Whimsicals Threads

If you haven't heard already.....

Oh my, but the day has gotten away from me and I completely forgot about posting the winners to the grand prizes for the Fall-o-ween Blog Hop!   * gasp *

And I'm sure you have probably checked one of the other 9 designers that participated, but just in case you haven't, (and just to cover my butt) I'm letting you know that if you are..... 

Jane - Sew Create It

Polly  http://www.auntpollysporch.blogspot.com/

Shannon   http://nunusquiltworld.blogspot.com/

..... YOU ARE A WINNER!!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.So, now I can check that off my to-do list.  Whew. 

I feel better already.

Except that it is now 11:30 p.m., and I'm having serious doubts about getting anything else checked off that list today.   But I'm praying that tomorrow will prove a little more fruitful for me.

I've always loved this picture of my dad and my older sister.  It's so appropriate, since this is what I'm going to be doing for the next two weeks while I try to prepare myself for International Quilt Market...... a lot of praying! 

Check back in a few days.  I'll let you know how it's going!

 

 

:: quilts :: fall-o-ween blog hop final day

OK, this is it.  I hope you all had fun and get all 10 projects made.  Remember, if you want to share something that you made from these patterns, you can post it here.....

Flickr group

And you won't want to miss the free project today from Pat Sloan.  Personally, I don't know how this woman gets all these things done, but she does.  I'm amazed.  And just a tad bit jealous that I'm not nearly as productive as she is!

Ah well.  We can't all be great. 

So, on to today's topic, QUILTS.  Now here's something that I could spend a lot of time talking about.  But, I'm thinking that maybe it's time I let the quilts do a little of the talking, although I need to share a little bit of information about each one.

This is Fall Frolic, one of my very early patterns.  Although it has been out of print for a while, I still get requests for it.  And actually, after looking at it again today, I'm thinking it would be a good candidate for a makeover (that would be a makeover as in make-it-over again using new fabrics).  Hmmm... something to think about.

This next one is still one of my very favorite quilts.  Probably because I love the simple lines of the courthouse steps block.  But I don't think I'll be making this one over again.  I don't think I've ever been so happy to be finished with a quilt as I was when I finally got this one all together.  It is called October Sky and is in my book Full Circle.

And then there is Rusted Moons, which is somewhat of a fall quilt.  It has the fall colors and I had fall in mind when I made it, at least.

Ok, now brace yourself, because here goes my shameless plug...

A few years ago I did a fabric line and a book, both called Pumpkins and Spice, that is full of fall projects.  I'll show you a few projects that are in it.

 

And if you are a fan of panels, these came from a panel I did for the Pumpkins and Spice fabric line.  This was the first fabric line that I did a panel for, and although I love all the projects, the panel is getting harder to come by.  However, as it is with any quilts done with a panel print, you could always substitute something else in the center of them.  Or, you could just purchase a panel from me, since I bought a few bolts of it. 

I have a limited quantity, just sitting in my dining room.  I'm just sayin'......

And something besides a quilt that you might need for a windy fall day...

Notice that the top one here is made out of felted wool.  This hat is in my Tangled Up in Thread book and the next one is in Pumpkins and Spice.  Both an be done in either wool or cotton and I can't tell you how many times I've had people want to take the hat right off of my head.  Literally!

Ok, so that's enough about me and my quilts.  I hope you enjoyed yourself and keep checking back, even after the blog hop is over.  Just so you know, though, I do plan on going into hibernation for a few weeks to recoup and to try to get something ready for Quilt Market, so don't be surprised if you come back to visit and I haven't shared anything new!  It doesn't mean that I've forgotten.  It just means that I'm busy sewing, and writing, and everything else that needs to get done!

