GoofingOff's Very First Halloween Pumpkin Challenge

Inspiration comes in the strangest places. Magazines, Pinterest, and Etsy are all good places to find great ideas to inspire but this time a trip to the dollar store got my creative juices going. 

I found this cute foam pumpkin....12 in a pack....8 inches wide by 6 inches tall. I thought Templates! OK, templates. What to make with the pumpkin template.......How about a quilted wall hanging? Why not? A wall hanging would be fun when the grands come over before Halloween.

While walking around I also found bats and thought I could incorporate the bats into the design. 

I decided to leave the pumpkin orange...like a coloring book....and make him (her?) a jack-o'lantern. I used some black scraps for the face....in triangles as if I was cutting a pumpkin. I used a piece of green fabric for the stem. 

I made a few bats in different sizes to give it dimension. After making myself crazy about what color background to use I decided on a white print. I machine zig zagged BOO on another fabric scrap then backed it with black and white stripe. I found a stitch pattern on my machine that looks like bats (at least they look like bats to me) and sewed the sign in place.  The sash and binding were made with spooky eyes on black. The eyes glow in the dark. How cool is that?

I overall machine quilted the quilt. The bats and pumpkin were thread painted with machine embroidery thread. 

Not fancy but still cute enough to bring a smile to the grandkids faces. 

So, here's the challenge. Use the pumpkin. The pumpkins are available at the local Dollar Tree or use the picture and copy it. Make a wall hanging, table runner, pot holder, mask, or anything that you want to do. Any color. Let your creative juices run wild. When you get them done we will post the pictures on the blog and Facebook to show them off. 

The challenge will run until Halloween. 

Have fun!

Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff Sewing. 

GoofingOff At The Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilt Shop Hop

I promised more about the shop hop so here goes.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilts went to seven quilt shops, Rainbow's End in Dunedin, Inspire!  in Plant City, Nancy's Quilt Shop in Winter Garden, Boutique 4 Quilters in Melbourne, Bernina Sewing Center in Lake Mary, and Seaside Sewing & Quilts in New Smyrna Beach. We started and ended in Lake City at the Fabric Art Shop.
Every shop had beautiful fabrics, patterns, and goodies to brighten our day. The best part...at least for me...was the incredible quilts I saw and the exchange of ideas and knowledge among the members of the group.
I posted the links to the shops so click on the pictures to check out them out.

My buddy, Karen Albert (incredible long arm quilter) at the Corkscrew, a winery in Ocala...our first stop.

Beautiful Judaic fabric from Rainbow's End in Dunedin, FL. 

Cute Halloween pattern and ideas at Inspire! in Plant City, FL

I think just about everyone who has seen this quilt has fallen in love with it. This was displayed at Nancy's Quilt Shop in Winter Garden. 

Boutique 4 Quilters in Melbourne, Florida

Cute thread catcher made with an embroidery hoop . 

Amazing quilt.

I love this quilt from the Bernina Sewing Centre.

Check out the flowers! They grow without water....or sunlight. 

I have to make this. 

Just right for the bathroom door, don't you think?

I love this. One block would make a great wall hanging. Not too difficult.....I think

So, I learned how this is done. I am so psyched.  It is on display at Seaside Sewing & Quilts. Doesn't mean I will get it right but now I know the process. Got to try it.  

 Our last stop before Lake City and home was at Sweet Pete's in Jacksonville.....an incredible candy store.

Candy flowers....a feast for the eye and our sweet teeth.

Here I am with a couple of members of the Springhouse Quilters Guild, Linda and Melva. 

and clowning around with Shirley at the mouth. Had to get a picture of that. 

And to top it off, Karen won the traveling quilt. Yay!
So, which shop was my favorite? That's hard. I love Rainbow's End but I used to live down that way so I am partial. The folks at the other shops were so friendly and helpful....very important to me when I am shopping for goodies.
That's all for now.
Happy sewing!
Post by Eileen from GoofingOff Sewing on Etsy.

GoofingOff on a Shop Hop

Hi All! Yes, it's been a while but I'm back with lots to tell, things to share, and stuff to show. Before I get too crazy I've got to share my shop hop adventure with everyone. 

For those who've been on shop hops you know how much fun they can be. For those who haven't gone it's like this.....a big shopping trip with the girls where you don't have to drive, you are fed, and get to stay at a nice hotel. Definitely, worth going. Every shop has the nicest folks, discounts ranging from 20-50%, and demonstrations. 

I guess every shop hop has a name and ours was the Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilts. A beautiful quilt was specially made for the Hop to be raffled off at the end of the trip. 

