Spooky Hallows Wraps Up

Wow, do you believe it, we're at the end of Spooky Hallows.  We end with "Spooky Spells".  What you don't see is the word "Spells" that I will embroider on the book after quilting.  Nothing new for this block, same techniques and same fabrics.  I used cotton Lame for the candle stick using the same process as described in another post. Just click on the above picture to the PDF file.

I am also including the "Spiky" sashings 12" here and 16" here.  These were designed in EQ7 so you could easily repeat them there.  Because they are too long for the paper they come in two sheets.  I recommend that you tape them together and then take them to a copy expert and have them duplicated onto 11" x 17" known as Tabloid paper.  You will need 12 sashings of each size.  Luckily I was able to make the PDF with multiple on each page.

Now you can see the difference in the quilt between using "Spooky Flowers" or "Spooky Magic".   For some reason the quilt is much brighter with the stars versus the flowers.  I can't figure out why.  There is more yellow in the flower quilt so it should be brighter.  Maybe it is the spikes the the stars.  

I'm really going to miss coming here every two weeks to bring you another block.  I also want to thank every one that has left comments to let me know the quilt is well liked and I'm not out here alone.  LOL.  I also want to thank everyone for letting me post my blocks.  There really is a selfish reason I give my patterns away.  It gives me a deadline that I have to meet.  This quilt was designed three or four years ago and just sat there.  In my defense my husband did become mortally ill and died during that time.  I didn't work at all until two years after he died.  I still miss him.  

I have several other designs just sitting here, so I will be bringing them on as soon as I get them organized.  I have a four block small wall hanging of Santa's called "Santa in the Pines", that I will be offering starting in November.  It will be applique and some piecing.  Here is a mug rug I made from one of the Santa's.  So far the finished size is 22" x 22" but that may change.  LOL

  

Then I have a floral quilt done a little differently from my other florals.  It's more like the floral block featured in "Spooky Hallows".  I think I'm going to try and bring that out in January.  It's only on paper and I still need to pick out a color scheme for it.  Let's hope for the best.   So start looking for "Floral Dance" sometime in January (I hope).  

Then starting sometime in July or August I am going to try and bring out a Christmas quilt that came to mind and I was working on "Spooky Hallows" it will be called "Snowy Christmas"  featuring the same cat in white and some of my favorite Christmas decorations and toys, like tin soldiers and a Jack in the box.  It will be a 9 block quilt and the same size as this one.  I really can't wait to start this one.  It will be so much fun and cute to boot.

Applique is best!!!!

Marjory

Spooky Hallows Surprise Block

This block, "Spooky Magic" is as much a surprise to me as for you.  About a month ago a nice lady, Lynne, left me a long message telling me how much she loved my designs.  She really wants to make "Spooky Hallows" for her 13 year old son.  She also told me that she was going to have to change "Spooky Flowers" as she didn't feel her son would appreciate flowers in his quilt.

I originally designed "Spooky Flowers" because I needed more yellow to balance the quilt.  I just couldn't seem to come up with a good Halloween idea that would be simple enough and have lots of yellow, except flowers.  Now I have to admit that I just love flowers so it wasn't hard to come up with that block.  When I read Lynne's message it just put my mind in a spin.  This block is so important to the color balance.  Just give me a problem to fix and I have to fix it.  LOL

Well, I didn't sleep for two days, mulling over the problem.  Then suddenly I came up with the design for "Spooky Magic" in the middle of the night (3 am) when I was sleeping but awake.  I had to get up right then in order to put the idea on paper or lose it.  When I say paper I really mean my graphic program.  But what better way to show magic than with a Crystal Ball???!!!!  I also needed to design the right stand for the ball because it needed to have green and it needed to be tall.

This whole block is made with the same fabrics as in "Spooky Flowers" to keep it in the same flavor.  When I first finished it I thought, "It just doesn't pop enough". Then I was showing it to my male BFF and he asked me to place it on the finished top so he could see it in the quilt.  When I did, his comment was, "Wow!!"  He thinks I need to take out "Spooky Flowers" and replace it with "Spooky Magic".  Now he's not a quilter, he's a contractor, but I've made him see everything I make any way.  He's been very patient with me.  Now he knows the lingo and keeps up with what I say.  He told me, "The quilt now POPS."  When I stood back and looked I noticed he was right.  The stars just make the quilt so much better and fits the theme better too.  So I may have to do some unsewing.

