Delightful Fall Decorations

I know that I've told you a zillion times how much I love the Fall season and LOVE decorating for the Fall.

Since there's two holidays in the Fall I tend to put all my Fall seasonal scarecrows, spooky Halloween dolls, and Thanksgiving pilgrims all out at the same time. They're usually up for three months - from the end of August or first of September until just after Thanksgiving. By putting them all up at the same time I same a lot of time by not having to change them out. I blend them together so they look fine for the three months.

I also like to alternate what I put up each year for a couple of reasons. First, I have so many wonderful decorations and secondly, it gives every one of the "dollies" their 15 minutes of fame. After all, we have to keep the "dollies" happy and keep the peace in "The Dollie Storage Room."  Letting them all shine at some point in time is a way to do this.

The "dollies" have been pestering me for a few weeks now to show pictures of the decorations and, today, I finally had some time to do so.

Two of my favorite "BIG GUYS" that hubby and I made many years ago adorn the family room fireplace.

My Boo Hoo Billy and Crowin Mike ornament designs are just hanging around.  The "W" pumpkin above is a new decoration added by hubby.

My Primitive Andy Frankenstein and Primitive Annie Witch doll designs looking down from atop the desk.

The dolls and florals in the two pictures above makes my sun-room so festive. The scene in my dining room.  My Norman The Pilgrim and Pleasantly Plump Eunice pilgrim doll designs are in charge here.

The two pumpkins shown above (Trick or Treat and Boo) were also new decorations this year added by hubby!  I think they go well with the scene.

Frankenstein above is the largest wooden doll hubby and I have ever made.  My Scarier Per Pound David and Call Me Frank N. Stein doll designs keep him company.

My Scarecrow Rob and Wickedly Plump Dot  witch doll designs and silk floral arrangement make a wonderful scene in my front hall.  I made the table cloth from some fabric my sister gave me one year.

My Punky Elmer's Little Scarecrow doll design adds his own special charm to one of the scenes in the dining room.

More silk floral arrangements that I made many years ago.  I just love creating with the silk florals as they just last and last year after year after year.  Definitely a cost effective way to decoration.  Make something once to last 10 to 20 years.  How great is that?

Arch silk floral I made one year adorns the top of the fireplace in the dining room. Can't forget the Halloween cross stitch I created last year. My Andy Scarecrow doll design has his own place of honor on top of Bud's box this year.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving decorations. I know the "dollies" were happy to show off.  Hopefully that will keep them happy for a little while.

I Just LOVE This Picture!

I just LOVE this picture of the Blue Footed Booby of the Galapagos Islands that was shared on Facebook the other day.

I don't know why but every time I look at it I get inspired to create something. Maybe it's the big blue feet or the determined look in his eyes.

Perhaps he'll become the newest member of the "Victorian Animals Tea Society."

What do you think?

Why Are THEY Still Here?

Hubby and I like to take walks along one of the streets in our town that is two miles long and has a sidewalk for the whole distance - which, in the suburbs, is unusual.

So, one beautiful, cool, sunny day last week we decided to take a walk. We were about three quarters of the way done and were walking past the athletic field for one of the private schools in town and spotted a young mother with two young children and a puppy coming in our direction. The two kids, a little girl and a little boy, were walking and jumping up and down off a wall that runs along the athletic field.

As we were approaching them the puppy spotted us and became eager to greet us.  We try to greet all the dogs we approach on our walks as they are all usually very eager to say hello and then go on their way. So, this time was no exception.

When we got close enough for the dog to greet us we stopped and extended our hands so he could smell us first and then lick our hands.  He, of course, was very eager to do so.

Well, the little boy (who couldn't have been more than 3 or 4) all of a sudden put his hands on his hips and looked up at his mom and in a booming voice said, "Why are THEY still here?"

We looked at the mother and she looked at us and we all burst out laughing. So, I said, "We're greeting the puppy. He just wants to say hello."

To this the little boy with his hands still on his hips replied, "Well, we're on a walk!"

That was it.  We were being dismissed by a 3 or 4 year old.

We looked at the mother again, and once more burst out laughing. So, we said to all, "Well, have a nice walk!" And, off they all went.

So, hubby and I spend the rest of the day laughing and saying to each other, "Why are THEY still here?"

You just never know what is going to come out of the mouths of babes.

My Crazy Quilting Passion - So What Will These Supplies Become?

I've been rather busy the past few weeks working on some of my blogs and some of my websites, but I've managed to get some shopping in.

Oh, what a surprise, Linda? There's always time for shopping! Right?

Now you might be wondering exactly what kind of shopping  I did and what is it for? As to where I went shopping -  if you know me it's a combination of letting your fingers do the walking and actually getting in the car and going retail shopping.

What it's for has to do with my new found crazy quilting passion and gifts for the holidays. Since some of it is for gifts this holidays season I don't want to spoil the surprise for the recipients so you'll just have to guess what I might be making out of all of the things I bought.

So, what did I buy?

Well, we have some whites........

We have some creams......

We have some beautiful golds....

We have some elegant silvers....

The ever formal and traditional blacks.....

Some linings perhaps.....

