Saturday, February 11, 2017

Star Hexagons---slow stitching that's actually pretty fast

I actually love doing hand work.
I am not overly concerned with speedy projects or easy projects.

I love a clever project so sometimes I'm seduced by a new ruler that cuts the time in half. It's for the cleverness not the production value.

I'm not in the business of making thousands of quilts to sell.
I'm in the business of making.
 See the woman playing mandolin? This is a vintage Hoffman scrap, good to the last thread!

Making for the process of making is a good thing sometimes.
 Living with colors.
 For the surprises as pattern and color come together into something larger than either are alone.
 I used Jayne's link's pattern but enlarged it to 125% and taped the printed card stock together.
  Jayne at http://twiggyandopal  showed this project and I was in. A hexie and a star, as well as made with scraps! Yea!

Sewed the points to the hexie first.

Then inserted the backgrounds last.

a second purple star block in progress

This second purple star is undergoing the audition process, here with a pastel moda lavender.
http://nelliesniceties.blogspot.com Pattern source
Here with another black and white print.

  I find it very gratifying to pull out the basting and the papers that are surrounded by stitches, so now my finished blocks have  paper only on the outsides.


I enjoy how they can be moved around and have no earthly idea how I'll set them.
I do not want to lose the overall hexie shape but like how Jayne's create a circle of points.

I don't know where it's going, so I keep making more.

I am okay with that.

Let's see what happens.

I am taking part in so scrappy's Rainbow Scrap Challenge again. The color last month was purple and the color to use this month is Aqua. We choose our projects.
 Join us if you like... we're using our scraps!

41 comments:

easyweimaraner said...

that's great... and the centerpieces you picked are wonderful... BRAVO!

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

These are so intricate and lovely. I cannot do handwork so I appreciate others who can. I have tendinitis in both thumbs.
I like how you fussy cut the centers. really nice. mary in AZ

JustCallMeElle said...

So where did you find the EPP foundations for the points? Or did you draft them yourself?

LA Paylor said...

the above link to tiggy and opal blog should start your search for the free pattern!

PaintedThread said...

Neat pattern. I like those stars. And yes, I agree with the thought the fun is in the doing. The finish is great, too, but it's not the point.

Unknown said...

Two of my favorite colors! These hexagons stars are playful and fun!

Edith said...

These are beautiful, and I feel very Zen just reading about your process. I like the black and white prig with your purple star.

Tails Around the Ranch said...

Love the Hoffman scrap. Such gorgeous colors!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Those new blocks are TOTALLY cool!!!!!!!!!!!!

sonja said...

love your little stars!I love stars!! yet one more way to use up those bits and pieces and scraps of color and neato novelty fabrics based on your favorite things and colors, collected and seven makes a circle!

PaulaB quilts said...

I opened the links, saw the perfect flamingo and knew you are the only person who would have made this elegant beauty. I appreciate your thoughts on color, right to the heart of why we do this often with no "purpose".

Nell's Quilts said...

Love the mandolin player and the musical background fabric. These little hexagon stars are so cute.

gayle said...

These stars are certainly beautiful enough to make for their own sakes. Who needs a purpose? Enjoy the journey!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I, too, love trying something and making with no real purpose in mind. Your hexie stars are beautiful, and unique. I'm going to check out the link to Jayne's pattern because you've made me curious!

Jayne said...

Great idea on enlarging it! Love your stars...they are so happy and bright! You make me want to make more!

claudia said...

Oh. My. Goodness! Those Star Hexagons are delightful! I see these new things and I want to try them all. I wonder what ae I will have to live until, so I can try all the things I want to try! I'm going for it...
I like the idea that you enlarged it. Might as well see everything you have put into it and then the center hexagon stands out better.

claudia said...

AGE

Sara said...

Those are too cute! And finding those surprise little "scenes" in the centers - such fun!

Rajesh said...

Very interesting and creative design.

Kaja said...

These are gorgeous. So gorgeous I actually want to make some myself.

Norma Schlager said...

I love these little stars and your fabric choices make them even more special. How big are the stars?

Rachel said...

Very pretty! I love the fussy cut centers!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Wow, those are amazing.

Sally Trude said...

Oh, I am definitely intrigued. The star shape is quite dynamic and the center gives an area for play. But okay, mostly I'm a fool for flamingos.

Marie said...

Love those hexie stars. Thanks so much for the link to the pattern - I've seen them on Pinterest and now I have no excuse not to try them. I think I'll just hand sew them rather than EPP. They are just the sweetest things!

Quilter Kathy said...

I love this kind of project where you enjoy the process of making scrappy blocks and don't have an outcome in mind, but let the quilt evolve... enjoy!

Robin said...

I love these stars! They give me such an organic earthly impression. It's makes me feel part of nature. That's a good thing. Your choice for the centers is a little whimsical and fun. Wish you were my next door neighbor so I could tap some of your creative energy.

gpc said...

I love your mandolin player with music in the background, and the stars are wonderful! :)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

First thought was : WOW those star points! :) Stunning.

Preeti said...

darling fabrics, beautiful blocks and very impressive points!!!

Joanne said...

Hi LeeAnna!
Looks great!
Is there a valentine 2017 quilt this year? :)
Take care,
Joanne

Susan said...

These are really awesome - keep making more! Thank you for sharing these pretties on Midweek Makers

Reene@Nellie's Niceties said...

I love your version of my Hexiestars. Thanks for including the link to my templates. I love finding these around the internet :)

Puppilalla said...

These are very cute and remind me of sea critters. All hand made too, I salute your patience.

JanineMarie said...

I was so taken with Jayne's stars, but oh my, I love these, too, with prints and the detailed centers. I like where this is going--wherever that is. And I've always enjoyed your rainbow scrap projects. You make us all look at scraps/colors in a new way.

Miaismine said...

As usual, your work is stunning! I love it and your thoughts on creating. Such a relaxing, calm attitude. Thank you again for sharing!

Steffi said...

Sehr schön, gefällt mir unheimlich gut!

Rebecca Grace said...

Such lovely blocks! And I know what you mean about those scraps that are "good to the last thread." I have so many of those that make me wonder why oh why I didn't buy MORE of that fabric when I had the chance!

Gwyned Trefethen said...

I'm in love. What a fun pattern. Thanks for sending me down the rabbit hole, once more. Your fussy cut central hexagons are delightful. I love your attitude of creating for the shear joy of creating. Precisely how I feel.

Gosia @ Quilts My Way said...

Your stars are very cute! Great work!

Angie in SoCal said...

These are so beautiful.