October is definitely here as evidenced by the much cooler temperatures and the rainier days this past week. I've been a bit laid up with a cold so staying inside and nesting was perfect for me, though. My whole family visited last weekend and I'm sure I caught one of their colds. But, it was worth it--it's always fun to spend precious time with my sweet grandson. It's been a week since I got sick now and I'm almost feeling "normal" again. I just seem to get more tired after doing chores like laundry or cleaning. Anyway... I have nothing to complain about in light of all the horrific things going on in the world. It's all just so very sad...
I have a very cute fall finish to share with you today... As soon as I saw this chart, I ran to Etsy downloaded it, printed it off, and began stitching! This is called "Pumpkins" and is from a Polish designer. You can find the chart right here in her "Cross With Me" Etsy shop if you are interested. I used the suggested colors and stitched it on 40 ct. vintage country mocha Newcastle linen. I did have to outline the upper left pumpkin in a darker tan color as it just wasn't showing on the fabric.
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| Such a pretty fall piece |
I love the simple beauty of this piece and it will be nice to have it on display from September through November, don't you think? I had a barnwood-look frame in my stash that my daughter-in-law had given me and it was just perfect. A very simple finish, but I love it! The trio of pumpkins shown on the sides came from a local pumpkin farm that we visited with my grandson last weekend. He loved the tiny pumpkins the most and picked out four of his own to take home with him. And while at the farm, he insisted on pulling the big wagon (complete with his four mini pumpkins) all by himself. I wish I'd taken a photo of him, but I bet you can picture it! I'm sure his mom and dad will be buying a bigger pumpkin to carve for Halloween in a couple weeks, too. He is so excited and already has his costume--he's going trick-or-treating as "Chase" one of the Paw Patrol pups that are so popular with toddlers.
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| My finish of "Pumpkins" from the Cross With Me Etsy shop |
I am not a fan of the evening darkness that is creeping in, and I know it will get much worse when we change the clocks on November 5th... But, we've been having dinner by candlelight each evening to combat the darkness. I put together this cozy looking display for our kitchen table. (I already shared this photo on Instagram and one of the comments was that it "looks like autumn on a tray!" I love that!). The front piece of stitching is from an old Just Cross Stitch magazine (I'm not sure of the exact date, but think it was in 2006 or so). I stitched it "over one" on 28 ct. black Monaco way back in 2015. You can read more about my finish in this post. And the "Season of Plenty" piece in the back is by Little House Needleworks and was stitched way back in 2009--the year I began my blog! Have any of you been with me since that first year? It seems like such a long time ago... If you'd like to read about that LHN finish, check out this post. How about you, do you light candles for dinnertime in these darker months? What's in the center of your dining table?
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| Love having dinner by candlelight in the fall and winter |
Giveaway time... Today's offering is perfect for all of you cat lovers out there! Or for those of you who enjoy monthly designs. It is from an old Leisure Arts magazine (I'm sorry, I do not know which issue) and is called "Purr-fect" Holiday Wreath. A cute kitty is featured in twelve small monthly designs that you can make into little pillows or simply frame and change out the piece each month. Would any of you like to enter this giveaway? If so, please follow the guidelines below and I'll announce the winner in my next post. (Please note: The three pages are torn from a magazine and will be folded and mailed in a legal sized envelope to save money).
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| I'm having a giveaway for this chart of 12 monthly cat designs |
To be included in the drawing for the monthly kitty charts shown above, please...
1) Specifically mention that you would like to win it in your comment
2) Be a follower of Stitching Dreams (in my blog's sidebar on the right)
3)
Make
sure to leave your email address in your comment if I don't already have it
4)
Answer the "Getting to Know You" question below.
Getting to Know You... Since Halloween is nearing and that usually means spooky and scary stuff, today's question is: "What is one of the scariest things you have ever done or experienced?" For me, that's an easy one... It was the hike in the jungle that my family did when we visited Panama in 2018. Honestly, I thought we were going to die--I still get anxious just thinking about that trek. Looking back on the photos in the piece I posted about that horrible experience brings back all sorts of feelings--none of them good! If you are new to my blog and would like to read about my "hike from hell," check out this post. Now it's your turn--what is the scariest thing you have done or experienced? I'd love to get to know you better!
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I have some welcome news for our stitching community, too. Do you all remember the pretty patriotic finish I shared back in August called "Land of the Free?" Well, the designer of the chart, Willow Hill Samplings, has reopened her Etsy shop--you can find that chart again right here. Go check it out--there are so many cute designs available!
