Thursday, October 7, 2021

Merrie October

October is, by far, my most favorite month of all...albeit a very bittersweet pleasure.

The fall leaves dance their last dance, the autumn winds conspire, shadows linger a bit longer than they should and magic comes a bit easier.


It is a month-long celebratory preparation culminating in one of the best days of the year.

{"Oct 31" by Blackbird Designs}

Nothing that has come before it, nor anything that comes after it, is ever quite as good as October.


I finally picked up my hook and started working on "Jack's Crow" by Winter Cottage Studio.

Yes, Lauren, I agree....Loops should be like little soldiers one by each...but just remember: Not all soldiers are the same height. 🤣

Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) and Saundra (Saundra of Woodland Junction) hooked this little mat last year...or the year before??? ...Whichever, I nonetheless am late to the party.

And remember I said I'm over the mermaid thing?  Well, I lied.  (Get used to it, I'm an attorney.)  
I stitched this last year (or the year before??) but never fully finished it.  I kept looking for the right frame or right something on which to mount it and never found one.  So I decided to make it a practice piece for a flat-fold finish.


It is difficult to see/photograph, but it is finished somewhat like a book which you pull apart to stand.

(The above photo was taken before I decided to make some cording and add it around the edges.)

(Backside of piece folded...again, before cording was added.) (And no, I am NOT a purple girl...it just went well with the linen....and it was intended for the lake house.)

For many reasons (aren't there always "many reasons" in my world??), I will not be decorating for my beloved Halloween this year.  (Ok...I did pull a few things in easy reach out.)  So, I decided that I will share with you a photo of some of my "Halloween Pasts" each post I do this month.  (Yes, my intention is more than one post this month unlike prior months.) 
This is my collection of vintage pulp/papier mache Jack-o-Lanterns....probably one of most favorite things:


I also thought I would start sharing what I happen to be reading at the time of a posting since it is an addictive escape for me.  I likely won't always remember and I know it won't be something everyone cares a rat's gray hair about, but I have learned, over the years, there are many of you who are fellow book addicts.
This is currently what I am engrossed in:


Just as I prefer hooking/stitching/punching "in season," I also prefer reading "in season" as well....although I confess that I do not limit my intake of books regarding the Salem witch trials to the fall.  Given my connection, I devour whatever I can get - both fiction and non-fiction - whenever I can get it.
Hmmm....perhaps I will share with you "A Witch's Reading List" sometime...

Until next time, be well, be safe...and enjoy this month of magic.

26 comments:

Saundra said...

OH am so happy to see a blog post by you and savored all of it. October is also my favorite month of the year but mostly because of the great weather and not so much related to Halloween.

Only you could find a Mermaid skeleton stitchery OMG where do you find all these things?? Since I've two projects in progress already guess it is a little late for me to think about hooking anything Halloweenish for this year. Am sure you will miss decorating for Halloween but we will enjoy all the previous pictures you've taken of that past endeavor.

Hill Top Post said...

For some reason, I seem to be drawn most to your October 31 design and the photo immediately below it. I don't do much decorating these days...just kind of let Mother Nature do her thing. I love your collection of vintage pulp jack o'lanterns!

Lady Locust said...

Your October pictures are scrumptious! And thank you for sharing what you are reading. I love to learn of new books. Where I now live, I can't have a library card because my address is not within the city limits. The amount I've spent on books in the past year or two is embarrassing.
Merry Magic my dear friend.

oldgreymareprimitives said...

Happy to see you and your doings. Visit us often alright?

Julia said...

It's so nice seeing a post from you again. Your autumn photos are gorgeous. Such pretty sceneries. I'm glad that you picked up your hook again. Hooking is so meditative.

I don't decorate for Halloween except for a few autumn decors. The cross-stitched mermaid skeleton just craked me. At least, it's a Halloween decoration. I like how you mounted it. Very cleaver.

I love October also but it's bittersweet to see the trees losing their leaves and the daylight getting shorter and having to change twice a day into warmer clothing and cooler clothing.

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, so I bought a very small turkey. My husband just told me that we are going in lockdown again this weekend because of Covid.

Take care,
Hugs, Julia

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Love your blog look and your Header! And "Name"!

Sorry you won't be decorating as much. I don't do much, but my mantle is in full display.

Oh yes, I love reading suggestions. And in season too. Although I don't always do the in-season-thing.

Happy October!
🍂 🎃 😊 🍁 🌰 🌻 🍂

Beside a babbling brook... said...

OH YES!!!

Have never seen a mermaid skeleton!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!

🍂 🎃 😊 🍁 🌰 🌻 🍂

Rugs and Pugs said...

Yeah for Jack's Crow. Looking good. That is one of my favorite little mats ;-) (Soldiers are not all the same height...LMAO!)
A skeleton mermaid??? Only you...lol! Fun finish.
LOVE your papier mache Jacks. Oh, I don't have a cat one!!!

NMK said...

That cute Jack Crows matt is on my to-do list which is getting very long & I haven't been able to hook anything for a few months .
Your Skelton Mermaid is a riot !!!! It is the Cutest idea !
Your Fall photos and neat paper mache pumpkins are great !!!
I Love October too & wish it lasted a lot longer !!!
Happy Hooking !!!

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Thank you for your comment, and for wishing to Follow me.

All I know, about "Following," is the way I follow blogs.

