Autumn Curtains and Pillowcases for the Bedroom

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As mentioned here, it was time to get moving on those autumn curtains and pillowcases for the bedroom .... soon the snow will be flying and the quilt will need to be changed out to the winter one!  Yikes, time moves way to fast for me ... as do the seasons.

Last year when I picked up this autumn-themed quilt on sale for only $6.00, I had made a set of pillowcases for it to match and a little nightstand table runner (if you can call it that, it is so small) but the hubster and I use two pillows each so another set of pillowcases was needed as was the curtains.  These quilts are from a big box store and I have picked up one for autumn, one for summer, one for winter and one for summer so far ... I just need one for spring!   They do not come with pillowcases or pillow shams.

My fabric stash is getting out of control and I want to tame and lighten it a bit before buying more soooooo that means I have to find something to sew!  New curtains and pillowcases are a great start.  Since I have to make the same for all of my quilts, it should help reduce the stash a bit.  

Old curtains .....

Found some gingham ....  who doesn't love gingham?  New curtains!

Then I had enough of the gingham (if I added a large matching hem) for the pillowcases.

The autumn set is DONE!  

Now I better get started on the Christmas set ..... that will be here before I know it.

Remember to give your loved ones a hug!

Pumpkin Toffee Muffins with Cream Cheese Glaze

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October is the month for PUMPKIN!!!  I love pumpkin and since we see them everywhere, I just have to eat it .... in many, many different ways.  The following is just one way that I have been using pumpkin.

I found the recipe here but you know me ... I never follow a recipe or a pattern exactly the same.  So instead of Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Muffins, it was Pumpkin-Toffee Muffins!  Mostly due to the fact that I was out of chocolate chips but boy they turned out oh so good.  This will definitely become a staple in our household in October.

Pumpkin Toffee (or Chocolate Chip if you so desire)Muffins with Cream Cheese Glaze

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 cups pumpkin

3/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup applesauce

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups of toffee chips (or chocolate chips)

In a large mixing bowl, mix egg, sugar, pumpkin, vegetable oil and applesauce until smooth.  

In another bowl,  combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Add to pumpkin mixture and mix well.

Fold in toffee chips.

Filled greased or paper-lined muffin tins 3/4 full.

Bake at 400 degrees for 16 to 20 minutes or until muffins test done 

by inserting a toothpick and it comes out clean.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes.

Move to wire rack to finish cooling.

If desired, add cream cheese glaze and toffee chips.

Cream Cheese Glaze

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

1 cup icing sugar

Water

Mix cream cheese and icing sugar until smooth.

Thin with water until it becomes smooth enough to drizzle with a spoon over muffins.

Sprinkle with toffee chips.

Now I just need a pumpkin latte .... anyone with a recipe?  Remember to give your loved ones a hug!

Fall Banner

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While perusing Pinterest the other evening ..... which can seriously take up a lot of my time!!!!  .....   I noticed all the lovely fall banners out there.  Well I just had to get in on that project!

There were quite a few that I adored .... so much talent, ideas and inspiration.  I love the look of burlap this year but unfortunately I didn't have any on hand.  I did though, have a couple of little pieces from another project long ago before burlap was popular so I set those aside.

I didn't follow a pattern of any type, I just cut out a template from a piece of cardboard of the approximate size that I thought would work well.

Finding a small amount of 'fall' type fabric in the stash, I used the cardboard template to cut out four triangles.  

Then using stencils, I cut out the letters F, A, and L from the burlap .... but then that started to fray .... what to do?

Taking some similar colored embroidery floss from my supply, I sewed the letters to the fabric triangles.    No more fraying!  

Now to put it all together .... to me the triangles still looked unfinished.  

                          

Back to the craft cupboard.  Bias tape was the key.  Sewing the tape around each triangle and using it as the hanging strip for the whole project, I was done.

Hanging it in the window and adding my pumpkins and new nutcracker,  Halloween kitty my fall decorating was complete.  LOL 

It isn't much but since we never get any trick-or-treaters out here in the country, I don't decorate much for fall or Halloween.

