Fall Starts This Week!

Time For Pumpkins Again!

I am reposting this pattern since it is pumpkin time again!  I am going to Missouri Star Quilt Shop in Hamilton, MO this week to be part of the big Birthday Bash and I will be making some of these beauties with my Pumpkin Patch fabric line by Benartex.

This is my Pumpkin Patch pattern from 1996 that Keepsake Quilting carried for years.  There have been many pumpkins out there similar but here is the directions for original painted pumpkin! You can also make them from any cotton fabric, chenille, burlap, wool or felt.

1. Cut a rectangle from batting, say 9" x 18" wide. Too big? try 6" x 14".

2. Fold in half and sew the two short ends together, one seam in the back.

3. Hand-gather one open end with string, floss, pearl cotton or linen thread, pull tight and knot several times.

4. Turn inside out and stuff with poly-fil until firm, but not too firm.
5. Hand-gather the top and knot several times.

6. Using a long doll needle (say 8") and a long piece of the thread you used in #3, go in and out from the center top to the center bottom to pull the center in tight. Knot again.

7. Then proceed to go top to bottom around the outside of the pumpkin to create the veins, pulling tight each time.

8. Knot the thread each time on the center top which will be covered by the stem later.

9. Mix orange paint with water, coffee or tea and slop it on using your hands (pre-manicure not post). It washes off your hands eventually and I would remove your rings first!

*** Using coffee or tea makes the colors separate once dried and gives a wonderful aged look.

Make different sized pumpkins from cotton batting, muslin, or chenille and paint each one a different shade of orange. Mix colors- it's fun!My husband went int the woods and cut old gnarly grapevine for me to use as stems. He cut them about 2"-3" and I hot glued them to the center top, covering the knots.  It makes a wonderful fall decoration and costs so little for so many, a small package of batting, a bottle of paint, some stuffing.   Happy Fall!

Gold Fabrics, Bees & Winners

What a lazy week! I didn't get much at all done and I have no excuses except for the weather. I can blame it on the weather! When it's hot, I don't feel like working. When it's cool and breezy like the last few days- I want to play even more. I guess it's that summer thing- you know, when the kids are out of school and everyone seems to get into vacation mode.

The windows are open- the cool breeze is coming in and it feels so nice this morning. The only thing I have to contend with is, well, that I'm sneezing. Ah-choo. It is allergy season. By the way, I am doing the allergy drops from my ENT and I can honestly say they seem to be working already. I started about 4 months ago and my allergies aren't nearly ad bad as they were. The drops are so much easier than shots. First of all, I do them at home and only go in every 3-4 months so none of those weekly co-pays. Secondly- it's painless! They say after 2 years of drops that my allergy symptoms will be virtually gone. Check with your local ENT if you suffer.

Drum-roll please- The winner of the gold fabric bundle from Benartex and What's All the Buzz? pattern is Lisa from Maryland. Congratulations Lisa!

I have to say I am never good at picking winners, in fact, I want everyone to be a winner but unfortunately I only have one gold bundle of fabric. When the fabric finally comes in, I'll do another drawing for several bundles. It should be shipped in a month or so. For now- I appreciate everyone who entered and I want to send you all a free What's All The Buzz? pattern. If you entered and put your address in the email, I'll send you a free pattern this week. Thank you for following my Blog. Some of you have been with me since the start.

If you haven't seen the last post about pumpkins- check it out. I give instructions for pumpkins made with cotton quilt batting. Just a head up- later this summer, probably starting later in July or early August, we will have a special for the pumpkins and here's how it will go:

Make some pumpkins using the method I described with fabric, felt, batting, whatever and finish them any way you want, with sticks, grapevine or even cinnamon sticks.
Send pictures to me at pgpeddler@aol.com with your name and address.
I will post the pictures with first names on the Blog on a regular basis and let everyone vote on the best look, most creative, and so on. Winner(s) will get a big bundle of my fall fabrics. Does that sound fun? Start making those pumpkins soon. I'll re-post the instructions at a later date.

Congratulations-you're all winners this week! Just be patient with me- there's a LOT of envelopes to address. I'll do some each day so give it a week or so to get them.

THIS NEXT WEEK- we'll have a drawing for two (2) of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 5.


To enter:
Email me at PGPeddler@aol.com by Saturday, June 9 at midnight, with 100 in the subject line.
Put your name and address in the body of the email.

UPDATE: I corrected the email address- sorry about that! Also- the allergy drops go under the tongue... EASY!

Is it Fall yet?

I am SOOO in the mood for fall already. I know, I know, summer hasn't even started but I have been making some fall craft projects and I want to display them! PLUS, I LOVE making fabric pumpkins. This was one of my craft original patterns released in 1996. Wow, that was a long time ago. These pumpkins were such a joy for me to make. I had a huge kitchen back then and I would cover all of the counters with black trash bags and paint these pumpkins to my hearts content.

