Hexagon Wednesday

Hello everyone and thanks for visiting my garden this week. My maids are all standing in a row curiously looking out from the garden and wondering who my visitor is. These maidens are new so I must apologize that they are staring and do not recognize you. Just give them time and it won't be long before they recognize everyone. My garden is growing but at a slower pace. I have other projects I want to start on so my flowers will only be growing at a rate of one hexagon per day. That's a comfortable speed for me to maintain at this point in time. As I mentioned last post I feel like "freedom 55" has taken hold because this group of hexagons were made without a thought of colour coordination. Personally I like the way the hexagons worked out and the hexagons went together with no stress nor fuss. If you would like a closer look remember to click on the image. There is a burning question I would like to know the answer to. When I sew the petals together I have to stop and cut my thread several times. I have not been able to figure out if there is a "route" to take where I would be able to sew all the petals and centre together without having to break the thread. Is that a possible? Would someone in the blogosphere please leave me a comment on how to accomplish this (if possible). I would also like to hear from you if it's only partially possible as in 2 thread cuts. It has been on my mind for a while now and thought I would ask, you, my quilting friends for the answer.

Hexagon Wednesday

Hello everyone. Remember last time my hexagon box was empty and I was crying about it? Well, I searched around my stash and found I had quite a few small pieces of fabric so I decided to cut them up. I must say it was a liberating feeling knowing I was not going to pay attention to colour and texture of fabric. I was just going to grab and cut. "Damn the torpedos. Full speed ahead!". So here is some of the fabric which took little time to cut. How is that possible you ask?

I purchased this ruler several years ago and never used it. I forgot I had it until I accidentally fell across it after signing up for Hexagon Wednesday. What a great notion.  It had the perfect cutting size for the hexagons I am amassing. I cut my fabric into 2 1/2" strips, lie the ruler on the 2 1/2" markings and cut out the hexagon. It's that simple.

Here I present to you my lovely maids all in a row that will be going into my garden quilt. Very soon I will have to come up with a quilt layout before I sew too many together and have to rip apart because they are the wrong shape. As you can see I am not paying any attention to colour combinations. I just pick up and sew the pieces together akin to picking out a chocolate from a box. It doesn't matter what I chose because it's all good.

Hexagon Wednesday

BooHooHoo. Sniff! My hexagon box is empty. I am feeling so forlorn right now. I'll have a good cry and then get on to cutting more fabric for making more friends. Surely they'll appear by the end of the day. Am I wishing too hard?  I think I'm starting to feel better already. What do I spy with my little eyes, peeking at me from around the corner?

Why it's one of my friends! I had faith things would work out for me today. Since I have one friend now I know there will be more friends to show you next time. Please visit me again to find out who appeared. By the way, If you are wondering why all the threads, it is because I sew it the English way and the paper is still in.

Santa Came Early

 My DH came back from the mailbox and handed me this envelope. I thought "I wasn't expecting anything". I opened it and found this inside. Was I amazed!

I had read other blogs and how quilters were receiving gifts just because of a small favour or act of kindness done for someone they did not know. How touched I was that it happened to me for such a simple gesture I willingly did. It was Leona that sent me the unexpected gift and I will treasure it always. I thank you very much, Leona, for your kindness. As I told Leona, butterflies have been on my list of quilts to make so as I am making it I will be thinking of her.

Hexagon Wednesday

"Mary, Mary quite contrary how does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row." TaDa. Here I present to you my pretty maids since I saw you last. My garden is starting to take over my house! That's an inside joke. Last week I sat in front of the TV one night and cut out 200 paper pieces to have ready. That only took 2 hours but I did have a sore thumb and fingers and thought it was time to order in the precut paper templates. As you can see I'm using only what scraps I have on hand for my flowers which is one of the  challenges to myself. I have decided that 2010 is the year I deplete my scrap stash. I don't have much compared to some of you in the Blogosphere but am happy nevertheless to use whatever I find. Since I have never made a scrap quilt (all of mine have been totally coordinated) I find it a bit difficult at the moment because the urge to coordinate is still there but I am making progress using the Hexagon as a "cutting edge tool of technology" to help me along with a laissez-faire attitude. Hope you all enjoy my flowers.

Hexagon Wednesday

As you know I've joined the Hexagon crowd and I wanted to show you my handy, dandy hexagon transportation device. Wasn't that a mouthful for such a small thing. I found the plastic container 2 weeks ago and nearly dismissed buying it thinking it was not tall enough. I wanted to be able to carry various combinations of tools and fabric so the box had to be flexible and flexible it turns out to be. When I started using it I was reminded of the old adage "never judge a book by its cover". I fell in love with it at the outset and I've posted two photos of possible uses. I'm sure there are many more. It comes with a pullout tray that has the capacity to store quite a few things as you can see. The bottom level is divided into 3 sections that can hold my thread, fabric, sewn "flower petals", pins and scissors. At the moment 2 of the lower sections are full of sewn flower petals. There is also a "break" in one of the lower divisions which enables me to carry a 8" ruler. I can also close the lid on the box while the threads are standing upright and  found out by accident I can pick up the box and not have all the contents slip to one end in a big mess. So there you have my latest treasure. Happy Hexagon Wednesday everyone.

Hexagon Wednesday

As you can see a new button has been added to my left sidebar. I've joined the Hexagon Wednesday crowd. Just click on the logo and you'll be connected their website. Since I am new to the Blogosphere I find this very exciting; to be able to connect with people right around the world in a blink of an eye and see what they are working on. I've shown you a photo of 2 possible "flavours" of my hexagons.  I can't seem to decide which way to go probably because I haven't decided how the quilt will look. I like to design my own patterns (in a loose way) but in this case I think I will let the hexagons "speak" as to how they would like to be placed. The other reason I have joined the group is that I just realized how I've missed handpiecing. I had forgotten how relaxing it was and how very portable it was as well. So, do you think I should use the vintage scrap look or the modern fabrics for my hexagons? What do you think?
September is a month I find myself putting away my layback summer mode until next year and getting back to business at hand. I start thinking about setting new goals or have thoughts about what new road to travel next. At the present time I have decided, besides making the hexagons, to also include making small 9 patches measuring around 3", and a small bay leaf also known as the pumpkin seed. One tiny problem right now is the weather. It is so hot here I have trouble concentrating on my "new" road. I have always thought of fall and winter as a time to do quilting when the weather is cooler. One of my quilts in the family room is calling out to me and reminding me it's time to start. It hangs across from where I sit in the room so I have a constant reminder.

It's the handquilting in the quilt that reminds me to get back to business. I have several waiting for me to quilt. The border of the quilt was quilted without a hoop or frame. I did not want the bother of having to sew an extra piece of fabric on to be able to get it to fit the hoop so i basted the border area to death. It really did not take much more time and the benefit to me outweighed the sewing on an extra piece of fabric. Remarkably the border laid very flat and straight while I was handquilting and was very easy to manoeuvre. The whole idea of more basting giving me the freedom to work without a hoop or frame is very much on my mind for the next quilt. I was pleased with the outcome of this quilt.