hello october

I can hardly believe that is October already! The days are so much shorter and I have had to turn on my furnace (something I didn’t want to have to do til the end of the month). But what I LOVE LOVE LOVE about October is pumpkins. Becky, Gavin and I were running around doing errands, and decided to stop at a farm stand and buy pumpkins. Do you love the white pumpkin?  And how about those little striped ones, are they too cute? I decided that a little typography was needed to add to the decor, so I broke out the scrapbook stickers and went to town. I really {heart} the way this turned out.

Another new addition to the halloween/autumn decor at my house this year is this leaf garland with teeny weeny tiny white lights. This is on my fireplace mantel along with ceramic pumpkins that I bought years ago at Old Time Pottery. I found the garland and lights at Pat Catan’s and I think the total cost of this project was maybe $6.00. Decorating on the cheap makes me happy!

I have some other projects using scrapbook paper that I will post as soon as I have enough light to take good photos.  I have been really inspired to do Halloween decorating this year, and I am in good company. If you get a chance, check here for more really cool ideas!

country living fair

We had the perfect day for a girls road trip to Columbus for the County Living magazine fair. The advertising for the fair said it would be like walking through the pages of Country Living magazine, and they were right.

I loved this refinished table and chairs. painted in brick red, distressed and the chair seats were covered in toile {heart}.

This is the centerpiece that was on the table. I really and truly love autumn colors, but there is no way I could recreate this look. {sigh}

OK. I really and truly love pumpkins. Look at this pile of pumpkin goodness. The addition of the mums just makes it better.

A patchwork chair. Need I say more?

Quilts were displayed EVERYWHERE, in every color, shape, and size imaginable and they were gorgeous.

Loved this set, each chair was painted a different color.

It was nice to see some contemporary fabric mixed in with the country look. I love  this chair. Love the combo of fabric and nailhead trim.

The weather was gorgeous and the fair was fun, though REALLY crowded. Loved spending the days with the girls and I would love to go again next year, and maybe spend the weekend in Columbus.

latest project

I have been sewing away making these totally adorable note takers. I absolutely love the fabric combos and find they are very addictive to make.

Inside is a small legal pad and a pen, and a pocket to hold coupons or receipts or other bits and pieces. I think they would be cool to use for a travel journal. The smaller size has a small memo pad inside and is great for grocery lists.

I think my favorite part is the fabric covered button. They are fun to make, and add that extra homemade touch. Can you tell that I really like polka dots?

I have enjoyed making these so much that I have decided to open an etsy shop and sell them. Just kind of a fun thing to do to pay for fabric!

pottery barn patchwork

This came in the mail today.  I have a love/hate relationship with Pottery Barn. The catalog is oh so beautiful, but the prices exceed my budget. This issue made me really happy because I can sew. I can make these

well maybe not the quilts ( too labor intensive for my short attention span), but after my experiment earlier this month with patchwork, I could make one of the pillows. Who knew paying attention in home ec sewing would pay off one day!

I am not sure what it is I love so much about this catalog. I think it may the photography. Somehow, some talented photographer is able to elicit emotions from home furnishings. I love this photo mosaic in the catalog

it reminds me of the photo mosaics that I adore on flickr.  It also makes me want to buy those candles, and those towels, and make labels for my cheese.

happy birthday gavin

23 years ago today my son Gavin was born. It is hard to believe that so much time has flown by. He has been a joy to me every minute he has been a part of my life.

The hardest part of parenting is letting them leave the nest. Gavin recently got his own apartment, and the house doesn’t seem the same without him.

He is really an incredible person:  funny, generous, smart and independent. He has marched to the beat of his own drum since he was a little boy, and I love that about him.

Happy birthday. I love you.

what every backyard needs

I’m not sure what this is called. If you live in England, I think it is called a bunting, but here in American it is called a banner.  I love the idea of cute little flags flapping in the breeze and adding a bit of color to the yard. This was a fun and easy project, and I am sure I will be making more. Maybe some for inside during the holidays?

Here’s what’s in bloom in the backyard right now.  Painted daisies, chartreuse zinnias and day lilies. I hope I cropped out most of the weeds .

Hope you enjoyed the weekend doing all the fun things that make you happy!

becky’s got a brand new bag

Here it is! Ta-Dah! I actually made a bag without a pattern! Becky showed me a picture of a bag that she really liked, and I thought, hmmm, I think I could make one.

I started out by cutting a rectangle out of the floral print, made a few pleats, then attached to the strip of the pink polka dot. The hardest part was making the lining, as I now had angles to work with, and wanted to make sure it would fit without any puckers.

Here’s a close  up. Is this fabric combo not totally adorable?

The straps were super easy. I added a divided pocket to the inside as well as a magnetic closure. It took me a few minutes to remember how to make a buttonhole.

All in all I think the bag turned out cute, and Becky really loves it.

happy mail

After waiting all weekend, the mailman finally delivered the fabric I ordered. It is gorgeous, and I am having fun just looking at it and deciding what it all should become. Do you want to see?

This fabric is part of a collection called Summer Soiree by Paula Prass. I love the turquoise print and the bright colors.

Next is

This fabric is by Jennifer Paganelli and her line is called sis boom. I think it looks like something you would find in grandma’s attic, but with a decided twist.

Becky has requested a handbag, so the yellow floral and pink polka dot may be used for that. The turquoise print is my inspiration for my craft/sewing room. I was thinking of turquoise and red, but love the blast of orange and pink. I have no idea what I am going to do with the rest. I am sure I will be inspired by something.

I have another small project to share with you. I have been seeing custom camera straps and wanted one for mine trusty nikon.

So I made one. Again using my stash of fabric scraps, this took me about 15 minutes from start to finish. It took me about an hour to figure out how to put the camera strap back on my camera.  The fabric is Amy Butler’s Kashmir and I lined the inside with fleece. It is much more comfortable than the standard issue strap.   Cute, no?

summer knitting

Knitting in the summer in a house with no air conditioning presents something of a problem.  Wool and heat and humidity do not make for a pleasant knitting experience.  Enter the cotton dishcloth. I love making these things. They feed my need for instant gratification, the cotton yarn is cheapy cheap and you only have to cast on and cast off 4 stitches. And look at the colors!

As much as I like making these, I really love using them. I have a stack I use in the kitchen, and another stack for in the shower. One of these cloths and a squirt of philosophy shower wash is a little daily luxury.

patchwork

As you may or may not know, I LOVE to read blogs and check out flickr. There are so many inspiring photos of things I would like to make, and was inspired to sew. After months of inactivity, the sewing machine was hauled out to make this

I ordered gorgeous, yummy fabric earlier this week, but did not get it in the mail in time for weekend crafting. So I dug through my scraps of fabric left over from last summer’s bag making marathon. I don’t know why I never thought to sew a pillow before because it was relatively easy and completely fun. I loved doing the patchwork so much that I then made this

My table was really looking dull and drab so this perks it right up. I am looking around the house with new eyes, thinking of all of the things I can cover in patchwork. I have an old bench moldering away in the bedroom with some seriously ugly maroon velvet upholstery. Next project may be a patchwork cover. You may be be seeing some before and after photos. Who doesn’t love a good makeover?