Halloween Haunts 2015 Blog Hop

Happy Halloween!!

 

 

 

It's my day to show you what I made for this fun blog hop.  I'm sorry that I only have one project.  We had lots of time to create as many goodies as we wanted, but it just wasn't a great summer for creativity.

 

This hop was hosted an organized by Marian of Seams To Be Sew.  Thank you for taking on the huge task of organizing this large hop and all of the hoppers.  You can find the full list of participants on Marian's blog.  Today's participants are linked at the bottom of this post. 

 

So here you have it....one project....but I took lots of pictures to make it look like more!  Are you fooled?! 

 

I made a small hanging to fit my table stand and used an Amy Bradley pattern.  It's from a whole quilt of different characters but I liked the ghost best.

 

 

A little close up of the applique.  I normally double the fabric on light colored fabrics so that you can't see through them.  Because this was a ghost, I wanted that see-through look.

Those creepy hands in the picture above came from the Dollar Tree.  They are tongs...salad tongs....handing out candy tongs, whatever.  I've got to tell you that they are actually really well made.  They're solid plastic and, of course, only $1.00!  I bought a couple of pairs to place around the house.  Get em' while you can if there are any still hanging around the Dollar Tree!

And what would Halloween be without a couple of pictures featuring the Sarducci Brothers?!!  After all, Halloween is their favorite holiday.

 

 

Rat riding.....the latest carnival attraction!

 

 Please visit the other ghoulish crafters that are joining me today.  Here's a list of today's participants and links to their sites.
Featured Haunts On Monday October 19


Charm About You
Quilting Affection
Moose Stash Quilting
Gracie Oliver Arts-You are here!!
Kwilt Krazy
Debbie

And an extra bonus.....there is a daily giveaway sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.  Honestly, I had some problems with the link so I wasn't able to put it on my blog, but you'll find a Rafflecopter giveaway link on many of these other blogs.

And a final note.......Have a happy, safe Halloween!!!

I just signed up for another blog hop.... a Halloween Haunts 2015 Blog Hop.  This will be hosted by Marian of Seams To Be Sew and sign ups are open until the end of the August.  You can make any project you want and it won't be due until October... plenty of time.  Won't you join me??!!

I have another small project to show you today.  I've made a little Christmas stocking for Kirby.  He doesn't look like this, of course,  it's just a little caricature of him.  These are his colors though, even the grey "pearls" on his shoulders.

 

 Here's a close up of "Kirby."  I put him in an egg shape.... naturally .... to highlight the figure.

 

I used some purchased iron on letters for his name and I think I'm going to remove them and applique my own.  They are OK, but the gold letters are more translucent than I want.  We'll see... at least the stocking is done and if I want to tweak it.... I can always go back later.

 

And here's Kirby enjoying a little snack of air popped pop corn.  He loves it but only gets it once in awhile as it's pretty short on nutrition. 

 

Oh.....don't tell him about the stocking.... it's a surprise!  ;)

Happy Sewing!

Tree Bird Blog Hop

There's a new blog hop in town!  I just joined the Tree Bird Blog Hop, scheduled for March 13- 23.  This is the perfect time to see all of the birdie creations my fellow bloggers will make as the "real" birds are returning for the spring weather.  I'll bet there are still openings if you'd like to join in on the fun.  Click on the Tree Bird button here or on my side bar to find out all of the details.

     

I also wanted to show you a new toy.  I picked up a Stitchopoly board game.  Basically, it's Monopoly with a stitching theme.  It's really cute....."Jail" is "Pull out Thread".... the houses and hotels are needlework studios and needlework shops.....etc. 

 

 

I'll be annoying treating my quilting friends with this at our next meeting.  Hopefully, I can find someone who will play along!

 

There is also a Quiltopoly ...same idea as Stitchopoly, but quilting themed... but it can be hard to find.  I keep an eye out and one day I'll come across one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. :) 

T'Was The Night Blog Hop

Yesterday, I showed you the wonderful gifts that I received from Katherine of Sew Me Something Good.  Today, I'll show you the gifts that I sent to Leah of Quilted Delights.

First off is one of those 10 minute runners.  Even after picking out the fabric, these really take about 30 minutes, still a quick gift.  This picture was taken outside in October, before our first snow.

  
And....they're baaaaaaack!  Sorry about all of the Sarducci pictures.  When I was reviewing which photos to include today, there really weren't any that didn't include the Brothers.  They are becoming quite the hams! 

Here's a little cup cozy to keep Leah's fingers from being scorched while sipping a good hot cup of her choice of drink.... 

