Free Memories

Like a lot of public libraries, ours has a shelf in the entry for free magazines, to give and take. We make use of it frequently. But this week I found a box of sewing patterns just waiting for me to go through. Boy did they take me back! They were all from the 70's, a time when I made almost all of my work clothes for the job I had while going to college. The funny thing is, I would like these dresses now!

That is, if I felt like sewing garments. I got pretty tired of it. I also had a sewing and alterations business for about 10 years. The only sewing I do now is quilts and crafts. I don't know though, these are kind of cute....

Ripple Afgan

Before my second surgery I was able to finish this afgan for the family room.

I used our new rug as a color guide for the yarns.

I loved how it turned out. It was very easy once I got used to the pattern. And it's done just in time for the cooler weather we're having this week.

On the Other Hand... Some Fall Decorating

Here I am again, on the sofa recuperating from carpel tunnel surgery. So glad this is the last hand. It was much more painful than the first time. But I've got some good pain meds and will be back to crafting and everything else in a couple of weeks.

I took a few pictures over the weekend of some fall decor around the house. 

My husband made this little hutch many years ago, and I got it out of the attic to display it again. It was so fun to find all the miniatures to put in it.

This washstand is in our entry hall. Great place to decorate for the changing seasons. Those corn cob candles were made with our corn muffin pan.

This is the shelf above my desk in the kitchen. Another great place to decorate:)

I love this old paper turkey. I got it for pennies at an antique store that specialized in ephemera. Sadly, it closed a few years ago. BTW, the little guy on the right was made by our youngest many moons ago!

A couple of my homemade items. So fun!

One of my fall quilts. I was inspired to make this by the beautiful vista of fall colors overlooking the Wabash River.

And lastly, our little sweety boy Tad, at 4 months.

He's the best decoration!

We have a winner!

Thank you to all who entered my giveaway for this felt covered journal to celebrate the opening of my etsy shop.

  This evening my husband drew a name -

And the winner is Nellie! Congratulations! If you will send me your address, I'll get it mailed out to you. 

This weekend will be spent getting the house cleaned in anticipation of my other hand surgery. But tomorrow I am going to visit a girlfriend in another town. Good times!

The Great Outdoors

Remember the cotton plant I showed awhile back? Well, I saw that one of the pods was ready to open and I couldn't wait. I picked it and got this:

 

After a little teasing, I got a fistful of cotton. I don't know if there is time before a frost for the rest of the pods to open. But I think this is pretty cool!

On Saturday my husband was dealing with the chickens and came into the house saying he had something to show me. Look at this puff ball he found:

 

You can see how big it is by the folded newspaper it's sitting on.  Can you believe it? We had never seen one this size before. Our son, the mushroom expert, says that these are edible. I don't think I'll try it though. What about you, would you eat it?

We had to take advantage of this beautiful weather, so yesterday we went to Shades State Park for a picnic and hike. What a wonderful time! The only thing that would have made it better would be having our oldest son Justin with us.

We climbed down a ladder to get to this ravine that leads to the creek.

Tad enjoyed the hike!

This rock tower has been here for a few years. We added to it.

This is the creek we canoe on. No canoeing this month!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. One more week before I get my other hand operated on. Not looking forward to that!

I will have the drawing for my giveaway on Thursday. Good luck!

A Grand Opening and a Giveaway!

Well, I've done it. I've finally opened an Etsy shop. And I've actually sold some items! Since I enjoy doing all sorts of crafts, there will be a mix of sewn and papercraft items. Also some vintage crafting supplies and decorative things. Here are a few examples of what's up for sale now:

An embroidered felt table mat.

Felt pear pinkeep.

Vintage hankie lavender sachet.

With every Grand Opening there has to be a prize, so I will be offering this giveaway:

This is a hand sewn and embroidered felt notebook cover. It is accented with seed beads. It comes with a composition notebook, and can be removed. Just right for keeping nearby for all your lists and ideas.

Just leave a comment at the end of this post to be entered in this giveaway. And please stop by my Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/prairiesedgefarm/.

Thanks!