2015 Quilting Goals

Christmas is over and 2015 is on its way.  I though 2014 would never end!  I know people like to sit back and review the year fondly, but I think I'll pass.  2014 was not an easy year, so sitting here any lying about how wonderful it was would be a waste of time, and likewise, so would whining about all of the bumps and bruises.

So let's look forward to a much happier 2015!  I like to make goals instead of resolutions...I feel like I am a little better at working towards goals than trying to fulfill resolutions.  If I don't meet my resolutions, it feels like a pass/fail thing, but goals can always be worked on and tweaked.

So what are my quilting goals for 2015?

1.  Make more from my stash.
2.  Work on those damn curved seams
3.  Get that sewing room organized
4.  Finish my hexie quilt, and the Halloween dresden plate quilt
5.  Design more

What are your quilting goals?

And as a complete aside, since it is New Year's Eve...please drive safe, and please drive sober.  If you don't have a DD, check out your local taxi companies and AAA - some offer free rides on New Year's Eve.

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Just in Time....Beetlejuice the Cartoon Series!

Someone somewhere had to have loved the Beetlejuice cartoon as much as I did when I was a kid.  At the time, I didn't even know ti had been a movie first.  No, all I knew was the cartoon:

 

I always loved Lydia's spiderweb poncho, at the time, I really thought she had some serious style.  Who am I kidding...I still do! 

So here's the thing...if everything has gone according to John's plans, I should be getting the Halloween Spooktacular, and Season 1 DVDs today in the mail.  Hopefully when I get home, I'll be chowing down on some dinner and watching me some Beetlejuice!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Altered Halloween Books

Nothing screams spooky like some creepy old books.  I'm not talking about your old copy of Pride and Prejudice, I'm talking about those creepy old books that look like they might hold something a little darker than ripped off Betty Crocker recipes.

 

This year, I just don't have time.  But you might!  CLICK HERE to get to the tutorial.  Thank you to Lindsey at Better After for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Magic Potion Bottles

These would make a fun project to do with your kids.  It uses all non-toxic ingredients (even if your kid gets a hold of the Alka-Seltzer and fizzes at the mouth like a tiny Cujo) and most of them anyway are probably in your pantry.

CLICK HERE to get to the tutorial.  Thank you to Alison and Rachel at Adventures in Making!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Aged Zinc Pumpkins

These are neat!  Make some faux aged zinc pumpkins.  How great would these be for a more elegant or ghostly Halloween set up?

CLICK HERE to get to the tutorial.  Thank you to Sonya At Home with the Barkers for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Hocus Pocus Cross Stitch

Who my age doesn't love Hocus Poucs?! 

Well some crafty person came up with a Hocus Pocus cross stitch.  I will be buying one of these for sure! 

CLICK HERE to buy the pattern - only $6!  Thank you to AmazingCrossStitch on Etsy for sharing!

WIP Wednesday: Tula Pink's 100 Modern Quilt Blocks

Well, after months of collecting and stalling, and after a stressful week at a new job, I decided to finally get a start on my Tula Pink project - 100 Modern Quilt Blocks.

I was inspired by a (non Tula Pink) quilt on Pinterest that was done up in red, coral, teal, navy, turquoise and white and I LOVED it.  So that is the color theme for my quilt. 

 I have one block to go on the crosses/pluses section, then I'll be on to the squares.  Some are high contrast, some aren't, none of them are trimmed or anything...I haven't chosen a sashing or anything yet, either

 

This is yet another one of those that I'll pick up and put down a lot, and that I am no rush whatsoever to finish...just one I'll work on when I need some decompression time.

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Felt Bat Mask

Here's a quick costume for those last minute office parties, or whatever impromptu costume party you find yourself running into.

 

CLICK HERE to get to the PDF download.  Thank you to Living with Punks at Craft Gawker for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Pumpkin Carving

I know I have posted about pumpkin carving before, but one can never have too many pumpkin carving and decorating ideas!  Some of these are pretty creepy, and others are cute. 

 

CLICK HERE  to see the pumpkins!  Thank you to Cool Pumpkin Designs for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Interlude

Well, this weekend you may have noticed a sudden stop to the posts...it was the perfect storm.  Normally I schedule the posts a week or two in advance, look for more stuff, and schedule another week.  I had it as far out as the18th.  This weekend we spent it in the hospital with John's family.  All is as well as it can be, but I did fall behind on the posts.  They will resume tomorrow! 

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Perler Bead Patterns

Remember those little plastic perler beads from the craft store that you (carefully) ironed into little images?  Apparently those are still a thing.  I didn't know.  But they are, and I remember loving those things as a kid, and people are making some pretty cool stuff with them (Nutella anyone?.  But for now, there are some cute Halloween ones that you could make with your kids...or for yourself!

CLICK HERE to get tot he patterns.  Thank you to U Create for sharing! 

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Unique Pumpkins

Stumped for an idea about how to carve your, or your kids', or your grandkids' pumpkins?  Try some of these on for size....It's not all about that iconic jack-o-lantern grin!  I like the hanging pumpkin lanterns myself...

The website doesn't allow the copying and pasting of their pictures, or their picture URLs, so you'll have to go and visit to see all the neat and creative ways to decorate your pumpkin.

CLICK HERE to get to the website.  Thank you to Laura at Dishfunctional Designs for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: DIY Decorative Poison Bottles

If you wants to create some spooky apothecary atmosphere in your Halloween home, or for a party, or just because, these DIY poison bottles would do the trick!

I like the "Venomous" bottle's shape. I'm sure it's a little vase, but you could glue in a little cork piece, and how neat would that be?!

CLICK HERE to get to the tutorial.  Thank you to Desirée at The 36th Avenue for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Halfway to Halloween!

We're halfway to Halloween!  So here's a little break from projects, and a few little videos for your enjoyment....reminds me of being a kid!  These make me happy...never grow up, never surrender :-)

This is Halloween from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Donald Duck: Trick or Treat

Fantasia "Night on Bald Mountain" - scary stuff as a kid!

Disney's Haunted Mansion Ride...even as a kid it was one of my favorites!  The ride itself starts up around the 2:15 mark.

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Say Boo!

This is a sweet little wall hanging that could very easily be made start to finish in a quiet afternoon. 

 

CLICK HERE to get to the tutorial.  Thank you Anne Marie Chany at Gen X Quilters for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: No Bones About It

Depending on your work pace, you MIGHT be able to finish this in time for Halloween this year, but it's something to work on while you're still feeling spooky. 

I like the sample as is, but with different Halloween themed backgrounds it would be really neat too.

CLICK HERE to get to the PDF directly.  Thank you to  Michelle Engel Bencsko at Cloud 9 Fabrics for sharing.  If you click on the link for Cloud 9, you will see a bunch of other great free patterns. 

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Monster Cross Stitch

These little monsters are SO. CUTE.  These would make great bookmarks, or embellishments on dishtowels, or a little Halloween cross stitch sampler.  Naturally, you know which little monster is my favorite!

CLICK HERE to get to the PDF download page.  Thank you to Liz Lindo at Ravelry for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Haunted House Paper Pieced Block

Paper piecing patterns are a great way to use up bits and pieces, and this is a neat little Haunted House block that would make a neat pot holder, or small wall hanging.

CLICK HERE to get to the free patterns.  Scroll down to the Haunted House pattern - it's the second one down.  Thank you to Cyrille Zellweger at Bubblestitch Quilts for sharing! 

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Pumpkin Table Runner

This is fast and adorable!  If you want it to be more Halloweenish, just applique some jack o'lantern faces on the pumpkins, and if not, leave them plain. 

 

CLICK HERE to get to the Tutorial.  Thank you Wendy from Wendy's Hat for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Pumpkin Crazy Quilt Mug Rug

I don't really use mug rugs (I don't do the coffee or tea thing...maybe hot chocolate though!) but these would be perfect seasonal coasters!  They're pretty easy and you could use some of those rarely-used stitches on your machine in some snazzy variegated thread...or metallic...hmm...

 

CLICK HERE to get to the PDF.   Thank you to Alexandra Henry at Pellon Projects for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Cat in Pumpkin Block

Y'all know I'm not a cat person, but this is really cute.

I could see a whole quilt of these with different colored cats and pumpkins and night sky backgrounds.  The kitties snuck out to see the Great Pumpkin! 

