Fabric Flower Friday

First I couldn't resist taking this picture.  The leaves are beautiful now.  But if you look on the ground you know we will soon "pay" for that beauty by raking... well leaf blowing actually.

A while ago I found this book on making Kanzashi flowers. To tell you the truth I don't even remember where I got it.  But I just love the look of the flowers and so...obviously had to have it.

I found this Kanzashi  flower maker somewhere.  No stickers on the package so not sure.  I have had them for a while and only just now decided to use.  You don't need the little makers if you have the book.  They show you how to do it without it.  But I always seem to need the "gadget."

Below you see the fabric, the maker and the package.  Also the first two petals.

I did finally get the petals all done and joined together.  This is the back side, I glued them to this plain button.  I plan on attaching a pin back to the flat surface of the button.

 And here is the front.  I used a fancy button for the center.  I simply used my glue gun because I didn't have anyother heavy duty available when I decided to finish these.

So I did make one and I probably will eventually make more.  But I have to tell you, with my very arthritic thumbs it was very show going.  I hope the way without the little maker will be easier.  We shall have to wait and see about that.

And below here are some of the other little "kits" Clover makes... they may be available at JoAnn's I think. Or google them.  Clover also has yo-yo makers.  Lots of fun

Don't know if I will be back next week or not.  Have some family plans that may preclude that.  But check just in case.  Do however join me for Tea Cup Tuesday.  It is always fun.

Fall begins on Tea CupTuesday

       Fall has always been my favorite season because of the colors and the temperatures.  Even when I lived in Maine, and it meant winter wasn't far away, I loved it.  There is just something so invigorating about the cooler temperatures and the beautiful colors.  The fall colors in Maine will always be a very fond memory.  We don't see them so bright here in Pennsylvania, mostly, I suppose because we don't have sugar maples.  But there are still some really nice color and it has started.

     This morning we heard a knocking sound way up in one of out trees and finally found the source, it was a    Pileated Woodpecker. I have seen him a few times before but they are rather shy. And he was WAY up in the trees.  I did get a picture, not as good as I would have liked but I did get one. 

 Here is a link for you to check out that will show it a lot better.  ( The Pileated Woodpecker.....)
 They are huge!  I imagine they were the inspiration for Woody Woodpecker because they have the big red comblike hair do... not like the woodpeckers you see more often.
     So that got my day started off well.....................

For my tea cup tuesday offering I went into my shop to see what I could find that would look like the seaason.   I found this one from out in my shop.  And I decided it might look good with the Ironstone Casserole I found there too. 

 The cup and saucer were made by Bell China.  From what I can learn, Bell China was part of, or an 

offshoot of   Shore & Coggins Limited.   

     

This mark was used from 1936 until 1966.

The little brown Ironstone casserole which includes a spoon  that I have pictured is made by T R. Boote

Brown and white transferware ironstone
is marked Tournay, T & R Boote
and is marked with a registry number, 33645
which dates it about 1885.

 

After you visit my post today be sure to check out  these other tea posts.

http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

or http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com

  ALSO: Rose Chintz Cottage

AND, check back on Friday.  I will be doing the second in a  "series of posts" about making fabric flowers.  

Fall is my favorite time of year.

 
Fall Graphics

Autumn is my favorite time of year.  I enjoy the cooler days, and certainly the colors of fall.  The hot and very wet summer was getting LONG and it is time to cool off.  The rain can slow down anytime too!!  After all the flooding in our area I feel like we have had enough for a while.

  Yesterday my husband and I went to our favorite farmers and flea market,  in Leesport, PA.  I took loads of pictures as usual but today I want to just share pictures of all the produce and flowers and decor I saw there.... helping to get into the full spirit of the season.

Besides being my favorite time of year, it is my favorite time at the farmers market.  All the produce, flowers and decorations just inspire me.

 

Local farmers bring an abundance of produce at this time of year.  And while I not that fond of the turnips shown above, most everything else really gets me salivating.  I can't buy enough and I can't wait to get home and start cooking.

One farmer has an interesting way of spelling garlic, don't know if it a Pennsylvania version or he was just being funny.

Pumpkins of course were everywhere, some to cook, some to decorate with, what ever your desire.  They had them in different colors, sizes and decorated or not.  Add to them the squash and gourds and you have wonderful display.

Can't wait to go back again.  If the weather behaves we may be there next week.

Fall is Best Time Of Year (Six Word Saturday)

 

Fall is Best Time Of Year

I love the fall.  I love the fall's colorful leaves. I love the cooler days. 

I always seem to feel revitalized at this time of year.

Here is a view across the road from my house.  You can see a bit of "sea smoke"  above the river.  And you can see the colors changing.

 
And here is the dogwood tree in my side yard with its lovely red leaves.

 And finally, here is the "toadstool village" that appears every fall, on top of the roots of a crab apple tree we cut down a few years ago.

golden leaves are falling

It is particularly lovely outside when you get to spend time enjoying the fall leaves. Ours seem to fall in the yellow category, but an occasional red or orange mixed in. Not quite the variety of color there was in Maine but still lovely.

And our "burning bush" is in full color now.

But alas, all good things must come to an end........ and now it is time to rake.....

Here in our town you get to rake your leaves to the curb and the town comes by and literally vacuums them up in a very noisy but effective truck.

I noticed our neighbors little one was enjoying jumping in the piles of leaves before they were raked to the curb. I remember when our kids were little and liked to do the same thing.

A Toadstool Village and fall scenes

We have had a lot of rain off and on the past couple of weeks and apparently toadstools like that kind of weather. Here is a "village" of them near an old tree stump. I read that they often show up on top of dead tree roots.

They are nasty and poisonous but aren't they cute.

We are getting a bit more color in the yard. The dogwood tree is in full color though other trees around it are not yet.

My garden shed is looking very fall like. However, I need to get out there and do some clean up.

Too Early...

FALL COLORS Are Beginning


I know I promised a trip to the beach but changed my mind when I saw the tree across the road that was ALREADY changing color..... Too early I think......



















But some fall colors are really welcome..... Here are a couple of pictures of the Rudbekia (Black Eyed Susan) in my yard. They seem to thrive in the place they are located in my garden. They are just outside my kitchen window which is even better.


































I found this nifty "Rusty Rooster" to put amidst the Rudbekia. My daughter took a picture of this a few years ago and printed out a sign for the eating area of my kitchen since it over looks this scene. I always wanted a Name for that area.... sort of like a cafe.


WELL, hope you enjoyed the pictures. Will try to do the beach tomorrow.