Appled Dappled

Henry and I got to spend some time together the other day. Just us and 80 some odd other kindergartners, their parents, and teachers.

We got to pick an apple right off the tree.

We toured the packing shed and got to cool off in the refrigerator (the temp was over 85!) before we filled our bags with more apple varieties then I knew existed.



We took a hay ride to a pumpkin patch and selected our own to bring home.

Enjoyed the beautiful view.

I love Virginia's mountains indeed but I have to say ... Henry was the apple of my eye that day.

Well I'll Be ...

A crocheted pocket book carrying fool ...

I finished it ... and just in time for the fall.

Can I have a high five?

I ended up making a completely different purse than the original one I had intended. Here are all the details:

• The original pattern is from Knit or Crochet Have it Your Way but you can get it for free here.


• I used Cotton Ease by Lion Brand - terracotta


• I followed this tutorial by Future Girl to do the lining for the bag. I didn't care for how my version was going so I searched the Internet and found FG's. It's amazingly clear and easy - after a few stitches I was on a roll ... and it actually looks decent.


• I used some fabric from my stash for the lining - Amy Butler's French Wall Paper.


• I also used this knot for the first time upon Future Girl's urging. Again - awesome.


• I turned the bag so the cables were vertical instead of horizontal (like the original pattern) and sewed the seams together with yarn (I turned the bag inside out to sew the seams).


• I thread the yarn about two inches below the top of the bag and went all the way around until I ended up where I began. I then pulled both tails to make a slight gather and tied the heck out of it. I sewed the tails in to the bag to hide them.


• Lastly, I sewed the handles on using the cables as my gauge for placement (placing them in between each cable). I didn't want the bag to sag so I attached the handles on the inside about 2 inches down.

I hope that all makes sense. It's funny how the final destination sometimes ends up being off the map. ;-) Who needs instructions when you can make up you own!

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like ...

The purse it was intended to be ...

Remember crafting catastrophe number two? Well it looks like we might have recovery ...

Mum's The Word

It's been a little quite around here lately ...

I hope to remedy that soon.

Here's to fall, the changing leaves and mums growing in the yard ... and to unmumming (it's my blog, I can make up words if I want to) my sewing slump. Ahhh ... I'm feeling better already.

Monkey Business

Hopefully these little ladies arrived at their destination today ... well, at their first stop at least. Their final place of residence will be in the arms of some dear children who have endured more than their share of heartache and pain in their little lives. These monkey's are for Craft Hope project number 4 - a burn camp for little ones in California.

- - - -

I had grandeur ideas of crocheting this adorable hat but the first attempt went down similar to the other hat I recently made. Due to time restraints (IE: I procrastinated) I opted for the badge only. This way the wee ones can take it off their monkey and wear it themselves if they so choose.

- - - -

I love when I get to monkey around and it's guilt free and for a good cause.

One Pretty Thing

OK.
I have a confession to make.
I've found ~another~ blog I am in love with.
It deserves it's own post unto itself.
It's on the list.
Are you ready?
Now don't blame me if you find that she posts something every.day.that.you.must.make.
Consider yourself warned.
Well ... what are you waiting for?
Me?
Oh yeah.
One Pretty Thing
You will see more than one pretty thing ... trust me.

Stuck On You

This is how I found John and his beloved Pooh after "nap time".

He had taken up these stickers and I thought nothing of it.

Little rascal.

You know what sweet little John?

I'm stuck on you too.

Stop

and pick the honeysuckle ...

then taste it's yummy sweetness ...

touch the 'pricklies' ...

notice the flowers among the weeds ...

capture the moment even if it's not picture perfect with your phone's camera ...

and most importantly ...

stop to smell the roses.

Racing To Rest

We all know that kindergarten ain't what it used to be ... half day, nap time, play, play, play. No, know its all reading, writing, and arithmetic. Thankfully they haven't cut out snack and recess! In place of nap time they have 'rest time'. I'm not even sure for how long but the children were required to bring in a beach towel to lie on. After a quick peek in the closet I realized that we had none that were suitable (I don't think they would like a Vegas craps table or an adult beverage advertisement making an appearance despite the fact that they can't read ... yet).


