Bits of Fall

Our fall has been filled with goodness. On Halloween night it drizzled rain and was chilly but that didn't stop our light up stick figure and super girl. Odyn's costume was such a big hit - he even would stop and pose for people including a police man who drove by and a pizza delivery person. Our town is wonderful and filled with such kind hearted people. The police were even handing out candy to the little ones. We walked all over the neighborhood, until little hands were too cold and too wet to go any longer. Damien was determined to just stay home this year, so he handed out candy with my mom. 

There has been such a chill in the air lately. We lit our fireplace last night for the first time this year. I'm a true believer that fall doesn't end until after Thanksgiving, even though there are Christmas and winter decorations everwhere. My pumpkins are still out and I painted leaves to make a Thanksgiving garland. 

My making ideas have been over flowing lately. I've started a cross stitch, that I plan on framing and hanging in the dining room. There has been more and more art pieces being hung up around the house. Right now, there is a pottery wheel hanging out in my dining room corner - it's too cold to work out in the garage. My pottery collection is growing and growing and with it my skill. The other night in class I made my biggest bowl to date. While we save to get the kiln up and running, I'm starting to clean out unwanted fabric to put in the shop, plan out the studio space in the garage, and work on a new online space. Such exciting things to come in the months ahead.

It's Time To Say Thanks!

These are some things I have been working on lately. An embroidered pillowcase and some embroidered old photos. The photographs would make excellent gift tags, cards, or just really awesome wall art framed. I haven't had the chance to put some in the shop yet - but they will be coming soon. 

But first I wanted to have a little giveaway, one to say thank you! It's been awhile since I had one of those. 

So here is the nitty gritty:

The Winner will get the standard pillowcase embroidered in the picture above and one of the embroidered photos pictured as well.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me which photos you like the most and what you would do with it?

I will pick a winner randomly from the comments on August 23rd. The giveaway is open  closed to everyone worldwide. Goodluck!!!

Art For Art

There is nothing I like better than to make something for someone. One day, not too long ago, I discovered that my phone does indeed get instagram. I started following friends feeds and blogs that I follow. There was a comment that struck me as perfect and lovely. This comment led me to @tooyoungtobehippies and her art. Falling head over heels in love with her portraits I contacted her right away asking if she does custom portraits. Maybe we could swap art for art. That's what we did. I made an embroidered pillowcase, lavender filled sachet, and a watercolor for her for part of some custom portraits of the kids.
Soon they will hang in the upstairs hallway, that got stripped of wallpaper this weekend. It's just waiting for some primer and paint.

The Lone Daffodil

Across the street there is a lone daffodil. Just one - all by it's itself. Surrounded by trees, rocks, and leaves. I'm not quite sure who planted it or if some how some way it made it's way over there. But every time I open the door and it's brings a little cheer to the day.

It's finally starting to feel like spring. We are making plans for all the gardens and outdoor landscaping we want to do. Getting ready to move our table outside to the porch again - meals outside everyday. Reading my pile of books from the book barn, learning about the healing power of herbs and how to use them daily. I cut some daffodils the previous owner planted in the secret garden and spread them around the house. Our vintage pink quilt is starting to stay folded on the back of the couch and windows were opened today. 

Ahh spring! 

Project List

My project list keeps growing by leaps and bounds. Recently I finished this cute little tie shirt for a coworker who just had a baby boy. I'm starting some embroidery projects for an art swap I am so excited about. There is a pile of old black and white family photos that need to be scanned, framed, and hung on the wall. Two quilts that haven't really left the planning stage yet. Fun Easter projects with the kids. Naturally dying eggs is also on this list. To have a list so full, there is never a bored moment. 

Winterwoods Sampler Finished

With nothing but time this weekend, I finished the Winterwoods Cross Stitch Sampler. Seemed rather fitting with all the snow. The next day I knew the exact frame to put it in and got to work. The feeling of finishing a project and finding it absolutely perfect in every way, is pure joy. Even the back stitches! The only thing missing is the big comfy chair for the corner - soon. 

Craftiness

I have a feeling that this year is going to be filled with lots of craftiness. Aries got this wonderful Eric Carle watercolor book from my mother for Christmas. Odyn and her have been painting their hearts out. Of course  I took this opportunity to use it as some new wall art.

My new year resolution was to finish a craft before starting another, and if you looked into my crafty cupboard you would realize how hard this is. Lots of abandoned half finished projects lay about. Since I finished up my scarf I can now happily move on to another project I've been wanting to start - Alicia Paulson's Winterwoods Cross Stitch Sampler. The colors are perfect for our new home and I can't wait to frame it up once it's done. Now to decide if it should go in the dining room, the living room, or hallway?

Winter Brings Out

This weekend I had plans to do so much more and get more accomplished. It's always seems that way around this time of year. After a day of shopping with my mom, to which I still didn't get too much holiday shopping done, I went to her home and gathered some very rustic nature provided materials to work on a wreath for our side door. But I found myself using some of it to decorate the mantel in the dining room. Woodland, birds, rustic, simple - perfect. 

I also received the most perfect parcel in the mail the other day. My ornament swap partner, Erin, sent me some rather beautiful ornaments. The fluttery red and white paper handmade one is from a vendor she sees at the craft fairs every winter ( love supporting the handmade community). The twine bird is from her favorite little gift shop, and I can see why it's her favorite. Oh thank you Erin!! 

The host of the swap also received her cute little surprise handmade ornament I made for her and her baby Felix, so now I can show them off. Red snowflake cross stitch, hung in a small hoop, with a sequined scattered star for a Christmas wish. Felix's first Christmas ♥. I haven't done cross stitch for a very very long time - but winter brings out knitting and cross stitch.