Author Archives: Jennifer Ofenstein

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About Jennifer Ofenstein

Owner of sewhooked.com and fandominstitches.com. #quiltforgood advocate. Quilt designer, instructor, Talk to Me Tuesday founder & contributor, cat mom, and craft enabler.

TTMT #350 – Bring it on, 2016!

This video is a wee bit jumpy from all the cutting to get it down to under 15 minutes. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy my antics!

Watch last year’s video…report card for 2015’s UFO To Do List coming later this week. 🙂

Below is the full recap of everything I showed you (plus one!) on my 2016 To Do list!

Definitions of some initialisms used in this post:

UFO = UnFinished Object – a project that has been set aside and allowed to collect dust. Chances are it’s existence has been forgotten until it’s pulled out of whatever dark hole it was stuffed into. While there, it probably multiplied like Tribbles, leaving many more UFOs than you remember putting there in the first place.

USO = UnStarted Object – a project that has yet not made it out of it’s incubation period. Often comes in the shape of a stack of fat quarters, a jelly roll or other similarly delicious fabric apparition. Can also appear as a pattern or book with little hearts doodled on the cover. Hopes to be a…

WIP = Work In Progress  – Always in danger of becoming a UFO, a WIP is a project that is currently being worked on, and will hopefully become a…

FO = Finished Object – What all projects dream of being. The object of much blog activity and excitement and a good source of personal pride. The Ultimate Destination of a UFO and WIP.

project of doom 2015
Stonehenge PoD (2015), UFO – My personal quilt from the 2015 reboot of The Project of Doom, a Harry Potter Bookcase quilt. Five blocks (one row!) left to piece before it can become a quilt top. Fabric and patterns are standing by.

Paper Piecing Vintage Signature Quilt - UFO
PPV Signature Quilt (2014), UFO – Signature quilt from PPV. Needs a border and to be quilted & bound.

Hand embroidered flower quilt

Embroidered Flower Quilt (2011), UFO – This was a BOM by a blogger that is no longer online. Borders added, have back & binding. To be quilted & bound. I forgot to show this one in today’s video. Oops!

TABABOM top

TABABOM (+ Signature Quilt Blocks) (2012), UFO – The Hobbit Block of the Month on Fandom In Stitches.  Needs to be unbasted and rebasted with new pieced back to include Signature Blocks.

First #finish of 2016 for #TheLinusConnection. The pattern is Topsy Turvy Trees, available in my pattern shop. This top has been on my "to quilt" list since 2012. #ufo2016 #charityquilt #quiltforgood

2013 Project To Do List

Vintage Quilt Top, UFO . My hubby bought this for me for our anniversary several years ago. I have a back and batting for this quilt, but it still needs basting and quilting. It hasn’t happened yet because I’m still undecided on how to finish it. Fingers crossed for inspiration!

Project of Doom 2015 Signature Quilt
PoD 2015 Signature Quilt (2015), UFO – Signature quilt for last year’s Project of Doom on Fandom in Stitches. Needs backing fabric & to be quilted/bound.

Chocolate Challenge Quilt (Chocolate Box)
Chocolate Box Quilt (2015), UFO – Made for my sewing group’s Chocolate Challenge. We all started with the same fabrics and each made a different quilt. Has backing. Needs to be quilted & bound. Free pattern.

Progress! #AsYouWish #princessbride #fandominstitches

As You Wish/ The Princess Bride (2014), UFO – From the quilt & stitch along on Fandom In Stitches in 2014. At the quilter!

#projectofdoom for #TheLinusConnection. Blocks by the Project of Doom Facebook group. #charityblanket

Charity PoD #1 for The Linus Connection, UFO (2015)– Made from blocks donated by The Project of Doom Facebook Group. To be donated to The Linus Connection.

That's probably enough for today! #projectofdoom #thelinusconnection #charityquilt #harrypotter
Charity PoD #2 for The Linus Connection, UFO (2015)– Made from blocks donated by The Project of Doom Facebook Group. To be donated to The Linus Connection.