Although, I will share the news of the lucky Grand Prize winner on Monday.   That means that you have until Friday to get your comments on each one of our blogs.  Good luck to everyone, and thanks for hopping along with us!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Gudren of G.E. Designs  (gudrun.typepad.com)

Sandy Gervais of Pieces From My Heart  (piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com)

Roseann of Rosebud's Cottage  (rosebudscottage.typepad.com)

 Kari Carr of New Leaf Stitches (newleafstitches.com)

Terry Atkinson Designs  (terryatkinson.typepad.com)

Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures (ankastreasures.wordpress.com)

Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. (lavieenrosie.typepad.com)

Linda Lum DeBono Designs (lindalumdebono.blogspot.com)

Pat Sloan's Designs (patsloan.typepad.com)

:: haunts :: fall-o-ween blog hop day 9

We're down to the last two.

Two topics and two designers left in the Fall-O-Ween Blog Hop.  And today's topic is HAUNTS.

And once again, I feel like I'm falling short because it's been YEARS since I have been to a haunted house or Halloween party.  Believe me, it's not because I don't want to.  It just never seems to happen.  Something will come up. Or no one wants to go with me.  It's always something.  But this year, it's going to be different.  I'm going, no matter what. 

 

(images from layoutsparks.com)

 

We have a friend that has played a huge part in organizing and promoting a Haunted House and Haunted Hayride in Brownsburg, Indiana, called Hauntsburg.  This is not too far from us, and I'm bound and determined to drag somebody with me this year, even if it kills me (or them).  Ok, I don't really want it to kill me (or them), but I think haunted houses are a hoot.  Obviously, no one else in my house thinks so, though. 

Maybe it's because we scared the kids silly one year when they were younger.  We took them to Conner Prairie where they do Headless Horseman hayrides.  We got to watch the Disney original Sleepy Hollow movie in an old barn, (still one of my favorites, although I admit that it freaked me out as a kid) and then go on a hayride through the woods.  Of course, we knew that the headless horseman was going to appear, and that he was just a man with his head covered up by his cape.  But the kids didn't.   

I don't remember them enjoying themselves very much on that hayride.  And I think we only went twice before they wouldn't go anymore. 

But I love hayrides and miss going on one in the fall.  You see I grew up in a very rural area of Indiana and one of our family friends had a huge farm where they would give kids hayrides every year.   It was the highlight of the fall for me.  Don't ask me why, but there's nothing that compares to riding in a wagon full of straw with a group of friends.  Full Harvest Moon shining.  Eerie looking trees passing overhead.  Stars glittering in the sky.  That wonderful smell of fall.  And then the campfire to warm you up.  And of course, roasted marshmallow and s'mores.  No, we didn't do the haunted hayride thing, but it was fun and made some great memories.  Maybe that's why I enjoyed the Headless Horseman hayride, even if the kids didn't.  Hmmmm.... d'ya think I could talk Tom into taking me to both the Headless Horseman hayride AND the haunted house?!  I'm hoping!

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If you haven't checked out Linda's free project yet, make sure you do that.  I've loved all the projects so far, and I'm sure Linda's will be another fun one to add to your list of "to-do's".  There have been some great pictures added to the Flickr group, so be sure to check those out and add your own.  We love to see what you are all doing with the patterns. 

And don't forget to see what everyone else has to say about their favorite haunts!

Gudren of G.E. Designs  (gudrun.typepad.com)

Sandy Gervais of Pieces From My Heart  (piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com)

Roseann of Rosebud's Cottage  (rosebudscottage.typepad.com)

 Kari Carr of New Leaf Stitches (newleafstitches.com)

Terry Atkinson Designs  (terryatkinson.typepad.com)

Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures (ankastreasures.wordpress.com)

Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. (lavieenrosie.typepad.com)

Linda Lum DeBono Designs (lindalumdebono.blogspot.com)

Pat Sloan's Designs (patsloan.typepad.com)

:: traditions :: fall-o-ween blog hop day 8

First of all.....

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your kind words yesterday, and for your understanding with the issues on the download.  After several attempts, I think I may have gotten it right, at least for most of you.  It couldn't possibly have anything to do with finishing the post at 1am could it?!  There.  Now you know the nasty truth about me..... that I truly am a procrastinator!  

So, here we are on Day 8, and the topic is TRADITIONS. 

