J is for Jack-in-the-Box, Jack O'Lantern and other famous Jacks - Revisited

When we first started this blog I made a series of posts beginning with each letter of the alphabet starting with A.  Unfortunately, they ground to a halt after L.  So in honour of The Alphabet Club hosted by Chiara I have decided to resurrect the original posts and link up each month with the rest of the Alphabet Club posters.  To learn more about this SAL follow the Alphabet Club link to Chiara's blog.

J is for Jack-in-the-Box from A Dark Alphabet designed by Julie and Becky's Note of Friendship blog.

Here's what Becky said about this block at the time:

"Depending on the country, the story varies a bit in it's telling, but most involve a devil! In French the jack-in-the-box is called a "diable en boîte", which means "boxed devil".  One of the first jack-in-the-boxes was pictured holding a boot with a devil in it. Some believe that the name "Jack" was a reference to the devil, referred to as a jack - is this also where we get Jack-o-lantern?"

Here is the perfect little 3D Jack-in-the-Box by Susan Myers:

Acorn House Designs - Jack O in the Box

Now some people might think that looks a little tricky but I stitched Susan's Drac-in-the Box and thanks to some nice clear instructions it really wasn't too difficult.  Good preparation and lots of slip stitching is the key!  Here is Drac:

Serendipitous Stitching -Happy- Jump Up for Drac-in-box

On to Jack O'Lanterns, most usually a pumpkin in modern times as they are the perfect size and shape for carving into heads or more imaginative shapes.  Vegetables have been carved out and used as lanterns for centuries, from the Maori (gourds) to the English (turnips, manglewurzels or beets).  The carved pumpkin was first used at Harvest Time in America but by 1866 had become associated specifically with Hallowe'en.

There are many stories about the origin of the name "Jack O' Lantern" with some believing Jack is the Devil and others saying he was a man who tricked the Devil.  This website tells the story of Stingy Jack and the Devil.

There are so many great Jack O'Lantern cross stitch designs to choose from, here are just a few:

All Through The Night - Jolly Jack

Amy Bruecken Designs - Jackie O Lantern

Birds of a Feather - All Hallows Night

There are Pumpkin Carving Festivals all over the world and Pumpkin Carving Competitions too.  I asked my older son to choose his favourite from one website and here it is:

Extreme Pumpkins - The Joker

Another J, for the Joker!

Other famous Jacks include Jack Skellington:

Kyotiutsukushii - Jack Skellington

Jack Skellington is the main character in the Tim Burton Nightmare Before Christmas animation.  One of our favourite Hallowe'en films.  Jack visits Christmas-land and tries to explain to the inhabitants of Hallowe'en Town what it is all about.  Of course, they put a Spooky Spin on the festival and it all goes horribly wrong.

The other famous Jack is Jack Sparrow, not really very Hallowe'eny but he is a popular character for people to dress up as for the occasion so that's why he's here!!

Pattern Maker - Johnny Depp

There are lots of computer generated Jack Sparrow charts out there but this one appealed because it is based on original artwork by Brian Duey rather than a photo taken from the internet.

And finally, still on the subject of famous Js, here is Jason from the Friday 13th films:

Pixel Power - Jason

Jo's May Finish - Spiders

I am now over half way through my band sampler; 5 bands done, 4 to go!

Here is this month's band for the Spiders theme, seems like the spider that the ghost was scaring the froggie with last month has grown in size and turned on the ghosts!  Or maybe that's Mumma Spider come for her baby?

stitched on 32 count lilac linen

Here is the whole piece so far, along with my special spooky scissors and my new scissor charm:

**************************************

I did email everyone to tell them about a new blog party I discovered - the May Monster Madness on 28th May.  I'll be signing the group up for it and will write a blog post on the day featuring some of the monsters we have stitched over the last 2.5 years.  If you have a suitable photo you have never shown here, please email it to me and I'll include it too.  All photos will of course be credited to you as part of this group.

Loretta's March, April and May Ornies

I got kind of sidetracked but made up for it this week.  The following are my ornies for March, April & May.

All three are from the 2015 JCS Special Collector's Issue Halloween.  The Pumpkin and Ghost are by Belinda Karls-Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs and the Trick or Treat is by Nancy Greenberg of Pickle Barrel Designs.

Thanks for looking!

Loretta

April Ornament

My April ornament is from Just Cross Stitch Halloween Ornament issue 2014. It is stitched on perforated paper.

Ghost 

by Christy Schmitz

JCS Orament Issue 2014

Determined ...

... not to be scraping in by the skin of my teeth for my May ornament, I stitched like a crazy witch all day yesterday (1st May) to get the next band finished in Counting Bats by Just Nan for the theme of "Spiders".

(the fabbie is so much prettier than I can get my camera to show - it is a pretty lilac and blue)

Phew!  Feeling so good about my monthly goals right about now.

hugs, Kaye

By the skin of my teeth... ...

... I have finished my April Hallowe'en Ornament...