At the very bottom of my blog, I add the Blogger Gadget to Follow Blogs. And I have my list there. It shows me, when new posts are posted.

And that is all I know...

Sorry to not be of much help.

But do hope to see you again. And I'll see new posts, by you!

🍁🍂🌻🍇🌻🍂🍁

Hootin Anni said...

I'm glad I found you!! I too have a mist beloved holiday of the year... Halloween. I started my October with some of my new witches that I collect...in photos, on my blog and will continue all month. Your blog is a treasure. And I have been tempted to buy the book you are reading...good?

Hootin Anni said...

mist (should be most)

marly said...

I do not agree about awktober being the best, but I know how much you love it so I will let it go.
But you're right about the soldiers.

Please continue sharing past decor with us, and pull out a tote or two for you to enjoy.

Hootin Anni said...

I'm back. My followers gadget is way the bottom of my blog...scroll down. Thanks for visiting!

yaya said...

You and I must be sisters from another mister. I love October and of course Halloween. Don't worry about decorating because I do enough for all the world. I will show some soon when I do a post. I'm so behind as I'm helping Jack recoup and all the other everyday "stuff". I love that skeleton mermaid! It's so dang funny! We were suppose to have a big Halloween get together this weekend with my family from Chicago but schedules just didn't work out and I don't think Jack would have loved a house full of guests. Anyway, enjoy your weekend and that book looks really interesting. Let us know if it's a keeper!

Shrimpton and Perfect said...

I do so hope you have a splendidly magical October. Yes, please do share your reading material, it is of great interest to me and others I'm sure. I've just baked an almond and cherry cake and will be turning my attention to a new crochet project this afternoon. Jean. x

Olde Dame Holly said...

That skeleton merthing is SCARY! Woo! I'd throw it right back and head to shore ASAP. Great for Hallowe'en! I laughed so hard when you said your "I'm an attorney, get used to it" quip about lying. I used to get confused about lie and lay (yes, as an adult):("Why couldn't you find the file? It was layin' right in front of you.") until one of the attorneys told me, "Stop using laying when you mean lying. Think of attorneys lying on the sidewalk. They're always lying." I miss those rascally attorneys! Anyhoo, I love the rug and stitcheries, and the FDOTP (Fantastic display of the past). Those papier mache JOL's were truly weird and fun. I am glad to hear you are going to post more! Yay!

susan hemann said...

love all the things you are working on! Did the 31 Oct by Blackbird designs come in a book because I have been trying to find the design without luck? I love it!! Happy Haunting!!

Farm Girl said...

I love all of your wonderful decoration and your hooking and your stitching. Also I enjoy seeing what you are reading too.
So nice to get online and see you had posted. I agree, no month is as awesome as October, then we get to the Spring and then I am in a quandary about which month is best.
I love that mat you are making. I think I even have it in my cart, even now. I was digging though my stash of unhooked rugs and ran across a pattern I don't even remember buying or when.
Have a wonderful day my friend.
Kim

acorn hollow said...

I hooked that piece last year too a very fun piece to hook. I love your mermaid. Your vintage pumpkins are fantastic! Just when I say I am done collecting anything I see things I really like. I have enough vintage Christmas for 10 people.
So glad to see you post I am reading a very fun witch story that was free on my kindle. I have not read that author but it is very popular one at the used book store I work at.
Cathy

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Re: Following me...

You have a Sidebar. You have lots of things, on it.

On the bottom of your Sidebar, you could install the Blogger Gadget "My Blog List." It shows you, when anyone you Follow, posts a new post.

That is how I see, new posts, on the ones I Follow.

Or perhaps you do not want a list of "My Blog List," on your Sidebar. I didn't for a long time. During that time, I made another blog, which did not show, on my Profile Page. On this Private blog, I installed the Blogger Gadget "My Blog List," which showed me new posts.

Hope these will be of help, to let you Follow me. -smile-

🍁 🎃 🍁

Bama Planter said...

Hour of the Witch was a GREAT BOOK !! It's right up there with The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe. This is my favorite season also. Marshel in Alabama

Bama Planter said...

I think we connected back when I told you that I am a direct descendant of Joseph Towne of Salem, whose sisters Mary Towne Esty and Rebecca Towne Nurse were hanged as witches in 1692. Their sister Sarah was released when the trials ended. A few years earlier their mother had been questioned for the same crime. My line left the state and moved South ! Marshel in Alabama

TheCrankyCrow said...

Thanks for the visit Marshel... Yes...that is how we connected. My grandmother (7x removed) was Mary Towne Easty!!

diamondc said...

I am so happy to see a post, this is a great one.
Your flat fold is beautiful, I just love a mermaid design, even a skeleton, the backing fabric is perfect.
The outdoor photos are beautiful, the colors here have peaked, I am sad over that.
Your header photo is beautiful, it makes me feel like I can smell and feel the fall leaves and hear the crunch under my feet.
Nice Black Bird Design
Someday I will learn how to hook.
Oh my your pumpkins are wonderful, i must check out this book.

Happy fall
Catherine

Beside a babbling brook... said...

"I confess that I do not limit my intake of books regarding the Salem witch trials to the fall. Given my connection, I devour whatever I can get - both fiction and non-fiction - whenever I can get it."

I am new here, so may I ask, what is your connection? Naturally I'd think, that you are descended from someone involved...

Please and thank you..