Kaleidoscopes - Part 2

I had a feeling that I would get distracted by the kaleidoscope concept. I was right. I got totally districted by this amazing online kaleidoscope by Krazy Dad. Paste in any image you like and see what happens. It is amazing.

I pasted in this image of some hexagons I made last week. I ended up with over 60 different kaleidoscopic variations. With just one image. And I could have made more. It was sooooo much fun.I keep telling myself I am not not not going to paste in another image, but I just know I will. I cannot resist. I don't think I'll be getting any stitching done at all this week.

Here's just a few pics. If you're interested in seeing the rest, have a look in my Flickr . And try Krazy Dad's online kaleidoscope here.




I have the feeling that these pics will be ending up as fridge magnets. Or I might try some brighter images. Oh I can't wait till the weekend!

Kaleidoscopes - Part 1

I think I have a new name for my current project - Candy Kaleidoscope. Because I really love the simply-pieced, fussily-cut hexagons I've been making lately, and the lovely Gayle said they reminded her of one.

One of my top favourite childhood memories is of my grandmother's kaleidoscope. An honest-to-goodness old-fashioned one (because it was such a long time ago LOL). If I close my eyes and imagine looking through the hole, I can still see the everchanging colours and movement. And hear the soft swish of the tiny glass pieces fall over each other like sand.

I was completely fascinated by it. When it popped into my mind a few months ago, I went online and found the most beautiful kaleidoscopes, glass paperweights and glass bottles I've ever seen, at the Light Opera Gallery. I can only imagine what these gorgeous objects look and feel like.

Anyway, back to reality. Here's a picture of my latest blocks, hot off the press. Notice anything different about the red/brown one on the right? It has an octagon in the centre instead of a hexagon.



I made it specially because I wanted to tell you that I just picked up some new custom-made dies yesterday for making die-cut octagons.

I like the octagons with 1" sides but the 2" ones are huge! They are 4 times the size of the 1" ones. I think I'm going to have to get a die made up for 1 1/2" octagons. So if you love hand-piecing but are a little tired of hexies, you might like to try octies for a change. You can find them here.

P.S. I am calling this post "Kaleidoscopes - Part 1" because I have a feeling there's going to be more parts to come. I have the feeling I'm going to be up very late tonight googling for kaleidy images ... bye for now ...