Painted Pumpkin Faces

We're getting to the stage around here where some of the local growth is turning brown and dried-up looking. But it's still quite beautiful.

Every year I paint pumpkins for my dear mother-in-law. This has been going on for quite some time now. You'd think she'd be sick of these, but no, she loves them and enjoys using them to decorate her doorway. Pretty sure her neighbors get a kick out of them too.

Simple project: use a Sharpie pen to outline your design. Eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth.

Fill in with acrylic paints. Use basic colors or not-so-basic. It's your pumpkin, be creative! 

Important: don't forget the white accents. Apply these after the first layer of paint is completely dry. The white highlights really make these cuties come alive. Have fun!

A Bit of Progress

I whipped up this simple project, using two fat quarters. Right sides together, stitch along sides leaving space to turn right side out. Press and topstitch close to edge. I placed it on a side table, but it would make a cute basket liner too.

I think those are bittersweet blossoms.

My mom embroidered these squares and I finally got them sewn together with sashing. 

Still need to add one, or maybe two, borders. 

Then I will machine quilt along the sashings. After that, I plan to hand-quilt around the motifs themselves. Or, I should say my mom and I will quilt them, having our own little quilting bee. She sounded a little hesitant, since she's never hand-quilted before, but we'll manage just fine. And end up with a precious heirloom as a result.  I'll keep you posted!

In the meantime, enjoy your week!

Fall is in the air

A dilemma. Fresh air through the open windows (and I do mean "country fresh") or closed windows and stuffy house but minus those certain scents that go with country living.

Easy! Open windows! It's worth it, really, this time of year.

This year's pumpkin count: 57

Pumpkins just glow with fun. No matter what their age, kids LOVE pumpkins. We enjoy this time of year and having family and friends come out to pick out their own special pumpkin. 

Some choose a big pumpkin and some like little ones.

 Milkweed pods fully open, spreading their seeds on the wind. Yay butterflies!

I hope you find a pumpkin that makes you smile as you celebrate fall in your corner of the world.