Monday 15 May 2017

Flowers and Hexagons

 My latest english paper pieced project is a hexie quilt, as i mentioned a couple of posts ago, using lots of blue fabrics..............
 ................when i began this project was thinking of making lots of hexagon flowers and joining them all together with white hexagons in between.......then i decided to make a larger central medallion with rings of blue hexagons interspersed with rings of white.......
 ............i will use the hexagon flowers for the border.........
 ...............i bought some more blue fabrics after a little browse online.......
 ..............these are from the wonderful pretty fabrics and trims.............
 ................i do love my hand sewing projects even though i have grown to love machine piecing now as well..... these  hexies are a pleasure to sew......the first patchwork i ever did was using hexies.....
 ..................below is a picture of the next round of scrappy blue hexies being auditioned....i think i have been inspired by the big trip around the world quilt which i have just finished (and which is in the pile to go to the long arm quilter right now)......
 .............i am calling this new hexie quilt my bluebell quilt........the bluebells have been amazing this year and are only just coming to an end ..............here's a jar full in my potting shed last week......
 ...............we had the most glorious sunny warm weather all week and my husband took a day off so we could go and enjoy the beautiful gardens at dunham massey......here are a few pictures of the blooms and blossoms there...........the bluebell woods were filled with scent and birdsong and the spring flowering shrubs and masses of tulips were a joy to see.............
 ...................below is a little picture taken outside my potting shed last week...........
 ...............i feel very lucky to work at home so on lovely days i can sometimes take my crafting into the garden.....here is my project in june's issue of crafts beautiful magazine......a card for father's day (or suitable for a birthday) with a jaunty nautical theme........
 ..................this week i am making a felt project (top secret for now!!)...and chain piecing my two four patch quilts....and adding more hexies to my bluebell quilt......so i'd better get on then......
................thank you for dropping by lovely readers, and for your kind comments which i always love to read.......wishing you all a wonderful week ahead with happy crafty times.......back soon xxxxxxxx
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29 comments:

  1. KC'sCourt!15 May 2017 at 11:48

    Whilst I was a away last week I found a wonderful patchwork shop and treated myself to some patchwork templates. Cannot wait to start my new project.

    Julie xxxxxxx

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  2. Jacky H15 May 2017 at 12:31

    I love you hexagon quilt there's something very satisfying doing them.
    Your colour choice as usual is lovely so fresh. Thanks for a look into your world Helen.

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  3. greenrabbitdesigns15 May 2017 at 12:59

    Your bluebell quilt (wonderful name by the way) is fabulous Helen....I love how you 'audition' the fabrics!! :) Just love that little lighthouse too....no such thing as too much blue in my book!
    Gorgeous images of your flowers, garden and outing too...sadly not so sunny this week so far!!
    Have a lovely crafting week,
    V x

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  4. Kate15 May 2017 at 13:05

    I always enjoy my visits with you Helen. Your bluebell quilt is simply charming. k

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  5. mynestofyarnandbuttons15 May 2017 at 13:12

    Hi dear Helen, such an exquisite bluebell quilt. What a lovely combinations of fabrics and in hexies too! Can't get enough of all your flowers and photos! Happy Monday❤️💐🌷xoxoRobin

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  6. Pom Pom15 May 2017 at 13:50

    Is paper piecing simply using templates instead of rotary cutting?
    Your hexies are very cute!

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  7. Mylittlepieceofengland15 May 2017 at 14:09

    What fabric you always choose, I love your little hexies xx

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  8. Mickie15 May 2017 at 14:51

    Helen,
    What a sweet bluebell quilt, and the name is perfect for it. I am anxious to see how you finish it. Will it be a continuous circle, or will you square it up? I keep saying I will try EPP once again, but just haven't done so yet. Love your color choice and fabrics as always.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Mickie, Indiana USA

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  9. Christine B15 May 2017 at 15:26

    The bluebells certainly have been glorious this year and they are such a fabulous colour! Your beautiful post has brightened my day as it always does! Have a lovely week! Christine x

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  10. Rhona15 May 2017 at 18:45

    Your fabrics are always wonderful, Helen! Love the design in Crafts Beautiful....so pretty!

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  11. Salty Pumpkin Studio15 May 2017 at 19:52

    Fun and charming quilt!

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  12. Jane15 May 2017 at 21:24

    Your bluebell quilt is looking beautiful Helen and yes haven't the bluebells been glorious this year. I'm so glad you and Mr P got a day out...the weather last week was perfect for a trip out. Enjoy crafting outside when you can and have a lovely week xxx

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  13. Gracie Saylor16 May 2017 at 00:35

    While I have yet to try a pieced project, I continue to enjoy viewing yours which tempt me to want to try a pieced project. However, the current bee in my bonnet is urging me to make a sampler similar to my mom's sampler, that I showed you several posts ago. To that end, I primed my pump by reading what Alicia Paulson had to say about embroidery in one of her books, but I have been studying your directions in "Quick and Clever Cross Stitch"! I can not thank you enough for your clear directions and your inspiring examples, Helen. I started out by plotting the pattern on the graph paper in my traveler's art journal. Now I have copied off the graph paper you printed in your book and need to transfer the pattern to it. My sister measured mom's piece and I just measured the frame like hers that I bought. It is a bit smaller so I will need to adjust for that. My mom's piece is done on linen, but I have 14 count cotton Aida cloth I think I will use if my calculations deem that possible. I am so curious about my mom's choice of colored thread. She just used brown and blue...about 92 years ago! I know that available colors were different years ago, but I am keen on using a different color palette...not sure what yet :) xxxxxxx

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  14. Lorrie16 May 2017 at 04:07

    Hexagons are rather addictive, but I find they take a long time to get anywhere. Yours are so pretty and I like the expanding rounds.

