Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Ya'll

Yesterday, we decided to carve our pumpkins. Jack and Emma had picked out their pumpkins, but we had yet to get Mark his.  I am never sure how much he will want to participate in the holiday activities now that he is a High Schooler.  Since he did not have a pumpkin, the boys set out to find just the right pumpkin.  7 stores later they trudged through the door with (and I quote) "The last pumpkin  available in Lexington."  Seriously?  John said they went to 7 stores and not one had a pumpkin in site.  Everywhere he asked, he was told they had sold out.  He also mentioned that people looked at him like he was the dumbest dad ever.  I Mean Really!  Who waits till October 30 to get a pumpkin!  When the boys did find a pumpkin, they came home with a tiny pie pumpkin.

We set to work cutting open the tops to the pumpkins.  I had no problems with Jack and Emma's pumpkins, but I could not get my knife into Mark's pumpkin.  I had John try and he got the knife in but could not get it back out.  Mark took off with his pumpkin and came back with a chisel wedged deep inside the pumpkin.  Great. Now we had a knife and a chisel stuck in the mini pumpkin!  After a few wiggles and a few curses (by dad) we were able to free the tools.  The pumpkin got microwaved for a few minutes in attempt to make it softer.  We failed miserably.  That was apparently the limit to John's patience.  Next thing I knew he and Mark were in the Garage with the pumpkin clamped into the vise cutting through the pumpkin with the jigsaw.  I have to say while I have never see that particular approach to pumpkin carving, it was effective. And for a 14 year-old boy, it was AWESOME!

Jack and Emma took the more traditional approach and  used patterns and hand carving tools.  Mark and Dad's more untraditional approach still yielded a great jack-o-lanturn.

For those of you who want to see the pumpkin project for yourselves Mark got every bit of it on video.

Halloween Quilt!

 I submitted my Halloween quilt in the Quilting Gallery's Weekly Themed Quilt contest.   If you haven't already guessed this weeks theme is Halloween Quilts.  Head over and be inspired by other Halloween Quilts and Vote for me!



http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/10/28/vote-now-halloween-quilts/

B.C. vs. A.D.

Of all three of my kids, my middle child teases me the most.  He is quick witted with a great sense of humor.  Don't get me wrong, the teasing goes both ways.  We banter and jab at one another in good clean fun, which usually leaves us both giggling by the end.

 The other day he asked me what school was like when I was little.  I told him about checking out library books with out computers and bar codes.  I talked about the typing lab, not computer lab and we discussed the lack of cell phone and texting.  "How did we manage back then?" he wanted to know.  "Were you born in the dark ages?"  he asked jokingly.  "I mean you did have electricity back then? Right?" I said yes, that was AD not BC.  He joked and said, "I think you were born BC.  Before Computers"  He giggled and laughed himself silly at his own joke.  Then he proceeded and said,  "I guess that would make today, AD... After Digital."

Confession

Hi. I'm Kristin and I have a confession.  I hate binding quilts.  Okay, maybe hate is too strong of a word.  Strongly dislike perhaps would be better.  You see here is the thing.  I love the creative aspect of quilting.  The ideas that simmer just under the surface.  The ideas that have you waking in the middle of the night saying, "That's IT!"  The Ah-Ha! moment.  I love having the process unfold before me.  Watching my ideas come to life before my eyes is miraculous.

Binding a quilt holds none of this.  Binding a quilt is tedious, monotonous work best left for in front of the TV or sitting at a soccer game.  Somewhere, anywhere, where I am able to focus on something other than binding.  How much allure does repeatedly stabbing yourself in the finger, palm, leg really hold?  Truth be told I would much rather hand quilt than bind. (wait did I just say that OUT LOUD?)  At least hand quilting is creative. Binding, not so much.

Secretly, I have 2 of the 3 quilts bound AND put up for sale in my etsy shop. I had to take a break.  Enough is Enough.

I sat down and sewed up these 2 little baskets.  I used only scraps I had and I think the recipients will love them. This is a pattern from the Pink Penguin. One I have used before and return to often.

Unfortunately, since they now are finished, this means I have "time" I could be using to bind my last quilt. Wait what's that?  I think I hear my mom calling.

In a bind.

In the past 3 weeks I have pieced and quilted these three quilts.  I have yet to get around to binding them.  I am really pleased with the quilting.  The two OSU Quilts will be going into my etsy shop. The other, Jean's Diamonds will be going to my mom.

I quilted leaves and flowers over the surface of this quilt.  I tried to center the flowers over the diamonds. The quilt need movement.  As hesitant as I was to start the quilting, in the end it turned out great!

