Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Eerie Nights Blog Hop - The Witching Hour and a Giveaway!!!

Hello and welcome to the Eerie Nights Blog Hop!


The Eerie Nights Blog Hop has been going on for a few days now and there have been lots of spook-tacular projects so far! There are also giveaways! Yes, giveaways!!! What's a Halloween themed blog hop without a few treats (no tricks) to give away? You can find the giveaway and links to all the hoppers at the end of this post!

When I heard that Marian from Seams to be Sew and Amy from Sew Incredibly Crazy were hosting a Halloween themed hop, I knew I had to join in on the fun. A huge thanks to those two ladies for all their hard work organizing the hop and to the sponsors!

Here is my quilt, The Witching Hour!


When Mr. 123 Quilt saw this quilt he thought it looked like a time portal and he suggested the name The Witching Hour. The witching hour is said to be the time of night when witches, goblins, and ghouls are at their most powerful. It's the time of night when ghosts can pass between worlds.

I don't know if I believe in ghosts... maybe they exist, maybe they don't. A few years ago, Mr. 123 Quilt and I were sightseeing and we came across an old cemetery. No one was around but the ornate iron gates were open and just inviting us to come in and look around. We spent 20 minutes or so wandering about. At one point, I stopped in the middle of the aisle to peer down at an old, faded headstone. I felt Mr. 123 Quilt come up behind me and put one hand on my back and the other on my arm and gently move me to the side, as if I was blocking the path and he wanted to get by. I said, "Oh, sorry, Honey," and looked up from the headstone only to discover that Mr. 123 Quilt was on the OTHER SIDE of the cemetery! We were the only two living people in that cemetery so I don't know who or what touched me and moved me aside. I've got chills just thinking about it.

Do you have a ghost story? I would love to hear it!

Anyway, back to my quilt. I knew that I wanted to make a Halloween quilt this year, so participating in the hop just seemed like a natural fit. I definitely wanted to make something simple and subtle; something that clearly had a Halloween theme but didn't scream werewolves and witches and vampires, oh my! (Not that there's anything wrong with that!) I found these great orange and black polka dot fabrics and I knew exactly how I wanted to use them.


I added some solid black to the bundle and used a white for the background. 


In keeping with the subtle theme of the quilt, I quilted some very simple echo lines to really highlight the design of the quilt. For the quilting, I used Essential Thread from Connecting Threads in Black. I did all the piecing using the same thread in White. I really love their thread. It works wonderfully in my machine and I don't get a lot of lint (and no, that's not an affiliate link and I'm not getting paid to say that). I think this minimal quilting works really well in this quilt and I'm extremely pleased with how it came out!


I used the orange on black polka dot fabric for the binding. I think polka dot binding is great... in theory. In reality a striped binding or a solid would have been better. I think the dots were just a bit too large to really get a good polka dot effect. Also, my binding seemed incredibly narrow this time around. It's the same binding I always do so I'm sure I'm just imagining things. Next time though, I think I will try to use a wider binding.

As part of the hop, we were asked to not only show a new project, but to show some of our favorite holiday decorations. I've been just a bit sneaky and I've already shown mine! So there is a trick in this post! Scroll up a few photos. See that little white pumpkin? I love little ceramic pumpkins and I've started a small collection of them. I try to get a new one every year, but I haven't gotten one yet this year. I need to get on that! Unfortunately, most of my little pumpkins are in storage but I do have one more to show you.


This one is sitting on my pile of trimmings from my quilt!

I hope you enjoyed reading about The Witching Hour! I really had a lot of fun making this one.

========

Be sure to check out the all the other hoppers for some amazing projects! Here is the schedule:

October 20th



October 21st



October 24th



October 25th



October 26th

123 Quilt -- That's Me!!!


October 27th



October 28th


========

And now for the giveaway!!! Trick-or-Treat!!!

Timeless Treasures is generously giving away a surprise bundle of fabric!


Bundles shown may not be the same as the prize won.

Use the Rafflecopter below and enter for your chance to win! Good luck and Happy Halloween!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

========

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication
Finish it Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
and
TGIFF

========

Until next time!
- Sarah

104 comments:

  1. Wow. Your ghost story is so interesting. I think it would have made a believer out of me! I love your quilt, and the name your husband helped you give it. Really great quilt with wonderful fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Susan! He is my go-to source for names. If it was left up to me I would have ended up calling this one "Halloween HSTs." Lol.

      Delete
  2. Great quilt and a really good story. I believe in the Spirit world. I have had too many occurrences like the one you describe not to.

    Thanks for blogging and thanks for being a stop on the hop.
    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your quilt. It is very modern .

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is a really cool quilt. I love the design, great job!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the subtlety of your quilt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm so pleased with how it turned out... just subtle enough.

