Happy September!

And Happy Labor Day to all...

It is time for a long weekend as we say goodbye to summer.  We have been busy here at home and our porch is almost done!  We wanted to save the original posts and spent alot of time stripping the paint and we are planning to get them re- painted today.  I can't wait to see them when they are done. We started the project in July and will get the posts painted this weekend.  Daryl wants the decking to weather a bit, so we will stain the floor next summer.  But right now, this is my favorite place to be.. and to knit!

I just finished knitting up a set of hat and mitts for a set of twin girls that are coming in November.  The yarn is an oh so soft merino, silk and cashmire blend.  A bit of lace and a sweet flower wil be adorable on these gals when they arrive.

I also finished up a lace shawl.  This was a project that I thoroughly enjoyed knitting as I didn't follow a pattern and just worked it...  I just knit what ever I felt like knitting at the moment.  I think it came our rather nicely!  And it is larger than most of the other shawls I've make from patterns.  The yarn is a deep beautiful cranberry red, which I prefer over a fire engine red.  I give myself 4 stars on this one.

 

And now, with fall coming, I'm getting ready for a couple of big craft fairs.  I have some felted pumpkins drying after processing them yesterday.  These pumpkins are so much fun to have around to decorate with and to keep your secret stash of chocolate in!

 

We are keeping busy this weekend and I hope you are too.  Enjoy your last days of summer as you prepare for fall.  I'll be looking out for the spectacular color show this fall ... coming to a local drive by soon!

Signs of Autumn

Summer is a short season here in upstate New York and each year it seems to slip by with greater speed than the year before.   Next weekend is Labor Day, marking the end of long days, hot nights, ice cream cones, BBQs and fireflies.

I spent the day yesterday cleaning up the garden, pulling the plants that stopped producing and not too much is left.  I had a rough year with tomatoes this year, with very little product.  And only a few cucumbers, but the beans and peas did well. And of course, the zucchini always does well.  How is it that I can pick all there is one day and go out the next and there is a 2 foot zucchini that wasn't there the day before? Zucchini must have some mighty powerful growing magic.

All that is left are the sweet peppers, some very scant tomato plants and the pumpkins.  The pumpkins.  Well, they pretty much took over the garden this year.  Well, actually, they took over the yard as well as the garden.  A few more weeks and they will be ready!

I will definately miss summer, but I love fall.  I love the crisp mornings and the way the sun changes it's angle.  There is a different light on things in the fall.  The colors explode and the smell of dried leaves fills the air. I love going for a walk and the sound of the leaves crunching with every step.  I love the colors, the smells, the sounds and and coolness.  Yes, we have signs of color already here. 

Of course fall marks the beginning of knitting season (although I do knit all year round).  But something about starting a project in the fall is different.  My thoughts begin to roam as I knit. I think about pot roast, stews and soups and baking again.  Apple pies and apple cider. When my kids were little, it was about getting back to school, getting organized, getting back on schedule.  I love autumn.

I got up early this morning, before the rest of the household and watched the sun burn off the fog.  As I sipped coffee and thought about the end of summer, I couldn't resist casting on this scarf with some gorgeous minimoochie yarn in bright autumn colors.  Every row is amazing as I watch the colors make the scarf come alive.  And every stitch makes me look forward to autumn even more!

Here is to hoping that everyone is enjoying fall knitting projects as much as I am.  Enjoy!!

Fall Treasury

I am so excited to be featured in this lovely fall treasury.

Welcome Fall

In autumn when the trees are brown
The little leaves come tumbling down
They do not make the slightest sound
But lie so quietly on the ground
Until the wind comes puffing by
And blows them off towards the sky.

