I see a bit of Autumn....

Last September I planted this pink sedum...it was really small...about 8 inches high...and since I didn't know anything about them and didn't research it first...I just bought it...and planted it here...it died back in the winter and came back in the spring as another tiny plant...then it kept growing and growing...and growing! Now it's huge...over 4 feet tall...who knew?? I sure didn't! the funny thing is all summer long Don and I thought it looked like we were growing very large broccoli in the front yard because that's just what it looked like. I really should have taken a picture...anyway...it's September again and now the green is turning into pretty pink flowers...

they are all different shades of pink now...

and only some of the little flowers have opened...

if you look very closely...you can see each little flower...

I think next spring I will divide it and move most of it in the back yard where tall plants belong...

Now for my newest bag...I have never been a big batik lover...but when I saw this...I fell in love...the colors were so soft...I thought it would make a wonderful bag...

Here's a closeup of my wool applique...such soft colors needed more soft wool...

A couple of buttons were needed of course...one green ceramic one and then a pretty silver one...

The inside...a soft green polka dot for the lining...polka dots make me smile...

I think now that I have made one bag from batiks...I need to make more!! What do you think??

It is still warm here...but different...the days are getting shorter and the nights and mornings much cooler...I am still wearing shorts and bare feet...of course I do that most of the year anyway! I am looking forward to Autumn...it is my favorite season here...everything slows done in the garden...never really stopping here...I garden all year long...just not in such a rush in the Fall..I see cooler weather flowers popping up all around...the snow mums are the first ones showing up...I have noticed some pretty tiny little violas too...it's time to plant the viola seeds I harvested a few months ago...and check on the mums I have in pots in the deep shade of my back yard...soon they will have buds and flowers on them.

Enjoy the day, my friends!!

Just hanging out...

I haven't been doing much around these parts the past week...just sewing for the most part...but I wanted to show you a not very good picture I took of a visitor to my yard...isn't he beautiful! well...it's probably hard for you to tell because...like I said...bad picture...the funny thing was I was going outside in the back to take a couple pictures of the latest bags I had finished...I had the camera in my hand and started walking out where I thought would be a good spot...there he...or she was...just sitting...getting a cool drink of water...a pretty falcon...we have our share of different hawks and a couple different types of falcons...but when they come to rest in my yard...I feel so blessed! The birds never use this bird bath as an actual bath...more like a drinking bowl...I rinse it out each day for them and put in fresh water. Anyway...he sat there for a while...I think he realized I was not a threat...until I pointed the camera...and then up into the trees he went...

Here's one of the bags I was going out to photograph...I think every gal needs a pretty pink bag...don't you? This is a small one with a nice long strap...and very blingy buttons...

Here's the back...a nice pocket for your cell phone...

Here's another smallish one...I love orange...in fact I carry one in these same fabrics about everywhere I go...it's canvas and washes like a dream!

Here's a tote bag I just finished...I just love wool applique...I love the look it gives to a flat bag...I love to do it...but it does take time...so I can't put wool on every bag I have been making...but I would like to!! I am trying to get things put in my Etsy shop as I make them...and I am trying to get ready for the Piecemaker's Craft show on October 1...if any of you live around Costa Mesa...come up to the show...there are lots of booths with some very talented artisans...good music...good food...good times!! I will be sharing a booth with some really talented gals...this is my very first show...I am nervous and excited about it.

I guess I better get back to my Viking...those bags don't sew themselves!!

Enjoy your day!!!

I will not forget.

I have been yearning for Fall since the calendar changed to September and so yesterday I went out to do a few errands I found some cute Fall items that made me feel happy...I picked up these items ...all for less than $25...and I thought I'd show you my bargains....this pumpkin just made me smile to start with and it's pretty big too...it's about 18 inches tall...it has a place to put a candle in the back too! Not to mention glitter...I love glitter!!

I loved this polka dot casserole dish...it will be perfect for apple crisp...or a lasagna! Can you believe I got this for under $5...new!!

