:: 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.

.

.

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.

Comments

[Cheryl Miller]

Love the wedding picture and the pincushion. Thank you for the free pattern.

[Susan Ingram]

Thnak you for the pin cushion pattern. It is adorable. I can't wait to make it, but first I will need to find just the right wool.

[Kathy H]

Thanks for the pattern. It is so cute. I have never tried rolling the wool for the stems before. It looked really nice on the pumpkin.

[Peggy]

Love your pin cushion and needle keeper. Thanks for the pattern.

[Vicki]

Very cute pattern! Thanks for sharing:)

[Mary]

I've been a Whimsicals loved for a LONG time. But ... 20 books? I'm missing a few. Better fix THAT! Thanks for the project - very cute, as always.

[Pat]

Thank you for the super cute pin cushion pattern. Maybe see your new book at Quilt Festival in November.

[Freda Henderson]

Thanks for the pincushion pattern. Happy Anniversary early.

[Jean]

Love the pincushion but love it even better as a table sitter just so my table doesn't move, you know. Thanks for the pattern.

[Michelle]

That is an awesome pattern..I love it! Thank you so much for sharing! Congrats on 25 years!

[Christie]

"oh, my goodness! - I love it!!!" My exact words when I first looked at your 'pins and needles' free project!!! Hubby isn't home to hear me talking to the computer - good thing. Thank you soooo much for sharing this with us. HUGS... and stitches

[Jane]

Another perfect project, thank you. And Happy Anniversary on the 25th.

[Linda Lum DeBono]

I love the design and happy anniversary!!

[Sandy Hansen]

Pin cushions are such fun and this one is really cute. Thanks. I was able to print easily by clicking on the word here. I also like the picture with the pattern so I can see what colors you used.

[Cindy Carlson]

Terri - I agree - the BEST gathering...Ever.

Love your pincushion, especailly because it is made out of wool.

I'm just now becoming a lover of working with wool and have just a tiny collection. I'm finding myself wanting more and more for my stash. I'm hoping I have the right colors to make the pincushion because I love pumpkins so much !!

Happy Fall.

[Jennifer]

What a cute project. Seems everybody is using wool.

Thanks for sharing.

[Dorothy]

Thank you for your pattern
Dorothy F in IL

[Jackie E]

Thank you for the Hop project. Now I really have to get serious about collecting wools because these small projects are so fun & more likely to be finishable. I really do like Red Rooster fabrics. thank you

[Sarah Vee]

Thanks for sharing your wedding photo. I think you're still smiling just as bright! I love this project, but no wool in my stash. Maye I will have to start one. Looking forward to more great projects from you. I really love your sense of whimsy!

[Marya Lydeen]

This project is so cute!! I love wool. For some reason I always thought I had to use the buttonhole stitch on all my wool projects and I don't always like how it looks. Whipstitch! Easier, faster - I am really excited! Thanks!! Hooray!!

[evie]

love your books and patterns

[Judy]

Thank you for the great wool pattern!

[Rosanne Derrett]

Cute pincushion and needlekeeper!

You are so lucky to have a balanced and long lasting marriage with two handsome sons as a result. 24 years is a long lasting marriage in these days and times - very few of my contemporaries have managed it!

[CarolC]

I've always loved your books and patterns. This one is just wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Jeanne]

Thank you for sharing your cute pattern.

[karen]

I love the pattern! Pincushions are my passion. Thanks so much!

[Sarah in Houston]

OH, I'm so excited. I LOVE pincushions and wool work. This is going to be so much fun.

[Bev Eckert]

I love the pattern! I haven't done any wool projects, so this will be fun for me to try. I love your fabrics and your books! Keep up the great work!!!

[Julia P]

Love the free project! Also loved the pictures of your family especially your wedding picture. Thanks for such a great blog hop!!

[Darlene B]

Thanks for the great project - it's beautiful! I love the wedding picture - you're right...that is the best "gathering" memory ever!

[CarolC]

Still can't seem to download the pattern. Any ideas?

[Natalie Barron]

I just love your pincusion!

[Rosalie]

Thanks for particpating in the fall blog hop! I've never worked with wool before, so this may be done in cotton, but it's still cute!

[Grace]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful pattern with us. I am so into all of these wool projects. I am heading out to the fabric store to see if I can find something that will work for this pattern. Thanks for sharing your famiy photos, and even though it's a little early, Happy Anniversary!

[Angie]

That is the most adorable project--I have everything I need to make one--and I'm going to work on it this afternoon. :) Thank you so much for sharing it with us. :)

[Pam P]

The projects on this blog hop are so cute and so 'doable', yours is no exception! Do you think my boss would mind if I called in 'sick' for a week so that I can make everyone of them before fall slips into winter?

How awesome to list your wedding as the best event in your life! Great values, girl!

[Ruthie]

What a cute project. I've never used wool, but may have to try this one.

[rebecca]

Teri, very cute project and perfect for fall. I enjoyed the rolled wool hint for the stems. Who would have thought!!

[Amy]

Wow, if it were'nt for the hair styles and mustache (on Tom), you guys look exactly the same! Congrats on the big milestone!

And thanks for the perfect pumpkin - I'm thinking little pillow for daughter's classroom. (She's in her 2nd year of teaching.)

[Cheri]

Great halloween pictures--love all the creative costumes. Thanks for sharing.

[Connie F]

Very cute, I love it!
Connie F

[Kathy]

Great idea, one for pins and one for needles. They always get tangled up. Thanks for the pattern.

[Cindi]

I agree - weddings are the best gatherings!!

[Maureen]

Another great pattern! Thank you all so much for doing this blog hop.

[Shirley in Canada]

A super great blog and the "visit"!

[Cindy in TN]

Love the project. Also, I loved seeing the wedding picture! My own perfect gathering was Sept 27, 1986!

[Shady Brooks]

Oh my gosh! This pattern is just too cute! Thank you for sharing!

[Donna]

Loved the wedding gathering. Happy anniversary early!

Thanks for the pincushion pattern. It is adorable.

[LoriD]

The wool pin cushion is adorable!! Perfect for fall. Thank you for the pattern.

[charixy]

Me encantan los colores son muy de mi estilo,gracias pasa buen dia.
Besitos.
charixy@gmail.com