-Unknown Author

Like The Little Leaves That Tumble Down

Autumnfire Real Maple Lea
CircesHouse$45.00 USD

Stoneware Small Canister
PrometheanPotter$42.00 USD

Lodge Chestnut Burgundy
sandypaws$12.50 USD

Moss Forest
AnikaEaster$95.00 USD

Sylvara- Signature Leathe
viridian$15.00 USD

Autumn Foliage Cubic Zirc
ShySiren$72.00 USD

Rust Yellow and Lime Gree
valeriesgallery$22.00 USD

HOT SMALL AND SEXY BAG
daphnenen$65.00 USD

Rustic Countryside
AngelloftCreatio$60.00 USD

Waves of Color Hand Knitt
ArtsandAccents$27.95 USD

Rustic Orange Ring Bearer
StudioWedbyMirel$46.00 USD

rusted iron and wool - fe
lilfishstudios$9.00 USD

Pincushion - Felted Wool,
madeinlowell$30.00 USD

vintage PAISLEY n PLEATS
iloveswift$39.00 USD

Reclaimed Lumber Display
IndianSummerGard$48.00 USD

Copper Green Felt Flower
Brigite$23.00 USD

Generated using Treasure Trove by packagery.com



Mini Felted Wool Pumpkins

I had such fun making these mini pumpkins!

They are just too cute and so much fun to decorate your office cubicle or your home ~~









































valeriesgallery.etsy.com

End of Summer Sale ~ Artfire Studio

Summer is slipping through our fingers and the cool weather is sneaking in.

What better way to start autumn off right than a sale? I have plenty of soft warm woolies waiting for you in my Artfire Studio and everything is 15% off! Now through September 15, just use coupon code: ENDOFSUMMERSALE for an automatic discount of 15% at check out!

Everything in my studio is 15% off - including ~~

Felted Wool Children's Slippers


Wool/Linen Blend Braided Cable Scarflette:


Handknit Wool Handbag:


So, come browse around in my Artfire Studio and don't forget to use Coupon Code: ENDOFSUMMERSALE to receive your 15% discount!

Pumpkins

As I wave goodbye to summer I am looking forward to fall with all the spectacular colors. I love crisp mornings and the smell of fall.

And I have added a couple felted wool pumpkins in my shop to help you decorate!





Etsy
Artfire

Getting ready for fall

Yes - I said fall. Even though we are in the middle of July, my thoughts are about all the wonderful fall colors. Last week I listed 3 new items in my shop and I've noticed that they are all fall-ish and I love the way they look together.

New items include an oatmeal colored knit wool blend clutch is a great shade that will coordinate with just about anything, a rich golden colored knit wool scarflette in ribbed cables, and a fabulous large felted wool bowl in brown and orange.




I have some lovely paprika, sage and red to add in the future weeks, so be on the look out!

EtsyHookers Creative Challenge #4 - Hearth and Home Comfort Crochet

I just entered EtsyHookers Creative Challenge #4 - Hearth and Home Comfort Crochet


For this challenge members are being asked to create an item in autumn colors that represent their idea of comfort and that can be used in the home. Each entry also includes a short description of the creators idea of comfort and how it relates to the item that they have crocheted.

I came up with this sweet felted bowl that has an oak tree is all it's autumn glory. The tree is complete with a woodland animals nest making the tree home for some lucky creature.

As I look out my living room window I am grateful to have a marvelous view of several aged maple tree that turn an amazing color in the fall. Although this bowl is an oak tree, I find comfort in knowing that nature will continue to show us her beauty no matter what life throws at us. For me, the bowl symbolizes rhythm, beauty and consistancy within the ever changing seasons.


This bowl is available for purchase at valeriesgallery.etsy.com. If you are intrested in having a similiar bowl made just for you, please feel free to convo me through etsy.


I hope you will come look at other entries in the challenge as well. The voting poll will open by 10 am EST on November 10th, and will close on November 17th at 10 am EST.

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins....

Fall is just around the corner and as we say goodbye to summer visions of wonderfully colored leaves, apples and pumpkins come to mind.

The beginning of fall marks the kiddos going back to school and the household getting back on normal schedules within the day. It is when I gradually stop cooking on the grill and stoak up the oven and get that urge to bake... apple crisps, breads and pumpkin pie.

I also 'baked up' a few felted pumpkins that are so adorable. They make a beautiful center piece on your table and staged around your home. These are all available for purchase on http://valeriesgallery.etsy.com . Come on in and browse around a bit!