One tradition that I can remember from when I was a kid was going to the Feast of the Hunter's Moon in Lafayette, Indiana every fall.  The Feast of the Hunters' Moon is a re-creation of the annual fall gathering of the French and Native Americans which took place at Fort Ouiatenon, a fur-trading outpost in the mid - 1700s. 

I remember how I loved the sights and the smell of cooking fires, watching all the people who were dressed up like Indians or tradesmen, and eating strange but wonderful food, like bison burgers (at least it seemed strange to me as a kid.)   There were a few years when our kids were really young that we spent a day walking around there, but we haven't been in a long time.  I'm thinking that I need to plan ahead for next year and make a point of going because sadly, I just checked to see when it was being held this year and it was just this past weekend.  Bummer.

As for our family now, we have a special tradition that we do every year.  One that has to be done, but none of us like it.....

Yep.  You guessed it.  It is raking all those leaves that you saw in my post on texture.  And you can tell from this picture how enjoyable it is.

We always tease the kids when there is something that needs to be done but none of us wants to do.  We call it the "Triple F", or "Forced Family Fun".  And spending the day raking leaves together is one of those "Triple F" things.  We are fortunate to have curbside leaf pickup, but not only do we have TONS of leaves, our house is about 200 feet from the curb, so getting the leaves there with a leaf blower is not an option and burning them is against the City Ordinance.  Over the years, we've tried many different ways of getting the leaves to the curb..... blowing them onto a sheet and dragging the sheet to the street...... putting them into the bed of a pickup.... But our best solution?

Filling up the trash cans with the leaves and hauling them down to the street to dump them.  It usually takes us an entire day because we wait until they are all down so that we only have to do it once.  And the whole family gets to be in on the fun.  There is usually a lot of dragging feet and arguments on why they should be exempt and not have to participate, but in the end, we (the parents) usually win.

More often than not, though, there is usually something done during the day that has us all laughing.  Like watching our dog, Yukon, who loves to jump and play in the piles of leaves......

or looking over and seeing one of the kids in the trash can instead of the leaves.....

But no matter what, our Forced Family Fun day usually "leaves" us with a good memory (Ha, ha, do you get it?  Leaves?!)  and sometimes even turns out to actually BE fun.  Someday, the kids may even learn to appreciate it. 

Or maybe not.  

We can always hope.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For today's free Fall-O-Ween Blog Hop project, you need to visit Carrie at Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.

Her stories and blogs are always a treat to read, so she's bound to have a great project to share with you.  And don't forget to visit all the other blogs for their musings on Traditions:

Gudren of G.E. Designs  (gudrun.typepad.com)

Sandy Gervais of Pieces From My Heart  (piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com)

Roseann of Rosebud's Cottage  (rosebudscottage.typepad.com)

 Kari Carr of New Leaf Stitches (newleafstitches.com)

Terry Atkinson Designs  (terryatkinson.typepad.com)

Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures (ankastreasures.wordpress.com)

Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. (lavieenrosie.typepad.com)

Linda Lum DeBono Designs (lindalumdebono.blogspot.com)

Pat Sloan's Designs (patsloan.typepad.com)

:: free project day ::

7: 30 am.... If you had problems downloading the file, I think I may have fixed it, so after refreshing your screen, try again!

12:00 pm.... It seems that some of you are still having a problem with the download, so I've tried a different method and am hoping that it works.....

It's my day!!!  My day to share a free project with you!

But for those of you who don't know me, let me introduce myself....

Although I am sometimes known simply as "the whimsicals lady", really I am Terri Degenkolb and this is my husband Tom.  And if you've been following this blog hop, you've seen lots of pictures of my kids when they were young, but this is what they look like now. 

Our oldest son is attending Indiana University and the youngest is a senior in high school.  I started this business 14 years ago in order to stay at home with them, and never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be able to do it for this long and be doing what I am doing today. 

