Update on New Fall Design - "Halloween Jacks" Candle Mat

I've found a name for one of my new fall designs that I posted about a couple of days ago.  I've decided to call it "Halloween Jacks" and the pattern is coming along nicely and will be ready in a few days. I'll post a tutorial later this week on some tips on how to make "Halloween Jacks", since the design uses freezer paper and a couple of other tricks that you might be interested in.  This cute, so-easy candle mat can be made with hand-dyed wools or with wool felt, depending on your budget and whatever materials you enjoy working with.  Remember, if you would like to pre-order the pattern, just email me your name and address at melanie@americanpiedesigns.com and I'll contact you as soon as it is ready.  The normal price is $9.99, but I'm offering it at temporary discount of $7.99 for all pre-orders I receive until the pattern is released to the public on my website in the next few days.

New news!!  One of my new rug hooking designs has been accepted by Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine for their Fall 2012 issue (sorry, I can't show you the design yet, darnit!).  If you haven't subscribed to this great magazine, you are missing out on some of the best homespun and primitive designs to be released this year.  Each issue is packed with at least 15 full-color projects from some of your favorite designers such as Lynda Hall (Primitive Pieces by Lynda), Lisa Bongean (Primitive Gatherings), Cheri Payne (Quilts by Cheri), and Renee Plains (Liberty Star), just to mention a few . . .

Don't forget that late last year, American Pie patterns began to be offered at quilting and fabric stores across the US, so if you don't find American Pie patterns at your favorite store, you can either nag the store manager (which is a pretty good idea, hahaha!) or visit my website at www.americanpiedesigns.com, where you can pick up my designs by snail-mail or instant download.

Gotta close now.  I'm off to my worktable to finish the last stitches on the face in Halloween Jacks.  Their eyes are not finished, so they look a bit wild and buggy, which is driving me crazy, and I still need to finish the smiles and apply the backing.  I'd love to enjoy a hot caramel latte while I stitch, but the Christmas pounds are looking back at me from the mirror (girls, you know what I mean!).  I'll post again soon, and in the meantime, happy stitching!  --Melanie