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.

31 Days of Halloween – Witches’ Brew

31 Days of Halloween on sewhooked.com

Happy Thursday! We’ve got just a few more days left in our 31 Days of Halloween journey and I do hope you’ve enjoyed every step of the way!

Today, we’re revisiting more fun patterns from the massive collection I’ve created over the years and turning their original Harry Potter-ish intention towards things Halloween!

Cauldron 2014 Update

First, we have the humble cauldron, a staple in any witch’s pantry!

Get the free, 5″ paper pieced pattern here.

Want to Enlarge or Reduce this pattern? Find out how here!

Simple Witch Hat 2014 Update

And, of course, a witch’s wardrobe would not be complete without her hat!

Get the Simply Witch Hat, free 5″ paper pieced pattern

Cauldron Quilt Idea using sewhooked.com free patterns

I’ve taken these two simple patterns, added in Moody’s Magical Eye and my Paper Pieced Bat Pattern, both featured earlier in the 31 Days, and created this fun quilt layout using EQ7!

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

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Craftsy | Etsy

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31 Days of Halloween – Potions Book

Happy Wednesday! We’re counting down the final few days of 31 Days of Halloween!

Today, I’m sharing an easy way to create your own potions book!

Potions Book

Printable Potions Book

recipes adapted from Recipe Goldmine

Magical Drafts & Potions contains seven simple recipes for the young witch or wizard.

Originally created way back in 2006 for the very same Craftster Swap as the Triwizard Tee, this easy peasy Printable Potions Book is simple to make with just a few ingredients.

See what I did there? 😉

To create your own copy, you’ll need a notebook or journal with removable pages small enough to run through your printer. The book I used had a tie that kept all the pages in and was close to standard printer paper size, making it easier to print the pages. Print the recipes on your pages (either one to a page or front and back, depending on how many sheets you have), insert them back in the book and you’re ready to go!

For a fancy touch, tear the outside cover sheet (shown, above) and decoupage on the front of the book.

Want something easier? Try printing, punching holes and popping in a binder or tying the pages together with raffia or twine.

You can also print the pages, and cut them down for a smaller version or you can get fancy pants and try Book Binding videos for more fun ideas.

Potion Book

Of course, my potions book has a Harry Potter theme. I mean, it be would, right?

Craftster Swap - HP for our kids

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

31 Days of Halloween & TTMT #341 – Qapla’!

31 Days of Halloween on sewhooked.com

There’s a lot more Tuesday than Halloween going on today, but I do talk a bit about my favorite holiday and the 31 Days of Halloween in today’s TTMT!

Also, WORF!

All Hallow’s Eve (witch applique)

2015 UFO List, Updated
(with pictures & video here)

  • As You Wish – at the quilter
  • Frogger – done, donated to Linus
  • Orphan blocks for Linus – ongoing
  • Harry Potter Swap Quilt – partially quilted
  • Vintage Quilt Top – needs to be basted & quilted
  • TABABOM – basted, to be quilted
  • PPV Signature Quilt – needs to be pieced
  • Embroidered Flowers Quilt – needs to be basted & quilted
  • Topsy Turvy – needs to be basted & quilted
  • Australian Fabric Quilt – now a quilt top, needs to be basted & quilted
  • Carol’s Quilt – completed and given to Amelia (added to the list in April)

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

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Craftsy | Etsy

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31 Days of Halloween – Eyeballs!

31 Days of Halloween on sewhooked.com

Welcome to the final Monday of 31 Days of Halloween!

While planning the 31 Days of Halloween, it occurred to me that a whole lot of my Harry Potter themed patterns would work well for Halloween projects. Near the top of the list was Moody’s Magical Eye. I mean, what is creepier than a disembodied eyeball?!

Moody's Eye 2014 update

Moody’s Magical Eye

5″ paper pieced (free pattern!)

Want to Enlarge or Reduce this pattern? Find out how here!

Quilt Idea from Mad Eye's Eyeball Pattern (sewhooked.com)

With that in mind, I share not on the free pattern today, but a fun quilt layout that could be created using this single pattern.

Eyeball Table Runner using Mad Eye's Magical Eye pattern (sewhooked.com)

Or, if you need a fun, but creepy table runner, just a few eyeballs will do!

Get more of my Harry Potter patterns here.

There was a little extra dough so we made Mad Eye Moody. #gingerbreadcookies

While searching my flickr photos, I came across this Mad Eye cookie from last year. Because, Harry Potter, obviously!

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

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Craftsy | Etsy

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31 Days of Halloween – Bubble Cloche

31 Days of Halloween on sewhooked.com

Here we are, entering the very last week in the 31 Days of Halloween!

