Nothing like the feeling I get when the cooler weather sets in and fall is upon us. I think it is probably my favorite time of the year. Halloween is looming and I am very in the mood to get some quick little projects done for it. All the quilt shops along our bus tour were decked out with the cutest Halloween projects and I wanted them all. I did manage to come home with 2 books and some patterns and this little kit. All Halloween theme, and do I really think I will be able to get them all done???   hahaha I doubt it, but never say never, I am giving it my best. This little project is a  pattern is from The Wooden Bear ,(P16 Witch Patternlet)  and uses 1 woven dish towel. I just loved it when I found it. I had already purchased the quilt hanger that turned out to be a perfect fit for it. That seldom happens!!!!! It really was a quickie little project, so I am on to a few others and will have them ready to post very soon. Stitch up some fun for yourselves, and Happy Haunting. By the way, did you follow the Halloween Blog Hop? There were some adorable projects shared there. It's not too late you know!

Kitchen towels

I don't know about you, but I have an issue with the thin little kitchen towels that we pay way too much for. I recently had a bath towel that after a few washing, the sides started to fray. A quick glance at my basket of extra pieces of quilt binding, made that little internal lightbulb go off. I cut the bath towel into quarters which is approximately the size of a kitchen towel anyway, and bound them with the scraps. Voila! I have the greatest thirstiest towels in my kitchen I have ever had. Better yet, with them being dark they don't get dingy and stained like their counterparts. I see at Target that they now carry a towel that they tout as bleachable. They come in a big array of colors, and while I haven't tried them, I am going to pick one up and do a little bleach testing. Those might be a great answer for a kitchen towel. Just thought I had to pass this little tip on to you all.

Took a little side step this week and started working on some towel sets. I have embroidered towels for many years now, but it wasn't until staying with a friend a couple years back, I was introduced to her grandmothers great bath mats. She just took a towel folded it in half, put quilt batting in between,(and this is the perfect place, to piece all those left over ends of quilt batting together) then just few little lines of stitching on it to keep things in place. Voila! If you have never stood on one of these, you don't know what your missing. Top that off with easy washing and they wear like no others, I will never purchase another bath mat again. It was such a simple idea, and simply wonderful. I have made plenty of them, and have even done personalized ones for the fishing lodge in Alaska that my youngest works at. I've had their clients wanting them too. They are really great!

As I said, I usually embroider towels sets, but this year I needed Disney's Cars theme. I found the perfect ribbon for them, so there you have it, even faster yet! This is actually for my oldest son, who is moving out!! Yep you heard me, at 27, he finally bought himself a new home. First time out on his own! He is a race car driver, so the cars theme for his new bathroom was a perfect fit. He actually approved the whole idea too! What we are both on the same page about something?
:-) I found the soap dispenser and tooth brush holder in "Cars" theme at Target, and they are too darn cute. He might not have much in the rest of the place, but his bathroom is going be just great!!

As a mom, sending your kids out on there own, you want nothing but the best for them. Not sure my shopping has actually added to that, but I can't stop myself from buying things like dish soap, laundry detergent, bathroom cleaner, toilet brushes and plungers. I am sure he will be just "thrilled" with his new goodie basket!! OR NOT! LOL!!

So as I prepare for his leaving, my husband is going thru his own little faze of this process. They are quite close, and he must be really dreading this next faze of life. The man who throws a fit every time any of us have brought a new pet home, found himself a new friend this week.


Meet Murphy, our new wild child. It's been so long since we have had a kitten, that I forgot just how darn cute they are. This guy is a fireball. He hasn't stopped running and exploring since he got here. It didn't take him more than about 3 minutes to decided that he was king of this castle and has spent every moment since proving that to us all! It's like raising a child all over again! Whew. I am sure there will be many adventures of Murphy in "quilting trouble" to come! That writing is on the wall.

I'm well on my way with Christmas projects this week and should have some ready to post real soon. Hope your all making progress on yours too!