Who knew a needlebook could be so much fun!!

These hexagons were the start to a needlebook I made for the July Rapid and Tiny Zakka Swap (RATZ Swap). The group is an offshoot of the Doll Quilt Swap group on Flickr and swaps a little something each month (like key fobs and magnets) with a Zakka style in mind. This is only my first month to join in, but I couldn't resist the needlebook project!

After I received my swap partner's name, I just started making several .75" hexies without an exact plan in mind. I ended up choosing 20 and stitched together 4 columns of 5 hexies. Still no plan, but as luck would have it, I had just purchased Tacha Bruecher's book, "Hexa-Go-Go", and in it she makes a lovely needlebook using hexagons.

Since I already had a hexie panel put together that was different from Tacha's, I needed to make a few minor changes, mostly to the measurements, but I thought her directions were easy to follow and I had a good time making it!

Marilyn

A Little Catching Up

I worked on a few smaller projects this week--things that were in the works that just needed to be finished up...ahhh, that word, finished!

Nikki, a friend in the KC Modern Quilt Guild, is very active with the Quilts of Valor project. Her group issued a QOV Firecracker Challenge for 12.5" star blocks to be used in sampler quilts. It's been a while since I've made a wonky star block and now I remember how fun it is--lots of possibilities.

I needed to print out some more paper pieces for my ongoing hexagon project. I make 1 inch "hexies", but I noticed there were .5" pieces available for printing also. Having seen these tiny hexagons--they're adorable--I wanted to give them a try. Not bad, but I think I'll stick with my big ol' 1 inchers!

And, just today, I finished this embroidered Mad Hatter, using a Wild Olive pattern.
 

Considering all of the swaps I've particpated in, I've been lucky. Maybe a couple of times, there's been a swapper who didn't follow through--I know, not nice, right? The flickr Bitty Block group is especially good about following through, but it looks like one of the people in the "Alice in Wonderland" swap isn't going to "be nice". And the bitty she said she would make is the Mad Hatter...well, I just don't think you can have a group of "Alice" anything without the Mad Hatter, so I made one for myself! I'm expecting one more block, the Cheshire Cat--coming from Australia--and when it arrives, I'll post pics of all of them--they're really cute!!

Marilyn

English Paper Piecing: Hexagons

I think everyone is making hexagons. {Handsome} Hexies, a flickr group, shows us that at least 470 have taken up this addictive pastime!


Twice this summer I've made a short three day visit someplace. One might think that three days away from crafting and/or sewing is no big deal. So I'm not sure what it says about me that, even for that short amount of time, I felt it necessary to take handwork with me and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try these hexagons.

I found a tutorial from The Sometimes Crafter and discovered a wonderful way to pass the time while riding in the car.

And I haven't stopped since, can't stop! Like I said, it's addictive!

I'm making 2" hexies...


and 1" hexies...


And I'm not alone. Or rather, I like to think I'm in good company. Britt has posted tips on joining hexagons left in comments from her readers. She asked to use one of my photos for her blog post---she's moving and all of her hexagons are packed up---and in her email to me she happened to mention that it's driving her crazy not having something to do with my hands! Sounds familiar:)

This is how I store and travel with everything I need. I bought this inexpensive storage container. I like it because the sections come apart and it's easy for me to work directly out of them.





When I want to take my hexagons with me someplace, the sections stack up and snap together securely...and the container fits perfectly in my KC Modern Quilt Guild tote--cool, huh?


Are you looking for a reason to give hexagons a try? Or a reason to make more?!

Sign ups have just started for a Modern Holiday 2 1/2 inch square swap. This is the size used for the 1" hexagons in The Sometimes Crafter's tutorial. Send 50 of the same fabric squares and receive back 50 different fabric squares for making something really wonderful for the holidays. ETA 8-11-10: Swap cancelled...perhaps to be offered at a later date.

Marilyn