Recycled Hexie Quilts--Using Vintage Hexagons in Today's Quilts

Recycled Hexie Quilts--Using Vintage Hexagons in Today's Quilts is by Mary Kerr and is chalk full of great ideas on how to use those hexagons you find in grandma's hope chest, at those estate sales, the ones handed down from Great Aunt Matilda.

The book is dedicated to the quilt makers of yesteryear, those who love and support us today, and to those who have gone before us.

It's set up in to 12 chapters covering such things as Hexies in Sashing, Playing with Edges, A Simple Border, and Mixing It Up.

I took the book to 2 of my sewing groups as well as my quilt guild meeting to have some of the other quilters look through it and let me know what they thought.
It was an outstanding thumbs up from everyone with comments such as:
"This book is fantastic!"
"This is a wonderful book."
"I really like what they have done here."
"I just got a really good idea on what to do with some of mine."
"I could sit and look through this book for hours."
It also brought back many childhood memories with some of the gals.

This is not a pattern book.  It's an idea book.  Many quilters came together sharing their designs and ideas throughout the book.  Colorful and vivid illustrations with the info on who owns, made, quilted, etc. each one.

Here is an example of 2 pages:

I was given a box of fabrics cut into hexagons.  In other words, I have a forever project of my own with them.  I also have picked up some nice ideas of things to do with the thousands of them that I am making!



Disclaimer: Schiffer Publishers sent me this book for the purpose of review. I was not compensated in any other way and any opinions are my own. Affiliate links included.

Frugal Friday with Marsha--Frugal Vacation?

I made my husband, yes, made him, buy one of the cheap vacation packages while we were at the State Fair this past September.  You know, the package where you have to sit through a 2 hour sales presentation for a time share or a resort membership.

The package was $139.  We procrastinated knowing we really couldn't even afford that.  Then the salesman knocked the price to $99.  Yes, we jumped on that.
Our package includes 2 night at the Palace Hotel in Branson, Missouri. (I was just looking at our reservation and it says 3 nights?)  It also includes 2-2 day passes to Silver Dollar City.

Why did I insist on buying it?  I want to take what I will feel like is a REAL vacation for a change.
I know tons of people take advantage of these packages. In fact, there was at least 3 other booths at the fair for other resorts selling packages so you can easily do this yearly.

We will be renting a car too though.  None of our vehicles are safe on the highway for that long of a trip.  That will be another $150 to $200 added on to the cost of the trip.

We will have a full breakfast provided at the hotel and will have to have our own meals otherwise.  We will pack up a lot of foods--sandwich supplies, fresh fruits and veggies, our own drinks, etc.  I'm sure we will splurge though and eat out as well.

All in all I think we are looking at about $400-$450 total for our vacation.  That's not too bad.

Our trip is scheduled for May 5-7.   I'm really looking forward to it!


In the past the closest we've come to what I would call a real vacation was the year that I saved all my change, which then paid for a 3 night cabin rental at a nearby RV park.  That was lots of fun too!

Otherwise, we have packed up some things and a mattress and camped out on the living room floor of my middle daughters house for a few nights.  Activities in their town with them included going bowling and going to the water park.  Otherwise it was watching movies with them and playing games on the wii.  Don't get me wrong, that was an awesome time too.

One year we went for one night to Dodge City.  We left my daughter (don't worry, she was 16 years old) at the motel while we went with our $42 to the casino to play the penny slots.  The following day we made a day of it going to Boot Hill and then to the wax museum and the Teacher's Hall of Fame museum.  On the road we stopped at another museum as well.

Another time we only did things right here in our own town---a visit to the county museum, a picnic in the park, a trip to the Cosmosphere, eating at a nice restaurant, a trip to the local zoo over the week.

Those vacations are also fun and a much time needed away from home.

What kind of "cheap" vacations do you take?

An InLinkz Link-up

Writer's Unite 4/9/15

Last week was the usual chaotic holiday week.  I love them for the family time though.  The reason for the holiday is also special.
I got a little behind in my posting, skipping writing anything on both Saturday and Sunday.
I have caught up now.  In fact, for the moment, all of my giveaway posts are taken care of.  I do still have 2 reviews to get written up.

I've only been doing one post a day on bubblews, then doing some interacting.  My heart just isn't in it.  I do want to stay active and help out those others who are still active there.  I don't know where these promised changes are though.....or what they are going to bring.  Time will tell, as I always say.

How was your Easter holiday and your writing week?

An InLinkz Link-up

Dial Hand Soap 24 hour Flash Giveaway!

One of Dial's newest hand soap is the Miracle Oil Hand Soap Infused with Marula Oil.
It features the first formula with Micro Oil technology.  It brings nourishment and skin hydration to your hand washing experience.  It will gently remove the dirt from your hands and also leave them feeling smooth and refreshed.
It's infused with Marula Oil along with the Micro Oil technology to nourish and deeply hydrate your skin while protecting it from skin damaging free radicals.

I really enjoy using the new Miracle Oil hand soap.  My hands feel great even hours after using it.
I hope you will give it a try for yourself as well.




I am giving away 2 coupons for Dial hand soaps as shown in the photo below.  Simply enter using the rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: The Dial brand provided me with a sample of Dial Miracle Oil Hand Soap in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

WIP Wednesday 4/8/15

You may have noticed that I didn't do a WIP Wednesday post last week.  Sadly, I had nothing to show.
I had finished the blue hexagon table topper.  I donated it to put into the silent auction for the upcoming quilt show in July.  Doh!  I forgot to even take a picture of it before handing it over.  I finished it while sitting at the quilt guild meeting.