I really struggled to find a design which called to me for the April theme of ghosts but then I was rescued by the mailman, who brought me my order of some Just Nan patterns, including the wonderful Counting Bats.  The gorgeous Jo is stitching this for the SAL and so I am going to jump on her bandwagon and start with the ghost band and move around from there.  Thanks, dear Jo, for the inspiration.

So, at 11.09 pm on Saturday, 30th I finished my first band - Band 3.

32ct Evening Sky Belfast Linen

Mixture of called-for DMC threads and over-dyed floss from my stash

(it is actually a bit more lilac than this picture shows and the reason the top border is incomplete is that it is really part of Band 2 - which I will go back and stitch when I get the chance).

hugs, Kaye

Lili's April Ornament

Hello everyone!!
My April ornie!!

Design by Teresa Murgida (Primitive Acorns) - Spells
(JCS2015 - Halloween Collection Book 2015)

Fabric: 40 count Sand Linen
Threads: DMC

Hugs,
Lili

Cheryl's April Ghost Ornament

Little Boo by Carolyn Manning

This month I chose to stitch "Little Boo" by Carolyn Manning.  This chart is featured in the October 2015 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine.

Boo!

Noni's Blue Ribbon Ghost!

At the risk of sounding boring... I continued on with my Blue Ribbon Designs stitching and stitched another small (insert quick) design from the Halloween Portraits" by Blue Ribbon Designs.  This one took me the better part of Tuesday afternoon/evening last week when I was at home feeling sick and miserable!

He is a funny looking ghost... but a ghost he is!  The bottom on the ghost is confusing me as he looks like he has way too many feet... or is that supposed to be a flowing ghostly robe??

The "Halloween Portraits" designs were published in the Just Cross Stitch Halloween 2015 magazine.

See you next month when spiders will be visiting..... 

Jo's April Finish - Ghosts

I am continuing with my progress on Counting Bats by Just Nan this month.  This little ghost is scaring the froggie with a spider on the end of his hand.  Because ghosts aren't scary enough on their own?

Here is the whole piece so far:

March: Pumpkin

My March Pumpkin design is by JBW. It's one of 12 designs from the leaflets Halloween Ornaments I-III. I've stated the finishing, I just need to add a hanger.

Squirrel & Pumpkin

Halloween Ornaments II

JBW Designs 

I is for Inky Darkness, Imps and Ireland - Revisited

When we first started this blog I made a series of posts beginning with each letter of the alphabet starting with A.  Unfortunately, they ground to a halt after L.  So in honour of The Alphabet Club hosted by Chiara I have decided to resurrect the original posts and link up each month with the rest of the Alphabet Club posters.  To learn more about this SAL follow the Alphabet Club link to Chiara's blog.

I is for Inky Darkness from A Dark Alphabet designed by Julie and Becky's Note of Friendship blog.

Inky darkness, because everything is scarier in the dark; if we can't see then our other senses take over, every sound is amplified, every creak, every echo sounds suspicious, every shadow hides - who know what?  We hide under our blankets and wait for the safety of dawn.  Shadows may be scary but they do make great silhouettes perfect for stitching, either black on white fabric or how about black on the new glow-in-the dark fabric from Sewitall?

Funk and Weber - Let There be Night Collection

Hinzeit - Dark-Shadows

But, without the dark we would not be able to appreciate the light:

Finished Piece from Quirkorium

What is an imp?  A small demon who is more mischievious than harmful.  Perfect for some trick or treating on Hallowe'en.   I found it rather difficult to find cross stitched imps but Nimue does have Mic and Mac who are rather sweet:

Nimue - Mic and Mac

Back in this post about the Origins of Hallowe'en I talked about the Celtic countries where Samhain was celebrated; Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.  The Irish emigrating to America in the 18th Century would certainly have taken their traditions and superstitions with them.  Once again, it was tricky to find Irish Hallowe'en designs, there are any number of St. Patrick's Day themed charts to choose from!  So I thought I'd share some Irish Blessings instead to preserve us from the Inky Darkness and Mischievious Imps:

The Sweetheart Tree - Irish Blessing

Moira Blackburn - Irish Blessing Sampler

I saw this one on Evalina's blog, pop over for a better look at the words and the design:

Homespun Sampler - An Irish Prayer

And just because I liked him, and he is a kind of Imp, there is this Leprechaun Fiddler:

Lena Lawson - Fiddler

  

Lili's March Ornament

Hello!

My March ornament.

Design by DixieSamplar - Alice Young 1647

(Free design on Pumpkin Seed Stitchers facebook group)

Fabric: 32 count Belfast Linen vintage Khaki

Floss: DMC

See you next month!

Happy Stitching,

Lili

Mr. Pumpkin

 Here is my march post, I call him Mr. Pumpkin.  He is from the PS chart Boo.  I stitched him on 32 ct. linen from my stash .  He is now in the rather large pile to be finished!!

Cheryl's March Pumpkin

This pumpkin was stitched from part of a larger pattern: "Eek!" by Michelle Lutzen of Stitch Kitty.  It was featured in the 2012 Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue.

I just love his kooky face!

