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 ...