I added interest to the back, even though it will be a wall hanging. I love the strip of diamonds added to the back.

This quilt really stumped me for a while.  I had no pattern or real idea of what I wanted, I just started cutting and sewing.  I had a hard time deciding what size to make it.  Finally, I asked my son and he said, "It's the perfect size for a baby."  Indeed it was.  And what goes perfect for baby quilts.  Minkee!  I added a minkee backing and TA-DA.  I only wish I had known what a mess the Minkee pile makes when cut.  I had red fuzzies everywhere, still do.

I have limited experience with Minkee, so just to be safe I just meandered this quilt.  But let me tell you, it is so cuddly!  Everyone at my house is trying to claim this as theirs!

The finally quilt is one that I planned. (shocker, isn't it!)  It is a pretty straight forward OSU quilt.  I jazzed it up a little with the quilting.  I used stippling, my OHIO loops, leaves and vines and hook paisley.  I think this will keep someone nice and warm at a tailgating party!

Now if I can only get a few minutes to sit and bind.

Bragging Rights

Here is my daughter (229) and her friends prior to her one mile run with the High School Cross Country Team.

You heard me, My Daughter.  Me.  The person who cannot go up to the mailbox and back without driving.  Don't get me wrong, back in my "athletic period"  I could run.  Okay, I would sprint.  Some of us are built for long distance, while others quite clearly are not.  I have friends who run.  I look at them and I am amazed.  Not just amazed but inspired to do so.  So I tried it.  And for a while, I ran.  Not a 10K or 5K or even a mile,  yet I was trying.  And then...I had a groin strain.  Not a comfy thing.  I iced my groin"( not fun) took meds and limped for a week. Thus ended my running career.

My Daughter IS a runner.  And she is amazing.  I am so in awe of her talent for running. She started running 5Ks at 6, yes as in 6 years old.  She loves to run.  She likes to win but she loves to run and it is AWESOME!  I am so proud and blissfully happy for her.  You go girl!

Sweater weather

Last week the Family and I took off for our annual camping adventure.  We, John and I used to camp more frequently, and then we had kids.  As many of you know kids come with stuff, lots of stuff.  Now when we camp we have 3 tents and 3 kids, a dog and 2 cars to haul it all in.  Camping is still an adventure, and the kids love it.  They look forward to our camping weekend every year.

This year we camped in Poinesett  State Park here in SC.  It was a beautiful park, with a pond for canoeing, hiking trails and beautiful campsites filled with large trees that held tons of Spanish moss.

The we hiked, canoed, fished, sat around the campfire, played horseshoes and ate a ton of smores. Yummy.

While out and enjoying the cooler weather, I finished this baby sweater.  Yes, I finally broke down and just ordered the darn toggle buttons.

I also knit up this adorable little shrug.   It is so fluffy.  My intent was for it to be for Emma, sadly I hardly ever check my gauge and thus it did not fit.  :(  So it will have to be for someone a bit smaller:)

I used this pattern or here. It was quick and simple.

Congratulations!

I would like to introduce you to my new nephew.  Since he doesn't have a name just yet, I'll settle for a Super cute picture of this little (or not so little weighing over 9 lbs!) bundle of Joy! I just cannot wait to cuddle up to this new nephew of mine and get me some baby love.

Congrats go out to the new parents!  You did good! Love You!

A Halloween Tote

I have been working like a fiend. Which is, I suppose, appropriate considering the season.  I have 2 OSU quilts in process. Hope to have those finished and added to my etsy site by Saturday.  I finished quilting Jean's Diamonds yesterday.  I have to say, AWESOME.  I was a bit apprehensive about the design when I started but it turned out great.  I'll post pictures soon.

Here is the Halloween Tote I made up to go with my Spooky Halloween Quilt.  Knowing my kids, mostly my daughter, I knew if I made a quilt for me to cuddle under as I pass out candy, she would "need" something for holding her goodies. I used an excessive amount of the Glow in the Dark thread on this face, but boy it it worth every stitch!  It has a surprisingly bright glow at night.  She is very excited about using it this Halloween!

Here is what you need to make one of your own...
Materials.
24 -- 2.5"x6.5" rectangles Halloween print
One -- 5" by WOF (Width of Fabric) cut of Halloween print for handles
One 18"X16" fabric for front background behind mummy
Three 1.5" by WOF cuts of White fabric.
Two 2.25"X2.5" inch black fabric for Eyes
One 1.5"X2.5" inch black fabric for mouth
Two - 1.5" squares white
One piece of fabric 32" X 18" for lining.
Two 18"x16" pieces of fusible fleece
One 5" X 40" piece of fusible fleece
Thread.

