New Project-itis!

Another new project has been born.

This one started with the delivery of a bag of lovely batik scraps from my friend Sondra of Mojo Quilt Designs.  She offered them up as she knows I am working on the samples for the next Pieced Hexies Book and in need of many different fabrics in small amounts.

But when I opened the bag and began sorting out the scraps in size…well my mind was whirling and a new Pieced Hexie Quilt was born.

 

 

I needed a fabric to tie everything together and I immediately pulled this lovely dark gray with black polka dots out.   It is the perfect scale of print to calm down the craziness of what I am planning to do with the scraps.

 

 

Then I began to divide into HOT and COOL piles.

 

 

 

I knew I wanted to spotlight the COGS design from Pieced Hexies.   I have been keeping track of which designs are booked when I teach Pieced Hexies Buffet and poor Cogs is bringing up the rear.  So it needed some special attention.

 

 

 

The quilt design will have a large 9 patch format, 5 cool “whatevers” (not totally revealing my plan yet) and 4 hot “whatevers”.

Cut all the 2” squares of the polka dot and then from the scraps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spent the evening sewing.

My plan was to sew all them together and kit them up for basting and sewing together on the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I sewed 3 sets entirely together…then I had to take at least one HOT and one COOL kits to the basting and sewing together step.  I couldn’t wait.

 

So here is where I am.

Scrappy HOT and COOL Cogs Pieced Hexies!

Well actually I am back in the studio sewing up the other 6 sets so I will be good to go for my travels tomorrow.

Craftsy here I come…hopefully…now the weather might be an issue.  :/

What to wear?

Next week I will be in Denver taping my Craftsy workshop…err…class….err…lesson.  Oh heck it’s a workshop.  Quilter’s call it a workshop it’s a workshop.   Anyway I will be taping it.

In front of a camera.

Which will record it. 

Forever.

(gulp)

 

nope…I’m ok…no worries…             

 

My biggest worry…what to wear. 

OMG!

Nope I am not stressed about teaching two new Pieced Hexie Designs in front of the camera.

I am stressed about what to wear.

Multiple times.

It seems they wish me to bring several wardrobe changes.

OMG.

omg. omg. omg. omg.

I am really not into clothes shopping.

“Bring along something you are comfortable in” Craftsy advised.

wondering.

Do you think I can wear my Blackhawks jersey? 

Strips vs Strings

Recieved an email asking why I used the word "strips" vs "strings" in my post.

Well basically because I was told once that it is only strings if the finished width of a piece of fabric is no more than 1". And since my bin most definately has some chubbier pieces in it I went with the word strip.

Whatever the name given...it's a nice way to use those strips/strings scraps. ")


More on this project later.

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Early Mornin’ Strip Piecing

As usual I am up at the crack of dawn.  No exception today.   And I brushed my teeth and hurried down to the studio for a few hours of strip piecing before Paul got up.

We usually run all our “together errands” on Wednesday’s so I had until 7:30am to play.

I started strip piecing some 6.5” squares yesterday after making the pillowcases.

I had looked over at the strip bin and it’s overflowing state and decided that I would tackle it a bit.   This would cover the need to start another something new (the pillowcases alone did not quench the thirst of new project syndrome) and clean up a getting to be unruly part of the studio.

I got a few squares done but the fire was lit inside me and I wanted to tackle some more.

I was sewing away and gabbing with friends on Facebook.  Such a nice way to start the day.

 

The strips were dumped on the floor behind my chair for easy access to pick and choose. 

 

I brought over my BIG Rowenta iron right after taking this picture.  All the better to press those strips into place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sew – Sew – Sew  

 

Finally it was time to do some trimming.  I heard Molly come down the stairs.  Her tags jingling as she walked behind me.  I thought she was headed to her doghouse area in the studio.

 

Imagine my surprise when I returned to my machine and the strip pile was snoring.

 

 

While out and about today I dreamed up the quilt for my 6.5” squares.  And sketched out the plan.

 

I am going to be doing some more sewing.   A lot more.

Deep Freeze Projects

We are in a deep freeze here in Chicagoland but I am in my studio happily sewing away.

I feel like starting something new but really didn't want to.

So what is a quick instant gratification project?

Pillowcases!

When I was at my LQS this Saturday she got in this lovely spring-like fabric .... some of it followed me home. I'm also thinking some heart pillowcases for Valentines Day and I found the blue floral in my stash and I am thinking that will make nice pillowcases too.

Do you sew your pillow cases with French seams?

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Why so quiet in December?

Wondering why I have been so quiet thru the month of December?

Well this is why.

Early in December I did this to my ankle.

I heard the snap and I face planted in my own front yard.  Thank goodness Paul was with me as we were on our way out to walk Molly.

I made it back into the house and immediately started the RICE method.  It hurt.  A LOT.

A week later I finally conceded and had it x-rayed.  Yep there was some damage.

I was ordered to…..

 

but I had a hard time listening to Dr.’s orders.  And I snuck into the studio a few times. 

And I paid for it.

So for the last three weeks I have been a good patient and have basically sat, and read, and did some hexing, but mostly just sat and enjoyed Paul & Emily’s visit home.

I did cast on a sweater…for Molly.  I will blog some pics later this week.

So now I am starting to walk more, and actually took Molly out for her daily walk twice in the last week.  Molly btw would like to make sure you know what she will be watching starting Jan 15th. 

I am getting back into the swing of things and tomorrow I will be a guest on Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski.   I hope you can tune in or catch it as a podcast! 

Ok…been at computer for a few hours…time for my foot up routine.  Carry on!

WOW! That about sums it up!

Michaela Little's rendition of Crown of Throwns pattern (Judy Niemeyer) is rockin' the house at Quilting On The Square.

Michaela is 15....this is the 4 quilt she has made.  Yep you read that right... 4th!  

This quilt has won Reserve Champion at Jackson KS County Fair and at the Kansas State Fair a purple ribbon in 2012.

I am honored that she is in the midst of sewing her own Moxie Girl!

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