Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Ornament #5

And with that, I believe I've reached the end of the 2012 "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Ornament" Series! Previous installments in the series live here, here, here, and here. I really really enjoy the brainstorming and the mad crafting marathons that never fail to ensue my decisions to do these series. Making ornaments is probably one of my favourite activities in the whole wide world wide web. I hope you've shared in my fun. I'm so touched by your kind attention and all your lovely comments. They certainly do warm this girl's cockles (which, by the way, is a very good thing)!

♥M

P.S. Almost forgot... You can download free printable hexagon grid paper right HERE. Terribly handy! I used a hexagon size of 0.3 inches, just so you know.

Enough.

One vat of sweat.

3 sore fingers.

15 hexagons per day (on average).

138 consecutive days.

2061 hexagons.

That's enough 3/4" hexies to complete the quilt top.

Can anyone say: "Eep"?!

♥M

Hexa Go-Go Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! 

Thanks for joining in!

Just a tiny addendum to yesterday's Hexa Go-Go review post...

I've been given the chance to GIVE AWAY a copy of Tacha Bruecher's book Hexa Go-Go at the conclusion of the blog book tour! Yippee! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. One comment will be drawn absolutely randomly on September 21st. The winner will be contacted via email.

NOTE: If you live in the U.S. you will receive a hard-copy book. If you live outside of the U.S. you will receive the e-book version.

Best of luck to you!

♥M

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! 
Thanks for joining in!

Book Review: Hexa Go-Go by Tacha Bruecher

Cover of "Hexa Go-Go" by Tacha Bruecher

DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of Tacha Bruecher's Hexa Go-Go for review. The above opinions and statements are my own. All photos were used with permission.

If you've been keeping an eye on my crafty little adventures you know that for the last wee while I've been engaged in some serious hexagon-ning... I believe the tally is now at 1725 hexagons... phewf!  That said, I feel somewhat qualified today to take part in the review tour of Tacha Bruecher's new offering Hexa Go-Go, a book all about working and playing and sewing with hexagons.

First, some basics. Hexa Go-Go contains 16 new and contemporary hexagon-themed sewing and quilting projects over 162 pages. Each project is broken down into a materials list, cutting instructions, and construction and finishing details. Full-colour photography and many many explanatory diagrams fill the book's pages. Words of wisdom are sprinkled throughout in the form of handy tip bubbles.

"Over The Rainbow Quilt" by Tacha Bruecher

The book's main idea is this, I think: "You don't need to make an entire grandmother's flower garden quilt to be a hexagon quilter." Over and over, the author takes the beloved hexagon unit and combines it with other popular trends in quilting for fresh angles on this old favourite. Notice my use of the word "combines". That is the operative word here. No project in this book is ALL hexagons. In other words, you may not have to dedicate years of your life to make any of them. I mean, you could if you wanted to. But you don't have to.

"Sunday Brunch Placemats" by Tacha Bruecher

Tacha Bruecher takes the time to explain in detail the English paper piecing technique for hand-making hexagons, which is truly handy. But more to the point, she plays with all sorts of ways to mix hexies into her designs. Her projects include hexagons organized into rosettes, stars, and diamonds, among others. She then uses these as building blocks in her creative quilting and sewing. What's nice for the beginner too, is that the book includes some easy and non-quilt projects. Case in point, and one of my favourite projects, is the smart Sunday Brunch placemats seen above. Another fave is the string-block-and-hexagon-rosette combo in this Cat Tails quilt pictured below (and on the cover too).

"Cat Tails Quilt" by Tacha Bruecher

As someone who's hands are at their happiest making stuff, my one selfish criticism of the book is this: I would have liked one or two additional smaller home projects. Otherwise, it is a lovely book containing some truly inspired ideas!

♥M

Be sure to check out future stops on the Hexa Go-Go blog tour:

14 Sep 2012: Fat Quarter Shop
17 Sep 2012: Comfort Stitching
19 Sep 2012: Quilt Dad
21 Sep 2012: Oh Fransson

Mod Podged Hexie-Making Kit

Since I lug it about hither and thither, high and low, and everywhere I go, the hexagon-quilt-in-progress-paraphernalia needed its own little carrying case.

I made one out of junk mail and an empty ice cream bucket. I cut the junk mail into hexies before mod podging them onto the bucket. It had to match the quilt, eh? Not a question.

And speaking of which:

~ Hexagon quilt coming along famously.
~ A little over half-way there.
~ Approximately 1000 more hexies left.
~ Working working.
~ Bit by itty bit.
~ Every day for 68 days now.
~ Very pleased with progress.
~ Tunnel in sight but no light yet.

♥M

Previous posts about this hexagon quilt:  here and here and here

Other hexagon projects: here.

Hexcellent Headband PDF Tutorial in The Shop!

Yay, as promised, the Hexcellent Headband Tutorial is now available as a PDF download in the shop!

I thought I'd do something a little different and upload a little taste - screenshot above - of what a customer gets when they purchase the PDF Tutorial. See? It's a very pretty document containing a supplies list, step-by-step instructions, full colour photography, live links, and to top it all off, a printer-friendly version!

I get a lot of satisfaction pulling each PDF tutorial together for the shop. So many different skills come into play: design, crafting, photography, layout, writing, editing, patience, late-night snacking... I truly enjoy the process but it pretty much amazes me how much time, raw emotion and chocolate chip cookies go into each one, truth be told. But seeing that finished PDF on screen... well that is, in two words: FREAKING SWEET! And makes it all worth it.

So, if you missed this particular tutorial during the 7-day "get-it-while-it's-free" stage, let me tell you a little more about it now. The tutorial is a 6-page downloadable document that shows you how to make this cute hexagon headband from some small fabric scraps, interfacing, and a widely available standard elastic headband. It requires access to a computer and printer, but otherwise no special tools are needed. You'll use only scissors, a marker, straight pins, and needle and thread. With guidance, an older child (10 years and up) could make it.

Once again, the Hexcellent Headband Tutorial is available here.

You have yourself a fine day. Me? I'm feeling rather peckish...

♥M

Tutorial: Hexcellent Headband

EDITED TO ADD:

As stated below: As of June 5th, 2012, the tutorial is now in The Shop and additional information is blogged here. Thanks.

'Tis Tuesday.

And yes. My hexagonal foray continues. I'm severely smitten. But you know that already eh? This time I hopped on a six-sided tangent and look where it got me... To the land of cute headbands!

See, it's a kind of adorable, and even a little bit retro, headband! Because everyone needs a rainbow for their head. Right?

You have a lovely day now, won't you?

♥M

Please Note: 
This tutorial will be posted here for free for 7 days, after which time it will be available as a PDF in The Shop. Thanks so much!


EDITED TO ADD:
As stated above: As of June 5th, 2012, the above tutorial is now in The Shop and additional information is blogged here!