Showing posts with label hexies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hexies. Show all posts

Friday, March 13, 2015

Follow-Up-Friday: What I've Been Up To!!!

Hi peeps! 


How's everyone doing today??? We are having crazy weather…sunny and up to 55 degrees one day, then cold and rainy the next!!! It's really doing a number on my migraines and the Fibromyalgia…grrr!

As promised in this post,I had some fun playing with my citrus HST's. I came up with the above placement and sewed them all together yesterday. I have to say that this is the first time ever, that my HST's have worked out! This time I was very careful to mark my sewing lines and I actually trimmed them too! What a difference that made!


I also promised to show you what I get up to in the evenings while binge-watching Netflix(we are on season 4 of House, MD and season 3 of House of Cards). Well, I sew English Paper Pieced hexagons(1" sides)…a whole lot of them!!! 

Pictured is a pile of about 75% of the hexies I have already done for the Kid's quilt.  These ones have already been sewn together in threes…which I call "triplets".


Once I get all my "triplets" done, I sew three of them together, side by side, into "niners". Sew, sew, sew!!!


I store my "niners" in a plastic shoebox. I have them wedged in there very tight, so they actually press themselves. This also keep them nice and flat as when I sew them together they kind of curl up at the ends.



Once the "niners" are all sewn together, I stack two of them to make an "18-patch". 


This is my basic block and they are all super scrappy. This quilt, like the one I made for us, will have 216 of these 18-piece blocks and will measure 96" x 113", plus a 4" border. It makes a pretty huge quilt, but that also means you can double it over on itself and have a two-layered quilt for especially cold nights.


These are the half-hexagons I have already basted. The ones like the yellow one on the left will be for going down the right and left sides of the quilt and the ones like the red one on the right will be sewn onto the top and bottom blocks. 

Once I have my "18-patches" done, I lay out the ones I want for the top and bottom as well as the right and left sides, then I attach a numbered label(i.e.: T1-meaning the top left-side block). That way I know which blocks go where and can attach the half-hexies. It would be way too cumbersome to have to attach these small pieces once the body of the quilt is all sewn together.

Question of the Day:

Have you ever made a quilt using the English Paper Piecing technique? If not, would you be interested in a tutorial on how to baste the fabric to the paper shapes, then sew the shapes(hexies) together?

Sharing is caring!!!

Don't forget that I am happy to share…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away*! Just please make sure your posts link back to this blog. 

*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red pin-it button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to your Pinterest boards. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little grey square buttons at the end of this post.

Thanks for reading and have a great day! 

Quilty Huggs, 

Jacqueline 

PLEASE NOTE: The writer of this blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This post may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. Thanks!

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

W.I.P.-it, W.I.P.-it good Wednesday!

Hi peeps!



I started working on the citrus batik table topper I mentioned here and here.


I usually eyeball it when I'm doing half square triangles(and they never seem to work out), but this time I decided to draw the sewing lines on the wrong sides with my Frixion pen. Woa! What a difference that makes! I never realized how much my machine(and my hands) move the fabric around, making slightly wobbly lines instead of nice straight lines. 

In all fairness Pfrancine(my Pffaf) is in dire need to be cleaned and have the motor timer reset but I got this pretty pile done in no time flat!


I wanted to show you what happens when put your iron on the marks made with a Frixion pen. You can see the pen marks on the bottom triangle, below the stitching. 

I pressed the seam quickly, and as you can see on the top triangle, the marks disappeared completely. It's like magic!


I have been seeing others around blog-land who are pressing their seams open and thought I would give it a try. A small project is a great place to see how it goes. I liked how crisp the seam was.


Here is one of the finished HSTs, now all I have to do is *ug* trim these squares down. 

I can't tell you the specific dimensions as this was a free-with-purchase pattern and it is not available on the Timeless Treasure website. I did go there to check, so that I could share with you, but no I can't. Sorry…but, you can probably figure it out!


I wanted to talk about thimbles…do you use them??? 

I have never been able to use a conventional thimble, they always felt 'wrong' on my finger. I have been using a leather thimble(pictured above) for years, but wear them out very quickly as I push the needle with the side of my middle finger. These thimbles cost around $10-$15 plus shipping and I have gone through several in the past 18 months, while I have been working on two enormous hexagon projects.

