Adventurous Homemaking: Celebrate Fall Color!

Here are my 5 November Entries for the November Celebrate Color Contest/Extravaganza! It has been so much fun designing new projects and creating with fellow crafters of various specialties this Fall and I'm sad that this is the last month. But, I am so excited that the end of Fall, means the Beginning of Winter and Christmas Holidays!

Needlepoint Entry: Happy Country Felt Garland

This is a pattern I adapted from Thimbleberries' designer Lynette Jenson's Book Classic Country Christmas. I love her work! Everything is so comfy and cozy and it all has her special handmade touch. Country style is nice to me because it makes you feel welcome and allowed to kick-back and relax. This Design is made with Brown and Deep Red Felt hearts stacked and Buttonhole stitched together with brown and gold thread. Each heart has a little Happy White Snowman outlined also with buttonhole stitches and detailed with French knots and outline stitching in Gold for the arms. The other Hearts have Gold Country stars buttonhole stitched in Brown thread to Brown outlining stars and fixed with contrasting Gold buttonhole stitches to the Heats. I used a spray adhesive and straight pins to hold things in place while I stitched it all together and whip-stitched the hearts to one another. Jenson designed this to be a round centerpiece base for a pot or candle, but I haven't found anything quite large enough yet to center it around. But I hope to soon. In the meantime the design makes me Smile :)

Yarn Entries: 1. First Snow Crochet Ornaments

This was the first time I used a itty-bitty size 4 hook for a little project. I have honestly been scared of the little stitches :) But this Pattern from BH&G for Decorative Ornament Snowflakes was just perfect and so easy!

2. Open Weave Crochet Scarf

This cutie is made with TLC variegated yarn. It's 86" long x 3" wide and is has a space between every stitch. Here in Florida, it doesn't get cold. It was 83 degrees outside today, so that makes scarves more of an accent than necessity. But we like to get in the spirit with fun fall accessories here anyways :) I can wear this folded in half loosely or wrapped tight for warmth or as a fun belt. It's super comfy and with various shades of Fuchsia, Cream, Tan, and Espresso, It goes with most anything!

Home Decor Entry: 1. Makeup Brush Roll

I am very proud of this original designed Makeup Brush Roll. I made it as a gift for my dear friend who is a Make-up Junkie and has a multitude of brushes that like to run astray. The outer layer is a Microfiber Polyester Suede with a Bright Pink Satin Lining and Brush pocket with Matching Pink Satin Ribbon Ties. I backed the thin satin with Fusible stabilizer to make it a bit sturdier. The brush space is 16" x 18" with 16 little brush pockets and 5 big pockets for foundation brushes or little make-up palates. I made a little flap on the side where the ribbons attach to help keep things together. I was so happy with how it turned out I even sewed on one of my satin stamp labels :) (My pictures on the other hand were taken at 1:30am and I'm not so proud of). My Friend loved it and can't wait to try it out.

2. Green and Blue Plaid Chenille Baby Blanket

This Blanket gave me a bit of a fit, but it all worked out in the end. I used Dana's tutorial from MADE to make this soft and cuddly Chenille blanket. The outer layer is a homespun plaid, and the Chenille is made with a layer of white broadcloth cotton sandwiched between two layers of blue flannel. I made the Bias tape binding from the same homespun plaid and love how the bias angles contrast against the pattern. This is going to be a Christmas gift for my youngest son who doesn't yet have a quilt from me :) The quilt measures about 32"x 38".