THIS MONTH - ENGLISH PAPER PIECING - MARCH MINI MADNESS ISLAND BATIK AMBASSADORS

                                   

The Ambassadors were asked to do a paper pieced project or English paper piecing.  I originally did a paper piece but decided to save that one.

Then I remembered I had an English friend in Missouri that taught a few of us how to quilt using English Paper piecing.

She taught using squares but since my piece this month is hexagons, we will go in that direction.

This is how she taught me.

                                                   First she said to save all cereal boxes.

 Then trace your hexagon pattern onto the cardboard.  I only drew three here but back then I used the whole cereal box.  I saved cereal boxes until I was blue.  Infact, I did a king size quilt, unfortunately I do not have the top or even a picture of it.  Then you cut them all out...yep....lots of work.  Now a days you can just order you cardboard hexies.

Then we used masking tape and just taped the underneath.  The only tape I had on hand was the 1/4" tape but you get the idea.  No basting here.

This is what it looks like on the other side.

                                          Now I will show you how I do it 15 years later.

Got out my trusty Accuquilt Go Cutter,  # 55011 Hexagon die, and Freezer paper.  I chose the  3" hexagon.   EASY....you can still order you some hexies online.

Then I chose the fabric I wanted from this awesome Island Batik rolls.  Can I just say that it was hard to decide.

Once the fabric was chosen,  I cut  3 1/2" squares.

With the shiny side facing you start ironing down the sides.

                                  Work your way around the hexie like so.  No basting needed

                                                                        all finished

                  Put one hexie (in this case it is purple) face side to the pink and do a running stitch.

terrible picture, sorry.

Once all of the outside hexies are sewn onto the middle hexie, sew the side seams.  I took out the freezer paper in the middle so it would fold nicely so I could stitch up the side.

 Finished!!!!!   There are tons of tutorials on how to do hexies and English piecing but this is how I do it.

the back side.

Here is my finished project.

After I finished my first hexie I thought...hummmm  I wonder if anything would change if I just took the freezer paper out after I iron the paper to the hexies and just glue the underneath down.

It worked...and what is even better, you can reuse your freezer hexies. 

I see some more of these in my future.

Island Batik is always generous and encourage their ambassadors to be as well so

the cozy is going to the assisted living my mother lives in, they have an auction about every six months.  I am not a pink or purple person as far as home decor goes but maybe one of the lovely ladies might want it?

Here are some amazing designers as Island Batik Ambassadors, do visit their sites this month and see what March madness they came up with.

Nan from Purrfect Spots Designs
Turid from Den Syende Himmel
Stephanie from Quilt’n Party
Pamela from Pamela Quilts
Anna from Ark Angel Creations
Kathy from Kathy’s Kwilts and More
Jessica from Desert Bloom Quilting
Connie from Freemotion by the River
Kate from Seams Like a Dream
Sharon from Yellow Cat Quilt Designs
Tina from Quilting Affection Designs
Jennifer from The Inquiring Quilter
Barb from Bejeweled Quilts
Sally from Sally’s Quilting Corner
Jeanette from Inch Worm Fabrics
Connie from Kauffman Designs
Joan from Moosestash Quilting
Bernadine from Needle and Foot
Bea from Beaquilter
Cheryl from Cheryl Lynch Quilts
Maryellen from Mary Mack’s Blog
Joyce from Hearts Creations
Marlene from Kissed Quilts
Karen from The Quilt Rambler
Marian from Seams to be Sew
Laura from Slice of Pi Quilts
Linda from Inspired Layers
Vicki from Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting
Nancy from Masterpiece Quilting
Carol from FunThreads Designs
Terri from Meanderings Along Lizard Creek
Alison from Little Bunny Quilts
Suzy from Adventurous Applique and Quilting
Jean-Sophie from Sophie Junction
Janet from Whispers of Yore

FURRY FRIDAYS

Island Batik is sponsoring a "Furry Fridays" on specific Island Batik Ambassador's blogs for seven weeks. " Furry Fridays is to help the Petfinder Foundation adopt out cats and dogs in shelters across the U.S. This week Petfinder Foundation is highlighting two animals that are looking for their forever home." Each Friday for the next seven weeks, we will share pictures of shelter pets that need a home. Now they may not be in your area, however, if you are looking for a pet, you can go to the Petfinder.com page, put in your area code plus what type of pet you want and you will find a listing of all the pets needing homes in or near your area. I have taken exerts from several blogs just so you know that I plagiarized begging their forgiveness.

