More Halloween Fun

Halloween is my favorite holiday.
Kids are encouraged to go door-to-door for free sugar.
AND they get to be superheroes or ghosts or goblins.

So here's some of what's awaiting tonights sugar-seekers:



THAT, my friends, is an authentic graveyard marker courtesy of someone who obtained it legitimately. I swear! AND so that you know I come by my craftiness honestly, the skull with glowing red eyes was made by my Dad ages ago. It has now transferred hands and is officially in my possession. (We used to put it inside my parents' mailbox with a sign that said "dead letters office". That was my idea.)



Check out the "bubbling" cauldron.
Full of BUBBLE gum! (I slay me!)



And who doesn't have skulls hanging in their tree?!?



Here is a copy of the invite I created for our Halloween Party. Lewis and Betty Lu Cipher were happy to see those who braved the Highway to Hell ...

Cyclops O'Lantern

Combined effort. My design. Chris' carving.

Taking Shape

Things are changing around here.
Furniture moving.
Vignettes arranging.

For instance ...



Not perfect yet. And has since been tweaked.
BUT Shiva seems to need a jungle. I think she likes it there.

And poor Erebos. Too much excitement for him.



Couldn't even open his eyes for me.



And Marishi enjoyed the currently empty credenza top and an open window.



Laser eyes: engaged!

----

Apartment has been in a bit of chaos since my "roomie" moved in. As we have a bit of par-tay happening this weekend, it was a good kick in the pants to get more settled. It's all coming together ...

And soon, I shall share more pictures of home.

You know, when it's "perfect" ...
Yeah. Like THAT will ever happen! Maybe when it's presentable enough for my liking! Ha!

Happy Birthday, To Me!

Check it.

My sweetie bought me new dressmaker's shears and a yard of any fabric I wanted! I'd been eye-balling this Waverly at JoAnn's for a bit. (Shown at left.) And my bestie got me a new sewing box. Ain't it pretty?



Here's a better shot of the fabric. No idea what it will be yet. I'm leaning toward a tailored handbag of some sort ...



My bestie also got me a ham and some tailor's chalk. I got a gift card from my pops. I think Mom had to talk him into walking into a fabric store.



There were other bits-n-bobs, but these made up my "sewing stash" for today.
Oh. I did buy myself a spool holder. I forgot to take a pic of that. But it will make an appearance once I get it painted and hung on the wall. I'll do a whole shot of my sewing area then. When it's ready. :)

But for now ...

Happy birthday, to me! Happy birthday, to me! ...

I'll Get You, My Little Pretty

Do you remember this scene from The Wizard of Oz?
Ahh, that beautiful poppy field!

Today, poppies are synonymous with opium and failed drug tests.
Let's face it, we've all eaten a poppy seed muffin and been like "oh, I hope they don't random drug test at work today!"

But the fact of the matter is, poppies are pretty!

... and so is my new tote bag!



I made this bag H-U-G-E!
I wanted to be able to tote some sewing stuff around.



Seriously, you can't tell the scale here, but this beast is like 21" tall and 15" wide. This behemoth holds almost everything I need!



And ...



... my first interior pocket!



I did not make my own handles/straps this time. I was anxious to get home for homemade pizza and I wanted to use up some woven strapping I had bought a while back.

Love it!

The Amazing, Baking Cat

Did you know cats can make biscuits?!?! *

This is Erebos ... making biscuits one night before bed.

He's quite the biscuit maker.







* For those of you without cats or who are unfamiliar with the phrase "making biscuits", see this explanation from Wikipedia on "kneading". Or check out this cute video from Cute Overload. NOW you understand ...

And if you're wondering, that's him burying his head between a pillow and a fleecy blanket. He nurses on the blankie, too. Methinks my poor little guy was taken from his mommy too soon. That's why he was dodging cars in the middle of the street!

He's still a tiny guy. I don't think he's going to get very big.

But he is insane.
Like insane enough for three cats.

Seriously. He likes feet.

I *heart* Presents

... for other people.

Don't get me wrong -- we all like to receive gifts.
But I like giving them.

And I really like making them.



This bag was for Pat's birthday back in September.
(Crap. It's October already. How did THAT happen?!?!)
She is an ACTUAL quilter. So I "quilted" a couple of blocks for the front of the bag. I love making Wonky Blocks. They're so ... wonky!



And here is a close up of the random lines I stitched across the blocks.



As you can see, it's a nice, wide tote!



And THIS is what I stuffed it with!



Ah ... the joys of working part-time at my local LYS:
YARN DISCOUNTS!!!!

Pat also knits and crochets. I figured I should share the love and get her some fiber-y goodness, too!