Friday, March 22, 2019

I was in a Mood :: Two Moods!

I wasn't planning on this...but it happened.  Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and let things happen.  In between a couple projects I was wondering what I should work on next.  While contemplating the next step, I came across a stack of 8" Me + You Indah Batik Hexagons.  I had two sets of these and actually made a rainbow quilt with the print blocks, but the solids were still there...waiting.  

 

Why not!  May as well use them while the mood is right!  I had almost every color I needed to complete a rainbow with the exception of two colors.  No problem...I have plenty of solids to round out the spectrum!



The only thing I had to do is cut the Kona Snow triangles.  Pretty easy and fast.  Last time I used these hexagons in a quilt I sewed the rows diagonally and said it was confusing.  In the comments people wondered why I did that when I could have saved the trouble and sewed horizontal rows instead.  Well, live and learn!  It had never occurred to me to do that, but I certainly did just that this time!



It made the piecing process so much easier!  It was a palm to the forehead moment!



The blocks were pretty simple to line up and with a few exceptions it was pretty perfect.  There will always be exceptions especially when this is a project that is my 'in between' ideas project.



I've got it half way pinned right now and hope to start some quilting on it very soon!  I'm not sure how detailed I want to get with quilting.  The wide open spaces are tempting, but I may go simple like the last one.  

Another project I've been testing or playing with, is English Paper Piecing honeycombs.  When I was at QuiltCon I naturally bought a few things and honeycomb templates were one of those things.

  

I'm always in the need of an evening hand stitching project especially when I don't have bindings to sew on.  I came across a booth that had a bunch of finished Lucy of Boston blocks and they were so pretty it peaked my interest.

I glanced to my right and saw a smaller version and that was all it took!  Instead of the usual 1" honeycomb templates, I opted for the 1/2".  They even had 1/4" templates...I'm crazy, but not that crazy!

I also bought a few things from different vendors like some 100wt Poly Invisifil thread, an adorable hummingbird needle threader and a very cool old time vinyl zipper pouch.  Everything from this haul along with scissors, glue pen and fabric fit nicely inside and if I ever went anywhere, would make a great travel kit!



I've mad two blocks and as you can see they aren't show stopping!!  This is why I don't get along with prints!  Even the Liberty of London prints I used can't make up for the lack of pizazz!  I'll try again with some other print, that I'm sure of.

The first block I cut the fabric with the acrylic template but found that there was just too much to wrap around the paper template.  The second one I trimmed it down and it did make it easier.  

As for the 100wt thread, it's strong!  It's also thin!  You have to be mindful that you don't accidentally wrap it around where it isn't suppose to go and only discover that you did later!  I really do like it though and maybe it'll make me a better stitcher or give the illusion that I've improved! 

You might have noticed that I made a new header for my blog.  I have two options, this one being the most minimal of the two.  I'll probably switch back and forth until I decide which is the best fit.  I had a vision on the logo and my son helped to bring it to life.  





What do you think?  Please be brutally honest with me!!  One or two or neither?  Any ideas on how to improve or change it?  I'm not a graphic artist and have no desire to be one, but I do like feedback!



LINKING:
PEACOCK PARTY   TGIFF 


25 comments :

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you for the feedback! I love simplicity as well! I’m wondering if the quilt circles are good to show I quilt and I can periodically change the quilts for variety! Decisions!

      Delete
  2. I like number 2, you are about fabric so it is fitting that the header should show some like this. x

    ReplyDelete
  3. love your new header. and your projects too

    ReplyDelete
  4. I prefer the first because it features your quilts, reinforcing that you are a quilter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like the one with the quilts might be best for the reason you stated. Plus I can change the photos if the mood strikes!

      Delete
  5. Def #1, more visually appealing. And as you say, you can change out the photos!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like the second header. It took me too long to realize that the circles had some of your quilts in them and were not fabric swatches (speaking of palm to forehead)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all have those moments! I’m still undecided on the blog banner, but I’m happy I got a start at something!

      Delete
  7. Wow, 1/2 inch honeycombs! That's impressive. I think your blocks look great, especially the one on the left. Maybe try one with tone on tone fabrics and see if you like it? The hexagons certainly look very happy, too. I already know that the quilting on them will be awesome. As for the logo, I like the second one. A much cleaner look that you could use in a variety of ways. You could even change background colors on it if you'd like. Switch it out with your moods! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very pretty hexie solids. I have been searching high and low for my paper pieces papers I bought a year ago, they were petals. Can't find them anywhere. I even put together one flower and found that but no papers with it:(

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, I definitely have plenty of those palm-to-forehead moments. :D Love those 1/2" honeycomb pieces. I keep feeling the call of English paper piecing, but I have years worth of hand applique to work through, so it will be a while before I start anything along that line. I really love seeing other people doing it, though! I like #1 better for the header, because it doesn't feel as clinical as #2 - it's more personable with peeks of actual quilty stuff instead of just saying that's what you are.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your first piece....so much colour.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great looking hexies. Can't wait to see how you quilt it. I love both headers, but I prefer the simple one. I haven't tried EPP honeycombs....might have to check that out.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those hexies are fun! I like your second header best!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Both of the projects you showed are great! Love the fun colors of the first one and the teeny cuteness of the second. As for the headers, I like the second, minimal, one the best. I like it centered, and it gives you more flexibility as you make other projects.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just read your comments. I too thought they were fabric swatches and not quilts. Maybe bigger circles or closeups of the quilts so it is more clear that they are quilts?

    ReplyDelete
  15. I like number one best for the header. I like your fabric choices for the honeycombs!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very pretty hexies! I pieced diagonally with triangles once - it just seemed the right thing to do! So I understand what you did - nice to know horizonal rows work too!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I like the first header because of the color. But it really distracts from the branding and logo you have, which is what you really want to get across to the viewer. Glad you figured out a better way to piece those blocks. Quilting is always a live and learn adventure, lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hold your horses! When I look at the header with the fabric swatches in the actual post, it looks okay! Setting them side by side didn't (to my brain), but I think I do like the fabric swatches added in there!

      Delete
  18. It will be fun to see the Lucy blocks you create in the future. I think they will evolve into amazing little pieces of art.

    Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love your hexie solids quilt top! The fun part is the stars that the white triangles create. You probably told us this when you made the first hexie quilt, but were those precuts? I've been enjoying reading the comments about your new header! I actually like the first one because of the color in it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I don't think of you as a girl who likes handwork ... I can't wait to see where you go with those LB blocks!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog! I love getting comments, and try to respond to each and every one.