Version II

I made another aromatherapy pillow...this time in a totally different fabric pattern.

Because pagans can be country, too! LOL

I have a secret love of calico prints...so I figured why not use some!  I call it the shabby-wicca-chic look.  LOL

I stuffed it with lavender, so I doubt I will put a steaming cup of anything on it.  I think I'll use it mostly for when I'm sick (lavender is so soothing, and helps to open up my snoot, too), or tuck it in with the linens.

Using the depression era calico reproduction really looks different from the batiks, no?

There is some learning curve for machine quilting--I don't have a long arm (who can afford that?), and my mom's machine* doesn't have a stitch regulator on it. You can kinda tell that, if you look closely...some of the stitches are pretty big, and others teeny-tiny.  But since I really like making these, I'm digging the practice.  Eventually I'll have one good enough to share with friends.







* It lives!  The machine is fully recovered.  It ought to feel good as new with its new gears, and service.  But it is officially a DNR, now.  Unless she takes pity on it again....afterall, it HAS given her 15+years of faithfull service.  And I'm pretty sure it's older than that.

So

the paper pieced aromatherapy cushion/coaster thingy turned out pretty good...considering I couldn't find the zipper foot (we don't have a piping foot).  It's a PITA to do it without, so I discovered.

I filled the cushion with polyfill stuffing, and a spicy mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.  MMMMM.

This one is too imperfect to give as a gift for someone...so I think it makes a great little place to lay the pendulums I wrapped.

Now my thoughts are turning to Yule and all the stuff I'd like to get done before then.  As usual, I hope I've not allowed myself too little time to get it all done.

I'm feeling

in the mood for some English paper piecing...

Note to self...try to find a template that is more perfectly square to avoid having to number your pieces! LOL

Mmmmm

scones.  Pumpkin scones.

I may have to make these every day!

I'm not a fan of pumpkin pie, but I love, love, love these scones!  They are sooo easy to make, too.

Recipe here:

So good with coffee or tea, especially when served on cute china!*

I did change the spice ingredients to be more like what Mom uses in her pie (which people tell me is fantastic!):

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp cloves 

1/8 tsp allspice

very rounded 1/4 tsp ginger.

And for the spice glaze, which was the only glaze I dribbled on the scones, I added 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla.  It just tastes better with some vanilla in it.

*One day we received a mystery box sent from Florida from my paternal uncle.  In it was this little collection of Wedgwood china.  The tray and creamer are my favorites.  The teapot (my fave!!!) is from my maternal grandfather's collection.

It's been a while

since I've posted anything here...

Been busy making stuff for the UU Witches' Ball, yet...but I've been at the hospital with my mom.  She's better, ready for discharge in a few days. Yay!

Hopefully I can get all caught back up soon...

Candy Corn

The local UU is hosting a Witches' Ball on the 26th of this month, and I volunteered myself to make some prizes for the costume contest...

I had (have) such a blast on Ravelry trolling for cute amigurumi to make.  I think we narrowed it down to 4, but I'm pretty sure I'll find a way to sneak in some more.

So here's the first one done:

I never get tired of saying how cute these little guys are!

This is the awesome Kawaii Candy Corn  pattern by Karla Fitch of Itsy Bitsy Spider Crochet.

Really! They look good enough to eat!

I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Bright Yellow, and Soft white, and a mystery acrylic for the orange-y middle.

All packaged up and ready to go...

These were so much fun to make, and quick, too.  Now, on to prize number two!

So

The Ponderer and I have been considering sacred space, specifically the lack there of, where we are living right now.  Feeling bereft of a place at home to hold rituals or meditations, and enjoying time spent outside, we looked around the yard to see if there was a spot to make a little altar.

Note the mysterious hole at the base of the outcropping...

This little outcropping has always intrigued me, but the vegetation was always a little too thick, and the fear of poisonous snakes a little too strong for me to investigate much as a little girl.  But not so, now!  Erosion has changed the landscape just enough for us to crunch our way through the leaves and brush to peek a little more closely.

We spent about an hour removing downed limbs and pulling out the Lonicera Japonica that has been trying to take over.  While I do have qualms about just ripping stuff out of the landscape to suit my (many) whims, I just feel that some invasives like this one, should be eradicated.  Shoot, four New England states have declared it some kind of noxious weed, so I feel absolutely no guilt to rip, rip, rip.

Well, a little bit more back to the topic...

A rock accidentally fell in front of it, so we'll see if it's being actively used!

There is ample room to put out a few candles, make a cairn or two...even arrange a seating area.  I'm so grateful for another opportunity to help create and hold sacred space for our little family.