Pumpkins & Crafts

 Links to websites with lovely pumpkin

Flax & Twine Easy Pumpkin Crochet Kit

Three 7.5 to 2.5 inch pumpkins in the kit

Alice & Lois Marbled Indigo Pumpkins
An easy way to gorgeous up a faux pumpkin

Hurry Back on Etsy, Faux Rustic Wood Pumpkins
Love the rustic look!

Salt Dough Pumpkin Face
at Salty Pumpkin Crafts

     Selecting a favorite pumpkin to buy or to make can be daunting there are so many lovely design ideas out there. The marbled pumpkins are gorgeous. The Rustic wood pumpkins melt the heart. Crocheting pumpkins from a kit feels like an easy and relaxing project while watching television or listening to an audio book.

     Ah, The Pumpkin Hunt! 

Along country roads, grocery stores, garden centers,  you can make it into a yearly special excursion event.

The local Shaw's supermarket has huge boxes of good sized pumpkins for sale already. I like the small pie pumpkins because I can bake them. The larger pumpkins can be used for cooking as well. Roasted pumpkin seeds I have had no luck with. 

Browsing the many pumpkin crafts online, I've decided to use some scrap wood I have to make a flat twig style pumpkin to hang on the wall. Similar to the one at Thistlewood Farms website. Burlap ribbon from last year tied with jute twine will be the decoration. After Thanksgiving, I can add a spring of pine and pine cones for the holidays.

Not a sponsored post

Arranging Furniture Fun

Abstract Untitled

    The change of seasons means moving furniture to the winter arrangement.  Table space is premium for craft, sewing and art projects. This year there will be more surface area to use after I finish making a larger craft table.

The wood card table will be used for puzzles, and odd projects like a place to allow things to dry. 

During the furniture moving, there's also clearing out stuff. The tall trash can where I stored rolled up drawings, wallpaper and such is now a clothes hamper. A file cabinet is in the corner instead. More has moved here and there to organize, tidy up, declutter. I've also found small projects to add to the cold weather indoors project basket. 

The abstract is one such discovery rolled in a tube with other stuff. I recall it as being on gesso primed paper. To my surprise, it is on primed canvas without a stretcher.

Who know moving furniture could be so much fun.

I found a 1982 duck applique and stuffed decoy book with the pattern; a cross stitch door pull kit; wood  pieces for projects; tons of buttons; a knitting project; drawing paper; and more. 

So that's where that was!...ruled.

Day 259 of Week 37, September 2023

 

Creeping Smartweed (Persicaria longiseta)

The location of the random photograph is a mystery to me. Taken in 2014, I see a piece of blue braided strap, a chunk of red sandstone, and, a  dry leaf in the center that looks like a duck. The dark area is a deeper crack the red sandstone leans over.

Big landscapes leave out the small things we are closer to. The amount of feeling we have for the outdoors, the large and small views, I feel, doesn't differ widely. I believe our need to connect to Nature is one size fits it all.

Have a naturally wondrous weekend!

Sing to your dish towel

Read about ducks in your area

Write a poem about midnight

Browse photo editing software online

Learn how to make pineapple syrup

Draw blueberries

Study a map of New Hampshire

Give your favorite coffee mug a name

Happy Collect Rocks Day!

P.S.

Oh Wow!

I just realized my change to the default font on this blog to the Delius font works! I went into the HTML page, found the header where the font I chose is, and changed it to Delius. I realize it work because the comments are also in the Delius font.

Tis the Season to Shop Coffee Mugs

 

Bennington Potters Tankard Mug
Made in Vermont, quality and style for a crisp and robust morning

Crate and Barrel Lina blue stripe mug
Pretty round shape, wear a stripe tee and dream of summer sailing as the snow falls

Etsy, Woodland Forest Mug
A beautiful cozy and rustic design ready for a dash of cinnamon

Pottery Barn, Pumpkin Mugs set of 4
A lovely bright orange pumpkin favorite

Target, Wild and Free Mug
Colorful birds and fruit fun design

Sheepscot River Pottery, Maine Isle Barrel Mug
Made in Maine barrel mugs in various designs

Deneen Pottery, Love + Protect Your Parks, National Parks Series
Footed, green glazed and sturdy with a beautiful park design

Blanket Creek Pottery, Rustic red mug
Curved with wonderous shape, a mug for day dreaming

 

Walmart, Stoneware mugs
Set of 4 Rustic and colorful at a good price

⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕

Autumn craft fairs will probably be back this year. 

Check out your area for local potters. 

Set a budget, and write a gift list. 

Select a special coffee mug just for you and your daydreams

Not a sponsored post

Folklore & Forecasts

 

Wooly Bear Caterpillar 2014

According to folklore, the longer the brown band on the Wooly Bear caterpillar, the milder the winter. In 2014, the band was long, visible as he scurried stretched out across the driveway. 

North American Winter 2014~2015

Maybe the Wooly Bear isn't such a good weather predicter.

Old Farmer's Almanac

The Old Farmer's Almanac and the National Weather Service,  have better weather forecasts.

National Weather Service, Winter Outlook 2023 ~ 2024

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

This fall consider being on the look out for signs of what the 2023 ~ 2024 winter will be here in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, fluff up those sweaters and dust out those boots.

Autumn is only  9 days away.

Out my window here in Vermont today, it looks like summer with rain from a dull overcast sky. Out and about, I will wear shoes and a rain jacket instead of sandals and a sweater. Thankfully, today is a very light on errands.

There are some days, like last Saturday, when I was out all day hunting down things. Overall, doing errands can be very tedious when there are many stops or long distances between them.

In winter, that changes. I bundle up both clothing and errands wise to reduce my time out in the cold. I have begun stocking up on just in case food, planning meals for leftovers and freezing, flashlight batteries, reading list, and projects. A positive about winter is that being outdoors can't be ruined by too much snow like summer is ruined with too much rain. 

