Sunday, October 25, 2015

Halloween Hop 2015 and Giveaways!

*Edit: I have linked this up to http://quiltshopgal.com/2015-free-motion-quilting-challenge-october-challenge-with-lori-kennedy-of-the-inbox-jaunt/ in order to join the linky party.  Party on!*
 
 


Welcome!  I was SO happy to receive the email from Marian of Seams to be Sew inviting us to join in the blog hops again, I could barely contain my excitement!  Thank you Marian.  And then I saw on The Inbox Jaunt's site that Lori was the featured quilter on Quilt Shop Gal's FMQ Challenge, and that the theme was a pumpkin.  I figured it was a sign.
 
I spent the next two weeks practicing my doodling, and when I finally settled on a pattern I liked I sat down and made it happen.

 
Starting the pumpkin, I used a 40 wt Aurifil thread pack I found on sale.  I was hoping the heavier weight threat would show more, and it does a bit, I would like to experiment with others now that I've tried this one out.
 
Loving the checkerboard!  Also, rather proud of my feathers :)
 
I took this photo before adding the back flaps to make a pillow sham, I figured it would be a good idea to get a picture of it flat, and it seems to show off the quilting very nicely!
 
I wanted to make the pumpkin fall-ish so I added oak leaves and acorns, as well as the wheat stalks below
 
 
It is currently supporting me as I write this post, good pillow!  I backed it with some flannel, so when it gets snuggled it will be cozy.
 
So then, there I was, minding my own business, when suddenly:
*cue creepy music*
 
Arrrgh!  An infestation!
 
 
They were everywhere!  So I threatened them with my rotary cutter, no one messes with the rotary cutter...
*By the way, I NEVER leave my cutter open, I opened it specifically for this photo, making sure the cats were elsewhere, and closed it immediately when I was done.  Safety always.*
 
I saw these spiders on a Google search I did last year and just had to make some.  I got the suckers at the Dollar Store, there were 9 in the bag, and that was enough.  Spent a couple dollars on pipe cleaners, made the eyes with my hole punch and a marker.  I love low cost crafts, and this would be such fun to do with kids!  Although, I could see my family sitting down and doing this too, and everyone is over 18... hahaha!
 
Lastly, I woke up yesterday morning with this idea stuck in my head and it dogged me until I finally just made it.
This is a mug rug, and the first I've actually finished I believe.  Also the first time I have made a rail fence.  The idea was that the gray part represents lightning bolts, and the bat is flying through a dark and stormy night.  I was inspired to do the mini dresden bat after hearing Susan Marth on Pat Sloan's podcast.
A wonderful lady in my guild gave me a Halloween kit that had this fabric in it, and it's so much fun.  You can see I outlined the "lighting bolts" for the quilting.  As it's only 6.5" x 6.5" I didn't figure it needed all that much.  Also, I used 2 layers of Insul-Bright for the batting, so it can function as a hotpad as well.
 

The Halloween hops signal my blog anniversary, so that's kinda fun too.  This is my third Halloween hop, so that means I'm entering my third year of blogging and 4th year of quilting.  Hmmmm, doesn't that mean TIME FOR A GIVEAWAY?!  Of course it does.
 
Follow the link below to enter my blog anniversary giveaway.  I'll be sending one lucky winner a homemade bag with some goodies in it!
My giveaway will be open until next Monday, November 2nd, and a winner will be chosen soon after.
It is open to US Residents only (sorry, international shipping is rough these days).

Thank you so much for stopping by, be sure to visit everyone else and see what amazing ideas they've come up with!


Follow the link below to enter into today's $25 Fat Quarter Shop giveaway:




91 comments:

Lisa said...

Well I love candy! And I would love to taste a few! Happy blog Anniversary! Your projects are cute. Comlisajohnson@gmail.com

Crafty Tokyo Mama said...

I really enjoyed seeing all your Halloween projects. Those spiders taking over your space are sooo creepy! I just might try making one and leaving it on my daughter's desk. Mwah ahh ahhhh...

Betsy said...

