Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Pumpykins

Yeah, that says 'pumpykins' up there. That "word" snuck into my head somewhere and has been beastly to get out. So I'm sharing it with you. I hope it annoys you as much as it does me. Well...not really...that would be mean. But misery loves company so I hope you'll join me :)

OK, onward....the weather finally took a bit of a chill pill and it has been--dare I say--lovely outside? There is a hint of fall in the air, and as soon as I sense that tiny wisp of autumn it may as well be Halloween because I'm done with summer and heat and humidity. I felt like making something quick and crafty and fallish this weekend, so I decided I would make some yo-yo pumpkins. I had thought of them a few weeks ago, but making the stems on such things always boggles me a bit. When I went searching for a how-to, I saw that someone had already made exactly what I wanted. Instead of reinventing the wheel (I almost wrote 'reinventing the horse' - where did THAT come from?) I just followed this tutorial, in case you're interested in making your own.

After an afternoon spent with tea, fabric and twine, I had half a dozen different sized pumpkins ready to go:


I made these from a small stack of fat quarters and some hand-quilting thread (it's very strong). And twine. And fiberfill. It's practically a no-sew project, but the sewing required is super easy giant gathering stitches. I found that doubling up my thread and gathering as I went made the thread less likely to snap. It took me a few cursing incidents to get my act together.


For the larger ones I used four pieces of twine to make eight wedges. My twine was very thick, so if you can find thinner stuff I would go with that. For the smaller ones I used three pieces for six wedges--


Using the twine to make the stem gives it a quite realistic look. My hands are nice and exfoliated, too, from working with the rough stuff.


And since the twine knots and the stem sit right over the yo-yo gathering hole I didn't feel the need to be super neat and precise about closing the hole off. The little ones are my favorite.


The best part, though, is the devil-may-care freedom you can employ in your stuffing technique. One of my least favorite tasks is stuffing a pillow. I have such a time getting the lumpy-bumpies under control for a smooth finish. With this they didn't need to be stuffed firmly so it went pretty quick.

I cut the biggest circle I could out of a fat quarter, and that gave me a pumpkin about 8 inches big. I didn't have a full yard of fall fabric on hand to try a huge one, but it would probably be quite cute. I practically live at the fabric store, so I won't be out of opportunities to give it a shot. For now I like seeing them on the windowsill when I come downstairs in the morning, chilling in the sunbeams, waiting for the fall decorations to go up.

Don't you just looooooove this time of year?!?!?!?!?!?! Have you been doing any seasonal making yet?

Linking here:
Under the Table and Dreaming*** Skip to My Lou *** Pinkapotamus *** Sew Can Do *** Craftomaniac *** Homemaker on a Dime *** C.R.A.F.T. ***Sarahndipities *** Today's Creative Blog*** Creative Itch Boutique *** Funky Polkadot Giraffe ***Chef in Training *** Tip Junkie *** My Girlish Whims *** Sew Much Ado *** Free Pretty Things for You *** JAQSStudio *** Tea Rose Home *** Someday Crafts*** Somewhat Simple *** Fireflies and Jellybeans *** Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom  *** Creation Corner *** The Shabby Nest *** While He Was Napping *** Tatertots and Jello *** Be Different Act Normal *** To Sew With Love *** Sugar Pink Boutique *** Craftionary *** Family, Home and Life ***Dixie and Dottie

 

24 comments:

  1. We did this is my class and used dental floss to help from snapping!

    I like how the twine gives it the pumpkin look, but also serves as the stem. I'm raiding my craft stash now! :)

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  2. Darling pumpkins! Cooler!! Lucky you!!!
    XO Kris

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  3. Aww, so cute! I'm the worst when it comes to seasonal making, in fact I'm lucky if my small collection of Christmas koalas and kangaroos (me entire collection of Christmas decorations) make it out on display by the start of December! I have ordered some of the Brrr fabric though, so I can make a Christmas quilt of sorts - love those polar bears!

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  4. Yayyyyyy cooler weather for us too. Which puts me in the mood for making some of these gorgeous pumpkins. I have loads of twine so off to search through my fabric.

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  5. Super cute pumpYkins! jk They are cute, and I'll just have to dig out my twine to make some!

    Susie

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  6. Those are so cute! You're very creative. Well done!

    Debbie

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  7. I love these pumpykins. I always have loved yoy yoy anyway.

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  8. Your pumpkins turned out great, I love all the different colors! Thanks for the link back! Happy Fall:@)

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  9. Very cute! Love that you used twine to create your wedges.

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  10. I love them and the site! I just finished 3 and am going to make another 3 and put them in a basket with a lovely orange bow and bring them down to the care centre I volunteer in....they'll love making them with me! Even though fall decorating is not huge here in Ireland, I will try to get them to embrace it! Hahah

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  11. Super, super cute! Very creative! Would love if you'd join our Countdown to Fall link party! Hope to see you there! Have a great week! :)
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_09_17_archive.html

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  12. Oh, these are a little different from the ones I make but I really like them. I'm going to try this. This stem looks so real. Would love to have you come and share this at our Pumpkin Linky Party at my sister and my blog. Hope you see you there. Linda

    http://twosucculentsisters.blogspot.com/2012/09/thirty-days-of-pumpkins.html

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  13. These pumpkins are so beautiful, the colors you've chosen to do them are perfect. Thanks for sharing with us your creation and the link to the tutorial. I think I know what I'll do tomorrow, thanks again, your pumpkins are merely beautiful. Marisa.

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  14. This is exactly what I have been looking for to add to seasonal shelf in my sewing room. The stem had me stumped as well but I had thought about using yo-yo's.
    Saw your link on Your Whims Wed. link party.

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  15. These look lovely and simple. My two favourite things!

    Sarah
    http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk

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  16. Tooooooo cute - love the fabrics that you chose. Am going to get these prepped for next year so I will be ahead of the game! When hand sewing anything, I always use beeswax for my thread!

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  17. So glad I found your site (via Dixie 'n Dottie and their link party.) Your pumpkins are simply darling. You've really inspired me to dig through my boxes of fabric, pull out some Fall colors and try to duplicate your precious creations. Great job!

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  18. These are darling.. I just love the sweet twine accents and the colors!
    Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party~
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

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  19. Love it, so cute! I think I would like to try this tutorial :) Visiting from My Girlish Whims :)

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  20. Thank you so much for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday, I featured this on my blog today! Come stop by and grab a featured button: http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2012/09/your-whims-wednesday-78-and-features.html

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  21. Love, LOVE these! The twine is really the perfect touch! I think I may have to make one or two....or ten. Who knows?! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for linking up to Point of View!
    Jonie

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  22. Hi, Bethany, I thought you would like to know that I featured your sweet little baby fabric pumpkins on my blog. Thanks for adding to our party!! Linda

    http://twosucculentsisters.blogspot.com/2012/10/fabric-pumpkins.html

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