Off to the store we went ... and then off to the craft room I went. You know I can't send him in with just a green towel.

Before I sewed the race car fabric onto the towel I ironed on a light weight interfacing and embroidered Henry's name.

I think we should be more like kindergarteners; instead of racing to the finish line, we should take time to rest. This world would be a much happier place indeed. Maybe we all could still learn something from kindergarden ...

Ketchup

This is going to be one of those post where I ketchup ... you know catch up. It's going to be bit like Heinz 57. So hang on to your hot dogs and hamburgers; the Labor Day picnic ain't over quite yet!

Wash Cloth Swap

I participated in a little mini swap with Mary Grace and Joy.

For Mary Grace

From Mary Grace visit here.

For Joy

From Joy

There were actually 2 wash cloths but one is currently in use ;-)

Blogs I Like To Read

I knew it would happen. I would inadvertently leave someone off the list. When I switched from bloglines to Google Reader I would find blogs here and there that I forgot to add. Here are a few that have since been added (go on and stop by and say hi!):

Where The Wild Things Are

Over Yonder

Philigry

Paper Dolls For Boys

Turn the page ... Tuesday

Make sure you check out this month's post; there are some links to some good reviews. I've decided to follow a theme for October - a youth/young adult type book. Go ahead, you know you want to revisit your junior high english class reading requirements ;-)

Sewing

I wish I was ... today was John's first day of preschool and I was so busy playing ketchup to sew. I'll get there again ... hopefully in this century!

Crochet

I washed my hat. It helped but the brim is still a little too floppy. I might try and make another ... we'll see. First I need to ... you know what's coming ... ketchup!

UFO's

• Unidentified Frozen Objects in my freezer: 7
• Plan of Action: Toss, scrape, and Clorox
• Mission: Accomplished.

• UnFinished Objects all over my house: I can't count that high
• Plan of Action: Stick head in sand and make believe they aren't there. Begin at least three more projects.
• Mission: Accomplished.

• Unflattering Floppy Object: 1

• Plan of Action: Solicit advise from blog land ...

To All (lurkers and commenters alike):

This darling little hat spoke to me (ok not really but you know what I mean) and I had to make it. She looks so cute. The hat is so cute. Mine looks like a UFO. I used cotton yarn so I was thinking I could soak it in some warm water to tighten it up ... what do you think ladies? Is that a good idea or am I just out to lunch in my flying saucer?

• Mission to be accomplished ...

Hope you all have a great weekend - I'm sure I'll be on the phone with NASA after reports are filed about UFO's spotted in my area ...

To The Tower Young Man

To read books ...

and cuddle while reading books ...

and look cute ...

Maybe you don't have a tower to read, cuddle and, look cute in but I hope the sun is shining where you are!

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

I have been on a book reading frenzy these days. I think I have the TTPT covered well into 2010. ;-) September's book is Billie Letts The Honk and Holler Opening Soon. This is the second book of Letts I've read (Shoot The Moon was the other); she has a way of helping this east coast old school Virginia gal understand and relate to her characters whom are nothing like anyone I've ever met. Letts does an outstanding job of making them real. We all have experienced a range of emotions and disappointments in our lives whether it relates to us ourselves or to what some one else has inflicted upon us - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

In searching for a decent picture of the books cover, I stumbled upon a review by Kirkus reviews:

"A sunny look at the dark side, as a poster group--a Vietnam vet, an Asian immigrant, a Native American, and an African-American widow--serendipitously find happiness at an Oklahoma diner."

I think that sums it up quite well. I hope you are intrigued and will add this to your must read list. I have been thinking of doing another theme month ... maybe a children's/youth book; something you read in middle school or high school like A Separate Peace or Huckleberry Finn for example ... Jannza inspired me with her last TTPT post. What do you think?

Let me know if you participate - I'll add your link below!

Paula

Jannza