hex and gon

My most recent finished work.... I think it might be my favorite thing I have made in a while. Lime green is my favorite color, and this is just a perfect combination of that, and Liberty of London fabric. I am very pleased with how this turned out. 

From the top...

close up... I love this Liberty Fabric! Oh and its up on etsy! http://www.etsy.com/shop/anaslayers

fabrics and findings

If you know me, you know that I love Halloween more than any other holiday! I spend just as much time decorating and getting ready for it as most people do for Christmas. I know its overwhelming and irritating to go to stores and see Halloween and Christmas stuff out in July, however when it comes to handmade things, one must prepare and start early.... or it never gets done. Which is usually what happens with the "handmade Christmas cards" I keep saying I will make, or holiday place settings.... the list goes on and on... I usually just make other stuff because holiday crafts seem a bit silly, especially with the brilliant selection of things out there in vintage, antique and craft stores. 

Well this year is different, I tell myself! I am going to make something for Halloween! The details are not worked out but here are a few of the materials. All of this got kicked into gear because I found a website that carries COFFIN paper pieces!!! It is the same company that makes the hexagons shapes that I use. I buy most of my quilting supplies here in Richmond at Quilting Adventures, the staff there is wonderful and they will order almost anything for you. So I put in my order and a few days later was off to pick up my coffins! I can't wait to play with this, that's exactly what it is: PLAY! 

I got this fabric a few weeks ago and was instantly in love, it is called the Ghastlies, by Alexander Henry. I think this guy will fit nicely into a coffin....

I might have to use some of these skeletons too...

Or these skeletons, and flies... See while I do not always make holiday craft-things I have collected enough fabric to make lots of craft-things. 

 

And while I am sharing some of my fabric stash... I love this Alice and Wonderland, Japanese fabric I just got.  

a giggle...

A friend of mine sent me this link and it made me laugh out loud literally!
http://www.regretsy.com/

sewing frenzy

 

I have been on a sewing frenzy the past week, well all summer actually... Here is the latest pin-cushion, I love these fabrics together, it is vintage Venice fabric, and one of my favorite Japanese fabrics of Paris. 

I pieced these scraps together years ago, and have had the piece of fabric laying around for a while now. Finally made some use of it and made a pillow for my studio. I had some awful pillows in here, for my chairs and decided to donate them and make myself one that suits my space. I love the tiny pieces of some of my favorite fabrics, its a good way to hang onto a little memory. 

Hexagon addictions have continued... This is an 18 inch by 18 inch pillow that I made using Aneela Hoey fabric. I love the sweetness of the prints and wanted to use a technique that would not take away from that. The hexagons capture the tiny stories in their small frames. 

Just added some things to etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/anaslayers

bookworms... and inspiration

"Little stitches" by Aneela Hoey and "Zakka Style" compiled by Rahida Coleman-Hale 

I went to my front door this morning to discover that the books that I had pre-ordered were sitting there. I love it when that happens that you get yourself a little treat and it magically appears after you forgot you ordered it. After reading the blog of Aneela Hoey for a while now I had to have her new book. Her patterns and ideas are sweet, fun, and remind me of being a child.... when things were more simple and innocent. You can check out her blog right here: http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/. The other book is Zakka Style, this book has been popping up everywhere so I decided it was time to try the Zakka way. Which basically means small projects, which has been my way of working lately. 

Later this afternoon I had another knock on my door and it was the Fedex guy, it was like an early birthday today or something... My new sketchbook came in the mail, full of thick, clean, hand deckled pages, isn't she lovely... It is from Rag and Bone Bindery, I love their products! I was introduced to them in high school when I worked at an art supply store and ever since there isn't a hand bound book that compares. They actually hand bind each book, album, or anything else you can order, and add the fabric of your choosing. I have had sketchbooks of all kinds but my favorites have been Rag and Bone, and from now on I think that I will use only theirs. The size is perfect, and the pages are a thick cotton paper. Beauty.

Found this while cleaning last night... Forgot I even owned it, but so glad I re-acquainted myself with this gem from the 70's if you can get over the crazy colors and silly outfits, this is a great reference to refer to and has some interesting techniques and uses for applique in it. 

Love this page, and look its more HEXAGONS!

Oh, and can't forget the LOG CABINS!

never

"It is never too late, to be what you might have been.." - forgot who said this but it is so beautifully put.

inspired

Sometimes a weekend away, away from the noise, the movement, and everyday life, can be just what you need to gain some inspired thoughts. That's just what I did this weekend. My sister gave S and I tickets to Mumford and Son's this weekend and off to Bristol, VA the three of us went. We drove six hours through the Appalachian mountains and ended in this little town that separated Tennessee and Virginia, you can literally have a foot in each state. I am sure the locals enjoyed watching all the visitors  taking photos and going between the state line down the middle of the street... 

There are even little markers in the middle of the street. 

The most beautiful concert tickets I have ever had, so artistic, and such a close attention to detail. 

There were rubber stamps throughout the festival for stamping the back of the tickets.

Fabric flags were hung everywhere...

Catarina, me, and Sandra

Attention to detail, everywhere we looked.

Tea was setup in the middle of the woods.

This piano was set up in the middle of the pool by the main stage.

I was impressed with the attention to detail that took over the whole town. Mumford and Son's got together their favorite bands and the seven of them put this festival on. The whole town was taken over, and embellished with flags, country themes, mason jars filled with candles, antiques, and well thought out tasteful centerpieces. It was a lovely time, brilliant music and an awakening of senses.

So many people, fun had by all.

The Blue Ridge Mountains. 

hexagons unite!

I finally stopped making hexagons, long enough to actually piece some together.

There is something about the process of the paper piecing that is calming, soothing, and allows me to think. Its my version of therapy, I have always found that working with my hands is more soothing anyhow. 

I am in love with the Liberty prints and the un-organized appearance of the hexagons above. 

The bright remnants of Anna Marie Horner fabric I had laying in my scrap bin.

And of course the best use of the small Japanese prints that I have fallen in love with lately. This "Paris" fabric is one of those Japanese fabrics I have fallen for. Between organic cotton and the Japanese prints I have been acquiring a nice collection of them to make small projects like this. They also lend themselves to projects for children and small pieces to a larger whole. 

Two of these pin cushions are for sale on etsy, http://www.etsy.com/shop/anaslayers

Enjoy!

garden inspirations

A small view into why my garden has been such a source of inspiration for me.... Family of woodpeckers living in one of my trees.

And also to let you know I have posted these on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/anaslayers 

addicted...

 It is official...

 I have a problem... it's called paper piecing, hexagons...

In one week I have made almost 400, 3/4 inch... and just cut more out this morning... 

I justify this behavior, by telling myself it is how one works out OCD tendencies, way better than therapy! I have been wanting to do this for years, and have put it off because the circle quilt I made a couple years ago was such a consuming huge project. I think these go a lot faster though, the paper helps keep it going. It is also a great use for leftover scraps, and I love the way Liberty fabrics and the cute Japanese prints look on these. 

So enough justifying on the hexagons, what am I going to make now, that I have a couple hundred of mis-matched hexagon shapes... Well for starters a gift for a friend of mine, I will show a finished project. I also have plans for 3 other small projects, where I will break up all the fabric choices that I used for these. Can't wait to share the progress report... back to hexagon making, while watching the Olympics! 

wait... If I use Liberty fabrics while watching the Olympics, that is sort of like supporting the Olympics themselves, it is London after all! Feeling much better now that I made that justification.