Saturday, October 17, 2015

It finally feels like FALL! *Edited*

Hello Blogging Friends!
I'm making a big effort to try and post more often!

Since my last post, I went with my husband to one of his annual engineering meetings.  It was at the Beau Rivage, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast--a beautiful hotel/casino.  We've stayed there several times, just for something to do and a place to get away for a night. Anyway, one of the spouse activities is always BINGO.  They budget money for lovely gifts, and a door prize or two.  Various committee members go and select the gifts.  There are usually really fun prizes and it all works out great.  Except, sometimes I haven't won a prize......and that's not so much fun!  Hahaha!  This year was different, however!  The stars were aligned, or something, and I did manage to make a BINGO!  You go to several gift tables and select what you want!  In reading all of your blogs, I see that many of you have Vera Bradley bags of various sizes and styles.  I didn't have one, so I was lucky enough to capture this one:


It's a wonderful tote bag and the color is perfect for Fall!  I'm so pleased to be a winner!!! YAY!  Then, at the end of BINGO, they draw for door prizes, which can be anything.  This year there were three and the big one was a spa session at the hotel.  There were also two $100 bills.....and I won one of those, also!!!  I have never won the door prize there! So I can keep my $$ in my Vera Bradley bag!  This made it a fun little get away!!!

Below is another photo of my new kitty, Omar....he loves to sit on this rug!  Isn't he a pretty boy?


I think I have told you that I have a designer coming to help me get my house in order.  I have been frantically cleaning out and purging.  It is hard to do, but is really getting easier!  I am so glad to see things shaping up!  I didn't think I was going to do any re-upholstery, but I guess I am!  haha  These are my fabrics, all of which I love!  I can't wait to get it done and finished!  It has been a lot of fun.


I finally got my Halloween tree put up, and I love it!  Halloween ornaments are fun and cheerful!  (At least the ones I get are--I don't enjoy the scary ones!!)  This is one thing I edited!!!  I kept looking at the tree and thinking it looked ok, but something was different. THEN, I found the orange and black bow that I put at the top--so, I removed the other photo and put this one!!  haha


I have a good selection of cross stitch and bought items.  It's such fun, and this is a fun time of year.  Thanksgiving and Christmas follow, and I even have some New Year's ornaments that I made after January 1st.  That will be a new one for 2016!

 

My other edit is that I went in and tried to identify the various ornaments, and added a few other phtotos.  In the left photo, the top cute owl is designed by our friend Jacquie and was a freebie on her blog at one time.  The sweet "BOO" black cat is a Waxing Moon chart called #129 Black Cats' Halloween.
In the right photo is a cute little freebie called Halloween Delight! by La Chatelaine Designs.  It is so cute with the little black cats and beaded edge. I love the little "if the shoe fits" freebie.  It is several years old and I cannot locate it anywhere--does anyone recognize it??  The purple and black ornament is by Lizzie Kate "My Other Car is a Broom"!


On the left is a freebie from The Sisterhood--Boo! It's done on lavender Aida and I used Purple bat fabric and ribbon.  The cat and pumpkin is a French freebie from Nathalie and found on her blog.  It is backed in black velvet and the bottom features flat sequins.  Next is a sweet freebie from Homespun Elegance and I used some printed Halloween ribbon and backed it in the same fabric you see on the front.

                                          

Here's another freebie--but I can't find it online.  I have had some of my freebies for a while!!!  Sorry!

                                             

This cutie was in 2010 Just Cross Stitch Annual Halloween Issue,  It's by Casey Buonaugurio and is stitched on orange linen.

                                            

This little pumpkin freebie is by Judi Utter and can be found at Cyberstitchers.  Isn't it cute??


I have one little thing I'm working on for Halloween!  I must get on it fast--I don't have much done!!! I'm using a hand-dyed scrap of linen for a different look.   It's a little Prairie Schooler freebie card.  So cute, and working up sorta fast! I have a lot of those little cards and should make all of them because they are fast and too cute!


