FO: Hexagon Wreath

Happy new year! You know, this post would have been more relevant a couple of weeks ago, but here is a Christmassy project for you.

So, I intended to make this before Christmas 2015, but it never happened. I had the fabric picked out and everything. Magically, when I got to cutting in early December, it was pieced within a day or two (amazing!), quilted, bound, and ready to sparkle. I used a Spoonflower Heidi Kenny print, and a bunch of awesome OOP Cosmo Cricket Dear Mrs. Claus prints, plus a nice gold metallic dot for the background.

I really love it, and I kind of don't want to take it down. And as you can see, I'm using my Marcelle Medallion as a tree skirt (which the cats have thoroughly enjoyed). I used Jeni's clever Color Hex pattern, and just left off the borders (it makes a pretty generous 45" square as written). I think I'll keep this pattern in mind next time I need a baby gift! Okay, time to take the tree down..

Nothing but blues - (three years in the making)

It's true. When I checked the date that I started this English paper Piecing project, I was a little shocked. October 2013.

It has been a project with stops and starts, like any long-term project should (in my opinion). It gave me comfort during some difficult stretches, but has since been lingering. Crumpled. In my closet. So, when I was considering starting a new quilt for my sister's baby (yes! I will have a little nephew this fall!), this project popped into my head. As much as I love starting new things (and I even made a bundle for the new quilt), I decided that finishing this EPP project would be so satisfying.

I think it will make a lovely baby quilt, too.

It's got many fun prints and hues of blue.

A few WIPs

I haven't made an honest WIP list in several months, and I know the list is long these days. I'm okay with it, though. I know my interest in a project sometimes fades or needs to simmer, and that feels more natural than forcing myself to work on something when I don't want to do so. That being said, I've got three WIPs to share today.

The first is an oldie, started in October 2013. I call it my Nothing but Blues EPP project. I'm using 1.5" hexagons, and blue scraps. I'm trying not to use any repeats, and I've accrued quite a collection (many more bits than I've already used) from friends. It's always fun to pick up this project, and I've stitched together several bits in the last week. I don't know how big the quilt will be, but I guess I'll know it when I see it.

I started a new knitting project Friday night. I've really worked primarily on socks this year, and I felt the urge for a new project. I indulged. It's the Ulmus shawl, and it was in my queue for ages.

Lastly, entirely inspired by Charlotte, a new quilt project.

After seeing her finished Magic Stars quilt top on instagram, I NEEDED one. I'm using some of the same fabrics she used, and a few different ones, and the blocks are nearly done, just a week after starting. I'm excited to enjoy this one immediately, and it will make me think of my pal, Charlotte, so win win win.

FO: 1001 Peeps Mini

So, Deirdre, sister of Yarndude, and I have been blog friends for years. Like, I found a comment from her on this 2008 post, which in blog years, is forever
(side note: I love looking at older posts and seeing such improvement in my knitting and photography skills!).

So Deirdre and her husband moved a few months back, just across town. But she had some serious issues moving into her new place. Her great sense of humor made light of the situation.
My favorite tidbit she shared was the doorbell. Hilarious. So, as she was sharing her moving woes, I started thinking about some sort of housewarming gift.

Enter the 1001 Peeps mini.
Deirdre is learning to sew, and she's always so encouraging to me about my finished sewing projects (btw, she's an amazing knitter! AMAZING.). I knew she'd enjoy a little mini quilt to hang in her new place.

I started with some Lizzy House 1001 Peeps. By the way, I seriously love Lizzy House. She's awesome, and I may have nabbed one of her destash boxes last week.
I'm eagerly awaiting Outfoxed!

So, back to the mini. I pieced my little hexagons, and instead of piecing them together (mostly because I was still not feeling very confident on doing so), I decided to try something a little different.

I really liked how the hexagons looked with the quilter's linen, and decided to just randomly sew them onto squares.

I backed the quilt with a favorite Joel Dewberry print, the herringbone from Modern Meadow, and it's bound with a Tina Givens print (part of a giveaway from Erin last year!). I hand-stitched the back of the binding (I think I'm getting better at that!).

Deirdre emailed me that she received the mini last night, and I think she really likes it! So, yay!!

I'm entering this into Celebrate Color, in hopes of winning some Outfoxed!

Have a great weekend!!

Pouch Progress

I've started working on my pouch for the Pretty Little Pouch Swap.

I assembled this rainbow from the stash, which I think my partner liked very much! I decided this swap is a perfect excuse to try handsewing hexagons for the first time.

Hexagons are pretty addicting. I made this stack one evening this week while watching some Gilmore Girls. It's my ultimate comfort show.

I'm either going to use a linen or a gray fabric for the body of the pouch. I've got a few more weeks to finish up, so I'm right on track!