Harvest Home

As the autumn leaves are still swirling about here on Garrison, I turn my focus to the coziness of "harvest home".  I just completed and framed a fun little wooly sheep and pumpkin.  I mentioned in my last post that I had fun dragging out the needle felting machine and some funky threads.

 The finishing touch to this pattern from Elizabeth was the hand-stitched flowers and leaves.  Two of my favorite stitches are the Colonial knot and the lazy daisy stitch... and I got lots of practice with those on this one!

I've adorned my table with a favorite "harvest couple" and turkey.

I have some cherished pieces that stay out all the time, like this forever-loved reading bunny.  

For now, he's perched on the mantle, overlooking the family room.  With the days getting much shorter, I think even my "boys" feel the urge to nestle in a little closer and get some extra "z'sssssssss".

I love the work of Mary Oliver.  Here is her "Song for Autumn".

Song for Autumn

In the deep fall
    don't you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
    the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
    freshets of wind? And don't you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
    warm caves, begin to think
of the birds that will come — six, a dozen — to sleep
    inside their bodies? And don't you hear
the goldenrod whispering goodbye,
    the everlasting being crowned with the first
tuffets of snow? The pond
    vanishes, and the white field over which
the fox runs so quickly brings out
    its blue shadows. And the wind pumps its
bellows. And at evening especially,
    the piled firewood shifts a little,
longing to be on its way.

Hello November

While waving goodbye to October, I'm still enjoying the "pumpkin theme" in my fabric creations.  This afternoon I pulled out my great little needle felting machine and started turning my wool sheep into a "woolier" guy... even standing on wooly grass, too!  I have some flowers to hand-stitch before he is finished.  I think this little guy will be framed and kept out throughout the harvest and Thanksgiving season.  

The last few days have been so stressful, as we watch the aftermath of the "monster storm" Sandy.  We were so lucky here in our area to have no real problems except some gusty, cold winds. I was holding my breath that the power would stay on, and thankfully it only flickered a couple of times.  My heart goes out to those not so fortunate, to those who lost so much.

While being glued to the coverage of the storm and last-minite election news, I felt the need to break the tension and spend some time tidying my fabrics. I "try" so hard to stay organized with my art stash.  The organization thing is definitely a work-in-progress for me.  I have tried so many different ideas.  One thing I know for sure... if you can't find it, you can't use it!  

I had a very large chest of drawers in my art studio, where I stashed most of my textiles.  The problem with that "cavernous" piece was that my fabrics got "lost" in those huge drawers.  I couldn't really see what I had.  When I took everything out, I found fabrics I hadn't seen in forever.  I have so many fat quarters and small pieces... oh, how to arrange them so that I could really see them???  I came up with the idea of rolling them and standing them on end in some fun suitcases and hat boxes.

Love this "shabby chic" box... complete with a great way to label the contents.

I adore looking at and working with wool... 

Hatboxes were the perfect way to "house" the many fat quarter pieces I have accumulated.

I don't have as many of the velvets, silks and organza pieces... but they look so lush inside this fun, little case.

Tying on some tags helps me know the contents without having to open every one!

Even my wooly yarns found a new home... tucked inside a sweet little vintage green suitcase.

Some of my blogging friends are beginning this month by sharing things they are grateful for.  I think gratitude is such a therapeutic practice... a real road toward peace... at least I have found that to be true in my own life.  

I am truly thankful to have made it through a stormy few days, safely tucked inside my beloved nest with my boys.  I am so grateful that my parents are safe and sound as well.  

Don't forget to "fall back" this weekend!  Won't that extra hour of snoozing be great???  Enjoy!

Busy here on Garrison

We're loving these crisp autumn evenings and sunny warm days here on Garrison.  With the side door open, and the screen exposed, it's delicious to drink in the gentle breezes and sounds of acorns plopping    on the driveway, like popcorn in the cooker. I've never seen the squirrels so busy, getting ready for the winter.  Wow... where did the summer go???

I don't do too much Halloween decorating, but I'm enjoying a few sweet touches... with frilly crepe paper and cute little black cats.

I haven't blogged about my creative pursuits in several weeks... and it's NOT because I have been idle. I have been working like a bee making some Christmas surprises.  All kinds of  "parts" have arrived from ETSY... a favorite shopping source.  

These tiny jingle bells are adorable.

Can I tell you how much I adore ruffled crepe paper?

I've always loved pine cones of all sizes and shapes.  These just had to come to my house.  The packaging is as cute as the bitty cones themselves.

My studio looks like a cyclone hit, but it's all part of the fun of my creative process.  The final creations aren't yet to be revealed.  Some of the recipients of my efforts just might read this blog, and I would never want to spoil the surprise!  

