Bubbles Bubbles Toil and Trouble...

Well friends, here's my last Halloween stitching of the year. Another great pattern from Super Colossal Iron-on Transfer Book that I found thrifting.  I looked this book up on ebay so you could see what it looks like.  I highly suggest you pick it up if you ever see it around.  It's filled with tons of patterns that are perfect for embroidery.  Some are super 80's cheesy, but most are definitely usable--particularly the holiday patterns.  I really wanted to make this into something--pillow or all hanging, but may not get around to it this year.  But at least it's all stitched up and ready for next year. 

I've been taking it easy lately, the weather has turned cold here in NC and we've finally had to turn the heat on.  I've been sipping hot chocolate,watching scary movies and snuggling with my hubby and kitty.  October has just flown by!  I can't believe it.  Now I'm getting in the Christmas mood, I've started a cross stitch that I wanted to do last year but didn't get around to and thinking about gifts.  It's never too early right?  Til next time!

Spooky wreath

I updated my Halloween wreath a bit this year and added a little cross stitch and fabric flower.  I also added a hat to the crow.  Now it's getting spooky in here!  Are you all decorated and ready for Monday night?

There are a few batty people living here

Trick or Treat!

Just another quick post on an embroidery for you.  I felt like I needed another Halloween towel for my kitchen--I only have the one I made last year.  So I decided to do this little monster trick-or treater for myself.  I have stitched this up before for a tea towel tour swap.  He's so cute, I thought I'd stitch him up again!  Hope you're getting ready for Halloween!

Trip to the mountains

Last weekend we took a trip up the mountains of NC and TN.  The fall colors were not quite at peak but were still beautiful and the weather was pretty much perfect.  We took a drive through Great Smoky Mountain National Park, spent a night in Knoxville, drove the Cherohala Parkway and spent a night in Cherokee (losing a little at the casino).  It was a rejuvenating trip for sure.

House in the Horseshoe.  We stopped here on the way out of town and so glad we did.  Beautiful farm country and so quiet and isolated. 

A tunnel on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Off the BRP

The Smokies

Hiking the AT in the Smokies

A friend along the trail

I thought this leaf was interesting--split in half down the middle--half red, half yellow.

The Smokies

The Sun Sphere in Knoxville, TN

Along the Cherohala Parkway

Along the Cherohala

Fontana Dam

Playing Star Trek slots at Harrah's in Cherokee. 

Again, I've got more photos on flickr.

Weekend in Wytheville

We took a weekend trip up to Wytheville, VA several weeks ago.  I'm finally getting around to sharing a few photos.  We did couple of hikes, including a small trip on the Appalachian Trail.  We ate a would famous Skeeter-dog and just relaxed.  It's a great area if you're ever in the neighborhood.

I've put more photos on flickr if you'd like to have a look-see.

The Frankster

Are you getting ready for Halloween??  I know I am!  Got my apartment decorated and just need to carve out a couple of jack-o-lanterns.  The weather had turned cool and the leaves are beginning to change colors.  This is my favorite time of year.  I've been working so hard on this cross stitch so I could have it out for Halloween this year and can't wait to share now that's it's all finished.  Check him out...The Frankster.

You may remember the pattern from this post.  (I paid a whole quarter for the pattern)  He was pretty easy to stitch, not too many colors and all whole stitches with a just a little back stitch for the spider legs and facial details. 

The pattern is from Amy Breucken Designs and her website is here.  She has tons of cute stuff on there, if that's your kind of style.  I'm liking these two pumpkin designs.

The spiders are too cute and I love the crooked smile of this jack-o-lantern.

He fit perfectly into a 8X10 frame.  I stitched on 22 count ivory-ish aida, just in case you were wondering.

So what have you been crafting for Halloween?  I have tons more cross stitch patterns I would love to stitch (scored them all from the thrift) but probably won't get to them this year.  I am working on a small piece to add to my Halloween wreath.  Hopefully I'll finish it soon and I'll be able to hang my wreath. I really want to embroider this sweet design.

Alrighty folks...until next time---enjoy the crisp air!

P.S. I recently enjoyed a wonderful Avett Brothers concert this past Saturday night.  Here's a little something from them.  They played this song and it's one of my favorites.

Thrifty treasures

Here's a few things I've purchased at the thrifts lately... 

Another "big-eyed" kid picture for my collection.

This super cute paint-by number painting.  How adorable is this puppy and kitty??

This lovely needlepoint.  Love the oval frame.

I love the simplicity of the design,  Very pretty.

A hand-painted wooden plate.  I love the scene painted onto this.

OK another quick post and I'm off.  Later dudes!

Let's catch up...

I have so much to share with you all!  I've really not been feeling like blogging lately so I'm a bit behind. So I'm going to do some quick catch-up posts to let you all know what's been going on.  I have been busy though--stitching and thrifting and it was my birthday and I got awesome gifts.  So first up--here's some things I've stitched lately!

 I stitched this lovely kitty stitching up something pretty as a trade for Connie.  She sent me some great metal hoops so I made this for her. I used this pattern from Aunt Martha's.  It's so stinking cute I can't stand it.

 This little cross stitch is a magnet and part of a kit from a Cross Stitcher magazine.  Quick and easy project.

 I stitched this up for a co-worker as part of a wedding shower gift.  I am so in love with these patterns now that I want to do the entire set for myself.  The chef is too cute.

That's it for now.  I'll be back soon to chat about my thrift finds, my birthday gifts and a couple trips we've taken.  We are actually off again this weekend on another adventure to Cherokee and Knoxville.  I'm really looking forward to it.  Til then!