Monday, August 21, 2017

Star Light, Star Bright

So, we all know it's Eclipse day today!   Many of us will get that once in a lifetime chance to see it in all its glory.  I'm excited even though I don't have the proper glasses.  ARGH!  I'm still going to experience it, and it is okay to look at it with the naked eye without glasses when the sun is totally covered...take a chance or not?!  

I have to say all the hype has gotten to me.  While I was in Oregon it lead every single news story several times a day. Then when I got home, same thing.  At 1:27 PM (CST), for two exciting minutes...I will be busy doing nothing more than watching a event...a big memorable event!

Before that, after that and for those don't get to see 'that', I thought I would share the only sewing I have done in a month!  Yep!  You heard that right!  I won't go into detail, but it's been a terrible month for me and my family.  

I spent two weeks in Portland with nothing more than a needle and thread.  English paper piecing is the ideal travel project.  Before I left Nashville, I had a mad scramble to come up with an EPP project to take with me.  I ended up keeping it super simple.  Diamonds. 



I'm going to sound like a broken record again, but the hardest part was picking the fabric.  I settled on Kaffe Fasset fabric for the center diamonds and added a bright solid for the outside.  I was in need of very bright, bold and happy colors.  Kaffe Fasset fit that bill to a tee!



My little EPP kit was filled with the essentials.  Scissors, thread, clips, needles and glue pen. I also brought the extra fabric both in prints and solids.  I grabbed Aurifil Sandstone thread (2370) in 40 wt.  I was hoping the color would blend with all the bright colors of the fabric and disappear...and it did!  I have to say it was the perfect choice!

Of course you must have plenty of the most important component of EPP, the templates.  I found this template at Sew Quickly where you can cut hexies, jewels and diamonds from one PDF template.  I love the versatility you get with this PDF.  I printed page after page on card stock and then cut the out with scissors.  



I used two different prints for each star.  Some prints I fussy cut so they would stand out, some were cut with a texture and color in mind.  The fabric I was working with were smaller pieces, so getting three pieces that were exact was sometimes an impossible task.   



After the stars came a solid that I felt would pop with the combination of prints.  I tried to be strategic, but it didn't always work out that way.



This one is the perfect example of semi-fussy cut diamonds.  The three circles are not the same, but they each have a green ring.  The other diamonds have the same linear blue print.



Here is another example of fussy cut matchy match!



I ended up making nine complete hexie stars and three stars.  With another half a dozen more in the pipe line.  



This was purely a project to keep me grounded, give me an emotional escape and keep my mind occupied while I was in Portland.  I still don't have a clue what I'm making or what it will become. Frankly, the last thing on my mind was a plan.  It was more important to have a distraction and not a plan.

Now that I've come home and had a chance to look at these sexy hexie stars, I've decided I want to make more and more!  This will be my long term EPP WIP!

LINKING:

22 comments :

  1. Oh, I am so inspired! Thank you.

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  2. PLEASE don't try looking without some kind of filter. Just think how terrible it would be if you couldn't see to sew! Your eyes are precious. Love the hexies and I'm curious to see what you do next as I have a pile of them waiting to be put together when inspiration strikes

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    1. The star hexies are a fun little project for travel! I plan on make more just not sure how many more! When I figure out a plan for them…I will certainly share my idea!

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  3. I am so glad you had something with you to immerse yourself in for a few minutes here and there. Thinking of you often and wishing you some peace soon.

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  4. I am so glad you had something to keep your mind and hands busy in Portland!

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  5. This was the perfect little project to take with you to Portland. How can one not smile a little at all the bright colors in Kaffe's fabrics? I just know these little star hexies will turn into something absolutely amazing.

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    1. The power of quilting!! There are so many reasons having an EPP project on hand was the best idea. From keeping my hands busy to distracting me. I’m looking forward to making more and know that one day an idea will come to me!

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  6. These are fantastic! I hope they were therapeutic, and it sounds like they were. This is going to turn into something really great, I have a feeling.

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  7. I hope you were able to enjoy the eclipse! The totality here in Charleston appeared through the clouds and was beautiful. I also hope that things are improving for your family, and glad that your lovely EPP pieces helped you through a rough month.

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  8. How fun to see your EPP! I love your fabrics. My design wall is full of pieces and I hope to get the rest of the pieces done soon. Half of it is Kaffe like yours!

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  9. Your hexie stars are lovely! Let me know if you need more Kaffe prints. I have lots I can send you.

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  10. The stars are really beautiful. What a great variety of solids. They do really set off the Kaffe fabrics. I hope things in your life settle down, and I'm glad you got to had a little something to occupy your mind.

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    1. Having this EPP project was the best ever therapy. Life has settled down and will continue to do so. Hard as it may be…we gotta live and celebrate those who are no longer with us. I’m very happy with the use of solids for the stars. It really helps to magnify the beautiful colors and prints!

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  11. Sexy Hexie??? You went there???
    Breathtakingly beautiful. So perfect. Honestly speaking, I drooled a little.

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  12. I agree, EPP is a great travel project, especially since it feels very satisfying to finish each section. Looking beautiful!

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  13. These look so great! EPP makes a great travel project, doesn't it?

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  14. I love these!! I'm tempted to give this shape a try. Now to find time....LOL

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  15. They look lovely, Jayne! I find keeping my hands busy at hard times a bit therapeutic, keeps the mind somewhat focused. I am very happy to hear that you got to see the eclipse.

    -Soma xx

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  16. I am sorry to hear it has been such a difficult time for you! Here's to a change of seasons and the joys of them. xo

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  17. Great hexie template--EXCEPT it doesn't work. It will not download from the Sew Quickly site--comes up as "not found." Bummer.

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