I apologize for not posting last week bloggers:


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Www.kathyskwiltsandmore.blogspot.com

www.desertbloomquilting.com/blog/

www.conniekresin.com

www.seamslikeadream.com

www.yellowcatquiltdesigns.com

This weeks bloggers are:

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www.funthreads.blogspot.com

www.inquiringquilter.com

www.bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com

www.sallysquiltingcorner.blogspot.com

www.inchwormfabrics.blogspot.com

My daughter in law, Laura, has a rescue dog.  I remember when she first brought him around we had to pin him up in my husbands office building.  One time she let him loose and he totally destroyed my husband's monitor and keyboard.  Needless to say he was not a happy camper.  Then a few months later she brings him around again and he is so well behaved, shows you what a lot of love can do for a dog (or animal).

This month the Island Batik Ambassadors made pet quilts for the animal shelters in their area or like myself I sent mine out.  You can go here for more information.

So here are two pets this week that are looking for their forever home.

Tucker

https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/37668153
Nine-week-old fluffball Tucker might not hear perfectly, and his head tilts to the side on occasion, but we think that only makes him cuter. This happy, cuddly guy is available at Wine Country Animal Lovers in Calistoga, CA.
Penny
https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/36916522
At 25 lbs., there's lots to love about Penny -- literally! This sweet tabby girl has peacefully coexisted with both cats and dogs, and now she's waiting for her very own human diet buddy at Animal Haven in New York City.

Thank you Island Batik for sponsoring the Furry Fridays!!!

A big Shout out to The  Quilting Magazine for supplying the animals each week.

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TREASURE SHOPPING - Antique quilt squares

Today I was driving by the local antique shop (junk shop) and saw some benches so I decided to stop.

Didn't buy the benches but get a load of these quilt squares....

There are 24 of them.   Only cost me five dollars.  There was no price tag so the owner of the store tried to call the lady but no answer.  So I left my name and number.

While doing so the lady who owns these squares came in.  Can you believe that?

What luck!!!!

We asked her how much and she kinda scrunched up her face and said....five dollars like that would be too much!!!  I was willing to pay  more but she said she just wanted to get rid of them.  So no, I was not taking advantage of her, (had a comment telling me I was taking advantage of her)

These fabrics are really old, I am guessing around the 1930's with just one square with some age spots.

Can I say SCORE????

Aren't these glasses just the cat's meow???

I had to decide whether I should sneak these glasses in the house or just fess up to it.

Those of you who have read my blog know that I love love love dishes.

Can't get enough of them.

I decided to just come out with it.

Picture this.....my husband comes through the door as I am washing them.

I give a faint smile like the cat who ate the canary.

My husband just smirks and rolls his eyes like you have got to be kidding me.

He is really thinking

are you nutzzzzzzz

I can only agree with him.   I will say that I did give a nice set of dishes to my newest daughter in law, so I am thinning things out...HA!!!!! HA!!!!

FURRY FRIDAYS

Island Batik is sponsoring a "Furry Fridays" on specific Island Batik Ambassador's blogs for seven weeks. " Furry Fridays is to help the Petfinder Foundation adopt out cats and dogs in shelters across the U.S. This week Petfinder Foundation is highlighting two animals that are looking for their forever home." Each Friday for the next seven weeks, we will share pictures of shelter pets that need a home. Now they may not be in your area, however, if you are looking for a pet, you can go to the Petfinder.com page, put in your area code plus what type of pet you want and you will find a listing of all the pets needing homes in or near your area. I have taken exerts from several blogs just so you know that I plagiarized begging their forgiveness.

 This week go to:
www.purrfectspots.blogspot.com
www.densyendehimmel.blogspot.no
www.quiltnparty.com
www.pamelaquilts.blogspot.com
www.arkangelcreations.blogspot.com

BOWL COZY (POTHOLDER) MACHINE

I am definitely a bowl cozy (potholder) machine, I am making these puppies like no one's business.

I was told to call them cozy's instead of potholder because you can not use these for taking things out of the oven, for the microwave only.

Right now there are 24 of these, I think I will make six more.  No, I am not selling them...it is a surprise.....so shhhhhhhh  secret!!

If you are interested in my fast easy way to make these, go here:

This truly is a faster way than what I have seen.  If you do try it, let me know.  Actually it makes it kinda fun.

For the last few years I have been a bad blogger, with taking care of my mother and her many ER episodes and hospital stays, grandson, and my own health issues I just have put reading of blogs on the back burner......if you do comment, I will be sure to come by and visit you.  I miss hearing about everyone but sometimes LIFE gets in the way.