Blame it on the Harvest Moon

....or all this new free time on my hands, but there are going to be some ch-ch-ch-ch-changes around here!  Not like, big life changes or anything, but more like Total Bedroom Makeover changes.  I guess the Total Garage Reorganization Project spurred me on.  That, and the knowledge that with Mr. Crafty World gone for a week, I could actually get the room painted without a lot of upheaval.  He doesn't like upheaval.
So, all other projects are currently put aside for the time being, as I plan my attack for Monday.  Curtains have to be made; walls have to be painted; pictures to be hung.  It's going to be a flowery, creamy, vintage-y retreat.

I'm going to use Sherwin Williams 'Creme' paint on the walls.  Do you know how agonizing it is to pick the "right" shade of cream?

I think my new curtains made from this full-blown floral cotton fabric will look just right with it.  I broke into a cold sweat and had buyers remorse before I even bought the fabric!  I have never bought so much fabric at one time in my life!  They sold it to me on the bolt!  I have to say though, I have always envied those I see walking out of the fabric store with a bolt of fabric.  I don't know why, but I just do.  So that was a simple, if superficial pleasure for me yesterday, to do the same thing.  I do like the fabric, maybe there is not enough pink in it for me after all, but it is a done deal now and really, the drapes will go with just about anything should I decide to use them elsewhere in another house.

A trip to Goodwill, "just for fun" yielded these two framed embroideries, which I think will fit in just perfectly.
As will this picture, which we "inherited" last year and I didn't know where to stick it because I didn't really like it because it seems so dark:

Now I think it will look good against the creamy walls and fabulously flowered curtains.
Wish me luck:  I will hopefully post pics next week.

Feeling Fall-ish

It's been a couple of grey days here.  The kind where everything seems grey; heck, I'm even wearing grey today.    Since I am almost finished the Garage Total Reorganization Project, I decided to take yesterday off and go thrifting.  It wasn't a banner day for it, but I did come home with this painting:

Normally I wouldn't go for something with so much orange in it, but I just fell in love with it, right there in Goodwill. The frame was dark brown until this morning, when I painted it a light gray.  I like it better this way: it doesn't hem the picture in so much and takes away that 70's feel.  For now it's living in my family room over the fireplace, but I'm not sure where its permanent home will be.

Last night I was exploring some new blogs, mostly about decorating, when I came across this site - Thrifty Decor Chick, and was inspired by this post.  I made a quick trip to the dollar store this morning for some leaves and foam-core, and now I have this on my front door:

I used maple leaves only, and I wanted them to be bright, to counteract the grey skies we get.  I'm happy with it.  It took longer than I thought it would, and I have an awful lot of hot glue burns on my fingers!  I can see that the berries need to go though.  Either that or add more.  It's funny how photographing something shows you things you didn't see "in real life".  

Have a great day!

Apple Inspiration

Saturday was such a beautiful day; all blue skies and sunshine and perfect for...

We headed out to Pine Farms Apple Orchard, right in the middle of the rolling hills of the Greenbelt.

This day we were after the crunchy and juicy Royal Gala apples, but we did our best to try and eat one of every variety available!

There were lots of apples ready to be picked.  I just loved roaming up and down the rows taking pictures of all the lovely fruit.

After collecting enough for the day, we headed to the shop:

...which I just love with the displays of pumpkins and cider and candy apples.  They also have a bakery and coffee shop inside which we have yet to try.  The only reason I wanted to go inside this day was to get this:

...apple blossom and wildflower honey.  It's the best honey I have ever tasted.  It isn't as sweet as the commercial stuff you buy in the stores and it really does have a light floral taste to it.  I almost can't wait for winter just to have a hot lemon and honey drink.

Coming home with all those apples really inspired me to bake something.  A quick stop at the grocery store for some puff pastry and a short while later we were enjoying these, fresh from the oven:

I used a mixture of Gala and Russets for the filling.  They were gone in a hurry!

Apple inspiration made its way to my sewing room, where I decided it would be nice to have some new, seasonal potholders.  I finished these this morning:

Have your best day ever.

