Abundant October

Welcome to October but if you are like me, you are wondering how the heck did we get here so quickly!!

Pumpkins, the leaves changing colours from green to gorgeous yellows, oranges and reds and of course,  Halloween, are reasons October is one of the most popular months of the year in our country.

One of the major pumpkin farms here has just harvested their pumpkins.  It's sad that so many of the mishapen ones (probably insects found them) are left behind in the fields.  But on the up side, this is a bonanza for the wildlife and crows.  Even after the winter, the Canada geese will be seen trolling the rows looking for leftover pumpkin bits.

When I wasn't in the sewing room I was in the garden this weekend.  Separated some of the clumps of hosta and rescued many plants that were completely overshadowed by their bigger neighbours.  It seems the spirea bushes especially like to run amok.

 Lots of brown eyed daisies were being lost from view as well as cone flowers and salvia.  I've moved them to more advantageous places but it will be next summer before I know if they will thrive in their new locations.

Both the dogs love it when I work in the fenced part of the back yard.  You can see the field of hostas here which thankfully, really is low maintenance.  I've had to pull a few weeds but that's about it.  There is lots of space for more plantings as you can see...in time.

I wanted you to know

A lovely October CAL is being hosted by Kathryn Senor at Crafternoon Treats.  It is called the Flower Power Autumn Blanket and there is no guess work in getting started with this project.  All the information, instructions and tutorials you could need are provided.  This uses chunky yarn and could make a king sized blanket.



 Kathryn generously offers her pattern as a free download on Ravelry HERE and you can purchase the wool pack consisting of 13  balls to complete this pretty blanket  HERE.  There is also a chart to follow if you want to use Stylecraft DK yarn instead of the suggested yarn.

Ontario Pears, another of my favourite fruits, are being harvested presently.
 A few treats for working hard in the garden...coconut date rolls, a favourite of Hubby's, pears and walnuts.  I've found keeping a bowl of walnuts on the counter has encouraged us both to eat more of them.
 But a word about the date rolls...s-w-e-e-t!! Which is exactly why youknowwho loves them.

Appliqueing One Dotty Pumpkin

dotty- adjective
        somewhat mad or eccentric

Perhaps I should have named my blog  The Dotty Sewist because I think that definition suits all too well.  

I decided I want to work on something small and fallish in the sewing room.
 What about a pumpkin for starters?  Fields full of ripening pumpkins are a common sight here and I love to see the splashes of bright orange appear amid all the leaves. There's something so cheering about a pile of pumpkins; it's no wonder it's such a common photo on calendars.

 And what could be simpler than drawing a pumpkin.  I wanted a nice fat one.
I decided I wanted a pumpkin in pieces that I could embroider the edges and hopefully, make it a little more interesting by doing so. Jenny of Elefantz uses that technique to great effect and you can follow that link to get instructions plus a free pattern to practice on which she generously provides.

The first pumpkin I drew was too large on the 10 inch square so I had to remake each piece much smaller there on the right. I actually used my scissors as I often find I can cut a shape better with scissors than drawing it out (I know, weird!).

I realized my iron is too big.  I need one of those swish tiny irons for ironing tiny folds.  I finally gave up this part of the process in frustration.  I didn't want to scar myself with the hot iron because I think that's where this was heading.

Oh oh...A big boo boo.
 These are freezer paper templates that I realized too late...well you know what I'm going to say.  I forgot to reverse the pattern.  Such a newbie mistake I couldn't believe it. When am I going to get my wits about me and stop making such simple errors. And after I'd cut up my nice new fabric. Yuck.
 So back to the scissors and more cutting, this time a large pumpkin shape. To the right is my one large pumpkin and I decided to cut it into the pieces ...then no chance of errors I figured.

 So far so good but I'm not holding my breath.

The stem really helps with the pumpkin look. You can see my fabric folds to help guide my positioning...I need all the help I can get.  I don't have a good eye for straight things (or backward things apparently).

Ironed down and everything looks to be in place and about right for the the size of the block.

I've just finished a little blanket stitch around each of the pieces.  I used one strand of embroidery floss in a variegated orange colour.  Second thoughts...it didn't pop enough; should have stuck with the regular old orange thread.

One Dotty Pumpkin - done!

