SHABBY CHIC PUMPKINS

Lately I have been viewing all the different types of pumpkins many bloggers have been sewing.  There have been so many fantastic styles:  bright fall colors and shades of orange, country style plaids, glitzy - sparkly ones, black and white themed ones, some made from sweaters, woodland ones, natural looking ones, Victorian fufu lace ones and everything else in between!  

I decided I wanted some vintage looking ones but in white shabby chic soft colors to match my kitchen buffet.  I used white burlap (like the pillows I made before) which I sewed the crochet pieces over with an underlining of an old sheet I cut up.  (another wards 3 layers on each section piece)

This is a good way to use up those crochet tablecloths with the holes in them as you just cut up small pieces and a tablecloth goes a long way toward lots of projects!!!  At the top - I used pieces of this and that and after making the first one (not shown) I decided to keep the seams on the outside of the pumpkin.  The first one I made I had them inside and didn't like it.

Here is the last smaller one I finished this morning. It has a tiny peach rosebud lace hanky at the top and I am using it on the dining room table.

What ever your style - there are some pumpkins waiting for you in your sewing area!!!   The only supply I purchased for mine was the polyfill.  This is also a fun way to use up old crochet doilies, linens, hankies, etc that Grandmother made and really aren't doing much good in the drawer somewhere!

"OWL" INVITE YOU FOR TEA

Last week we got as much rain in one week as we usually get in a year.  Wet - wet - wet was the best description I could give.  Yesterday it was 58 degrees out and damp and drizzling most of the day.  I am sure you have heard or seen on television about the flooding in our state.  I am so glad we have had no personal issues.  I hope I can get back out doors sometime soon for another Tea In The Garden setting after all this raining stops but for now

look who came for a visit in our yard:

 

  I saw him first through the kitchen window and thought "OWL BE...it's an owl for tea"! 

I have a little tea set up in the front living room area and some delicious pumpkin raisin

cookies.

 I know this is silly!  He's the biggest bird I've 

ever had come to my bird feeder.  Actually - I think he was looking for something other than bird seed - maybe someone furry to eat and wouldn't you know - squirrels aren't the brightest little critters.

Come sit here by the window!

We will be drinking a nice cup of hot Yorkshire Gold Tea!   Would you like a Pumpkin Cookie?  I have the recipe RIGHT HERE if you like!  I always freeze some of these for later and I have some to share with friends. My bittersweet and pine cone tea set you have seen before.

A big fat Owl flew down for tea

His head turned all around.

A Squirrel watched him fearlessly

But stayed down on the ground.

"Could I have a spot of tea"

The wise Owl said to him.

"Why sure" the Squirrel whispered back

Trying to pretend....

You see, the Owl might we wiser

But this Squirrel's not so dumb - 

For if Owl gets any closer

This Squirrel's gonna RUN! 

Bernideen

Lovely hot tea is perfect for this cooler weather.  We have been using our furnace now at night.  I went through all my tea to check the dates on the tins and did have to toss some.  Old spices and old teas need to go!  

SEPTEMBER FRUITS OF THE HARVEST TEA IN THE GARDEN

Don't you love it when fall comes and fruit and vegetable stands are loaded with their produce?  Today we have a weather change - it will only be in the 60's and this means a big drop in temperature!  September is here and soon the leaves will be changing.  

As you can see, the Queen Anne's Lace is going to seed. It doesn't look very nice

but I am hoping to have plenty of seeded

plants again.

I've been pulling out my fall cookbooks and files and making baking plans.  Doesn't an Apple Pound Cake sound wonderful or some Fall Harvest Muffins.  We love the smell of wonderful things baking in the kitchen........ah........and so do you!

I have set up a little tea time quickly as we

 are also expecting some rain today too.
It is quite overcast but we can still
take a few moments for a cup of tea
and nibble on a blueberry muffin.

Summer has come and gone in a flash -
so gather your flowers before the fall blast
Turn on your oven and pull out some tea
Fall colors scream "welcome - come see"!
Bernideen

SEPTEMBER BOUQUET

Summer is winding down but we still have plenty of 

Queen Anne's Lace, Asters and a little of this and that.

FALL DECOR GOING MORE "SHABBY CHIC"

This fall I wondered how our new shabby chic painted items would blend with the colors of fall and some colorful past fall decor.  I decided to tone things down a bit and got rid of some orange items.  I spray painted some things white too!  

Since last year, I found a few more Johnson Brother's plates in the pattern "Windsor Ware" now bringing my total to ten.  I love that it has a pink rose on it too - must have been a PRE-shabby chic thought!   We still haven't gotten the dining room table painted though.

Of special concern was my light pink buffet in the kitchen but I am ok with some faux orange bittersweet here.  Those of you who have this growing somewhere nearby are so fortunate - I love the sweet smell.

A little window setting for fall:

If I were planning to live here indefinitely - this mantle and brick would be so vintage white - but we will be retiring in Missouri near our son and daughter in law and 2 grandkids so we are leaving it as is!  The same for our kitchen cabinets -  we are leaving them in there oak finish.  Hubby recently restained them all.

Our nights are already so much cooler - I hope we have a long fall and don't just leap head first into winter here!   Have you started decorating for fall yet?

LAST OF THE QUEEN ANNE'S LACE for "Tea In The Garden"

Nights are getting cooler and cooler bringing with them the soon change in the leaves.  This week marks the first week of September and change is in the air.  We have had some more rain - welcomed and wonderful but did not cause any flooding problems.

  Time for some Tea In The Garden and time to enjoy THE LAST OF THE QUEEN ANNE'S LACE.

Welcome to my backyard garden - this plant above is called Silver Artemesia.  I love it

for floral arrangements.

I am going to miss this garden soon

as fall moves in and then snow.

As you can see, I have set up a little table with a cup and saucer for each of us and since I am taking the photos - 

you can sit in the chair!