And what is it that I do?  I self publish my own quilt books and patterns, and design quilt fabric for Red Rooster Fabrics.  I recently got the fabric for my 12th line with Red Rooster and am working on book number 20, in hopes of having something ready for Fall Quilt Market at the end of October. 

But you didn't really come here today to read all about me, I know. 

What you really came for was the free project!  And you've been waiting on pins and needles, right?!

I really wanted to do something out of wool, since you know, it is fall and everything.  And this gave me a chance to use some of those wool threads that I showed you in my post on COLOR.  So, this is what I did for you.....

I've called this "On Pins and Needles" and it is a large wool pincushion (4" x 8") that I've filled with sand, and attached a little wool needle keeper.  Even if you don't want to use it as a pincushion, it would make a great paper weight or decoration for your end table.  And the leafy needle keeper is held on simply by a wool button loop on a shank button, so it's removable to allow you to take it with you. 

You can download the pattern here:   Download OnPinsNeedles

I used wool thread on the pincushion, but because I didn't want the stitches to show on the needle keeper, I used cotton quilting thread on it.  When I work with wool, I prefer a whip stitch around the edge.  This is done simply by inserting the needle from the back to the front with each stitch.

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For the stems, I used a technique from one of my favorite designers, Maggie Bonanomi.  They are simply rectangles of wool rolled up and stitched along the edge, but I love the dimension that they add.

And in addition to the whip stitch edge, the only other stitch I used was a stem stitch.  I like this stitch for the lines on the leaves and the pumpkin because it is a bit heavier and thicker.

Here are a few more close ups of the finished top....

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I hope you enjoy the little project.  I would love to hear what you think! 

Don't forget to leave me a comment to get your name in the drawing for the grand prize! 

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Now that I have that out of the way, on to today's topic, which is "gatherings". 

I know, this is sad, but aside from the Halloween parties that we had many years ago, I don't have any great "gathering" stories. 

BUT, there was this one gathering 25 years ago.  A very IMPORTANT one that took place on October 25th in 1986.....

Yep, that's when we got married.  And it was the best gathering.  Ever.

:: clothes ::

In the midst of doing the blog hop, I'm also deep in the process of trying to get a new book ready for Quilt Market, which is only 4 weeks away.  So, I'm going to keep this short tonight, but just let prove that I have been working on things, here's a sneak peek of a few things I have in the works....

I'm not sure yet when I will have this book ready, but be looking for it in the future (how's that for being vague?!)  It will be called Down Winterberry Lane, and many of the projects will use my new to-be-introduced-at-market fabric line, Winterberry Lane.

So, now that that's out of the way, let's talk about clothes.  Or, to be more specific, my feelings on clothes and the fall season.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love fall.  It's my favorite time of year.  But there is something rather depressing about having to give up these.....

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for these.....

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Ok, to be perfectly honest, I haven't really pulled out my boots just yet.  But I live in my sandals all summer, and wear them as long into the fall season as I can, and I don't really like the thought of putting them away.

But alas.  I know that time is coming soon.  I'm just going to delay it as long as possible.

I think it's perfectly fine to wear flip flops and a sweatshirt.  Isn't it?!

:: texture ::

Day 4 for the Fall-O-Ween Blog Hop!  I hope you're enjoying all the posts and free projects.  Did I mention that Pat Sloan has set up a Flickr group page for you to post photos of your finished projects? 

You can find it here. 

It's amazing how fast you guys are in getting these projects completed! 

So, today's topic is TEXTURE.  (ok, for some reason, I suddenly feel like I am back in elementary school where we had to write something about a specific topic each day....)

When I think of fall, the most obvious texture that comes to mind is the dried grass and leaves. 

Yes, this is our yard, and it seems to take FOREVER to rake all those leaves.  But I love to go walking through them, listening to them crunch and swoosh around.  

There is a pumpkin patch nearby that we used to go to when the kids were little.  It was fun to go "crunching" through the fields searching for that perfect pumpkin to carve.

You know, that perfect pumpkin that was just the right size, that would stand upright and not list to one side, that still had a good stem on it to serve as the "handle" for the lid.  And when we found it, we would bring it home and experience another texture that I associate only with the fall....

