Just Monkeying Around!

One of our local quilt shops was having a pre-inventory sale with good prices for end-of-the bolt sales, so I ended up with an extra large piece of this cute monkey fabric.

In my recent efforts to use what is in my stash, I pulled out this fabric and began the hunt for bits and pieces that might go with it.  I wanted to use a pattern called Anthony’s Star from an older Quiltmaker magazine, and I found a few fabrics I liked and I auditioned them as I went:

And this is the design as it grew (not sewn together yet).

I think it will end up 40 inches wide, but I didn’t want it square so I am still adding to the top and bottom.  So what I’ve really created is another UFO!

Oh, and we did have an early cold snap in FL last November – this is the proof in the Fall Foliage!

Usually, we don’t get many red leaves, just faded green and yellow, but this one looks pretty in the back yard.  And it did get cold last week:

 

not frost on the windows, but condensation!

But the cold is gone now and rain is expected.  The poor tourists can't catch a break!

Edited:  I linked up with Oh, Scrap! at http://quiltingismorefunthanhousework.blogspot.com/
I always seem to be at least a day late - maybe I'll get the hang of the Friday update soon!

Good Ol' Days and a Walk

Since I’m without my sewing machine, I thought I’d take you on a short trip down memory lane.  I guess these prices are from before many of us were born, but it sure would be nice to see something like this in a store today!

Photo from http://thevintagemoth.blogspot.com/

And since it was so nice outside this morning, I went for an extra long walk.  I took my camera and was watching for Fall colors (not the norm for many of the trees in Florida).  I found lots, including berries, muhly grass, zinnias and marigolds:

And I saw this fabulous orchid growing in the crook of a tree in a nearby neighborhood.  Isn't this amazing?!!  I sure wish my puny little orchid would grow like this ...

Back in the Swing of Things

I forgot to mention in yesterday’s post that the leaves had not really begun to change much in NC when we visited, although I did pass this gorgeous tree on one of my walks (walk up the hill, down the hill, up the hill, down the hill, repeat until you drop!).

There was also this amazing twisted tree trunk:

It must have had a very tight vine growing around it for much of its life that has now died off and left the trunk unscathed.  Very architectural – what a survivor.

And there were a few wildflowers around the courses that I found very attractive … I’m going to break down and get that identification book on one of my book swap sites one of these days when I remember!  I really liked the orange flowers that looked sort of like lady slippers.

Today, I got back into the swing of sewing again.  One of the members of the Sunshine Quilt Guild (we quilt for children’s charities – see button on my sidebar) issued an “ugly fabric” challenge.  On request, she would send members a fat quarter of a certain “ugly fabric” …The challenge is to “beautify” this fabric by adding your own fabric and making any 12 ½ inch block(s) you desire.  Then you return the blocks to her and she will assemble them into quilts.  This is a close-up of the designated “ugly fabric”:

Personally, I liked the fabric and the muted colors in it, so I didn’t have any problem making up these blocks today.  I really like them!

PS  Happy Anniversary, Mr. Ed!

Oct 1^st is the 50^th Anniversary of the debut of the popular talking-horse show.  I’d sing the theme song, but it would probably be stuck in your mind for a week, so I won’t!

Looking for Fall

We had a lovely *cold* snap a week ago, when the temperatures dropped below 80 (F) and the humidity was lower.  It was wonderful while it lasted.  Today it was back up to 85 and and humid again - fortunately, there was a slight, continuous breeze so it was still quite pleasant.  October is usually a good month for us.

I went around the neighborhood looking for signs of Fall - which is more subtle here than up North.  We occasionally see red leaves in a small bush or vine, but not usually in the trees.  The yellow leaves are usually duller than the exciting golds, but we still have unmistakable signs that Fall is on its way.  Check out the following:

Halloween is always a giveaway that Fall is here!

 Holly Berries are starting to come out (last year's photo).

 Sometimes you see a red leaf.

 These aren't holly, but this bush is trying to berry out, too.

 The crepe myrtle is changing colors and will drop its leaves entirely soon.

 The cypress trees will also drop most of their leaves in the winter.

Marigolds and Mums make for a lovely display.