Today, I’m sharing a fest fall crochet hat! This sweet cloche spent six years as a “for sale” pattern and is now and forever free.

Please enjoy!

Bubble Cloche

Printable Copy or Download it from Craftsy

Add it to your Ravelry Queue:

You’ll Need:

3 oz chunky/bulky weight yarn (or two strands of worsted)

Size K Hook

Note: fptr = Front Post Triple Crochet; bptr = Back Post Triple Crochet

Ch 4, join with sl st.

Round 1: Ch 1, hdc 12 times in ring, working over yarn tail. Join with a sl st at top of first hdc. Pull tail to tighten circle. (12 sts)

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in joining st and in each st around. Join with a sl st to the top of first hdc. (24 sts)

Round 3: Ch 1, hdc in joining st, 2 hdc in next st, (1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st); rep ( ) around. Join with a sl st to the top of first hdc. (36 sts)

Round 4. Ch 1, hdc in joining st and the next st, 2 hdc in next st, (1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st); rep ( ) around. Join with a sl st to the top of first hdc. (48 sts)

Round 5: Ch 4, tr in next st and in each st around. Join to top of chain 4 with a sl st. (48 sts)

Round 6* – 8: Ch 4 (counts as first tr), (fptr in next st, bptr in next st); rep ( ) around. Join to top of chain 4 with a sl st. (48 sts)

Round 9*– 12: Ch 1, hdc in first st and in each st around. Join with a sl st to the top of first hdc. (48 sts)

Finish Off.

*Note – I have a small head, and several people that have made this hat have let me know they needed to make it longer. To do so, repeat row 6 an additional round and row 9 an additional round. For more “bubble,” repeat round 5 one more time, then proceed with the instructions for round 9.

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

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Craftsy | Etsy

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31 Days of Halloween – Pumpkin Earrings

31 Days of Halloween on sewhooked.com

Welcome back for another update in the 31 Days of Halloween!

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the final week of sharing my favorite Halloween crafts, recipes and patterns. I hope you’ve enjoyed everything I’ve shared so far.

Today, we’re revising a fun craft that I shared right here on Sewhooked some years ago.

Pumpkin Earring Tutorial

I originally came up with these fun pumpkin earrings for a swap I participated in some years ago. I still have my pair and wear them during October every year!

makes 10 -12 pair

You’ll need:

  • 1 block orange polymer clay
  • small amount green polymer clay
  • toothpick or skewer
  • hook ear wires (aka French hooks) (2 for each pair)
  • eyepins (2 for each pair)
  • jump rings (size of your choice)
  • jewelry pliers (I used one round nose and one chain nose)
  • Sculpey Glaze (gloss)
  • small, soft paint brush
  • parchment paper
  • baking sheet
  • optional: business cards and decorative bags for gift giving

Pumpkin Earrings

Separate the orange clay into enough pieces for 10 – 12 pairs of earrings.  Roll each piece into a rough ball shape.

Pumpkin Earrings

Using the round nose pliers, twist the eye pins into a curly shape, making sure each is approximately the same length.  Make the same amount as the orange balls in the last step.

Pumpkin Earrings

Squish the curly part of the eye pin into the orange ball.  Cover wire completely with clay, rounding with your fingers as you go.

Pumpkin Earrings

Add a small amount of green clay, gently pressing it around the wire into a stem shape.  Make sure to leave the “eye” in the pin visible.  If necessary, use a toothpick or skewer to clean out the hole.

Pumpkin Earrings

Use the toothpick to gently roll creases into the orange ball.

Pumpkin Earrings

Wallah!  A tiny pumpkin!  Repeat steps for each earring.

Pumpkin Earrings

Place earrings on parchment lined tray and bake according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Pumpkin Earrings

Pumpkin charms, all baked.  They look a little dull, so…

Pumpkin Earrings

Place earrings eye pin side down in Styrofoam.  Gently brush on Sculpey Glaze.  Allow to dry upside down.   Once they’re turned over, add a little more Glaze around the top if needed.

Pumpkin Earrings

Attach the ear wire (French hook) with a jump ring and pliers.  (how to open and close a jump ring)

Repeat for each pumpkin charm.

Pumpkin Earrings

If making enough to share with your friends, poke holes in a business card with a pin, then slide the ear wire through.  Fold the top end of the business card down and place in a cute little bag.

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

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31 Days of Halloween – Mummy!

31 Days of Halloween on sewhooked.com

Happy Friday and welcome back to 31 Days of Halloween!

Each Friday in October, I’m featuring some of my Halloween-inspired patterns that are available for sale in my Craftsy shop.

Free Halloween goodness returns tomorrow!

I Want My Mummy

I Want My Mummy

5″ paper pieced

Say hello to I Want My Mummy!