Blog commenting problems... and a possible solution? Recently I've had trouble commenting on certain blogs. Not all, maybe three or four of the ones listed in my sidebar. Interestingly, I've discovered that I have no trouble at all if I use a different browser. I normally use Firefox, but, for some reason, it refuses to let me comment on those few blogs. I've had others tell me that they've had trouble commenting on my blog as well. So, give another browser a try--I used Chrome the other day and had no trouble at all leaving a comment on those certain blogs!
It's SUCH a gloomy day here so I think I'll just post this and go sit and stitch the rest of the day away. Hope your second half of October is going well so far. Honestly, this year is just speeding by way too quickly for me! Thank you, each and every one, for visiting me today and for your kind comments and emails. I appreciate them ever so much! Bye for now...
28 comments:
I enjoyed reading your post while sitting here sipping a warm cup of cider and eating a few pumpkin flavored pizzelles. And, I agree, your display definitely is "autumn on a tray"!!! The pumpkin finish is so sweet and serene.
Sorry you've had a cold..it's definitely going around...but are feeling better now. Keep improving and enjoy your afternoon of stitching!
Hands down, my scariest experience was the death of my; first husband. But the Lord has brought me through that and to a happy place, once again.
Your stitching is always absolutely and without any doubt, really beautiful and so well-done. The arrangement for your dinner table, by candlelight!!!, is delightful! As you know, autumn at it's best in Florida is understated, but your pictures help me to celebrate it anyway!
I am so happy that cool temps are here haha. Finally no more sweating haha. I love the pumpkin piece and the adorable perfect finish. Just beautifully fall. We haven't gathered our pumpkins yet. Just been busy busy. We did spot a cute little farm vendor nearby we can get them from. I love your fall display. I have a strand of Halloween lights that I turn on to keep the dark away. Plus a scentsy candle.
Ohhh please enter me into the drawing. I'm definitely a dog person but with the barn cats here this is too cute. Hmm scariest thing. Honestly watching my son with his many surgeries is top of my list. I don't get scared too easily. But there are countless times I wish I could take his pain away.
Hugs. Enjoy the rest of your October.
Happy Tuesday, dear Carol. I am so sorry that you have caught a cold; I sure hope you start feeling 100% very soon. How exciting that you to visit with you family and your darling grandson. How fun to go pumpkin picking . I can just imagine him tugging on the wagon with his fabulous fall haul. Your newest cross stitch certainly will be bring back fond memories of that day. Hugs and Blessings.
Hi Carol, always a pleasure to read your posts.
Yes, fall has arrived but we still have warm temperatures. Your "Autumn on a tray" is lovely.
Sorry to read you have a cold. Get well soon!
My scariest experience was the sudden death of my husband. Already 8 years ago but I miss him deeply.
Have a lovely and happy time.
Oh before I forget, I read your blog since 2009!
Big hugs,
Gabi
Il vassoio d'autunno è meraviglioso. Da qualche giorno è arrivato il freddo anche qui ed è aumentata la voglia di stare in casa a ricamare. Il carretto di zucche è splendido!
Hallo Carol,
ein schöner Post.
Dein neuestes Finish sieht großartig aus. Einfach und sehr wirkungsvoll. Der Rahmen ist sehr gut gewählt.
Eine schöne Idee zum Abendbrot eine Kerze anzuzünden. Noch können wir abends im hellen Essen, aber in 2 Wochen ist es auch vorbei und es ist zu dieser Zeit dann dunkel.
Have a nice time, Manuela
Your Pumpkin finish is too cute, & perfect in that frame.
Love that display on your table, screams Fall!
I think the scariest thing for me was on Halloween night a few years ago.
My husband was at his brothers playing cards, & I was home alone watching Silence of the Lambs. To me, it was scary!
All of a sudden, the lights went out in our house.
It scared me so bad that I immediately ran outside!
I hope you are feeling better.
I have trouble with Firefox also, when I go to my insurance sight, It won't let me go any further until I change my password.
Well, I'm not willing to do that every time!
So, I also use Chrome for that now.....no problem.
Take care.
Marilyn
Good morning Carol. This is my first visit to your blog, and it has been a delight. Your latest finish makes me feel like fall and all of the best things about where I live.
My scariest experience was living through a major hurricane all alone in our small cottage on the ocean bank. I hope not to have that experience again.It would be fun to stitch up some cats, but I couldn't figure out how to follow your blog, an I don't follow instagram. Have a great day
Lynn
I love the nice colors in your pumpkins with the frame. So Autumn! I can't think of anything scary....
Hello my friend! Love the Pumpkin stitch. The colors are wonderful. I am enjoying the beautiful Fall colors here. Still nice cool temperatures during the days here.
