I've always liked quilts made with house blocks. It didn't matter if the quilt was made with just house blocks, or if those houses were mixed with something else, I don't know that I've ever seen a house quilt that I didn't love.
And it is becoming a problem.
As much as I love house quilts, I love house pillows even more. Yes, that's right... house pillows.
This will be on my sofa next month -- five of the "large" Full House houses, a pieced border on the top and bottom and a lumbar pillow.
Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater. I love this fabric -- a lot.
When I finished this one, my Mom asked for something a little more fall-ish that we could use right now so I made this.
Little Gatherings by Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings.
To make a pillow, this is what you'll need... Full House Pillow.
That was the easy part. This was just 10 houses. How much time does it take to make 10 houses? My problems really started while I was piecing these pillows... because I had time to think.
I couldn't stop thinking about something Simone made...
Photo shamelessly swiped from Simone de Klerk's blog.
She blogged about it in September. I loved this little quilt as soon as I saw it. Simone wrote me that she had always liked Cracked Pots but had never gotten around to making it, so when she saw Full House, she decided to combine parts of each for a small quilt. I love the colors and fabrics she chose, but her use of the "in the round" design got me thinking... and thinking smaller...
So I made this. Around the Pink 'Hood.
I used a charm pack I got from Corrie at Quilt Taffy. And I added a little bit of stash... just because.
My Mom loves this pillow but she asked about a darker version... sooooo... this one isn't quite finished. But since that could take weeks and weeks and weeks... here it is.
Jo's Neighborhood. I decided to see what it would look like with a different border on it so I just used some of the leftover strips for a piano-key border. While I will finish this as a pillow, I also think it would make a nice little table-topper or wall quilt.
If you're so inclined -- Around the Neighborhood.
And so you don't have to go looking -- Tiny Town.
That makes 106 houses.
I'm 16 houses short. Count two more Nine Dots "big" houses -- those were made but not used and they were quilted up for pincushions that I haven't finished yet. The other fourteen houses?
They're small.
You see... I still had some Countdown to Christmas pieces left over and it was just too yummy to put away...
As Duke said... [they've] got friends! Eleven friends, to be precise. They still need filling and closing, and then all of them will get one more step. I promise to show you the lot of them when they're all done.
As to the size, these are the little Tiny Town houses with one little tweak -- I trimmed 1/4" from the top edge of the house before attaching the roof, squishing the house down just a bit. The houses then got a 1 1/4" border. After the houses were machine-quilted and washed to make them quilt-y, I squared them up and finished them as little pincushions. But if you added a little ribbon at the top, wouldn't these be cute as tie-ons to Christmas packages? Or as quilt-y ornaments on a tree?
I suppose I could put off working on my Blueberry Crumb Cake quilt for another week...
This was the yummiest post!! Love all the pillows the quilt, and the pin cushions! I have a few little pillows with ribbons on drawers pulls or the knob of my sewing machine. Haven't found the pattern in any of our shops - most are 45 min away at best. I think Miss Rosie needs one also!!! Really enjoyed seeing them!
Posted by: Linda P | November 09, 2011 at 06:38 PM
Akkkk!!!! I LOVE HOUSE QUILTS. And these would put me over the edge. Such pretty colors, in every variety. Okay, you've got me digging for my house patterns. One is yours, and one is by Primitive Pieces by Lynda. Sigh.... so many quilts, so little time....
Posted by: Jocelyn | November 09, 2011 at 06:47 PM
Wow Carrie, I'm drooling all over my keyboard and it isn't because of the homemade Chicken Pot Pie I'm eating. I love the table topper version...and oh those little ones for ornament, gift tie ons or...pin cushions. This was a really yummy post. Hugs...
Posted by: Nancy | November 09, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Too adorable - each and every one. Of your latest schnibbles patterns, I think I also like the little houses the best too. Thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by: Ramona Chester | November 09, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Oh no~ now I have this big urge to go sew more houses!! LOL Cute, cute, cute! I'm in love too. :-)
Posted by: Sandie~ call me crazy | November 09, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Ooh very pretty, I really love those little houses, I know what I am making/building this weekend :)
Posted by: SoozeM | November 09, 2011 at 07:38 PM
A.door.able! I love house blocks too. Thanks so much for the pdfs, that was very generous of you!
Posted by: AnnieO | November 09, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Omigoodness, how cute.
Posted by: Donna S. | November 09, 2011 at 08:50 PM
Oh...they are wonderful...I'm going to have to put off working on everything to make pillows and pincushions! Thanks so much for the pillow pattern, too...it's already printed!
Posted by: sherri | November 09, 2011 at 09:14 PM
Carrie your house quilts are so lovely and all so very different. I simply adore your pillows and pincushions. I can just see a basket of mini houses sitting causally on a coffee table.
