Unexpected Time to Create

I had some unexpected time to create this week, my oldest boy was home sick. When he would rest I would go to my work table and tie up loose ends. One project that almost didn't make it this year were these pretty velvet pumpkins. By the time I set out to order my kit from Olive Juice they were sold out. My friend Valerie did happen to get one so being the BFF that she is she shared with me. The pattern was just as I'd thought so I went to Britex Fabrics in SF and bought some of the most gorgeous velvet I've ever seen. The green one is my favorite, it's green/pink depending on how the light catches the little wrinkles. I suppose I can get away with enjoying them through Thanksgiving before they're packed up for next year.

Last night I was prepping some canvases for some personal projects and during the process I decided to mark the wood border on the front and stitch in the open canvas space. It's a teeny bit hard to hand stitch through canvas but I loved the effect. I'm not too far on this piece yet, or maybe I'm done...I can't decide...



Here is a closer up view...{I need something for the pocket}...



My Wendy Addison letters spelling out "Thankful" arrived this week and I had a chance to string them on to some ribbon to hang. I decorate for the holidays but in simple, small ways.



I love it when I'm at the store and lo and behold there are multiple new Somersets available...



OK I don't know how you're going to feel about him but the 80's girl in me had to have this rainbow painted turkey. I know, don't even say it... The Man was staring at it last night when I walked by and I finally said, "What's the matter?". He looked confused and said, "Where did that come from???". I just laughed and walked off figuring my work there was done, I brought the unexpected home yet again :)

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Calling All Gypsies

I just finished a mini book celebrating all things gypsy. I'll be teaching this class on the 21st so come join me if you're in the area!

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Flea Market Review #27 {or so}

Today was the most beautiful day at the flea market. The sun was out and there was almost no wind. It was quite a miscellaneous day. Let me tell you what I got...

I was keeping em peeled for a long skinny old frame. I'll show you why later this week...



I'm in the process of making a 36x60 inspiration board and found this little convex frame to fill up to hang on it...



If somebody's selling metal spools I'm buyin...



Another teeny file cabinet, it looks white but it's a nice cream color...



THIS was a find for $2. It's an old book made of linen and before you ask, oh yes, we will be sewing some of the images to our aprons...



Some huge paper dolls with all the goods...



And some vintage ornaments for my pink tree that will go up after I clear the Thanksgiving dishes, lol...



It was a great day. I'm off to start painting the frame a cream color.

Enjoy your Sunday!

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Scalloped Potatoes with Pimento Cheese & Ham

Today after we got home from the pumpkin patch and carved our pumpkins I made one of our favorite fall dishes. It's scalloped potatoes with pimento cheese & ham.

I like to use this dandy kitchen tool {really for coring and peeling apples} to cut my potatoes into big cork screws.



Here is the {informal} recipe:

15 sliced potatoes {I use yukon golds}
1 {9oz} jar of roasted red peppers
4 tsp sugar
1 {16oz} brick of grated sharp cheddar
1 pint of heavy whipping cream
1 large yellow onion {I use a vidalia}
1 lb maple ham
Milk

Layer sliced potatoes, onion and ham in a 9x13 pan. Melt cheese into heavy whipping cream on low heat and add diced roasted red peppers and sugar. Pour melted mixture over potatoes. Add a splash of milk around the perimeter of pan and a bit on top. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. If you try it let me know how your family liked it!

Yes, we waited until the final hour to get our pumpkins today. You can tell in our picture below that there were just a few left here and there. We gave 5 way less than perfect pumpkins a good home today!



Flea markets tomorrow, I better turn in early if I'm going to be on my way at 5:30am!

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An Unlikely Duo

I know, it's two kid posts back to back and I usually don't blog about them but I couldn't resist posting this picture of my 3 & 4 year old. We had a scout meeting tonight for my older boy and they got to go too. You can imagine the faces of all of the disappointed scouts when they gave best costume to Snow White. The wig had me cracking up all night, it's such a change from her long dirty blondness.

Mom, if you're reading this you now know exactly what you'd look like if you dressed up as Snow for Halloween! {For those of you who don't know, my daughter is the spitting image of my Mother and resembles me in no way, shape or form}.

Enjoy you're spooky weekend. I'll be back to give my flea market review on Sunday.

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Look What I Found...

I was going through Halloween pictures this weekend and found this one of my 4 year old, Tannon, when he was 18 months. This has to be my favorite of all the Halloween costumes my kids have worn through the years.

Poor thing, he had two nosebleeds last night. When you're little a nosebleed in the middle of the night usually automatically enters you in a drawing for one to win a spot between Mom & Dad for the rest of the night. I was walking him back to bed after the first one and I led him towards my bedroom door. At the last minute he turned to me and said...wait for it..."No Thanks Mom", and went to his own room. I just stood there for a minute and it hit me. It was the moment he began to not need me. So I did what any sentimental Mother would do...I climbed in with him :)

Enjoy today!

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Feeling Fallish

I've been wanting a wreath for the front door that can do double duty for Halloween & Thanksgiving. I picked this one up today, it's simple and pretty...



My boys were under the weather this morning so I kept them home from church. I made two tiny quickie projects while they watched TV in bed. I have to remind myself to pull out some cute stuff every now and again so I can make mini books for their holiday adventures. This first one is for the pumkin patch...



And this little nursery rhyme book is for Grace to carry around in her purse with pictures of her and each family member. There's a nursery rhyme theme on the underside of each tag and a place for a photo on the front of each tag.



I spent the rest of the day continuing to organize and I'm about done! Everything has a place now and I love that.

Stop back in later this week. I'm going to start a November project called, "The Chapters of My Life". It's a auto-biography of sorts. It will start with how my parents met, on to my birth and childhood all the way to now and a little beyond. I have my supplies gathered and I'm ready to begin. I will post pictures as I work. This will be a "meaningful" class next month that will be four hours in length. Join me for a look backwards :)

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

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