New Hexie Tool

I found a new tool for cutting out hexagon templates for English paper piecing. From Fiskars, it's the Extra Large Easy Squeeze Punch in the Hexagon shape.

This cuts out perfect 1" templates. Each template measures 1" along each edge and 2 1/2" across the middle.

I purchased it from Joann's with my 40% coupon so it was around $11. I had to call 3 different Joann stores before I found one who had it in stock - so call before you go. Fiskars sells it on their website as well for full retail plus shipping. They make 4 different sizes from small to extra-large. 

I used it with my freezer paper and found that it will accommodate 3 layers of the paper. You can do 4 layers but it takes more muscle. 

This size template works perfectly with any 2 1/2" precut.

I hope you found this useful, I was so thrilled when I discovered this nifty new tool.

Smiles, Diane

Summer Fun

Pizza and mini golf...one of our family's summer traditions

Girls against the boys...we girls won, but only because my daughter had the lowest score!

Finished up the night with ice-cream cones

I love summer nights :)

I hope you are enjoying summer fun too

Smiles, Diane

A Prince Is Born!

Congratulations To William and Kate

Welcome to his Royal Highness the Prince of Cambridge

Best Wishes to the Royal Family

Hexie Update

Today I spent my time printing hexie templates and cutting them out. I chose the blue fabric for my connecting petals. It's sort of a periwinkle blue but when I saw it at the store I fell in love with polka dots and just knew it was the 'IT' fabric.

I used my traditional method of making hexie templates by printing them on freezer paper run through my printer using the grid supplied by http://moxyideas.com/ I only had 3 paper jams <insert sarcastic tone here> but I'll chalk that up to the high humidity here in NJ right now.

So while Audie Murphy battled in the Phillippines on the Fox Movie Channel I contentedly cut out my templates. Soon I'll be able to start stitching...
Hopefully, by Sunday I'll be able to move outdoors again but for now the temps are just too high with a heat index of 105! Yikes, can't drink hot coffee outside in that kind of weather...lol

In between my hexies I've been doing a little knitting and crocheting too. Ahhh, life is good :)

Thanks for sharing some crafty time with me. I hope you've been able to get some craft time in too :)

Smiles, Diane

P.S. - there's no sign of Mr. Fly anywhere

Fly Bys

Ack! There is a fly in my house! He (or she) shows up at the most inopportune times buzzing around my head...then disappears...where did it go and what is it up to? Makes me think of this book from my childhood...

 I promise to be back with some crafty goodness in a bit...right now I am on the hunt...

Smiles, Diane

The Hexies Are Finished...Almost

 I finished sewing all the pink fabrics together and now my little hexies are finished. All of them have different fabrics for each petal....except one! The very last one I made has 2 of the same fabrics...I was like "how did I let that happen?" Oh well, I was not ripping a hexie apart to fix my oversight . I've heard the Amish purposefully make a mistake in their work as only God is perfect...no worries here about that...I don't think I've ever made a project that doesn't have at least one "happy accident"!

Now to decide on the finish for these little hexies. When I started the project I planned on appliqueing them onto squares and alternating between hexie squares and plain squares - maybe using some of my vintage sheet fabrics. Now, after seeing them though and looking at some of the lovely pictures on Pinterest and Flickr I've decided to add more hexies in between using a mix of pale blues as a border. So now I'll have to see what I have in my stash...which is ALWAYS fun...or I'll have to purchase some new fabrics....which is even more fun...lol. Either way it's a win win for me. 

And now I get to sew more hexies, which I just love doing. First I need to make more freezer paper templates and I found a tute here that I think I may try
http://cadouri-din-inima.blogspot.ro/2013/01/tips-for-cutting-hexagon-templates.html

I'll let ya know how it goes. Let me know what you're working on and thanks for spending some time sharing crafts with me <3

Smiles, Diane 

...here's my recent purchase from Erica over at the Golden Egg Vintage blog...

She wrapped everything up so beautifully in the red polka dot paper and even included the flashcards and hankerchief as extra goodies...wasn't that sweet of her?

There's oodles of vintage lace for me to play with and an old school book and then of course the
beautiful tin bread box....

What a treat to open on a rainy day here in New Jersey :)

I'll use the lace for crafting and the book will be added to my collection of vintage readers...and the 
bread box will be used for storage or display...I haven't decided about that yet :)

Thanks again to Erica <3

Smiles, Diane

Pink Hexies

 ...it's been so hot and humid here in New Jersey so I've been sewing up little hexies while enjoying the air conditioning inside. These measure 3/4" along the edge and I'm making them using the English paper piecing method. Handstitching them is so enjoyable, I just relish each step of the process.

I like to use freezer paper templates that I print out using my inkjet printer. 
I even enjoy the busy work of cutting each individual template out before ironing them onto the fabric.

I purchased precut 2" squares from either Ebay or Etsy quite awhile ago and the 3/4" hexies work perfectly for this size. The fabrics are an assortment of different shades and patterns of pink. From my stash I found the blue ticking material that I'm using for the centers.

In total I had enough little squares to make 30 hexies. The fabric selection for each petal is completely random - I just reach into the bowl without looking and whatever comes out is what gets added to the flower :) I do make an exception if I pull out 2 of the same petals, then I mix them up and try again. While I'm working on these I have all sorts of other projects whirling through my head...different size hexies and different fabric combinations. I'm sure you know the feeling!

What are you working on during these early summer days?

I hope you are having as much fun as I am. Thanks so much for sharing some crafty moments with me <3

Smiles, Diane