Oh, I almost forgot!!!  I made this block backwards from the pattern.  My mistake and I was too lazy to correct it.  I didn't want to remake my templates and I figured this was just going to be a pillow anyway.  When placed on the top it didn't seem to matter that the cat is on the other side.  Just click on the photo to go to the free PDF file.

Now this is the 9th block but it is not block 9.  Does that make sense.  Block 9, "Spooky Spells" is a great block and will come out next week.  I will also give you the sashings at that time.  My top is done (unless I replace that block) and boy if I do say so myself, does it look great.  Can't wait to show it to you.

So Lynne, thank you for making me rethink this block.  This one's for you!!!!

I love surprises!!!
Marjory

Mumbly the Mummy Pincushion

Today I am being featured on Howl-oween Tricks & Treats Craftathon over on Rhinestone Beagle; http://rhinestonebeagle.blogspot.com/.  If you haven't had a chance to check out this blog please take the time to now.  Just click on their button above. It is run by a couple of fun ladies, Anita and Kelly. They are hosting this great Craftathon for the whole month of October so be sure to check back often.  I am being featured as the first guest presenter this year.  What an honor!

So here is the post, pattern and tutorial that I created just for their Craftathon:

It's that time of year again!!! I want to thank Anita and Kelly for hosting this great Howl-oween Tricks & Treats Craftathon again.  I am so excited to have been invited back to share my craft with you for the second year of this great adventure.  

While deciding what to do this year I thought of my doll,  Mumford and Friends.

Mumford and Mumbly together 

He's an 18 inch doll I designed several years ago.  Do I want to do another doll or do I want to do a pincushion version of Mumford?  I've really been interested in designing pincushions lately so that won out.  He stands 4 1/2" tall and is stuffed with crushed walnut shells.  What's great is that he's so easy and so are his critter friends.  Just click on his picture and it will take you to his PDF file which is a tutorial and pattern.

Surprise!!!  Since I so love to share and Halloween is my favorite Holiday I've decided to share Mumford with everyone too.  Just click on his name above and it will take you to his PDF pattern.  No tutorial on this one but he is made very similar to Mumbly.  The biggest difference is that he is stuffed with fiberfill.

Happy Halloweeeeen!!!!!!

               Marjory Peck 

                                   at   http://peckspieces.blogspot.com/

Spooky Hallows Continues with Block 8

Wow!!! Here we are on block 8, "Spooky Ghosts".  Can you believe it? Almost done, just one more block to go.  That block will be posted on Oct. 17th and somewhere along the way I will be posting for the paper pieced spiky sashing. 

I've almost completed that sashing for my quilt.  In fact I should have the top done by tomorrow.  Cross my fingers!!!  It will not be quilted by Halloween as I do not do machine quilting.  At least not very well.  So it goes into the pile of unquilted quilts.  Ugh!!!!  Or I need to start practicing my machine quilting.  I keep meaning to but time never seems enough.

During this great month leading to Halloween I will be posting more.  I will have at least 1 new pincushion every week and some great surprises too.  So be sure to come back and see what's going on.

There is no special instructions for this block.  Just remember to increase the size by 159%.

29 Days to Halloween!!!

Marjory

More Skullduggery as Halloween Approaches

October is finally here.  For me this means cooler weather and it's almost Halloween, my favorite Holiday.  So to start the month off right I am featuring a pincushion a week, or maybe more.  Let's wait and see.  The first one will be a skull pincushion.  He's very simple but really fun.  Just click on the picture and it will take you to the pattern and tutorial.  

Don't forget we will be finishing the last two blocks for Spooky Hallows, one this week and one two weeks later.  I've been busy sewing the spiky sashing and I will be offering that PDF soon.  I also have a special surprise for later in the month pertaining to this quilt.  Boy I'm so excited I want to post every thing now.  I learned early in life anticipation is half the fun.

30 Days to Halloween!!!

Marjory

Apple for the Teacher Pincushion

When I was young, school always started the first week of September.  No matter if that was in the middle of the week or the end.  Not on the 1st of September because that was Labor Day.  I'm dating myself because this was before Monday's became the national day for holidays.  Back then it was a date no mater what day it fell on. I think that was why you took the teacher an apple.  It was the fruit that was picked in September.  So to celebrate September and back to school days I am offering a pattern and tutorial of an apple pincushion.  Just click on the picture and it will take you to the PDF file.   Hope you all enjoy it.