Orphan blocks sorted for quilt making for #TheLinusConnection! #quiltforgood

Orphan Blocks For Linus, WIP. While not technically a UFO, I’m including these here as a reminder to myself to work on quilts for Linus from donated blocks. I collect blocks from anyone that might like to donate and save them until I have enough to make a quilt to donate to The Linus Connection. Want to donate? Drop me an email, sewhooked@gmail.com.

Halloween Quilt, USO – New personal project. Make a Halloween quilt by October! Oodles of fabric already collected.

Quilt for my son, USO – New personal project. Make a quilt for my son to take to college with him next fall.

My Favorite Things. a Block of the Month by Jennifer Ofenstein

My Favorite Things – My 2016 Block of the Month right here on Sewhooked. Click here for details.

I Want To Believe: An X-Files Quilt & Stitch Along coming 2016 on fandominstitches.com

X-Files: I Want to Believe a Quilt & Stitch Along – My Jan – March Quilt & Stitch along on Fandom in Stitches. Starts tomorrow! Click here for details.

WHEW! I think that is QUITE enough to be getting on with!

How did I do with my UFO list from 2015? Check back later this week for my report card!

signature-2016

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My Favorite Things – January!

My Favorite Things. a Block of the Month by Jennifer Ofenstein

Welcome, welcome to 2016 and the very first day of My Favorite Things, my 2016 Block of the Month!

My Favorite Things includes 12 brand new patterns to paper piece in both 6″ and 12″, as well as a number of bonus blocks to mix and match your own favorites!

These patterns are MY Favorite Things, but I hope you will find some of your favorites along the way, too!

***IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT HOW THIS BOM WORKS***

The first day of each month in 2016 is FREE PATTERN DAY. At that time, you can download the monthly BOM pattern for free from 8am CST on the 1st to 8am CST on the 2nd.  After that time, each pattern will be available for a $2 from my Craftsy Pattern Shop. The the set will available for sale by December.

My Favorite Things BOM: January (Sewing Machine)

First up in My Favorite Things might be a bit obvious, but it’s an absolute necessity: A Sewing Machine!

I had a great deal of fun designing each and every pattern for My Favorite Things. My goal is fun, cute, versatile patterns that are are easy to piece.

***GET THE JANUARY PATTERN***

(valid 8am CST on the 1st to 8am CST on the 2nd day of the month)

Pattern included 6″ & 12″ fully color paper pieced patterns with My Favorite Things details as well as sewing instructions.

From January 2 on, get this pattern from my Craftsy Shop!

My Favorite Things: January Block made into a wall hanging (sewhooked.com)

FABRIC AMOUNTS (this info is in the pattern)

  • Background Fabric for 12” blocks only = 3 ½ yards
  • Background Fabric for 6” blocks only = 1 ¼ yards.
  • Small amounts of other fabrics needed to complete each block.
  • (yardage includes bonus blocks).
  • Suggested sashing/border amounts will be shared with final (optional!) layouts in December.

NEED PAPER PIECING HELP? I have a page for that!

Every pattern for this BOM has been tested by both myself and Amber Lowery, friend and awesomesauce pattern tester!

January 2016 Flickr Prize for sewhooked.com

Want a chance to win a fun, free prize each month during 2016? It’s easy! Make today’s pattern (or any pattern designed by me) and share it with my flickr group. You’ll be entered to win for each photo you share! Winners to be announced on the first Friday of each month.

Want to sponsor a prize? Please drop me an email.

Join the Sewhooked Facebook Group for community, fun and support! This is absolutely optional and not required to participate in the BOM.

Happy stitching!

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I Want To Believe: An X-Files Quilt & Stitch Along coming 2016 on fandominstitches.com

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow!

My Favorite Things. a Block of the Month by Jennifer Ofenstein

Tomorrow is the very first day of My Favorite Things, my Block of the Month (BOM) to be hosted right here on Sewhooked!