And here's some matching nesting bowls...I love bowls...I have no idea why...I just do...and this set cost under $5 too!!

Here's a cute little metal sign I will hang next to my front door...I love the rusty jingle bells on it...and the shape...

This is not Fallish...but I loved it anyway...they had lots of sayings in lots of colors...this one will go by my sewing table...

I am a gal who loves a bargain and I think I did pretty well on my shopping trip...I'm not a big shopper...I prefer a good thrift store or flea market over just about anything else...but I had a coupon...and there's not much more I like than saving even more on an already marked down price!!

I'm hoping that the weather change will be permanent...it's much cooler today...the high is only supposed to be 84...I know...I know...for those of you in the East...that's hot...but here in my neck of the woods...it's a very pleasant September day!! Any day that I can still wear shorts and bare feet...and not turn on the A/C is perfect!!

Enjoy your weekend!!!

Congratulations Sarah and Brett!!

This past Saturday was my niece, Sarah's wedding Day...she married Brett...the wedding and reception took place aboard a yacht in Newport Harbor...it was a beautiful day...

After the ceremony, we spent most of our time up here on the top level...the views were beautiful...

We watched the pelicans fly by, and even saw a sea lion looking for lunch...there were lots of people out on their boats...I sometimes forgot why I was there...

But then we went downstairs and had too much fun in the photo booth...

Who knew you could have that much fun at a wedding!!

Congratulations to Sarah and Brett!!

Happy Birthday Stephen!!

Thirty years ago today...our youngest son was born...he was 6 weeks early...I suppose he always has been a little ahead of his time...always ready to make an entrance...and what an entrance it is!!

He was lucky to be born to a loving brother and they have been best buds from the beginning...

Always a thinker...but what goes on inside that sweet face is sometimes a mystery...

He's always been quite athletic too...ready to play at a moments notice...

Happy...

And of course always ready for a good time...

But he can be serious too...if need be...

And ready to buck the establishment...

He was quite anxious to learn to drive and fly away...

and yet take it slow and easy...

He loves spending time with his Dad...

and the love of his life, Anna...

He thoughtful...

And we are so glad he's ours...

Happy Birthday, dear son...we love you more than you could ever know!!

One of the oldest and my newest...

When I was in my late twenties...boy was that a life time ago...I started working for Creative Circle...it was a company that sold craft products through home parties...like Tupperware. Those parties were all the rage at the time, so I thought I would learn some new skills...make a little money...and buy crafting kits and frames at a discount. I didn't make much money but I did buy a lot of kits and frames...I still have a ton of stretcher bars for the kits...but it was fun too! Here is the first picture I finished for my samples...it was my first cross stitch...up until then I did mostly crewel embroidery...I keep it hanging on the side of one of my kitchen cupboards as a reminder of those days gone by....it still looks pretty good I think...I guess those were really good quality kits!!I still love cross stitch but these days I haven't done too much...some day I'll find the time...

Right now I'm concentrating on my bags...and my wool...I drew this applique to mimic some of the fabric that can't be seen on the front of this little hip bag...

It's what's on the back!! I like this size bag...they're fun and really hold a lot of stuff...you'd be surprised...I notice a lot of younger girls carrying the bags across there chests and at the hip...I like they way they sit myself...so I made a long adjustable strap...and just big enough to carry what you need....I carry this size when I walk...my ID, phone and keys...as well as a water bottle fit in here...anyway...I added this one to my Etsy shop...stop by and take a look around...

Before I forget I want to say Happy Birthday to my dear Mother-in-law, Loretta...she currently resides in heaven...and would have been 94 today! She was a wonderful woman and I think in many ways she helped turn me in to the person I am today...her faith never wavered...she suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis and had little or no strength in her hands but still managed to have fresh Snickerdoodles waiting when we came to visit...and they were the best!! She called everyone on their birthdays and sang the Birthday song...a tradition that Don and I have tried to keep alive...So Happy Birthday, Dear Loretta!!!

Enjoy the day, my friends!!