Saturday, March 8, 2008

Pincushions and Hexagons

I love pincushions! I used to participate in pincushion swaps on a list years ago (don't even remember the name of the list). My collection is put away for now but I'll get it out and take some pictures later...I received some adorable pincushions! Anyway, Blueberry Lane is having a giveaway of Lynette Andersons out of print pincushion book. She's asking everyone to share a picture of their favorite/most used pincushion and leave a comment on her or Lynette's blog. Lynette also has a cute new Noah's Ark BOM free stitchery posted. So hop on over and check it out!


In the meantime, here is a picture of the two that I use most often. Both are wrist style pincushions but I hardly ever wear them. Instead the larger one sits on or next to Bernie for catching pins when machine piecing. It was a gift from Melinda when I took a Blooming Nine Patch class that she taught at Tiny Stitches. I should put up a picture of that top too! It's still just a top, I don't want to hand quilt it with so many seams so I need to have it quilted or brave machine quilting myself on Bernie...can't decide.

The little one I bought at Hancock's (I think) and I use it when hand piecing. It's just too cute!


I also got a treat in the mail this week. This copy of Australian Patchwork and Quilting with the Insanity Quilt! You know how I love hexagons so I fell in love with this quilt and a new blogger friend Lissa sent me a copy, along with some yummy chocolate of course! I'm not going to start on this quilt yet. I need to make some decisions on colors first. Do I use 30s prints with white? I have a ton of them! Do I do it in Civil War repros? Lissa's idea... Or do I do it in controlled scrappy? Maybe blues and lavender? Red and green? Blue and yellow? ARGH! So I think I need to let this one marinate a while in my head while I decide. That's okay, it's not like I don't have anything else to do!


10 comments:

Lissa Jane said...

Glad I could help!
that quilt is very aptly named.. if you aren't insane when you start, you'll definately be there when you are done!

take care!

Lissa

Nancy said...

I'm curious about how the Insanity Quilt is made, especially the diamond-shaped designs. Is the background all hexagons too or are the hexagon designs appliqued onto a solid background? What is the length of one side of the hexagons? I was working on my Grandmother's Flower Garden using the plastic hexagons on the bus tour. By the time we got back on the bus from our 3rd stop 3 ladies around me had bought out Sweet Home's supply of plastic hexagons and another lady had shown us how she does hers, which was a bit different from the way I do mine. Now I'm curious to see other designs using hexagons.

Lynette Anderson said...

I need to get that patchwork and Quilting book, apparently that quilt is amazing.

Unknown said...

I've started the "Insanity" quilt.

Lissa jane 'helped' with mine too...

maybe we could get a support group up for those of us who 'do' hexagons........

...and I even LIKE those half inch size, bigger poiecing is starting to feel clumsy!

Cathi said...

That Insanity Quilt is tempting! And you know with Inklingo it would be easy to do -- and so much fun! I'm tempted to do that one too -- think I'd use .75" hexagons for it.

Zegi said...

OOooo that does look crazy fun. I would vote for the 30s prints myself but I'll be satisfied to watch your progress in whatever fabrics you choose!

Lea said...

Oh, Debbie, You have such a cute pincushions! I love your little one.*S*
and Oh, my, the insanity quilt looks so beautiful. I love hexagons!

Debbi said...

Love. love, love the look of that insanity quilt and have to do it...I think I'm insane! It would be a great hand project. What issue is that P&Q? Debbi

Debbi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Redgate Quilting said...

Hi just wondering if you started the Insanity quilt as l am doing it and its 3/4 done Thanks Marlene