I'm very close to having the first floor of my house put back in order and cleaned. Everything is done except for my bedroom and half of the foyer. I'm expecting to have a completely cleaned up main floor in another day or two.
As you can see above, the kitchen is in order. Even the crud that had collected behind and underneath the refrigerator has been cleared away.
I've done a teenie little bit of fall decorating. I hung my fall wreaths on the front and back doors, got a big pot of pretty yellow mums for the front porch, arranged a Halloween message on the dining table (see photo above), hung my autumn leaves quilt, and put my fabric pumpkins out (see photo at left). I made the large jack-o-lantern several years ago, and my friend Marla made the small one and brought it to me one day a couple of weeks ago along with a large pan of her delicious chicken pot pie.
Note about Autumn Leaves quilt: The real title of it is "Endless Indian Summer." It is hand appliqued, hand embroidered, and hand quilted. I began it in 1981 and finished it in 1991. Thus, the endless part.
Today was the first Monday of the month, the regular day for my quilting bee group to meet. October was my month to be hostess, and since my house was not yet ready to receive guests, I held the meeting at our local public library meeting room. We had good snacks and lots of great show and tell. Below are photos of some of the things everyone was working on.
The leaf quilts were done using some kind of technique that the bee did while I was absent. I think it's a resist technique, maybe bleach. I"m not sure. But doesn't it make a very interesting optical illusion?
The quilt below is Mary U's "California Roll" that she made using a jelly roll that she got in our Dirty Santa game at December Bee. She will be donating the finished quilt to the library for a fund raiser.
Below is a photo of Sally's Elmer's Glue Resist piece. This is something I'm actually going to try later. Some people started theirs in our September bee meeting. I chose a pattern, bought supplies, and came home and promptly made a big mess. This was while things were really in a state of upheaval at my house, and my brain wasn't firing on all cylinders. I really want to try it again. For more information, google "Elmer's Glue Resist" or just "glue resist."
The final photo is of the new mural on the side of the library. An artist, whose name I can't come up with right now, created it for our folk festival "John Henry Days," which was held a couple of weeks ago in Leeds.
So now I"m going to make lunch, then I think I'll spend a leisurely afternoon snuggling with Sophie and reading. Then back to the housecleaning chores on the morrow.
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On 10/05/2009, Courtney Short-Prudhomme said ...
I love all your decorations!! so pretty!
On 10/05/2009, Colleen said ...
Your fall decorations are beautiful. I love the fall leaves quilt on the wall. The large fabric jack-o-lantern is adorable.
On 10/05/2009, Kerrie said ...
Wow! The mural on the building wall is fabulous! Would love to be walking there! Your decorations are neat! Kerrie
On 10/05/2009, CarlaH said ...
You are really going full blast with the housekeeping - makes me ashamed of my lack of motivation - oh well there's always tomorrow. Glad to see that you are getting together with your quilting buddies. Your seasonal decor is lovely.
On 10/05/2009, Jan said ...
You sound good today my dear :) I was thrilled to hear that you went forward w/your monthly get together! That takes an abundance of faith, strength and courage, so excellent job! Your kitchen is beautiful and I love all the decorations. The leaf quilt gets a standing applause! It's gorgeous :) You take care.
On 10/05/2009, Sandy said ...
You can't just leave us hanging out here not knowing how to make those leaves float on top of those quilts!! Please let us know what technique they used. I would love to know how. Your house looks great and so clean. I just might get inspired to get up and do the same here at my house. Thanks.
On 10/05/2009, Gayle said ...
You have such a welcomig kitchen. :-)
On 10/05/2009, Kai said ...
Your kitchen is SO pretty and homey! The warmth and love radiates from every corner. And it's looking VERY Autumnal there! (Here, all the punkies & leaves and so forth cannot fool the humid 90 degree days we are still having.) But I'm PRETENDING it's cool & crisp! LOL! I am going to check out that glue resist. Tho' I don't quilt, I MAY use it elsewhere in creating something. It makes me happy when you are having a good day. You and Sophie give each other some love from me, okay?
On 10/05/2009, Debra Spincic said ...
You clearly overdid it when you cleaned out the crud from underneath and behind your fridge. I think it's time to slow down! *wink*
On 10/05/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
I love all the photos of your charming home and the autumn touches are just perfect. Well done!
What a good idea to host your bee at the library. Your bee does the most interesting things! Love the donation quilt, the resist quilts, and the Elmer's glue resist piece. I'm going to look that up!
Today I actually put the final border (out of 2 borders, so don't be too impressed) on a wildly colorful Laurel Burch Christmas panel wall hanging and it's not even December yet. I'm so pleased with how it turned out!
Hugs to you!
On 10/05/2009, Joanne said ...
I saw a quilt program on TV about a year ago. They showed how to do the bleach trick. I went and bought fabrics and supplies, and thought and thought about it. But I haven't tried to make one yet. - Joanne
On 10/05/2009, Joanne said ...
P.S. I meant to say, your autumn decorations are gorgeous.
On 10/05/2009, Donna said ...
I love all of your fall decor. You make me want to get off this computer and go clean my house! All my little "corners"!
I think about you often. I know how hard it is and I try to stay busy.
I am glad you are getting back to your quilting pals. Maybe one day we will meet in the quilt shop in Trussville.
On 10/06/2009, Lavender Dreams said ...
I think I will join you and clean some this morning! I love your beautiful Fall decorations and the quilts are beautiful! Have a good day today!
On 10/06/2009, Nicole said ...
I love seeing other people's seasonal decorations. Thanks for the tour!
Years ago, during a time in my life when things seemed very bleak, I cleaned my little house from top to bottom. Every nook and cranny got scrubbed and dusted. I remember it was Easter afternoon, and I was all alone. I cannot tell you how in control of my life all that cleaning made me feel. As I gazed around at my orderly, spic and span environment, that I had created, I truly felt that I could cope with just about anything.
So, now you have to tell us, what is the Dirty Santa game?
On 10/06/2009, Rian said ...
You are amazing. I want to be just like you when I grow up.
On 10/06/2009, Carrie said ...
You make me want to decorate for fall! Reading your blog is so inspiring, thank you for all your posts :)
On 10/06/2009, Pat said ...
Another of my blogger friends often says, You know you want to be me! Well, I want to at least accompllish what you do! I'm looking forward to retirement and more time as well. Have you quilted all your life?
On 10/07/2009, Rachel @ Grasping for Objectivity in my Subjective Life said ...
Those quilts with the leaves ARE amazing! How fascinating to make it look 3-D like that...wow!
Your fallishness is gorgeous - it's definitely catching!!
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