Hexie Happiness

Making wonderful progress on the mini hexie challenge quilt.
This is the top basically done. I'm going to remove all the white hexies. They're really distracting.
It's supposed to be a little art-quilt-y, so I think it'll work.

Tiles or Scales?

I had to make a fish-themed block as part of a gift quilt.
Trying to find appropriate fabrics, I found these yellow "Roof Tiles".

Amazing how taking something out of context can sometimes change your perception.

Getting distracted

I have SO much to do. A quilt to finish for a quilt show. Getting ready for Houston. Finding/making a Halloween costume. Cleaning the house.  Doing the dishes. Redoing the guest bathroom.

Instead, I make hats.
I was at the store looking for blunt-nosed scissors to take on the plane, but got distracted by this lovely cotton yarn.
And had to make something.

(It's a baby hat.  Size 12-18 months.)

Little Storage Binder

I have had a couple of questions about the little binder in the photo in yesterday's post.

I love that little binder.
I received it as a gift from Brenda (the Dear Jane lady) a couple of years ago.

The little "ziplocked" pockets are 8.5" x 5" in size and perfect for little projects like my 1/2" hexies.
(The poppy is my inspiration picture for the little challenge quilt.)

So, you want to know where Brenda found this little binder?

Bass Pro Shops.  That's where!
It's a little worm/tackle binder.

I looked around on their web site and I think mine is the large bag here: $11.99!
If this was a "quilting accessory" it would probably cost $29.99 at least.
I hadn't seen the double bag until I started scouring the web site and I think I may need one.

After Brenda sent me the little binder, I did buy myself a bigger one.  This one. It has bigger zip bags (7.5" x 9") and more storage for scissors, thread and such but only has one handle which makes it kind of hard to carry.
(You want the "Finesse" bag, not the "Extreme".)

If you hop over to Bass Pro Shops, tell them I sent you. Maybe I'll get commission...
Yeah right!

Off to go order the double bag now, since I have the page open and all.

Edited: OMG! Search for "hard tackle boxes". I think I need this.

Getting things done

My current small WIPs. It feels so good to be sewing again!

A New Project

I seem to be starting a lot of projects lately and not finishing many. Maybe it's time to get working on the WIPs...

This one I have to finish because it's my challenge entry for our local quilt show. Yes, I know it seems a little back-to-front, but I entered it before making it. Yes I did.

The challenge is to make a small quilt inspired by a painting.
I'll share the inspiration soon.

Batik Jane

I'm not doing much myself right now, but a friend and I went "Stash Dashing" on Friday.
As you may or may not know, I'm a little obsessed with Dear Jane quilts.
This one is made with batiks.
Stunning!

(It is on display at Heirloom Quilts in Poulsbo, WA.  The lady who made it works there but did not want to pose for a photo. Hats off to her for this absolutely lovely work of art!)

It's Fall Y'all!

There's no more denying it.

This was my Saturday project:

I used my pattern for the Street Scene pillow.

Here's the trick for fussy cutting.

Make a template frame with an opening the desired size of your finished section. I taped two pieces of card stock together.

Move this around on your fabric until you find a "picture" you like.

Use a disappearing marker to trace along the inside of the template. Remove the template and cut the fabric 1/4" outside the marked lines.

(Center and border fabrics are from the Farmyard collection. Red and green sashings are Wee Woodland stripes.)

A Little Busy

It's done though. And I'm OK with it. I think once it's quilted it will be very pretty.
In the end I decided to use the striped fabric as sashing rather than borders for the blocks. This involved some seam ripping but made it a more manageable size.
Now I just have to decide on a border.