October Tag

I introduced my new exchange with Carol last month. I originally thought I would not get one done for this month. I had done a trial one and really did not like it.

However, browsing through magazines this weekend I was inspired with some new ideas that led to adjustments. I wanted to do something representative of October but not use halloween colours.

Came up with my Gothic lady who looks rather ghostly, don't you think? Fabrics are all vintage. I used a technique with polyester batting and Seam A Seam that seems to work well for my cobwebs... Enjoy

Just Brilliant

What can I say – it was a BRILLIANT weekend at so many levels…

The Maple Hill gang loaded up for a 2 and a bit hour trip to Beulah, MI. Friends allowed us to stay at their place on the escarpment above Crystal Lake.

It was a perfect Indian Summer weekend – these were the colours as the sun set while we ate dinner in Cadillac on the way up…
..hubby had Miss Gwendoline’s full attention (who cares if there is a view when food is around).
We visited our favorite spots like Glen Arbor (got my cherry coffee)

Stopped to take some pretty pictures (don’t do justice and there would have been more if I could get hubby to stop the car every five minutes).

Ate enough for an army at two very nice restaurants and the local bakery. Good thing we did A LOT of walking.
Enjoyed the view from our friend’s deck.
My birthday present was the first season of Glee (one of those guilty pleasures) and lots of kisses from both hubby and Miss Gwendoline for our anniversary (she really was a good girl despite her attempts to take down bigger dogs in Traverse City and two attack deer on the driveway (LOL)
One of those weekends that could not have been more perfect…sigh.

Challenge Indeed

Mary is having another challenge – and this really was one for me. Nonetheless, I’ll figure out anything for a give-away…I call this “Curtain Call”. The background is from a color plate in a very old Housekeeping book (I plan to use the original in my Altered Book).
We’ve had a lot going on at Maple Hill so hubby and I are heading out for birthday/anniversary partying up North. I think the weather will be nicer then last year and we are looking forward to the Fall colours. We will miss Mr. G, but it will also give us a chance to truly celebrate his time with us – we are very privileged indeed to be the ones he loved so much….

Blogging will be a little sporadic for the next little while. Please know I appreciate ALL your comments and visits….Jewels p.s. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Passages

Gryphon

October 2nd, 1996 - September 20th, 2010

It is a very sad time for us here at Maple Hill. Master Gryphon unexpectedly passed away yesterday. He would have been 14 years old next month. We are grateful he was at home and went quickly – but nonetheless we are heart broken to lose our boy. He will be missed.

Holiday Pics and Rituals

Realized I had not posted any pics from our Labour Day "Get Away". Unfortunately the weather was not all that great but I did get a few nice shots.

A new neighbour has a cool sign
A beautiful morning sky over our cottage deck...
Lovely flowers still in bloom - really like the bicycle to!
A visitor by our waterfront...
And with Labour Day out of the way I start to get into my Fall rituals (we all have them). Time to change over my decor - like these Fall teacups headed for the kitchen...
One of my beginner quilts that I like to hang in the hall way...

Old crocheted pot holders in the sieve made in Fall colours - I love apples this time of year, don't you?
And of course other quilts that bring in the season - we got this chair at a Silent Auction that supported a local charity - it really fits the time of year! Cheers, Jewels

(p.s. the picture in the banner was taken at my brother's cottage...)

Vacation Crafts

Well the weather was not the best while we were away - Fall seems to have come quickly. Very windy and rainy the first few days and pretty much overcast the rest of the week (of course the sun was shining on our last day...). But we did not mind as A. got new cottage gutters installed at the end of the week (how exciting is that, LOL) and B. had time to do a few "crafty" things.....

I needed to create a page to compliment Carol and Ray...I found this little newspaper clipping in a book on entertainment - thought it matched my couple kicking up their heels.

And the flow is nice between the pages...

This page actually started as a "mistake" the pink wallpaper on the right is all that is left of another page I did and just decided I did not like. I found the discarded shorthand course book at the village library by the cottage (you pay whatever you like) and the picture came from Beth's ....

I am undecided about Henry - remember his report card last year (no I did not use the original - this is a copy)? The young man looks just looks like a Henry (very studious) but not sure I like this spread - well they can't all be wonderful right.

Finally, I am taking Mary's second class and she gave great instructions on how to prepare an "altered book" for art. I found this one at a church thrift shop (cheap, cheap, cheap) - it has such a pretty cover - I plan to "match" my pages with it (when I get to them!)...

Enjoy, Jewels.

Happy Trails

Well we will be off for a week at the cottage for a much deserved rest this Friday. Sounds like the temperature will take a little "dip" but I'm not complaining. I'm looking forward to spending time with hubby relaxing a bit.
It is also my niece's birthday - remember last years present? Well I got her something special this year - but since I'm into "tags" now thought I needed to add a little embellishment - she loves horses so that was easy - what do you think?

Probably won't be online much posting (though I will be tracking my favorite blogs) - look forward to catching up with you on the other side....to my North American friends, have a wonderful Labor/Labour Day weekend! Cheers Jewels