NOT TOO SCARY.

Mama and her Pumpkins and Big Bro Spiderman

Ok . . What's next?

  Either way . . . They're just Two Little Pumpkins

Halloween

is 

just

The

Best

!!

HAPPY SCREAM PUNK HALLOWEEN !!

Happy Halloween from Scream Punk Abby.
Can you see?  It's almost time to  . . . S C R E A M !

A TOAST !!

Tranquility

A Toast

Daughter and hubby celebrate a place to call their own.

Sonoma County

We have so many memories of that fine place.  Maybe many more to come.

A lovely image isn't it?

Here's to ya Kids !

Live

Love

Laugh

SPOOKSTERS' PARADE

Spooksters' Parade

Well they made it in time . . . marched themselves all the way up to the Tacoma show where they were well received by Halloween enthusiasts.  Witchie set the pace and as someone suggested, a little black cat joined in the parade.  That's him on the little buckboard.   When they arrived home they marched right on over to the website.   You can see the entire Spooksters' Parade there and the pattern is as ready as can be.

ALL HALLOWS' EVE

IS ON ITS EERIE WAY

WILL YOU BE A GHOSTY ROGUE ?

A PRINCESS SWEEET ?

OR THE TURNIP  QUEEN ?

OH - PERHAPS A ROUSTY FIEND !

FREE TO CHOOSE FREE TO BE

TIS THAT MAGNIFICENT EVE

TO BE THE YOU

YOU WANT TO BE!

BLUE AND WITCHIE TOO

Maybe you don't know this but we get scorching days in the redwoods.  It doesn't seem fitting but it certainly happens.  It happened today and though not a great day for dyeing wool, I could put it off no longer.  A new Midnight Blue jumped out of the pot.  Do you like it?

OH!  I see it is not appearing true.  Looks so much prettier in person.
So much for the new scanner.  Or I think rather, the scanner person.
That Blue is begging to be a background . .  right?

So then, how about Witchie.  She is a preview to a new Halloween pattern coming your way soon.   Hopefully will be done by the time I leave for the Tacoma show next Tuesday.   Any bets?
If only you just had to design to run a business.  Ok.  Enough boo hooing - I heard ya.

Oh Miz Witchie . . . Will you  will you will you . . have some Spookster friends perhaps?  
I am thinking yes.  And I do so love your Moonglow Halloween Yellow background.
Is that new Miz Witchie?  I say . . . did you drag that in from the depths of the Hollows?
And what more shall you bring My Dearie?

"BELIEVE" YOU ARE A WINNER

Hi,

Even though our drawing is random by numbers, I do read each and every comment.  Love the spirit and enthusiasm of fellow stitchers!   Thank you for joining in.

Here are the two winners.  

Comment #12 - ARisGMA - there is no email contact information so please do

CONTACT US with your mailing information.

The second Believe Pattern Winner was chosen from our Followers.

Gail Huber is the lucky winner.

Congratulations Winners!

NEW HOLIDAY PATTERN

"Believe" - New Pattern
Pillow and 2 Ornaments

I think you will like our new Christmas pattern "Believe".  Not just a pillow but an angel and santa ornament as well.  Never too early!!

Click on the text below the picture to view the entire pattern on our website.  

Then come back and make a comment to this post if you would like a chance to win this pattern in our drawing.   This time we will pick

ONE WINNER from The Comments AND

A SECOND WINNER from our Followers. 

So some will have two chances to win.

I'll be busy in the dye kitchen getting ready for the upcoming

Long Beach International Quilt Festival

so, we'll have to let this run a few days.  GOOD LUCK!

Comment period ends

MIDNIGHT - MONDAY - JULY 16, 2012

BETTY BOOM, REETS FIRST-EVER PATTERN

Betty Boom - Dedicated to the Fourth!

Oh Betty. . . was so long ago that you started me on that pattern voyage that has been and continues to be,

a most rewarding  journey.   In so many ways. 

At the top of the that list . .

 enabling me to meet an entire world of creative, kind, and 

fun-loving people . . . like you . . . out there.

Thank you Betty and Happy Fourth to everyone.

May the Creative Spirit bring

Freedom For All !

FREE PATTERN WINNER

Pincushion Trio
New Pattern on website.

Woolbert is here this lovely morning to thank each one of you for joining the fun and to let you know we drew a winner.  It was the 24th comment by . . .

Cathryn - June 9, 2012 7:49 A.M.

"Amazing little pincushions!"

Congratulations Cathryn!

We have a new Christmas pattern nearly ready to add to the website so Woolbert will soon be back with another drawing.  Maybe he'll choose from our Followers or Comments or who knows what he'll be up to. 

Happy Stitching in the meantime.

WIN OUR NEW PINCUSHION PATTERN

Pincushion Trio

Hi . . . It's me . . . Woolbert.   Been so long since Reets has had a drawing for a freebie, you have probably forgotten me.  Well I'm back and wanting someone to win our new pincushions pattern.  Three nifty little creations.  You can read more about the pattern on our website.  Just leave a comment on this post and we will draw a winner. Don't forget to leave a way to contact you in case you win.  