Our shop hop started in Lake City with stops in Ocala, Dunedin, Plant City, Winter Garden, Lake Mary, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, and Jacksonville. Seven shops with a winery and chocolate factory, too. That's a lot of driving in 2 days. I am so glad I wasn't driving. 

I joined up the with group from Fabric Art in Lake City, FL. The store is a delight for the senses with beautiful fabrics everywhere....or so it seemed to me. They even had Judaic patterns....totally unexpected and yes, I bought a couple.  The patterns were designed by Rebecca Anderson. 

The patterns are for paper piecing. Not sure how I feel about that, though. hmmm....

Everyone received swag bags with goodies....pens, flashlights, patterns, and most important, fabric. This luscious fat quarter was in my bag. 













If anyone is interested in the patterns I am sure the good folks at Fabric Art can help you out. Judaic patterns, even when they aren't called Judaic, are hard to find. Tell them you heard about the patterns from me. 
Here's the address and phone number:
Fabric Art
4136 W US Hwy 90
Lake City, FL 32055
386-755-0179

I will be posting more about the shop hop. There is so much more to tell. 

Braided Table Runner

Tropical Braided Table Runner by Karen Brake. This beauty was hanging at the quilt shop.

Last week I decided to take advantage of my new found leisure time and attend a class at the Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop. Once a month they hold a Sit and Stitch...free....and teach a new method or project. This month was the Braided Table Runner.

We used a pattern, #GE-101, from GE Designs of Chanhassen, Minnesota. The runner is a "Quilt as you go" pattern. The finished table runner is 17 inches wide and 52 inches long (42cm x 130cm). 

Two examples of the table runner to inspire us.

The runner starts with a six inch square in the center. I used a light color for my center square to create a light-to-dark effect but that is not necessary. Karen, the class leader, used a dark center for a dark-to-light effect.

Before starting we basted the backing and binding together. We used very thin binding, very low loft, since a pouffy effect was not desired.

We then marked the center of the fabric to place the center square on point. This is a very important step.

The strips are added on to the ends, making a point at each end....sort of the opposite of a log cabin....points on the ends and open triangles on the sides. The strips are 2 1/2 inches wide with 4 strips of each color, two 6 inch and two 8 inch. The strips are sewn in place, on each end, with a 1/4 inch seam, then pressed.

Adding the border.

When the strips are all in place the first border goes on, first across the length meeting each triangle.

Carefully adding the border.

The ends of the border are next to keep the braided effect. The wide border goes on next in the same fashion, then the binding to complete the runner.

When we finished the class we weren't done with the runners but they were close enough for pictures. We had the basics down. 

Table runner in blue and purples.

Table runner in Gator colors...go Gators!

Karen, our class leader, with hers. 

And here's me with mine. 

Ta Da! The finished product. I used brown and sage green calicos for a vintage look. It will look good on my old, I mean antique, dining table. 

It wasn't too difficult but it did take concentration. I didn't pull my hair or chew my nails so I think I might do it again, maybe in blues for Hanukkah. Got to think on it. 

Happy Stitching!

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing....getting the UFO basket emptied out, one project at a time. 

GoofingOff's Friday Freebie

Today's Friday Freebie is a day late but awesome just the same. It is a flower wreath by Jacquelynne Steves. The design is suitable for embroidery, applique, needlepoint, or punch embroidery. It can be done in pastels for springs, orange, brown, and yellow for fall, or silver (or gold) with red berries for the holidays. 

Quilt block By Jacquelynne Steves

Have fun and keep stitching!

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing......Make magic with every stitch.

Sit and Sew at the Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop

Made by Karen Brake from "Skinny Quilts for All Seasons" 

Happy Thursday! 

Yesterday I took a trip to one of my favorite sewing/quilt shops for supplies (Yes, I needed more fabric....stop laughing). I spent quite a while just walking around...until I realized I was getting lost in the fabric. Ever do that? I'm sure I'm not the only one. 

Anyway, while checking out I noticed this adorable quilt hanging on the wall. One of our local quilters, Karen Brake, made this lovely and is going to teach others to do the same. 

I don't know if anyone remembers but a few months ago I sat in at the monthly Sit and Sew. It was wonderful. I could sew for hours, get tips, have lunch with good company, and not be disturbed by the phone, dogs (please walk me, whine, whine), hubby, or something on the stove (Babe, are you cooking something? Oops). I watched Karen as she started the table runner and was amazed by her work. She is also quite knowledgeable and taught me how to do French seams on the pillowcases I was making. Mais oui!

If anyone lives in this area....as in North Florida.....stop by for the Sit and Sew. You can make the table runner if you want to or just take advantage of the time away from the house and do anything. I worked on pillowcases and made a strip quilt.....it was good to have people there who had experience so I could ask questions. 

Besides, time with the girls is always good. 