Thank you for stopping by and please come visit again soon!

Frances

17 comments:

Jacqueline Morris said...

Congratulations on two great wins!! Go you!! Sounds like it was a lot of fun :)
Oooooh hope you share photos of what the designer has planned for your home? How exciting!!
And awesome tree!! Reminds me I need to get cracking!! Ha ha
Big smiles :)

Shirlee said...

Going to try to email you : )

Marilyn said...

Congrats on your wins!!
I love your Halloween tree, you have some cute ornaments stitched up.
Omar is a very pretty boy.
Marilyn

Vickie said...

Glad you and your husband are healthy and had a LOT of fun! Congratulations.
What an awesome thing to have a designer come decorate your home! Wow!

Angela Tucker said...

Good morning, Frances. Omar looks VERY much at home. LOL

What a great win! I love, love, love that print...very Halloweenie! And cash is always a welcome gift.

Your tree is as wonderful as usual. When I looked at your on-going project, I thought it was a sad woman in a bikini!! LOL Yep, that would be me. I haven't owned a bikini since I was 17, a long, long, long time ago.

Have a great day!

Shelly said...

Well lucky you! I would've picked up that Vera tote too. Love the Halloween tree! I may try for a Halloween tree myself for next year. Omar is just adorable, what a cutie! And he knows it too by the look on his face! Time is running out for stitching Halloween. I'm trying to get another ornament going before its too late!

Karen said...

Congratulations on your wins! Your Halloween tree is wonderful.

Beth said...

Frances I am a Vera Bradley addict - I won't tell you how many I own because I have no idea! Wonderful fall bag. I enjoyed looking at the photos of your fall tree. Hope you do ID the designs if you have time. Omar is very handsome.

Justine said...

Your Halloween tree looks amazing! Such a lovely idea to decorate for the seasons. Here in the UK it's not that common.
Congratulations on your wins - great fun!

Brigitte said...

You're a lucky girl having won even twice. Congratulations and enjoy what you won.
You have set up a wonderful Halloween tree. Do many beautiful ornaments!

diamondc said...

Oh my gosh Frances: That is the trimmed Tote and is worth over 80.00 dollars you are so lucky.
Omar: Blondie the Cat says hello, she is looking at you now she sits with me at the computer when I type words. (she is a bit different) she like the sound of the typing.
Love the Halloween Tree, I look forward to seeing your tree change with the seasons, I will look in my stash for If The Shoe Fits, love the pillow ornament.

Blessings
Catherine

Carol said...

Wow! I hope your lucky streak continues, Frances--what fun! I love your new kitty--hope he is adjusting well.

It will be fun to update your house with the help of a designer. I really need to change things up here a bit--it's been 20 years :)

Enjoyed seeing your many Halloween ornaments and tree and your little PS piece is going to be so cute--enjoy!

Andrea said...

Love your new bag ... perfect for Autumn. Ahhh new kitty is adorable. Your tree is just a riot of colour again and a joy to see.

StitchinByTheLake said...

What a fun post! Congratulations on your wins - love the bag! blessings, marlene

Annette-California said...

You are having so much fun! Cognrats on both your wins. That Vera bag is perfect for Fall - great choice:) So glad you and your husband had fun. What a dream to work with a designer for your home decor. Love the fabrics. I want my tree one day to grow up and look like your Halloween tree! love Annette

Annette-California said...

I sent you an email telling you that you have won a giveaway on Nancy's Victorian Motto Sampler blog. Look on Oct 30th post and read down. There are 2 winners and your listed there. Congrats!!!
love Annette

Pamela said...

Hello Frances, my blog reading and writing has been very sporadic since I went back to work full-time in July but I'm getting it together now and making the rounds of my favorite blogs. I just had to stop by to see your Fall Tree and it is beautiful as always. Lucky you with the wins - beautiful bag!