Primitive Black Cat

 I recently when to a retreat and I had some extra time to play around with fabric after I finished up my quilt.  I saw a cat like this via pinterest and decided to make a pattern to make my own.

Here is a free download if you want to make your own.  I cut off the front leg for mine, but whatever floats your boat.    I used some black fabric, added stuffing and stitched on a face and added a scrap of fabric for a collar and a bell.  

Primitive Fall Wreath

 This summer I went to a quilting retreat.  In a very uncharacteristic move...I didn't bring too many projects...which meant I have time...and some stuffing to fill that time with.  I started googling ideas for primitive Halloween projects.  It's currently my obsession.  I saw a wreath like this on etsy...and so I put together a few characters.

 Here is a free link to the crow pattern.  There are a lot of things I'm pretty mediocre at, but when it comes to free form cutting....it's a weird skill I excel at....I drew a pattern of this bird before I sewed him together.  I added a button eye and a scrap for his scarf...b/c crows wear scarves.  You could also paint his beak, but....I didn't have my paints, and I didn't have my motivation when I got home!  I used some primitive-ish looking fabric I got at JoAnne's.

 I cut rough circles out of brown fabric, stitch a loose stitch along the edge and then pulled it shut after adding stuffing.  I cut two more circles with yellow and fringed the edge and then glued it to the back.

For the pumpkin I cut out a rectangle, sewed three sides, stuffed, and then put a stick in the middle and gathered the top.  I wired on some Spanish moss to a grapevine wreath and then glued these guys down and added a bow.  

Cat Dictionary Page

I posted a dictionary page tutorial last week.  I've been using my search engine to find more primitive/vintage pictures and creating a whole dictionary collection.  Here's Halloween dictionary picture #2.  I found some black frames at the dollar store and instead of a second piece of glass, I used a clear sheet of laminating.

Dictionary Page Pumpkin

 This is one of my favorite crafts of the season.  I've been obsessed with old dictionaries lately....bet that's not something people say often at parties.  I found a free primitive pumpkin printable and I saved it to Word and added a little message.  I ripped the page out of the dictionary that contained the word jack o lantern and printed it on this page.

 I took an old frame and discarded the back.  I hot glued the glass in place, used double sided tape on the back of the page and pasted it down to a second piece of glass.  I hot glued this second piece down next.

I loved the 'floating look.'  This particular page is a little shy of the 8x10 frame so this worked for me.  I've been playing around with using clear laminated pages or old overheads on the back instead of a second piece of glass and that works pretty well.  More to come!

Primitive Halloween Sticks

 I spent most of June out of the country.  Getting out of the country required some really long flights.  I don't sleep on planes.  I'm a nervous flyer.  What if the pilot needs my assistance?  Who's going to keep track of the plane on the little screen on international flights?  You.  Are.  Welcome.  So, while I was keeping the plane safe and on track...I brought along some things I could hand stitch...trust me, nobody wants me talking to them for 16 hours...though I would if it was the difference between sleeping or staying away to, you know, keep everyone safe.
I have been obsessed with primitive Halloween lately, so I brought some felt I precut (because the travel scissors you are aloud to take on the plane won't do the trick).  I stitched the buttons and pieces onto the faces and when I got home I added some stuffing and sewed my new plane friends closed.  I poked a stick through each little guy at the bottom and added some ribbon on top.

I think they will be cute in a plant, or just somewhere in the house....I haven't quite decided.  I made five of each, so I think there is a wreath in my future, but four of these are now primitive Halloween wands.  I dabbed some hot glue to hold the stuffed piece on the end of the stick and the ribbon up.  I think the attraction to primitive right now is that it doesn't need to be perfect, in fact, that imperfect stitching is what gives it character!  At least that is the angle I'm going to take.

Primitive Cat Straws

 I have a few last projects airing today (or tomorrow) on Good Morning, Texas.  I did a whirlwind recording last week before one of the shows.   I'll post the segment later on facebook.   I have been really into primitive stuff lately and so I made some of these little cat faces for straw decorations/candy dcorations.
For these little guys I googled primitive cat pictures and found these little fella's.  Here is the site I found these on.

 I cut some crepe paper in half and then pinch it into a ruffle and just taped it to the back of the cat.

I trimmed around the cat a bit and just glue it to a straw.  

I'll also be sharing the rest of my 2x4 projects.  I demo'd the cat a few weeks back-that video is here.  

Post by From glitter to gumdrops.

...and last....some kitchen supplies turned pumpkin.  Links below.  

2x4 Halloween Projects
Jack O Lantern Cheese Grater
Cutting Board Pumpkins