Carol, your pumpkin piece is a beauty and the frame is perfect for it. Thank you for sharing the link to the Etsy shop where you got it. I enjoyed reading about Mr. B and his pumpkins. Your Autumn on a Tray looks fabulous. We don't burn candles here because of allergy issues. I hope you are feeling better and your energy level returns. One of the top scary things is being told my husband was gone when I called CICU. More word choice by someone who should have known better. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Dear Carol, I hope you are well and recovered from your cold.
I adored your fall embroidery and fell in love with the kitty graphics you give away, so please enter me into the giveaway.
My most terrifying experience was when one of my daughters got lost in the nursery school on her first day of class: when I picked her up she didn't appear throughout the school... in the end she was in the dining room having lunch but it was a terrible few minutes for me.
Kisses
L'automne s'installe tout doucement, les températures sont un peu plus fraîches aujourd'hui et nous avons eu de la pluie. La semaine passée on se croyait encore en été tant il faisait chaud, 27° (celsius).
Un joli choix que ce modèle avec les citrouilles, je vais aller vois sur Etsy ce créateur. La finition est parfaite, ce cadre était fait pour cette broderie.
Les enfants du village se préparent aussi pour Halloween, mais ce n'est pas une fête encore très populaire en France. Nous donneront des bonbons mais n'avons que peu de décorations. Un petit drapeau Halloween, et une citrouille en céramique ou nous mettons une petite bougie led.
J'aime beaucoup les dîners aux chandelles, cela donne une ambiance chaleureuse et romantique, nous le faisons parfois mais pas tous les jours car mon mari est réticent, j'ai failli mettre le feu il y a quelques années...
En France nous changeons d'heure le 29 octobre. La nuit arrivera plus vite... Je n'aime pas du tout...
Comme ils sont beaux ces modèles de chats ! Je participe, mais ne me comptez pas, les frais d'envoi pour la France sont trop onéreux.
La chose la plus effrayante que j'ai vécue, une agression par un homme.. J'ai eu de la chance d'avoir pu m'échapper à force de le taper avec mes mains et mes pieds. Mais il y a aussi les nuits cauchemardesques que mon géniteur nous a fait vivre à Maman et moi lorsque j'étais enfant...
Je vais aller également voir la boutique de Willow Hill Samplings.
Amitiés de France,
Christel
I would love to win the cat charts. My sweet cat of 16 years followed the rainbow bridge, to be with her sister, earlier this month. It has left me so sad.
I need something to cheer me up. The scariest thing I ever did was zip lining in the Costa Rican jungle. I got stuck and was suspended out over a very deep jungle ravine/canyon. It took over 35 minutes to get me back to the platform. After that I had to go the remaining distance to the end of the line. That entailed 4 more platforms before the final one! I’ll NEVER do that again! I wasn’t around at the beginning of your blog but have visited many of your old ones searching for info on your ornament finishes. It’s certainly feels like I’ve known you a very long time!
Your car with all the pumpkins is wonderful. It's perfect for October.
I actually like it when it gets darker, you light more candles and you cuddle up comfortably. Knitting in your hands, perfect. With a tea you can enjoy the evening.
Your autumnal tray is very nice, I really like it as a table decoration.
To your question, I don't think I've ever experienced anything really scary. At least I can't remember. I don't like it scary anyway, I prefer it to be nice and funny. We don't celebrate Halloween much here in town either.
Until the beginning of this week it was really nice for us, warm, sunny, now it's cloudy, wet and dark, really autumn-like. Luckily we have a great hobby.
I wish you nice October days,
Martina
Not sure when I started following your blog, but I do know that it was well before 2012. Your posts are so fun to read, and your stitching is inspiring!
Some friends and I hosted a small stitch retreat last Saturday, and we had some ladies join us. They had to drive an hour and a half, but I'm glad they felt it was worth it. The stitching community in my area is very small, so it was fun to meet new people who love a needle as well.
The pumpkin piece fits perfectly in that frame. Looks custom to me.
I know Little B brings so much fun even when he brings a cold. Once the boys started outside of the home care, the colds came. I just recently had one as well and it left me tired as well.
Hmmm. the scariest thing. That is going to have to take me back to high school. Near the local junior college in our town was a dirt road and at the end of the short road (thankfully it was short) there was an old plantation style home that had been abandoned. It came to be known as the haunted house. We had driven down it many times trying to scare each other but one night we truly got scared. Just before getting to the house a man popped out of the woods with a shotgun pointed at us. My friend, Bobby put his stick shift in reverse fast and probably set a record for that and the skill of a race car driver backing his little car down that dirt road. That was our last time! I still can see that image. We were completely terrified. Just crazy kids in a small town with nothing to do. How is that for crazy and scary?
Hope you are having a good week Carol.
Hello Carol: I am happy to hear you are feeling better, a cold does jap your energy because of the healing.