Posted by: Deb | November 09, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Wow have you been busy! I love all of the houses. I can't decide which ones I like best. The tiny ones are very sweet! I really like the houses that go around the center, both color ways. Do you dream about houses? :-) Thanks for letting us all want to make house quilts now. K-
Posted by: Kristy Wlikinson | November 09, 2011 at 10:36 PM
These are all great! I want to make one of each, especially Jo's neighborhood.
Posted by: Cheryl Miller | November 10, 2011 at 04:49 AM
Building Permit lol. Oh my goodness you have turned a simple house block into such a fun project! How clever of you. My faves are the Countdown to Christmas one and the "Pink Hood". That is hysterical! I love your sense of humour...oh yeah the little minis are so cute and would make wonderful door hangers..nice to add to a housewarming gift or for your favourite real estate person. Keep em coming!
Posted by: Wendy | November 10, 2011 at 05:18 AM
All of these projects are so stinkin' cute, I can't stand it! You really went to town on them (heehee).
Posted by: Tina C. | November 10, 2011 at 07:04 AM
You are killing me! These are too cute! I am a charm pack hoarder, oops, I mean collector. I see houses in my future. And these are not stucco! I need pillows too. Oh man...I need sugar.
Posted by: Auntie Pami | November 10, 2011 at 07:26 AM
Stupid question. What about layer cake houses? Sorry, couldn't resist.
Posted by: Auntie Pami | November 10, 2011 at 07:28 AM
oh my gosh. these are sooooo cute . where to begin....thanks for this post , i think.... i'm so behind in my projects, but it's snowing in MN!!!
Posted by: Lizzie | November 10, 2011 at 07:45 AM
These are all fabulous!!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | November 10, 2011 at 08:23 AM
I can hardly wait to get my building permit! First I need to finish Birdseye, then I need to finish Starry Eyed, THEN, all my Countdown to Christmas scraps will be used for houses, I can hardly wait to create my own little village and once all the Countdown to Christmas Scraps are gone I'll move on to other scraps, I won't stop with a village I'm going for a town, then a city, then, then, then look out world!
Thanks for the free patterns!!
Posted by: Thelma | November 10, 2011 at 08:24 AM
All your house quilts and pillows are so adorable. I especially love the mini, single-house pillow/pincushion. As you mentioned, they'd be a great addition to a Christmas present.
Posted by: Heartsdesire | November 10, 2011 at 09:58 AM
They are soooo adorable. I love them all!
Posted by: Jennifer | November 10, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Simply adorable!! I can see these on presents, and then on the tree next year!!! They can multiply and fill the world with joy! I want, I want, I want!
Posted by: catherine wilson | November 10, 2011 at 10:40 AM
OK this is just killing me... I have to leave work sick now and go directly into my room, sewing room that is, take out my my charm packs, starting with Countdown To Christmas charms and
well, just copy you! I loved Simone's version too... actually all of them. I might have to be sick for the rest of the week!
Posted by: Sinta Renee | November 10, 2011 at 11:17 AM
P.S. my printer is now working overtime... I feel a fever coming on... cough, cough. Sniffle sniffle... Gotta go!
Posted by: Sinta Renee | November 10, 2011 at 11:32 AM
I love these! Thank you for generously sharing the patterns. I'm putting these on my list to make.
Posted by: Kari | November 10, 2011 at 03:20 PM
Now I have the Carpenter's "No Place Like Home for the Holidays" stuck in my head! Must be the cute little houses in holiday prints!
You and I are on the same wavelength, because I am making Full House in both dark fall colors and Christmas prints too! So fun!
Thank you, Carrie!
Posted by: Wendy P | November 10, 2011 at 03:21 PM
I love all your houses but the Pink 'hood is my favorite. Thanks for sharing the pattern as well as the pics.
Posted by: Colleen M | November 10, 2011 at 04:16 PM
I'm so glad that Darlene alerted me to your post of these houses! I'm drooling Carrie! I always say anything with Jo is fab...well this is just over the top! My mind is racing....I need more time in a day....dang nab it...my must make list just got a wee bit longer!!! Loved the post!
Posted by: Mary Flynn | November 10, 2011 at 04:34 PM
So cute! I like both the fall and Christmas look. Thanks for sharing the different project ideas from one pattern.
Posted by: Amy C | November 10, 2011 at 06:40 PM
I love them! The pillows are great :) And Thank you so much for the pattern, I am totally making them. I am thinking a beach town is in order!
Posted by: Heather | November 10, 2011 at 07:30 PM
I usually don't comment, but just look. I had to comment this time, these are just adorable!! Love all of it, but especially Countdown to Christmas!!
