Blockbuster

Blockbuster

Another scrap quilt this week! I had fun choosing bright colored prints to combine with light gray pin dots for this standard vintage block. I didn't have to cut much after searching through my boxes of 2½” and 4½” triangles.

The 8” blocks sewed up quickly, then I framed with 4" borders. I quilted with white thread in a straight stitch, following the block seams. For the borders, I switched to a zig-zag utility stitch and quilted two parallel lines. Blockbuster finished out at 48” square.

After this was finished, I straightened up the sewing room, then had a marathon cutting session because there are plenty more remnants to dispatch. I like having my most used sizes cut and ready to go. It helps me finish projects faster! Look for more scrappy fun in later blog posts.

It's Halloween week, so we'll be watching our favorite scary movies with popcorn and trail mix for snacks. And there could be an adult beverage or two. Trick or treat, y'all 

Accuquilt dies used:
55763 Trapezoid 4” finished
55031 Half Square Triangle 4” finished
55018 Half Square Triangle 2” finished
55054 Strips 4” finished


 

It's Halloween

I've gone trick or treating...

National Cat Day & More

Here's a shot of our sweet Callie taken this morning. She's stretched out in the sunshine, relaxed and happy. It's National Cat Day so she'll get a few extra treats to celebrate.

Wednesday is Halloween; we're going to dress up as old retired folks. OK, not really dressing up, just wearing our normal clothes. It's been a while, but I recall wonderful costumes for many Halloween celebrations at work.

I'm already stitching for Christmas! A charity project is in the works that will bring smiles to the faces of strangers during the holidays. What better way to celebrate?

Refrigerator Update: Still nothing. We have received two of the parts but the other is still pending, possibly on back order or sailing in on a slow boat from Korea. No one knows.

Patience 

is the ability 

to count down 

before you blast off

Candy Corn

Candy Corn

Tomorrow is Halloween, a day for fun, trick-or-treat, and candy.  This week's project is made of cute candy prints cut into equilateral triangles.  

Using an Accuquilt die made quick work of cutting and sewing.  Sized at 24" x 29", Candy Corn fits just right on my coffee table or kitchen bar. 

Notice the empty candy jar?  We've already gobbled up the first batch of Halloween treats. 

Trick or Treat

If The Broom Fits

It's nearly Halloween and I've seen candy and witches everywhere!

Do you remember how excited you were as a child?  Picking a costume, getting ready to go out trick or treating with your friends?  

Let go of all your stress and find that playful state of mind for the rest of the week.  

Watch scary movies, laugh at Young Frankenstein, and by all means treat yourself to something delicious.

Happy Halloween

just hand over 

the chocolate

and 

no one will get hurt!

Trick Or Treat At The Campground

Picture this: It's the last Saturday night in October at Defeated Creek Campground near Carthage, Tennessee. Just before dusk there's a haze of campfire smoke floating in the air, mixed with the scent of grilled burgers, chili, and hot dogs. Campsites are decorated with backlit ghosts, witches, jack-o-lanterns, tombstones, giant spider webs, spooky music, and eerie colored lasers. Some are pretty elaborate; we had two plastic pumpkins illuminated with tea lights sitting on the picnic table.

It's like a neighborhood party and most of the campers hand out candy. Kids (and some adults) were decked out in costume with their sacks full of treats. I saw a tiny witch riding a pink and turquoise bike, several undead zombies, a bumble bee, Duck Dynasty characters, princesses, pirates, and cheerleaders. One little girl vampire in a Victorian red and black satin dress had drops of blood painted over her face, and when I said she looked scary she hissed at me with her fake fangs instead of saying trick or treat. An adorable two year old boy with a head full of blonde curls was wearing an engineer cap and a Thomas the Train costume. Too cute!

We were dressed as retired campers in jeans, flannel shirts and hoodies. It was fun for us to watch and give away goodies while we sat by the fire, even if we don't have kids.  Everyone was well behaved, laughing and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere. Parents and grandparents were walking with their little spooks, having a good time. I'm sure there were lots of ghost stories told and marshmallows roasted once it got dark and everyone was back at their campsite.  Those families will have great memories of camping and trick or treat.  

Happy Halloween!

Young Frankenstein

My favorite Halloween movie is Young Frankenstein. It's a comedy instead of a thriller or horror film, but I don't care. It's just hysterical, no matter how many times or what time of year I see it.  

Mel Brooks' 1974 black and white film, co-written by Gene Wilder, is the perfect parody of the old Universal Studios horror classics. 

Wilder, Marty Feldman, Terri Garr, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Kenneth Mars, Gene Hackman, and Peter Boyle are so funny and perfectly cast in their roles. The “walk this way” routine and other gags are timeless, flowing smoothly from scene to scene.

These are few of my favorite punch lines and quotes:

“What knockers!” 