Happy fall and remember to give your loved ones a hug!

                                                       

New Kitchen Curtains

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It has been three years....three years since we have had new kitchen curtains and I was feeling that it was about time.  I loved the curtains when they were first put up.  The suited the kitchen and dining area very well but were starting to look a little tired after so many washings.

I had been on the look out for some fabric that would suit autumn.  I have decided to make new curtains for each season and change them out to add freshness to the space once a season has ended and the new one begins.

I looked and looked and couldn't find anything I liked.  I didn't want to spend a fortune .... some fabric is now $14.00 a yard!!!  Yikes!!!  That's too rich for my blood. 

So I starting digging through my fabric stash.  I figured I must have something in there that would work but would I have enough?  There is one big window, a set of three bay windows and a smaller window over the sink....all in all I would need about 5 yards of fabric.

I searched and searched there it was .... at the bottom of a stack.  Once I saw it, I knew it would be perfect.  The orangey/red background and mustard colored roosters would compliment the changing leaves outside the windows.  

I wanted to stay with a simple valance.  We have wonderful views and I don't want curtains hiding it.  The blinds come in handy for privacy but really out here, we don't even close those at night.  Our neighbors are just too far away to see anything.

It didn't take me long.  I measured for each window (keeping the bay window as one) and folding the fabric lengthwise cut the fabric exactly in half.  Giving a generous hem, the length was just right.  

I am loving the new look .... what a difference something so small can make to a room!  Next up, the bedroom.  Soon I will be stripping the bed and changing out the summer quilt for the falling leaves (autumn) one so I think a set of curtains for that room is in order....I know I need another set of pillowcases to match the quilt as well.

Off to the fabric stash once again.  I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!  Remember to give your loved ones a hug!

Having to Slow Down and Take Care

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We have had to slow down .....  hubby has to take it easy, rest and stay quiet.  Breathing has become difficult during the daylight hours.  Night time is better .... it is cool, there is the wetness that comes with that coolness so the breathing becomes less labored but ....

then there is the problem with fluid build-up.  As he lays, the fluid begins to fill the lungs which shocks him and me awake and the coughing begins. If he doesn't awake, I wake him....the gurgling is what I listen for. 

Staying calm and 'matched breathing' is key.  We stare alot into each other's eyes...matched breathing....he watches as I slowly inhale and exhale...he tries to follow.  Gentle back tickles relaxes him.  Sleep is compromised during this time of the year.  Both of us grab sleep when we can.  Modern medicines do not help.  He cannot take them.  Hubby's asthma is extreme and antihistamines make him worse. We alternate between natural remedies, standing in the midnight air and herb-steam infused sleeping areas.  

This year seems to be worse than the others but this too shall pass and we will both be okay.  It is the life of an asthmatic.  

Remember to give your loved ones a hug.....so very, very important.

Simple Saturday

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Another day of cold, rainy weather. I didn't feel like venturing outside today...I am just not use to the change yet. I still dream of warm, sunny afternoons that were spent in the garden, walking around the property, sitting by the pond watching the ducks and going for a nice long bike ride. Where did summer go? I miss it so.







Mr. Scarecrow welcoming visitors.

I spent the day finishing up the Christmas shawl for Pasie. I am just adding the fringe on now and chose to do a little baking between chores around the house.

Autumn swag by front door.

I made simple cupcakes with orange icing ...... kind of an Autumn/Halloween theme today. This is what is left out of 24! The guys eat them up so fast, that nothing spoils around here.

The woodpile sits....waiting for the next bonfire....

In the firepit.

The leaves have changed so rapidly since the frost....it even snowed a little last night but nothing that stuck around. My clothesline looks so barren and lonely. Fresh clean sheets hung outside in the warm breeze will have to wait for next year.

Autumn always looks so barren and soul-less as the trees, grass and plants die off for another year.

All we have left is our faith to bring us around again to spring next year.