To win . . Leave a Comment on This Post!

We will draw randomly from the comments and announce the winner here.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9 AT 9:00 P.M.

IS THE DEADLINE.

Check here the following day to see the winner and hopefully claim your free pattern.

Good luck to all !  

CHIVE FLOWERS AND THE DYE POT

 Well boo hoo.  I couldn't skip off to the local garden tour today with my friends - NOR could I go on that hike to view the eagle's nest.  Getting ready to leave for a show.  So sulkingly,  I headed for the garden gate to go on my own little tour.  Picking some chives for a breakfast dish,  I noticed that their perky little flowers had recently taken on a new hand dyed appearance. 

Nothing like a little chive bouquet to put a spring in the spirit.  And one little weed that I normally swear at jumped in the mix - it turned out to be the perfect addition!

One really shouldn't swear anyway...

I just happen to be dyeing wool today.  Really should give this color a go.

BACK TO YELLOW AND BLUE-ISH

Possibly you remember the January post about the New Color Year starring Yellow and Blue.  After a number of tweaks on each color i have the final shades worked into the pincushion top below. The yellow took on some green and the blue did the same.  Just finished the pincushion and will have the pattern ready shortly.  Two other completed pincushions will be included.  Woolbert has been more than patient but insists that a FREE pattern drawing be done pronto !

Watch for it here soon.

ART JOURNEY TELLS A TALE

On her blog, my friend Janet paid the most heart warming tribute to a cat named Was.  Those of you that follow jude hill's blog, Spirit Cloth, are likely acquainted with Was.

Meet more of the  amazing figures seen here, and hear a tale well told.

Go to. .

Art Journey

If you have never experienced the magic of

Spirit Cloth

visit her as well.

A from-within-the-earth
within-the-sky

type artist.

FALLEN PETALS. . and MATCHING NAPKINS

As I scooped up the last handfuls of fallen petals from my most beautiful ever tulip bouquet, I could not seem to convince myself that they were done blooming.   So i placed them into a favorite white ware bowl so as to honor them just a bit longer.  Then I happened to notice. . .they matched some napkins I had just made from scraps of fabric.

   Double-Sided, Mitered-Corner Napkins.   When I wanted to refresh my memory about the technique I learned some years ago, I did a search and found a great guide for making them and best of all, it told you how to adapt measurements to make your desired size.  This way I was able to use a larger piece and also the smaller pieces that were left over.  Stitching up utilitarian homey things was so fun.  

Make Four - Give A Gift.

Click on this blog,  QUILTED STRAIT,  for the very useful napkin tutorial.  Happy Stitching!

PRIMITIVE QUILTS AND PROJECTS

Love This Magazine!  It goes way beyond the average publication.  Always a pattern enclosed.  Lots of wool offerings.  Inspiration dressed in Primitive. If you want to peek inside, order one up on our website.
Just Click Here to go to our order page.

ALL IN ONE DAY

I can't believe I received all of these in one day!

Mommy and Daddy went for a short Sunday kayaking adventure on our one day of

90 degree weather.  They dropped off these little bundles at our house.

Sweet in their little sweaters.  Actually, this picture
was taken on Easter Sunday.

Look what Mama brought for ME!  Loved
their floppy little whimsical attitude.   

Couldn't decide where to put them.
Just so lovely.

NEW PATTERN

My good friend Don came up with this idea.  He created the basics and I added the applique and little extras inside.  He is a big fan of woven cottons and wool.   And so am I.   These could also be made up in all cotton or linen.  The two sizes can be used as shown or for any ole thing in your life that you choose to organize or simplify.  The pattern is called Organize.  Click Here to travel to the information and ordering page on our website.

large and small wool/cotton Pocket Organizers.

This shows some options for the inside of the large folder.

TWO Precious

In just an hour they are one week old.  They live nearby so I have been gone ALOT!

A little synopsis of the event.

Shower - Mama with inherited sisters.  Radient X three !

February Shower - Golden cast of Mama.
This was so beautiful.

Birth Night - Gazing at Poppa Rock
Uncle Z all aglow.

12 Hours Old

Two Precious. . .

BABY QUILTS ALL DONE AND WAITING

Well I told the twin grandbabies to take their time in there with Momma all around . . so to speak.  I explained that I needed just a bit more time to finish their quilts.  They are such patient little girls.  The quilts are now finished.   So.  Our arms are open!  I promised them i would not make identical quilts.  What fun is that anyway.  For one I used the Cut-and-Turn block that I showed you in a post last Nov. 19th.   It was a demo at our quilt guild meeting.  The other was an adorable fabric that I found at my friend Sandi's quilt shop in Ashland Oregon. . . Fabric of Vision.  Then I rushed them to All Washed Up Quilts to be quilted.  I left very little instruction since they are the quilters and I am not.  They hit it!  I love the whimsical magic they used to transform these quilts.