Too bad I don't need another one now that I've worked it all out.  In the end I must admit I enjoyed doing this especially once I figured I was on the right track.

Any suggestions for a tiny iron?
Have you felt the need to sew a pumpkin lately?

On Line Stitching Purchases

Last weekend I did some on-line shopping.  Here's what I purchased-

The 32 count confederate gray linen for my next cross stitch project, Strawberry Fields Forever by Blackbird Designs.  With much trepidation I might add.  Can these old eyes of mine manage this low a thread count.  My Ott Lite is good but is it good enough.  These were my thoughts even as I was pressing the buttons that took me towards CheckOut and the final sale.

French General Petite prints

                                               

I ordered these one day and they arrived 4 days later.  I was so surprised to see the package sitting in our mail slot so soon.  Craftsy is good!

I've been eyeing these for quite some time.  Lovely little prints perfect for backgrounds or small applique.

A Hera marker like I've shown you before.

A Clover bias tape maker which is useful for making those lovely winding stems and tendrils when appliqueing.  Here is Londa demonstrating how it works.  Could I fool this up?

So with these purchases, I am getting 'kitted up' in the tool department.  Then it will be putting them to good use.

I have read granny square ponchos are very popular again.
 The idea of everything old is new again is interesting to me. In my second year of university I had crocheted myself a very long scarf made of granny squares...black and burgundy and lots of people commented on it.  But it was a time when many were sporting these type ponchos.  Sort of the tail end of the hippie thing.
Certainly is colourful and easy to make. This one is available to buy on ETSY.




A quick note about my crocheting.  I've not found my hexagons that I made before the move (remember them?).  I've found the left over wool and other bits of wool, but none of the finished pieces for that particular project.
But I'm not worried; I know they are tucked away somewhere to be revealed sometime when I'm on the hunt for something else.  That's the way I find most things!


I also got Hubby out for a lunch at a popular Indian food buffet restaurant here in Ottawa called the East India Company.




 It was so good.  The only odd thing was you have to pay for the Naan bread separately but it was so worth it.  They also offer a very nice chutney selection which we sampled.  The mango was delicious.




Love Indian food; how about you?

 That was last weekend.  Not sure yet what this weekend holds.

Whatever is in your weekend, hope it is good stuff.

I Made a Pumpkin Dump Cake

Since it is almost October and pumpkin season, I decided to make a pumpkin cake.

  I know Dump cake doesn't sound all that appetizing but really it just refers to how easy it is to make this particular cake.  Now this recipe does take a little more effort than just dumping everything into a pan.  You do have to whip some of the ingredients.  

There are many, many recipes for pumpkin dump cakes but the one I followed was offered by Karly on her Buns In My Oven blog so you can get her full instructions there.  This particular cake required a can of pumpkin puree, a yellow cake mix, 4 eggs, a can of evaporated milk, sugar and cinnamon.  

You can see the two layers in this photo...the crunchy layer and the bottom custardy layer.  Kitchen chemistry I suppose is why that happens.  They provided different taste sensations with my favourite being the crunchy part.

I decided to ice mine with a basic cream cheese frosting that worked well with the pumpkin/cinnamon flavour.

This recipe made a large cake...I worried the batter would be too much for the 9 x 13 pan but it worked perfectly.  The longer this cake sits the tastier it is.  

Needless to say, I've got one delighted hubby.  

4 Things I'm Loving This Week

MacIntosh Apples

 are being harvested locally.  Just love them as a part of a snack with a little cheese and cilantro (which proves I will eat cilantro with anything).

This book,

 the 2012 Giller Prize winner, 419 by Will Ferguson.

  Another book that has been on my list for awhile and finally I got my turn to read it.  I guess most people have heard of the scams where you are offered a share of a large sum of money in exchange for helping someone transfer it out of a foreign country.  These schemes are tagged 4-1-9 named after the former section of the Nigerian Criminal Code. This book takes you into the life of the person getting scammed in Canada and the people who are orchestrating it in Nigeria.   I am enjoying the scenes in Nigeria so much I'm skipping other sections and reading my way through Amina's story.  Wonderful descriptions.

Fresh eggs

 Son-in-law has had real success with his chickens laying.  They are averaging three eggs a day from the four chickens.  They have been adding fresh green vegetables to their diet which the chickens love, and this is turning their egg shells browner.