Pumpkin guts!  Eeeoowwww!  It was always Tom's job to clean the pumpkin out, because I didn't like doing that part.  The thing I liked doing was the carving...

I don't know if you can see it, but there is some kind of ghostly ghoul carved into that pumpkin.  I don't carve pumpkins like that any more, but it's fun to look back at the photos we took of them.

And tomorrow, we get to talk about clothes, which is another type of texture.  (It's funny how so many of these topics overlap each other.)  So, for today, you need to check out Kari's blog at New Leaf Stitches, to get your free project. 

And leave her a comment so that she knows you were there and you can be in the drawing for the grand prize.  I think that my day for the free project is drawing near, so I'd better get to work and figure out what I'm going to make.  I'll be back tomorrow!!

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Day 1:  COLOR - Gudren of G.E. Designs  (gudrun.typepad.com)

Day 2:  SCENTS - Sandy Gervais of Pieces From My Heart  (piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com)

Day 3:  TASTE - Roseann of Rosebud's Cottage  (rosebudscottage.typepad.com)

Day 4:  TEXTURE - Kari Carr of New Leaf Stitches (newleafstitches.com)

Day 5:  CLOTHES - Terry Atkinson Designs  (terryatkinson.typepad.com)

Day 6:  DECORATIONS - Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures (ankastreasures.wordpress.com)

Day 7:  GATHERINGS - Me

Day 8:  TRADITIONS - Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. (lavieenrosie.typepad.com)

Day 9:  HAUNTS - Linda Lum DeBono Designs (lindalumdebono.blogspot.com)

Day 10:  QUILTS - Pat Sloan's Designs (patsloan.typepad.com)

:: taste ::

Mmmmmmmm.......

What tastes do I think about when fall arrives?  There are so many different ones, I definitely have some favorites.   Like roasted marshmallows, cooked nice and slow over the campfire.  I wish I had a picture of toasting marshmallows, but I don't, so you'll just have to use your imagination, and work with me here....

Yes, I like my marshmallows roasted, not burned.  My brother always liked to stick his marshmallows directly in the flames and roast it just long enough to catch fire, then blow the flaming marshmallow out, and shove the entire black encrusted thing in his mouth.  Ick.  What's the point in that?  It's not even warm in the center! 

See, roasting marshmallows is one of the few things that I am patient with.  First I find the perfect place in the campfire.  One that's just hot enough to roast it, but far enough away from the flames so that it won't catch fire.  Then, I slowly turn it from side to side to get it nice and toasty brown.  And when it starts to slide off the stick because it's warm all the way through, I pop it in my mouth and mmmmmmmm........ yummy!  Can you picture it?!

And then there are apples.  Oh the things you can do with apples!  My favorite is, of course, the caramel apple. 

But there is something terribly wrong with this caramel apple.  It has nuts on it.  And for some reason, I don't like nuts on my caramel apples, so this is the way I usually have mine.....

That was my dessert last night.  Yum!  My husband is a choc-o-holic, but I think I may be a caramel-o-holic.  Given the choice, I'll have caramel over chocolate any day.  But I'm getting off the topic of apples here.

As a kid, I remember bobbing for apples.  I also remember how much I hated it because I didn't want to stick my head or hand into that cold water.  So as an adult, when we had Halloween parties, this is how we did bobbing for apples.....

Yep, those are apples hanging from the ceiling.  And believe me, it can be just as hard to get an apple this way as it is in an ice cold tub of water, but this is so much more fun to try. 

There are so many more things you can do with apples in the fall.  There's apple cider, apple butter, and apple pie, and because I'm writing about apples, I'll share my favorite apple recipe.  I'm not a big fan of pie, but this one is really moist and gooey with a sauce that tastes a little like caramel.  Mmmm Mmmm Good!

You can download a pdf file of the recipe here.

(Hopefully I have corrected the link for the recipe, so if you tried earlier and didn't get it, please try again!)

