Tuesday, April 28, 2009

T.G.F.G.

Thank God For Geeks! Computer geeks, that is. Hubby and son, to be exact. They were able to bring my computer back from the point of no return. They even managed to save everything in the process too. Three cheers to my two computer geeks who come to the aid of their computer dummy wife & mother every time she runs into trouble. She knows that without them, her computer life would cease to exist. Thank you J & E. I could kiss your toes. Well, maybe not your toes, but you get what I'm trying to say, right? LOL

Soooo, I'm back and it feels great! I am in touch with the world once again. I felt a little lonely and isolated for a while. This just proves how much I've grown dependent on my computer and life just wouldn't be the same without it. But I'm back now and I am one happy camper.

I have had the opportunity to finish one of my hexagon projects, a really big bag to tote my projects around in. In honor of my newly found passion, I have named this bag The Spellbound Hexie Tote. I've added a sprinkling of folded button-topped yo-yo hexagons to mingle amongst the paper pieced hexagons for a bit of variety and visual interest. There are a total of 231 hexagons in this tote. This baby is big and roomy with four interior pockets to hold all the essentials. It is large enough to hold anything from quilting to crochet and I'm thrilled with it!

As you can see, there is a lot going on due to the hexagon piecing and to the number of fabrics that I've used so I wanted to keep the design very basic. I used black fabric everywhere possible in order not to fight the pretty watercolor mosaic look of the hexagons. There is a black gusset inset on both sides, something that I have never done before. The gusset has a rounded edge at the bottom and a gathered elastic edge on top. The handles taper from 1-inch where it meets the shoulder to 3-inches at the base. I wanted more support at the base because this bag will possibly be toting around some pretty weighty items and I wanted a strap that could support this.
So, one hexie project down, one more to go. Hmmm....maybe many more to go. We'll have to see.

A huge thank you to everyone who has sent me their thimble suggestions. I never knew that there were so many alternatives out there. Thanks a bunch!

Another big thank you to everyone who has supported me through the diet challenge and has sent me motivational thoughts and suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to write me. I just wish that I had a better progress report for you but the truth is that I don't. I'm right back where I started once again. I guess I'm just not as motivated as I need to be at this point. But.....I won't give up. Thank you everyone!

Have a wonderful day!

Aloha!

28 comments:

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Glad to have you back...missed you! Hurray for having sons that can fix our computers...and hairdresser daughters too! haha

I love the hexagon bag...You are so great at starting and actually finishing your projects. Kudos!

Stay Cozy, Carrie

Good attitude about the diet...oh well...it will happen in due time.

Kaye said...

Thanks for being so generous with your tutorials. I made your sweetheart flower pin and it came out great. I love the hexagon bag, but have to wait as I am making a T-shirt memory quilt for #3 Grandson who graduates in June and also on a row by row with 5 other quilters in my neighborhood group. In between I do wool felting as I Love that. I am making a penny rug for my Secret Sister at our Quilt Guild so am busy

Unknown said...

Hi Lettie, I just love your hexie bag! It is absolutely gorgeous. You should really belong to the Great hexagon Quilt Along 2 blog. If not, at least check it out. There is a badge on my sidebar which will take you right there. I hope you got my e-mail with all your computer problems. I received your package today, and wow, wow, wow! I am just in awe of your talent. I love everything that you sent to me. I am so glad I was one of the winners. Now I have something that is authentically you!! Thanks so much!

Sherry said...

Glad to see you up and working ahain Yes thats to all the Geeks out there without them where would we be. Great looking bag that you made.

PrimAngel said...

So glad you are back!!
Sure have missed you!
Your hexagon bag is GORGEOUS!
Aloha
Nanc

Béa said...

I love,love, love this bag ! Wonderful. Kiss from France

Suze said...

Glad to see you up and running again, thanks to the geeks. Love the hexagon bag! That would take me forever.

Kath said...

Such a lovley bag, I love the colours and big enough for any occasion. Glad you are on-line again, we missed your Blog! Kath in England

Tolentreasures said...

The bag is wonderful! I love the colors. Glad that you got your computer working, they sure can be frustrating sometimes
Cathy

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

I've missed your posts, Lettie! Glad you are back. The hexagon project turned out beautifully - like everything else you do.

crmanina said...

Great project Lettie! Will we see a tutorial or pattern-for-purchase for this in the future? Huh,huh,huh? (Super big HINT!)
Did you know there are a couple of hex project give aways taking place right now? One is here: http://1czyquiltersniche.blogspot.com/2009/04/inklingo-give-way.html

and the other is here: http://inklingoprojects.blogspot.com/2009/04/great-inklingo-give-away.html

I'm new to blogging and don't know how to properly get links into comments so you may have to copy and paste. Sorry about that. :)...Rae in San Diego

crafty diane said...

Glad you're back! I love the hexagon tote! I would never have thought of making a bag out of hexagons. I have sewn many a hexagon together by hand into flowers but that is all. You have opened up a whole new thought process on them! Thanks!
Have a Blessed Day,
Diane

sweetiepie said...

Lettie, I am so glad you are back online, thanks to your hubbie and son.

Your new hexagon bag is absolutely gorgeous. That had to take a long time to make! I don't think I would have had the patience to do it. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

I just looked down at the word verification and the word is... PROOPERD. I wonder where they find their words...lol.

Take care.

Karen from Sew Many Ways... said...

Hi Lettie,
Glad your computer problems are over and you're back to blogging. I just love, love, love this bag. The fabric are beautiful and the hexies are my absolute favorite.
~Karen~

Kelly J said...

Lettie...I've missed you so much. Just after I found you....you were gone :( but now here you are :)

I love the bag....it is a great combination and I have always loved the hexagons and paper piecing. Very nice indeed.

Smiles,
Kelly Jackson
http://IHaveANotion.blogspot.com

emy said...

Favolosa!!!
Bacioni!!!

Busym1 said...

Nice you are back. Love the bag! It's beautiul! hugs

Susan said...

Good to see you again.....

Wonderful tote. Of course my first instinct is to start one too. I never mentioned the finish word in that statement. I think I will be smart and finish up a project or two before I start something else. Even something as wonderful as your purse.

Tudy said...

So glad you are up and running again. I have missed your blogging.

My son is my Computer Geek. I love him dearly.

Stephanie D said...

Glad your probs are fixed and you're back! What a cute bag!

Erzebat said...

hiyall,
your hexie tote bag is STUNNING. I see the hexies have made a resurgence in the quilting world according to the blogs I have read recently. I may have to break down an do a few. I hear they are addictive....(mauh) Liz

suz said...

Your bag is wonderful - I love how you've mixed the 2 types of hexagons. I'm going to get a chance to meet Sue Daley from Australia at Quilt Market next month. She specializes in English paper piecing. I'd like to show her your bag, if you wouldn't mind. I'm sure she would really like it.

Annette said...

What a beautiful bag! A work of art. I love it.

Rose Marie said...

Wow ..... love that hexie bag!

Anonymous said...

I don't remember how I got here, but your sewing projects are impressive! I just got my first sewing machine for my birthday. Thanks for the inspiration. :)

Red Geranium Cottage said...

What a great bag. I love it.

Carrie P. said...

Yay, for geeks. You bag is just beautiful.

free indeed said...

Gorgeous hex bag! You are truely an artist, making things; designing them yourself. Great eye and ideas!