For the past couple years, I've relied heavily on a little hand-stitching in the evenings to calm me down. Right now, the effort is going into some English paper piecing. I love the Fiskars hexagon punch (it's the extra large size) -- not only does it make perfect 1" hexagons but it also recycles those pesky reply cards that are enclosed in magazines and junk mail!
I found this special box during the Christmas close out sales and designated it for my EPP supplies.
I have been basting the 1" papers into a wide variety of green prints from my stash.
They are being used to create a "border" on a small piece I started last year that is inspired by Brigitte Giblin's wonderful work.
Since I can't bear to cut off the toile that falls "outside" the ring of floral hexies, I have designed a larger ring to add to the piece. It's all spread out on the library table in the living room where I do my hand stitching.
Every evening, I baste a few more hexies and then stitch some more to the green wreath. It's hard to put it down when it's time to go to bed but I'm calm and ready for sleep after my stitching time!
I'm joining in the WIP link-up over at Freshly Pieced -- Stephanie from Quarter Incher is the guest hostess and her quilts are so cheerful!!
And check out these two blogger link-ups for more hexie views!
and
What calms you down at the end of the day?
Mary Huey
your idea to use your punch and recycle the reply cards is awesome! great idea, mary. I love to epp in the evenings, too. if I don't fall asleep first. lol.
ReplyDeleteI'd love for you to link up your epp post with my monthly epp party, which happens to start this Saturday. if you do, i'll gladly feature your punch idea next month! hope to see you there.
Thanks for the invitation -- I'll take you up on that!
DeleteUsing a paper punch on junk mail is a great idea! Love the fussy cut bees.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachel -- I used bees in my first "flower garden" quilt -- only seemed appropriate and now here they are again!
DeleteHexagon punch....I'm going to have to look into one of those!!
ReplyDeleteI just got a start on working on hexagons, but they are great handwork to keep you busy.
Thanks for visiting, Marsha -- I found the punch at Michael's in the scrap booking section -- the large is 3/4" and the extra large is 1" -- that's the finished length of one side of the hexagon.
DeleteI love making "picture" quilts with hexagons. The fabric you're using is perfect and I think the idea of the second round of hexagons to preserve the fabric is terrific. I've never heard of the Fiskars punch and have a call in to Fiskars in Canada to see if they are available here! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHope you are able to get one -- it seems to be a scrapbooking tool.
DeleteSuch a beautiful project to have to work on! I love the Jane Austen-ish of it all!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, thoughts and prayers...
Jane Austen-ish -- nice thought!! I'm a huge fan of her writing -- have read Pride and Prejudice at least a dozen times.
DeleteI didn't know about the Fiskar Hexie punch. Might need to go shopping for sure....:) Thanks for the excuse!
ReplyDeleteLove all your hexies and it's very relaxing for me as well.
Always happy to provide an excuse to shop!!
DeleteThat is going to be one fabulous piece, Mary! And thanks for the heads up on the Fiskar hexie punch. Off to see if I can find one. We have a Michaels in our town. Thanks for linking to Hexie Weekend.
ReplyDeletethanks! almost done with that round of green -- not sure what is coming next -- have to go stash diving!
DeleteBeautiful! Great idea to use the magazine cards. I print my hexies on the computer on the back of papers the boys have brought home from school. A punch would certainly be faster, though.
ReplyDeleteI like the punch a lot but haven't tried it on lighter weight paper -- maybe I should?
DeleteOh my goodness, I just love your fabric selections! That ring of random florals is just so perfect. I love a little stitching time before bed, too, but of course I'll take it any time of the day!
ReplyDeleteAnd the best thing is that those hexies were left overs from a quilt I made my granddaughter last year -- there is a photo of it in a post from January -- http://maryhueyquilts.blogspot.com/2014/01/first-finish-for-2014.html#.UyECH6bD8dU
DeleteI agree that EPP is so relaxing in the evening! Using up the junk mail is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Lucy!
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