My Favorite Things includes 12 brand new patterns to paper piece in both 6″ and 12″, as well as a number of bonus blocks to mix and match your own favorites!

These patterns are MY Favorite Things, but I hope you will find some of your favorites along the way, too!

On the first day of each month, you can download that month’s pattern for free from 8am CST on the 1st to 8am CST on the 2nd.  After the first day, each pattern will be available for a $2 from my Craftsy Pattern Shop. The the entire block set will available for sale by December.

FABRIC AMOUNTS (this info is in the pattern)

  • Background Fabric for 12” blocks only = 3 ½ yards
  • Background Fabric for 6” blocks only = 1 ¼ yards.
  • Small amounts of other fabrics needed to complete each block.
  • (yardage includes bonus blocks).
  • Suggested sashing/border amounts will be shared with final (optional!) layouts in December.

NEED PAPER PIECING HELP? I have a page for that!

Every pattern for this BOM has been tested by both myself and Amber Lowery, friend and awesomesauce pattern tester!

January 2016 Flickr Prize for sewhooked.com

Want a chance to win a fun, free prize each month during 2016? It’s easy! Make today’s pattern (or any pattern designed by me) and share it with my flickr group. You’ll be entered to win for each photo you share! Winners to be announced on the first Friday of each month.

Want to sponsor a prize? Please drop me an email.

Join the Sewhooked Facebook Group for community, fun and support! This is absolutely optional and not required to participate in the BOM.

See you tomorrow for the FREE January pattern!

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I Want To Believe: An X-Files Quilt & Stitch Along coming 2016 on fandominstitches.com

TTMT #349 – Very Merry

It’s good to be back and I have a lot to share!

My Favorite Things 2016 Block of the Month sewhooked.com

Stop back by on FRIDAY for the January pattern! Just a reminder, each month’s pattern will be free on the first day of the month and will be available from my Craftsy shop after that.

I Want To Believe: An X-Files Quilt & Stitch Along coming 2016 on fandominstitches.com

Stop by Fandom in Stitches TOMORROW to see the #xfilesquilt and to get your fabric amounts and other information for the event.

SALE! SALE! SALE!

There are just a couple of days left to grab patterns, magazines & original handmade items for 20% from my Etsy shop.  Just enter coupon code HAPPYDECEMBER when you check out to receive your discount. Offer good through December 31 on orders $6.99 or more.

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Happy Holidays, My Friends!

2015 card for sewhooked

Hello, my friends!

As you may have guessed, I have decided to forgo Talk To Me Tuesday today.

Even so, I wanted to stop by and wish you all a very happy holiday season!

Whatever holiday you and your family are celebrating during this lovely time of year, I hope it is full of family, friends, fun and laughter.

Still hot butter toffee covered in chocolate.

In case you missed it, I shared my family’s favorite Chocolate Covered Butter Toffee recipe last week. It’s one of the easiest and yummiest candies to make!

Need a free festive pattern or two? Here are some of my favorites! Just click on the image to go to the pattern download page!

Sweet Sue Tops The Tree

Holiday House

Sweet Skating Sue, Purple and Green

Find all of my free holiday-themed patterns here!

Holly Jolly Set

Need more holiday happiness? Get Holly Jolly on Craftsy OR Etsy!

SALE! SALE! SALE!

Treat yourself! Now through December 31, everything in my Etsy shop, patterns, magazines & original handmade items, are 20% off your total order over $6.99!  Just enter coupon code HAPPYDECEMBER when you check out to receive your discount.

 

Coming in January 2016!

My Favorite Things 2016 Block of the Month sewhooked.com

I Want To Believe: An X-Files Quilt & Stitch Along coming 2016 on fandominstitches.com

Chocolate Covered Butter Toffee

Still hot butter toffee covered in chocolate.

Yesterday, I posted a video to my Instagram sharing part of the toffee process.

How about an easy to read recipe, too? I found this in an old church cook book and have used it for years. I’ve since since similar recipes all over. It’s super easy to make an absolutely delicious.

Butter Toffee!

