing her with us!
Anna
October 12, 2009 at 12:28 pmThis is beautiful, and a lovely sentiment for Maia. I will have to get that book.