Brandi I love all the new flavored m&m's. I love your spiders. Also your pumpkin project is such a great idea!

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Great group of projects!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Very nice....I did this pumpkin for my pillow challenge..lots of fun!

Dorian said...

You did a great job on your fmqing! Isn't Lori's site awesome?! I love those spiders too, too cute!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

This is such a cute post!! The suckers would make a really great party treat...cute, simple and inexpensive. Perfection. I have never made a mug rug but they are a future project for sure. Yours is very festive.

Happy Blogaversary. Thank you for blogging. I love the blog community. Now I'm off to see your past posts.

Emily C said...

Very nice. I love your pillow.

quilter said...

My favorite treat this time of year is candy apples.
cork@pa.rr.com

Dana Gaffney said...

Your pumpkin turned out beautiful, I like the additions to the edges too, less Halloween and more Fall. Dresden bat, I would never have thought of that :)

Karen said...

Your pumpkin pillow is stunning. I love it!

Unknown said...

Everything is so creative, thanks for sharing

Lisa England said...

Wow that quilted pumpkin is amazing!

Diane Beavers said...

Hi Brandy,
Cookies......fresh baked and I can never wait til they cool so usually burn my mouth. Loving the pipe cleaner/lollipop spiders..so easy. thanks for sharing all your spooky talent. And it's wonderful to meet you via blog.

schimmel(dot)db(at)gmail(dot)com

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Beautiful pillow and your feathers are perfect! The orange thread really stands out on the green fabric. Cute, cute spiders!!

Needled Mom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Needled Mom said...

Your FMQ on that pillow is wonderful. I love the designs that you placed in the different areas.

The spiders are adorable and make such a cute decoration.

Happy blogaversary! My favorite would be Candy Corn.

Wendi said...

Your pumpkin is amazing!

Marian said...

WoW, I read that post on Quiltshop Gals site and I think I need to go ane re-read it, that's amazing that pillow and so realistic looking with the quilting. I love it.

Your spider projects are also very cute, and I enjoyed the "walk" with them... Thank you for participating in Halloween Haunts..

Happy Anniversary on your blog opening and Halloween Hopping.. :)

mumbird3 said...

Wow - great stuff!

MaryBeth said...

I have a sweet tooth so candy is a no brainer, but really, I do love cookies and sweet breads.

Bonnie said...

I love homemade popcorn balls. We have a friend who makes them every year I sends them home with our granddaughter for us. Love your projects. Thanks for the chance to win.

Jane's Quilting said...

Your pumpkin is beautiful. You gave me a great idea as to how to practice more in my new long arm (course I am practicing all the time) and being productive too.

KaHolly said...

Don't get between me and my annual bag of candy corn!

Lana said...

Such cute projects! I love your thread painting / quilting...you are EXCELLENT! and I do hate spiders, but those are AWESOME! The mug rug has me batty it is sew cute! What a wonderful offering of haunting projects...GREAT JOB!

Anonymous said...

THANKS FOR SHARING !!!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Rebecca said...

Well I would head straight to the candy! My favorite is the M&M's chocolate covered peanuts. Can't get enough of those.....
sewfabrics@outlook.com

Anna brown said...

I love chips but would never refuse candy..lol.....happyness04431@yahoo.com

Julianne said...

Spooktacular!

@lutzcats said...

Oh boy...got to get a bag of tootsie pops. My niece is coming this weekend and I just have a feeling they will be ALL OVER her room here before the weekend is over. Thanks for sharing this. Your sense of humor is fun - run, don't walk!

allthingzsewn said...

I'm going to make the little spiders for my women's study group. These are so cute. Your fmg is very well done. Did you use a double on some of it? And the mug rug is great. Think that is going to bee some of my Christmas presents.
Enjoyed the visit.

cjmont said...

my favorite treat is chocolate, dark, of course.

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Beautiful stitching on the pillow, you are a wonderful artist. Love the candy spiders and the mug rug too!

Anonymous said...

