From the Cross Stitch Archives - Pumpkin

"Jack-O-Lantern Sampler"

Designer - Curtis Boehringer

Chart - Jack-O-Lantern Sampler

Fabric - 32 count Raw Belfast linen

Started - 19 August 1997

Completed - 1 September 1997

From the Cross Stitch Archvies - Ghost & Pumpkin

"Boo to You"

Designer - Sisters & Best Friends

Chart - Boo to You

Fabric - 11" x 10" 30 count Butternut Linen

Started - 1 October 2005

Finished - 5 December 2005

As always with a Sisters & Best Friends design, the use of color is outstanding!

From the Cross Stitching Archives - Pumpkin

"Pumpkin"

Designer - Fanci That

Chart - Pumpkin (#101)

Fabric - 10" x 10" 36 count Edinborough Sand

Began -1 October 2002

Completed - Halloween 2002

From the Cross Stitch Archives - Pumpkins

"Yikes"

Designer - Bent Creek

Chart - Yikes

Fabric - 11" x 9" Champagne linen

Started - 2 December 1998

Completed - 10 December 1998

Winston the Snowman - Progress

Snow in the mountain passes this morning, so that must make stitching a snowman seasonal, right?

From the Cross Stitch Archives - Pumpkins

Patterned Pumpkin
Designer -The Cricket Collection

Chart - Seasonings (#100)

Fabric - 16 count Zweigart Sand Aida

Began - 14 September 1997

Finished - 15 October 1997

Super colors - this is a stunner!

From the Cross Stitch Archives - Pumpkins

"Plaid Pumpkin"

Designer - For My Boys

Chart - Pumpkins Three for Thee

Fabric - 11" x 11" 32 count Vintage Linen

Began - 13 September 2004

Finished - 26 September 2004

Awesome colors - all three designs are worthy of stitching!

24th of October @ Clos du Bois

A bright, sunny, if cool autumn afternoon.  Time for a walk! The wind blew and the leaves swirled down from the blue, blue sky.

If I could not see, I'd still know it was late October - it smells like autumn!

Wild Dogwood

Oak Tree

Interesting berries

Leaves and lichens

Ash Tree

Moss and fungi

Mushroom

Oak Leaves

This is the Day - Progress Report

I am making good progress and very much enjoying stitching this sampler.

The sentiment is something that this year I've attempted consciously to speak aloud or meditate on for a quiet moment as I begin each day.

Winston the Snowman - Kitted Up

Kitted up "Winston the Snowman"

This is an older chart by The Trilogy.

Just Jack - A Finish

"Just Jack"

Tucked it in a small pillow for a quick seasonal display!

Just Jack

I've kitted up and begun stitching "Just Jack" by Ewe & Eye & Friends. 

This is a small seasonal piece.  I'm using a remnant of a rustic 24-26 count fabric from my stash - no idea what it is called.

Ready for Halloween

Wecome sign on front porch

Pumpkin by the Fire Place

Gel - Sticks on my Bedroom Window

Adding to the Stash

Today was "Indulge Myself Day" and I placed a couple of orders with Cross Stitch Stores.  I've purchased "Christmas at Hawk's Run Hollow" - the chart and the 40 count fabric...will I ever stitch it?  You'd think with the financial investment that I've made...I should... I will!

Also bought "Joyeux Noel" my Blackbird Designs for lots of seasonal ideas!

October Color

Maple tree - glorious this year!

A Sunny October Day

One last sunny, warm day today.

So I took advantage and worked outside in the morning.

I emptied out all my unused flower pots.

I potted up my pansies and violas.

I planted a couple of ornamental kale.

I think the finished product looks quite cheery!

Herbert - A Finish

I'm most please with this snowguy.  He is a cutie.

Love his sweater and scarf.

This is the Day - Update

By their very nature, borders are usually rather boring to stitch.

In this case, however, I've found stitching the border to be a soothing and affirming exercise.

The colors used are glorious! 

Herbert - Progress

I stitched a bit Sunday evening and Monday afternoon.

I think he is going to be a real cutie!

Planting Hope

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I thought there was no better way to honor that than to buy the most hopeful, cheeriest flowers I know -

violas, johnny-jump-ups, and pansies.  They begin to bloom as the rest of the garden dies in late autumn.  They continue to bloom in the depths of winter.    

And how does anyone chose just one variety?

I am partial to blues and violets.

And continuing my theme of hopefulness...I planted daffodils - Minnow and Quail.  Also muscari and a species tulip.  Time and patience will be rewarded next spring.  Gardeners are, always, I think eternal optimists...looking forward to things not yet visable.  

Cold Tonight So a Busy Day

Weather warning for a hard frost tonight.  That jump-started me!

Time for the fall clean up.  So I worked from 11:00am until 4:00pm and managed to get most everything done that needed to be done.

Carted over three dozen or more plants to the garage to be over-wintered...salvias and fuchsias mostly.  I cut back perennials and hardy fuchsias.

Above you can see an example of my "red neck" gardening style. 

This Henry Weinhard's beer display is just the ticket to over-wintering sedums, hens and chicks, and the like.  I have four shelves and it holds plethora of plants.  I have it on the south side of the house well under the eves.  The plants should do well there.  

   

Above is my original sedum, agave, hens and chicks, etc display rack.  All tidied up and ready for winter.

I am tired and sore - signs of a good day's work!

Farmers' Market - October

Signs of the season.

A brisky, sunny day at the Market.

Cabbages

Pumpkins

Tomatoes...maybe...not sure

Dahlias

Tomatoes

Figs

All signs of the season!

This is the Day

After churning out several "small" projects, I decided it was time to have a "big" project kitted up and ready to go.

I've chosen "This is the Day" by La-D-Da.  

Am stitching on 36 count "Heritage" linen by Picture This Plus and using the Needlepoint Silks as charted. 

Bernard - A Finish

Colors are very festive - especially the WDW Collards and Lancaster Red used in the hat and scarf. 

Bernard

Heart in Hand

32 count Dirty Belfast linen

Herbert - A Start

"Herbert" is a companion piece to "Bernard" - also by Heart in Hand.

I have "Herbert" all kitted up ready to begin.

Bernard

I began stitching this on Sunday evening.  Think it will be a couple of more days before it is completed.