      Delete
  6. I shuddered when hearing your scary story-I haven't had such an experience, but have heard other stories! Love your quilt, the way the procession of colors tells the story of your name for it! Great stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fantastic quilt! It looks just wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your quilt is really fantastic, and perfectly named! I don't have a ghost story per se. But my husband and I were once travelling in Connemara, in Western Ireland, driving through a very sparsely populated area with a lot of peat bogs. I got a very creepy feeling and got very scared. I told my husband to keep driving, and not to stop for anything. I truly felt there were malevolent spirits or something in the area. After we returned to the states, my husband met a woman at work who was actually from that region. He told her how scared I was, and she told him that made perfect sense because that area is haunted. Shiver.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would have been out of that cemetery in one heck of a hurry. Lovely quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your quilt is beautiful and a chilling ghost story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Liz! That's definitely one of my creepier stories!

      Delete
  11. Your ghost story gave me chills, too! auggggghhh! And I love your fabric choices. (lynnstck[at]yahoo.com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Auggghhh is right!! After that happened I grabbed Mr. 123 Quilt and we got out of there!

      Delete
  12. Love the quilt... not sure about the story ! lol thanks!~

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your quilt is really beautiful and I loved the ghost story. I do believe in ghost and have a story of my own, but since it is a long one, I will save it for another time. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love your quilt and it looks easy but very pretty..... happyness04431@yahoo.com ........ ps loved your story.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Anna! I definitely love a quick and easy quilt!

      Delete
  15. Great quilt! I've got goosebumps from that story....

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your quilt is great. Yes, subtle but definitely Halloween. I love your ceramic pumpkins. At first the one nested in the selvedges looked like it was linen. It would be so much fun to see the whole grouping. Maybe next year?

    ReplyDelete
  17. That's a great quilt! The polka dot binding is really neat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Dawn! I'll try another polka dot binding in the future. Maybe a smaller dot next time.

      Delete
  18. What a great quilt! I love the polka dot fabrics. I think the polka dot binding is such a fun touch! (I have a bit of the same fabric in my crazy quilted October block and more in my stash - it just screams Halloween, doesn't it?!) Your ceramic pumpkins are fantastic! Your ghostly story is one to inspire chills!

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a great quilt, and I love the name for it. I know what you mean about binding seeming to be too small when the print is just a hair larger than you had envisioned.

    ReplyDelete
  20. You do have a good ghost story, and I think that would sway me toward the, "I DO believe in ghosts! I do. I do. I do!" I have some of my own, but I think they are more normal around here as there was a massacre in our town several hundred years ago. It seems to be a an eerie place at Halloween.

    I love the simplicity of your quilt, and think the lavender tone you chose is perfect. It works SO well with the orange and black! And the asymmetry is wonderful! I looked at it and saw teeth, the feeling of bent spider legs, etc. It simply says Halloween without being a traditional Halloween theme, and that's good in my book. Some might say it's Eerie...

    ReplyDelete
  21. No ghost story, but I like a tiny polka dot binding, too...though, I agree with you, striped bindings are my absolute fave!

    ReplyDelete
  22. No ghost story here but I do believe! I also believe that your quilt is just fabulous! I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. No ghost story here but I do believe! I also believe that your quilt is just fabulous! I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. No ghost story here but I do believe! I also believe that your quilt is just fabulous! I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I really love the use of solids. What a great quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  26. wow your quilt is wonderful. love your husbands name for it. perfect. ok that was very odd in the cemetery. HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love your quilt! So modern and fun and the binding is just perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nice quilt. Love HSTs. Great colors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I love HSTs too! They are so fun and easy to make.

      Delete
  29. Nice quilt. Love HSTs. Great colors.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Scary ghost story. And a great quilt. I like how it is for Halloween but without all the scary parts.

    ReplyDelete
  31. "The Witching Hour" is a fantastic quilt. It is great as a Halloween quilt but could also be made in so many other colors. Your cemetery story gave me goose bumps!

    ReplyDelete
  32. WHAT FUN PROJECTS>LOVE IT! THANKS FOR SHARING!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love your quilt, and the name is perfect! Love the colors especially. Your ghost story gave me chills. Loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Pretty modern quilt, that can be used all year. 24Tangent@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love the quilt with perfect Halloween name ~ The Witching Hour ~

    ReplyDelete
  36. Nice quilt, and I like the polka dot binding. Your ghost story is a bit scary, and I don't have one to share. Love your little pumpkins. Happy Halloween!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Nice modern quilt, love the name!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I really love your quilt -- not too spooky and totally modern!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Nice quilt! I like how it looks as if time is moving. I do have a ghost story for you. We feel that Mom-in-law is still hanging around the house since she passed. Every now and then bread will just fly off the shelf and no one is around. Not sure if she is agitated or what. lol. Happy Halloween!

