:: 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! 

~ ~ ~ ~

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.

Comments

[Rose Hunter]

Thanks for the great wool pattern. Your work is just beautiful.

[maria patchwork]

thank you very much for your sharing, I've never tried anything in wool but it's time I did.

[Colleen]

Thank you for the adorable wool pattern. I love it!

[Sally Baumeister]

I love your project and this event is so much fun to see each day what is offered.

[Rhonda Beam]

The project is so cute. Can't wait to try it. I have completed several projects from your Pumpkin and spice line. They are decorating my house this fall. Thanks.

[Laura Edwards]

I can't seem to get the pattern. Is there a trick? Love the project and would love to make it. Thanks for providing it to us.

[jessica]

What a beautiful post and pattern!
Thank you!

Happy Fall!

[Patti Levine]

I can't get the pattern either...This is a favorite and would love to make this. Can you help with printing? Thanks so much, Patti

[Cathy]

Love the pincushion! Thanks.
Pumpkins are my favorite!
I couldn't print the pattern.
Cathy

[Eileen]

Adorable pin cushion! I love your work and its "homey" feel. Thanks

[Kathy]

Looks like you have to have a typepad account to get to the pattern? Too bad, its a cute pattern! Loved the photos.

[Kathy in FL]

Couldn't get the pattern, but I'll try again later (probably my error). It's going to look great on my bookcases.

[Karin]

I could not retrieve the pattern either, but it is adorable! Love the photo of your wedding day. What a sweet couple! :)

[Karen]

Love the pattern, but I couldn't figure out how to print or download it. Love your patterns. So cute.

[cyndi hoeller]

It is a great pattern wish I could download it, did you "share' it? link takes you to a typepad sign in and if you sign in, nothing only a place to upload my own patterns and no link to yours.

[Frances]

Cute pins & needle pattern. I see a new pincushion in the future. Thank you.
Pattern still not printing. Will be back later to print.

[sandy]

Oh, Happy Anniversary this month! This is my first time to your blog and I will be back (I love Red Rooster!)- thanks for participating and for the demo- it is darling. Just perfect for this time of year...Sandy

[Rebecca Silbaugh]

Love the pincushion. We've been playing with "Tangled Threads" at our shop and we love it!!!

[Ethel Snow]

Is this the trick in Falloween! It's a little like a bad romance. The come on and then frustration as no kiss or in this case pattern appears unless I agree to hook into one gimick or another. Not nice. Ethel

[candy from detour!]

Such a cute fall pattern! Thanks so much for sharing your pattern and your beautiful family. Fall is my favorite time of the year maybe because my birthday is this week :)
Thanks again for sharing your talent! candy*

[Mary]

I've been anxiously waiting for your project, and I wasn't disappointed! This is beautiful.

[Betty]

I am so eager to see the new fabric. I have a sampler pattern of yours that I am waiting to try. Thanks for the free pattern too.

[Pam Simpson]

Thanks for such a cute project!

[Kelly Ann]

you blog title for today could have been...Wool & Wedding...cute wool project and cute wedding picture...

[Crystal Knight]

Love this pattern. I have a lot of your patterns, books and fabric. Can't wait to try this one. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Barbara]

THANK YOU so much for the cute cute pattern. I am just loving all these wool goodies !

[Sue]

Thanks for the cute pattern - love it! And, I enjoyed your sweet wedding pic!

[Miss Sherry]

With the weather as is presently is in the Midwest, you make me want to run to my wool and make your adorable pin cushion. So very cute. The "gathering" picture is adorable too!

[Ellen]

What a cute pattern! Love getting to "know" all the designers in this hop. Thanks for your design!

[Kim G]

I wish I had some wool fabric scraps to work with, going to have to get some. Love your project!! Your "gathering" picture is pretty nice, congratulations!!

[Elizabeth]

I love pumpkins especially when they are made out of wool! Thank you for the great pattern! I love your new line of fabric and can hardly wait to design something with it when it comes out! Thank you for having the blog hop I really am enjoying it.

[Stacey]

super cute!!! thanks

[Dee]

Cutest wool pincushions ever. I can' wait to see your new line up close and personal.

[debbie mcnuss]

I have to admit that i have a pincushion THING....i can't get enough. So thank you for giving me a great new pattern!!

[SuzK]

This pattern is adorable...it would look sweet just sitting on a table with the other fall decorations! Thank you so much for sharing it.

[Margaret]

Love the pattern!!! Thank you so much -- it's just wonderful!

[Debbie Gallett]

Cute, cute, cute. I love it.

[Sandy]

Thanks for such a WONDERFUL pattern. You outdid yourself.

[Ruth]

I've been collecting wool and this would be a good project to start with! Thanks!

[Gretchen]

Thanks for the wonderful project! I love the fall themed pincushion and needle-keep.

[Vickie E]

that is lovely. thank you for the pattern!

[katie paxton]

Great project, can't wait to get started.
Your family looks so happy.
Best wishes to your boys in school.

Katie

[Dorian]

What a nice pincushion. Thanks for the project, and chance at winning.

[Wendy B]

How lovely to 'meet' you! I know what you mean about showing the 'younger' version of your kids....I still carry a photo in my wallet of my son when he was 3....he's now 16...it's just too cute to take out!!!
Thanks for the pattern.....just lovely.
Sugary hugs
Wendy b:O)

[janet Chrzanowski]

Thanks for the pattern and the stitching hints.

[Judy C in NC]

Awesome pattern and thank you so much for the posting. Not off to fine my wool for the making of it. Judy Currie [email protected]

[Linda P]

Thanks, Teri! I love pin keepers and this one is so cute, and I love the idea of placing it on an end table - ta-da..... another decoration!!! Yes, I would agree, you can declare your wedding as the best fall gathering.

[susan]

Thank you for the wool pattern. The wool you have chosen is perfect for the project. Can't wait to get started!

[Pálína Björg Snorradóttir]

This is a good one. You can never have too many pincushions :)

[Kat Scribner]

Adorable woolie project. Your upcoming book looks like fun too!