This guy is a supplemental pattern for Monster Madness, featured right here on October 2.

I Want My Mummy with Monster Madness

If Frankie, Wolfie, Vlad, LIttle Reaper or Zombie are feeling a bit lonely has a fivesome, I Want My Mummy can be purchased from my Craftsy shop for a mere $2.95!

How much do I love Sunbonnet Sue?

I have an entire page of patterns dedicated to she and her friends!

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

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Craftsy | Etsy

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31 Days of Halloween – A Pumpkin A Day

31 Days of Halloween on sewhooked.com

We’re back again with another fun post for 31 Days of Halloween!

Today, I’m sharing a fun, festive and very fall project, first created for a seasonal blog hop several years ago.

Fall Placemat

You Need:

  • 1 pumpkin, pieced at 10 1/2″  or 10″ finished (copy the free, 5″ pumpkin pattern below & enlarge at 200%)
  • 2 maple leaves, pieced at 5 1/2″ or 5″ finished (free 5″ pattern link below!)
  • 2 – 5 1/2″ squares of background fabric
  • 2 – 2 1/2″ x 20 1/2″ strips of background fabric (stitch top and bottom)
  • Piece as shown above to create a 20″ x 14″ placemat. Embellish & quilt as desired.

Maple Leaf FREE – 3″, 5″ and 6″ Maple Leaf Paper Pieced Pattern (Or get it on Craftsy!)

PumpkinFREE – 3″, 5″ and 6″ Pumpkin Paper Pieced Pattern (get it on Craftsy!)

Need help enlarging your pattern? I have a tutorial for that!

Fall Placemat

Feeling ambitious? Add some nine-patches or other 5″ blocks of your choice! This layout also includes a 1″ strip of background fabric between the pumpkin and other blocks.

2015 Placemat made with PoD 2015 Pumkpin (week 30)

For a slightly different look, try using the 10″ pumpkin pattern from Week 30 of the 2015 Project of Doom!

More Harry Potter Here!

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

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Craftsy | Etsy

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31 Days of Halloween – All Hallow’s Eve

31 Days of Halloween on sewhooked.com

We’re back again with another fun and free project for 31 Days of Halloween!

Get ready to hold your breath, because we’re going way outside my comfort zone today!

It’s…

*gasp*

APPLIQUE!

All Hallow's Eve by Jennifer Ofenstein (2)

That’s right, friends, today we’re turning our paper piecing brains towards applique.

You see, many years ago, my hubby and I were on a super tight budget with one toddler and a baby on the way.

In an effort to make our little home festive for Holidays, I would make decorations for our front door out of supplies I had on hand.

All Hallow's Eve 1997

In this case, those supplies included my little sewing machine, black felt and, no kidding, orange denim.

I remember painstakingly sketching a witch on a broom onto felt with a piece of chalk I’d sharped as much as possible.

The result was a not-terrible banner that we used for many, many years.

That was 1997.

As you can see, the banner (above) has seen better days!

All Hallow's Eve by Jennifer Ofenstein (1)

Download it here OR get it on Craftsy

Don’t want to applique? You can also hand embroider or even stencil this pattern!

My opinion of the traditional Halloween witch has changed greatly since 1997, so our new friend here is much cuter and definitely curvier. I imagine she’s wearing her Halloween best as she rides her trusty broomstick to a fun party, perhaps in Hogsmeade!

The pattern prints at approximately 7 1/2″. If you want something bigger, try out my tutorial for enlarging/reducing patterns!

Omni Arc for Circles

If you are lucky enough to have an OmniArc Ruler, try using the 8″ circle guide to create your moon.

I ironed my fusible webbing in place first and then folded the orange fabric before cutting with my rotary cutter. Follow the instructions as printed on the ruler.

Your moon will be about 1/2″ bigger than the one in the pattern, but it will still work great for, oh, say a 12″ quilt block or fun Halloween cushion!

No such luck? You can also cut around a ceramic plate with your rotary cutter!

Need fusible web? I recommend Misty-Fuse, Steam-A-Seam 2 or Heat’n Bond Light.

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

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Craftsy | Etsy

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TTMT #340 – What’s a little noise?

31 Days of Halloween on sewhooked.com

Today’s video doesn’t have much in the way of Halloween (unless you count the end of the video!), I do hope you’ll forgive me! I’ll be back tomorrow with more 31 Days of Halloween!

Are you making projects from 31 Days of Halloween? Share your photos with my flickr group! There will be a fun surprise after Halloween for one lucky winner!

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Craftsy | Etsy

Facebook | Sewhooked FB | Sewhooked Facebook Group

Instagram | Flickr | Twitter | PinterestBloglovin