This past week I have only worked on one thing.  It's my top for the challenge quilt for guild this month.  We were given a fat eighth of the orange and a fat quarter of the black to work with.
Yes, we could add other fabrics, the orange and black given to us just needs to be seen in the challenge.
I chose to only use those fabrics.  It couldn't exceed 30x30 inches.  Mine is 17 x 17 inches.
I think I did pretty good on it.  It sure beats the challenge I made 2 years ago.  I've learned a lot in these past 2 years.

I have yet to check out what the color is this month for the scrap challenge on the soscrappy blog.  The challenge for myself is to go there next and find out what the color is and get started so I have something to show you next month!  I am still putting the button at the bottom even though I am not linking up this week.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Yo-Yo Table runner
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle quilt
5 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
Challenge quilt for quilt guild


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper

I am linking up with the following blogs:

Bella Organics Vanilla Mint All Natural Deodorant Creme Review and Giveaway

Make the switch to organic deodorant with Bella Organics and Love your body.

This is my first time trying any organic body product and I'm loving it!  I've been using the Vanilla Mint deodorant creme for over a week now and I'm very pleased with it.
Not only is the Vanilla Mint scent awesome, but this stuff really works.  It's a nice feeling knowing that I am using something all natural on my body.

After you have used anti-perspirant, be advised that it will take 4 to 15 days for your body to detox itself.  Anti-perspirants work by inhibiting normal sweat gland function.  As your body works to remove the toxic build up, an odor may occur.  Please do not block this natural process.
I've not had a stink issue, but you might.

Bella Organics deodorants work simply by fighting bacteria and providing a pleasant scent to the underarms.   It's a much healthier option even if it will NOT stop you from sweating.  Yes, I have experienced sweating.

It takes just a pea size amount from the jar for each underarm.  You simply spread it on evenly to your underarms.

I was sent the .25 oz trial size.  As stated, I've been using it for over a week and not much is gone from my jar.  It doesn't take much and your jar will last a long time.

Product Description:

Organic, chemical-free cream deodorant that really works!  Organic arrowroot powder absorbs wetness naturally. Organic Shea butter soothes and moisturizes dry skin. Coconut oil has natural anti-bacterial properties as well as soothes and conditions the skin. Organic peppermint and organic tea tree essential oils provide anti-bacterial and germ-killing anti-septic properties. It leaves you feeling confidently cool, fresh and clean.

Directions for use: Scoop a pea-sized amount from the jar with clean fingers. Rub onto each underarm until deodorant is applied.

Ingredients: Organic Shea Butter, Organic Arrowroot Powder, (Vegan), Organic Sunflower Oil,  Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Aluminum-Free Baking Soda, Organic Peppermint Essential Oil, Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil.

Size: 2 oz

Shelf Life: 12 Months


One lucky Marsha's Spot reader will win a full size 2 oz jar of the Vanilla Mint Deodorant Creme!  Just enter using the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: I was sent a sample of the Bella Orgnanic Vanilla Mint Deodorant Creme to try for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any other way and any opinions are my own. Sponsor is supplying the prize.

Traffic Royal

I hesitated, seen a blog post by a friend, then went ahead and joined the Traffic Royal traffic exchange.
Boy am I sorry that I didn't join earlier when it was announced to be opening!  Of course, had I, my friend would have missed out on me as a referral.

This TE is terrific.  By far it's the best one that I am doing.  It's so much fun.  There are so many games as you surf--smiley face, dragon in the cave, hangman, word search, treasure chest, and collecting the trophys.    Each game has the chance to earn both cash and credits.
They also off the face you opponent.  If you beat your opponent in surfing for the day as a free member you earn 4 cents!  
You can also collect zubee coins as you surf.  Collect enough and exchange those for cash.
They offer chatting while you surf and a PAID to CLICK section for even more earning.

(I earned $2.21 from Thursday when I signed up through this morning)

The current promo is $1.25 cash, 125 credits, 125 banner impressions and 125 text link impressions.
Just put in promocode   promo125 under the surfing header.   This is good until 2000 members.  As I write this there are 81 memberships available for this promo.
(They also offer surf promos such as the one they had for Easter for even more bonus!)



From the website:

It's time to grab your armor and get ready to protect your treasure. If you're serious about advertising your business online... Earning money... building up a Residual Traffic Network... AND you aren't a peasant... Then you've come to the right place. Join the other experienced knights who are as serious as you, by grabbing your free TrafficRoyal membership today!

Our room is fortified and full of treasure and we are ready to go (Traffic is really good)!! Now you will be too when you see all the equipment we have available for your advertising needs. Get ready to smile BIG as you reap the benefits of an active traffic exchange. Let us capture visitors to your site and help you conquer your competition!!



Don't waste time dreaming of treasures for your marketing, grab your armor, join the other Knights and get your products/services sold. Join Traffic Royal and start promoting to other serious Knights today! It's definitely the one program you'll be more than happy you joined! We offer 6 advertising methods that create tons of traffic for your Advertising Success:
1. Page Views (you need visitors before you receive sales)
2. Text links (this tool can convert browsers into buyers quickly)
3. Banners (we've all seen them before and they still work well today)
4. PM Marketing (once you refer members you can PM them)
5. Paid-To-Click (Guaranteed views to your ad)
6. Surf Chat (for networking with other members while surfing)

If this sounds good to you (and it really is), we'd be happy to give you a free Traffic Royal membership so you can see for yourself how FUN generating traffic really is!