Anyway.  here are some pics.  And I'm sure that when the grandbabes see these they'll come a flying out - to get First Pick! 

Just loved this little print.
Bit of a "cheater" pattern.
The picture of the quilt back seems to have gotten lost somewhere.  I just wrapped the backing around to the front to create a simple binding.
That was easy!
Both quilts are bigger than the normal crib size.

I like the back too don't you?!  Momma likes modern fabric
so i sacrificed my last piece of an old favorite from Amy Butler.
Looks much better here than crammed in that fabric cabinet!

Used the Cut-and-Turn Blocks in two
colors and then an adorable little girl
solid block for the alternate.

 For the simple Cut-and-Turn Block instructions just go to my old post dated November 19, 2011.   Or click on the link at the beginning of this post.    The previous post provides a much better contrast of colors and also shows how to execute the block.

ALL ABOARD AMETHYST

Crazy here.  The bus departs for Sew Expo in just seven short days.  Weeks ago Janet posted some fabulous berries on her blog, Art Journey.  Magnificent with color.  I thought that I needed to see wool looking like that.  Dye pots on simmer today so gave it a try.  Came close enough to please me.  Shouldn't I do some additional shades?   All of our hand dyed woolens including the new Amethysts, will be aboard when we head north for Puyallup.  If you are lucky enough to attend this robust show, come see us in all of our new colors...and the old too of course.

second try - like.

first try

mystery berries

GET YOUR BOOTIES ON

I.     Love.   these.

My friend Toni...who continues to reveal more and more of her talents,  made these booties.  She has used one of her favorite patterns to make many pairs but those peas in a pod are her own addition.

For me. . .that is what makes the little green pair beyond adorable.  That's all I can say.

ORGANIZE

First . . Gigi, please pick one of the three juvenile quilt patterns offered in our giveaway and then contact us so we can send your pattern on its way.   Congratulations!  Thanks to all of you who entered the drawing.  Next it is the Followers turn. . . Woolbert said so and he will pick a name from all who have signed up to Follow our blog.   We'll let you know what and when.

Almost ready...Sue is taking the pictures today.  Don came up with these book formats a few years ago.   Finally we coordinated our efforts into a new pattern which will have two appliqued wool books to help keep you organized in this new year!   Who doesn't need that?  Here is a peek at the small one.  It will be on the website soon.  

JUMP FOR JOY - WIN THE PATTERN

I love this pillow Cheri Hoggan made from our Jump For Joy baby quilt pattern.  She used WoolFelt and a cotton print together.  She has made numerous items from this pattern but this is the most recent.  Thank you Cheri for sending the picture.

I got to thinking. . . What a good idea for our first giveaway in the new year.   So how about this. .Leave a comment  to this post.

And tell us - One thing that makes you jump for joy?!!

We will throw you into our new year's cap

and DRAW A RANDOM WINNER!  Please leave contact information so we can let you know that you have won.   You can choose from one of the three juvenile quilt patterns shown below.  You can click on the name of each to see the full pattern description on our website.  

From left to right the patterns are:  Jump For Joy,  Fun Blocks & Quilt,  and Lollipop Hill.

Comments must be received on this post by

Midnight, Tuesday January 17, 2012

HAPPY NEW COLOR YEAR

 From here

to there  >>

In one Big New Color Year Leap.

Just pinned for now.   Finish soon.  Probably a

pincushion.

If you have pawed through our hand dyed wools at a show and are one of many that have asked,  "Why no blue?"  And if it was you who frowned when I said, "We just do greenyish blues"....Well then, I have a new color answer for you....because of you....and because of the boisterous blue that shouted at me the other day from the pitch of that roof.   Some nautical shades will be all aboard the show boat and on the website too.   Going to finally fix the neglected wool page of ours...

don't rush me tho.

So for you - Dusk Sky

And for you. . .
Midnight Blue

OLD YELLOW GIVES A HOLLER

The morning walk took me to the lower road along side the tall old redwood fence that greets me almost daily. 

One can easily admire each of its agey narrow planks, every one of them topped with a worn and weathered peak.  Less of a fortress than in the beginning.  Without its license now - its sharp points and brawny rigidity.  A rather staggering, drunky figure these days.

Tattered.  Softer.   Friendlier!!

More of a greeter now. . .that perhaps just keeps the dog in.  And the bear out.  Lovely in every way.

But today, my attention was drawn to the pitch of a roof,  just barely visible in a distance, above the fence top.   Those colors.  How had I not seen them before?  I don't know. . . perhaps the new year has them shouting louder.  A very strange Yellow trimmed in Dirty Aqua.  I listen to them for awhile and then having given them adequate attention, I continued on home and began the search.  I don't hang out with these colors much.  But I found them. .and some of their relatives.  For today, they are charming enough as members of - A Wool Pile.  Lounging around.  Not doing much.  It is New Year's Day afterall.   But tomorrow,  they will be busy - working together - leading me into the New Colored Year.

They are Yellow and Aqua. . .and they have a job to do.