One year, I offered free models to all of the quilt shops that carried this pattern. I literally made hundreds of them from felt, wool, chenille, fabric and batting. Yes- quilt batting. Cotton batting from Warm & Natural. It made the best pumpkins.

Want to know how to do it?

1. Cut a rectangle from batting, say 9" x 18" wide. Too big? try 6" x 14".
2. Fold in half and sew the two short ends together, one seam in the back.
3. Hand-gather one open end with string, floss, pearl cotton or linen thread, pull tight and knot several times.
4. Turn inside out and stuff with poly-fli until firm, but not too firm.
5. Hand-gather the top and knot several times.
6. Using a long doll needle ( say 8") and a long piece of the thread you used in #3, go in and out from the center top to the center bottom to pull the center in tight. Knot again.
7. Then proceed to go top to bottom around the outside of the pumpkin to create the veins, pulling tight each time.
8. Knot the thread each time on the center top which will be covered by the stem later.
9. Mix orange paint with water, coffee or tea and slop it on using your hands (pre-manicure not post). It washes off your hands eventually and I would remove your rings first!
*** Using coffee or tea makes the colors separate once dried and gives a wonderful aged look.
Make different sized pumpkins from cotton batting, muslin, or chenille and paint each one a different shade of orange. Mix colors- it's fun!
My husband went int the woods and cut old knarly grapevine for me to use as stems. He sut them about 2"-3" and I hot glued them to the center top, covering the knots.
It makes a wonderful fall decoration and costs so little for so many, a small package of batting, a bottle of paint, some stuffing.

Busy, Busy, Busy

OK, I know it's the wee hours of the morning (top o' the morning to you!) but I have a zillion things on my mind and needed to get up and start doing them. Sipping my coffee (yes, with creamer) and on a roll. Don't you love it when you can get up early and have those bonus hours in your day?

Anyway, I'm updating my Etsy site and adding a few Fall and Winter items. After all, it is time to think about fall sewing! I have a new quilt that I'm working on for Fall market, it's applique and I'm actually doing needle turn applique for a change. I generally do quick fuse but I love the look of needle turn. I'm using freezer paper and it's really fun. Have you ever done needle turn applique and if so, how do you do it?

I just got the latest 4 X 4 back from the printer-
It's called 4 X 4- Winter. Has 4 designs and projects. It's the last 4 X 4 for a while since I have other things to finish for market.

I'm excited to do some fall sewing for myself. A long time ago, I had a great pattern for a 5 foot scarecrow that stands alone and remember that pumpkin pattern I did in 1998? Well, I think I'm going to make them again and put them on my porch for Fall. Some patterns are just classics. I have such fun making the fabric pumpkins also. I make a lot of them from quilt batting and chenille and then paint them with different shades of orange. I add coffee to the paint and it gives the pumpkins a great aged look. I use real wood stems- grape vine painstakingly cut by my husband, and that's not fun either as they are very sticky when you cut them! Fortunately, they dry well! I know it's not hot here yet but I'm already looking forward to Fall.

Don't forget to enter the drawing for the quilt by Saturday night.

It's a Mystery!

Ok, I know, sorry I made you wait so long this week for the winners.

I'm supposed to be working on quilts but I took a little detour this weekend. First, my sister and niece came to visit yesterday. I had to clean extra special (don't you know) and make sure everything looked just right. Sarah and Grace were also in town and my son, his wife and 2 boys were also here. By the time they all left, I had to clean again! Go figure!

My sister was in a bad car accident about 3 months ago. She was hit from behind at full speed while stopped to turn and broke her neck among other things. She has a halo bolted to her head and neck and she's been sleeping in a chair for 3 months. She finally gets it off next week and I know she'll be so happy. This was her first trip in quite some time. I was pretty excited to have her come.

I started a baby quilt for Patrick a year ago and never finished it (I know, ~ holding my head low~ what kind of grandma am I? I ask myself that same question all the time!) Anyway, I decided today was the day. After all, little Patrick is almost 1 year old and he can now drag the blanket around with him everywhere he goes. Just in the nick of time, I say- err, I mean, I planned it that way! I have a few knots to tie and I'll be done with it. Nathan and Grace have one like it in different colors. No batting inside, just chenille, Minkie and fabric. It's so cuddly and soft.

I also started a toaster cover, coffee pot cover, mixer cover and table runner for my kitchen. They aren't near done but they're cut out and ready to sew. Maybe tomorrow. Seems like when you have company, it reminds you of all of the things you once started and never finished! Well, pillow covers are next. Remember when I bought the fabric for them? It's been a while so it's time to start them also before anyone else comes to visit.

