Hexagons Galore

Tonight I bring you a whole bunch of hexagons.

This is my collection so far.  I swapped for the ones on the right, in sets for making flowers.  The others on the left are what I've made while watching Twin Peaks over the past few weeks.

Needless to say I got a little distracted with the show and wasn't very productive...

I got some good mail today though, more hexagon materials and some fabric for two other charm swaps.  The melon solid and polka dot on the bottom are for the matchy polka dot swap, and the two other fabrics are for the Sherbet colors charm swap.  I Instagramed this so the colors aren't very true to life.

This time I'm using 1 1/4 inch pieces to make hexagons for Chelsea for two of the bees that I'm in.  I whipped up a bunch watching Twin Peaks tonight and now just  need to piece them together.

 I think I like this size better than the 1 " pieces.  That 1/4 inch really adds up.  Chelsea's going to have a beautiful bunch of hexagons from everyone.

 I love this elephant.  He's from one of the Birch organic collections.  Great color and the fabric feels so good.  I am hoarding all my Birch fabrics and waiting for just the right project for them...

And these cute girls were from a layer cake swap.  I cut it into 5" charms and then used one to make this 3" square for the hexagon. 

I also got to do a bee block that had some handstitching.  This block is for the June Books and Blocks Bee Too.

I like this version of the pinwheel better than most.  mainly because most pinwheels make me thing immediately of swastikas and that's just not good.  The circle in the middle, and having the whole pinwheel inset into the block here softens the unfriendly look that most pinwheels have for me.

The middle circle is appliqued in place so that's where the stitching came in.  I wanted to secure it a bit more so I put some fusible stuff (can't remember it's real name right now) under it and then stitched it down.  Hopefully it will be durable.

Linking up this post with Katie at There and Back.  If you haven't already you should check out the other posts in the Handmade Parade this week!  And get out some of your handwork so you can share your projects too!

TGIF again?

I honestly can't believe how fast this week has gone by.  It's been odd as we haven't been extremely busy...it just went...too fast.


I didn't get much handwork done this week but I do want to show off someone else's, and show you what I DID get done this week (I'll do better next week, promise!!).

I got my key fobs made for my partner in the RATZ swap (Rapid And Tiny Zakka) and I was surprised that these also weren't as scary as I thought.  I hope my partner likes them!

Then wait 'till you see the key fobs I got in this swap!  These are from Marika (check out her blog here) and they showed up yesterday.  They're pretty amazing.  She really did wonderfully and I had a hard time keeping my kids away from this elephant!! Yes, it has a button eye on BOTH sides and can you see the handstitched flower on it too?!!  Kill me.  It's too great isn't it!

I finished up my project for the Modern She Made swap and got it mailed yesterday!  Here's a couple peeks.  I did do some hand stitching on this that I think turned out pretty well.  This was my first time using embroidery floss to hand quilt something so it was also a chance to learn some things-thanks for all your helpful needle advice too!!

 I love this ribbon.  I got it in another swap and have been keeping my eyes open to try to find more like it and haven't yet.  If anyone knows where I could find more of this let me know!! So cute. It might just be my favorite part!

And there's the whole thing!  It's a mini-quilt and a set of 10 napkins... I included some extras that I hope my partner will like and be able to use in future projects :)

And finally I was able to do a little bit of hand sewing for myself (sorry, didn't get a picture).  My husband and I have been getting the TV show "Twin Peaks" on Netflix and so we stayed up way too late watching it last night.  The show was too crazy to look away from so I only got a few hexagons made, but every little bit helps right?!

Has anyone else watched that show before?  If you like Psych, you'll probably find it funny and ridiculous and maybe a tiny bit awesome.  Maybe.  It also creeps me out a bit so we had to catch up on Modern Family after it was over so I wouldn't have nightmares...don't tell anyone...I am easily creeped out...

Be sure to head over to Katie at There and Back to see what everyone is working on in the Handmade Parade!!!

I can do one stitch pretty well...

...but that's about it.

When my new blogging friend Katie of There and Back told me about her new Friday linky party The Handmade Parade (awesome idea) I was excited to be able to see all the great projects she would come up with, and all the great projects all you other talented people are working on.  Seriously there is a whole lot of skill I've seen with a needle and thread that I just drool over!!

I think this will be fun for me in the goal category.  See, I know how to hand-quilt, I recently learned how to do Hexagons, and I own a book about embroidery...that's about it!  I haven't learned any fancy stitches but that's what I like about this online community.  I can get ideas and resources from all of you!!

I thought I'd share what I do have that I've stitched myself, because recently (this week) I have been doing a little handwork!

I made this pouch for a friend's birthday on Monday and hand appliqued the hexagons to the front.

This wasn't too challenging for me, though I did once forget to take out the paper from the hexagons until it was a tad late, so it was a good learning process for next time.  I love the texture and dimensions they added to the pouch and will probably be making another one of these soon for myself :)

I'm also participating in the Modern She Made swap over on flickr and have been working on something for my partner.  I don't want to show too much of it to keep a little bit of a surprise for them but I've added some hand stitching to it and I really like the way it looks.

I used DMC floss for this and I tell you what....I HATE threading needles with this stuff.  If there was someone who would thread needles for me I'd hand stitch a couch.  Really.  Anyone have tips on threading needles?

That's what I've got to show off this week :) Be sure to head over to Katie's and see what everyone's got going!  It's pretty amazing...you will be VERY inspired!

(if you're looking for my 50th post giveaway you can find that here - open until Sunday night)

P.S. I am absolutely loving hearing all your favorite things!  You are all so sweet, I really appreciate your comments and kindness.  Brings a smile to my face every time!  Thank you!