After turning a year older a few weeks ago, I have spent time reflecting on the blessings of my life.  The "simple" things are really the "big things".  

This photo was shot by a local newsperson.  A day sitting in this swing...with this view...  What could be better???

"Fluffing" for autumn

With the chillier mornings and evenings of October, came a yearning to clean out the summer flower beds.  After a trip to the feed store, I had the car full of pansies, cabbage, kale and a bright yellow mum.

I pulled out this fun little garden pumpkin, and popped him above the sunny mum pot.

"Little foot", as my Mom calls him, is newly potted with pansies, too.

Overlooking it all is a sweet little fall flag. Of course, it had to have birds on it! 

I didn't stop with the outside of my "nest".  Here are some little metal birds on the mantle with a fall spray.

A while back I stitched up this funky bag and appliqued the wool pumpkin and black cat.  I plan to start carrying this one as I am out and about for the upcoming weeks.

Turning on the heat this morning made me think of "fluffing" in my closets, too... putting away the most summery clothes, and pulling out some jackets and warmer layers.  The year is speeding by so quickly, isn't it???  Enjoy these chilly days... They will quickly turn to the holidays.  YIKES!!! 

"Good Deeds" complete and some fabulous finds

A few posts back, I shared my love for the darling designs of Charlotte Lyons.  I have just completed my second sampler from wonderful Charlotte... this one called "Good Deeds Live Long".

I so enjoyed stitching  and then embellishing with some beading work. I decided to make this one a pillow top, nestled inside a chair...first trying it out in my family room.

And then again, it might reside in my living room.  Who knows??? I'm such a fickle decorator! 

I "haunt" my local TJ Maxx and Ross stores, always on the hunt for treasures.  I hit the jackpot twice last week.  I am such a lover of anything with birds and nests, so I was thrilled to find this delightful vintage-inspired piece that I added to my bathroom wall.  The vibrant colors put me in my "happy place".

The decor of my home is quite "cottage-inspired', in the style of my ever-favorite designer, Rachel Ashwell.  Last Saturday, while shopping with Mom, she spied this great, funky piece... buried behind some other items.

Of course, I had to get it!  It had the perfect "feel" to go in the corner of my living room.  Love love love the details...

I have such a passion for furniture and decor... always have... but my little "cottage" is filled to the brim... but I can't pass some things up... even my "corners" are filled!

Now that October has arrived, the days are getting shorter and it is a real comfort to snuggle in my nest... and it's time to start stitching on a new piece.  Some spicy, hot cider sounds yummy, doesn't it???

Welcoming autumn with a vase of funky flowers, and thoughts from Winnie the Pooh

It is so hard to believe that today is the first day of autumn!  Where did my beloved summer go?  These delightful cooler mornings and evenings sure are a refreshing change. We are in for some stunning landscape views, but  I am already dreading not having luscious flowers in the yard and the neighborhood.  Once that first frost comes, we'll only have our pansies to gaze upon.

Flowers are one of nature's greatest gifts.  I have been taking Melody Ross' online art class, Brave Girl Art School.  What fun we had the first two weeks making a profusion of "funky flowers".  Today I dived in,  creating a vase full of whimsical flowers.  This piece was done on an 11 x 14 canvas board, and will later become the cover of a journal.

Melody's class is so full of great ideas, and she is one of my favorite teachers.  Her energy is absolutely contagious, and her spirit so uplifting.  

The variety of projects and what each participant can do with the ideas is almost endless.  The class will be going on for several more weeks, so it's not too late to jump in, if you are so inclined.

One of my all-time favorite books is the delightful Winnie the Pooh.  This page from  A. A Milne made a smile come to my face.  Even on the most difficult days, we would all do well to have this sweet sentiment.  Make today your favorite day, too.

"Free-style" piece complete

After beginning my "free-style" embroidery sampler quite a while back... I have just finished it!  It has found a new home, hanging by a vintage hanger snagged off Etsy.  

New threads, old buttons, scrunched ribbons, and glitzy baubles all became a part of my hand-stitched collage. 

Several of my favorite artists have inspired me... Teresa McFayden... Pam Garrison... Charlotte Lyons... and Rebecca Sowers... I have gleaned pearls of "stitching wisdom" from each one, applying those wonderful techniques in my own humble creation.  

The next time I post, I hope to have some progress from BRAVE GIRLS ART SCHOOL.  I have an art table filled with dimensional flower parts... molding paste... hot glue gun... Whew.... more later...

Enjoy this peek of what's in store as we move into a favorite season... blessed autumn... Happy weekend...