'Hexies al Fresco' one year on...

I am having a chuckle and I really want to confess something...

Please, indulge me as I take this off my chest.

:)

Never say Never. I have said this a million times, and yet, I have said "Never" way more times that I care to admit!

"Oh, no... Blogging is not for me... I would never blog... I have no time, besides I would have nothing to say!"

LOL...

"and who would want to hear me babble..."

:)

pss... I do the 'Happy Dance' every time you leave me a comment!!!

Last year I posted for the first time: I called it 'Hexies al Fresco' and I was surprised how wonderful it felt- after having watched and swooned from the side-lines, to actually contribute my 2 cents worth. Robyn made me feel that I could do anything, and that I had something worth contributing to her Groups "Great Hexagon Quilt Along" 1 & "too".

One of the comments received that very first day, changed everything: as Nadine came bursting into my life.

She has been my friend, my Hexi-big sis and my Fairy Blog mother ever since. And she taught me that blogging could be anything we choose it to be. And meeting her in person last February, was even more wonderful that I dreamt it could be.

Then came Ingrid, and her fabulous confidence, making up her own rules as she dazzles with her down-to-earth charm: "Valentina, we could all gain if you blogged." This statement blew my mind...

And you have all witnessed what has happened thanks to Klosjes!

:)

I still pinch myself, whenever I get a chance to visit my Dutch quilting sisters and feel a reconnection to my Dutch roots. I was after all born on a Dutch island and have such debt and gratefulness to the Dutch school system in shaping me into whom I am today. And to be able now to honour that history, by sharing this beautiful dance of mutual inspiration is a 'coming home' --- full-circle.

Hartstikke Bedankt, Lieve Meiden!

Then all of you, my Aussie and NZ sisters, my Canadian sisters, my American sisters, my fellow European sisters, and all those wonderful new sisters scattered in places like Mauritius, India, Latin America and slowly even my Cypriot sisters. ...am I forgetting anyone?

:)

I feel that we are all connected and I am just waiting for us to meet someday, in person, right?

Like my dad would say: To dream costs us nothing.

I have spent the last few days getting to know Tineke in person, here in my very own home and stomping grounds and it has been wonderful. We have shared about what blogging means to us, what quilting means to us and what dreams we have for the future. She shared her baby with me, her quilting magazine "Quilt & Zo" and I was inspired, dazzled yes, even swept away by her plans. How she has plans for us to grow as quilters: So girls, start designing your very own quilts and pass them on to Tineke... 'To dream costs us nothing' and now we even have a way to make it happen...

All of You have proven to me, over and over, that blogging can be what we chose it to be. That the Quilting Sisterhood is alive and here, closer than we think, to help us grow as women and in our chosen craft.

That we can be supportive, understanding and forgiving of one another.

That we can be connected by virtual threads of friendship.

That we are not alone.

That experience is valued and can be shared, and that we, girls, can have a whole lot of fun with needle, thread, gorgeous fabric, and a computer!

Thank you. I can no longer imagine my life without you. You have enriched me, personally and have infused my work with new creative life. Thank you.

ok.

I said it.

And this is what I have for you, to say thanks.

...leave me a comment or 2 or 10 and I will be so pleased to send one of you a little BIG gift, just because you are YOU!

A Fabulous Sewing Tin, Ribbons, Home-made Rosewater made by me, :)

in a vintage bottle, the cutest plasters you have ever seen in the cutest tin that could later house lots of needles , thimbles and anything else your little heart desires, and a fat quarter of the exact rose from which the rosewater was made from... swoooon!

So one year on, and Hexies are still working their magic in my life:

Countless gardens and new friendship blooming over a cup of tea, all over the world on One Flower Wednesdays,

And Charm Hexies providing magical rainbows of colour and the promise of new friendships...

and for me

because of You-

The best is yet to come!

:)

Two peas in a pod... and Klosjes

...Who's coming?

...From Belgium?

...And you have NEVER MET IN PERSON?!

... and she's staying at your HOUSE?!

What a joy it has been to Finally meet Nadine. We have not stopped laughing, stitching, exchanging ideas and then laughing some more.

So many, many projects are being planned, some are being started and some agreed upon for later. Much fabric, tips and impressions being shared. And she is showing me the ropes when it comes to blogging as well.

Ingrid, Thank You! I have had quite a few inquiries regarding the "Klosjes" or Spools. Please, go and see Karen's Klosjes! So cute! So you see Ingrid: Klosjes are spreading all over the world!

Happy stitching!

:)

Klosjes Zaterdag! Spools Saturday!

Thank You all so much your encouragement and patience!

What a lovely Bloggity Birth Day I had yesterday...

I have lots of fun pictures and ideas to share with all of you, eventually!

(^_^)

So what are 'Klosjes'? It is the Dutch word for Little Spools. According to An Moonen, a Dutch Textile Historian who has written a lovely book about Traditional Dutch Quilts, Klosjes or Spool quilts are one of the oldest Dutch designs, and in all honesty who could resist?

In Holland there are many Quilters who dedicate Saturdays to making little spools. Thanks to the kind invitation and encouragement of Ingrid I have joined up together with my friend Nadine.

So today is Klosjes-day! Hiep Hiep Hoera!

My Goal is 500 Klosjes and I have made 15! They will be 2.25 inches finished size and they are such a pleasure to hand-stitch.

So it will be awhile...

Valentina

Due to the overwhelming response to my Klosjes I am adding my measurements here:

As far as I know there is no 'official' pattern. And some Dutch ladies even make them in different sizes. I tweaked my measurements because I saw a lot of them looking too much like bow-ties, until I ended up with a 2 1/4" spool.

My centre square is cut at 1 1/2 inches and the trapezoids are around 1 inch and 1/8th 'from top to bottom'. So these measurements include a 1/4 inch seam-allowance.

But I need to warn you... these are terribly addicting!

I bet you can't just make one in one sitting...

:)