Assembling the Mummy:
1.  Cut Three -- 4" long strips off of white 1.5" strips.  These strips need to have the salvage edge on one end.  They will be attached to the mummy sides to make it look like he is unraveling.
Cut 1.5" White strips into the following lengths.
-two 4.5" strips, four 6.5" strips, two 8.5" strips, one 9.5" strip, two 12.5" strips, one 3" strip,and one 2" strip.

2.  EYES:  Take 1.5" white squares and draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of the fabric with washable pen.  Lay one square on upper right corner of one 2.25"X2.5" black fabric. Lay other square on upper left corner of second 2.25"X2.5" black fabric.  Sew along diagonal line. Press white triangle back. Set aside.

3. Sew 2 of the 1.5"X6.5" strips of white fabric together along long edge. Press seam open. Trim into three 1.75"X 2.5" pieces. Now take blocks from step 2 and sew together with white 1.75"X2.5" pieces as shown. Press seams open.

4. Take one 1.5"X3" white strip sew to left side of 1.5"X2.5" black strip for mouth. press seam open.  On right side of black strip sew 1.5"X2" white strip.  Press seams open.

5. Take remaining white strips and lay out mummy head and shoulders as shown. Sew remaining mummy pieces together so seams are on the outside, press seams open.

6. Once Mummy Head is fully assembled, lay mummy onto front 18"X16" piece of background fabric. Place bottom edge of mummy 1.5 inches above bottom edge of fabric. Place the three 4 inch strips with salvage edge at various spots around edge of mummy. Once they are in desired location, top stitch mummy head and shoulders onto background fabric. 

(optional: for additional 3-D effect you can add a layer of batting between mummy and background before mummy is sewn on.)

7. Take one 18"X16" piece of fusible fleece and fuse to wrong side of background fabric.  Stitch around edge.  Quilt bag front as desired.

Bag Back Assembly

1.  Take 24 -- 2.5"X6.5" strips and lay them out as shown.   Sew and press rows together to make one piece 18"X16".  

2.  Fuse Fleece to wrong side of bag back.  Quilt as desired. 

Bag assembly.

1. With right sides facing, pin bag front to bag back.  sew around sides and bottom of bag, leaving top open.  

2.  Box in bottom corners of bag.

Leaving bag front and back wrong sides out.  Lay bag so bottom seam is lined up with right side seam.  (if you have never boxed in a bag bottom before it can be confusing.)  There are many great tutorials online to help.  I like this one. from Lazy Girl Designs.  The only change I make is I do not cut out the corner until after I have sewn it.

Once bag seams are aligned. mark a line 1.5 inches from corner of bag.  Sew across line twice. Trim off corner.  Repeat on other side.

3.  Fold Lining fabric in half making a piece 18"X16".  Pin sides and sew.  Box corners as shown above.

4.  Take 5 inch X WOF piece for handles and fuse fleece to wrong side.   Once fleece is fused, fold fabric in half along width and press. 

Open handle and fold sides into center seam and press a second time.

Without unfolding, Fold handle once again on center crease.  Pin and sew along both sides.

Once handle is sewn, cut length in half.  Now you have 2 handles.

6.  Take bag exterior and turn right side out.  Being careful not to twist handles. Pin front handle 5 inches in from both sides.  Sew to bag.  Turn bag to back and repeat with handle for back.  

7.  Take bag exterior with handles securely sewn on and place inside lining, right sides together. Pin top edges, leaving a 4 inch opening for turning.  Sew around bag top, taking care to catch handle ends in seam.  Turn bag through opening.  

Once bag is turned, right sides out, top stitch around upper edge a scant 1/8 inch from edge, closing opening as you do so. 

Now your little goblin is ready for some serious trick-or-treating.

Spooky Halloween Quilt Pattern

The Spooky Halloween Quilt 

 I showed it off a few days ago with every intention of whipping out a pattern and then...Whamo!  I got floored with a cold.  A few complications, doctor visit, chest x-ray and multiple visits to the pharmacy and I am back.  Mostly. Pretty scary. Just like this pattern (and that segue)  This pattern is nice and quick to sew up.  Basically a strip quilt with a few spooky modifications thrown in.  Here's what you'll need.

Fabric Requirements:
1 Halloween Jelly Roll or 40 Halloween 2.5" strips (I used Trick or Treat Jelly roll from Moda)
1 1/2 yards of white fabric
3 1/2 yards backing fabric
1/2 yard of contrasting fabric for spooky faces.
(I also purchased NiteLite Extra Glow Thread in White for glow in the dark special effects--Completely optional)


Pattern:
Cutting instructions.
1. Lay out your Jelly roll strips in rows from top to bottom until you have a layout you like. Leave out 6 strips for Binding. Once you are satisfied number each strip with a fabric marker or small piece of masking tape.  See Below.

