FREE PATTERN

Not only is it a busy time of year, but it seems I've spent a great deal of time shoveling snow lately.  I was supposed to go to the Happy Scrapper's Bee today and thought I'd have lots of pictures for you.  However, my street has not seen a snow plow all season and I was afraid I'd get stuck in the snow, so I didn't venture out in my car today.  Above is a red work pattern that I first showed you when I started blogging in 2008.  You can find the link to the pattern here.  Enjoy!

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  Freemotion by the River has a darling make-up bag tutorial.  Check it out.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

REINDER GAMES #8

This is number eight of the Reindeer Games.  I hope you are enjoying the patterns.  Only one more to go!   Barb has named this guy Vixen.  You can find the pattern here. 

This is my applique version.  Not nearly as cute as Barb's.  Head over to Bejeweled Quilts and see which pattern Barb has up this week. 

Attention-Happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop:
Special Sale on Clearance Fabrics
50-75% off all clearance fabrics during the month of August.

Month of August and September - Sign up for a class and receive a coupon for 1/2 off your second class, good until December 31, 2012. (excludes BOMs, and special events)

More reminders:

The AQS Quilt Show and Contest is being held at DeVos Place Convention Center here in Grand Rapids, MI August 22-25. 

The West Michigan Quilters’ Guild, “Quilts on the Grand” show is October 5-7 at the DeltaPlex Arena.  Mark your calendar now!

I love making things for kids.  Stubbornly Crafty has a tutorial and pattern for a darling Monster Bib!  Check it out!

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

A GIFT FOR YOU - FREE PATTERN

I made this little wallhanging to go on my door during Easter and thought I’d share the pattern with you and tell you a little bit about how I put it together.

Size: I used a 15” background square and after it was quilted, cut it down to a 14” square.  

 

Making the Parts:  When making the rabbit parts in white Kona, I didn’t want the background to show through, so I lined each piece with Pellon SF101.  Since I use the freezer paper method of appliqué (you can find my instructions and a tutorial for this method by clicking on the Witch’s Feet on the sidebar), I have the piece made and the edge ironed under before I cut the shape out of the Pellon.  When I cut that shape out of the Pellon, I cut it slightly smaller than the template, then slide it into the shaped piece and iron it on.  When doing this, make sure you have the template on the correct side of the Pellon so when you place it into the piece, the rough side of the Pellon will face the wrong side of the fabric and it is ready to iron.  Then I can place the entire piece on the background and stitch it down.  Again, you can see how I do this by clicking on the Witch’s Feet on the sidebar.

Embroidery:  As you will note above, I also do the embroidery before I stitch the piece to the background.  It makes it easier since there are not as many layers to stitch through.  Don’t be confused by the ears in this picture as after I had these made (I was trying to make a floppy year) I decided that wasn’t what I wanted and made the larger ears.

Templates:  The templates are the exact size.  If you are using the fusing method, there is no problem, but if you are using a turn-under method like I do, you will need to cut your fabric ¼” larger than the template.  ALSO, I do not have a template for the purple piece of fabric (sign background).  I cut it 4 ¼” by 9 ¾”.  You don’t have to be exact.  These measurements are enough to turn under the edge if you are using that method.  Also, when I made the pattern it said “Spring” but when I went to sew it I decided I wanted “Easter” instead, so feel free to do what you want.  I really struggled with what to say:  "Hop On In" (as a welcome sign), or “Some Bunny Loves You.”  There are so many cute sayings and I couldn’t decide.  One day when I was in the Shop, Maggie suggested Hoppy Easter and I knew that was what I wanted to say.  

 The Pattern: Here it is hanging on my door.  You can get the pattern here.  There are four pages.  The first two are only for placement of the various parts. You should place the second page over the first and line up the nose etc. and tape it together.  Now you can use this as a placement guide.  You will notice that the pattern is larger than the paper that we print on.  That is why some of the pattern goes off the page (like the ears and the tulips).  However, there is enough there to act as a placement guide.  The following two pages have the full size pieces and the letters for Happy Spring.  If you have any questions feel free to let me know.  I hope you enjoy the wallhanging!

  
Speaking of new patterns, Wendy of Ivory Spring has a new pattern for you.  Check it out.   You’ll love her tablerunner.

♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll

MAKE THIS SANTA ORNAMENT

I was visiting Barb at Bejeweled Quilts today (I love her blog) and discovered that she was very busy making Santa Ornaments.  They are so cute that I had to get busy and make some myself.  I think it took me longer to gather the items in my sewing room (I knew I had everything…even the bells…it was just finding them) than it did to make them.  

 This little guy is so quick and easy to make.  Here he is hanging on my Christmas tree.  You can make some too….for neighbors, for co-workers, for package trimmings, or for your own tree. You’ll want to make dozens of them.  Go to Barb’s blog and see what she is doing (and should not have done LOL) and then get the link to the pattern.  You won’t be disappointed.

 ♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll

FREE PATTERN OR HOW NOT TO LET IT BUG YOU

Have you ever noticed how certain things just bother you?  Well, I have.  Take the last month, for instance.  I was being the good little housekeeper (for a change) and actually putting my Halloween decorations away until next year.  Little did I know how much that would bug me.

I had placed a cute little jack-o-lantern wall hanging on the door leading into my kitchen.  It was there for the entire month of October.  I had never had anything there before, but once I took it down and put it away, that empty spot bugged me.  It was like when your kid moves out.  I felt lost, alone, empty.  It was like walking into Mother Hubbard’s Bare Cupboard.  Each day my grumbling grew worse. 

“Just cool it,” my daughter said during her recent visit. She also said, as she looked at my dining room table that there wasn’t a flat surface in my house that didn’t collect things.  She accused me of now attacking the doors.  “Before you know it every door in this house will be covered with a quilt of some kind.”  Well, what’s wrong with that, I wondered as I stared at the bare door.  That empty spot was like fingernails on a blackboard.  I had to do something!  I searched my storage area for an appropriate piece to hang there, but nothing was “just right.” 

 

Therefore, I took charge. 

I decided to fix things once and for all.  I drew this rooster, appliqued it with bright fabrics, did a little embroidery embellishment, and hung it on my door.  (Click on the picture to get a closer view.)  Now, I feel so much better every time I enter my kitchen.  This bright little fellow makes me smile.  I hope he will make you smile too.  You can download the free pattern here.   I want to apologize.  I did not realize the pattern was not all there.  I have corrected it and you can get the full Rooster pattern here.  The individuals pieces are still found at the above/original link. 

A few instructions:  I used the fusing method of applique on this rooster, so if you want to do a different method of applique, be sure and leave about an extra fourth inch of fabric outside the design template.  Important:   Use both the dotted and solid lines for the outline of your template.  The dotted line is only to indicate that the edge goes underneath another fabric (the one next to it on the picture).  I cut my background fabric to about 12 X 13; then after the applique is complete and the quilting done, I cut it down to about 10 X 11.  If you have any questions on how to make Mr. Rooster, feel free to leave a comment or write me an e-mail.  Enjoy!

♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll

ANNOUNCING - FREE PATTERN FROM ALLIE

Allie of Allie Oops Sweet Happy Life has a free gift for you.  Her new mug rug designs are named after Caroll at the Attic Window Quilt Shop (that’s me)!  There are a total of seven darling designs.  Think Christmas gifts…the neighbor you coffee with, your co-workers, a shut in friend.  These cute designs are sure to bring smiles to your friends and loved ones during the holidays.  Thank you Allie!  I feel so honored to have one of your designs named after me!  You are a dear friend!

 ♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll