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....
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.
Thank you for the adorable pattern.
Posted by: Alice | October 3, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Quilting is so much fun. I haven't quilted as long as I have been married. I was married in 1986 as well, can't believe it has been 25 years.
Posted by: Denise Flanagan | October 3, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Oh I love your project! And I love pincushions - so I have to make this one! Thank you so much!
Posted by: Dawn | October 3, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Thanks for the cute pattern. How lucky for you to be able to have such a fun job.
Posted by: Debbie Richards | October 3, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Congrats on your 25th! That is a great gathering! Hope you have another great gathering to celebrate this year.
Posted by: Billie | October 3, 2010 at 10:24 PM
Oh man!! Wonderful project!! I LOVE wool and have quite a nice lil stash of it (don't tell the husband!!)...and since fall is one of my fav times of the year, this is perfect! Thanks for sharing!! I love your designs and have followed you for quite sometime--though just through your patterns and books...now I can follow your blog too!! yay!!
Congrats on the wedding anniversary, too...that is AWESOME!!
michelle
Posted by: michelle | October 3, 2010 at 10:28 PM
Thanks for the adorable wool project!
Cynthia
Posted by: Cynthia | October 3, 2010 at 10:44 PM
So cute! The perfect project to start tomorrow.
Posted by: Chris Langer | October 3, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Wish I had the little pin cushion along today - spilled a container of pins all over the car while I was trying to get some sewing done on a trip. Thanks for the really cute pattern.
Posted by: Connie Erpelding | October 3, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Thank you for the lovely patterns. I enjoyed your introduction of yourself and family, as well as your background as author and designer.
Posted by: Marcia W. | October 3, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Thanks for the great patterns--I am loving the Hop----
Posted by: Linda | October 3, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Thanks for the pattern and the chance to win!
Posted by: MoeWest | October 3, 2010 at 11:03 PM
Thank you for sharing the pattern.
Posted by: Jolene | October 3, 2010 at 11:09 PM
Love the pincushion pattern! Thank you. I also really enjoyed seeing your wedding picture...just love seeing your happiness.
Posted by: Jan in TN | October 3, 2010 at 11:10 PM
WOW! I love this pattern. I knew there was a reason that I love fall. The colors are just wonderful. Your patterns are just great. Thank you for all you do.
Deb
Posted by: Deb Austin | October 3, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Cute Pincushion. But the best thing about it is the needle keeper. I think that is ingenious! My needles always seem to become embedded in the pincushion and...ouch. Thanks!
Posted by: Kathy S | October 3, 2010 at 11:18 PM
NIce pattern. thanks!
Posted by: Lynn Koeppen | October 3, 2010 at 11:21 PM
how do you do it all! love it thanks
Posted by: claudia | October 3, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Thanks for your great pattern!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | October 3, 2010 at 11:37 PM
Love your pillow.....and Thanks for the pattern!!!!
Posted by: Beth | October 3, 2010 at 11:45 PM
Cute project! I think you showed a wonderful gathering! Enjoy celebrating your anniversary! I have a couple of your books. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Ann in NC | October 3, 2010 at 11:46 PM
Love the free pattern - fall is my favorite. Thank you!
Posted by: Sandy | October 4, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Thanks for sharing such a cute pattern - I've got some wools to go dig out !!
& Congrats on your upcoming 25th ! We celebrated our 29th in May, our rugrats are all grown up too
Posted by: TxAggie | October 4, 2010 at 12:08 AM
Thanks for the project. Great wools! An early congratulations on your anniversary as well!
Posted by: Janelle J | October 4, 2010 at 12:10 AM
Love the wool pincushion and needle keeper.
I know just the friend I want to make it for.
Thank you.
Posted by: Sue Goodin | October 4, 2010 at 12:21 AM
Thanks for the very cute pincushion!
Posted by: Anna Dzik | October 4, 2010 at 12:38 AM
The pins & needles project is adorable, also your wedding picture is so precious. Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: GeeGee | October 4, 2010 at 12:49 AM
Oh, Terri, this is so cute! I love the idea of the dimensional stems. I never would have thought of that. I love pin cushions, so this will definitely get made. Thanks so much. And happy (soon) anniversary!
Posted by: Leslie Schmidt | October 4, 2010 at 12:51 AM
Thank you for the pattern and the awesome giveaway.
Posted by: kim | October 4, 2010 at 01:32 AM
Thanks for your wonderful project!
Posted by: Janelle | October 4, 2010 at 02:58 AM
I just love this project. One day I plan to get some wool to work with. I could kick my self for giving away all of those wool skirts I used to have.
Posted by: Vivian | October 4, 2010 at 06:24 AM
Wool + fall = perfect!
Posted by: Sue P. | October 4, 2010 at 06:44 AM
Thanks for the great pattern. I love pincushions.
Posted by: Maribeth Sala-Gietzen | October 4, 2010 at 07:30 AM
Love the pin cushions and learning a little about you. Great photos.
Posted by: Leah M. | October 4, 2010 at 07:48 AM
How cute! Thanks!
Posted by: Kathy J | October 4, 2010 at 07:57 AM
Thsank you for the adorable pin and needle pattern.
Posted by: lora | October 4, 2010 at 08:05 AM
What a cute project and I have some snippets of wool that need using up!!! thanks for participating - it's been so much fun :)
Posted by: Annette | October 4, 2010 at 08:35 AM
Thanks for the cute project ... adding it to the list LOL! And, early happy 25th!!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 4, 2010 at 08:41 AM
thanks for the cute pattern!
Posted by: Misty | October 4, 2010 at 09:15 AM
Oh, this is the cutest! thanks for the pattern and congrats on your wonderful marriage!
Posted by: Leslie Lansdowne | October 4, 2010 at 09:23 AM
Love the pattern, thinking of making it larger for a pillow. The leaf with button is very cute
Posted by: Val | October 4, 2010 at 09:29 AM
What a fun little project! I have a pincushion addiction!
Posted by: Mama Spark | October 4, 2010 at 09:41 AM
Just the kind of thing I love to make! Thanks! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | October 4, 2010 at 09:52 AM
What a great wool project. I love the colors of fall. Thank You!
Posted by: Robbin | October 4, 2010 at 10:04 AM
This is a great project. Thanks for sharing. Love the wedding photo too.
Posted by: Abby | October 4, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Your family looks like a fun clan! Enjoyed the photos very much.
The woolie project is so cute and I especially like the hanging leaf. However I couldn't download the project yesterday or today. Don't feel bad tho I've had trouble with a couple of the sites.
I'm still having fun with the shop hop!
Posted by: Suzanne | October 4, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Thanks for the pattern. Pincushions make great gifts and they are projects that I can actually finish in a short amount of time!
Posted by: Lynn | October 4, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Thank you for the project! How wonderful to have a "passion" as your "job". Good for you!
Posted by: Rozanne Smith | October 4, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Love the pincushion! I really love woolie projects and this one is a keeper for sure!
Posted by: Frankie | October 4, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Thanks for the idea of using the pincushion as a decoration! VERY cute! Another great wool project!
Posted by: Elaine Morgan | October 4, 2010 at 10:32 AM