2. Cut 18 2.5" strips from white fabric. set aside

3. Cut 26 -- 2.5"X4.5" rectangles from contrasting fabric.

4. Referring to diagram cut 6.5 inch off of each of your Halloween Strips. (these strips can be used for pieced backing or set aside for another project.)
  *IMPORTANT* Do Not cut extra off of rows where faces will be placed (rows # 4,5,8,10,11,12,17,18,19,22,23,25,28 and 29)

Spooky Face Assembly:
At this point you can assemble the rows with faces first or assemble them as you move along. You can alter or change the faces to suit your need.

Rows 4 & 5-- Cut 4 -- 2.5" squares from each strip= total 8 squares.  Cut 4 -  2.5"X4.5" rectangles from contrasting fabric. Trim remaining strips to 30" .

Draw diagonal line along back of each of the 2.5" squares.  Sew 2 - 2.5" square to each side of the 4-- 2.5"X 4.5" rectangles, making 4 flying geese units. press.

Sew 2 flying geese units together forming eyes as shown below. * From Remaining jellyroll strips cut 4.5" off of one end.  sew this piece to Lt side of eye unit and 25.5" piece to right side of eye unit. Press.*  For Row 5:  Repeat above directions, (From* to * flipping eye unit, so point of triangle faces down) Trim length to 38"

Row 8: eye unit.  For flying geese unit as shown above.  Cut 4 -- 2.5" squares from strip.  Cut 2 -- 2.5" X 4.5" rectangles from contrasting fabric.  Once eye units are made sew together and press.  Cut 8.5" from  Halloween length and sew to Rt side of eye unit.  Sew remaining to Lt side.  Press. Trim entire strip to 38"

Row 10: Mouth unit is made in the same flying geese unit as for the eyes.   For row 10 you will need. 6 -- 2.5" squares and 3-- 2.5"X4.5" contrasting fabrics. Once Flying geese units are made, sewn and pressed.  Cut 10.5" piece of jelly roll and sew to Right side. Sew remaining piece to left side. Press. Trim entire row to 38" before adding white strips. *Note* before trimming strip make sure mouth unit is centered under eye unit.

Row 11: Mouth row is made from 4 -- 2.5" squares and 2- 2.5" X 4.5 " rectangles in contrasting fabric.  In this row the Flying geese units flipped to have triangle points facing down.   Once Flying geese units are made, sewn and pressed.  Cut 8.5" strip and sew to Right side of mouth, sew remaining length of jelly roll strip to Lt side.  Press.   Trim unit to 38" before adding white strips. *Note* Make sure mouth unit aligns with above row before trimming.

Row 12: Using same method as in row 8 make 2 flying geese units for eyes. Once flying geese units are made, sewn and pressed together.  Cut 4.5" length from jelly roll strip and sew to Lt side of eyes. Sew remaining strip to Right side.  Press. trim unit to 38" before sewing on white strips.

Row16:  Using same method as above making 2 flying geese units for eyes.  Once units are made, sewn and pressed together. Cut 4.5" strip from jelly roll and sew to Rt side of eye unit.  Sew remaining length to Lt side. Press. and Trim entire length to 38"

Rows 18 & 19: Only one flying geese unit is needed for these 2 rows.  Cut 2 --2.5" squares from both row 18 and 19 jelly roll strips.  Cut 2-- 2.5"X4.5" rectangles from contrasting fabric.  Once flying geese units are made. Cut 5.5" off each row strip sew to Rt side of each unit. Sew remaining jelly roll strip to Lt side on both rows. Trim entire length to 38" *Note* be sure to adjust trimming to center mouth under eye units.

Rows 22 & 23: Repeat as for rows 4 and 5. Once flying geese units are sewn, and pressed.  Cut 8.5" off each jelly roll strip sew to Lt side of flying geese units.  Sew remaining strip to Rt side of unit.  Press and trim each strip to 38"

Row 25: One  flying geese block is needed for mouth in this row.  Cut two  2.5" squares from Jelly roll. Sew to 2.5"X4.5" contrasting fabric.   Once unit is sewn and pressed.  Trim 11.5 off jelly roll strip. Sew to Lt side of unit.  Sew remaining strip to Rt side of unit. Press and trim each strip to 38"

Rows 28 & 29: Repeat as for rows 4 & 5.  Once flying geese units are sewn and pressed.  Cut 4.5" off of each jelly roll strip sew to Lt side of flying geese units.  Sew remaining strip to rt side of unit. Press and trim each strip to 38"

 Assembling Quilt top:
White strips are cut and sewn together row by row to Halloween Strips.  Align Lt side edges of quilt top through out assembly.  I chose to overestimate the length of my Right side white strip.  Once the quilt top was finished and pressed I trimmed the right side of the quilt square with the Left. The strip measurements below are not estimates.  Your seams must be a constant .25" throughout.