“Sed-a-give?”

“Vould you like a roll in ze hay? 
     Roll, roll, roll in ze hay”

“Igor, will you give me a hand with the bags?

Soitainly, you take the blonde, and I'll take the one in the turban.”

“Put... ze candle... *back*!”

“Frau Blucher”...[horse whinny]

“He vould have an enormous schwanzstucker.”

“Woof!”

“Oh sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you.”

If you haven't seen Young Frankenstein in a while, be sure to watch this week with a big bowl of popcorn.  Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Best Memories of Halloween

 Any holiday that involves large quantities of candy, especially chocolate, ranks high on my favorites list. Dressing up in silly or scary costumes only adds to the excitement. Whether you're a child or an adult, this is one fun time of year. When I see the expressions on the faces of little goblins, memories of Halloweens past are vivid in my mind.

Years ago, my best friend Pam and I got out early and covered nearly every house in our neighborhood, an area 5 blocks square. I remember the crunch of leaves as we dashed from house to house. We knew which people gave out the best goodies, so we tried to hit them early. We decorated paper grocery sacks to carry our loot at first, but changed to pillowcases that held more and avoided the loss of precious candy when the bag ripped.

Choosing a costume was so much fun. I remember being a pirate, ballerina, hobo, princess, cowgirl, bunny, 20's flapper, witch, and cheerleader. Sometimes I had a store-bought costume with those awful plastic masks...I wore glasses so the masks never fit right and made my glasses fog up. Other times I helped my mama sew one or we'd piece together something out of her closet. Some years we had to wear coats or rain gear over our costumes, which absolutely ruined the effect.

We'd drive out to my grandparent's after trick or treat so they could see us. She made the most delectable popcorn balls and chocolate fudge candy. Even if we didn't go on Halloween, she made sure we got those yummy, sticky snacks sometime that week. We got huge hauls of candy, and got to eat what we wanted. My mama always filled the candy dish in the living room so not much was left over at our house. My favorite candy? Nearly all of them, but creamy delicious chocolate is the best, hands down.

When I had my own business, we chose a theme and went all out decorating the office. We served treats and our customers stopped by to see our secret costumes. Memorable themes were: western, gypsy, 50's, favorite animal, Gone with the Wind era (Miss Scarlett here), pirates, coven of witches, and pajama party. Favorite candy was fun: our pregnant receptionist was a peanut M&M, I was a Hershey's kiss, the two others were Baby Ruth and licorice.

The best year was Addam's Family—we won the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce prize for best costumes. I was Morticia, the other three were Uncle Fester, Pugsley, and Wednesday. No one was tall enough to be Lurch and we decided that Gomez was out of town. Thing sat on the front desk, and our office was transformed into the creepy Addams Family mansion. We laughed all week and got very little work done that day, but it was great fun!

As you prepare to dole out treats this year, remember your favorite Halloween with a smile, and save a few dozen extra pieces of candy for yourself. 

Trick or treat!

Quick and Easy Fall Sewing Ideas

Our Tennessee autumn weather has been way too pretty lately to stay indoors. Except for a couple of cool mornings, it's been beautiful and I've been outside as much as possible. Camping and yard work at home have occupied most of my time. 

Although I haven't been in the sewing room, project ideas and color combinations pop up all around me. I've been making notes and sketching design ideas. Until I get back to my stitching, here are a few simple ideas from my collection. These won't take long and will brighten up your home during your fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving celebrations.

Boo! To You Pumpkin Wall Art: Find a fun embroidery design like this cute pumpkin and put it on a light or medium colored background fabric. Add a back lining and loops, then finish the edges. I used a small stick as a hanger. If you don't have an embroidery machine, try applique or fabric painting a Halloween design.

Autumn Glory Reversible Table Runner: Choose a fall print fabric that coordinates with your dining room or kitchen, and a neutral solid like muslin, osnaburg or linen for the reverse side. Apply interfacing to the solid, then embroider or applique a fall design on each end. Bind them together with a two-inch border of the print material.  The small fruit design is repeated in the cornucopia embroidery and is perfect for the kitchen.

Napkins Aplenty: Hem 16 or 18-inch squares of the extra fabric from your table runner project. For solid colors, add a decorative or zig-zag stitch to add interest. You don't even have to sew if you don't want to for this one. Look at discount stores for colorful cloth napkins to match or contrast.

Rich Autumn Pillow Covers: Sewing simple pillow covers is fast and easy. You can change them quickly to bring beautiful fall colors indoors. Try dark red, ripe persimmon, warm brown or deep gold textured fabrics to create a warm, inviting living space.

Useful Remnant: Cloth napkins add a nice touch to your table and help the environment. Either catch them on sale or make your own. Buy some new dish cloths that match your kitchen and designate them as napkins for daily use. 
 

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

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