World Wide Blog Hop

I've been nominated to participate in the World Wide Blog Hop by Jo of Explorations In Stitch. Jo writes that she likes to "explore stitch in all its variations. From Quilting and embroidery to mixed media and art dolls". She promises to share the techniques discovers, the books she reads and the artists who inspire her. I know that Jo is planning a tutorial on making coil baskets and that's something I'm itching to try!

Jo's coil baskets

The purpose of thus blog hop is to answer a few questions and then introduce readers to three blogs. What a great way to discover new blogs and perhaps pick up some helpful tips along the way. So here we go with my answers to the questions!

What am I working on?

I can't even begin to count the number of projects I've got on the go! They do say variety is the spice of life which means my life is VERY spice! Lately I seem to be spending more time working on hexagon quilts which I've been making for years. One such quilt is Lozagons. The centre medallion of roses is stitched and the remaining hexagons are in various stages of construction.

This is the centre of another hexagon quilt that is waiting in the wings. It needs a border and then it can be quilted!

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I'm not sure that it does differ but since I have to say something I guess it is the little details. I can spend a  little time on those details and it will take a block (or quilt) from pretty to extra pretty. Some of the techniques One of my favourite techniques is fussy cutting. This is the start of my centre hexagon from my Soupcon Quilt Along (you can find links to the instructions are under the tab Quilt Alongs by Karen H),

I like to add embellishments and surprises one of which is little grasshoppers. One grasshopper hidden in a block makes the quilt special for the recipient. I just tell him or her there is a grasshopper hidden somewhere! It doesn't have to be on the front - it could also be on the back.

I really like to add embroidery details too! Sometimes I just don't know when to stop because I'm having so much fun.

There's a Snail in Grandma's Flower Garden by Karen H

My machine quilting makes my work different from others because it reflects my aesthetic which is that "more", whether it is fussy cuts, hexagons, beads, embroidery or quilting, is always better! In addition I strongly dislike planning my quilting so I generally wing it and the quilting evolves as I go along!

Why do I write/create what I do?

I write/blog because I want to share what I do and how I do it with others. I create (quilts and other things) because I've got an overwhelming urge to do so. I just can't help myself and it has been that way all my life. I grew up in a home where we were encouraged to use our hands to create. It is now part of my DNA.

How does my creative process work?

In short it is sleep/routine and play!

For me the most important thing is having a routine. Sounds crazy but its true. I try to go to bed and get up at the same time in the morning. I get cleaned up, go for a walk to lubricate the joints and clear the head, have breakfast and then start my day of being creative! When my routine is disturbed I find it difficult to get into the creative mindset. During my morning walk ideas or solutions to problems will often come to me!

I often start of with a vague idea of what I want to do and I usually start with that basic idea for the focal point and work my way out. If it is a hexagon quilt I typically start in the centre as is the case with my quilt Hexagreens and Mom's Flowerbed.

Hexagreens by Karen H 2009

Mom's Flower Bed by Karen H 2011

The focal point for Owl at Night was the owl. Once I constructed her I worked my way around her and out.

My colour and value inspiration comes from the world around me but I find that playing with scraps of fabric is a great learning experience and it boosts creativity. I like to make 3" nine patches (or variations thereof) with my scraps. I find I learn a great deal about what works and what doesn't work in terms of colour and value and I end up with interesting combinations. Those nine patches can be turned into a great quilt!

Playing around with nine patches leads to creative design ideas. I made Piccadilly to the Nines and it started out playing with nine patches!

Enough about me! I would like to introduce you to three bloggers you may not know.

Missie of Traditional Primitives  Missie is a very talented quilt maker, designer and rug maker. She is currently working on her version of the King George coverlet and will have a pattern available in the near future. Missie's quilt combines English paper piecing and applique! Lucky me - I'm testing her pattern and I can assure you it is great fun! If you love things folksy, old timey or historic you'll enjoy Missie's blog!

Chantal of Ramblings of a Quilter  Chantal is a self taught quilter. Like me she enjoys English paper piecing but she also crochets and knits beautifully. On her banner you will see a hexagon pillow and she published a tutorial so you can make your own. I know that it is on my to do list! Chantal's blog is fresh and lively and loaded with colourful pictures all of which make for a lovely blog!

Lyn of Liniecat@Large  As you can probably guess from her name Lyn is a cat lover! But she is also a maker of all sorts of things from quilts to papier mache to knitting and of course quilts. One of the things I enjoy about Lyn's blog is her car boot sale finds which she recycles, reuses or repurposes. She is currently refinishing some great chairs. Earlier this year Lyn participated in the yarn bombing of Kingston upon Hull. She wrote several posts about the wonderful sea creatures that were created for this event. Lyn's blog is sure to put a smile on your face.

So there you have it! I hope you've enjoyed this post. Don't forgot Friday I will publish Block 12 in my Value Proposition Hexagon QAL. All of the previous patterns are available under the tab Quilt Alongs by Karen H.