Crafting Paws' Pumpkin Cupcake (March)...

The minute I saw this pattern, I couldn't wait to stitch it for March.

My pumpkin cupcake ornament...

The pattern is from the website Mini Cross Stitch and I stitched it on 14 ct. white Aida.

(The pattern is called "Halloween Cupcakes" and there are 9 different cupcakes to stitch.)

I'm planning on finishing it as a hoop and hope to have that done soon.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing all the other cute ornaments!

-Carrie-

Jo's March Finish - Pumpkins

Pumpkins is always a popular theme for this blog and there are some great designs out there.

Here is my Pumpkin Patch:

It is part of a larger design by Just Nan called Counting Bats.  I love all the crazy faces on each of the pumpkins!  The beads in the bottom border are striped orange beads and I've just noticed the end one is wonky.  Have to fix that!

Here is the whole piece so far:

I don't think I've shown you the framed Thine is The Trick and The Treat I collected from my framers the other day?   

Close-up of one corner to show the frame:

This was actually finished last April but I've only just been able to afford to get it framed professionally with my Christmas vouchers.  Here's the post where I talked about my Happy Dance.

Noni's Blue Ribbon Pumpkin

I found the perfect quick stitch for this month... "Halloween Portraits" by Blue Ribbon Designs.

This little pumpkin is one of 6 or 7 designs included in the "Halloween Portraits" set.  Besides the cute pumpkin there is also a ghost, witch, black cat, crow, owl... plus a couple more that I can't remember... I will have plenty more to stitch over the coming months for my Halloween themes!  The designs were published in the Just Cross Stitch Halloween 2015 magazine.

Once I have stitched a couple more on this piece of fabric I will turn them into little pillow ornies... but the final finish may be some time off!! :o)

Looking forward to seeing all those lovely pumpkins pop up over the next couple of weeks!

See you next month for a ghostly visit....

H is for Headless Horseman, Haunted Houses and Hallowe'en - Revisited

When we first started this blog I made a series of posts beginning with each letter of the alphabet starting with A.  Unfortunately, they ground to a halt after L.  So in honour of The Alphabet Club hosted by Chiara I have decided to resurrect the original posts and link up each month with the rest of the Alphabet Club posters.  To learn more about this SAL follow the Alphabet Club link to Chiara's blog.

H is for Headless Horseman from A Dark Alphabet designed by Julie and Becky's Note of Friendship blog.

The Headless Horseman has appeared in many forms of literature throughout history and throughout the world. Many countries have their own unique version of the headless horseman.  We find versions in Texas, Ireland, Germany, India.... the most known version is probably that of Ichabod Crane and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, based on a German folktale, first written down by  Karl Musäus.  It later was used as the basis of a story by Washington Irving. 

Becky researched the various stories of the Headless Horseman in this post here

Marcy stitched a great version of this monster in May, this one is by Primitive Hare:

Wicked Night by Primitive Hare

Sleepy Hollow by Glendon Place

This features the following spooky poem:

In a grave lies the horseman

His head is at his side

Be brave enough to take it

And again by night he will ride

The next H's are for Haunted Houses, every town, village and area has a house rumoured to be haunted, whether by a grey lady or monk or just because of creepy happenings.  Some ghosts seem to be quite friendly and people are rather proud of their haunting inhabitant but others are less welcome, causing people to flee screaming in the night never to return.

While searching for information on Haunted Houses, I found a great website www.hauntedrooms.co.uk which lists their Top 21 of Haunted Places and also gives details of Haunted Hotels where you can spend the night - ghosts not guaranteed!  There's one page for the UK and another for America.  Why not have a look and let me know if you've stayed in any of those hotels?

And here is some stitching:

Widow Black's B&B by Praiseworthy Stitches

This is the fourth in a series of four different Haunted Houses!

Beware of Hallowe'en - Bobbie G Designs

When Skeletons Dance by Drawn Thread

This was such an easy topic to find designs for, just Google "Haunted House Cross Stitch" and you will find many beautiful charts and designs for you to buy.

The final H just has to be Hallowe'en, which needs no description from me!  In fact, I covered the origins in this post here

Simply Hallowe'en by Waxing Moon

Hallowe'en Party by Just Nan

Craftingpaws's January and February Ornaments...

Hello everyone!

I finally remembered to send Jo an email, so I could be added to this blog and share my monthly ornaments.

I have been stitching along each month and thought I would post what ornaments I completed for January and February.

January 2016

Theme: Winged Creatures

The piece was one of the Spooktacular Designs, found in The World of Cross Stitching magazine (October 2015 issue).

Designer: Durene Jones

stitched on 14 ct. white Aida fabric

Stitch Time: 7 hrs. 45 minutes

February 2016

Theme: Mummies and Monsters

 (I actually finish/finished him, with a mason jar lid as the frame.)

The pattern is from The World of Cross Stitching magazine (October 2015 issue) and the designer is Durene Jones.

stitched on 14 ct. white Aida fabric 

I am very excited to finish my pumpkin themed project for March and really looking forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with.

-Carrie-