I saw the blue one(a Roxanne's mid-priced metal thimble) on clearance so I ordered the largest size. I have mentioned my thick fingers before, and I really thought the XL size would fit. Well, it only fits if I rub a tiny dab of hand lotion into that finger…and, well it still didn't feel all that right. Plus after just a few hours of use, the pretty blue paint started to come off!



I was shopping at a favorite Etsy shop and noticed the metal cuff-style thimbles there. They were ultra cheap…I think 4 for $1, so I bought them. Well, they work great! I have been using one for a couple of months now, with no problem! Just goes to show you that expensive doesn't always mean the best!


Don't forget to enter Craftsy's #SecretStash Contest here.
Prizes include a box of secret stash goodies(and they have tonnes of things to choose from!!!) as well as a Craftsy class of your choice! Cool!!!

Also, the person I awarded my consolation prize to in my last giveaway never got back to me, even though I allowed 48 hours for a response. 

I have contacted Pam P. and hope she will get back to me asap!

I did notice that a lot of the people that commented were "no-reply bloggers" which means they didn't have an email connected to their open id and therefore I had no way of contacting them. So, if you would like to win …and receive your winnings, please check your Google+ account and see if your email is visible in the top right drop-down window. If it isn't, just Google how to fix the no-reply blogger issue on your Google+ account and you will find a few tutorials to show you how to fix it!

By the way, a big HELLO *waving happily* to my new followers. Thanks so much for joining up!

Question of the day:

Do you wear a thimble, and if you do, what kind of thimble do you use?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Quilty Huggs,

Jacqueline

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Sponsor Sunday and Really Ginormous Hexagons!

Hi Peeps!

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links.


Sale ENDS on August 11, 2014 at 11:59 PM MT time
Just a little reminder that the Craftsy classes sale ends tomorrow! Get em while it's good! 

I picked up Playful Piecing Techniques by Camille Roskelly for only $14.99, and will watch it once the weather turns cooler. I love, love that you own your purchased classes forever! 

There are also some great deals to be had in their Clearance section!
Here's the link: Craftsy

Don't forget, if you own a website or blog, you can join the Craftsy Affiliate Program and earn a little cash!



Fat Quarter Shop is offering 20% off all their Riley Blake prints, but only until Midnight August 14, 2014. I can see some chevrons and dots in my future!

You can click through to Fat Quarter Shop with my button, top left.




Paper Pieces has their Fan Quilt kit on for a huge 30% off. This includes the die-cut paper pieces you will need and the pattern for making the quilt. Use your own fabric to create a one-of-a-kind treasure. 

Don't forget, you can combine you savings and use my "qsh20" code to get 20% off the rest of your purchases!


Riley Blake Designs have launched their latest fabric line: Hope Chest, a salute to the always-sweet 1930's reproduction prints. Available in yardage and pre-cuts and in stores now.


There's only 6 hours left to take advantage of Massdrop's Aurifil thread box in useful neutral colours. Twelve large spools, there are two collections to choose from. They ship FREE in the USA and only $8.28 to Canada.


Use the below link to join this awesome deal!!!



Massdrop is also offering two different bag-making kits from Sew Sweetness; the Aragon bag and the hugely popular Airplane bag. Both kits come with all the supplies(just add your own thread) needed to make a bag(or two) of your choice. At only $39.99, I am getting both! They will make awesome Christmas presents. Only 3 days left to get in on this drop, they ship Free in the USA and $8.28 to Canada.


Use the below link to join this awesome deal!!!




This is one of the latest projects on my growing to-do list. Haley, of The Zen of Making, is a quirky gal and I really enjoy her blog. This Giant Hexie Flower Lap Quilt she designed is one of literally hundreds of tutorials she has posted. 

Here's the link: Giant Hexie Flower Lap Quilt

Head on over and share some hexie love!!!



I picked up some poster board from the 'good' dollar store and made my template, as per instructed. Then, using my rotary cutter, and an old blade, I cut out the 7 hexies needed for the centre and the petals. The giant hexies measure 15.5", point to point.


I cut out my fabrics using yardage(adding a half-inch seam allowance around all edges to fold over the poster board), but you can use seven different/co-ordinating fat quarters. I cut out 4 of each colour, as I plan to make four of these giant hexie flowers. The difference with mine is that I am going to appliqué each giant hexie flower onto a background and make a queen-sized quilt. Go big or go home, I say!!! 

