Fancey Blackett's Brooms and Autumn Colors

 Fancey is making an appearance! I tried to start off twice with the upper left corner, and I was getting nowhere with that border. I started it with one strand on 32 count, and my eyes weren't having it.So I dyed another piece of 28 count, which I liked even better than the first, and started with that. STILL I wasn't having fun. I started using one strand, but it wasn't laying right, so I switched it up and started with Ms. Fancey herself and I'm using two strands over two on this 28 count. Success!

I'm hooked on all things Fancey Blackett. This is just what I need to take me in to the Halloween week and weekend. Sadly, we aren't having any big get togethers. Truth is, we haven't had a Halloween party for quite a few years now. But I am making some fun food and desserts for the holiday and I think we'll all have a little bit of fun next Saturday. 

The weather yesterday was abotu 83 degrees and today is 48! If you don't like the weather in VA, just wait a minute! 

My mom and I took a walk at the park, and had a nice lunch outside at Firebird's. I don't think she's been since the end of February, right after I had surgery. It was much needed!

The colors here are spectacular. I live all year just to see these colors of Autumn. 

Work was crazy busy last week. I feel like a mental health break is on the horizon for me. It's all getting to be a bit much. I try to keep as much normalcy during these times as I can, but boy oh boy, it's difficult. The kids and I haven't been to the movies in over a year. I think the last one we saw was Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Which, if you haven't seen it, go watch it NOW. Or at least watch it this week. I highly recommend! Anyways, life is just changed. And not for the better right now. But we're trying. That's all you can do.

That's about it for now. Not much happening. I hope to get a few pumpkins this week so we can at least do some carving. That tradition must stand, no matter what. I hope everyone is safe and well and making at least one or two plans for keeping the Halloween tradition this year. Let me know what you're up to!

Until next time,

Know Thyself is DONE! Fall musings and thoughts.

 Another finish on the books, finally! I powered through and completed this little Blackwood and Briar pattern, Know Thyself, in just a couple days this week. I'm very happy with it.

As I stitched this, I not only thought about whether or not I know myself, but also, if anyone really knows me? I think this is a universal question. Not that I have any deep dark secrets, but who really knows all your aspects? This will hang in my bedroom on my witchy wall, to remind me about taking my own inventory and coming to terms with all aspects of myself. 

I may start this Pineberry Lane pattern next. We'll see. I dyed the fabric last night and got it all ironed and serged up. I need my husband to help me put the Q-snaps together. I have a big basket with all the stuff in it, and I get overwhelmed trying to figure out the pieces for a project, lol. 

Now, I know the fabric might look similar to the first one I listed, but I assure you, it IS different! This one is a brown/marshmallow-y looking fabric. I didn't want anything too crazy, but something a bit more fun than just plain old brown linen. I'm hooked on dyeing fabric. This is a Zweigart 32 count linen that originally comes in white.

Oh Autumn. How I love thee.

Maybe we'll hit up our local pumpkin patch next week and see what's going on out there. These are the times that I miss having a little one around. We had so much fun taking our son to the pumpkin patch!

Just a few stash items since last time. I have sold a ton of stuff too, in one of my stash unload groups on facebook, but I always seem to find something to replace it with, lol.

I got that Cricket pattern simply for the little elf in the upper right hand corner. I mean, c'mon!

I have to stitch this little guy. Is he surprised? Is he not supposed to be playing with that toy? I mean, what is the story here??!! He or she just makes me smile. 

I hope you all are having a lovely Autumn so far. Our weather has just been fantastic. A day or two of rain every now and then, but my gosh, Fall in VA has been awesome. BUT, I keep getting reminded of October memories on facebook and all the Fridays we spent at King's Dominion Halloween Haunt, and it just kills me. I miss it so much. I miss all the fun things we did not get to do this year. Vacations, birthday parties, summer get-togethers, King's Dominion, etc. And we made the awful choice not to have our relatives over for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. Heartbreaking. BUT, I want them all around next year, you know?

Time to sign off and go figure out what to do for dinner! Have a wonderful weekend, and get lots of stitching in! Until next time,

Finally a Finish!

I finally finished that sweet little Pineberry Lane October 31 design into a little pouch! 

I used fabric glue to secure the binding, since hand sewing didn't go well at all. And I also used the glue to make the bias for the handle. It worked out pretty good. It sure isn't perfect, but it's done! I like this design so much I might have to stitch it again for a frame.

I added some more rows to my crochet dresser mat. I am loving it!

A smal stitchy update. I have only taken a few minutes here and there to work on it. 

 The weather here has been absolutely beautiful. I cannot overstate that! It is REALLY finally Autumn in VA. I want to be more present in my daily life this month and really drink in everything about the season. I want to try and meditate for 5 to 10 minutes every evening or during the day if I break from work. I plan to eat all the seasonal fruits I can. And I plan to stitch more, and try to relax more. With everything happening in this country, I need to step away from the news and turn on my Fall or Halloween playlist and just chill out. I need to take more photos too. I have slacked off from Project Life for the past couple/few years, and would like to get back in to it at some point. So much to think about and do. I should have plenty to keep me busy over the next few months, at least!

I hope you all find lots of little pleasures in life this month and find some ways to appreciate what we have and plan for the future, whether that is tomorrow, next week, next year or beyond. Take care of yourselves! Thank you for checking in on my blog. I really appreciate it. 

Until next time,