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OK, now you need to go check out what Roseann has come up with.  And see what everyone else has to say about TASTES today.  I hope you're having fun getting to know all of us a little better!  Just in case you need a refresher, here is a list of all the designers and their respective project days.  Don't forget to leave a comment for everyone at least once during the blog hop, so you can have a chance to win those fabulous prizes at the end!

Day 1:  COLOR - Gudren of G.E. Designs  (gudrun.typepad.com)

Day 2:  SCENTS - Sandy Gervais of Pieces From My Heart  (piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com)

Day 3:  TASTE - Roseann of Rosebud's Cottage  (rosebudscottage.typepad.com)

Day 4:  TEXTURE - Kari Carr of New Leaf Stitches (newleafstitches.com)

Day 5:  CLOTHES - Terry Atkinson Designs  (terryatkinson.typepad.com)

Day 6:  DECORATIONS - Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures (ankastreasures.wordpress.com)

Day 7:  GATHERINGS - Me

Day 8:  TRADITIONS - Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. (lavieenrosie.typepad.com)

Day 9:  HAUNTS - Linda Lum DeBono Designs (lindalumdebono.blogspot.com)

Day 10:  QUILTS - Pat Sloan's Designs (patsloan.typepad.com)

:: scents ::

Maybe it's just me, but I can smell when fall is coming.  It has a very distinct smell.

Not in the same way that I can smell a group of sweaty teenage boys emerging from the basement after a long session of jamming on their drums and guitars.  Or a stinky dog after he's rolled in some exotic "doggie perfume" in the yard.  Yes, those things have very distinct smells too and believe me, I have had the opportunity to experience those on occasion.  But those are not good smells.

Nope.  Not good at all. 

The smell I'm talking about is that sweet smell in the air that says fall is on its' way.  That summer is fading.  The air is changing.  The leaves are going to start falling.  And all I want to do is sit outside and absorb it all because I love that smell.  I can't even describe it, but I know it the minute my nose detects it.

And if I HAD to describe it, I would say that it smells like leaves, and campfires, and crops being harvested.  And it reminds me of so many good times.....

... like seeing my kids with only their heads poking out of a huge pile of leaves, and the first time that they realize that it isn't a soft landing when you jump into that huge pile....

... and meeting my husband, Tom, knowing instantly that I was going to marry him.  We met in the summer of 1985 and got married in October of 1986.... .... all those camping trips with the kids, hiking through the woods, and staying up late by the campfire....

They are all good.  Good smells.  Good memories.  Good times. 

Now, about that smelly dog?  Well, that's not so good. 

And I know from experience that it takes more than just water in a can to make that smell go away.

I'll take the smell of fall over that, any day!

Now, make sure you head over to Sandy's blog  (piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com) to see what Fall-o-ween project she's come up with for you!  And keep leaving those comments.  I love reading them and it ensures that you will be eligible for the fabulous prizes at the end of the hop!

 

:: color ::

It's Day 1 of the Fall-O-Ween Blog Hop and the topic is color.  And I don't think it will come as a surprise to anyone that the colors of fall are some of my favorites. How can you not love all those browns, reds, golds and greens?

  My sister gave me this fun bird that I put out in my flower bed every summer.  Every year by the time fall rolls around, he's buried in leaves and blends right in with them! 

And of course, if you take a look at my fabric stash, you'll find lots of browns and neutrals. 

And even my threads are the color of fall.  (By the way, these are some wool threads that I got from Sue Spargo.  I love the colors she offers and they are beautiful to work with too!)

But my favorite color of the fall has to be the vibrant reds.  It must be that "pop" of color that draws my eye to them!  This is a Japanese Maple that we have in the front yard and it's my favorite tree in the fall because of the color that the leaves change to.  Of course, by this time of the year, everything else around it is brown because it's so dry.  Maybe that's why I love to use brown and red together in a quilt.  Huh.  I never made the connection until right now....

So that's enough of my ramblings.  Make sure you go visit Gudren and get your free project!  I'm sure she has something wonderful and fun for you!