Current Projects:

• Dog Pillows project

• Dog Sweater for Cooper

Up Next Projects:

• Lygon Robe.  Pattern from Cashmerette Clubmerette.com/pages/club

• More knitting: Christmas balls by Arne and Carlos

• Finish unfinished quilts

Book review: How do I quilt it?  Modern Machine Quilting by Christa Watson

• Christa sent me this book.  I read it cover to cover - quickly, then later went back to it to really absorb the content.

• In the beginning of the book, she starts with the basics - tools, sewing machine, presser feet and sewing table.

  • Lshape table and Christa’s Quilt Blocks

• There is a section on fabric choices and batting

• Step by step on preparing the quilt, through the backing how to, her popular spray baste method

• Then the fun stuff - quilting the quilt

• Walking foot designs with clear diagrams on how to stitch the designs

• Stitch in the ditch - not normally covered in how to quilt books

• Similar to her previous book 99 quilt designs format, clear photo showing quilted design with diagrams showing the quilting path

• About 4 quilt patterns with step by step instructions and quilt design ideas.

• Final part of the book is on binding  - hand and machine binding

Checklist for Fall/Winter Decorating:

• Declutter and deep clean areas you normally skip…like nooks and keeping areas.  Clean Light fixtures and cabinet exteriors, windows. 

  • Put away summer stuff and bring out fall/winter things like cozy quilts, blankets, switch out decorative pillows (faux fur, cable knit pillows, etc.)

  • Check your spice rack for fall baking and cooking.

  • While doing these not so fun cleaning activities, simmer some fall aromatics like orange slices, cinnamon sticks and cloves on the stove top - or essential oils in the diffuser.  These warm and spicy fall scents helps lift your spirits and look forward to the fun family times ahead in holiday celebrations right around the corner.

• First week November. Plant Amaryllis bulbs - they take 4-6 weeks to bloom.

• Get any interior wall painting done,  14 days to wipe or wash, 30 days total curing time.

• Now the fun stuff:

  • Pull our the fall/winter decorations. I know some people do not like to decorate for fall just to take it all down in a few weeks to decorate for Christmas, Hannukah, and kwanza. However, you can put touches of fall that are easy to swap out when changing out decorations.  I have some plaid tweed fabric pumpkins that I leave out because they look wintery, and I mix winter decorations with them like pinecones in a bowl with the tweed pumpkins.

    • Other quick fall swap outs - candles, wreaths - pillows and throws.  Small wall hanging quilts etc.

  • Dining Table decorating and prep: 

    • Set the Thanksgiving table a day or two up to a week before.  It takes time that you will not have when guests start coming over and you are up to your ears in cooking, baking and entertaining.

      • As you know, satsuma oranges are a favorite table decoration of mine, but I like to change it up and this year, since I grew a bunch of beautiful small gourds (they are not that small Lol), those will go on the table with one standing up and one laying on its side flanking a centerpiece like a pumpkin filled with fresh flowers.  Note:  you can cut the top off of a funkin, put a floral vase full of water inside of it and then fill with the flowers.  0

      • This is of course a great place to show off your handmade table linens, whether you combine ready made tablecloths with handmade placemats and napkins - or just handmade napkins and pretty napkin rings - which can also be made from things from nature.  Hot glue or attach fall leaf, acorns or berry twig OR store bought hypericum berries and tie around napkins.  It all takes time - so think about it now. 

  • Use your cricut or cutting machine if you have one - make place cards, menus…get creative and have fun.  Kids love making things on the cricut machine.  Do batch sessions of cards, gift tags, cards etc.  You only have to pull out all of the stuff and make a mess one time.

  • Get a head start on Christmas decorating by putting  white lights on trees or fairy lights on branches in a large glass vase. These will transition easily to Christmas decorating around the corner.

• After Thanksgiving, switching out decorations will be quick and easy for December holidays.

• Sources for Decorating Inspiration:

  • The usual -  digital social media, IG, Tik Tok but don’t forget about good ol’fashioned shelter magazines like House Beautiful, Veranda, Southern Accents, Flower Magazine.  Also, retail catalogs like Williams Sonoma, Ballard Designs, Terrain, Frontgate, Balsam Hill.

  • Nashville Wraps:  online resource for bulk wrapping supplies - two sided wrapping paper rolls, ribbons, tissue.  Pick a color theme for all gifts to be wrapped. 

  • The Dollar Store is great for cheap gift wrapping supplies.

Summary for Fall/Winter Decorating Checklist:

Start now in early November to do fall deep cleaning and make a general checklist of what you need to do for Thanksgiving and December holidays.  Break down big jobs into small easy to complete tasks.  Enjoy your decorating and simmer some fall aromatic scents to create a cozy and festive environment.