BOO!

Besides sewing for my business, I have done a couple of other big projects during the month of October.

I really haven't done any Halloween decorating since my boys were growing up. I love Autumn, Fall and Thanksgiving decorations. and I usually just  do those. But, this year I saw a couple of patterns that inspired me to maybe do my entry bench and shelf with a touch of Halloween. This is one one of the patterns. It is a large bench pillow and since I have done the spring one, you can see here, I already had the gigantic pillow form made for it. 

I had all the fabrics I needed in my stash, except the background white with black polka dot.

I did it all hand applique with blanket stitch, then hand and machine quilting and binding like a quilt

so it took me a long time, but I finished it in time to take a picture for today. lol Well I'll have it next year so  I can do my little entry way corner in what I will call "soft" Halloween.

My new sidelights next to my door let in light and I love that, but it kinda spoiled my photo op this morning.

This is the end of the pillow you can't see in the other picture. It's also my granddaughter, Drew's birthday date, so that is one of the reasons I liked this pillow design. Another is the cute candy corn flowers with vintage black button centers.

I also found this cute pattern on Facebook and really wanted to make it this year for my corner. It is small and perfect for the wall behind my bench. You can find a link for this and the pillow pattern on my Facebook.

The fabrics used for that cute little quilt above are from Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill. I found some at my local fabric store, Cherry Berry Quilts, and some I got from Shabby Fabrics on line. It is a sweet little collection, not scary Halloween and the bottom orange is more a tangerine, I can use with other combinations.

I didn't get this one made, but am all set for next year. That's the way us quilters do things sometimes.

Since I mentioned my granddaughter Drew above, thought I would show you her picture from her very first formal a couple of weeks ago. Happy 17th Birthday Drew.

While I am on the subject of  birthdays, yesterday was my middle son's birthday. Happy Birthday Eric.

I won't say his age, because it would hint at how really old I am. This was taken a couple of years ago.

One more sewing project finished this month. Worked on yo-yos for this for longer than I want to admit, but this was for my cousin. I should do a tutorial on yo yo quilts. It really turned out a lot nicer than some I've seen. I learned a lot.

Last, but certainly not least. I posted this on facebook, but wanted to put it here too.

The view from my porch yesterday afternoon.

Until next time...

                                               

Birthday Season and More

Counting mine, we have 7 fall birthdays in our family. It seems we are celebrating every week...which is fine with me.

Today is my baby boy's birthday. Brandon is the youngest of my three boys.

He's sick today so we aren't celebrating until Friday night, but just thought I would celebrate him here a little

He's Dad to 6 of my 10 grand kids.

He teaches and coaches at the high school right across the street from our new home.

He also coaches his son in baseball and foot ball.

Brandon and Jack after Monday night football playoff game.

They lost, but Jack is quarterback and threw a touchdown pass. We were all so excited, even Dad was jumping up and down. He's 8 and this is his first year, following in his dad's footsteps who was quarterback too.

Drew turned 15 two weeks ago.

As for the "more" part of this post, just thought I should let you know, I am still sewing. This is my handwork project. A yo yo quilt I am making for my cousin. It takes a lot of yo-yo's  and this will someday be a small throw for her couch. I've been working on it for 2 years. Next Christmas for sure, Judy.

Today, I packed up and mailed 19 vests to Four Tiny Cousins. Thanks to my friend Suzanne, they were finished in time. My beloved Bernina quit on me Monday night, and she let me come down to Strawberry Patches and make 64 buttonholes on one of her beautiful "new" Berninas. Thanks Suzanne. 

Emmy Lou...not her birthday til spring, but I just had to end my post with that smile. I said, "Emmy, I love your uh....bun? She said, "Oh Mamaw, it's not a bun its a Minnie bow."  Big sister Drew had styled her "bow" for her. Isn't that the cutest thing...the hairstyle and the smile?

Birthdays and Halloween Fun

October 31st. brings double fun for our family.

We get to celebrate the birthday of our number 3 grandchild, Drew, who turned 14 today.

She is a joy to all who know her. She's smart, beautiful and loves life and her family.

We are so proud of the young lady she has become.

Our middle son Eric's birthday is October 30, so growing up we always had a Halloween birthday for him too.

Before we took off for our church Harvest Festival we had birthday dinner and cheesecake and I got a few pictures of the kids. My two in Tehachapi weren't with us, but I got a good one of the others.

(Although a little blurry)

Kobi  as Dorothy and Cade, the rather "injured" baseball player.

Camy, one of the 4 who went as girls from the 50's with there poodle skirts.

Cade and Jack our "real" baseball players went as baseball players.

They remind me so much of their daddys when they were that age.