Maybe some pink lace edging can be used somewhere?

How about some delicate green and black lace edging?

It might even be time to utilize the beautiful lace from my sister's friends' old wedding gown....

I really hate cutting such a beautiful gown, but the lace is just gorgeous....

Wouldn't you agree it's perfect for some crazy quilting piece(s).....

How about some amazing trims and embellishments from Flights of Fancy....

I didn't forget the dragonflies.....

Some cording and straps from Joanns.....

Some beautiful florals from Pamela Amundson of theDelightfuldesigner on Etsy...

Some exquisite trims from Pamela Amundson of theDelightfuldesigner on Etsy...

Colorful silk ribbons from silkribbons4you on Etsy.....

Maybe some of my own ribbon trims might be put to use.....

Maybe even some of my lace trim stash.....

Perhaps something from my bridal floral stash.....

Didn't forget the threads from JoAnn's.. I haven't had time to shop for Kreinik threads yet....Don't worry, however, I will.....

Or, maybe I might even use some of the buttons from my stash.....

I can hardly wait to get started on this crazy quilting idea.  First, I have to develop my patterns.  That's right there's a plural (s) in there.  Can't exactly give everyone the same style. Can I?  They compare after all....

So, I'm left to developing a general pattern that I can modify here and there.

Have any idea what all the above is going to make?

Stay tuned.  For sure it will be revealed after the holidays....

I know, I know that's a long time to wait.  But, I don't want to give away the gift surprise.

Well, maybe I'll show you a few things between now and then.

We'll see.....

It's Been A Busy Few Weeks!

The past few weeks have been really busy week for me. I've been moving from one project to another to another and then back to the first to finish it. Thankfully, I've got several projects completed, several half done, and several at least started.

So, what have I been up to?

Well, I've been adding many, many handmade dolls & crafts and patterns to my Linda Walsh Originals Etsy shop. At last count I had 166 items for sale in my shop.

The "dollies" and I have been playing at Smilebox.com and creating some fun videos for the "dollies" as well as videos for my sister and her husband and "the alpaca kids." You know "the dollies" - they always LOVE to play.

I created several new fabric designs at my Linda Walsh Originals Fabric Designs shop at Spoonflower.com. Four were for "It's Raining Baby Showers" and twenty-five were for some of the other party decoration lines I'm working on.

I finished making the last of the "It's Raining Baby Showers" products using the various fabrics in my line and hope to have the products and patterns released sometime in the Fall. There's a LOT there and I hope you'll be pleased with all you can do to decorate for the best old-fashioned baby shower ever.

I managed to get some fun shopping in at JoAnn's and online at Etsy for some of the fabrics and supplies I need for my new crazy quilt passion. I can hardly wait to start these as I just LOVED my online crazy quilt class at Artful Gathering last month. There are so many ideas swirling around in my head for crazy quilting that I've started keeping a list of CQ To-Do's.

I also added more e-patterns to My Pattern Store: Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns on Craftsy. To date I've added 66 of my e-patterns there. Some for sale, some free. I hope you get a chance to visit My Pattern Store: Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns at Craftsy. If you like my store please follow me.

And, last but not least, but at least the most fun, I  managed to create a few new boards on Pinterest and added many new pins to my existing boards. I just LOVE Pinterest and find it so relaxing to just browse through picture after picture of beautiful creations. If you're on Pinterest I'd LOVE for you to follow me.



PHEW!!! That's what I've been up to the last few weeks. It's been busy, busy, busy and based on my "To-Do" list it doesn't look like it's going to slow down anytime soon.


Graphic Courtesy of  Image Emporium

How Can You Not LOVE This Face?

How can you not LOVE a face like Masquerade's?  

He's my sister's newest addition to her Rock Garden Alpacas farm and is just adorable as far as I'm concerned. According to my sister, for an alpaca he's very theatrical and choosy as to whom he'll let pet him. I think he looks like he belongs in the "Phantom Of The Opera!"

And, I bet his fleece is just amazing with all the color combinations. I can envision using it for the beard and hair on a woodland type doll. What do you all think?

What I'd really like to do is make a little replica alpaca doll of him. However, before I can do that I have to hone my needle felting skills. It's on my massive "to-do" list. Perhaps in the Fall......

"So you're the new kid huh" - February 2012 With Cosmo

My Crazy Quilt Purse Is DONE!

What is it they say?  "A little rain never hurt anyone!"  Well, that's true as far as I'm concerned as a little rain today allowed me extra time to finish my crazy quilt purse.

If you've been following along with the posts on my Linda's Blog you know that I've been taking my very first online class with Pat Winter on Artful Gathering. The class is called Crazy Quilting 101 and I have LOVED every minute of the class. Pat is such a fantastic teacher. I only wish I had taken one of her classes years ago.

My head is filled with all sorts of ideas for crazy quilting creations that I can make and, maybe, give as Xmas presents this year. Who knows! My head is spinning.

What I do know is that I LOVE crazy quilting and may have found a new passion.

Does that mean I'm giving up of dolls, Victorian fashions, silk florals, history and everything else I LOVE. Of course not! It just means I'm going to find a way to combine everything I love. That means I may be creating crazy quilting things related to Victorian dolls or florals.  Maybe a little genealogy? You never know.

