HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I finally finished a Halloween quilt

that has been haunting me for several years!

It all began as a swap among 12 quilters

We each picked a character from this pattern

Each of us made 12 blocks of our selected character to swap

September, 2013 -  I brought home these blocks

I wanted to do something a bit different, so I grabbed

a lot of craps and the fun began!

Let's not dilly dally with my procrastination any longer.

I cut strips and made each block "wonky"

Squaring them up when I got them to a bigger size

making sure black was the outer color.

Check out the FMQ on each block

It was such fun and a great way to practice

different designs and use lots of colorful thread.

And here it is...all done.   

I luv the scrappy binding that pull all the colors out.

Not sure why I didn't want to finish it, but happy I did.  

Let the Halloween fun creep into your home 

NOW! 

MYRTLE BEACH FIBER-LUCIOUS!

Before Hurricane Matthew ravaged the eastern coast

I visited a great local yarn shop in Myrtle Beach.

Everywhere you looked...there was beautiful yarn!

and wonderful projects created by the staff...like this scarf

A free download pattern from Ralvery

"ZickZack Scarf"

and I bought this yummy yarn to make it!

While I shopped, they wound this skein I brought in with me.

I luv it when shops help you with this kinda thing.

Look at the sweet note slipped into my bag!

I will use this yarn to make the "Reyna" scarf...

its a free download on Ralvery.

The staff at Knit N Purl were wonderful!

They showed me how to download free patterns

from the displays using a UPC code app!

and even better news...

I'll be a close drive to the shop

when I winter by the ocean!

LAY YOUR HEAD ON THIS GHASTLINESS!

I got it done...in time for Halloween.

The RING OF COFFINS using my Ghastlie fabrics!

Isn't it great!

A peek at the quilting design from the back side of the batting.

Found a decorative stitch to outline the coffins.

And a few close ups...

My post about the Paper Piecing/ English Paper Piecing 

for this project is right click here.

EAST OF ASHEVILLE YARN CRAWL

Black Mountain Yarn Shop is one of my favorite shops to visit 

when I travel thru North Carolina

Here is a link to their website!

Donna Farrow and her Husband own the shop
When I stop in, they cheerfully wind yarn for me,
that I didn't even buy there!

I usually head to the SALE ROOM

cause there are always fun things to find...

Like this sign!

But the store itself is packed with vibrant yummy yarns.

I bought a gradient cake yarn of turquoise and gray

to make the shawl below, on the left. 

This pattern "Reflection Line" is available to purchase

 as a download on Ravlery, click here 

The next pretty shawl is called "Dangling Conversation"  

Purchase and download the pattern on Ralvery 

by using this link.

I will use some stash yarn for this one!

and just down the street...a Fave WINE SHOP!

It's full of yumminess too!

OSuzanna's Yarn on Union is located 45 minutes east 

of Black Mountain in Morgantown, NC 

Another charming and cozy yarn shop

in the historic district / downtown Morgantown!

The area is full of good restaurants and crafty boutiques. 

Here is a link to check out her shop and hours, etc.

I admire the way shop owners bring their style into their shops...

beautiful old baskets atop the shelves of glorious color!

and Suzanne, the owner, is a weaver 

 check out the looms center stage.

Take a closer look

Here is a beautiful shawl Suzanne had knitted...

Only 3 skeins of Fingering weight...

...how long would that take me to make?

Just down the street I found a beautiful garden....

Sew if you happen to find yourself 

East of Asheville, NC and like yarn...

don't miss these two shops!

SPOOKY SWAP!

Halloween is always a fun time to get into a swap  

and YUP...I did just that on Instagram.

My partner was one of the swap mamas

and after a bit of IG feed stalking and reading her 

informational email, I had some ideas. 

I noted on her informational email one of her 
fav fabric designers is C&S.   She luvs Spellbound & BOO

ME TOO!  I had some of both in my stash.

First I thought about making the 241 tote...

As I stalked her IG feed, I saw she knits and crochets

I decided on the Reversible Box Tote bag by Very Shannon

It's a free pattern right here!

Her extras...she specifically asked to make

something for her 12 year old son.

A bit of Star Wars was just the ticket!

And the main items all done!

I also sent her a few extras for herself including a 
BOO tea towel that glowed in the dark, yarn, etc.
She and her son were very happy!

 I get it that we don't always get what we give

and we should not expect it.   Normally I would not say
anything but I feel a "heads up" to swappers in order.  

Stalk your partner
Use their IG feed, Pinterest, Blog
Whatever social media they have offered as a 
"get to know me" avenue
Read and reread her informational email
Post lots of sneak peaks on IG and ask for feedback
If you have a specific question, ask your swap mama 
to reach out to your partner.

I love the cross stitching she did for me. 
And she put it in a hoop...great, I asked for something hooped.

The rest of the package, after eating the candy,
Is a cute package but one I will never use. (sad face)
A string of yellow lights, yarn ghost garland
 and lots of paper products that
would be great for a kids Halloween party!.
I have no kids or grand kids!

I'm not really a Halloween witch...
just a witchy bit disappointed

My question is...if you sent items the recipient
cannot or won't use...is it ok to "pay it forward"
and give those items to someone who will use it?
(in this instance...a school teacher?)

Happy Halloween!