a woodsy halloween...

Back when I decided to be a lumberjack for Halloween, I didn't even know that I be on a Woodland kick right now. Good planning, eh? (I must be a Canadian lumberjack...)

Hope your day is spooky and sweet and wonderful!



Kisses, bloggy friends!

plans for 2010...

Making plans for next year seems a bit early, but...

This is when most people are releasing their 2010 calendars. And so I've done the same. The Woodlanders 2010 Printable Calendar is officially available now, and can be used multiple ways. A traditional wall calendar would look very nice, or even a desk calendar. My mom is trying to convince me to make some for gifts, and I'm working out the stand and binding ideas.

But I've made mine into a year-long weekly planner. To do this, I printed the cover, and all of the months on card stock, and then printed 53 weekly pages. I know that there are only 52 weeks in a year, but the dates overlap in such a way that you need an extra page.



I used the monthly pages to divide the weekly pages.



I punched holes in all the pages, then threaded raffia and ribbon through, and tied a knot. I made sure to make the knots loose enough so that I could still open it flat.



Then I went through and wrote in my dates. The file will let you type them in (the weekly pages are blank to start so you can use them any time...right now, or for years to come), but I like writing them. And now I just have to wait until next year to use this!

Now, for some 2010 plans. Since The Woodlanders are the theme for next year's calendar, I thought that I would have them follow us through the year on the blog too. So, each month's desktop calendar will match up with the printable calendar. And, AND...each month there will be a free embroidery pattern of that month's Woodlander!

Yay!

Now, a question (or 3!) for you, before I end this amazingly long post: Is waiting throughout the year to collect the whole Woodlanders embroidery set just too difficult? Should I also make the set available for purchase? Or is there something fun about the idea of having a bit of patience as you collect them all?

woodlanders...

It's Thursday, which meant a walk with Anna for some coffee and photography. We hadn't been able to go for a few weeks, so this was especially nice today. The weather is starting to change, and we're not sure how long we'll continue the walks to Starbucks.

But today it was nice. You could hear a lovely rustle of leaves as they blew across the pavement...and then a windchime. Wonderful...



Anna spotted these mushrooms, and I was delighted!



Beautiful tree bark. The reddish part is where it had split a bit. Trees are amazing creations, aren't they?



And then this moss...I'm loving it!

All of these things that we found are perfect today, because tomorrow in the shop you'll be able to find the latest thing that I've been working on. The Woodlanders 2010 printable calendar! I'll share more about this tomorrow, but today you can see the pics on Flickr!

a good man is hard to find...

A few weeks ago, I received an order from a guy who wanted to order some embroidery patterns for his girlfriend. Now, to me, a guy who goes around ordering embroidery supplies of any kind is the sort of guy you hang onto. This is clearly someone who knows his girlfriend and wants to make her happy. Needless to say, I found this order to be so sweet!

Then a couple days ago I got an email from Lydia, the girlfriend. She sent me some photos of completed projects using my patterns! What you see above is a pillow she stitched, and she also made one where the "A" in Trick or Treat was my candy corn pattern. Great, right?

Thanks, Lydia for the photos and for letting me share! Oh, and hang onto the guy of yours...he clearly understands us crafty types!

machine embroidery...

Have you ever done machine embroidery? I never have, other than watching my aunt's sewing machine that does this. Actually, I have two aunts that machine embroider. One for fun at home, and another that works at a shop that does it. But I'm getting off track...

Because I'm not too familiar with it, I was a little unsure when Debbie from Too Cute Embroidery approached me about using my patterns to create the files needed for machine embroiderers. What would the designs look like? Does this idea go with my style? How would we work together?

And then she sent me mock ups of some of the designs.



I was smitten. Which is a silly thing to be about something like this, but I got all giggly and had to show everyone in my family. The applique designs (like Swift Sewing Machine above and Measurable Measuring Tape below) are my favorites.

And so we teamed up. I say teamed up, but really, this was just me sending her artwork, and she did all the work from there. But what has resulted is a new pattern set with 10 Crafty Characters. You'll find the set in both of our shops (well...you'll find it my shop soon), and eventually, there will be more sets.

So fun!

it has officially begun...

Even though we're still in October, I've already started working on Christmas gifts. Which is, of course, the smart thing to do. But there I go rushing through fall again. (Mind you, it's so cold that it's easy to imagine that winter is here.)

