Christmas Table Runner

This table runner is from "Hexa Go-Go" by Tacha Bruecher. It required no outlay of money as I had all the fabrics in my stash. The hexies are fairly small, but you don't need thousands to make this project. Fewer than 100 if memory serves.

I love making hexies; they make a wonderful take along project that doesn't require a lot of preparation. They are go along with television watching - not too complicated. You can feel virtuous at having accomplished something while watching "Dancing with the Stars" or whatever your vice is as regards television.

I print my own paper pieces from lightweight card stock. There are good online sources if you need a large amount of pieces. Paperpieces.com has a very good selection, good customer service, and reasonable prices. English paper piecing does not restrict you to hexies, however. Another project in my work basket involves six-pointed stars. More on that soon.

Easy Street Progress

 I recently organized my fabrics in a closet refitted with shelves just for this reason. It has made it so much easier to see what I have and to access what I want. Above is the "before" picture. Here is the after:

All the shelves are now full. I am working feverishly  on Bonnie Hunter's "Easy Street" mystery quilt: http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/11/easy-street-monday-link-up-1.html. This is a scrap quilt and since I loved Bonnie's color choices, I am adhering to them as closely as I can. All the fabrics have been pulled from my stash. Having everything so accessible has really moved this project along. It is so effortless to select what I want from the stacks. So far I am also keeping it orderly.

This is week one of the mystery quilt "Easy Street" and I have made all of the 192 four-patch blocks needed. Most of them still need to be pressed, but they are at least sewn together!

This is going to look really great with the other colors in the quilt.

East Quilts West

For several years I have participated in the East Quilts West workshop held at my local quilt shop, Quilted Fox (www.quiltedfox.com). The class is led by the shop's owner, Louise Georgia. The blocks are based on the ones in Kumiko Sudo's book, "East Quilts West." Although the book is now out of print, copies can usually be found at online merchants that sell books. This is the block we are working on this month, Hinamatsuri or Girl's Festival.

I have been working the past several weeks on Barbara Brackman's Block of the Week, Grandmother's Choice. This is the latest block in the series, "Everybody's Favorite."

Starting Easy Street

I've made a start on Easy Street from Bonnie Hunter's blog. This is a mystery quilt. You can find details at www.quiltville.blogspot.com.  I am going with Bonnie's color selections and so far have been able to find the necessary fabrics from my stash.