Posted by: Kim G | November 10, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Thank you SO much!!! I've been dying to get this pattern and now I just can't resist! I've also been wanting to make some quilty covers for some of my pottery barn down pillows... score - thanks so much for the instructions! Lumbar is just what I wanted to do first!!!! I have an older sweater I was going to cut up.... now I will do this instead!! woo hoo! Thanks so much for all your great inspiration!!! Hugs to you! Bari Jo
Posted by: Bari Jo | November 10, 2011 at 10:08 PM
I loveeee house quilts too . . . and I love every one of these projects . . .
my problem right now is . . . I cannot find "Full House" anywhere !!! . . . I have loved it since I first saw it on here . . .
I live in Massachusetts and can't find it there . . . and I've been vacationing in Calif for the last 2 weeks . . . have gone to every quilt shop I can find . . . and nobody has it . . . by any chance is it not out yet . . .
I tried the Fat Quarter shop too . . .
please tell me how I can get this pattern . . . I so want to make all these projects . . . they are just wonderful !!
Posted by: Cheryl | November 11, 2011 at 05:11 PM
too adorable!!
Posted by: Mary | November 12, 2011 at 09:50 PM
Oh my gosh....if I wasn't so tired tonight I'd be cutting fabrics and sewing all night...but that's tomorrow. I've found my friendship group holiday gift! holiday house pincushions and polka pins!
Posted by: Mary ann | November 12, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Hi Carrie!!! I just emailed looking for a copy of the pattern, but in case that was the wrong place to contact you, I thought I would post here! Can you tell me where I can find this Full House pattern? I have not been able to locate it anywhere and would LOVE to purchase a copy so I can get started on some Christmas gifts! These pillows are so much fun! Thank you so much for all your wonderful inspiration! Love reading your blog! :O) Bari Jo
Posted by: Bari Jo | November 12, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Okay, do you ever have one of the 'DUH' moments and just want to have someone give you a 'Gibbs' smack on the back of the head??? Well, yesterday I went to my LQS for our monthly BOM. I passed by a display with your Full House patterns and picked one up. (They are hard to find here locally for some reason) Then I wandered aimlessly for a bit(and I do mean wandered...I didn't feel too perky but thought I was just tired after our cleaning day at the church.) When I got up to the counter with my treasures, I asked if they were going to get in any Nine Dots and they told me they hadn't ordered any and I told them they REALLY need to. But if they don't, I buy it online *I hope*. Ah but I digress. I got home, tossed my package on the bed and left it there until this morning at 4am when I decided that I wanted to read over the Full House pattern. ACCCKKKK...it wasn't in the bag!!! I checked my receipt and I was not charged for it. I must have dropped it while I was wandering around. DRAT! They are closed today but if I feel well enough tomorrow, I will go back and get one. They were going fast so cross your fingers that they will still have some.
*In my defense, it turns out I wasn't just tired, I got up this morning with a viral throat that mimics Strep, so I really was in a fog yesterday.
I have also notified hubby that if I can't go get it, he will have to bite the bullet and go in the quilt shop to pick one up for me, hehehe. Quilt shops are out of his comfort zone, with all us crazy ladies oooing and aawing over fabric. Great therapy for him don't you think???
So back to my original question Carrie...do you ever have those "DUH" moments? Hugs...
Posted by: Nancy | November 13, 2011 at 06:49 AM
Your pillows are so cute! Thanks for sharing the directions. I HAVE to make some.
Posted by: Becky S | November 14, 2011 at 01:05 PM
How darn cute! I now have pillow fever...thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Sherry | November 14, 2011 at 06:38 PM
Where to get the pattern for the pink hood. Love the houses.
Posted by: Connie dunn | November 16, 2011 at 12:09 PM
The pillows are just adorable. I have been searching on line for the pattern, but can't find it :( I am in the UK which doesn't help. Do you do any pdf patterns at all? If you do, can you point me in the direction of where I can purchase. Many thanks
Posted by: Angela | November 19, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Carrie ..what is a lumbrar pillow is it like a travel pillow 12"x16"? where to buy?
Posted by: Marybeth Paulson | November 19, 2011 at 03:51 PM
I just saw this post this morning, and I LOVE these. I've read that others have been able to access the patterns, but I can't open the files! It says I need Adobe Reader version 8 or 9, but I have version 9. YIKES! I want these patterns so badly but don't know why I can't open the links. Has anyone else had this problem but figured it out??? HELP!
Posted by: Barbara L | November 20, 2011 at 08:24 AM
Cute pattern! I was going to make it but can't seem to locate the cutting directions?
Posted by: lorrie | January 20, 2012 at 09:52 AM
muchas gracias por compartir tus ideas con los archivos pdf
me encantan tus trabajos con casitas
son adorables
Posted by: lenyadora | May 30, 2012 at 02:28 AM
All of these projects are so stinkin cute, I cant stand it! You really went to town on them (heehee).
+1
Posted by: good flash games | July 10, 2012 at 05:40 PM