If fall won't come to me...

I am always very, very anxious to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.  Obviously, our heat gets old after several months of 100 plus degrees, but I just love all things about this season.  I can't wait to uncover the patio wicker and enjoy my morning coffee outside.  I like putting out a few decorations, and spent some time today doing just that.  So, even though the calendar and weather tell me that fall is still around the corner, I'm jumping the gun.  Here's a few photos:

 

I bought this wall cabinet years ago in MN, and it's one of my favorite places to dress up for the holidays.

 

 

If you've visited my blog in the past, much of this will be old news.  I pretty much stick with the same old stuff that I like.  I get a kick out of all the glittery pumpkins in odd colors, they are fun to look at in the stores, but not for me.  Each year I find myself simplifying, which means more natural things like gourds and bittersweet. 

 

 

A simple little display like this is more my style.

 

 

 I have been experimenting a little with moving some samplers around.  I know someone will be curious about the large one in the center.  It is an antique.  Ellen Strick was her name, and she stitched her sampler in 1849 when she was 9.  It will be reproduced at some point.

 

 

Last year I finally got around to finishing Halloween Queen from Notforgotten Farm.  I just love her!  This year, I found the black and white checked pumpkin at Home Goods.  I'd like to make some velvet ones just like it.  Maybe next year...

 

 

This is a new design that will be ready to ship later in the week.  It's called Button Eyed Cat.  I used 40ct. Cedar Plank from Lakeside, and Tomato, Raven, Oatmeal, and Gold Leaf sampler threads from The Gentle Art.  The orange border is rice stitched over four, but can be done in cross.  I wanted buttons for the eyes, but they are also charted to look like buttons if you'd rather stitch them.  For the fob, I used black rick rack, and sewed a button on the back for a simple finish.