First Snow & New Mittens

We had a lovely first snow this morning. It is all melted off this afternoon but it was so pretty coming down, landing on the branches of this hemlock in the yard. It was just gorgeous! And speaking of gorgeous, check out these new mittens that my mom knit up for me. :-) She is such an accomplished knitter, a whiz. I got the pattern (from Spilly Jane Knits), the yarn from Knitpicks and Mom knit them up for me. I am in love with them, clapping my hands delightedly. I was out in the yard in sweats early this morning just so I could enjoy them in the first snow. :-)

We had everyone over for dinner yesterday--so great! But, it was a joy to snuggle up on the couch today and do nothing after juggling turkey, potatoes and side dishes. I have watched James Bond movies, one right after another, and worked on the Alan Dart gingerbread house that is part of the pattern that came with the gnomes from the last post.

Gnomes are Done!!

Here they are!! Yeah!!
For the last week or so both gnomes have been done except for the faces. I always find faces so hard to do. I had black-headed pins poked into the heads to show where I wanted to put the eyes, but I hesitated. Maybe beads would look good for eyes? I just couldn't decide...but finally I grabbed my needle-felting needles and made little wool eyes for each gnome.

Straying from the pattern I added some decorations to the bottom of the girl gnome's apron and changed the colors of the hair and beard.

The yarn I used was the palette yarn from KnitPicks (fingering weight). The facial yarn color wasn't perfect, a little dark or something but it works OK, I think.

The pumpkins are made by none other than Meg--her own pattern. :-)

Halloween Countdown in Felt

Step right in........

Our Emmy saw the countdown calendar for Halloween in a Pottery Barn catalog and wanted it so badly for this year. Halloween is one of her very favorite holidays. I asked her why she didn't make one of her own and with the artful spirit I love about my girls she set to. She even parted with some of her allowance to purchase orange felt. She designed the house, pockets, windows, etc. and I helped with some last minute sewing, ghost & number-making, along with rod-pocket and stick-cutting.

Each numbered pocket can hold candy but I am going to put a little note in each with directions for Em to seek out the treat and possibly a trick or two. :-)

Em even planned out the window opening for the last Halloween night to reveal the hidden 13th night pocket. We added the ghost last night.

Happy Halloween nights!!!!

Amish Hills

We took a trip this weekend to see more fall colors. This is Holmes County, Ohio where many Amish families have lived for a long time. Their well-kept farms are beautiful with the autumn colors in the background. We saw lots of groups of Amish walking on the roadside, on bicycles and in horse-drawn buggies. I kept myself to descreet peeking, though I longed to stare, especially at the children. Taking pictures was more fun than usual because there aren't as many telephone poles. Telephone poles and wires have become a real visual menace--hate 'em. (tho I like my electric lights--thank you very much) :-)

Sugar Maples and Fall

We took a short drive in our county this weekend and marveled at the beautiful trees and loving the shape and color of the clouds that day. The clouds made the sun sharpen onto some of the hills and intensify the color.

And here is a wee chipmunk making himself happy in our bird feeder.

Not a Sculptress

We all went to a community art night and made bowls for a charity event. I fear mine will not be among the desired bowls when auctioned. I just flat out stink at sculpting! The above is supposed to be a fish---I hope whomever glazes/paints it makes it look better. It was fun though and wish I could have tried throwing a pot on a wheel--it was uber crowded in that room. I guess everyone wanted to send the clay whirling in circles. :-)