TRAVEL Archives - Nannycraft4u

Spin the Pins – Make a Hexie Bag

August 3, 2015 by Nanny 14 Comments

As you would now be aware, I co-ordinate fabric swaps for Australian residents through my Facebook page ‘Nannyswapz’.

When planning a swap with hexies, I try to find a project by spinning the pins so that participants have a purpose in mind before the swap proceeds. On my Hexies board I found a hexie bag that used 16 hexagons and so built our swap around that. We swapped Rainbow Batik hexies and I am going to use them to make my hexie bag. So here is my Spin the Pins – Make a Hexie Bag!

I decided that rather than sewing the bag and then lining it, I would hand stitch each hexie and then join them. I also decided to make my own version re the shape and so made another 4 hexies to give me a total of 20.

What you need:

20 x 2.5″ (side) hexagons ( Hexie Bag Templates)

20 x 2.5″ (side) hexagons of Vilene

20 x hexagons (Hexie Bag Templates

Matching thread

Finished size: Approx 15″ x 13″ at the centre and 9″ at the sides plus handle

Let’s Sew!

1. Iron the vilene to the back of the hexies

2. I then machined around the outer edges

3. Centre that hexie , wrong side to wrong side on one of the larger hexies. I used a large needle through the centre to hold them together.

4. Fold the edge of the large hexie into the edge of the smaller hexie and finger press.

5. Fold over again and pin

6. Take a threaded needle and knot the end. Concealing the knot, start stitching about 1″ from the corner (or from my finger in the photo) and stitch to about where the stitching line will be on the next side.

7. Fold the next side the same way, making sure that the corner forms nicely.

8. Continue in this way until you are all the way around. Finish off and slip the needle through the border to finish.

9. Complete all 20 hexies in the same manner.

10. Play around with the hexies until you are happy with the setting out of 2 flower shapes (the front and back of the bag)

11. Take the centre hexie and one other.

12. With right sides together, stitch along one edge. (I used a whip stitch)

13. Take the next hexie (yellow) and join the edge to the centre hexie (aqua)

14. Continue joining all of the hexies to the centre and then join along the adjoining sides to complete the ‘flower

15. Repeat with the other ‘flower’

16. Now from the other 6 hexies, choose two to go on the end of the flowers:

Here

and here

17. Take the 4 and stitch the pairs together

and then join them to the ‘flowers’

Like this:

and this:

18. Now join the two ‘flowers’

and the complete the ‘circle’ by joining here

19. Now you get to make a choice – how do you want your bag to be finished?

With the handle coming from the centre? (from the yellow) If so, you will add the other two hexagons as shown.

On the other hand, you may prefer your bag handles to come from the sides like this. If so you will add the extra two hexagons as shown.

I am making my bag for a specific reason ie to hang on the arm rest in the motorhome to hold my knitting, (It really is time for that shopping bag to go), and so

I have decided to have my handle come from the centre of the bag. This will ensure that it hangs ‘flat’ and not protrude into the walkway.

One side

and the other

20. To make your handle, you will cut a strip 3″” x twice the length you want it to be plus 0.5″. I measured mine and will make it 16″. This will also be a good length to hang over my arm when taking it outside to crafting sessions.

21. Cut a piece of vilene 2.5″ x the length of your handle and iron it onto the wrong side

22. With right sides together, sew around the edges leaving a space to turn it through. Clip corners.

23. Turn to right side, roll seams between your fingers and thumbs and press. Stitch around the edge 1/4″ from the edge and then some rows of stitching the length of the handle.

24. Join handle to the bag. I’m using whip stitch again. You could, of course, stitch it to the top hexie using your machine if you prefer.

Now to load it up with my knitting needle roll, a pair of snips, a needle size gauge and a darning needle and my current project – all that I need, exactly where I need it!

Perfect!! Start the engines PJ – Nanny is ready to hit the road.

Until next time

Nanny xx

Cord Chaos

October 18, 2013 by Nanny 4 Comments

When you start off in the Motorhome, you seem to have heaps of room and it doesn’t take long for things to become shall we say a little messy??

Cords!!!!

You have so many cords – Charger for mobile 1, charger for mobile 2, charger for I-pad, charger for Kindle, battery charger, laptop cords, etc etc

On our very first trip as members of ‘tag-along’ , we were given a set of velcro straps that the group leader suggested were the best thing for the cords;

They were Ok but they still all managed to get entangled as the velcro straps were often left off by Mr Nobody! We needed another solution!!

Enter the humble toilet roll, some contact paper and a pair of scissors:

Place a toilet roll on the contact and cut to fit – have to love the lines already there for you!!!

Roll onto the roll and tuck the ends in

Roll cord around your fingers

Place it in the toilet roll and label

Now how much better is that!! I just have to find some more contact – don’t think I can handle too much of that shiny blue!!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Rally Research Ride

February 17, 2013 by Nanny Leave a Comment

While Nanny was ~~at the ice cream van~~ off doing important stuff, Poppy decided to try the helicopter ride over the rally site and Boonah. These are just some of his photos …..

That’s me standing outside waving to Poppy! :/ The rigs all line up nicely don’t they!

As I said, I was off doing important stuff – I thought I should complete a study on: if making the ice-cream gluten free affected the taste. I’m glad to report, that with the full cooperation of the lady from Wendy’s, that over the week of the rally ,I was able to ascertain that ALL of the GF ice-creams tasted absolutely scrumptious!! Oh the things we do for science………. (and coeliac Poppy of course!)

Until next time
Nanny xx

Rally A-ttired

February 13, 2013 by Nanny 2 Comments

When at a rally, you want to be comfortable and you don’t want to have to do the washing so I go along well prepared!

Over the last couple of years I have put together a ‘wardrobe’ that stays in the motorhome. I wouldn’t say it is high fashion by any means but then neither am I!!

Starting at the ground we have the shoes:

From the left – the gum boots! After being at a rally in the wet at Deniliquin, and not being able to buy a pair of boots anywhere (the local shops all sold out!!) I swore that I would have some next time! You may laugh but I actually got to wear them when we had a huge downpour – and my feet were dry and I was warm….

Then the joggers – note they are black as are the socks stuffed in them!! Who needs to be trying to wash out Aussie dust colours from white socks!

Then a pair of sandals in case we want to go out to the club or something, thongs for around the ‘house’ and then the red crocs!! I did warn you! Our local Chapter of the CMCA is the Crocodile Wheelers so why not Crocs?

Then you usually find Nanny (and most others), sporting a pair of 3/4 pants and a sleeveless top (unless its cold and believe me it wasn’t)

Then we have the hat! When we arrived home from the rally at Rockhampton, sporting our new hats, our daughter despaired delighted at the sight of us:

It’s another Aussie made item – the Jacaru – and here I am:

Now that’s not too bad – is it?? I keep the dark glasses on just in case!

Here is Nanny all decked out and snoring relaxing in the cool – must have just come ‘home’ cause I don’t really wear my hat in the shade!

Anyway, that looks like a good idea !

Until next time

Nanny xx

Rally Ho continued ……

February 3, 2013 by Nanny 1 Comment

Hi! I just realised that I never did get back to tell you more about the Rally!!

After studying the program, I decided to tackle the art classes. If you know me, you would know that I have ventured into non- traditional water colours but that’s another story!! I was keen to try a different approach… so I went up to register and came back quite pleased with myself – I had booked in to a class every day!

Day one: