Halloween Blog Hop and Giveaway!

Today is my day on the Halloween Blog Hop 'Something Whicked This Way Comes' hosted by Soma.
I first though about some laughing pumpkins as I love this vegetable so much - beautiful shapes and colors and so delicious particularly in soup... But I have changed my mind. I finally designed a haunted house (I like designing house blocks, I already have several in my collection and I will probably design more, I dream about a "village quilt"). I hope you will enjoy sewing this one, as much as I did!

You can download the pattern here and there.

And to complete this good day (but today is always a good day!), I add a giveaway. I offer those 2 books:
- Bundles of Fun by Karen Snyder, Krause publications
- Log Cabin Quilts with Attitude by Sharon Rotz, Krause publications

Those quilting books are particularly suitable for beginners.

To enter:
Leave a comment on this post telling me what will be your next sewing/quilting project. Make sure to leave a valid address on your entry.

Additional Entries:
Share this giveaway on any of the social networking site and leave a comment here that you did.

This giveaway ends at 11:59pm PDT on Saturday, November 10, 2012. Open worldwide. The winner will be selected by random.org and will have 4 days to answer my notification email before another winner is selected.

GOOD LUCK!

................................and the winner is...........Robin!   Congratulations!

A colored winter scarf

Scarfs are tipically the kind of clothes that have to be colorful, specially if it is a winter scarf. I had some 5" charm squares that I wanted to use for me (Matsuri collection from Connectingthreads + few other fabrics from the same shop), but you know what it is, you always sew and quilt for others. So for the first time I have decided to quilt something for me. With the end of the year coming so fast, I thought about a scarf.

I have used 32 charm squares. When pieced in triangle, your squares measure 4" at the end, so the scarf is 8" large and 64" long (enough to make a complete turn arround the neck with both ends on the chest).

A FREE PDF PATTERN FOR THIS PROJECT IS AVAILABLE HERE and THERE.

I have hesitated between flanel, fleece and cotton for the back. Finally I have used usual cotton fabric. I was not sure about the batting choice too, then I have used cotton instead of wool. Now the scarf is finished and I am pretty sure that it is warm enough. It looks like my usual quilts and I like that. It is a quick and fun project, perfect for christmas gifts. So I want to make more! For my next scarf, I think I will add a paper pieced block on each ends. This would make a more customized gift.

DIY play kitchen

How to upcycle an old night stand in a brand new play kitchen? It is more easy than it seems! This is the one I have just made for my 2 years old son.

1- Go to the flea market or in a second hand store to find an old night stand (I have found this one for $10). Also look for an old faucet, a bowl and all the other accessories. I had to buy the faucet new ($25) and I couldn't use paint from home as my son wanted his kitchen yellow and I did not have this color. So I have spent $20 more for the paint. My total budget was $70.
2- Clean the night stand and remove all the unecessary parts of it. (about 1 h)

3- Cut the holes for the sink and the oven door, and drill all the holes you will need, then sand and only after paint. (you could damage the paint by cuting or drilling after) (about 3 hours)
4- Assemble all the parts together, glue the sink, screw all the other parts and do not forget to sew a little curtain. (about 3 hours)

Et voilà! After 7 to 8 hours of fun, you have a cute little kitchen, reallly nicer and cheaper than those you can find in shops. And your little one is just happy!

You can check the numerous examples from the web (a lot of cute ones in pinterest), and also this great site that inspired me a lot: http://www.k-collection-shop.com/