Fall-ing in love with autumn...all over again...

Hello! Well, what a crazy busy week it has been! School trips, work commitments, celebrations and 'normal life' have filled every second with a sense of  'busy'! But, I have finally managed to dress the mantel in the living room for autumn. I like to change things for every season, and this September has been no different. I did however, decide to try something a little different than usual for this beautiful season. I do love autumn...It is almost like nature is taking a deep breath, pausing, waiting, before it exhales a warm glow over an ever changing landscape. Nature is painting a pallet of gold, rust, crimson and warm browns, comforting colours to usher us gently from the brights of summer into the deep of winter.

Autumn, to me, is a time of feathering one's nest, in preparation for the long cold winter that will soon come knocking. I imagine the little woodland creatures hunting and gathering, wisely making hay while the sun still shines! So, for the mantel, I decided to go for a woodland theme with an autumnal feel...

A leafy garland, carefully sewn together and hung from the mantel...

I found the free printable on Pinterest...A great reminder that we should be grateful for this season, for the harvest is to come...

A few happy creatures...Mr Bear, Raccoon and a feisty little fox...I drew the template for the bear myself, but the raccoon and fox were featured in 'Mollie Makes', and can be found online.

Some woodland toadstools perhaps?

A few woodland tales so we can snuggle and read together...'Little Red Riding Hood', 'Squirrel's Autumn Search', 'It takes two to twit-twoo', and 'Freddy and the Fairy'...We love nothing more than cosy story time on a crisp autumn evening...

A few pumpkins and painted pine cones for a bit of colour!

And so we fall in love with autumn...all over again!

Blessings

Autumn leaves...and blessings abundant!

My eyes have really opened to the warmth and beauty of nature's gifts this autumn. Every day, as I'm out and about, the palette changes, introducing deep, warm hues of red, yellow, orange and purple. As I shared in my previous post, we have enjoyed lovely walks and inhaling every detail of creation as it changes. I thought that this harvest season yields the perfect opportunity to reflect on the blessings in our own lives, thinking of the things that we can be grateful for every day. So, for the month of October (at least!), I thought of doing a little display on our mantel, something to remind us of the blessings that we enjoy! Sometimes we get so bogged down by 'normal life' and the stresses of modern day, that we forget that we are fortunate to have so much to be thankful for.

As always, a little sewing to start me off! I wanted to make a simple wreath to hang above the mantel, and used an existing heart twig wreath that had been shoved away in a cupboard. Inspired by the latest issue of 'Mollie Makes', I sewed some felt and fabric leaves to decorate the wreath. I am so pleased with the results!

Autumn leaves...

 

 

And hanging above the fireplace...ta-dah!

 

 

 

With the new wreath in place, a few reminders of autumn and all-year round blessings...

 

 

 

A heart garland to remind us of family, that we are bound together by love...We are thankful for each other...

 

 

 

Pumpkins to remind us that we have plenty to eat...we are fortunate in a world where some many people go without...

 

 

Tartlet candles, to remind us to be light in the darkness, to share the bounty that we enjoy, with those who are less fortunate...



 





The vintage 'Flour' tin and milk can also reminds us of these blessings, harvested all year round. In fact, we are very blessed to just be able to buy these from the supermarket! :)

A vintage toy sewing machine...a reminder that we are thankful for the health, ability and resources to work...

 

But most of all, we are grateful for the faith we have, and the love of God that upholds us every day, and His word...

 

 



 

The cotton reels are little reminders that we are clothed...for that we give thanks!

 

 

And so, we reflect, and give thanks...for the friends that we have in our lives too...and as a reminder? This beautiful red toadstool, made for our family by a dear friend. She hand engraved each of our names, and our family name. We are very blessed to have so many wonderful, selfless people in our lives!

 

 



 

I hope that you can also reflect today on the blessings in your life. And may many more come your way!

 

 

Tania♥





 

Small blessings and bunting...

Hello my lovelies! We're well back into the swing of things as the new school year has started, and I'm slowly trying to get organised for what is always the busiest time of year for me. What with all the sewing for Christmas craft stalls, and pressies for loved ones, I always feel permanently bonded to my Elna at this time. However, I am forever leaving things to the last minute, and then having to sew until stupid-o-clock every morning to meet deadlines, but I shall make a 'ginormous' effort to be a little more forward thinking and pro-active this year! I meant to tidy my sewing stash today in readiness for the sewing en-mass that is to come, but my little man was poorly today and off school (already!), so those intentions were coughed out the window...literally...Instead, whilst playing nurse, cook and the provider of entertainment, I managed to make a little something to get me in the mood for sewing. I've been tidying and re-organising my dresser, for the gazzilionth time, as I just can't stop playing house with it, and I made some teeny-tiny bunting to jazz it up!

Recycling lovely sheets and pillow cases...





Teeny-tiny triangles...

 

 

Bunnies, bunting, flowers and tea cups...small blessings to brighten the shelves...

 

The dresser is looking a little more cheerful now, and I'm feeling more cheerful too...little man has perked up, and I'm counting my blessings...

 

 

I may not have achieved the task I set out to do today, but I've at least been a little productive. I hope you're enjoying blessings too wherever you are!
Tania ♥

Just Because...

Sometimes I get the urge to sew, but just can't face templates, patterns or instructions! Yesterday was one of those days. It was cold and wet outside, and I often feel more creative when the view outside calls for wrapping up and staying in. But, I just didn't feel like tackling a mammoth sewing project that would take up hours before I could enjoy the fruits of my labour. I wanted to indulge in some silly, uncomplicated playtime! So, I reached for the fabric scraps box, and decided to make a little garland to grace our photo wall, which I'd love to share with you once it's finished! Inspired by the very lovely Tif over at http://www.dottieangel.blogspot.com  I set to work and this is what I made.

Teeny-tiny garland

                           
Now, what I loved about this little project was the freedom in creating it. There are no rules. You can use small bits of left-over fabric, lace, ribbon, buttons or any other embellishments you like. I simply cut little rectangles with pinking shears, sewed a little decorative seam around the edges, added lace and decorative accents, and then attached them to some string. You can add as much or as little as you like, and you can make it as big or as small as you like. And voila! A little bit of fun to brighten up a dreary spot! I think this is the first of many I'll be making. Just think, you could use the kiddies' old clothes to sew into a little keepsakes. Or, I think  mini-garlands would look lovely hanging on the back of chairs at parties, maybe a wedding or my favourite reason of all: JUST BECAUSE....

I hope you'll have a go at creating some of your own, and if you do, I would love to hear from you. Happy sewing!