September....a lovely time of year!

Ahhh....finally September is here....with cooler temperatures.

I love this time of year....when you had a long hot summer and you are ready for change!

The kids are back in school, the bugs are dying off, the weather is still nice for walks and bike rides!

I loved getting school supplies as a kid...and I still do.  I got myself a trapper keeper....totally a throwback from the 80's. I am not sure what I am going to use it for but I wanted it and thought I may not see it again if I didn't get it.

This month's calendar is a sweet kitty cat I drew and watercolored.

Get the phone/tablet calendar here.

This is the desktop calendar....you can download that here.

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I made a September mug rug.....just like all the others I have done this year....

changing the fabric choices really make a difference. 

This time I used some fall colors....with an apple theme.

I found some "apple with letters" fabric in my stash as my main focus fabric and then added some fall strips to it. It remind me of school starting so I went with that.

Pick fabrics that you like and create your own! 

Here is a diagram to give you an idea of how it goes together. 

Here is some general instructions:

Use a 1/4" seam allowance. Use the chart above.

  Sew the featured fabric (apples) next to 3 strips of coordinating fabric.

Press well. Sew 1" strips all the way around. It is a good idea for the fabric border strips to be the same as the backing fabric.  It makes the strips resemble quilt binding.  Cut excess fabric and press. Layer batting and backing fabric (slightly larger than top) then lay top over backing (right sides together).  Pin in place. Sew 1/4"  around mug rug leaving a 3" opening. Turn inside out. Sew opening closed. Quilt lines of a star through the featured fabric...and also quilt down strips and around the borders. 

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Get ready to decorate for Halloween! Make these super quick faux cross stitch ornaments with scraps of fun spooky fabric. Learn how to embroider on dark fabric the easy way! They make great bowl fillers and little shelf sitters. 17 designs are included.... pumpkins, cats, ghost, skull, moon, owl, witch hat, words and sayings too!
Ornaments & bowl fillers measure: From 2in x 3in to 3.5in x 4in.

Halloween faux cross stitch ornaments & bowl fillers pattern, #422

They make a great gift and look amazing sitting on a little shelf or hanging on a tree or knob. Perfect for little pinkeeps and gift toppers too. Each ornament has a wool or felt star on the back. Use bakers twine for a sweet hanger.

Here is a little close up of some of the ornaments.

The patchwork is easy.....simple squares.

*You could also make a darling little quilt with the designs.

They look so good on a small tree and a big tree.  I have a large skinny white tree that I love to decorate for every holiday.

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Ready to make some Halloween home decor, ornaments and signs....super cute and super inexpensively?!
This listing in my etsy shop is for a brand new set of Halloween Collage sheets. It is a set of 4 PDF collage sheets...made from my own art- watercolors... that I created. You can print them off and use them over and over. Print these on cardstock or matte presentation paper for best results. Try sticker paper too.

These are made from those cute straws that are in party supplies at the craft stores.

I have made a fun free video on how to use these!!!

Supplies you may need are: scraps of cardboard (from a box), glue stick, scissors, glue that dries clear, ribbons, and glitter.

There is a sheet with super cute characters: Dracula, frankenstein, witch, pumpkins, mummy, spider, and lots of extras....a soft watercolor pumpkin patch background sheet, a midnight sky background and a section of fun sayings and words. Plus a jack o lantern patch with more sayings.

Keep your kids busy creating really cute halloween decorations! Create stickers for your kids, journals, laptop cover, binder and more....just print on sticker paper (staples)

Franky has lots of bits and pieces of trims on the back.

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It's time to reveal some more halloween dolls..... I just made.

I decided to make the "It" clown, a wicked witch, Jack Skellington, Pumpkin girl, and another wolfy!

These will be available on September 2nd, 6 pm (PST) in my etsy shop.

You can buy a doll from me...or 

make your own creation using my new book which is in my etsy shop and website.  I can sign it for you!

My book has step by step instructions on everything....including the easy painting techniques I use. 

I add lots of details to these...embellishing is so much fun!

 My book is published by C&T Publishing!  It is my 2nd book!

It is on Amazon, C&T Publishing, plus all book stores and craft stores.

Here is a little youtube video about it!

I will have ornaments available too in my etsy Shop....Sept 2nd, 6 pm (PST).

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My daughter Selina has a new Halloween item: The creature of the black lagoon.

This Creature Wreath ... is a perfect way to start the season for Halloween!
She designed and cut this shape...a Creature ...... That you can watercolor yourself and make an adorable Wreath with dollar store crafts.  The wreath form and garland came from the dollar tree....balls on wreath were from our christmas ornaments.

She will have a video on it in a few days!

Her youtube channel is here.

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One wonderful thing that happened this past month...was the Farm Chicks show!

It felt like old times....shopping, seeing people ...having a great time!

I got some Halloween goodies.

If you want to see more of my goodies, artwork and fun random stuff....

please follow me on Instagram!

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Lastly....

I want to share a recent picture of me....I am not into picture taking.  It is something I have a avoided for years!

It is Almost a year after my stroke, cysts in stomach, diabetes diagnosis....

now I am reaping in the benefits of alot of weight loss....plus healthy living!

It was a slap in the face that woke me up and I am really glad.

Life is more precious now and I appreciate it! 

I dearly miss all the sweets, but I want my health more than candy.

Here is to change and courage!