I know I just decorated when I moved in 8 months ago but I'm already changing wall color. That will come next week. I'm on a roll to fit it all in between the quilting. I actually got up at 3:30 am this morning, sewed until 10am, got ready & went to church and back to sew after lunch. I think tonight I'll tie the baby quilt, photograph it for the Blog and take it easy. It's been a long day. I did have creamer today, in case you're keeping track. I can go days without sleep- if I have my beloved Cinnamon Vanilla creamer. It's a sickness, I know.

I have winners for the Mystery Drawing this week. They are

Cross Stitch: Jan from FL

Quilt: Ruth from FL (also)

Craft: Monica from AR

They each win 5 pumpkin patterns or charts in their category including my newest ones. Congratulations ladies!

Next week- the prize is a quilt. A Pumpkin Quilt, or a big ole pumpkin rag quilt to be specific. To enter:

Email me at PGPeddler@aol.com with OLE RAG in the subject line.

If you add the number of pumpkin patterns & charts that I offer (on www.prairiegrovepeddler.com , I'll enter you twice. Someone will win this quilt next Sunday, will it be you?

Put your name and address in the body of the email.

Entries without both are not considered.

I do not keep the addresses nor do I send unwanted emails of any kind. I don't sell the names. I just want them so I can send the prize out to the winner a lot faster. That's all. I promise!

Have a great evening!

Pumpkin Winner

I had another busy day and ended up with company that put me behind on blogging. I have been ironing for two days and I haven't gotten tired of it yet. I just love applique. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing right now. I have so many new patterns to finish and I'm on a roll so I don't want to lose the momentum!

I went to my local fabric store three times lately and stocked up on yummy fabrics. I have to admit I am in the $500 club now for the week but it's needed for the new patterns. That's how I justify it anyway! I did a quilt series last year that went over very well and I'm working on another right now that is similar and having a blast. I'm also doing some smaller things and it feels good to sew and iron for a change! Next I get to hand embroider the detailing.

We do have a winner today and she actually has a birthday on Halloween! How cool is that? Lisa from FL will receive the three pumpkins from the drawing. I have more pumpkins so stay tuned for another pumpkin drawing before Halloween.

This week, we're having a "Mystery Drawing". I know, you think I already have it picked out but this is the way to have a drawing without preplanning anything! Just lazy this week I guess.

To enter, email me at PGPeddler@aol.com by Saturday midnight with "MYSTERY" in the subject line. Send your name and mailing address. I'll choose a winner on Sunday.

We have winners!

There were two winners this week: Sheila from TN and Debbie from VA. WE actually drew a few names this week and believe it or not, there were NO mailing addresses included. What a shame. We ONLY take entries with the mailing address included- lucky for Sheila and and Debbie!
Thanks for entering everyone. We'll be sending out the new charts tomorrow.

I have been on ironing detail- literally all weekend long (except for church). I'm working on a few quilts- all quick fuse applique- and I'm surprised my iron hasn't burned itself out. I love applique though. I use Steam-A-Seam 2 fusible web and personally love it. I have done needle turn applique but I don't consider myself experienced enough to photograph any such quilt for a quilt cover. Once I get these originals done, I may try my hand at it again for a second quilt. Any tips are appreciated!

This week I thought I might offer something different in a drawing.
Pumpkins. Three finished fabric pumpkins. It's almost fall and fall decorating is just around the corner, after all! These three finished pumpkins are from my #163 Pumpkin Patch pattern from 1998. It was a great pattern (oh, the memories!)

My husband had cut grapevine in our woods for the stems. Keepsake Quilting carried this pattern back then and even offered the cut grapevine for sale in their catalog. One week alone they called three days in a row and ordered 400-500 patterns each day. My husband was crazy trying to cut enough grapevine for the orders and it also had to be dried! I was trying to keep up with the patterns. Ahhh, the good ole' days! I still have a good sized box of gnarly grapevine stems to use.

To enter the drawing, email me at PGPeddler@aol.com, by midnight Saturday night, 8/21, with your name and MAILING ADDRESS included -please don't forget that part. I'll choose one name next Sunday and post it here.

Ok, back to my ironing board!

Another Autumn Sunday, Another Weekly Winner

We have a winner of the Eye Glass Case this week. It's Leah from TN. Leah, watch your email. I need to know what color you prefer.


This week I'm going to offer my new chart, Three Pumpkins, along with three pumpkin stems to go with it. I think I'll even throw in a small piece of Juniper wool for the leaves to finish them.


All you have to do is email me this week at PGPeddler@aol.com, before Saturday midnight, and put "Three Pumpkins" in the title. Send your name, address and email address. I promise that I won't share it with anyone. I will choose a winner next Sunday.