More about what I bought and what I am making (a baby quilt) later. 

Enjoy the day. Pack it full of good stuff. Savor every moment. It only comes around once. 

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing.......Helping you make magic with every stitch.

Keeping the Bobbins Full

Yesterday I messed up....not a big one but a common one. I didn't use my own advice (isn't that the way) and ran the bobbin dry while working on my rag quilt. I ignored my advice to "fill two bobbins when you start a project" and ran out. Well, just as I was about to give in and unthread my machine so I could thread the bobbin I remembered the nifty little gift I bought myself...the Singer SideWinder. It threads the bobbin for you without the machine. It worked so fast and was so easy to use that I may never use my sewing machine again to fill my bobbins. 
It uses electric or AA batteries (so I can take it along to my sit and sews or there is no place to plug in). 

Sometimes it's good to buy yourself a gift. 
BTW, I don't get a dime from anyone about this nifty little device. It's just so darn wonderful that I have to shout about it....and if someone already knows about it...why didn't you tell me? 

Post by Eileen Patterson..who is GoofingOff...and keeping the bobbins full.

Winter Trees, Cupcakes, Apples and Pears, Deck of Cards, Vintage Roses, and Skeletons: Fabric at GoofingOff

Sometimes I think I’m a hoarder. I look around my sewing room and see stacks of beautiful fabric and think “Yep, that’s what you are…a hoarder.” Then I see the hoarder show on TV and feel a lot better. My hoard (otherwise known as my stash) only has to do with fabric and stays in one, maybe two, OK three places in my house. I don’t have a little path through the house (ok, I do have a path in the sewing room….does that count?). So, while I decide whether I need counseling, or, more to the point, which one to go to, check out the new fabric at GoofingOff.

 

Winter Trees by Fabric Traditions

Red Dice and Face Cards on Black by Shamash & Sons

Vintage red roses on yellow fabric

Robert Kaufman’s Bad to the Bone fabric

Apples and Pears Blue from the Alexander Henry Home collection.

Cupcakes from the Robert Kaufman Confection Collection.

So, tell me, am I a hoarder? Never mind, don’t answer that.

Happy Sewing! Keep those seams straight!

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

Handprint in the Sand

Sometimes you come across an idea too good not to share with others and this is one.

The quilt is called “Handprints in the Sand.” Here’s a great idea from Tracey Lipman she did to remember her children’s handprints. She made tracings of her children’s hands and marked them on sand colored fabric, then added a border to frame the “sand”, then another border with seashells, sea stars, and sea life. She then quilted the children’s handprints. After that, it looks as if she stippled (sort of doodling by machine) around the handprints and on the blue frame.

 

Tracey is a  member of Etsy Chai (the Jewish Etsy team I belong to) and makes wonderful bags and yoga mats, too. Little did I know but she also quilts for fun.

Here’s a diaper bag from her shop.

Here’s one of her yoga mat bags. I love the print…and the pocket on the side. Just right for a washcloth to mop sweat or anything else you need to carry along.

Anyway, I think it’s a great idea from a talented artist. What a way to keep a memory!

Well done, Tracey!

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage
Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns
GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns
Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and metal work

Eleanora’s Quilt Shop: Cross City, FL’s Newest Addition

The other day when I stopped in one of my favorite haunts I heard the ladies talking about a new shop opening across the street. “It’s going to be a quilt shop” my friend said. “She’s going to sell her quilts.” Well, that was all I needed to hear. My interest was piqued. I had to see the quilts. Eleanora finally opened her shop this week and what a treat for the eyes it is. Her work is wonderful! Here are a few examples of her work:

Many of her quilts are traditional pieced patterns and machine quilted. I love her choice of colors. She said she loves the idea of recycling fabrics into quilts. She has a hard time throwing away good fabric (I know the feeling) and makes doll quilts with smaller scraps.

This is a pattern block I hadn’t seen before, The Dahlia. I love it!

How about this little guy on a baby quilt? She has quite a few beautiful baby quilts. She also has handmade dolls, potholders, and ornaments, too. Everything is reasonably priced with most of the small things, like dolls and ornaments under $10, some under $5. Imagine a handmade doll under $10! Well made, too.

She’s also a member of the Dixieland Quilters. They meet every Tuesday (I work every Tuesday, darn) and turn out some awesome stuff. She takes special orders, too.

If you’re in our neck of the woods, North Central Florida, be sure to check out her shop. Check out the quilt shop in Trenton, FL, too, when you have a chance. We are becoming a to-go place for quilts.

To get hold of Eleanora, call 352-542-9438 or 352-356-1970. Tell her you heard about her from GoofingOff. Thanks.

Post by Eileen Patterson

MissEileen aka GoofingOff