Tips for BLISS Fabric Selection!

You asked for it - some tips for BLISS!

Firstly, I tried to include images of things I love in my quilt (hence the name, Bliss!). Bicycles, flowers, dogs, etc. I was open to ANY colors - no limits here for me!

The quilt is basically overlapping hexie flower units. I did try to make each unit cohesive by using color. For example, I decided one unit would have lots of green (see it in the upper right of the picture?). I went through my green stash looking for cool images and patterns.

I tried to include fussy cutting throughout the quilt - so I wanted fabrics that worked for this - look at the repeats on your fabric (how often the pattern repeats itself. I found it was helpful to buy quarter or half yards of fabric (not fat quarters) to get plenty of repeats of an image.

Throw in some solids! I used solid fabric here and there to give the eye a place to rest. I would coordinate the color to the unit on which I was working.

Black and white! I also placed graphic black and white prints here and there throughout the entire quilt. A bit of black and white pulled the variety of colors together.

For those newbies to my blog, the instructions to Bliss can be found in a tab at the top of the blog - Hexie Love is Now Free. You will need the Curved Hexagon Ruler to make the quilt. If you'd like to purchase one ($24.00 with free shipping to USA), email me with your Paypal email address- I'll be shipping them beginning January. You will also need 2" hexagon papers (2" per side!) - I no longer sell these.

The finished size of the quilt (without borders) will be 58" by 78".  Of course you could add borders as you like! This is a bit smaller than I'd originally planned, but is a great size I think.

I hope this helps as you begin your Bliss journey!

Yesterday was all about hand cutting. Fussy hand cutting. I cut out the next Farmer's Daughter block -  I love to fussy cut the pieces - there will be surprises throughout this quilt! Love the little dog face! (For those non-quilters who read my blog: 'fussy cutting' is cutting the fabric so an image or pattern is centered in the piece.)

And then I did LOTS of fussy cutting for the no-name hexie quilt. I even got some basting done on this.

Today is machine quilting day - let's see how much I can get done on Allietare. I would LOVE to finish the quilting this week, if at all possible.

Let's make it a great day!!!

Making Progress

Last night I finished another Farmer's Daughter block - I haven't pressed it yet...

And I finished up this section.

I also worked on machine quilting Allietare - slowly but surely - AND I cut the pieces for Clue 4 of En Provence. I'd call that a productive day!

Today I need to cut out another Farmer's Daughter block - I cut all these pieces by hand (scissors), individually. I also need to cut more fabric for the next round on this hexie piece. Lots of scissor cutting today!

I received MANY great quilt name ideas yesterday! Y'all are so creative! Keep it up!!!

And have a blessed day!

The Hive is Buzzing!

I made some progress yesterday on hexies. No, the title of the post is not the name of the quilt! I still haven't decided on one... still thinking on it. Keep the ideas coming! And I've decided to send out TWO prize rulers - one to the person who picks the best name and one to a random draw winner from all those who are sending name ideas. I plan to pick the winners on Christmas day. Feel free to send as many suggestions as you like!

Have you noticed the text fabric? This weekend I want to actually read it. I can tell that it is all about bees, but I'm not sure exactly what it says. Maybe that will also give some ideas about a quilt name? We'll see...

Yes, Hubby is back at playing golf. He took this spectacular hawk photo at the course - really cool!

Today is the first day of college football bowl games. Yes, we'll be watching football! I hope to machine quilt a bit - want to get Allietare moving forward a bit today. I need to wrap some presents. And I know I'll do some hand stitching.

Hope you have a happy day!

More Baskets Galore!

Yesterday was a HUGE day as far as baskets go. I just kept going and going and going! And guess what? I'm done! I've stitched down ALL the handles! So next week I'll move this quilt along to another step. I'm considering making some little nine patches to add to the mix...

Last night I worked on basting more hexies. I'm going for the black fabrics for this section. 

One of my kind readers let me know that there are more possible names for my quilts that I haven't seen! I get the comments via my email, and apparently some were a bit delayed in arriving. I assure you I have see them all now!

I listed them for Hubby yesterday as we drove to Montgomery and he came up with one of his own: Honey, I'm Home! So everyone is in on the act! 

Keep them coming! I still haven't made a decision!

(And in case you are wondering...Hubby was released to play golf! He is still not allowed to swim for one more week though...and I got compliments from the doctor for caring for his wound so well!)

Yesterday afternoon we noticed THREE deer just across the street from our home, feeding on tender rye grass. Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE living here?

Today is HEXIE day!!! So I will be basting and stitching and cutting more fabric - what fun! AND I still have fabric and pattern pieces covering the dining room table - I'm determined to cut out that dress today!!!!

Wishing you a wonderful day!!!

Name My Quilt!

