Fabric, Fun, and the Fourth

On Friday I got to meet up with Terri (Sew Fantastic) and Heather (a la mode fabric) for shopping at Fabric Depot and then lunch.  We met at FD, and I was the first to arrive.  The first thing I did was check to see if they had any more hexagon papers in, and they finally did -- but not in the size I was looking for.  So, I went straight to the Amy Butler fabric section to get over my disappointment.  It occurred to me that I would be teased for looking at Amy Butler fabrics because of my well-known love for them, but they caught me before I had a chance to move to another section, and there was no hiding the bolts already in my cart!  Oh, well.  Heather can be blamed for encouraging my addiction as she brought me some AB fabric and Terri fed my hexie addiction by bringing me a packet of the 1" size I have been craving! 

Thank you so much, Heather and Terri!

They don't know it yet, but I stopped at Cool Cottons on my way home.  I again blame Heather, because she mentioned the store in passing at lunch, and I couldn't get it out of my mind.  And I had to drive right by downtown anyway....

I hadn't been to Cool Cottons in such a long time!

I fell in love with this fabric by Valori Wells (from the Nest line).

And they had Spa, which I had just discovered online the day before!

So once again I bought a bunch of new fabrics that coordinate without actually meaning to!  Even Heather's fabric coordinates here.  So now, of course, these will end up being the start of another project.  I'm so glad that when the Nest fabric was laid out for cutting I suddenly doubled the amount I wanted (have you ever done that?), because Molly has been asking for a bag made out of fabric with birds.

In spare moments at home I've been practicing different hexie techniques.

I noticed that Chris (Izzy Inspired) stitches hers together with virtually no stitches visible, so I have been emailing with her about technique.  She is so sweet and helpful.  I have been using her technique, which she posted about here.  Heather reported at lunch that she does hers the same way and showed me her beautiful work.  Here are my first few attempts:

 Of course, Heather pointed out a more efficient way of sewing them together than in a straight line.  I think I would have figured it out eventually (at least I hope so), but I was so excited to get stitching, I just grabbed them and started sewing without much planning!  I'll have plenty of time to practice my technique because I have a lot of hexies to sew!

The next day we started a whole new adventure:

In the staging area.

Very exciting (and a little scary)! The parade was a lot of fun and went by so quickly.

Then we packed up some food and in the in-laws and headed to Seaside.

Lewis and Clark statue and flag at the turnaround on the Prom at dusk.

Sunset last night.  It won't be nearly this quiet on the beach tonight!

With wishes, true and kind, for a fabulous Fourth -- Joan