    ReplyDelete
  40. No ghost stories here, but yours is definitely chill inducing. Love your quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love to hear ghost stories... even if they freak me out!!! One summer we stayed at a cottage and heard a lot of noises in the evenings: footsteps, screen door squeaking open and closed, banging on the outside walls... it wasn't any one of us either!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. oooo, love your story! Nice quilt too! Once my husband and I were hiking and came upon this old deserted children's camp. There were stone walls and big fire pit. Nothing really happened but we had the weirdest feeling walking around and have never experienced that since although we've gone back once or twice.

    ReplyDelete
  43. So glad to have found you from a linky party at Quilt Fabrication! I love the story, the name of the quilt...and of course, the quilt itself!!! Very graphic and visually exciting.

    ReplyDelete
  44. The Witching Hour is awesome! Simple design but so effective. Thanks for sharing on Midweek Makers

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Sarah: I saw this on instagram. I don't usually like Holiday themed quilts but this one is wonderful. I like it's sublety !

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love your quilt and that it doesn't scream Halloween.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Janna! That's exactly what I was going for. It's funny; I have been hoarding Halloween fabrics to make a holiday quilt but when it came down to it, I didn't want to use any of those prints. I like how things worked out.

      Delete
  47. When on holiday in Scotland, my sister and I were wandering around an old church graveyard. I placed my foot on a concrete border which was resting on the earth around a triple plot in order to lean in and read the headstone. It identified the plot as the final resting spot for a man and his first and second wives. As I was wondering to myself what those wives would think about sharing their husband in the hereafter, I heard what I could best describe as a low growl. I quickly removed my foot, stepped back and looked around. My sister was on the other side of the graveyard and no one else was around. I felt it was a disapproving warning and we left right away. No sense upsetting anyone unnecessarily.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Super cute colors...and that binding! I've used stripes for bindings before, but never polka dots. Looks lovely. That quilt would look so cute in other colors as well. Love that name! Perfect, just perfect. Don't know if I believe in spirits or not, but that sure is a scary story! How did you keep from screaming?

    ReplyDelete
  49. I was a consultant working at a computer center at a bank, 9pm or so in central California. I saw a blond woman in a white dress walking past 2 layers of rooms with security windows. I didn't recognize her as anyone I knew in the last 6 months working there. 3 weeks later, some long term employees were talking about Brenda, who had worked there and lost her life. They described the woman I saw... Never saw her again and oddly enough it didn't frighten me either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually gasped when I read this one! So creepy! I've got chills again!

      Delete
  50. I like the way the polka dot fabrics add visual texture to the quilt. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I like your quilt and the colors work so well. I will share my paranormal story. My dad went into a nursing home for rehab. My mom and I were at his bedside while he was sleeping. From the hallway a dark shadow came swooping into the room just over the floor, then under his bed and out the closed window. We both looked at each other, asking at the same time, "Did you see that?" "Yes." Not quite sure if someone had passed away or what it meant. Never saw anything like it since.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love hearing ghost stories. Lovely quilt, so much can be made with the hst.

    ReplyDelete
  53. That is such a creepy story about the cemetery...wow! Your quilt is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Describing the Witching Hour quilt as a time portal is quite clever! It does remind me of that! It's beautiful! Yes, I believe in ghosts and that spirits never die. They are always around us. I enjoyed your story of being touched in the cemetery and believe you were visited!

    ReplyDelete
  55. What a wonderful Halloween quilt. I love the sharp contrast. I think the polka dots are just wonderful. Great job!
    Also...creepy! What a neat story to tell.

    ReplyDelete
  56. OM gosh, your ghost story gives me chills - eerie. Love the simplicity of your quilt. Even though it's in Halloween colors, I'm sure it could be used year around. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  57. most interesting quilt thanks for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I like that your quilt can be used for another time of the year, not just Halloween. I have a wall hanging that is "fall" themed like that that I use through November, purposely not putting specific Halloween fabrics in it, so I can use it longer. Thanks for sharing your great piece!

    ReplyDelete
  59. That looks fabulous. I love how the colors flow.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I love your quilt. My grandson would enjoy it. Orange is his favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Great quilt, and I do love the polka-dot binding. It's fun. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Love your story and love, love your quilt. Great design and well-named!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Ghost stories? I have 2. When I was 4 years old my uncle was killed in an accident. One night I woke up and saw the shape of a man pass my door and go toward my parent's room, I was too scared to move. The next day I found my mom in tears. It was the anniversary of my uncle's death. My mom had a stroke several years ago. Immediately after she died my 2 year old granddaughter would stop at every pay phone to talk to GG. It really felt like she was talking to someone and not pretending. I can't say I believe in ghosts 100% but I think it is rather stupid to not believe just because we can't prove they exist. Love your quilt. I want some of that black fabric with orange polka dots.