Wish me luck…please!...as I have never attempted such a large hand-applique project. Eek! My Clover Clips and stick of fabric glue will come in very handy.


This is my background fabric. It is an orange and white diagonal stripe.

I hope you will enjoy the above offers. I am able to offer demos, tutorials and giveaways only because of my sponsors and it would be great if you could support them. Thanks!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!


Jacqueline



Monday, July 28, 2014

A FINISH, A VISIT AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi peeps!


How bout this giant pile of scrappy hexies??? These are the 3,800 basted hexies, plus(not shown) the 200+ half-hexies and four quarter hexies(for the corners). They are all basted and ready to be sewn together for the kid's king- sized quilt. I got them done in record time-about three months!


My oldest son came to visit us last week from Montreal, where he is a Grad student. Mom is so, so proud of her two accomplished boys! Can you tell I had a nasty migraine in this photo??? grrr…put a damper on the visit for sure.


I would like to welcome Fat Quarter Shop as a new blog sponsor! They are a huge online quilting fabric store out of Texas, run by the lovely Kimberly Jolly. They specialize in high quality, name-brand fabric lines, books and notions especially for quilters.


Every day, they have an item(or, often items) on sale for a fraction of their retail value, for 24 hours only, starting at 10 AM, Central. Each day is a different item, so if you see something you'd like, you have to pounce on it before it is gone, gone, gone!


They have a weekly newsletter which allows you to keep up with their many awesome sales and new items. There are often a few fabric lines priced at 40% off, and even 50% off! The sale section is humungeous and I would have no trouble filling a cart there! hee hee hee

They also have a blog, called the Jolly Jabber, which offers giveaways, videos and loads of free patterns. I am following along with their Wishes BOM program and will be buying the Wishes Fat Eight pack next payday!


I am sure by now you have all heard of the Cotton & Steel fabric line. It is brand new and all over blog-land. Fat Quarter Shop has all the fabrics available individually, but I am most drawn to the above kit as I love the rainbowyness(great word, eh?) of it! The fabrics are well-dyed and have a lovely feel.

The folks at Fat Quarter Shop have generously offered a follower of this blog a $35.00 gift certificate to the shop…isn't that great? And it's international, too!

So, here's the rules:

1. You have to be a follower of this blog, either via email or Bloglovin, and comment to tell me so.

2. In the same comment, tell me which pre-cut bundle is your favorite at Fat Quarter Shop(you can just click on the FQS button, top left border of this page, and then find a bundle you like the most).

Please note, both points must be answered for a chance to win this giveaway.
One comment per person, please.

Giveaway ends on Wednesday July 30, 2014

Good luck everyone!

Giveaway has been awarded. Thanks for participating!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Jacqueline


Thursday, July 17, 2014

Happy Mail and Some Sponsor News!

Hi peeps!


A few weeks ago, Craftsy had a free-shipping sale, and I was all over that, as shipping to Canada is surprisingly costly. So I got these two Fossil Fern 100-piece charm packs as I am planning to cut them up for hexies and make a large quilted tote bag. I have been checking out my books and cruising the internet, looking for that 'perfect' tote pattern! Does anyone have any ideas?


On payday, I headed on over to the Connecting Threads website, as I always have an open cart going! I had been hearing all about Amy Smart's book, Fabulously Fast Quilts all over blog-land, and since it was on sale, I bought it as well as two more copies of Katy Jones' 25 Quilt Blocks…to giveaway sometime soon!


I got 7 yards of this white-on-white print for my Impromptu quilt. I actually only need 6.5 yards, but as it was on sale for $3.56 a yard, I got extra. There is always a need for w-o-w prints here. Darn, as I think of it, I probably should have ordered more! I mean, how often do you see a w-o-w on sale?


Do you remember all the  4.5" squares I had started cutting with my Go Baby, for a paper bag quilt? I sort of stalled on it as I was kind of meh on having to cut a bunch of Kona-snow squares(I mean, how boring is that, anyway?). Then I got the Amy Smart book! The second pattern is this one(Fast Four Patch) and uses the same size squares, along with red and white strips, both of which I have on hand! Serendipity at it's best!


