HEXIE DESIGNS ON A PRISMATIC QUILT Posted on 8 Feb 22:47 , 0 comments

I knew, the minute I saw this quilt pattern I would have to make this pattern. Let me start by telling you this is a free project pattern that can be found at Make It Sew home of Cloud 9 Fabrics. The strips are wide and the blocks are large so this quilt top will go together really quickly. And the best part ... its a scrappy stash buster.                                                                                                                                                                                                           And so, while I'm waiting to get the time for some cutting and sewing I find myself at the computer design screen playing with curves and shapes and making marks. Do you see that hexie hiding in there among all those triangles? I am a HUGE fan of hexie. I always have a (or several) hexie projects going all at once using the English Paper Piecing method. My project tins, baskets, and bags make great "take-alongs" when I know I'll have time where I need to be responsible for entertaining myself. 

Soooo ... I was really hooked ... my fingers were itching and my mouse was twitching ... when those hexies popped out on the top for me. Here's what I came up with:

I designed the Diamond Kiss patterns years ago when I was working with a 4-patch 60 degree diamond patchwork pattern. When I saw the 60 degree diamonds again here with this pattern I knew what I had to do. And, 1694 KISSES came to life. I love the swirly motion in the hexie block and the curvy lines lead your eye back and forth across this quilt top as you are led to discover something new every time you stop for a minute and just "enjoy the view."

Here's what my quilt will look like ... except I will most likely be working down my 30's reproduction stash ...

And you can have fun dreaming and playing as you think about making your own prismatic quilt. Just grab your markers or your crayons and go here for a free download of the Kisses Coloring Sheet.

PS: Hey, if you do decided to play with the hexies on a Prismatic (or any other quilt) send me photos or tag me on instagram. (@kayoft) I always love checking out your projects and seeing what's on your sewing table today.

QUILT IT OR COLOR IT Posted on 21 Jan 14:02 , 0 comments

You've seen them every where. They are all the rage, and quite frankly, pretty cool. I'm talking about the ADULT COLORING books on the market. Much to my surprise I've found them to provide quite an enjoyable activity for my mother-in-law when she stays with us. She loves her baggie of markers, pencils and crayons and has finished almost all the pages in the first book I got for her. And that got me thinking ... why not ... how about creating pages for her to color that were more personal and connected to the work I'm doing.

To that end, the QUILT IT OR COLOR IT series was born. I've been going back through my design mock-up files, cleaning them up and am now offering them for FREE as coloring pages that can be downloaded and provide you, a family member, or a friend with relaxing, stress-reducing creative time.

Enjoy the first two pages in this series and let me know how it goes for you with this fun creative outlet - whether quilting or coloring. I'd love to see your artful creations. (Click on the image for the free coloring page download.)