More Hexie Madness

 I had started this hexagon quilt just before we left, and it uses 1" hexies. I chose 1" as I am using a jelly roll and 1' has the least amount of waste as I cut the jelly rolls into 2.5" squares and then trim to hexagon shape.

 I prefer to stitch around the cardboard with this size as the backs of the hexagons lie flatter when they are stitched together. I prepared some hexagons while watching TV yesterday and they are waiting for me to make some more flowers.

 The pattern is Maggie Grace's Garden by Di Ford Hall and the book is a Quiltmain production. Di uses slightly smaller hexies but I wanted to use what I have from a previous hexie quilt project. I also have an Accuquilt die to cut more 1" hexies so they cut up quickly.

I started joining the hexies today and plan to work on some more very soon. They seem very large in comparison with my half inch hexie projects but they are still fun to work with. I chose the golden brown colour for the pathway between the flowers as there are small amounts of that colour on some of the fabrics.
Stay tuned!
Hugs, Jan Mac

A Box of Goodies

 I received this very large box of goodies this week and was very surprised to find that the box came all the way from Holland from my lovely friend, Marijke. It almost beat us home so it was a lovely surprise. Marijke sent 3 beautiful quilts to donate to children in need as well as five more tops and binding,which I'll get finished ASAP.

 Some children are going to love these quilts for their warm quilty hugs.

 I also love the pin holder, tissue cover and crocheted slippers as well as the fabric and napkins. You have spoilt me dear friend and Ray treasures the book you sent him. The weather is very cold and wet here so i'm off to snuggle in bed before I work tonight.
Hugs, Jan Mac

More Hexie Madness

 I have been making such good progress with my half inch hexagons on our travels that I have decided to also make an Insanity Quilt in 1930s reproduction fabrics. I will make the centres of the diamonds and flowers in Yellow and also use it for the two hexagon borders. Or at least that is the plan at the moment lol. I made 8 a couple of days ago in between working on the Insanity Quilt.

 While we traveled home I stitched neutral hexies together for the border. I made them into little flowers as this makes them easy to count and add to the border. I've also added more of the random coloured hexies to the border as well as making a few more diamonds.
So far my totals are: Diamonds 41 of 158 (369 hexies)
Flowers 13 of 64 (91hexies)
Red (border) 18 of 1068
Random coloured border 142 of 2012
Neutral 261 of 5389.
I have stitched 881 hexies of the 10,339 so it's a good start.
I don't count them until they are completely stitched and the paper removed so I have actually stitched a lot more hexies than it appears at the moment.

 I also finished off a crocheted blanket for the homeless as well as making cowboy chaps and a cowboy vest for a dress-up party for my DD and her partner.

 Now I'm off to bed before I start back at work tonight.
Hugs Jan Mac

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

 Unfortunately there are no longer quilts on display at the V&A Museum as they are now stored at Blythe House and you need to request any quilts you would like to see. However there are still many good reasons to visit the V&A if you are interested in textiles.  They have a room set aside for the works of William Morris as well as many more displays of textiles in the form of embroidered clothing, tapestries, as well as beaded items.

 A beaded basket.

 The embroidered clothing pieces were beautiful.

I enjoyed my two hours here while Ray visited the Science Museum nearby.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Sailing Ships.

 Ray loves ships and asked to see as many as possible on our trip so he was very happy when I planned a day's outing to see the Cutty Sark, which has a connection with Australia, being a clipper ship used to bring wool back to England. prior to that it was used for the Spice Trade between China and England. It's a beautifully restored ship and we really enjoyed our visit.

 We had also hoped to see Sir Francis Chichester's ship, The Gipsy Moth, in which he was the first man to sail around the world solo. Unfortunately when we arrived we found that it was bought by a private investor and is now at the Isle of Wight.

 I was very lucky to also find a replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship, The Golden Hind. It has been built to the specifications of the original and has sailed around the world many times.

Becuase we made time for sailing ships, I was also able to take some time to do some quilty things so we had a win-win.
Hugs, Jan Mac