In an effort to ward off my normal fall lament of, “We’re going into the dark tunnel,” I’ve decided to make a fast lap quilt which I’ll be calling the beach quilt made up of, amongst other things, beach balls on sand. The beach balls are made using 1/3 hexagons. The sand? The sand will be unbleached muslin. I have some ideas for some other little surprises on the beach too.
This wouldn’t have likely come about except on the weekend a new Inklingo collection was released with 3″ hexagons. They’re enormous, 6″ across! Thanks to the size of them, I can have a lap quilt done in next to no time. I couldn’t believe how quickly I stitched the first 3 beach balls. 
It’s barely worth showing the back! Only 3 pieces to make each one!!
Here you can see one next to a ruler. Enormous!!
We had an odd storm Saturday afternoon. The sky suddenly got quite dark, the wind really picked up, there was some lightning that absolutely lit up the sky, the thunder rumbled away for what seemed like minutes, then hail and rain and then it was all over in the matter of a few minutes. Mr. Q.O., who was out when it started, said the wind was actually moving parked cars a little. I don’t think I can ever remember a storm like that before. Other than that, it was a typical fall weekend — rainy and gloomy and grey.
That’s the lament beginning. This is what I need to try to ward off with the beach quilt. I have never understood the February blues. To me, that’s a time of optimism. Then the days are getting longer (although it is usually freezing cold here then, no question) and it’s easy to believe spring is coming some day soon. But this time of year, when the days get shorter and shorter and the skies are grey and the leaves are falling, spring seems like it is very, very far away.
Smudge curled up on the chair.
And Lester:
Quilt Obsession 
I love these beach balls. They look terrific with those colors. I know what you mean about the weather. It can be a little depressing this time of year. Hello, to Lester and Smudge.
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I love the fabric combinations, and you're right with the size of those hexagons, it will be together in no time at all!!Gill
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Your beach project will definatel brighten up your days. I feel as you do about fall and February. I was sad because I had to turn on the kitchen light to cook supper last night.Crispy
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It cracks me up that you think that is enormous. I guess when you are used to working with tiny pieces than that would seem enormous. The beach balls are very cute, bright, and cheerful. Should be a fun quilt!
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I've got to get these (at some point!) I absolutely love them. Kind of a huge switch for you and your talent for little things. These big ones are super wonderful.
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I saw beach balls and thought….brrr it is cold out there what is she thinking? 🙂 My heater just clicked on again. *sigh*How's your stitchery coming along after the weekend?
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Cathi,These are most unusual and adorable – Beach Quilt is the perfect name for your quilt because the blocks remind me of beach balls! 🙂
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What a fun block! I never saw a 1/3 hexagon block before.
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What a fun block! You are going to love having a happy sunny summery quilt for the winter.
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Love those beach balls and that quilt will be nice and bright and so cheery as we go through our fall and winter.
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