Super Size Me

These super sized bags are my first ever sewing commission.  When I say big, I mean big!  This one measures two feet by three feet:

And this one measures two and a half by three and a half feet:

Each one took over three metres of fabric and more than a few pulled brain stitches I have to say!
So, what could you possibly use such large bags for?  They will be used for transporting art to art shows.  Kind of like a portfolio bag, but for finished works.  If you want to see what kind of art will be transported in these bags, take a look here.

My First Souffle

I'm pretty excited about this one!  I have a always been a bit intimidated by the idea of souffle.  I think if I had planned it too far in advance, I would have chickened out in the end.  Yesterday, while perusing one of my new cookbooks I saw a recipe for a cheese and herb souffle and suddenly had the courage to do it.  It turned out beautifully:

The recipe is from Laura Calders new cookbook, French Taste: Elegant Everyday Eating. 

Something else to get me excited in the kitchen are these:

The squash display at the grocery store was so pretty I could hardly contain myself.  I can't wait to try them out.  Just having them sitting on my counter makes me happy.

Now that the kids are back in school I have been Busy.  I am currently working on the Total Garage Organization Project.  I have not been able to park my car in the garage since February and I want to be able to before winter comes.  The way the weather has been, winter feels like it may just come a little earlier than expected.  My ultimate goal is to get both cars parked in the garage at the same time.  Funny thought, using your garage to store your cars.  So very un-North American where we value our junk more than our cars....

Have a great day!

Summer Reading Program and Beyond...

Every year I sign my kids up for the local library's Summer Reading Program.  It's a great way to keep them reading over the summer and insures regular library visits.  Little prizes for reading achievements are a bonus too!

Our Favourite Girl has her favorites:

Our Favourite Boy read a lot from these old school readers:

They combine bright, vintage pictures with the word count of grade one chapter books to keep both of us happy.

I ended up reading a lot this summer myself.  I read quite a few mysteries and historical novels, and branched out into new sections of the library.  

One of the best things about reading a lot is that you want to read more.  I don't want to stop just because summer is over and the library program has wrapped up.  I decided to reward myself with a lovely box full of books from Bookcloseouts.  Their prices are quite fantastic so I didn't break the bank with this:

I shall be enjoying myself over the next few months I think...

Flannel Memories

One thing I have never been able to get rid of are my kids receiving blankets.  I had always intended to try making a rag quilt out of them as a keepsake for me, and indeed if I'm lucky enough to become a Grammie someday those little babies can loll about on bits of blankies from their parents' infant days.
Hard to believe, but it has been about six years those bits of flannel fabric have been sitting about in a plastic bin.  I know that the longer something sits around un-used, the greater its chances of being sent out for good.
So last week the muse struck a very loud chord and in less than 24 hours I completed my first rag quilt:

I would say it's crib sized.  Or just right for the floor when having "tummy time".

I cut the squares out into 8x8 inch pieces, and the batting at 6x6 inches.  The cutting was the fiddliest part, but  all in all it wasn't too bad.  I think I enjoyed the whole process: the cutting; the layering; the quilting; the assembling and finally the cutting again.

I think the happy memories of the fabrics made the whole process so enjoyable.  I know there are much prettier flannels out there now, and certainly  much softer ones - after all, these have been washed more times than anything I own -but they remind me of my no-so-little ones from their sleepy, squeaky, wormy little infant days.  Precious times indeed.

Vacation

I've had a bit of a break as you can see.  After my Mum came to town and I baked this for My Favorite Girl;

...we took off for New Brunswick and stayed in places like this:

(Algonquin Hotel: St. Andrews, N.B.)

...and this:

 (Carriage House Inn:  Fredericton, N.B.)

We also ate lots of this in one form or another:

It was a fabulous girls only - no kids trip away that was so much fun I didn't want to come home!  Well, really I just could have used a few more days, but I did miss my family!

This last week has found me spending my nights in this:

...which is only in the backyard but the spirit of it all is still there and the kids are enjoying it immensely. I love how they just had to make the space "theirs" with some of their favorite things:

Perhaps they get it from me?