Oh, do I ever love each one of your projects! Your quilting is amazing on the pumpkin, and I really like your wheat heads. So clever and well done. The spiders were cute and funny and look easy, and that bat mug rug is also definitely spooky. Thanks for sharing so many wonderful things with us! Thanks for not using embedded comment boxes, too!

Anonymous said...

That fmq pillow is amazing! Quilting is not my best skill, but since I love piecing so much, I fake it ;)
Happy anniversary too!

Anonymous said...

Ha! My favorite treat? More like what won't I eat if it's around 😁 but I think Twizzlers have been what I have been craving most of the time. Either that or chocolate!
Meinhardmk@mymail.vcu.edu

Anonymous said...

I love all of your projects. The pumpkin pillow is beautiful! Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

DebraKay Neiman said...

I am a sucker for tootsie roll pops and tootsie rolls. I love the quilting on your pumpkin. So happy to be learning how to FMQ. crystalbluern at tds dot net

krislovesfabric said...

Very pretty quilting on that pumpkin!! As for treats, I love a good kitkat :)

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

So many cute projects. Love your quilting.

Lori said...

your projects are wonderful. LOL those spiders are just too cute.
I love Reece's Peanut Butter Cups
quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

teachpany said...

Good job on the pillow, and the spiders are cute. I love cookies and Dove chocolates. Thanks for the inspiration.

Julie said...

Love the pumpkin pillow :)

Vicki H said...

Cute mug rug. I love a plain Hershey Bar.

Mary Ann said...

I love popcorn balls. Sweet and sticky and crunchy...mmmmm Love your projects. Great FMQ. And the bat is very clever, I like that. Thanks for the "invasion" of Halloween inspiration and the chance to win.

Bobbie said...

happy blogiversary! My favorite fall treats are caramel apples, apple cider donuts and candy corn mixed with peanuts. My problem is I like everything!
love your bat in a storm! the lightning bolts are great!

Oneoldgoat1962 said...

Thank you so much for the directions for quilting the pumpkin. I'm new at machine quilting with my longarm so this is very much appreciated!

Beth

oneoldgoat1962 at gmail.com

Oneoldgoat1962 said...

by the way, my favorite treat would be tootsie rolls!

Beth Brown
oneoldgoat1962 at gmail .com

Sewgirl said...

I love chocolate in most any form...my absolute favorite is a bordeaux from SEE's chocolates (I think their a west coast thing except during the holidays!) Love your quilted pillow! Thanks for sharing.

In stitches and seams said...

love your stitching on the pillow and cute little creepy crawlies...
institchesandseams@hotmail.ca

Sandy said...

I Love Your Pumpkin Threadwork and Your Halloween Mug Rugs! Thanks So Much For This Great Giveaway!

Alcea Rosea 31 said...

Your pumpkin is magic, so are the spiders. I used to love toffee apples.

dcargill said...

I guess birthday cake is my favorite Halloween treat since it's my birthday but any kind of chocolate candy is good with me & I wouldn't turn down a popcorn ball! You are very talented!

Quilting Tangent said...

Cute projects and spiders. Candy and cookies. 24Tangent@gmail.com

Quilting Tangent said...

New follower on bloglovin'. 24Tangent@gmail.com

barbara woods said...

i love chocolate! bewtjw@outlookdotcom

MissPat said...

I really like your interpretation of Lori's FMQ pumpkin. The spiders I could do without. I have enough real ones!

Carol Swift said...

Pumpkins and spiders...perfectly Halloween! Love your projects!

Teatime Creations said...

Amazing quilting on the pillow. Happy Halloween

claire ross said...

I have a sweet tooth so chocolate every time for me!

Lace Faerie said...

Darling mug rug! All your ideas are fun! Love the spider lollipops!

wendy said...

Cute projects! Love the spiders!

wendy said...

Cute projects, love the spiders!

wendy said...

Candy definitely! Chocolate! Cookies come in at a close second...homemade of course. sewgood414@hotmaildotcom

Rhonda said...

I absolutely love your quilted pumpkin! What a wonderful way to demo your skills!!