  • 1 cup salted butter (no substitutes!)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, divided
  • 1 cup chocolate chips of your choice

Line a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped pecan over pan.

Mix remaining pecans with chocolate chips. Set aside.

Cook butter & sugar over medium high heat until 300°F, stirring constantly.

Pour hot candy over pecans.

Sprinkle chocolate chips & pecans on top of hot toffee. Let sit a few minutes and then spread melted chips with a spatula. Allow to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate approximately an hour to firm up chocolate. Break into bite sized pieces and store at room temperature.

Devour!

SALE! SALE! SALE!

Now through December 31, everything in my Etsy shop, patterns, magazines & original handmade items, are 20% off your total order over $6.99!  Just enter coupon code HAPPYDECEMBER when you check out to receive your discount.

 

Coming in January 2016!

My Favorite Things 2016 Block of the Month sewhooked.com

I Want To Believe: An X-Files Quilt & Stitch Along coming 2016 on fandominstitches.com

Two New Freebies!

The very lovely and talented Jennifer Rowles put together the amazing Smartphone Quilt Along, now in it’s entirety over on Fandom in Stitches.

As with many of our events on Fandom in Stitches, we ended this one by throwing out an invite to our community to share supplemental designs for the project.

I thought it would be fun to design two of my favorite crafty apps to share with our community.

Both of these patterns are free and can also be found on Fandom in Stitches today as part of the #SMQAL Design Invitational!

Robert Kaufman Quilt Calculator is my go-to app for calculating binding. It has oodles of other features, but that is definitely my favorite!

This free pattern is 10″ Paper Pieced.

Robert Kaufman App pattern tested by Vanda

Tested version by Vanda Chittenden. Thanks, Vanda!

The Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Store App has been a lifesaver! I used to always forget my coupons, but now they are always available at the touch of a finger. Woo, technology!

This free pattern is also 10″ Paper Pieced.

Jo-Ann App pattern tested by Vanda

Tested by Vanda!

Want to make a Smartphone quilt? Find more awesome patterns here:

smartphone quilt along

 

Coming in January 2016!

My Favorite Things 2016 Block of the Month sewhooked.com

I Want To Believe: An X-Files Quilt & Stitch Along coming 2016 on fandominstitches.com

 

TTMT #348 – Stuff & Sundry

I will taking next week off to spend at home with my family. If I’m feeling inspired and have something to share, I’ll post a video. Otherwise, I’ll “see you” again on December 29!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 12, Fall 2015

I’m down to my FOUR copies of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Vol 12 in my Etsy shop! Get one now before they’re gone!

 

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Craftsy | Etsy

Facebook | Sewhooked FB | Sewhooked Facebook Group

Instagram | Flickr | Twitter | PinterestBloglovin

 

Coming in January 2016!

My Favorite Things 2016 Block of the Month sewhooked.com

I Want To Believe: An X-Files Quilt & Stitch Along coming 2016 on fandominstitches.com

TTMT #347 – Postcards & Podcasts

American Patchwork Quilting Podcast episode 286 Dec 7 2015

So. This is a thing!

 As I mention in today’s video, I’m a guest on this week’s episode of Quilt Radio with Pat Sloan! Listen on your computer, subscribe to the podcast by iTunes (search American Patchwork & Quilting), or download to a player. For more information check out creativetalknetwork.com or allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast
In the time since I gave this interview, Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores have put licensed Harry Potter fabric on the shelf. There is fleece on the website, but it appears the quilting fabric is only in store. How amazing is that?!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 12, Fall 2015

I’m down to my last few copies of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Vol 12 in my Etsy shop! Get one now before they’re gone!

 

Photobucket

Craftsy | Etsy

Facebook | Sewhooked FB | Sewhooked Facebook Group

Instagram | Flickr | Twitter | PinterestBloglovin

 

Coming in January 2016!

My Favorite Things 2016 Block of the Month sewhooked.com

I Want To Believe: An X-Files Quilt & Stitch Along coming 2016 on fandominstitches.com