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  15. Blondie's Journal16 May 2017 at 05:38

    Another beautiful quilt, Helen! The patterns and colors always enchant me.

    The bits and pieces i've seen of your potting shed are making me curious. Have you posted anything of the inside? I'd love to see more. And a big BRAVO on the feature in the magazine. I suspect we don't get it here. I didn't know you made cards. Of course I'm loving anything and everything nautical as we decorate our lake cottage once again!! My sister Nancy is quite good making cards, it's been a passion for several years. She has a blog called Stamp For Les (blogspot.com), dedicated to our late sister, Leslie, who also was a great card artist and featured in a few magazines. You might want to pay a visit, she'd be thrilled.

    Hugs,

    Jane x

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  16. handmade by amalia16 May 2017 at 05:57

    I love the many shades of blue.
    Amalia
    xo

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  17. Jenny of Elefantz16 May 2017 at 06:28

    Loving the progress peek of your Bluebell quilt! And in blue, my favourite colour. xx

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  18. Teresa Kasner16 May 2017 at 06:49

    Oh how I love your lighthouse cross stitch! I adore lighthouses. Your hex design quilt is growing beautifully! I enjoyed all your floral beauty in this post. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  19. Claireabelle16 May 2017 at 10:24

    Hi Helen, such lovely shades of blue. I am making a hexie quilt too & every so often I lay it out on our bed to see how its coming along! I have used vintage Laura Ashley, Cath Kidston, Tilda & some others whose designers I don't know! I love your quilt posts & other sewing, your choice of colours is always very satisfying. Thank you for all the photos, I await each weeek to see what you're up to. Such a busy lady & so kind to let us have a peek into your world. Take care love Claire xx

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  20. Annerose16 May 2017 at 12:35

    Hallo Helen,
    das gibt ein wunderschöner Quilt. Die Farben sind so erfrischend.
    Viel Spaß dabei und liebe Grüße Annerose

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  21. FlashinScissors16 May 2017 at 14:11

    Beautiful photos, Helen! You've just reminded me that I have some hexies to finish from last year ..... I was stitching them for The Splendid Sampler ..... now I've finished my Mini Travel Sewing Kit I have just the right kit to carry the teeny hexagons!
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Barbara x
    http://theflashingscissors.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/finish-it-up-friday-post-full-of-minis.html

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  22. Sam I Am......16 May 2017 at 16:55

    I want to make a bluebell quilt now! I do love me some hexies too. Yours is gorgeous and your blooms rival those in the gardens you visit. Your lighthouse card is precious and I wish I could 'craft all day' but alas this house is a major upkeep along with the yard! I need a gardener and a housekeeper and maybe a private chef too. LOL! When I wear out though I sit down and get a bit of handwork in...it's like reading...I have to do it daily. Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations inside and out.

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  23. pens and needles16 May 2017 at 17:57

    Hexagons are one of my favorite forms of patchwork, too! I don't paper piece but do the old-fashioned, set-in seam method. Sometimes if I haven't made a hexie project in a while, I just feel the urge to cut some out and sew. Not sure why they are so satisfying but they are! I wish I had your color sense -- your bluebell quilt is amazing and beautiful!

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  24. Cindy17 May 2017 at 15:01

    Love your bluebell hexies! It makes me want to do some hexagon stitching but I have to finish so many Wips! Have a wonderful week!

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  25. ~Lavender Dreamer~18 May 2017 at 17:01

    I mentioned you on my blog today! I'm showing off my new book! I love it! Hugs, Diane

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  26. Jo18 May 2017 at 17:25

    We have had great bluebells by us, it is hard not to be inspired by that colour I think. Jo x

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  27. my4lilgirls20 May 2017 at 08:20

    Hi Helen what a pleasure it is reading your posts. The quilt is going to be so lovely. I'm so jealous of your garden, mine just never looks that good 🙄🙄🙄
    Have a lovely day
    Karen x

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  28. my4lilgirls20 May 2017 at 08:20

    Hi Helen what a pleasure it is reading your posts. The quilt is going to be so lovely. I'm so jealous of your garden, mine just never looks that good 🙄🙄🙄
    Have a lovely day
    Karen x

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  29. Pat's Patch21 May 2017 at 21:06

    Your bluebell hexie quilt fabrics are so lovely and fresh looking. The bluebells have been stars this year, now making way for all the promise of your gorgeous early summer blooms. Beautiful photos as ever, thank you Helen.XOXO

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Thank you for your lovely words...I so enjoy your comments and read them all.