Last night I finally began stitching the next Farmer's Daughter block. Stitching to Doc Martin - which has quickly become our favorite show. So funny! (We finished Foyle's War...)

Yes, I machine quilted yesterday. No, I didn't quite make my goal of finishing another quarter of the quilt. But since my schedule has me hand sewing today and tomorrow, I've left Allietare in place in the machine - so it's ready to stitch at a moment's notice. I'll probable get it caught up over the weekend, if not before. I didn't want to bore you with another picture of my meandering pattern...

Today is basket day! And doctor day! We're headed back to Montgomery for Hubby's follow up appointment for his skin cancer removal. So I'll pack up my basket blocks and take them along for the ride. And maybe later this afternoon I'll get that dress cut out - ready to get my dining room table back yet again. Fingers crossed that Hubby is released to golf again! And swim! I'll have to admit that during his two week period of inactivity I've been more inactive too - need to get back on my swimming schedule! I've only swum once this week. :(

On Naming My Hexagon Quilt:

Thanks for the suggestions! So far we have-

From Donna:
All A Buzz

From Val:
Bee Dance
Undulating Bees
The Path to the Hive is Always Full of Curves

From Glenda:
Curvaceous Bees

From SGB:
Honeycurves

From Angie:
Honeycomb Lace

All great ideas! Let's keep them coming! I can't say that one is jumping out to me just yet. I'd LOVE to have more names to pick from! Remember...someone will receive a free Curved Hexagon Ruler! Y'all are awesome!

Have a special day!

Dresdens and Hexies and a Deer!

Two Dresden Plates made yesterday! With two more in progress. As you can see, these aren't as perfect as the first one I made. That black line is not is a perfect circle. Ugh!

This one is a little better, but still a bit off. This is a result of my cutting, not my sewing. There is not a lot I can do about it at this point, other than ripping it all out - trimming some of the blades and resewing. Then I would need a larger circle to appliqué over the center.

I vote to leave it as is! And my vote is the only one that counts!

3 done...25 to go!

Last night I finished the star points on my curved hexie project. I'm happy now - so glad I remade these. Someone asked it I have a name for this quilt yet. NO! And I NEED one! 

Want to help a girl out? Here are the facts:

1. Made with my curved hexies

2. Using Bee Creative fabric line featuring bees and hives and honeycombs

Please send me your ideas! If I choose your quilt name, I'll send you a FREE Curved Hexagon ruler! Get your creative juices flowing!

And what is that under the hexies???? Oh dear...another new project? I have to confess - yes. I'm attempting to make myself a dress. We'll see how this works out. This will involve LOTS of hand sewing - it will be a slow going process. More about this later...

Yesterday as we left the house for a hike we had a deer sighting just across the street - always fun to see these beautiful creatures. Cooper never barks at the deer - he just reverently stares. What a sweet dog.

Today is another machine quilting day for me - more progress to be made on Allietare. And maybe I'll get that dress cut out? We'll see.

I've had a request for a post about fabric selection for Bliss - good idea! I'll work on that for the near future. At the rate I'm going on Allietare, I'll be ready to baste and begin quilting Bliss the week after Christmas! Unless I want to add a border...hmmmm...need to think about that. 

Christmas preparations around here are easy this year. I'm not making any Christmas cookies or cakes. I miss doing that, but we aren't eating them so there is no need to waste my time. I never got around to sending out Christmas cards either. I'm not Bah Humbug - it's just that this year was so filled with moving and a wedding and moving and a death and moving. We're relaxing and enjoying the season quietly. Just what we needed! The gifts have been purchased - just need to stick them in gift bags and call it done!

Don't forget to send my your ideas for naming my newest Curved Hexagon quilt!

And have a creative day!

Machine Quilting and Preserved Lemons!

The quilting went splendidly yesterday. I would estimate I am one fourth done with the quilt.

You might need to click on the photo to see it closer...but here's another shot. I'm getting more accustomed to my stitch regulator - I was correct...the key is to move the quilt slowly! Since I am allowing myself another day of machine quilting this week I'll be working on it again tomorrow. If I do the same next week I'll have it ready for binding by Christmas. Yay!

Last night I made the Preserved Lemons. This lemon was almost too big for the jar mouth! But in she went!

I have to shake or tip the jar a few times per day. They need to sit on the counter for 3 days and then I'll move them to the refrigerator. The lemons will be ready in 3 weeks after that. Don't they look pretty?

We hiked yesterday before the rain hit. Look at this pretty moss we spotted on the Crepe Myrtle trees in the neighborhood! Such a pretty color!

I did get my En Provence purple four patches pressed yesterday - a good activity while talking on the phone!

Today Gardenvale is up - I'll be sewing Dresden Plates! The rain will be back soon so it's a good day to stay in and stitch. Which is exactly what I'll do!

Best to you and yours today!