Getting Into The Halloween Spirit-Carving A Pumpkin

Getting Into The October Spirit

Carve A Pumpkin To Look Like Your Pup

A couple of years ago I found a Better Homes And Garden Internet site that had 24 different pattern stencils for carving pumpkins to look like certain dog breeds. Not all breeds are represented. Fortunately, a Poodle was one of those that were. There are also carving suggestions, which are very helpful. 

The breeds represented are:

1. Dachshund
2. Bulldog
3. Border Collie
4. Boston Terrier
5. Chihuahua
6. Beagle
7. Boxer
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
9. German Shepard
10. Golden Retriever
11. Cocker Spaniel
12. Pomeranian
13. Jack Russel 
14. German Shorthair Pointer
15. Doberman Pincher
16. Labrador Retriever
17. Pug
18. Rottweiler
19. Poodle
20. Schnauzer
21. Scottish Terrier
22. Shih Tzu
23. Siberian Husky
24. Yorkshire Terrier

For this year, I was planning to do a pumpkin that looked like our Penny, who is a Pitt mix (this is the link). I had a disappointment when I found that there was not a stencil for her. 

I have decided to change that. I have made a stencil for the American Pitt Bull. I am going to get my pumpkin today, carve it, and then blog the pumpkin along with the FREE stencil for anyone who wants to use it. Stay tuned! And Happy Pumpkin Carving!

Just A Little Preview

Make A Travel Size No-Sew Pet Blanket

Last month I featured a DIY Dog Bed using a simple no sew technique. And I had leftovers from that project (two pieces of fabric about 24"x30"). 

It seemed to me, the perfect size for a travel blanket. I can either use it the Poodles' car-seat or on the seat itself for Dylan.

It has taken me a bit longer that I planned to to get this blanket finished. I took on one to many projects this past month. Does anyone else pull that one?

The Blanket

This blanket is the original no-sew fleece blanket like the ones I made my grandsons. 

Supplies:

1. Two different polar fleece fabrics cut to the size of desired blanket. I was using left overs so I didn't worry about this step.
2. Index cards to cut guides
3. Scissors to cut fabric

That's about it. This project doesn't take much. 

Step1: 

Place the two pieces of fabric on top of each other with the wrong sides facing each other.


Step 2:

Cut 4" x 4.5"rectangles out of each corner. Make sure that the 4" side is parallel with the cross grain and that the 4.5" side is parallel with the grain. 

I've added a short demo on the difference of grains on polar fleece. This will explain the need to cut two different lengths of fringe. 

I cut rectangles rather than squares for this particle blanket because the cross grain on polar fleece is really stretchy.This blanket is put together with the tying technique. And tying will make the cross-grain ties longer. I add and extra 1/2" to the ties running with the grain. The ties look even this way. 

Step 3:

Cut 1" fringe. I highly recommend making a guide (I fold an index card) 1" x 4.5" with a 4" guide line. 

Step 4:

Tying the fringe. The advantages of using the tying method are:

1. Super secure-these aren't coming out!
2. It is more colorful than the "loop in the slit". The opposite side shows up much more in this method. 

Again, I am using a video to demonstrate this step. This link will take you to my You-Tube channel. Blogger didn't want to upload this one.  

Click Here To Go To The Video

I want to reiterate, a few points from the video. Always tug at each knot as you finish. This really sets the knot. 

Tying can bunch up the fabric, so it is important to give a small tug between ties. Don't tug to forcefully or you will hear an unwanted ripping sound. I am tell you this from experience!

Well, that about ties this post up. Hope you have fun with this. Maybe, Barney the cat won't take this one over at our house (only because it is going to be in the car)! 

Crafty Poodle

First Up-Welcome To Our New Home. I decided it was time to break Poodle Time away from The Journal. Now I can concentrate more on what makes us and our our dogs safe and happy. And, of course, I will keep up the cultural side. I am sure I am not alone in believing that dogs are very important to our culture and makes us better persons.

Each week I will print one new article and reissue one older one.

Today starts a two part feature about sewing things with Poodle motifs. Next week I will talk about a few things I have made for my dogs along with some ideas I want to try. 

Gina the Poodle from ETSY

Gina from Springtime Designs (ETSY)

I have had Gina on my ETSY favorite list for a long time and was  looking forward to  making her. Unfortunately, I just noticed that the shop owner is on vacation. There was a "send me an email" option to be notified when the shop is back opened. I will keep you posted, if anyone else, like me fell for Gina. 

Best Buds

Sundrop Designs has created some cute 8" block patterns. This one caught my eye. We have both dogs and cats and some interesting situations can happen. 

Best Buds, an 8" applique quilt pattern for $5.95 for Sundrop Studio

Brenda Franklin Cross Stitch

Check our her site a a big selection of all dog breed patterns. There are 12 Poodle Designs alone.

Use Your Vintage Buttons

This is just for an idea. I found it somewhere and have a lot of vintage pearl buttons an
thought if was a cute idea

A No Sew Pattern

This little pink Poodle comes from The Bear Factory and is available on Amazon for $14.00. 

The Bear Factory's Poodle to stuff. She even comes with a birth certificate.

Have your own dog show!

Critter Pattern Works offers a quilt pattern that includes twenty different breeds.

Dogs 2 by Critter Pattern Works-$14.95

My Gift To You

Here are a couple of silhouettes for you to use. One has a Puppy cut and the other a Lion cut. The links will take you to larger copies. They should be easy to enlarge. 

LINK

LINK

Niko napping with one of his best buds Barney

I hope everyone likes our new home. We like being on our own. Have a great week.