Finally Fall!

Hello again, and Happy Fall!  I didn't think it would ever get here.  Even though the calendar says Fall now, it won't be cool enough to feel like it for another few weeks for us here in So. California. This is going to be a real mish mash of content tonight.  A little of this, and a little of that. 
Starting off with the freak storm we had a couple of weeks ago.  In the span of an hour, the skies grew very dark, and the wind began to howl, and stir up leaves and debris in the air.  I was picking Noah up from school, and it got more and more threatening as I waited for him.  Just he got into the car, the sky opened up and huge raindrops began to splash my car, and by the time we arrived home, only minutes later, it was obvious this was no ordinary storm.  I have never seen anything like it here where we live.  Terrible wind, heavy rain, thunder and lightening, and what seemed to be a mini tornado that tore through our corner of town.  This heavy redwood swing was tossed over, and the canopy broke. 

The rain came so fast, and so hard, that it flooded the back pretty quickly.

Patio furniture was everywhere!

My neighbor Sue lost a section of her fence.  And we lost a few small limbs in the grove.  Our neighbors directly across had this happen!

 There were a lot of limbs and trees down near us.  It was really something.  The whole summer has been odd.  Terribly hot, humid, and with more rain that we often see in a whole winter.  I am glad to see summer leaving!
We celebrated a big birthday for my husband Greg!!!

We had his favorite meal of burgers and macaroni salad, fruit, and Lay's Potato Chips, and baked beans.  Ice cream for dessert.  It doesn't seem possible that he can be 60.  And I, 55!  We still feel like those kids that met and fell in love over 36 years ago.  We also celebrated our 36th Anniversary a few days before his birthday.  Where has time gone?
Hello Fall.......I am SO glad to welcome you in!  The porch is dressed for some cooler weather porch sitting.

And though I didn't have my garden this year, and shall miss my bountiful display of pumpkins, I do have one fat squash to greet you, sitting atop a Fall Plaid throw that I made a few years ago.
The door baskets have changed colors, and a big pretty Mum sits next to the giant twig pumpkin by the door.

We'll see some indoor Fall later.  The other day, I had a few special ladies come over for a day of quilting.  I am so enjoying my sewing room since I have moved it to what was once the living room.  The space is totally different than any other room in my house.  The colors are all feminine. And the space is divine in every way for me!!  I stood on the piano bench and snapped this photo before they arrived.
I made lunch for us.  But no photos were taken after they arrived, as we were just having too much fun gabbing and sewing.   I made a Chinese Chicken Salad, Fresh Fruit and Pumpkin/Apple Muffins.

I also made this Popcorn Crack for us to snack on.  DELICIOUS!!!!!

It is popcorn, with melted white almond bark dirzzled over the top, and red cinnamon bears mixed in with it.  Spread out onto trays to cool, and then place in Tupperware to store.  SO good!!!!  And of course, there were Goldfish, for my best friend Jae, those are her favorite!!!  We had all sorts of goodies to snack on. 
Debbie brought a beautiful platter of shrimp, and Patty brought fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert. 
I made each of them a little Fall Tea Towel as a thank you for coming.  BOO for Debbie.

 A Scarecrow for Patty.

And Pumpkins for Jae.

Debbie brought me this darling Halloween Pot Holder she made.

Patty made each of us one of these darling log cabin pin cushions.  Mine is now filled with pins!

Debbie also brought a Halloween Panel that she wanted us all to share.  So we each cut a piece from it, to make ourselves a little project with.  With the piece I cut, I added two border strips and quilted it.  I quilted ghosts up into the top corners, and pumpkins into the bottom corners. I stitched the words BOO, and other Halloween related phrases into the table topper.  I backed it in a neutral weave look fabric, and bound it in an old black and orange Thimbleberries fabric.

It turned out so cute!  Thank you Debbie for sharing your panel with us!
Last night Jae dropped by with her piece from the panel, along with a backing and batting.  She also had a yard of fabric she had just bought for me at the quilt shop, that she knew I would like.  She said it was a bribe for me to quilt her panel too.  I put it together and quilted her panel piece this morning.  Her borders with candy corn fabric is so cute! 

I delivered it to her today, unbound. She will do that part.  Very cute!!!
I also recently finished this Fall wall hanging, also a panel, from Heather Mulder Peterson's Fall line.  The colors are so rich and vibrant.  It isn't something that I would normally choose, but I was drawn to them.  I made a border using a variety like solid colors, and quilted it in loops and swirls.  This was a gift for Jae.

These seasonal panels can be a lot of fun to do, to add some wall hangings and table toppers to your seasonal home.  You can quilt them as a whole cloth, or add borders and make it just a part of a larger quilt. 
I used a brown Thimbleberries print to bind, and backed it in a pretty Fall floral print.

We had a new baby girl join the family recently too.  I made this Snuggle Gauze Blanket for Miss Charlie Rae.

I used this sweet, hearts and loops stitch to go around the entire blanket, and embroidered a nursery rhyme motif in one corner.

Another quick make, is pillows made from placemats.  If you see a placemat you really like, it is very easy to turn it into a pillow.  Walmart has these tapestry looking placemats for 1.97 each.  If you back it and use fiberfill to stuff the pillow, it is a very inexpensive way to add some seasonal  decor to you house or porch.

The two on the left were made last Fall, and the one on the right, I just did.  You can see how similar the two on either end are.  I didn't realize that until I made it and set them near each other.  I haven't done the Fox yet, but it is cute too.
I need to go watch the new shows on tonight!  But I will be back soon with some more Fall around the house.
I am trying to read your blogs, and catch up with each of you.  I will get there!!!
XO  Kris