Archives for October 2013
Totally Boy Crazy {Baby Quilt}
Ella’s Fish Quilt
Hi, I am Ella! My mom is Jedi Craft Girl. Today I am writing a blog post about my fish quilt. I am entering it in the Blogger’s Quilt Festival in the “Throw Quilt” Category. Thanks for stopping by to look at my quilt.
I am 14 years old and I have been sewing since I was 8 years old. I love fish!! I just got back from Hawaii where I got to spend 2 weeks in the ocean. I found this quilt pattern at the Long Beach Quilt Festival. The pattern is called Huki Lau by Beyond the Reef. I got to meet the designer, Natalie Barnes. I loved this pattern because it uses tropical prints and batiks and the appliqué fish are actually outlines of real tropical fish! The quilt measures 54″ x 70″.
I made patterns out of paper and hand cut each fish.
I used Spray n Bond to attach each fish to the background fabric. Then I sewed around each fish.
Fancy Halloween Soiree
We had a photo booth where families could get their pictures taken. We also had 6 different carnival-type games, a cake walk, and trunk-or-treat!
Our annual pie contest:
My daughter made this key lime pie and won an award!
They framed walls then attached black plastic. There was an outer maze for older kids and an inside maze that was less scary for the younger kids.
Tricks and Treats Halloween Tote Bags
Halloween Table Square
Supplies:
1/2 yard of cotton fabric (chevron) you can also use a “Fat Quarter”
backing fabric, the same amount as top piece
18″ square of lightweight fusible stabilizer
1 package jumbo black ric rac
Heat n Bond lite or other fusible appliqué
small piece of black fabric
Bat pattern, click HERE
Directions
Cut the chevron and back piece 18″ square. I used a heavier weight solid fabric on the back. You can use a different print and make it reversible if you want.
Iron the 18″ square of fusible stabilizer to the wrong side of the chevron fabric.
Trace the bats onto the Heat n Bond. Cut out around the bats and iron to the wrong side of the black fabric. Cut along the drawn lines. Peel off the backing.
Position the bats where you want them and iron into place. Using black thread, stitch around the bats to secure.
Baste the ric rac along the edge of the square. I do this on the machine using a larger stitch.
This is how I start and stop my ric rac:
Make sure the ends are off the edge of the fabric.
Pin the top and bottom squares right sides together.
Follow the basting stitch and use that as your seam guide. Leave a 3″ opening to turn the square. You kind of have to curve the corners.
Turn right side out and press.
This would also make a cute pillow. You would sew it exactly the same way. Only you would stuff it at this point. Or, you can leave a larger opening and insert a pillow form. In this picture I laid it over a pillow. You would want to put the bats a little higher so they don’t get lost when the pillow sits upright.
Continuing with the table square, pin to hold the fabric in place and topstitch around the square. This will also close the opening.
I like to use my “blindstitch” foot and put the needle over for topstitching – it works great. You can totally use a regular foot too!!
After you finish topstitching, you’re done!! I had fun playing with my new table accent!!
A little sewing…..
Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner Party
I purchased this dress at a garage sale only hours before the party for $2. (Who has a garage sale at 6pm at night?)
The party began with appetizers and clues. Then it moved to dinner with more questions and clues. Then to dessert and accusations! It was so much fun! Everyone looked great and we had a few people with really cleaver accents.
Halloween Black Cats
Spooky Potion Throw Pillow
Fishy Fourteen Birthday Party
I ordered all these funny blow up fish to float in the pool. My dear friend let us use her back yard for the party – it was perfect! It feels like a resort!
The fountains and the pool lights change colors!
And our FAVORITE “Nothing Bundt Cake” for the cake.