CLICK HERE to get to the PDF.  Thank you to Carol Doak for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Halloween Hat Pack

I want one of those dino ones, grown up sized.  That is all.

 

CLICK HERE to get to the PDF.  Thank you Angel from Fleece Fun!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Witch Shoe Treat Bags

If the shoe fits, then stuff that thing with treats.  This treat bag is way cute and would be awesome to make for the kids (or grown ass kids) in your life.

If you're the extra motivated kind (I'm not) these would be adorable as party favors filled with candy.  If you're the less motivated kind (like me) these would be awesome for place settings, or a silverware holder as Sharon suggests.  Or a Halloween doggie stocking!  I know two little scary dogs that may need these.

CLICK HERE to get to the tutorial and pattern.  Thank you to Sharon at Sharon Sews for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Black Cat Pillows

These little guys cracked me up.  Start out with a black pillow (or make one if you want to) and embellisht o look like a cat.  Pretty easy :-)

CLICK HERE to get to the instructions.  Thank you to the staff at Women's Day for sharing! 

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Feelin' Witchy Dishtowel

I love festive dishtowels.  My kitchen is pretty bland, and very small, so a kicky dishtowel always helps spruce it up a bit, and what's not to like about a dishtowel that's kicky, literally?

Well, I mean, it has feet.  Cute little witch feet.  You could make one to coordinate with whatever you have going on in your kitchen, or whip a couple out for friends - there's nothing really heavy duty to do here.

CLICK HERE to get to the pattern, and thank you to Bev at Flamingo Toes for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Crocheted Candy Corn

Everyone knows that candy is full of calories, but these candies are full of...fiber... (I COULD NOT RESIST).

But really, these crocheted candy corns are so cute.  I think it would look neat to have a little bowl filled with a handful of these just for fun.  I can't crochet, but I know a few folks who do, and who would totally make these for their kids or dogs or me or whatever...how is it that I somehow always end up at the kids table with the dogs?  Never grow up, never surrender :-)

CLICK HERE to get to the pattern.. Thank you to Kara from Petals to Picots for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Boos & Ghouls

This is an adorable quilt along that just wrapped up a few days ago.  You can make these wall hangings in a snaps - the most difficult part is the half square triangles, and I knowyou have it down pat.

CLICK HERE to get to the quilt along.  Thank you to Becca at Bryan House Quilts for sharing!

Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween: Spooky Quilt

This is a cute, fairly simple quilt from Riley Blake.  The only time consuming parts would be the applique, which would be easily omitted.  You don't have to use their line, of course, but this would make a really adorable throw for the living room or for a kid's room.

CLICK HERE to get to the tutorial.  Thank you to Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl for sharing this!

WIP Wednesday: Sneaky Stars AAAAAAAAND Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween is back!

This is going to be a weird little post.  Christmas and Halloween in one post, dogs and cats living together...mass hysteria!

 Well that's what I heard.

So first of all, my WIP Wednesday duties.  Linking up with Freshly pieced, as always...see the side bar for a link to the Freshly Pieced blog. 

Sometimes, I get bored, and when I get bored...ish happens. In this case, a 25th and Pine layer cake got the star treatment so to speak.

 

I was inspired by this pattern, but I wanted to used it as a block, not as the quilt itself, and I wanted to use as much of the layer cake as possible.  

So I grabbed my crayons and got to work....I could get 5 star blocks from the layer cake, which meant I needed to figure some spacer blocks. I thought it would look pretty neat to have some subtle stars in between. 

Here's what I have so far....all the spacer blocks are done...

 See it?

Sneaky star!

This is the first of 5 focus stars:

 So there's that.  I'll finish it in time for Christmas this year...MAYBE.

Now. Today is October 1.  That means that Lovely Frankenstein's 31 Days of Halloween is back!  If you're not familiar with that, then here's the deal:  Every day in October I post a quick and simple Halloween themed quilting/sewing project, craft, party idea, interior/exterior decoration, food or cocktail.  It's fun for me, because hey, obviously the chick with the monster themed blog LOVES the crap out of Halloween, but I hope it comes in handy for someone else out there!

As a side note, because this comes up every year...I try to give credit where credit is due on all of the projects I post.  Someone designed it, and they deserve credit for their work!  I will post the designer's name, the name of their blog and a link to the page where I found the tutorial/pattern etc.  That being said, while I do test the links before I post, I don't go back to past posts and continue to check the links - I just don't have the time or manpower for that sort of upkeep.  If a link from years past doesn't work, the name of the project, the designer and the blog names are all there and you may be able to locate it another way.

Enjoy, and Happy Haunting :-)

I like fabric, okay?!

So...happy fall, y'all.  So far, it's kicking me square in the butt.  I've been sick a few times already this month, and we're only about a week into fall, plus I've been spending the evenings and weekends helping my folks move.  Let me tell you, there's no better reminder of how out of shape you are than to help people move.  Jesus H, after this weekend, today I am so full of lactic acid it's just plain stupid.  Is it more incentive to lose weight?  Yeah, it is... But dang it, I'm beat, so at night I've been catching up on some truly terrible TV.

I am taking a break from Trailer Park Boys (if you haven't seen it, it's really funny) and I'm on to literal trash TV.  Hoarders is fascinating...how people accumulate so much stuff and let it get so messy and how crazy in denial they get about keeping dead animals in the freezer to "stuff someday." Each one is weirder than the last; it's so bad, I can't look away. But I did look away.  And I came to a terrible realization...I'm not a hoarder if it's only fabric I collect en mass, and it's in one "contained-ish" room, right?  And, it's not a hoard if it's void of any mummified creatures stuck in it...right?  I just really like fabric, okay?!

Up until yesterday, I may or may not have had several knee high stacks of homeless fabric, and a bin and a garbage bag full of more homeless fabric.  Some of it I have bought over the past year or so, but the vast majority of it was a test (that I failed) of my ability to say "no" to fabric.  Mom is downsizing her stash, so when she offers me a bunch of nice fabric for free, who the hell am I to say no??  I CAN'T.  So needless to say, the ol' stash has had a huge growth spurt in the last few months.  No complaints here!  But...storage is a bit of an issue and my sewing room turned into a fabric war zone.

But yesterday I regained some old shelves that were mine once upon a time.  They keep getting passed between my brother and I , and since he didn't need them now, they're mine again and not a moment too late.  My sewing room is "clean" again! ...there's still other stuff I need to organize, but the fabric situation is just about squared away!

Progress!!

WIP Wednesday: Jewels in the Mud

I'm having total writer's block.  I was going to talk about how you can mess around with color on modern patterns to make them appeal to more traditional palettes, and how very traditional patterns can be made more modern by using strange color combinations...and I was going to say something about how those "ugly" muddy colors (to me) are kind of heinous on their own but they can make gorgeous colors glow...but I don't know how to make that all pair up to sound good and how to segway into "hey check out this sample I'm making."  I guess it's just one of those brain fart days! 

So here's what I'm working on now...a traditional pattern...

I am really fond of churn dash blocks (why, I don't know), and I really like this pattern, but those colors.  No, no, no, no, no.  Do not like.  So I decided to tweak the colors, because eff the (quilt) po-lice.  I was processing some batik shipment and I saw a bright pink batik next to a Joel Dewberry stripe that's a funky grey-blue-green, and I loved it. So several fat quarters and some stash diving later...

 ...I was on my way to getting my blocks cut.  Y'all can keep your EQ and your iPhone apps...I'll keep my crayons and (usually, but not this time) graph paper.  I tweaked the coloring and distribution enough that I needed to redo the cutting instructions, so that's why there's this. 

So then I started cutting and I was feeling pretty good about the color combos.  Right now all of the churn dashes are cut, and all but 10 of the shoo flies are cut.

I promise my ironing board cover was clean once upon a time. 

I haven't been this amped about a quilt in a while.  I mean, I have been excited about quilts of course, but I am psyched for this one.  There will be more blocks with the gray-green-bluey-taupe exteriors than the pink-coral exteriors, but I think that's what will keep the eye moving and give it places to rest. 

The top block has the Joel Dewberry stripe I referenced earlier...and the bottom block is definitely more magenta than purple, but that's the price I paid for using the flash I guess.  Three blocks down, 27 to go!