After the birthday celebration, we were off to our church Harvest Festival where these four twirled and posed in their skirts.

There was a little face painting going on...isn't that just the cutest face?

Mr. SS and I were privileged to get to pose with the winners of the best homemade costumes for their age groups.

Of course to me...they are all winners.

God is Good!!

Life is Good!!

Another Birthday, You Say??

My oldest granddaughter turned 15 today. I drove up to Tehachapi, (the small mountain town where we raised our boys. Our oldest son still lives there with his family) to spend some time with her and her Mom's side of the family as they had dinner and celebrated her birthday. She is my oldest son's daughter.

Yes, we sure have a lot of fall birthdays...and one to go!

Madi just got home from cheering for a volleyball game.

Her other grandma and I made her pose for a birthday picture.

Her Dad fixed a big Taco Salad which was her birthday dinner request.

Madi blew out her candles.

It is tradition on her Mom's side of the family to take a bite out of your cake. Then someone comes up from behind and pushes your face in it. Madi has learned from past years and positioned herself where no one could come from behind. She still didn't take her eyes off the culprits though (mainly her Dad and her Papa)

(Sorry for the red eyes, Madi)

She got lots of girlie presents, but in my book, this zebra striped and hot pink luggage from her other granparents,  takes the prize for the perfect 15 yr old girl present.

Happy Birhday Madi.

You are  such a sweet, loving  girl. Your Mamaw is proud to call you my granddaughter. I'm so blessed to have you in my life.



Birthday Month

In our immediate family, we have more birthdays in October than any other month.

I've already shared with you that the 10th was my birthday.

October 30th is my middle son's birthday and

October 31st is my younger son's daughter's birthday.

I'll start with mine. Warning... this post is picture crazy, but it will be worth it. You'll see..

We were out of town for my birthday, but the following weekend, my sweet friend, Gail hosted a party for me and our friend Sandi, whose birthday is two days after mine. Our group of 7 has celebrated our birthdays together for more years than I can count.

Gail had a special cake made for us.

These cute little napkins just fit our group that night.

You can click on any picture to enlarge.

My fellow birthday girl, Sandi and me.

Our "Hostess with the Mostest", Gail. Her shirt with the spiderweb complete with spider fit the occasion.

Six of our seven. Cindy we missed you.

From left to right...Me, Ruth, Linda, Sally, Sandi and Gail.

 Love these paper lanterns.

 As is the custom at Gail's house, the table was decorated in style.

 A little closer look and maybe you can see the backside of a rat.

Pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors.

My place at the table. The bowl has a chocolate covered Oreo that went home with me for Mr. SS's sweet tooth.

Under each bowl was a different Skeleton plate.

 Even the iron handled flatware and woven place mats fit the theme of the occasion.

After a tour of Gail's beautifully displayed decorations, we finally sat down to enjoy our dinner.

 Sally brought the most wonderful salad

Gail and Ruth collaborated on the soup. It is called 2X4 soup. I will share the easy recipe one of these days.

Doesn't it look like a black cauldron full of witches brew?

Linda brought Ciabatta rolls with lots of garlic butter. Yum!!

Now, I will take you on a tour of some of the decorations. Believe me when I tell you. This was by no means all...I just got a few photos.

 This pumpkin, cut from a book really caught my eye.

Thanks, Gail for making this birthday girl feel special.

I haven't decorated for Halloween since my kids were growing up and since I didn't even get to decorate for fall this year, I really enjoyed the fun Halloween decorations.

Today I had my son Eric and his family over for a late lunch for his birthday.  When he was growing up, his favorite birthday dinner was Tacos, and Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting, so that's what I fixed today. We had the family that lives in my front yard (my younger son, his wife and 6 kids) come join us. The weather was so beautiful that we enjoyed our meal outside.

We are so proud of the men all our sons have become. They know the Lord, are great husbands and fathers, and they have a great work ethic that came from their Dad.  But, I must say, Eric had the farthest to come. He had problems from early on. I won't go into them and have my theories as to why he was the way he was.  ( I could write a book.) He rebelled in high school as many kids do and I kept a tight reign on him for which he hated me at times and let me know it.  But he came around after he was married and had kids and  we respect him so much for all he has become. (As we do all our sons, but it's his birthday today) He has let me know over and over that he is glad NOW that I "ruined" his high school days and understands why. Whew!!

Anyway, tomorrow is birthday # 3. Drew Ann will be 12 and I will let you know how that goes without the hundreds of pictures (well, maybe) and without the book (well, maybe).

I have a few posts in mind for this week, so you may just see a new one every day. When Mr. SS is working out of town, I tend to stay at the computer till all hours.

God is Good!!

Life is Good!!