A Walk in the Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The change of seasons is so evident today as the sun is shining one minute and puffy gray clouds blowing in the next. The trees are still holding onto their leaves, but that won't last for long. The days are getting shorter and cooler with each passing week.

I'm not a fan of cold weather and snow, so I'm enjoying each sunny fall day as much as possible.

 

 

 

Indian Summer

Summer is lingering for a few more days this week!

Indian Summer by Henry Van Dyke


A soft veil dims the tender skies,

And half conceals from pensive eyes

The bronzing tokens of the fall;

A calmness broods upon the hills,

And summer's parting dream distills

A charm of silence over all.

The stacks of corn, in brown array,

Stand waiting through the placid day,

Like tattered wigwams on the plain;

The tribes that find a shelter there

Are phantom peoples, forms of air,

And ghosts of vanished joy and pain.

At evening when the crimson crest

Of sunset passes down the West,

I hear the whispering host returning;

On far-off fields, by elm and oak,

I see the lights, I smell the smoke,--

The Camp-fires of the Past are burning.

Autumn Begins

It's time for apple picking and pumpkins, Indian corn and changing leaves. . . have a wonderful weekend!

Spectacular Fall Foliage!

Mother Nature has put on quite a show for us this year! Since I live in Indiana, I'm used to seeing pretty fall color in our trees and shrubs before the leaves begin to fall. This year we must have had just the perfect combination of rainfall and temperatures because the fall foliage is prettier than I remember seeing for the past several years. Over the past week, I've been taking photos around the neighborhood when I go for a walk and thought I'd share with you.

Color in the park adjacent to my neighborhood.

Golden park path.

The little Japanese maple next to our screened porch.

A neighbor's front yard is full of these red maple trees.

Golden fan shaped leaves on my gingko tree. This is the first year the leaves turned yellow - we usually have a freeze before now and that makes the leaves fall off overnight!

The forecast is for rain and wind on Friday, so by the weekend most of the leaves will be on the ground. The trick or treaters will be hearing the crunch of leaves underfoot while on their search for treats.

Warm, Wooly, and Upcycled at Re-Nest

One of my Falling Leaves pillows was among 10 upcycled wool creations featured on Re-Nest today!

All 10 items were made from upcycled sweaters and textiles by Etsy crafters. I love the fuzzy felted bowls in the large photo!

Here's a closer look at my pillow, made from upcycled sweaters and wool felt. There are links to all these wonderful Autumn decor items on Re-Nest.

Natural Decor Part 1 - Pressed Autumn Leaves

Collect, then press, a variety of colorful autumn leaves to use for crafts and home decor.

Whether you go for a hike through the woods, or just take a stroll around the neighborhood, this time of year it should be easy to find plenty of fire hued leaves.

Pressed leaves can be used to make cards, as table top decorations, or framed and placed on a shelf or mantel.

To press leaves, space them out between layers of newspaper or between the pages of a phone book, and weight with a stack of books. They should be dry in 3-4 days.

Once the leaves are pressed, you can iron them between two pieces of waxed paper to enhance the color. (Be sure to use a pressing cloth so that you don't get wax from the paper on your iron.)

My first leaves are pressed and ready to use. Next week I'll share what I made with the leaves I've collected.

Autumn Inspiration

Celebrate Autumn! I live in the Midwest and it's the time of year for Fall Festivals and hayrides, football games and bonfires. Take a trip to the apple orchard, pick out your pumpkins fresh from the pumpkin patch and enjoy some hot apple cider.

Or, just take a walk in the woods through the crisp Autumn air and enjoy the beautiful warm colors of fall!

Where do you live and what's your favorite Autumn celebration?

Harvest Inspired Etsy Finds

It's Harvest Time. Fall officially begins this week. The leaves are starting to change colors, it's time for pumpkins and squashes and a trip to the apple orchard. Here are a few of my new Etsy favorites found using the search word "Harvest".

The Great Pumpkin earrings by Dkjewels

Harvest Come, print by Marmee Craft


Felted candy corn by Missyandme

Apothecary organic emulsifiying scrub from Gloilocksandbody

and these cute Pumpkin Harvest mini greeting cards by Shesbattydesigns

A Walk in the Park

These past few days have been unseasonably warm here in the Midwestern U.S.
This afternoon I couldn't resist walking over to the park adjacent to my neighborhood.
Enjoy the view!

Be sure to check back here on Wednesday, November 5, for details on my "Customer Appreciation Giveaway" in my Etsy shop, Felt Sew Good. One winner will win a prize package of felted wool accessories from my shop.

Pretty Autumn Handbags

I've been busy sewing and creating for the past week. And I've just added some new fall handbags to my Etsy shop, Felt Sew Good. Here's a sample of the rich fall color.

Blue WILLOW style handbag

Colorful felted wool wristlet

Brown WILLOW style handbag

For more photos and information about these and many more beautiful felted wool handbags and accessories, go to Felt Sew Good on Etsy.com, your place for All Things Handmade!