Lastly, I loaded up on the CT Essentials thread, which was on sale for $1.95 a spool. I use this for everyday sewing, machine piecing and English Paper Piecing. I never use my Aurifil thread for EPP shapes, as eventually, all the thread gets removed and thrown away.



As promised, here is a part picture of the purple Batik sheet I bought Saturday at the Caribbean Festival. You can see the Celtic cable border and hand-knotted fringe.


A close-up of the stencilled red turtles. I think they look happy!


My last bit of Happy Mail is from my sponsor, Paper Pieces. They sent me a small pack of hexagons and a small pack of tall triangles, as well as 2 mini charm packs, to be given away soon.  You can click the logo on my upper left border to go straight to their online store. Don't forget to use the savings code!

I have more happy sponsor news, but you will have to wait till next post to find out!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Jacqueline

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Saturday Showcase

Hi Peeps!


It's been a while, I KNOW, but life keeps on getting in the way!!!


I finished another table runner. This one is for my Mother in Law, for her birthday tomorrow. We will all see her tonight as we are going to supper at a fancy Italian restaurant. Yumm!




Here's the back. This is another remnant that has been hiding in my stash for years!!! Use it up, I say!


This is my next scrap project. This is the Jumbo Prism Pillow Tutorial by Lee at Freshly Pieced. Have a look at all the great things on her blog. I have lots and lots of scraps and plan to use some of my bolt of Kona-Snow for the solid.




Here are my vintage china tea cups. The green one is my favourite, it is made by Ainsley. I have been slowly collecting these from garage sales and thrift stores, though the thrifts stores around here charge a mint for them.



Post-war vintage platter, inherited from my dear Granny. She was a war bride from England. Her father said "on no certain terms was she allowed to date one of those hick prairie Canadians"!!! So, she married him!!!



Another treasure from my Granny. I think this one is from the 50's. The rooster comes off and there is a depression for putting chopped green onions or crumbled bacon in. I chipped it within a week of gaining possession…grrr...


The latest box of scraps from my dear friend L in Arizona. As you can see, I had a lot of fun digging through it! Aren't those little owls cute? I am still cutting pieces for my son's hexie quilt, though I don't have that many more to baste. I will take a break from basting hexies in the evening after this. I am planning to work on a EPP 6-bladed star quilt. I have cut the kit for it already.



This is on one of the walls in our 'dining room'. It is not actually a room, just more an extension of the kitchen, and the balcony sliding doors are just to the right. My kitchen is decorated in a loose Mexican style. I have been collecting Mexican painted pottery for years and years.

Canada Day is coming up next week…and the Aurifil thread giveaway is coming soon!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Jacqueline

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Gettin' caught up...

Hi all!!!


Thought I would show off the ~1,000 hexies I have already basted for the Kid's quilt. Just under 3,000 to go! (Notice how I have re-purposed the bag that my fabrics from Fort Worth Studio came in!)


We managed to catch the tail-end of Saturday's PM Day parade. Our little town is celebrating 100 years of incorporation this year.


The firefighters come armed with spray guns….


…and the kids too! It is an annual event and kids are encouraged to join in the fun. It was a really hot day and I ended up getting squirted too! Eek!


The 4-H kids were showing off their sweet bunnies. Poor things looked a little hot, even though they were in shade.


Here's me in front of an equally hot(yea, right!) red car. That dorky, floppy hat came in real handy! There were a whole bunch of booths this year and I bought a big bag of Kettle Corn. Sooo good, but soo bad for me…hee hee hee


Do you remember me telling you about saving up my pharmacy store points? Well, they had that extra points sale this past weekend and I got all this for $12.22!!!(you just have to pay the taxes on the non-food items). I spent $219.93 of an available $220.00 worth of points. YEA!!!

I got 2 x 8-packs of Duracell batteries(on sale) for my camera, Tylenol(on sale), 2 x Lactaids for the Kid, 4 x Palmolive dish soap(on sale) and tons of food(most on sale) to a total estimated $300.00 worth(full price) of products/food! I did bring a list and a calculator, but even still, both the hubs and the cashier were uber-impressed! She said I should go on The Price is Right!!!

Next post I will be showing the finished Bella clutch and some Happy Mail!

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

Jacqueline