Happy Halloween!

A week of costume and trick-or-treat bag making, and still my sister - who came to visit - and I were up this Halloween morning putting the finishing touches on costumes.

As we were getting the costumes together, I wondered what did we do all week?  It seemed like we were working in every spare moment on it all and still we weren't done?  We went out Sunday, searching stores to purchase some pumpkins for my kiddos to carve; finally finding a few (and expensive) ones at the fourth store we drove by, a feed store close to home.  All the years before my little family has gone to the local pumpkin  patch, but somehow time got away from us this year and I realized while running errands on Sunday that we didn't have anything to carve into jack-o-lanterns.

My son's preschool party was at noon this year so we needed everything done by 11:15 am. I really think that if I didn't have my sister here visiting and willing to help with Halloween costumes, that I would not have had them done.

So thank you, thank you my little sis!!

I did get one out of two trick-or-treat bags done...

And my sister even made a Halloween dinner...

Mummys

And had Logan decorate cupcakes...

Spider cupcakes

Without further delay, this year, with a lot of duct tape, some bolts, felt, a sewing machine, cardboard boxes, paint - I present (drum roll please!)

A rancher in his John Deere Tractor and...
             

his little Wagyu calf.

Happy Halloween!!

WIP #15

First, I would like to thank all those who commented on my last WIP post.  Your comments are so nice and I appreciate them immensely.  I had every intention of replying to each of you individually, but frankly I just never got to it.

Now onto the post...

I decided {at the last minute} to make some trick-or-treat bags for my kiddos; I haven't even really dug into making their Halloween costumes yet!  (eek!) Every year thus far my son has just taken one of those cloth bags you can buy at the grocery store, and every year I watch him struggle with hauling it around.  So I thought some smaller sized ones made by mom would be a nice touch...

Obviously it is still a work in progress.  I am making two up - more details next week.

Another new project:

These little strips are going to become a coupon organizer.  I bought one years ago at the dollar store, but that didn't last long before it all fell to pieces.  Since then, all my coupons have just been shoved in a side pocket of my purse, I figure it is about time to have a new, better quality - and pretty - coupon organizer don't you think?

Projects in progress:
Kaleidoscope quilt (behind)
Skill Builder Sampler (same)
Daisy chain ABC's sampler (on the letter 'J')
Christmas gifts
Halloween bags/costumes

No progress:
Bottled Rainbow quilt (sorting scraps)
Princess Pea quilt
Husband's shirt

Quilt/Bind:
Log cabin quilt

Currently on hold:
Beatrix Potter quilt (working up design)
Barn quilt

This week's stats:
Completed: 0
New projects: 2
In progress: 9

Linking to other great works in progress at Freshly Pieced.

Photo Friday

WIP #14

Another Wednesday, another completed project!  Can you believe it?
I know I kept saying I couldn't show the whole thing because it is a Christmas present for someone, but luckily it's someone little who will only peek if her mom let's her.

Almost every piece of this quilt (including the batting) came from my stash. The only thing purchased was the binding and I have no idea what it was. Just some gray and white from JoAnn's.

Speaking of binding, I have never used the technique that Jeni posted, I have always hand stitched my binding on. What a time saver her method was!

And the back....

Aww, look at that little helper?  Originally I was going to do this photo shoot in our hay barn, but the day got  away from me and before I knew it, the sky was dark.  So I recruited him and Dad to hold it up for me.  Of course, then our dog Biscuit had to admire and if you peek behind Logan there, Aslyn is trying to make her way into the scene.

A few more projects are getting underway this week.  Yay!

Projects in progress:Kaleidoscope quilt (behind)
Skill Builder Sampler (behind)
Daisy chain ABC's sampler (on the letter 'J')
Husband's shirt

No progress: but getting there
Bottled Rainbow quilt (sorting scraps)
Princess Pea quilt

Quilt/Bind:Log cabin quilt

Currently on hold:Beatrix Potter quilt (working up design)
Barn quilt

This week's stats:Completed: 1
New projects: 0
In progress: 9

Be inspired with more great WIPs at Freshly Pieced!

Fall Traditions

To some, winter is the most magical time of year due to the Christmas season. Fresh fallen snow, twinkling lights in windows and on decorated Christmas trees and so on. To me, this is also true; however, I believe it all begins with the coming of Fall. When the hot summer months changes to sharp, cool, crisp autumn days.

There is a tradition I follow every Fall.  It wasn't until last year how much I realized this little tradition sets the tone for the next three months.  When I failed to do my usual welcome Fall things I was Ms. Bah-Humbug throughout the entire holiday season - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and yes, even the New Year.  So I made sure to get them in this time!

What is this little tradition you ask?  It all starts with a caramel apple...

From there, a pumpkin scented candle.  Though this part is critical - it has to be a certain candle.  Not all pumpkin scented candles are a like.

Then it moves to a fresh batch of hot apple cider simmering in the crock pot...

And lastly, a Fall picnic (this date is set for later this month,) with homemade soup, fresh baked bread, and other rich, yummy foods.

I can officially say that I am excited and ready to go for the upcoming holiday season!









Photo Friday -> 13

Photo Friday -> 12

WIP #13

Geez, these Wednesdays come fast.  If only I could say the same for Fridays...

Today, I have a couple of completed projects to share {gasp}. I know!!

So if you took a peek at this blog earlier this week, you would have seen that the I Spy and Matching Game quilt I made for my son's preschool is completed!  His teachers asked me to present it to the class at circle time with a little information on the process of making it and so forth.  However, I think I laid it out for them prematurely, as soon as I did the class pounced on it and I completely lost my audience.

Quilt Stats:

Size: 48" x 60"

Fabric: Lots of different ones!  Some from a swap done early this past summer, some from my stash, my local quilt shop and Joann's.

Quilted: Meandering stars

update: Design: can be found here.

The second project completed is part of a Christmas gift (I warned the recipient's mom that I was going to post this.)  It's a small thing but something I wanted to make...

A crayon roll!  It all came together so easily, I can see making more of these for gifts (we've been invited to quite a few Birthday parties recently) or as party favors.  I used leftover fabric from my son's quilt I made him earlier this year.

Projects in progress:

Kaleidoscope quilt (behind)
Skill Builder Sampler (behind)
Daisy chain ABC's sampler (on the letter 'J')
 Husband's shirt

Not started:
Bottled Rainbow quilt (sorting scraps)
Princess Pea quilt

Quilt/Bind:
Log cabin quilt
Warm, cool quilt

Currently on hold:
Beatrix Potter quilt (working up design)
Barn quilt

This week's stats:
New projects: 5
In progress: 4
Not started: 2
Quilt/bind: 2
On hold: 2

More great projects at Freshly Pieced!

I Spy Quilt Completed!

You are all probably wondering, "what ever happened to the I Spy quilt we heard so much about?"

Well....

I just pulled it out of the dryer this morning.

Monday, when I take my little guy to preschool, I will give the quilt to the class.  I'm hoping they like it as much as my son does.  Last night as soon as I finished sewing the binding on, he grabbed the quilt and tucked himself in it to go to bed, matching blocks all the way.