Quiltsmiles said...

Great projects! Happy 3rd Bloggiversary too!
I've slated those lolli pops to do with the youngest grands when they come to visit.

Also I love how Lori Kennedy suggested that quilted pumpkin pillow, just perfect for the Autumn months! Yours looks wonderful!

rrjane011749 said...

Theae are too cute!

Kathy H said...

Caramels are my favorite treat this time of year. Your projects are so cute, the scary spiders, cute mug rug and the pumpkin pillow too.

Patty said...

I really like the FMQ on the pumpkin!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Great quilting - love some fun with thread. I use to make those spiders with my kids - now my daughter makes them with hers.

Kathy E. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathy E. said...

Oh, how I wish I could do FMQ as well as you do! I keep practicing, so maybe some day I can share it. sigh. My favorite candy ANY time of the year is Peanut M&M's. Love them! Happy Blog Anniversary! duchick at gmail dot com

Createology said...

Thank you for being so sweet to invite me to your blogiversary give. My favorite treat is anything craft related...especially favrics. Your quilted pillow is stunning and you should feel very proud. I also like your fun spiders. They would make a great kid craft. Creative Halloween Bliss...

Beth said...

My favorite Halloween treat is licorice. When we were kids, my brother and I always swapped--he wanted candy bars and I was digging for licorice.

Happy blogiversary!

wordygirl (at) earthlink (dot) net

Sarah@123quilt said...

I love peanut M&M's and cake! Those sucker spiders are so cute and I love how low budget they are! I'm a "sucker" for a cheap craft!

Angelia Lanouette said...

My favorite treat is Dark Chocolae Kit Kat bars. The only place I can buy them is at Target so I make sure to pick up several everytime I go in. I just recently started doodling/Zentangle...so relaxing and fun! I love how you doodle stitched the pumpkin...gorgeous!

Calicojoan said...

Oh now I want top lay with free motion quilting! Great spiders too!

GranChris said...

If I could eat them it would be caramel apples.

Walter said...

My dau-in-law hates spiders; maybe I should send her a "care" package for Halloweem :). pjrquilter(at)msn(dot)com

lefuntz said...

My favorite treat is whatever I happen to be craving at the moment. Happy Blogiversary!

Charlene McCain said...

Great projects! Your quilted pillow is awesome! And I like the way you made the rail fence look like lightning for your bat. Super cute!

Anonymous said...

I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

tink's mom said...

Love the spiders. I follow Lori on the In Box Jaunt but haven't gotten past doodling. Your pumpkin is wonderful. Your rugs are sweet too. Great stop on the hop. My favorite would be anything that combines nuts and chocolate.

Michelle said...

That's some wonderful quilting. Love those checks too.

inchworming said...

Glad I popped back in to enter! Can't wait to see who wins! Love the spiders!

Heide said...

Glad I came back to enter! Cute quilts and love the spider sucker idea. Thanks.

Tish Stemple said...

Happy Blog-a-versary to you! How cool that it falls this time of year. I'll admit I am a Reese's Cup kind of girl. I just can't say no to peanut butter and chocolate. Yum-O.
tishnwonderland@gmail.com

Debbi said...

I love the themed quilting on the pillow. It works from the first sign of Fall all the way until it is Time to switch over to Christmas. The spiders are pretty darn cute as well. Dch323@gmail.com

KaHolly said...

Just to let you know I was here the other day and left a comment! XO

FlashinScissors said...

Hi Brandy,

I was still in Halloween mode when I discovered your blog via Carol of Beads and Birds. What wonderful free motion stitching on your pumpkin cushion - it's gorgeous! Great spiders, and lovely mug rug too. Such a very generous giveaway!

Had a little peek through your archives and saw some lovely quilts. I will be back to visit you again.

Nice to meet you.

Barbara xx

Cate said...

Hey Brandy, that pumpkin quilting pattern is pretty immense, I'm always so inspired by a visit to your blog! Happy blogiversary! My blog birthday is in October too, it's a good month for things to be born! x