Above is a new design (which will be available once I stitch it), and I'm thinking that it will end up as my grandpa's Christmas gift. Maybe. He's a difficult one to make things for.

I've also begun the list of things that I'll be making for the ones I love. A list which will probably grow as Christmas comes near, as I get so into crafting and giving gifts!

Oh, and a sidenote: I'm planning on updating the layout of the blog this week, but as I do, things may get a bit wonky. Bear with me.

winners...

Yay! Thanks to all who played along with my gray day giveaway! I put 1-16 into the Random Integer Generator, and here's what it came up with:



So that means that Nanna (comment #1) wins the collage sheet, and Kimberly (comment #12) wins the embroidery pattern! Ladies, please send me an email (you'll find the link in the sidebar) so that I can send you your prizes! Congrats!

Speaking of winners, check out these earrings that I recently purchased:



I ordered them online, and apparently didn't pay attention to the size. I was expecting them to be a bit larger than a quarter. Instead they are nearly 2.5" wide. Yikes! But it worked because I like them...and never would have purchased them had I known. They're winners! (even though they are way heavy!)

gray day giveaway...

It has been so dark and dreary here today. Even if I had remembered to try and take some photos earlier, they wouldn't have come out well. Oh dear. But truth be told, gray fall days aren't all that bad. The melancholy side of me likes them.

So...how about a giveaway...just because?

I'm giving away one Trick-or-Treaters printable collage sheet and one Trick-or-Treaters embroidery pattern. All you have to do is leave a comment. And of course, some way for me to contact you. I'll leave this open until Sunday afternoon, at which time I'll choose two random winners. Good luck!



Oooh, and want to see a stuffie made with my pattern? Check out luluvision's photo!

old is new again...

Today I made this little recycled journal. It was based on another RVA class project, but I've used printed papers inside. And the cover, the cover I tell you, is pages from an old Childcraft World Book. Why is this a big deal? Because. Cutting up a book, especially an expensive one like this, is not something I do.

OK, technically, this was not expensive. It was 59 cents at Goodwill. And I have my entire set of Childcrafts from when I was little. But still, at one time this was an expensive book, and at any rate, it's a book! You don't destroy books like this!

But I did today. At least a little, and it feels a little like a breakthrough. Like admitting something strange. And although I don't see myself going around wrecking books, I like that I might be able to find new ways to use old things. And not feel guilty.



Also on the topic of old becoming new, it seems that I've been inundated with the idea of steampunk lately. So I'm going with it, and have started working on some new illustrations along this idea. Sort of victorian, Jules Verne-ish stuff. You can see a glimpse of them below. I'm loving this thought and the others that it is bringing!

an october workshop for you...

Two posts in one day? What is this madness?!?

I'm really just here again to share this month's Workshop in a PDF with you. Since folded felt was featured on the desktop calendar, felt most certainly needed to be used for this project: a pumpkin needle book!



It's super easy, and the patterns are included in the PDF! Download and get to work!

warm wrists...

I've been thinking about making some wrist warmers, and I like Holly's pattern over on Red Velvet Art. But that would require some actual knitting. Easy knitting, but still.

So I was thrilled when I came across this tutorial yesterday! Especially because I had just discovered a pair of socks that I love had a hole in the heel. So I went to work and snipped them up, added some embroidery thread stitching (both to help control unraveling as well as perk up the color a bit).

And they are all done and keeping my wrists warm! I also added a little XO for fun...

I'm so delighted with these!

if you like sufjan...

...then get his new album and DVD, The BQE. It officially comes out tomorrow, but I pre-ordered and it came early. Yay! Anyway, I listened to and watched it yesterday. So amazing. Really. The words musical genius come to mind. I especially appreciate his delight in trying out new sounds and stretching himself...all while sounding so Sufjan.

I want to do that. Try new things and become fresh and better and stretched...but still Mollie.

a quick reminder...

A quick reminder that my blog reader special offer is in effect until tomorrow (Tuesday) night at midnight. Any purchase in the shop gets you a free mini embroidery pattern. Just mention the pattern you want, along with the current count of Caregiver Kits in the blog sidebar!

leaves and accomplishments...

After posting my leaf garland the other day, Jessica shared this link with me for making a fall wreath. Jessica pointed out that using real leaves would be a nice change in the project, and what can say? She was right!



Today we gathered more leaves and I went to town threading them onto a coat hanger that was bent into a circle. My 4-year-old sister even helped! It was really easy and fun, but it did take a LOT of leaves. Around here, we all love that at the end of the season it won't need to be stored. We'll just toss the whole thing out, because there was no cost, and there will be no waste!



Less leafy, other than the background...I'm so proud to have finished this purse! I think it's just the cutest. This was quite a project for me, but learning a new skill is always fun.

I hope you've had a lovely weekend! I can't wait to see what new things this week brings!

more garland...

I realized today that we really like garland and banners and such at my house. They show up everywhere. But hey, they're fun!

This "FALL" banner, which also has a few of my "Harvesters" on it, is my contribution to this month's Sampler. Which means...you can download and print your own! Just head to The Sampler's website, and go to the gallery for this month (October).

While you're there, check out all of the other fun and wonderful contributors! I'm a fan of Cate Anevski (sooo wonderful!) and Crown Bindery. Or hey...why not buy a Sampler? You'll get all kinds of fun stuff!

entrusted...

(I should mention that this is one of those, non-crafty...once in a while posts. Craftiness will return tomorrow!)



Last night I was at a Steven Curtis Chapman concert, and it was wonderful. His music is great, but it was the things he had to say that impacted me more. It was through him that I was reminded of something so important.

I was reminded that all that we have is from God.

Ok, so I knew that. I know that. All the time I know that. But it gets better.

All that we have is from God, because He has entrusted us with it. Everything. He has given us everything we have and it is up to us to use it wisely. And although I often think of this idea in terms of stuff (God has given us the things and $$$ we have, so we should give back to Him)...another thing came to mind last night.

Circumstances. (for lack of a better word)

You see, I'm not married. I want to be, and sometimes I have a difficult time when I think about the possibility of never getting married. But I realized something.

My singleness has been entrusted to me by God.

It may not last forever, but right now, I need to treasure it, and use it wisely, and make the best of it, and offer it to God. Whoa. I'm still swimming in this idea.

What has God entrusted you with? What is the thing that you never thought of as being a gift from Him?

autumn decor...

Good news!

I've finally gotten some fall decorations made and up! Yesterday I went out and collected some freshly fallen leaves (not dry and crackly ones). Then I brought them inside and dried them off (it's a wee bit wet around here), and got to work.

Well, it wasn't really work. I just took some crochet thread (I love that stuff...so useful!), threaded it through a big needle, and started stringing leaves together. Voila! I have a lovely garland of leaves, which is now hanging in my office!

They'll dry out, and I know that when I take them down I'll need to be careful so as not to get leaf bits all over. But for now they'll just stay in place and be wonderful.

Go out and enjoy some autumn...and have fun making!

a look at the new stuff...

Yay! Tomorrow I'm updating the shop! This update will be a little different, as there are items that are not just downloads/printables. So here's how I'll be doing this:

The new embroidery patterns, tags and collage sheet will be added to the shop by tomorrow morning. The brooches, fabric and kits will be listed in batches throughout the day, and perhaps beyond. The brooches are one of a kind, I have a couple fat quarters of each of the fabrics (not cut yet, so if you want more, let me know!), and I've got a about six ornament kits for now (more soon!).

Here's a peek, and head to the bottom of the post for a special offer!



Emotional Onion is one of my favs...see the rest of the brooches on Flickr.







The kit and the ornaments, all made!





A few things for the holiday season!



SPECIAL OFFER!

Receive a FREE mini embroidery pattern of your choice with any purchase! (Choose from: I Got a Rock, Pirate Peanut, Ruffled Cabbage, Say Cheese, or Stumped)

To get your free item, you just need to tell me (in your Etsy message to seller) how many Caregiver Kits are in the sidebar of the blog. If you're reading in a feed, you'll need to come to the actual blog. Oh, and of course, you'll need to tell me which free item you'd like!

Offer ends Tuesday, October 20 at Midnight CST.

going on the wall...

I was quite determined to not entirely fill the wall of my office with all sorts of things. (Sort of like my being determined to not fill my desk with random bits and bobs...riiiiiiigghhhtttt.)

But when your mom finds these amazing rock-a-bye baby cut outs...from when she was a baby...and says you can have them, you MUST put them up on your wall. They are really too cute, and I'm really just showing them to make you jealous. Really.

seriously, sun is needed...

Here is my finished Happy Hanukkah Menorah embroidery, which is kind of really making me love him. Did you know that I collect menorahs? I do. But this one will most likely not be in my collection, as my 4-year-old sister has claimed it. Actually, I think she wants me to make it into something for her. Like a little bag to hold gelt perhaps.

Anyway, my favorite part are the lazy daisy flames. Eek, I think I love this kind of thing way too much.

Oh, and the sun. It has been terribly gray around here lately. And cold. It does not make for good picture taking weather/light, which stinks because I have a lot of photos to take. Photos for the shop update. Which I'm officially scheduling for Thursday.

The update will include embroidery patterns, a collage sheet or two, printable tags, some fat quarters of fabric, several handmade brooches, and the Cookies for Santa fabric ornament kit that I think I keep gushing about.

Make sure you stop by on Wednesday for a special offer just for you, dear blog readers!

catch a falling star...

...and put it in your pocket. Or your canvas tote bag.

I made this bag oh so quickly last night and I think it is so fun! It was one of the projects in the Red Velvet Art Autumn class, and adapted just a bit to be stars. I think this was the first time that I've stitched using yarn instead of floss, and I liked it! Obviously it has some limitations, but for something like this? Perfect!

The entire time I was stitching I was humming/singing star songs. "Catch a Falling Star", and "You Could be Swinging on a Star" (Maria Muldaur's version) were the first to come to mind. But as much as the latter could remind me to be happy with who I am...I'll go with calling this my Catch a Falling Star bag.

this had me stumped...

At last, I've finished this tree stump embroidery. I've loved it. But it has felt like it took forever to complete. Not really, but over a week, which is long for me. I tried out doing a chain stitch on it, which added to the time it took. I'm a newbie when it comes to the chain stitch, and it shows. But this was a good project for it, because the irregularity of my stitches adds to the rustic look. Right?

I'm tempted to sew it into a clutch purse. What do you think?



Here's my next stitching. Back in August, someone suggested that I do some Hanukkah illustrations for gift tags and such, and they also are at last done! Now it's just to stitch this and add a few other finishing touches to the other Hanukkah items.



And then there's this. I've been stitching up Cookies for Santa ornaments this week. And my sister has been continually trying to put them on my mom's Halloween tree. (Yes, you read that correctly...we have a Halloween tree in our living room!) We have given up on keeping the Christmas ornaments off. It sort of looks at home now.

Anyway, all of these things will be part of my shop update for next week. I'm excited about this one!

Happy Saturday!

i can't miss it...

Today I'm suddenly feeling like autumn is disappearing without my entirely enjoying it. I know that really, there is still most of October and all of November to enjoy the season, but it's going fast.

Things that I must do while it is still fall:

Drink apple cider.
Make pumpkin and leaf cookies.
Craft some decorations. (My brothers and sisters are ahead of me on this!)
Wear favorites fall clothes.

And of course, perhaps all of this would be easier if I would stop thinking so much about Christmas things. What's up with that?

Enjoy autumn, dear friends!

i've been tagged...

The oh so cute Jenny from Stitcher Scribbler tagged me, and although I'm not always so good at these...I'll go for it!



1. What books are on your favorite shelf?
This is difficult, because...how can one choose a favorite book shelf? I have lots, but I like my Disney/Pixar art books, plus some other design books and Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles. My craft book shelf is also a favorite...



2. What DVDs are on your favorite shelf?
Friends seasons 1-10, Fraggle Rock, The Muppet Show, Benny Hill, Pride and Prejudice and a few others that you see in the picture. They are all highly recommended.



3. What are your two favorite cookbooks?
Hmm...neither is really an official cookbook, but Martha Stewart Everyday Food magazine, and a notebook that I store favorite recipes in.

4. Select 1-3 recipes you will cook for your special guests:
My Cranberry Cherry Pie, Faith's Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Serendipity 3's Hawaiian Lei Cake



5. What will we be drinking that's available?
Coffee. Always coffee.

Now...to tag a few others...

Katie from Katie Cupcake.
Kristi from Stitchy Stitcherson
Sonia from Cozy Homemaking
YOU!