They must be happy chickens especially with such a good diet.

The Hydrangeas

How pink those hydrangeas are turning.  So pretty in the early evening light.  I think I am in love with them.

They are definitely going out in a rosy glory.

And this is not a thing per se but I'll add it anyway

More Time

This week is the first without obligations for me back at the old house.  I can concentrate all my efforts and energies on this house and my hobbies.  And hopefully get that little sewing room completely organized.  Looking forward to browsing this book and thinking of something autumy to do.  That cover piece certainly has all the glorious fall colours.  And I do love pumpkins.  

I'll be busy this morning reading some blogs and checking out autumn patterns.  Happy Monday!

I Wish...Newfoundland Thoughts

If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets.

                                                      Frank Herbert


I wish I was home again
Truthfully this is a sometimes wish.
I see photos of my grandparent's house and wish I lived there. All of my life, wherever I lived, I always said I was returning to Newfoundland when I retired.  Sometimes  people would bring up the weather or the lack of amenities, how much it cost to fly out of there or whatever.  My stock answer was always, you don't go home for the weather, you go because it's home.

  I know exactly how my life would be each and every day.  I know I would look at the ocean with the same appreciation for its beauty that I always felt and wrote about so ineptly as a student.
So it is a little ironic that here I am living four provinces away from Newfoundland. And enjoying it.
Here my views are mostly pastoral and there is such beauty in that too.

In my more naive days I used to believe Life Is What You Make It for the most part.  That was my motto when I lived in communities that were considered isolated.  Now sometimes I think I am a little too tired or too old to call up all that mind over matter stuff and just want life to run smoothly regardless of where I'm living.
 I'd like to hear only good news; my friends all having lovely grand babies, see photos of wonderful vacations or lovely birds at the feeders and every test result be a good one.  Wouldn't it be nice if when you turn a certain age, that's exactly how life could go.
Now there's a wish worth wishing for.

 Anyway, enough about that.

Last look at my FINISHED cross stitched Floral Bouquet.  Both of my grandmothers would have loved this.

Happy Belated Autumn Equinox!  Time has a way of slipping past doesn't it.

I know I love it too.  How about you?

Thrift Store Finds

As promised, I want to share a few charity Thrift store finds with you.  It seems I haven't had the time to stroll through any store lately, let alone take the time I need for searching second hand store shelves.  But last week I took most of one morning to do just that.

I do love transferware plates.  This one is Royal Stafford and a common design, Asiatic Pheasants.  But I liked the black and white and the middle size of it, bigger than a salad plate but not as big as a dinner plate.  Sometimes that is just the size you need.  It was still sporting a Winner's sale sticker saying $5.99 and I paid  $1.99.

A dozen quilting magazines and one quilting book that I'll show you in more detail sometime.  I can't wait for a chance to go through these and ogle the fabrics and projects.

A very pretty pink leather case. It did have a manufacturer's tag still attached and looked like it had never been used. I guess it could be used for makeup or pencils or whatever.  I love the feel of it, very soft.  I looked around because I thought it might be part of a set but couldn't find anything matching like a change purse.  I don't know yet what I'll use it for. I'm thinking it could be very handy for travelling.

And this item makes me wonder why would someone discard something so good.  I'll never understand how some of the things I see in thrift stores wind up there.

I know many people don't like to buy clothes that have been previously owned but sometimes I do, especially if it is an expensive brand name and something I've coveted as is the case with this....

An LL Bean Barn Coat in a mauve/ purple colour with brown corduroy collar and cuffs and the best part, it's an insulated coat so will be great for winter.  It looks brand new, certainly shows no sign of wear.  I looked on ebay and saw one just like mine selling for $42 US and I paid $14.98 so I am very happy with this find.  And it suits my log house! lol

When I checked out, the lady commented on both the little purse and the coat.  She explained that they don't get first dibs on anything coming in.  The rule is it has to be put on the shelf for one week and then if it isn't sold, they can buy it.  She said she was sure someone had their eye on my things. (But maybe she says that to all the customers.)

So I had a relaxing morning looking, took home a few bargains with sales helping a good cause and it all cost less than $25.