Quick Halloween Mini Quilt

I just love seasonal bling. Buttons, appliques, any of the fun things you find for those "special" times of the year.

With just a few short days left before All Hallows Eve, I needed a fast and easy little Quiltie to show off my new finds. 2 fat quarters and some solid for sashing, backing and binding and I was on my way. I just cut 1 1/2" strips for my 9 patch blocks. They yielded a 3 1/2" block. 5 fast 9 patch blocks and 4 solid blocks and I was on my way. I added my   1 1/2" sashings and a little window for my Halloween buttons, and that is all there is to it. There is plenty of time to get one done, yet. So start your engines, get your "happy haunting" mojo going, and see what you can whip up this weekend!

Sewing Room

Yea Haw! My sewing machine "Tuxedo" arrived today from Germany. Like the timing could be better!!!!!  This week I decided enough was enough, and focused on cleaning out my sewing room adding some extra drawer space and straightening out my fabrics. I hate doing that, almost as much as cleaning bathrooms, but what are you gonna do, it has to be done!      :-)   It's such a good feeling once it's finished . I had hit the point where I couldn't find anything in my room anymore. Getting this package in the mail, was my little reward and icing on the cake today. There is a story behind the moose on my machine. I took the photo last month in Alaska while visiting my son. It was moose hunting season and it was in his yard. He had his rifle and a scope out, but decided it was not a legal moose at the same time some idiot on the road shot towards us, at the moose. Needless to say he missed the moose, but the bullet came scarily close to hitting my son. It landed just a couple of feet from him. It was a young kid who took off running and hid out in a house up the road. The state troopers took so long in getting there that once we left the driveway of the house the kid was hiding in, he bolted in his truck never to been seen again. It was all very nerve racking at the time, but ended well. I took this photo the day after and  hopefully this little guy is still walking the in woods somewhere up there.   

In all my cleaning I decided that I really needed some more drawer space my my machine, so I could keep my extra stuff in there and have the room on my table for my quilts as I pieced them. I toyed with the idea of the one of the craft stations that are on the market, but the $300 price range seemed like more than I was wanting to pay, so after shopping around, I decided on these closet drawers that you find at Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, etc. There are very inexpensive in comparison, and 2 sets worked just great where I wanted them. I am very happy with my find.

I am a fabric-holic, and I while I should be attending some kind of meeting somewhere, confessing my sins, I prefer to just enjoy my little vise. After all, we need some kind of vise in our lives don't we????   :-)  :-) My media center that I got last year at Best Buy seems to work out the best for me. I can stack plenty of fabric in it and see what I have, which is helpful when I'm working on projects. I used to have it all in closets, but things seemed to get lost in them, so I have come to like this arrangement better. While  refolding and straightening out things, I became  re-acquainted with some fabrics that I haven't seen for awhile and  it sure got my mind churning. Hummmmm! Wonder where this will take me... Stay tuned.  I hope this provides you some inspiration too.

Which Witch

Another one of my wonderful "shop hop find" patterns. This little gem is from Crazy Old Ladies, if that name isn't as cute as the quilt, I don't know what is. They have even included a pattern for Christmas Elves legs too, and I can hardly wait to work on that one. All fusible applique and very fast and easy. I added the bows and Swarovski crystals to just "bling it up a little", like it really needed it.   I always use June Tailors fray block around the edges of my fusible applique, but have wondered if it really makes a difference. I know if it's just a wall hanging and won't be washed it doesn't make any difference, but I have decided to put it to the test and see what happens when it goes thru the wash. I will be making a couple of separate blocks and put one thru the washer and let you know how the results come out real  soon! Heck for the giggles, I just might make yet another and check out Fray Chek while I am at it too! Stay tuned.

 You can find Crazy Old Ladies at crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com

Nothing like the feeling I get when the cooler weather sets in and fall is upon us. I think it is probably my favorite time of the year. Halloween is looming and I am very in the mood to get some quick little projects done for it. All the quilt shops along our bus tour were decked out with the cutest Halloween projects and I wanted them all. I did manage to come home with 2 books and some patterns and this little kit. All Halloween theme, and do I really think I will be able to get them all done???   hahaha I doubt it, but never say never, I am giving it my best. This little project is a  pattern is from The Wooden Bear ,(P16 Witch Patternlet)  and uses 1 woven dish towel. I just loved it when I found it. I had already purchased the quilt hanger that turned out to be a perfect fit for it. That seldom happens!!!!! It really was a quickie little project, so I am on to a few others and will have them ready to post very soon. Stitch up some fun for yourselves, and Happy Haunting. By the way, did you follow the Halloween Blog Hop? There were some adorable projects shared there. It's not too late you know!

Last of my vacation

One more part of my vacation I want to share. For the last of my time off, I went to Albuquerque to visit my best friend and to see the International Balloon Fiesta, one of those things I have done for over 30 years now. The weather was spectacular this year which was such a change from the past years. Only a few of the night events ended up cancelled due to winds, that picked up. But for those who know about the infamous "Albuquerque Box" it was truely alive and well this year. That is when the winds are optimal and a balloonist can actually fly in a box pattern by adjusting the altitude of the balloon. If it's as much fun for the pilots to fly as it is for us on the ground to watch, then it was a stellar week.  My favorite after all these years is the special shapes. They continued to delight is this year. Never mind the fact that we almost didn't even need jackets which is unheard of!  :-)

FEEDING THE PLANET ONE HUG AT A TIME

Probably one of the best moments this year though, was the grand opening of "Tim's Place". I had the honor of meeting Tim about 6 or 7 years ago at a Special Olympics" event. Tim has downs syndrome and is such a wonderfully special young man. He was so delighted to share his stories of the Downs Syndrome Symposium with me, that was held in my home town. It is just captivating to talk with him. I see him from time to time, last year he was working at Applebee's. Even with it being just once a year, he remembers you and makes you feel like he's known you forever. Last week, with the help of his family, he opened his own restaurant, "Tim's Place". They serve Breakfast, Lunch and Hugs, and that is just what they do. No one leaves the place without the "special of the day", which is a Tim Hug. Never mind the fact that the food is out of this world. I had the best omelette that I can remember, and had to go back a second time before I left, for another. The experience is such a profound one to see this great young man touch the lives of so many others. The feeling of warmth and caring can't even begin to be explained, but it makes you feel like your are so at home. It was fun to see the love from everyone, even strangers, towards each other for the brief time we all share space in the restaurant. If you live near Albuquerque New Mexico or are planning a trip there makes Tim's Place a place to stop. They are located in the shopping center at Wyoming and Alameda. There will be a hug waiting for you!