I ended up lining and finishing my purse with some addition iron-on interfacing being added  to the lining material as well.  So, both the lining pieces and the front and back pieces ended up with iron-on interfacing on them.  The front actually ended up with two iron-on interface pieces.

I'm also thinking that I'm going to sew two large snaps to the inside top of my purse to hold the top closed. That way no one can just reach in and steal my belongings. Not that I'd put anything in it worthy of stealing! Well, Chapstick maybe!

I'm really pleased with the way my purse came out. Definitely looks Victorian which is certainly right up my alley. I may just have to keep my beautiful blue purse. I'm such a bad sister!

Silk Ribbon Embroidery and Final Beading On My Crazy Quilt 101 Purse Is Done

It's pouring cats and dogs and I'm sitting here finishing the last silk ribbon embroidery flower and final beading detail on my Crazy Quilting 101 Artful Gathering 2012 class purse.

So far I'm very pleased with the way my purse is coming out. The next step is to add the lining, the cording around the side and top edges and the strap. As mentioned in a previous Linda's Blog post I'm going to add the lining and finish the purse a little differently than Pat's instructions called for.

Once the lining is done my purse will be finished. I'll be sure to take a picture so you can see the final results.

I've thoroughly enjoyed taking Pat's course. If you love crazy quilting and want to learn from a terrific teacher then you'll want to take one of Pat Winter's crazy quilting classes. She has definitely created a crazy quilting monster in me. Just don't tell hubby this! LOL LOL

Some Stitching and Beading Work On My Crazy Quilting Purse

I just LOVE really productive days. Don't you?

Yesterday was one such day for me.  The morning was close to 100 degrees and the afternoon brought thunderstorms so I was able to catch up on several things, including my Crazy Quilting 101 Artful Gathering 2012 class purse.

I'm probably right on schedule but wanted to get more done yesterday as some of the other students in the class seem to be ahead of me. And, you should see their creations. They are absolutely beautiful.

In fact, Pat Winter is going to be publishing pictures of the students finished purses in the Fall edition of her Crazy Quilt Gatherings Magazine so be on the lookout when that issue comes out. I, of course, will be purchasing that issue not only because I'll be in it, but because I've been purchasing Pat's magazine since it first came out. I absolutely LOVE each issue and still find myself thumbing through issue after issue and viewing the gorgeous crazy quilting eye candy.

So, yesterday was a very productive day. I added green herringbone stitch and shiny white beads to the top right hand seam. I also added a beaded dragonfly to the top right hand corner as well as a tiny blue beaded spider just below that and just above the blue/teal embroidered flower. Can you see it?

I added wide gold herringbone stitch and blue sequins with shiny white beads to the lower right hand corner just below the decorative blue/gold lace trim.

I used the Cretan stitch with gold beads to secure the left hand side of the blue/gold lace trim.

In the blue/black/gold piece at the very bottom of my purse I stitched a lazy daisy type flower with a combination of cream and blue thread and added gold and blue sequins with white beads as well as a combination of white, blue and gold beads inside the petals.

I used a green chevron stitch with green beads along the left hand side seam just to the left of the white butterfly.

Later today or tomorrow I'm hoping to add some of the silk ribbon embroidery flowers around the picture. Then I may be done with my embroidery embellishments. We'll see. 

The First Day of My 1st Online Class - CQ101 With Pat Winter at Artful Gathering

Several months ago I decided to take my 1st online class and decided to take one of the Artful Gathering classes that were being offered in Session One and/or Session Two. My problem was there were so many wonderful classes to choose from that choosing just one was going to be difficult. I finally decided to take Pat Winter's Crazy Quilting CQ101 class. I'll be making that adorable crazy quilt purse you see in the picture above.

So, I've been anxiously awaiting June 6th, which is when the Session One classes were to begin. Along the way I've been receiving emails from Artful Gathering regarding how taking classes with this Ning group will work and how to maneuver around my Ning page. I'd didn't have any problem with any of this as I've been a member of several Ning groups for years.

I was really anxious this morning to start on my purse but I had foolishly scheduled a hairdresser appointment and wasn't able to begin right away. When I got home I followed the steps outlined in the class initialization memo and proceeded to see what was involved.

I clicked through all the links in Pat's welcome page and quickly discovered how easy it would be to start and stop the video's for my time-frame during the next 6 weeks. Pat had also included a bunch of printable vintage freebies and some instructions for different silk ribbon embroidery (SRE) styles as well as how-to's for different stitches we will be using. Thank you very much for those Pat. They are well appreciated.

I made it through the introduction which is the first of twenty video's for this class and ran out of time for today. Hopefully, I'll have more time tomorrow.

I keep looking at all the material, all the lace, all the ribbons, and all the beads in my kit. There's a lot there. Hopefully, my purse will come out really, really good. We'll find out. Tomorrow I start with Video 2.

So far all I can say is, "WOW!" There was a LOT OF WORK involved in creating and organizing this Artful Gathering event for C. Zinnia Galliher and a lot of work for each of the instructors in putting their video's together. My hats off to all of you for a job well done.