octo-cutey

I call myself a guerilla crafter-- but not because of some political statement I'm trying to make through cardstock and hot glue. It takes a lot to motivate me to craft these days so, when I come across a project I deem worthy of my time, I strike aggressively and seemingly out of nowhere. And so it was with this cutey-patootie yarn octopus.

I came across this gem in the August issue of Martha Stewart Living and *knew* this was the project to bring me out of my crafting coma. The materials were easy enough - cotton yarn, scissors and a styrofoam ball, plus a little thread for the eyes. The instructions were simple, too. And with our little bundle on the way this winter, I thought this would be a lovely homemade token of Mama's love.

I'm happy with the way he turned out, though I think he could use a few touch ups and an accessory-- a bow tie perhaps? We shall see. You can find the step-by-step instructions for this little guy right here.

Have a great weekend! x 

Halloweenie

Hello there and Happy Weekend!

We're off to the Rock & Shock Horror Convention and Music Festival tomorrow and its really putting me in the mood for Halloween! I'll be working on my costume today to get in spirit. Are you dressing up? What are you going to be??

I *love* Martha's toadstool pumpkins! and have a go at that little snail!

I hope you can make time for some Halloween tricks and treats this weekend! Check out Martha Stewart's Halloween Central for all kinds of ideas - pumpkin carving designs, decorations, DIY costumes and themed recipes - and have a look at Etsy's Halloween gift guides for more spooky inspiration. (I think I'm going to make some Creepcakes next week-- so cute!)

Enjoy my dears!

xxx,
Mrs. M

fallin'

We've got 2 weeks until Autumn finally descends upon us, but after Labor Day summer is pretty much finished in my book. As much as I love fall in New England, I'm a little sad this year-- I feel like we were seriously jipped out of a real summer because of all the nasty, cool weather we had this year. Le sigh.


BUT after last weekend, I'm letting go of summer. Hubby and I had a 'last hurrah' in the frigid water at the beach, eating hamburgers off the grill and finally getting ice cream cones from Gellar's (the summer snack bar in our little town-- we've lived here for 4 months but, now I feel like a true Manomet-ian!).


I also treated myself to some new warmer duds and saw Rob Zombie's Halloween II, to get me in the mood for the season. It worked. I'm really looking forward to cool, crisp days, warm-hued leaves and making my Dr. Dakota Block Halloween costume, among lots of other things.


Here are some of my favorite fall-inspired picks from Etsy that I just had to share...

Clockwise from the top left:

~Mother and Child Aspen Leaf necklace by Elizabeth Scott Designs
~Tufted Titmouse by Robert Socha Photography
~Skeleton Leaf earrings by Roundabout Designs
~Acorn Tree by Laura Berger (check out her blog & flickr photostream too)


I don't know about you, but I *love* discovering new-to-me Etsy artisans and their work, then hoarding them in my ridiculously long favorite lists. I figure since I can't buy them all - which is exactly why I don't have a credit card - the least I can do is share them and hope you see something you like enough to buy. I heart supporting handmade awesomeness (and no, they don't pay me to say that).


Anywho, I've got lots to look forward to this fall-- how about you?


I'll be attending my second NY Harvest Festival & Freedom Fair on October 9th, which is a whole pile of interesting. I'll hopefully be able to catch the Wailers (!!!) and the always-funky George Clinton, too. Seeing the bright foliage throughout the Catskills is worth the trip alone.

Then on the 18th, I'll be going to my first ICP show in at least a year and I am so pumped for that! They might not be your cup of tea but, god damn do they put on a helluva show.

In between all these exciting events and Halloween of course, I would also love to squeeze in a few fall crafts (like Martha's simple-but-lovely autumn luminarias or another leaf craft of some sort) because I have been neglecting my poor crafty supplies since our move.

AND I want to go apple picking! I haven't been since I was a kid and I am just dying to go. I have been hanging onto PickYourOwn.org for months and I will definitely be checking that out for apple orchards, pumpkin patches and other agricultural fall fun 'round here. I can't wait to make some warm cinnamony-delicious desserts with apples I've picked myself-- it doesn't get much better than that!



Hope you're enjoying September thus far darlings!

xxx,
Mrs. M