I had every intention of "working" in the studio on Thursday. Getting things done, crossing lines off The List. Out of the corner of my eye, I realized that part of my studio could maybe use a bit of a tidy. Then the other corner called out, and next thing I knew, hours had passed, leather scraps and paper bits had been scooped up, trash thrown out, books put away.  A clean studio. Just the kind of work I needed to do, but hadn't realized yet. As I sat in my cozy brown chair, soaking in how big the room felt now, the light in the yarn cupboard caught my eye. Nothing like well-lit hand-spun yarn, is there?

Now, I'm off to teach a meditation class, followed up by tea and a yoga class - in that order.  Have a beautiful weekend!  Happy November!

Mom's autumn garden

I went home two weekends ago. It was lovely (that was when we went apple picking).  I stole outside to take some photos of some pieces I have made, but was quickly distracted by the last flowers...

Antiquing!

This was the weekend of the antique expo!  I went early on Saturday, since I had a lesson to teach in the afternoon (she needed to know how to spin on a bottom whorl spindle).  

I bought two belt buckles and some absolutely beautiful trim, which I'll photograph later in their full glory.  Here's a small sliver of what I saw.  I wish I had more time! It was a beautiful day, crisp, cold and sunny. I got to wear my boots, scarf, new knit vest, hat AND fingerless gloves- myyyyy favorite kind of outfit! Layers and layers, siiiigh...

Jack O Lanterns!

Finally having a porch to put carved up pumpkins on... excellent.

(the eyeball is mine...)

Fall is drifting in

I finally had our chimney cleaned this week! The house smells of campfire, and I couldn't be happier.  I am now tempted to make tons of huge pillows to throw on the floor and lay in front of the fire and sip tea and cocoa.

I love this crisp season. It's one of the reasons I've not been posting, I'm too distracted by trees, sweaters and fireplaces.


Sorry for the crappy photos, I'm just excited about our first fireplace fire!!!

Blankets in the sky

Taken on Independence Blvd. on the way home.

thank goodness for crisp air

Fall may have finally settled in around here. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, in case the heat re-surges. But the air is crisp and cool. The windows are open, light and freshness are soaking into The Bungalow. Contentment is oozing through me. I wonder if it's too soon to pull out my sweaters from the tub they've slept in all summer.

Water is put on to boil, I'm drinking the next to last bag of a hibiscus tea sent by a dear friend out in the midwest. I taste the difference between two local honeys, and am pleased the new jar tastes even more delicious than the last. I love my local honey. My trusty aqua mug awaits it's fill.

There's a chipmunk on a rock in my neighbor's driveway. I wonder if it is one that lives under the house, I've always loved those little creatures. They seem part sparrow, part squirrel. I hope it has enough acorns stored up for winter. I hope the leaves start changing soon. I need to clean the gutters out so they can be refilled by this season's leaves. I will have the fireplace checked out and wood ordered this year. There will be pillows and blankets in front of crackling fires this year.

How I relish this season.

This photo is from last year. yes, I did wear a skirt whilst cleaning gutters atop the Bungalow. You should try it!

Fall flower

Here she is dear folk, my first belt. A labor of love for sure, but also determination. Mostly against the fact that I don't have the right tools to set snaps myself right now, which nearly put a damper on a small section of excitement. But luckily I got through that, and if I may say so myself, quite cleverly too!

She's a peachy thing, a delicate strength. I kept the imperfections in the leather when I was planning this belt out (if you'd call pretty holes and tears that). I kept them because they presented a bit of a design challenge, and tons of interest.

I said I planned this belt out.

That may be an overstatement. I redrew the flower over and over, but that's where it stopped. And that only happened because I got a lucky, sudden wind of perfectionism. I kept trying on the leather as I cut it. I probably should've made a template. I probably should have practiced painting the flower on scrap leather first. Probably should've is boring.
I like -no- absolutely adore to the tippy top that I can work so intuitively with leather. Knitting takes a lot of planning some days. There's gauge, fit, stitches, patterns, cables... Lots has to be planned out. I prefer to fly by the seat of my pants. Leather kindly allows this raucous behavior.

There will be a second belt soon, and more cuffs, all with the same guitar strap woven closures. I adore this solution, and am happy that it has come to satisfaction so quickly. Happy October to you all, may your pumpkins be orange and your beer pumpkin flavored.