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!!!

A 20 year old finish!

 

I finished this little wall hanging last week.  It's just 24" x 24".  It's been in my UFO's for years.  In fact, this pattern and partial kit was dated 1995.  Yeah.... it's been in my pile-o-stuff to finish for 20 years!  I don't know why I get distracted and don't finish projects.  This only took a few days.  One to cut the pieces....one to piece it.....one to quilt it.....and one to bind it.  Of course, this was only working on it a couple of hours at a time.  I suppose it could have been completed in one day if you stuck with it.

 

The pattern and kit came with about 2/3's of the fabrics needed to make the hanging.  I'm not sure why it didn't contain all of the fabric.  The fabric was nicely folded and looked undisturbed so I don't think I ever removed any of it for another project.  Oh well.  So if you recognize a few pieces of newer fabrics....not 20 years old.... that's why. 

 

The backside.  I used some of the included fabric as well as some added from my stash.

This is a little goodie that I picked up at the Hallmark store in the drastically reduced bin.  It's a Boyd's Bear little hinged box and they were almost giving it away.  I love little sewing items for my sewing area.

This inside held this cute little sewing mouse.

Here's the sweet quote that was under the lid.

And lastly, Hank Sarducci holding his new friend.

Happy Sewing.  Hope you find a UFO that calls your name this week too.  It felt really good to actually finish this cute little hanging!

Gifts!

Santa was very good to me this year!  My dear friend, Kathy, gave me a Go Cutter, plus an extra die!  How generous was this.... I have to say I was a bit overwhelmed!

 

This is one of those quilting gadgets that is far out of my budget so it was never even considered.  Now that I have one, I'm trying to think of ways to utilize it the best.  It's not the answer to all of my cutting needs, but it's one of those specialized tools that is just right for certain projects.  I'm ready to start slicing!

 

 

And don't worry, Santa did not overlook the Sarducci's!  They each received two skate boards, each with a Star Wars character on it.  They love Star Wars so they were pretty excited.

Since the modeling business has not been that busy, I needed something to keep them occupied and to burn up some of that goblin energy.  Trust me, you do not want bored goblins.... they will find their own entertainment!

They soon mastered their boards and have kept out of trouble and out of my way. 

And don't worry, they may be fearless but they also seem to be indestructible.  No bumps... no bruises.... nothing but fun!

Hope your Christmas was full of delightful surprises!

Christmas Wrapping

Yes.... In spite of all of the shenanigans help from the Sarducci's, all of my wrapping is done!

 

Who knew that bubble wrap was good for so many things.

 

And ribbon.... you can tie up a lot of things with it!

 

They did clean up all of their mess and Earl was retrieved from the trash can before he mysteriously and tragically disappeared. 

 

 

 Hope your holidays are full of fun and shenanigans too.  After all, life's not expected to run smoothly.  ;)

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!

Halloween Greetings

 

 

Bwa-haa-haa from the Sarducci's!

Happy Halloween from our home to yours.

  Be safe, have fun, and don't eat

all of the candy in one sitting!

Introducing the Sarducci's

 

First of all, I'd like to introduce you to the Sarducci Brothers.  They are my recently hired sewing assistants/project models.   Since Oliver's passing, I have been in need of assistants to help me in my sewing room and these guys have stepped up for the position.  OK.... they aren't exactly cuddly and soft like Oliver, but they have their own list of qualities.... and most of those qualities are good.  ;)  We'll see how it goes......

 

 

 

And there actually is a tip in this post.  Over the years, I've tried so many different foot pedal holders and each of them only "sort of" worked.  I picked up this trivet/oven grabber at a dollar store yesterday.  I was hoping that it would make a good gripper for my sewing machine foot pedal.  And it worked!  I sewed for a couple of hours and never had to chase the foot pedal or rearrange it.  This little gripper is flexible and kind of sticky on both sides.  I do have a chair mat under my machine area, so I haven't tested it on a carpeted surface.  I don't think it would work as well on carpet, but for hard surfaces, I'm thinking it will be great.

 

(Thanks, Sarducci's.... for a successful first photo shoot!)