Row1- Sew 2 White strips together Cut to 50". Press.
Row 2- Sew 8.5" white strip to left side of one 38" Halloween strip to right side, sew 5" white strip. Press. Sew row1 to row 2.  Press.
Row 3- Sew 7.5" white strip to left side of one 38" Halloween strip to right side, sew 7"white strip. Press. Sew row 3 to row 1 and 2 row unit. Press.
Row 4-  Sew 4.5" white strip to Lt side of  Halloween eye unit.  sew 8.5" white strip to Rt side. Press.  Sew to quilt top and press.
Row 5- Sew 4.5" white strip to Lt side of  Halloween eye unit.  sew 8.5" white strip to Rt side. Press. Sew to quilt top and press.
Row 6- Sew 6.5" white strip to left side of one 38" Halloween strip to right side, sew 6.5" white strip. Press.  Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 7- Sew 4.5" white strip to left side of one 38" Halloween strip to right side, sew 7.5" White strip.  Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 8 - Sew 2.5" white square to Lt side of eye unit.  Sew 10.5" white strip to Rt. side. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 9 - Sew 2.5" white strip to left side of one 38" Halloween strip to right side, sew 10.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 10- Sew 10.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip.  To right side sew 2.5" strip. Press. Sew to quilt top. Press.
Row 11-Sew 7.5" white strip to Left side of Halloween strip.  To right side sew 5.5" strip. Press. Sew to quilt top. Press.
Row 12- Sew 6.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip.  To right side sew 6.5" white strip. Press and sew to quilt top. Press seam.
Row 13- sew 2.5" white strip to left side of one 38" Halloween strip to right side, sew 10.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 14 - sew 4.5" white strip to left side of one Halloween strip to right side, sew 8.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 15 - sew 6.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip, to Rt side, sew 6.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 16 - Sew 8.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip. To Rt side, sew 4.5" white strip. Press. Sew to quilt top. Press.
Row 17- Sew 8.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip, to Rt side, sew 4.5". white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 18- Sew 2.5" white strip to Lt. side of Halloween strip, to Rt side, Sew 10.5" strip.  Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 19-Sew 2.5" white strip to Lt. side of Halloween strip, to Rt side, Sew 10.5" strip.  Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 20- Sew 4.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip, to Rt side sew 8.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 21- Sew 6.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip, to Rt side sew 6.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 22 - Sew 7.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip. To Rt side sew 5.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 23 -Sew 7.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip. To Rt side sew 5.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 24 - Sew 10.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip, to Rt side sew 2.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 25- Sew 4.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip. To Rt side sew 8.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 26 - Sew 9.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip, to Rt side sew 3.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 27 - Sew 8.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip, to Rt side sew 4.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 28-  Sew 11.5" white square to Lt side of Halloween strip to Rt side sew 2 inch white strip. Press. Sew to quilt top. Press.
Row 29- Sew 11.5" white square to Lt side of Halloween strip to Rt side sew 2 inch white strip. Press. Sew to quilt top. Press
Row 30 - 6.5" white strip to Lt side of Halloween strip, to Rt side sew 6.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 31-  Sew 4.5" white strip to Lt. Side of Halloween strip, to Rt side sew 8.5" white strip. Press. Sew row to quilt top. Press.
Row 32 - Sew 2 white strips together. Press. Trim to 50". Sew to quilt top. Press.

6. Square up quilt. Once quilt top is assembled. Time to embroider, decorate, embellish eyes, and mouths of spooks before quilting.  I chose to use the NiteLite Glow in the Dark thread. For Round mouth I chose a circle template of about 5.5" (Fancy way of saying I used a glass bowl.)  I used Fusible web to secure circle and then satin stitched it down with the glow in the dark thread.

7. Sew backing together. Quilt as Desire. I used an all over spiderweb pattern to enhance my spooky theme.  You could certainly add bats, moons, stars. or any other spooky quilt pattern. With the 6 strips of Halloween print remaining bind quilt.

Please let me know if you find any errors in the pattern.  This is only the second pattern I have written up  and I would love the feedback.  Thanks!