Homespun Halloween

Happy Halloween to all my friends, family, and followers! I can't believe my Halloween cross stitch calendar revealed the final motif for the month of October today...I'm not quite sure where the year has gone - it seems it has disappeared rather quickly...and soon Thanksgiving and Christmas will be upon us (GASP!). My neighborhood celebrated Halloween last night with trick-or-treaters rushing from house to house getting their fill of candy - I always look forward to seeing the creative costumes that show up on our front porch....and last night I saw some great ones - including the best Ghostbuster I have seen (with an illuminated backpack) and an adorable horse (her mom had sewn the costume). I also enjoy seeing some of the fun decorating that happens in our area...here is photo I snapped of a front yard just up the street from us...I see they are ready for the negative election campaigns to stop - it made me chuckle.

Over the past fifteen years or so, I have celebrated my love of Halloween by designing quite a few needlework charts and  sewing projects especially for this time of year...I thought it would be fun to share a collage that includes many of my spooky pieces...you can find additional information on each of these pieces by exploring my website and/or Etsy shop (including "Behind the Gate" - the Halloween calendar shown above)...enjoy!

Finally....since it is always 'all about the squirrel' - even on Halloween...I had to share an image of the front of a Halloween card that arrived in my mailbox this week from a very dear friend....it made me smile immediately when it arrived! Inside, it says "Peek a BOO!"....

May Jack-o-lanterns burning bright
Of soft and golden hue
Pierce through the future's veil and show
What fate now holds for you.
                                                           -Author Unknown

All Hallows' Eve

Happy Halloween to all my friends, family, and followers! A while back, I mentioned I would post an early photo of me dressed up for Halloween...well, yesterday I was sent a gentle reminder of that statement...so here I am making good on my promise. This is an early childhood photo of me dressed up for Halloween (well actually two photos I scanned and edited to make one)...don't I make an adorable monkey??! Truth be told, these are the only two photos I have of myself dressed up for Halloween...and seeing them always makes me giggle...
My sister and I loved to go trick-or-treating each year...and our goal was to go to every house in our small town...we would run from door to door and collect as much candy as possible...plus, back in the day we would get all sorts of homemade goodies (popcorn balls, caramel apples, cookies, etc.). I remember helping my mom pop popcorn all day and filling small Halloween paper treat bags...we would add candy corn and small sweets to the popcorn bags and hand them out to children who visited our house in costume. I also have vivid memories of my mother placing our bags of Halloween treats on top of the refrigerator, so we couldn't "fill-up" on candy....the day after Halloween, my sister and I would trade candy with each other, so we each would have our favorites...and I'm sure mom and dad got some of our goodies too!

Over the past ten years or so, I have celebrated my love of Halloween by designing quite a few needlework charts and patterns especially for this time of year...I thought you might enjoy seeing a collage that includes many of my spooky pieces...you can find additional information on each of these pieces by exploring my website...enjoy!

May Jack-o-lanterns burning bright
Of soft and golden hue
Pierce through the future's veil and show
What fate now holds for you.
                                                           -Author Unknown

Six Bats and a Black Cat

Isn't it interesting how Halloween has become such a celebrated holiday? I have vivid memories from my childhood of dressing up in homemade costumes and going door to door for treats (note to self: I should post some childhood photos on Halloween day)...we lived in a small town and each year we tried to stop at every house that participated in "trick-or-treat" night - I remember we would collect HUGE bags of treats! Back in the day, there were always a few houses with spooky decorations and scary sounds/music to set the mood - but now, it seems Halloween decorating has become almost as popular as Christmas decorating. I know there are still some needleworkers out there that "don't do" Halloween...and years ago, I didn't either - but I have found over time, I really enjoy working on Halloween designs....in fact, they are some of my best sellers! I have designed quite a collection over the years...I even have enough Halloween ornaments to display a small all-stitched ornament tree....and of course I have "Behind the Gate" (BRD-072) my Halloween advent calendar. It is definitely time for me to put away the summery designs and put up my Halloween pieces, something I enjoy doing each September.

This year I was asked by Just CrossStitch magazine to design a framed Halloween piece for their special 2012 Halloween Collector's Issue. I have designed several Halloween ornaments for their publications over the years, but this time I was asked to work on a larger piece. It is titled "Six Bats and a Black Cat"...and it is featured on the cover! I received my model back from the magazine this week, along with a copy of the magazine - and I have to say I am quite impressed with the variety and creativity of the designs in this special publication....if you have "been on the fence" whether or not to add it to your collection, think no more, it is definitely worth the price. Where else can you get 48 designs for $9.99....at an average of $0.21 per design, it is a STEAL! If you enjoy the Halloween holiday, this issue will keep you inspired with all sorts of spooky stitching and finishing...and plenty of projects to keep you busy for years to come. The 2012 JCS Halloween Collector's issue is on sale now (find it at your favorite needlework shop or newsstand) and my design (show below) can be found starting on page 53...

Blue Ribbon Designs: "Six Bats and a Black Cat"
Photo Credit to Just CrossStitch Magazine (Hoffman Media)