Until I post again, enjoy whatever it is you do to make you happy!
Karen H

Lozagons

I've added another round to the centre medallion of my hexagon quilt. Below is a picture of the original quilt from Lorraine's blog Granny Loz. It consists of a medallion of roses surrounded by two different hexagon snowflake designs. I like to name my quilts because it helps me identify them on my blog but also it helps me keep the project organized when I work on it! For now my working name is Lozagons!

I've made the rose piece for the medallion. Last night I attached the next round which consists of of off-white hexagons with pinks in the corners. The next step is to make six strips of four pink hexagons that will be stitched between the corner pinks. They are cut and basted and ready for stitching.

If you look closely at the  quilt the large snowflakes they consist of a solid in the centre, a round of six hexagons cut from a print, a round of twelve hexagons cut from a solid. There are two more rounds but for now I need to cut a variety of solids. They will be my jumping off point and from there I'll start selecting prints to go with them.

Close-up of block from original quilt courtesy of GrannyLoz 

I've cut 2" strips from solids. I also have a pile of old fabrics that I bought at a yard sale. I might use some of them to give the quilt a vintage feel!

For now I will cut strips of solids and a few prints that I plan on using. From each strip I will cut hexagons. I'll need 12 solids per snowflake block and there are 26 of them in the quilt. I'll pull out my little bags, one for each snowflake and store the hexagons in each. It will make for a nice portable project that I can take with me when I am out and about! I've prepped a little sewing kit that consists of a snowflake block in a bag, needles, small scissors and basting thread. All of this is packed up in the lovely sewing kit that I received from Bunny!

I'm also working on testing a pattern for a fellow blogger, Missie of Traditional Primitives. Missie drew her inspiration for the pattern from a spectacular antique quilt. I'm getting the hang of her method and can't wait until I have permission to share the blocks and quilt with you! If you just can't wait be sure to visit Missie's July 19 post where you can get a sneak peek of some of the blocks. She is also running a little giveaway so be sure to enter!

Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H

Another Soupcon trunk show, some hints for Part 2 and Give Aways!

I am overwhelmed with what people are doing with Part 1 of their Soupcon quilts. Every day there are more new blocks posted on the Soupcon FLICKR Group and that is so exciting! I look at each block and think I know what I would do with this one when we get to Part 2!

So how about some hints for Part 2? I am going to help you flex your creative muscles and personalize the star or flower. You thought it was already unique....you are about to make it uniquer (I know, you can't be more unique than unique but maybe on Friday you'll be seeing it my way)! I know that some of you have mentioned that you have some "problems" with your block. We'll use those alleged problems as an opportunity to get creative with a few simple embellishments! I was reading about Hilda's Simon quilt. Here is a little teaser!

She made an "error" measuring the border fabric and ended up having to add some extra fabric. The result? A delicious little extra slice of print that makes her quilt just a little more intricate! You can read about it on her blog, Every Stitch. My point is when you make a mistake don't sweat it! Use it as an opportunity to get creative! For me that's how I get some of my best results! My Mom used her gaffs to good advantage in her Afrika quilt. You can read about how she turned a "killer" problem into a plus here.

There are a bunch of new blocks on the Soupcon FLICKR Group; here are Grace's blocks! I know Grace and she has never done anything like this before. She has done a fabulous job. I love the little blue birds....blue birds of happiness! And do you see the pink star coming out from the center?

This is another of Grace's blocks. So pretty and so much movement!

What a juicy, fussy cut bundle of colour! The fussy cut flower in the center really pops!

This is such a delicate lacy block and Grace has done a great job of fussy cutting!

ABrandieCreation has done something very interesting here; she has pieced the background. I love what she has done but it may present a problem in Part 3 BUT I am all about solutions so I will try to remember to offer an alternative for Brandie (Brandie if I forget to do this by all means please remind me).

Does this look like a spinning whirligig or what? Turquoise and brown are such a classic colour combination. I think the fussy cut center must be from the same fabric or the same line of fabric! This is a fun block for sure!

This block by ABrandieCreation is so different from the other two. It reminds me of old French porcelain. I love the ombre effect of the deep burgundy at the center. The polka dots are a perfect finish.

Missie of Traditional Primitives is a reader of my blog and she let me know that her work will be published in the Spring 2014 Issue of Primitive Quilts. The piece is called Bluebirds an Berries and it is gorgeous! I would love to see it as the centerpiece of a medallion quilt, surrounded by wonderful borders!

That is so exciting for her and what's exciting for us is that if you leave a comment you will be entered in a draw for a one year free subscription! Count me in for sure! Click here to read her post and be sure to leave a comment!

And speaking of giveaways, I will have a giveaway later this month! I'll provide details when we get closer to the date!

Until I post again, happy sewing!