I bet the little guy looked adorable with his pumpkins and wagon.
Love this design it is a perfect finish with the wood frame.
I am not a fan of dark days or the cold weather, here in Minnesota it can get extremely cold and snowy as I bet it does in your neck of the woods.
We burn a candle at breakfast and sometimes at dinner, its so romantic.
Your table display is beautiful.
The scariest thing I have done was eat in the jungle in Mexico, it was dinner started with chopping up chickens on a dirty table soon after a truck drove up and had the best meal I have ever tasted, yes it was chicken dinner, the chicken they were chopping was for the guard dogs which scared the crap out of us, it was an amazing meal in the end.
Catherine
Love this piece! The subtle colors are beautiful. I can picture B pulling that wagon w/pumpkins. I’m so sorry about your experience in Panama. I wish it hadn’t been so horrible. 😔 I’ve had some scary experiences…I’ll just leave it at that. 😱
I just wanted to say that I always enjoy reading your blog, there are so few cross stitching blogs left and it’s a lovely oasis of calm and joy in this difficult world. X
Hi Carol,
Your finish is so cute! I enjoy your blog so much. I am sitting here drinking tea in our camper on our last camping trip of the season. My favorite time to camp is fall, the nights are cool and the days are nice. I have a pumpkin shaped basket at home with some fall flowers in it that I display on our di ing table every year. I will have to add a candle or two that will liven up the dark nights. I always use cloth tablecloths also, seasonal ones. 😊
I hope you are feeling better soon. At least you will get lots of stitching done! 😉
Enjoy your grandson, he is growing fast.
Happy Stitching!
Rebecca C.
How beautiful and warm your home must be in the autumn! I love your new wagon-full-of-pumpkins stitched piece! I'm thinking I need to add that to my stash! Thanks for the link. Your tray is also beautiful! I have a three tiered tray that I need to get busy and fill before autumn is gone!
Hi my lovely , I see another beautiful Autumn stitch.
I love the display to.
Sorry to hear you have a cold and hope you get better soon.
Here it is dark most of the day when raining ,I don't like these gloomy days .
We are still very busy so looking forward to some nice lazy days soon .
Enjoy your weekend hugs June.
I hope you have started to feel better Carol! It seems like the cold just enjoys going around from person to person and disrupting lives! You are right, all the things happening in the world are terrible and I wish there was a magis word I could say to stop all the ugliness. I don't really understand it all but most of the time it seems like it is for no reason beyond greediness.
What a cute finish! You did great on it. She has some cute charts there! Love your table display. Cute Kitty Cat chart too; good luck everyone. What great news - someone is opening a shop instead of closing one!
Off hand I can't think of anything scary but I am sure there is something out there I have done. I will have to think about it. I remember your post and yes that was a scary time for you!
That pumpkin stitch is adorable and is making me want to stitch pumpkins as well - good thing I am currently already working on one, even though it is very different from yours. You'll see soon!
Yes, days are definitely getting shorter, and we finally got some rain and cooler days as well. I am very much enjoying it currently, but am sure I'll get tired of the darkness soon enough. For now, we put on some candles at night which makes for a really nice mood, though.
Glad you got to spend some time with your grandson again, not glad you caught a cold! Hope you're feeling better, but I always seem to be having the sniffles at this time of year.
My scary thing is actually also a hike, but not as scary as yours! When my husband and I very visiting Yosemite in 2018, the trail we were following was flooded. Some people told us it was just a short section that was under water, and there as a kind of foot path that seemed to circumvent that secion, but either we went wrong somewhere or they didn't know what they were talking about, because the further we got the less of a path this was and we kind of ended up climbing through the brush on a steep hillside, just hoping we'd eventually get back to the trail (which we did). Knowing there were some wild animals around the park, including bears, that sure was a little scary!
Dear Carol,
such a beautiful new autumn stitchery, I really like it. Your autumn bowl with candle is also great, the arrangement creates a cozy atmosphere.
I wish you a happy autumn season and hope that your cold is over.
I can't get any further with two blogs using chrome, which is a shame.
Hugs, Jutta
Such a pretty fall piece Carol, love the simplicity of it in the wood frame too. I love your little fall vignette too - I haven’t been here since the beginning, but I think a good 8-10 years - it was one of your Christmas ornament posts that brought me over and I’ve been reading since then! I had a scary experience years ago while working at a GS camp in Germany. Someone was throwing bottles in the tents of the girls - very disturbing because we were in the middle of nowhere. We never found the culprit, but the police who came to look into it suspected one of the older girls. It was a very stressful weekend trying to calm them all down while I was scared myself. I’d still love to know who did it and why. I grew up a lot that summer due to that situation and learning to travel on my own in Europe.
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