 

 A little quilted bag for holding goodies.... maybe scraps.... Christmas candy..... Sarducci's......

 

Four little fabric coasters to keep the rings off of the furniture.......(keeping the Sarducci's off of the furniture is another story)

 

 

In addition to the handmade goodies, I slipped some extras into the package.  There is a calendar, a tote bag, some hand soap, a snowman ornament (in the box) and some gingerbread buttons.

 

 

 Also a couple of sewing themed fat quarters.

This next 10 minute runner was not sent along as a gift for Leah.  This was my first 10 minute runner to make, using a kit that my friend Kathy sent me.  Now this runner picture was taken yesterday, outside in the snow.  Brrrrrr......

 

 

Backside... these great runners are completely reversible. 

 

 

So there you have it.  I've really enjoyed this hop.  I know that Christmas is not about the gifts, but for this particular hop, giving and receiving gifts really made it special!

T'was The Night Hop

T'Was The Night......

 

 

Welcome!  Hasn't this been the best hop ever!?  We were to make quick holiday gifts.... gifts that could be made in an afternoon, an evening.... whatever.... only requiring a few hours.  And then we passed those gifts along to an assigned fellow blogger.  I will be showing you what I sent to my swap buddy in a future post.  Today, I will show you the lovelies that I received!!

 

But before the great reveal, I want to thank Marlene of Stitchin By The Lake for organizing all of the participants in this fun hop.  Not only did she have the regular blog hostess duties, she had to coordinate all of us so that we knew who we'd be sending our gifts to and who we would be receiving our gifts from.  Talk about making a list and checking it twice!  (Santa, watch out..... you have some serious competition!)  Thanks, Marlene!

 

And of course, our faithful blog hop coordinator, the mastermind behind all of these blog hops, Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt, must also be thanked for her dedication and great hop ideas.  Thanks, Madame Samm!

 

I'm so glad to have you stop by for a visit and see the wonderful goodies that I received.  I have to tell you that I was thrilled with everything that I received.  My wonderful swap buddy was Katherine of Sew Me Something Good.  (I'm thinking she should call it Sew Me Something GREAT!!)

 

The Sarducci's were happy to help with the photo shoot, beginning with the arrival of the little box.  Oh, how true it is that good (great) things come in small packages!

   

 

 

 Here's Hank and Earl, taking out each of the lovely treasures.

 

 

This is a shot of all of my wonderful, delightful, well made gifts.  I just feel so blessed to have been the recipient of these treasures. 

 

 

I'll start with the first little goodie, a handmade gift card.  Can you see that it reads "Meowy Christmas?"  Katherine had written to me, asking a few questions about my likes and dislikes.  Naturally, I mentioned that I was very fond of cats.  My sweet Oliver passed away a few months ago and Katherine chose this wonderful, orange colored cat fabric, the same color as Oliver.  She fussy cut the little cat and put him on the card front. 

 

Next up is a wonderful little drawstring bag.  It's just the best size for carrying so many things.  It's large enough to be useful, yet not so large that it's immense.  Yeah... it's just the perfect size!

 

Now I have a sweet pin cushion to show you.  Don't you love those fussy cut cats?!  She also put a covered button in the center.  Perfect, again!  Yes, I'm going to use the word "perfect" many times as it says it best!

 

And the backside of the pincushion with another fussy cut cat to cover the center button.  And this is what?.... Yes, perfect!

 

Katherine also made the detailed little needle book.  Another fussy cut cat graces the cover and a snap closes the book. Yes, it's a snap with a button look.

 

The next few shots are to try and show the middle of the book and all of the little pages that are inside.

Flipped open, showing the navy pages.....

 

Flipped open, showing the orange pages.....

 

And trying to show you the outside little flaps that contain the pages and hold everything from potentially slipping out of the sides.  And what is this?..... Yup, perfect!

 

And finally, the whole group of gifts again.  Not only did I receive some delightful... and perfect..... gifts, I made a new friend.  Katherine is soft of heart and a joy to get to know.  I'm grateful for the little gifts that she made and honored to have made a new friend.  Thank you, Katherine, you are a dear and as I use these lovely gifts, I will fondly think of you!   

 

I will be posting pictures of the gifts that I made and sent to my swap buddy, Leah from Quilted Delights, in a few days.  I didn't want to spoil her reveal when she posts about the gifts that I sent on her blog day, tomorrow, November 20th.

