getting ready for Halloween...

Here's the extent of our Halloween decorating. Yes, that's right...just two jack-o-lanterns. These were crafted over the weekend.

I'll let you in on a (not-so-secret) secret....ready?...I don't like Halloween. Now please don't throw rotten eggs and tomatoes at me! I just don't care about it. Never really have. Oh, of course I dressed up as a kid and went trick-or-treating. (There's a rule somewhere that says you have to, right??) But honestly, I don't remember going for too many years. It just doesn't appeal to me. I could really get on a soapbox here...but I'll spare you.

Having an 8-yr old daughter, I have to "play along" somewhat, although she knows this is a holiday I could do without. But of course she thinks it's fun to dress up, have a school party, and trick-or-treat. Oh...what a mother won't do!!

an update...

Dark Brown Allova Micro-suede
Dark Brown Vinyl
Beige Cotton Crinkle Gauze
White Muslin

What do these things have in common? Well, they are all part of that huge project I've been working on. That project that looms over me like a bad dream! Within the next several days, I should be able to reveal this project in it's entirety.



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I've also been working on a butterfly pouch from the Omiyage book, handstitching bits here and there when not at home (waiting for my daughter at school, etc.).



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Look at the weather we've had lately! ACK!!! We've barely had fall, and already, the snow is flying.

a sea of leaves...

...and they're still falling. With the rain and breeze we've had lately, we've had leaves swirling everywhere lately. These pics were taken on Friday, and they're all taken around our home.

Not sure what tree this is, but I love the vibrant red berries. A good splash of color amid all the dreariness. If you look closely, you can see the rain dripping off.


I think we're already past peak fall colors, but we still see some beautiful reds and oranges when we look out our front door and up the hill.


With the rain and chilliness, even the neighbor's cows that use our field across the road feel too lazy to do anything!


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Lately, a H-U-G-E sewing project has been ruling my life. And remember...I like working on small projects!! "Oh what have I gotten myself into" moments have frequently been occurring. More on this project soon.

a new early morning fave...

Those of you that know me, you know that I love tea. I *really* love tea. (Though my urologist thinks I shouldn't love it quite so much!) Well, I've found a new favorite for early mornings when it's not time to start the caffeine. (I usually don't drink anything caffeinated until about 11 am - dont' know why, just don't.)

This decaf Raspberry and White Tea from Stash is simply delicious!

Please ignore the poor old toaster oven in the background. It looks a little sad these days, with paint chipped off and surface rust, etc. But we love this toaster oven...a wedding gift from my aunt and uncle over fifteen years ago. Used daily, and it keeps on goin'! Woohoo!

a quilt for an old friend...

Please allow me to introduce you to Bertram Bear. Isn't he charming!

He was a gift to my daughter several years back at Christmas time from an aunt and uncle. He's a bear from Christmas Around the World. He even talks thanks to a small recording chip...he'll playback your message whenever you press his hand.

Well, way back I promised Mr. Betram that I would make him his very own quilt sometime, but unfortunately I had never gotten around to it.

On Saturday, dear hubby went with some model railroad buddies to Horseshoe Curve in PA. So...needing a quilty fix and contemplating what to make, I remembered Bertram and the idea I've had stored away in my brain for his quilt.

The general idea came from an article in Miniature Quilt Ideas Magazine #30 regarding an antique chinese coins quilt for an 1800's doll bed.

I expanded on the chinese coin idea and created a strippy-quilt for Bertram with old-fashioned scrappy charm. It measures 10-1/2" by 13-1/2".

most recent LGD purses

Well, as I promised someone ...*wink*... here are the two most recent purses I've made, both by Lazy Girl Designs. I really love her patterns...very clear, with excellent photos for each step. Hmmm, guess that's why I own just about every purse pattern she's made. She has a great yahoo group too, by the same name. The group has a great bunch of ladies. And, as a member, you can check out pics of all the gorgeous purses others have made with the LGD patterns.

This first one was made with the Veronica pattern.






And this was made with the Chloe pattern. I really like the look of the stacked buttons.

omiyage daffodil pouches

Oh my gosh these are fun!! "Betcha can't stop at just one" should be the warning for this pattern!! They're great take-along projects. All of these were cut out before I acquired the asian themed fabrics over the weekend. Hmmm....now maybe some in the asian prints?!??...................

successful Asian fabric hunt

This weekend, my hubby's model railroad club is having a show at our mall. My daughter and I went out this evening to eat dinner with him and hang out for a bit.

After we ate, I walked down to Joann Fabrics to check for good cloak fabric for dh's Jedi costume and to search out Asian fabrics. Mission successful! Found some possible cloak fabrics, and will make a purchase after dh's approval (I have a 50% off coupon good through Monday!!!!) Anyway...back to the important stuff...heehee!...I managed to find some Asian fabrics, and they were all on sale for $1 less per yard. Cool thing about the Omiyage projects, they take such small amounts of fabric, so I was able to buy pretty much every Asian themed fabric I found. (A pitiful selection to be honest. But, since I had none in my stash, it's a good start.) The ones I liked best I got quarter yards, the others I got as eighth yards.

It's hard to tell in the photos, but most have gold highlights. They are sooooo rich looking. I think by carefully combining with current stash fabrics, any further Omiyage projects should look much more authentic.

I couldn't resist posting the second picture. That's our youngest furbaby, Skye, in the lower right corner checking out mama's new stuff. She approved :)

first Omiyage projects...

I'm really enjoying my new Omiyage book. The photographs are beautiful.

I set out to make a daffodil pouch right away. Here's my first one.













My daughter was excited when she found out there were dolls in the book. She chose this one, called the raindrop doll. It's a pouch as well. The main fabric is from a fat quarter she picked out at the quilt shop a long time ago. She also picked out the beads.

ufo - snowman quilt

Here's an in-progress snowman quilt. The pattern is in this book. So far, I've hand appliqued the snowman figure, hand buttonhole stitched the hat/scarf/star, and hand sewn the saw-toothed borders.

ooooh goodie!!!

Yesterday, I was able to pick up my copy of the book Omiyage by Kumiko Sudo. Wow, what beautiful projects. (I had to order it from our local Borders store. Not a single book store or quilt shop within an hour's drive had it. It's something of a wasteland around here at times.) Anyway, I was practically giddy! I've seen around the net several of the daffodil pouches others have made, and I was so intrigued. I can't wait to get started. Yes, of course I have plenty of quilting UFO's I could be working on, but they've been UFO's for a while now....they can wait a little longer!!!

first postcard

Well, I know that lots of folks have already been making fabric postcards. But I just made my first one. I'm very pleased with how it came out. Of course, I already have ideas for many more. Including a special series. But just like everything else, I have more ideas than time!! We'll see :)