Halloween Wallhangings

I finished up a Halloween wallhanging that I have been working on for years.  I had fun piecing the background, then I did a little applique and put it away.  My hang up was appliqueing the ghost and finding a skeleton that was the right size to lay in the doorway.  This year, I fused on the ghost and decided that my skeleton would be dancing out of the doorway. Problem solved.

The pattern is called, "Halloween Haunt", by Barb Sawyer.  It is 20" x 23" in size.

Earlier this year, I purchased a pattern called, "Spooky" by Judydidit Designs.  It is part of her Small Celebrations line.  The background is pieced and then the other elements are fused on.  I finished it in two settings.  No applique, Yeah!!!!  It is 21" x 24" in size.

Neither have been quilted and probably won't be for this Halloween, but next year for sure.  They are too cute to stay in the closet.

May your Halloween be full of treats.

Fall Decorations

My favorite season is Fall.  The fabrics come out with acorns, pumpkins and leaves in orange, yellow and red.  In Texas, the daily temperatures drop into the 80s, if we are lucky and 70s, if we are blessed.  There is a light, cool breeze in the air and I just feel renewed and inspired.

I have a lot of Fall items since I entertained a group of crafty Ladies for many years.  We met in a different home each week and it was fun to decoration for each month.  It made us feel special and pampered.  My children are grown and I work full-time now, so less is more these days.  There is a wreath and flowers at the front door and my DS likes to add some Halloween spooks to the front of the house.  I prefer a few of my favorites to lift my spirits and please the Grandkids.

 This Pumpkin Wallhanging was made in 1998 according to the date on back.  I remember that one of the ladies bought a newspaper pattern to share.  It was from an old magazine.  It is a pumpkin, a stem and a leaf in two sizes.  Mine is batting, front fabric RS up and back fabric RS down.  I drew around the pattern and stitched on the lines.  I cut about 1/4" outside of the line.  I carefully separated the two fabrics and cut a small slit in the outside fabric to turn the pieces through.  On the pumpkin, I fused a piece of the same fabric over the slit, but the slits on the other pieces are hidden by the pumpkin.  I added a little straight stitching to the pieces in matching thread.  I used Aleene's Tacky glue to attach the pieces and it has held for 12 years.  I do store it in a closet (not in the garage or attic).

This is a fabric panel that I purchased at Hancock Fabrics many years ago.  Each letter is a little pocket that can hold treats.  Mine holds a little box, that came in cereal one Halloween, that is light activated.  Light causes a scary, high pitched moaning sound.  Each year I expect it to stop working, but it performed again today.

One year, we got on a pumpkin making kick.  I have these in several fabrics and sizes.  A large circle, gathered like a fabric yo-yo and stuffed with fiberfill. Two rectangles sewn, turned and stuffed, then glued in the hole on top for a stem.  Leaves cut out of  two pieces of fabric fused together and a few pieces of raffia tied around the stem.

I made this when the jar quilts were all the rage.  This piece is about 6" x 12".  I constructed it as a flip and sew after I pieced the jar blocks in miniature.  I made a full size Jar Quilt for my MIL, but I have yet to complete the two planned for my DS and myself.  Perhaps you'll see them in a later blog as completed UFOs.

And one time, Yes, We made corn.  The bottom is fabric, stuffed with fiberfill.  The husk is tea dyed muslin and a stiffener of some sort.  This was a time consuming, messy project, but I do love my fall basket of corn.  I, even, found Indian Corn fabric (second from top).

Make a Friendship Braid Quilt Using the Binding Tool

You have to click on the YouTube on the bottom right corner to watch video.

I purchased the binding tool at the AAQG Show to make this quilt.  Check out all of the videos that Missouri Star Quilt Co.  puts out.  They are wonderful and full of ideas for using all of those Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes and Charm Packs that you purchased and don't know what to do with.

I made a few more purchases as you can see below.

$2 Batik FQs, a lighted seam ripper, a little screwdriver that I have already used, a lining pattern for some baskets that I purchased a few years ago, a Horned Toad pattern (can't wait to make these), and a flexible light.

A sewing machine cover, thread catcher and a machine pad with pockets.