 

Meanwhile, please continue on your blog hop and visit the rest of the talented bloggers that join me today.  Their links are listed below, as well as links for Thursday and Friday.  Please visit all of the blogs and get some great inspiration for quick gift giving.  There's a whole lot of talent out there in blogland!

 

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Quilt N Queen

I Piece 2 Mary

Kwilty Pleasures

Creatin’ In The Sticks

From This To That

Sew Me Something Good

Gracie Oliver Arts (That's Me!)

Thursday, Nov. 20

Quilted Delights

Janes Quilting

Allthingzsewn

More Stars In Comanche

Pickles Quilting

Cate’s Linens

Friday, Nov. 21

Living Life At The End Of The Dirt Road

Pig Tales and Quilts

Grandmama’s Stories

Quilting Queen Online

Sew We Quilt

Twas the Night Blog Hop

 

 

Yup, I've joined another blog hop!  This one caught my attention because we are to make **quick** Christmas projects...not huge quilts.  These projects are to be week end projects, one nighter projects, or only require a few hours or less to complete.  Even though I'm always pushed near the holidays (purely my own fault), I thought this hop would not take the time commitment that many other hops require.  And this one has a bonus..... we will be gifting one of the other bloggers with our creation(s)! 

 

Hmmmmm..... I'm thinking that this fabric has it's name written all over this blog hop!  What do you think..... appropriate fabric??!!

 

 

 

 

I haven't started my project(s) yet, but have tons of ideas swimming around in my brain.  I don't know when I'll be posting or who I'll be gifting..... those details will come soon.  Please stop back by to see what I've made and see what the other bloggers will make too.  This is great timing for people like me who wait until the last minute to make gifts.  I'll get lots of ideas from the other hoppers and will still have from the end of November until Christmas to complete them.

 

Twas the night before

Christmas........

See You In September Blog Hop

Wow...... summer has just flown by and we are now entering my favorite time of the year.... fall.  I love the cooler weather and crisp leaves..... We aren't quite experiencing this yet but will be very soon.  And with fall on the horizon comes a new batch of inspiring blog hops starting with:

 

 "See You In September."

 

 

As with so many of our wonderful hops, Madame Samm from Sew We Quilt, has put this one together for us.  Our cheerleader and blog organizer for this hop is Shari from Living With Purpose.  I have to thank both of these great ladies for all of the behind the scenes work, organization, and communication that must take place for these hops to hit the ground running.

 

"See You In September" was announced a few months ago, giving us time to make three projects to show on our designated day.  One of those projects was to include some fabulous Riley Blake gingham.

 

I have to admit that my summer sewing plans were put on hold until the middle of August and then it was time to get busy.  Phew.... I hustled and got them done!

 

Here's the first project..... I guess I could claim this as my three projects but I don't think this would be quite fair.  ;-) I made 

three fabric bins, each one using Riley Blake gingham as either the lining or the outside of the bin.

 

 

 

Three nested together....

 

And next to each other, large, medium, and small. 

 

Large.... this one would be a great napping spot for a cat to curl up in. 

 

Medium....hmmm..... maybe a kitten would like to nap in this size.

 

And small.... maybe for cat toys? (I always seem to be thinking about cats!)

 

Of course there are multiple uses for these bins.  Everything from cats to fabrics and sewing supplies.  You can find the free pattern for these bins at  Matryoshka Bins.

 

Next up is a little wall hanging that I made for a swap this summer.  It has been mailed and received so I can now show pictures of it.  And I must, again, apologize for these photos.  The project is now gone and I never had a nice day to photograph this wall hanging outside. 

 

 

 

 

 

The free sewing machine applique pattern  that I used can be found at Sew Can She.

And last up is a large tote bag that I made for the same swap as the hanging above.  I wanted to use some more of that great Riley Blake gingham for this bag.

 

 

 Here's a close up of the flower/button embellishment.

 

 

 

And the inside...  I don't have anything to show you the scale, but it could hold a pillow form or two....or lots of groceries, whatever.

 

 

This easy, free tote bag pattern can be found at

Pieceful Kwilter.

 

I should have had many more projects ready to show you but at least I managed to get my three projects finished.  I've done some more sewing since making these projects and will post soon.

 

Thank you so much for visiting today.  Now I hope you will continue your blog hopping and visit the other bloggers that are joining me today.  I'm loving that we get to see three projects on each blog so we will be overflowing with inspiration!

 

Thursday, September 4

Jane's Quilting
Life in the Scrapatch
Sew Many Yarns
Gracie Oliver Arts (that's me!)
Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Thanks for visiting today..... Happy Hopping!