Earth needs the snow, not to excess, but enough to replenish water supplies, and give plants that need a cold spell for growth, like apples do.

Instead of being grumpy about cold and snow, enjoy watching Nature on the go this winter.

🌟

Today, I got Wordle in 2!

😂😁💖

 I do feel humble and sparkly.

Creating & Holiday Preparations

Handmade Holiday Stockings

Cleaning out sewing drawers to organize winter projects, I found a bunch of pretty fabrics folded up. To my surprise, they are holiday stockings I forgot I started to make using sturdy upholstery and draperies' fabrics. 

As families age, gift  giving can be difficult on the budget. The gift basket style in a handmade stocking is easy and fun.

I take the discovery as a sign to get busy design my holiday greeting cards. I go for the rustic Nature outdoor minimalist vibe. Whatever I create, I'm sure it will require hot glue and lots of cutting paper. A card that can be an ornament is interesting. 

Have you started your holiday cards?

There is often a stage with designing where I over do it, and have to take it back to the practical. The scale of a design as well as the project has to be  enjoyable. This year I decided on a vintage Christmas card theme for decor. Down to 2 small artificial trees, I can make small cards to fit them using magazine cut outs. 

Before the trees go up, there's faux foliage and pumpkins to dig out of the closet.

Wet Laundry Brain, Mums & Asters

 

Wet Laundry

The frequent rain this summer has my new ideas leaning sympathetically into a wet laundry brain. The ability to brainstorm is on the move eastward out to sea.

I frequently put down on blank notebook paper random subjects to write about, explore, ponder. With a whiff of autumn in the air, new ideas should easily flow. They are not.

An area of study is up front, though, Science. What about science I have yet to discover why it is on my mind. Thus, I've decided to re-read a favorite book by Hans C. Von Baeyer, Rainbows, Snowflakes and Quarks: Physics and the World Around Us, 1984, that I first read well over 20 years ago.

Books I re-read provide a unique experience to explore where my mind has been. Like visiting an old friend, they will give me a life on refresh moment.

Are there books you want to re-read?

$7.99 Mums

On another note

Does anyone remember when mums were on sale 3 for $12.00?

In this area they are now $5.97 to $8.99 for the 5 or 6 inch pot.

This year I bought asters to add a warm hue to the garden. The color is actually a dark rich purple with little red tint. Think crayon purple.

Happy Swap Ideas Day!

Dramatic Skies

Gust Front of a thunderstorm system
7 September 2023, looking southwest
Vergennes, Vermont

 A massive amount of thunderstorms passed 

through New England on Thursday afternoon and evening.

Thunderstorm approaching 3 PM EDT
7 September 2023, looking west
Note the down drafts at the bottom
Vergennes, Vermont

Thunderstorms Northwest View

Day 251, Week 36 of September 2023

 Times are changing for this blogger.

Presently, the Apple learning curve is providing me with an episode of frustration. There is no back arrow. When in a page, I am stuck in that page. I don’t know how I managed to get unstuck. 

Barely using the new iPhone*, I am reminded never to allow a device to take flight by my hand. 😌😳😇

In Blogger when typing, the edit bar is not available. Ugh. 

Oh, tap Done and the edit bar reappears. 😎

I will be blogging more often from my AIO PC. It is always an adjustment using a new system. My first impression of Apple, (ahem), is there is too much hand holding as in doing things for me as in too much control that is not user friendly. Over time, I am sure my opinion will change to favor iphone over Android.

Have a lovely weekend!

Draw a tall tree

Bake an acorn squash

Browse maple leaf mugs online

Sing joyfully

Read an E.A. Poe story

Create a kitchen creature

Study air quality in your region

Plan your holiday card designs

* P.S.

An iphone neighbor was helpful.

I now can find the home page.

P.P.S.

iphone 13 come with a charger cable,

but no adapter!  

Reflection Monday September 2023

 Bubble Living

The barrier, I believe, that you create to maintain your personal environment 

in a state of disconnect from the World around you.

~~~~~~~~~~

Common sense 

Sound and prudent judgment based 

on a simple perception of the situation or facts

Merriam-Webster

Perspective

It is all around us mentally.

Reflect on where you are

as the source 

of sunlight.

Starting the Month Ouch Right

Handmade composition viewer
from a cracker box

Preparing for photograph excursions this fall, I want to make my own composition viewers. On YouTube I found a lovely tutorials. 

So there I was chomping on whole wheat Carr's crackers when I decide to cut up the box and make a composition viewer.

The small viewer is covered in blue painter's tape to give it stability. I'll make one with a larger opening, and one that is adjustable.

~~~~~~~

The last week of August was slow with a few nice weather days. Not summery, but when the sun is out, I feel grateful.

Fall in the air sends my thoughts to a garden project where I plan to put in a nice autumn scene with mums, corn stalks, and pumpkin cut outs in wood and painted.

The short of the story, looking for a jigsaw, I found my old sander on the cupboard top shelf. 

Wrangling it to the edge, I had it right towards my waiting hands when the wire tiered basket (2+ feet tall) on the shelf next to it decides to also tumble. I saw it. I knew where it was going. I just didn't have hands, time, or fast enough reaction to get out of the way or stop it from landing across my forehead above my eye. 

You know what I have now?

An eye sore.*

😬

laughing

*No bruising or wound though, just sore. 

Correction, light blue bump, 

Small ice bag slides off when watching YouTube.

 

I Google head injuries to refresh what I already know.

Head injuries can impact the retina. Years ago that happened,

flashing lights in my peripheral vision. Doctor back then said not detached, but be careful, and go to doctor if it happens again. This accident wasn't that bad, thankfully.