    ReplyDelete
  64. I love the name of your quilt! It's always fun when someone else steps in with their interpretation, isn't it? I'm afraid I don't have any ghost stories, so I hope a mere comment will do. But it's been fun reading the comments already left--who knew there were so many eerie tales floating around?

    ReplyDelete
  65. Love the quilt! And what a spooky story! Very fitting for this time of the year. I am affraid I have none. Sorry. But loved to read yours!
    cottonpaperflowers at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! You're right, the story is perfect for this time of year. I couldn't resist sharing it with everyone!

      Delete
  66. Your quilt is beautiful, I just finished a HST quilt, lots of trimming. Your story about the cemetery gave ME chills, so cool. Happy Halloween. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Linda! I use a Bloc-loc ruler to help with trimming HSTs and it makes the process a breeze. I'm glad I could give you a little Halloween fright! Lol.

      Delete
  67. your quilt is wonderful! I remember waking up in the middle of the night when I was in high school and seeing the figure of a man with a hat and trench coat standing at the foot of my bed. I was so scared! I pull the covers over my head and was afraid all night to look again to see if he was still there.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Sarah this is a great post, and would never have thought I'd write this, but boy do I like your quilt! Now before you think "who in the H-E-double hockey sticks would write that?" let me explain! I'm not a fan of orange, although it sure is growing on me this year for some reason, nor am I a big fan nor have a lot of grey either, but ditto on that colour this year. Very similar feelings with the Halloween-type fabrics. What I just LOVE is how you put these together in a simple but SO EFFECTIVE quilt that ya, doesn't scream Halloween but WORKS, and is one a person could have out all Fall. More than all this is the time portal effect, that I saw right away (being a fantasy fan and oh yes, totally believe in the supernatural and Faerie etc) so the name of your quilt is perfect. Okay, hope I allayed your fears that I was dissing your work, because as per usual, I just love your style and your stuff. Now about the pumpkins--I have a wee collection, no intention OF collecting, but I spied immediately that white one, and fell in love. My own fave is a white and taupe wooden painted to look like patchwork pumpkin. One more thing (sorry to write so much) I LOVED that spooky cemetery story and it gave me chills too!

    ReplyDelete
  69. I think it is perfectly named, one for HD. I also like the fact that with the right accessories it could be left out longer than halloween. That much work need to be seen and used longer than a couple of weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  70. After my dad passed my sis would often catch a whiff of ahiskey and see someone walk by out of the corner of her eye. Dad always drank whiskey and we think it was him.

    Your quilt is perfect, have been wanting to do a quilt with colors like this and am happy to see how beautiful it can turn out. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I love your quilt, and I am really enjoying this blog hop. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! I've been enjoying the blog hop. There have been so many great projects so far!

      Delete
  72. Such great movement in that quilt!!!!! Great job :)

    ReplyDelete
  73. Love your quilt and I love, love those polka dot fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Great colors. Neat setting of the blocks. Simplicity at its best.

    ReplyDelete
  75. WoW! What a striking quilt! Great colors and pattern
    along with an awesome name. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Thanks for a chance to win.


    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  76. Beautiful quilt and I love the little pumpkins, too! Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! I think this weekend I'll try to find a new little pumpkin to add to my collection. :)

      Delete
  77. No ghost story.. :/ but love your quilt!! And using the trimmings under the pumpkin is fun idea!! :)

    Thank you for chance to win your give-a-way too :)

    ReplyDelete
  78. It's a great quilt with a fun story line. Thanks for linking to Finished or Not Friday.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Your quilt is gorgeous. I love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Your witching hour quilt is great! Like your fabric choice!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  81. That is a very effective design...I am pinning that to my to-do list for sure! Great work! We don't really make a big deal of Halloween down here in New Zealand, so I don't have any of those decorations to share, but like you with your pumpkins I do collect Santa Claus figures for Christmas-time, trying to get a new one each year.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Love your quilt! I have some of the polka dot fabric also. Hmmmm.....

    ReplyDelete
  83. Cemeteries never bothered me but that cemetery story would have given me the creeps too. I don't know if I ever would have stepped inside one again, especially not alone!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Love the quilt- bold black and orange, plus polka dots are great! And your cemetery story gave me chills. Thanks for the give away.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Love HST's and what great Halloween colors!

    ReplyDelete
  86. Oh I really like your quilt - the color play is cool! I do not have a ghost story but yours was enough!! Holee cow that would freak me out!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Great quilt!!! Thanks for stopping by my blog....had fun returning the visit and getting to roam around your blog. I added yours to my blogroll so not to miss future posts. :) Val from Val's Quilting Studio.

    ReplyDelete