Tutorial Round Up: Variations on Hexagons

It's no secret hexagons (sometimes lovingly called "hexies") are HUGE in our industry right now. Sewers and crafters a like cannot seems to get enough of these six-sided beauties - and I'm no exception. Paper pieced or 1/4" pieced, hexagons offer sewers many project options - large and small - as seen in the free tutorials listed below. Enjoy!

Sexy Hexy Quilt by Amy Butler

Hex Jeans by Sew, Mama, Sew!

Hexagon Decor by Craft Stylish

Hexagon Quilt by Bad Skirt

Sew and Flip Hexagon Topper by Jaybird Quilts

Half Hexagon Quilt Tutorial by Magikquilterdesigns

Sneak Peak - Scrappy Mug Rug Swap

Hi! It's been a while. This week was a little busy for us with the election. Now things seem to be getting back to normal - so it's only slightly crazy around here rather than excessively crazy! ;-)

I had just enough time this week to get a decent start on a mug rug for my secret partner in the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap going on right now on Flickr.

As you can see, I'm playing around with layering Dresden Plates. I got the idea from a You Tube video created by the Missouri Quilt Company where they made an adorable turkey table topper and wall hanging using this technique.

The key is to start with your outer ring at length A and then the next (Ring B) should be about 1" shorter than Ring A.

I plan to send a little time sewing this weekend and hope to knock out this project plus work on another Christmas gift table topper project where I'm losely following the Courthouse Square pattern, as diagramed below from the About.com website.

Hope you're having a productive sewing weekend. Just seven weekends left until Christmas!

Episode 17: Itch to Stitch

Life
Swap 'Til You Drop Flickr Group
Pillow Talk {Swap} Flickr Group
Scrappy Mug Rug Swap Flickr Group
Houston International Quilt Festival

What I'm Working On
Patchwork curtains out of Amy Butler LOVE
Lampshade Applique from Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings
Portobello Pixie Ruffle Pants Pattern
Amy Butler Birdie Sling Pattern
Designer Mystery Block of the Month - Block Five
Miss Rosie Quilts
Helena Baby Sweater
Hat out of Mirasol Yarn
Socks out of Regia Hand Dyed Effect

Bad Stitches Happen To Good People: Ghastly gussets

The Stash Report
49.5 baseline
+1.25 courtoroy
-1 Ruffle Pants
-2.5 Patchwork Curtains
=47.25 yards

Book Review: Joel Dewberry's Sewn Spaces

Knitting Review:
Debbie Bliss Simple Baby Knits
Knit Picks Options Needles
Knit Picks Swift and Ball Winder
Knitting Daily
Interweave Knits magazine
Knit Simple magazine
Debbie Bliss Sun Hat
Debbie Bliss Leaf Cushion
Debbie Bliss magazine
Malabrigo
Never Not Knitting
Susan B. Anderson
Ysolda Teague

This Little Piggy is Sorry She Stayed Home...

Oh, all the wonderful goodies coming out of the Houston International Quilt Market 2010. Many of the blog writers I read are their posting eye candy.

Pat Sloan who we know and love from her Creative Talk Radio show/podcast.

The Last Piece who is blogging and Tweeting from market.

Amy's Creative Side where you can view the Blogger's Quilt Festival information. I think I might participate in this. What about you?

Since I can't be at market, I'm going to find little slices of time this weekend to make my sewing space feel more like some of the incredible booths at market and put some stitches in my UFOs. How are you going to celebrate quilt market this weekend?

Talk with you tomorrow on the podcast - talking a little knitting this episode! :-)

Tutorial Round Up: Coasters and Mug Rugs

Have you noticed the mug-rug and coaster craze in the quilting community? . I sure have - and feeling the itch to stitch my way into the fun! (There are even a Flickr group - My Morning Cup  and Scrappy Mug Rug Swap - dedicated to the topic.) Here are a few cuties I've stumbled upon.

 Bound Edge Drinks Coaster Tutorial by Flossie Tea Cakes

Pieced Center String Block Coasters by Miss Print

Crazy Quilting Paper Pieced Scrap Coaster Tutorial by Patchy Apple

"Seize the Day" Coaster Tutorial by Saltwater Kids

Feel free to post links to your tutorials or others you've found on the topic in the comments section. Happy sewing!

Drama, Drama

Hi. My name is Sarah. And I'm certifiably overwhelmed. In fact, so much so that I just spent about 5 minutes staring at a blank blog form, mind racing about what there is to do this week. 5k run on Tuesday... Several doctors appointments at various times/days... Halloween... Halloween parties... Halloween treat bags... Charity event on Thursday night... Networking breakfast... Meetings to lead... Website updates... Deadlines... Laundry... Check in on grandma... What the heck are we going to eat for dinner... Can't. Take. Any. More!

When am I supposed to sew? sleep? sit quietly with a book? spend a few minutes with a friend? When did life get like this?

Okay - enough complaining. You don't read this blog to hear about my drama. You read it to see what I'm up to in quilt-land. On with the show...

I finished a pair of Portobello Pixie ruffle pants for Olivia today out of Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet line. She absolutely refused to model them - so you're getting the ole' hanger shot. :-)

This pattern is so awesome - I will make these pants for her again and again. They're so easy, taking about two hours from cut to top-stitch. Highly recommend for the wee ones in your life.

Mom and I went to Jo-Ann's today where I purchased 1.25 yds of dark blue corduroy and 1 yard of lace trim.

Plans are not nailed down for these yet - but I have a couple ideas in mind, one of which is this cute camera bag.

Finally, here is a sneak-peak at my finished curtains. Just need hubby to hang the curtain rod for me - and then will take a finished photo!

Okay, my dear friends, have a lovely week. Bracing myself for a crazy one... for now, I'm going to curl up with my knitting and have a few minutes of peace before turning in for the night - a few stolen moments of solitude.

Too Tired for a Clever Title

Here's a run down on what I've been working on this week...

These socks are incredibly addicting to knit. The subtle color changes keep me wanting to do "just one more row." The yarn, Regia Hand-Dye Effect, is delightful to work with. It's soft (not super, squishy soft - but pleasant), yet it also has structure.

Bekah's Charm Quilt out of Hunky Dory by Chez Moi for Moda is finished! Washed, dryed, crinkly, and cozy. One more item checked off my Christmas sewing list!

Here is a Birdie Sling bag I cut out this weekend - also a Christmas gift. The Birdie Sling bag is one of my favorite Amy Butler patterns ever. I've made at least 3 of them - maybe more? The pattern is simple to follow and a great beginner project.

And here is  a photo of how I keep projects in progress somewhat organized. My husband made a gift-wrap holder several years ago. The gift wrap is in the closet as this proved to be far more handy for sewing - like many things in our house. :-)

Finally, I was very excited to read that Denyse Schmidt is coming out with a new line of fabric! It's called Greenfield Hill. You can read more about it on her website, where I found this sneak-peak image. Beautiful patterns and colors!

Back to this busy week. Talk to you soon!