An Apple a Day.......
Marjory

Pirate Hat Pincushion Tutorial and Pattern

                      
Avast me Hearties!!!  Today Sept. 19th  is a very special day!!!  It's talk like a pirate day.  Here is the official website just in case you want to check it out: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html  So in celebration of this very special day I'm giving away a pattern and tutorial on how to make a Tricorn Hat Pincushion.  Also included it a Bicorn Hat.  What is the difference you ask?  A Tricorn hat is 3 sided and a Bicorn is 2 sided.  A Bicorn is what Napoleon wore.  Just click on the picture above and it will take you to the pattern/tutorial.

The tutorial (just click on the picture above) also includes the directions/tutorial on the beaded lace edging.  I hope you will all enjoy my newest pincushion. 

Here are 2 other sites that can help you celebrate "Talk like a Pirate Day"

http://www.diamondsfordessert.com/2010/06/jack-sparrows-tricorne.html

cookies shaped like a tricorn hat.  What fun!!!

http://www.diamondsfordessert.com/2011/06/sand-dollar-cookies.html

Then here from the same site Sand Dollar Cookies.  I haven't tried either recipe but they sure look good and they are on my list of recipes to try.  They sure look good.  

Keeping Pins is Fun!!!!

Marjory

Spooky Hallows Continues with Block 7

Wow!!!  I remembered to post this early. Pat, Pat.  That's me patting myself on the back.  LOL   Spooky Hallows continues with Block 7: "Spooky Witch Pumpkin".

So for this block I again used cotton lame for the buckle.  See the post listed below for how I handled the lame: http://peckspieces.blogspot.com/2012/08/spooky-hallows-continues-with-block-5.html  The only other thing to say about this block is that I used reverse applique for the pumpkin face.  Don't forget to increase the pattern by 159% and enjoy.  I'll be back with another pattern on Oct. 3 and then the final applique post will be on Oct. 17.  I hope to have the paper piecing pattern for the sashing available for everyone at that time.

Keep on stitching!!!
Marjory

Spooky Hallows Continues with Block 6

Well, I've done it again.  I'm late!!!  Sorry about that.  This post would have been delayed even longer if an avid follower had not emailed me asking why it wasn't posted yet.  She's afraid she will miss one.  Isn't that great!!!!!

This isn't the only thing I've forgotten or really mixed up.  I called my friend today asking what the agenda for the day was.  He patiently explained everything he was doing today.  About ten minutes into the conversation I realized I had the wrong day.  You see I am supposed to accompany him to his doctors appointment on Friday the 7th.  Today is Thursday the 6th.  He must have thought I was crazy to be asking his schedule for today.  Actually he knows I'm crazy, he's a very old friend.  The only excuse I have is "ragweed".  It blooms starting is August.  I won't be able to think again until it cools off in October.  I did explain to my friend that I had the wrong day and he just laughed.

Now for today's block.  Here is Block 6: "Spooky Moon with Bats.  There really isn't anything that needs special attention on this block.  I just want to state that I kept the "man in the moon" subtle so that the main subject would remain the cat.  It also keeps the moon as one subject and not two.  

I will be back on the 19th or maybe before.  I have a special post for the 19th and I don't want a conflict.  It's going to be a great post!!  So how about Friday the  14th.  That will give everyone a few extra days to catch up if needed.  The next few blocks are fairly easy.  Then comes block 9 and it's as complicated as blocks 1, 4 and 5.  Don't forget to increase the pattern by 159%.  

Happy Quilting!!

Marjory

Bow Wow Pincushion for the Dog Days of August

Wow, I barely made it in time for August.  I've been trying all month to get this one done.  But, I kept on changing the design and having to start over.  Well, that's the way it is sometimes.  Here it is at last!!!  Click on the picture above and it will take you to the PDF file.  I not only did a pattern for you but a tutorial.

August is known for being the Dog Days of Summer, at least up here in the northern hemisphere.  So what better way to celebrate August than with a dog pincushion.  I have done two versions.  One with a long snout, short tail and short ears.  The other with a short snout, long tail and long ears.  What fun it would be to mix and match.  I noticed that if I had shortened the long ears just a tad, he would look just like my Chihuahua.  I may have to do another just for her.

Hope you had a happy August!!!

Marjory