Julia sent me this picture and I just had to share it with you all… She’s been busy making cloth pumpkins…and they are so adorable..
If you click on her picture, it will enlarge and you can see them better…
This is what she told me…
I used crushed velvet from a thrifted top and vintage chenille from a worn and ripped bedspread to make my pumpkins. They are stuffed with plastic grocery bags. I have more than I like because the reusable ones get left at home. Twig stems are from my backyard and ribbon most likely from a thrift store. The copper wire was purchased for other craft projects. Next week my brother is bringing my parents for a visit. Everyone will go home with a pumpkin! The orange pumpkin and ghost are from Hallmark about 15 years ago.
Maybe she can give us some more details for the pattern for them… you know, curious minds want to know! *wink* *wink*
Okay, who’s feeling inspired and crafty today???
Thanks Julia,
Blessings, Jeanne
I like your October display, Julia! How thoughtful to make enough pumpkins so that each person will have one to keep–as well as a good use of materials that otherwise might otherwise end up in a landfill somewhere.
My favorites are the brown velvet ones–so rich looking, with the copper accents!
Hi Charlotte,
I liked Julia’s idea of giving away pumpkins to her guests too!
I like the velvet ones too. But I’m a little bit partial to the chenille ones! :o)
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the darling cloth pumpkins, that are “in” this year! My favorite ones are the chenille pumpkins, with all the textures, and paired with the smooth velvet ones, it certainly does make a pretty display! That’s a great idea to use older materials, instead of throwing them away!
Jeanne, I am a bit puzzled about what you wrote yesterday. You mentioned going to Fairview Heights and to Dierbergs. Now, Dierbergs is a grocery store, but you wrote that you bought a sweater and Cotton Candy grapes there. In fact, Dierbergs is my grocery store, but not that one. They have sweaters there?? And what are Cotton Candy grapes? 🙂
H Linda,
We did some shopping in Fairview Heights at TJ Maxx, Savers, Gordmans, Goodwill and Burlington. Then when we were leaving and heading back home we stopped at Michael’s and Dierbergs.
Rebecca had never been in a Dierbergs. She loaded u on some “bulk” stuff.
We had s really nice day…pooped from so much walking but fun!
Blessings ,Jeanne
Julia has a great display. Love the colors/textures and the perfect stems. This is great. Reminded me that I made some pumpkins a few years ago out of old canning lids with similar stems. After I clean off the coffee table today, I’ll pull them out. Won’t be as nice as Julia’s, but will do. Grands will be here this afternoon. They will be with us while daughter and husband go to her 20th class reunion. We are so happy that the power returned late yesterday. So nice to do simple things like turn on a light switch. 🙂 And we have heat this morning too. 🙂 Almost four days without modern conveniences was a bit much for me. Really appreciate my large screen computer even more. 🙂
Have a fun weekend.
Yay, Joy! So happy you have reinterred 2019!
Yay! Yay! Yay! Joy has power now!!! I’m sure none of us are as excited as she is!!
I hope you did a little decorating with your pumpkins!! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Soooo glad you got the electric back, Joy! So glad!!! Enjoy, I know you will. : ) Love and hugs, Ali
love the pumpkins — and joy’s electricity. it’s a good day.
Hi Marilyn,
Yes it is a good day…for Joy and all the rest of us!!
Hope you’re doing better each day.
Blessings, Jeanne
I am back from grocery shopping at Dierbergs and guess what? I found Cotton Candy grapes! But a sweater? Unless it was a Cardinal top, I didn’t see any sweaters.
Hi Linda,
I explained above…the Cotton Candy grapes came from Dierbergs but he sweaters came from TJ Maxx and the Goodwill.
Sorry for the mix up… but you sure gave me a laugh!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Love the cloth and velvet pumpkins. I really like things that are permanent and can be used year after year. So glad your electricity came back on, Joy. We had a short power outage for about an hour and a half this morning (8:30- 10:00). Since it was 42 degrees out, the house really cooled down. My Bombay kitty likes to we warm, so we had a good snuggle.
Sorry, forgot to mention how adorable Kirsten looked in her dirndl yesterday. I can’t get over how much I love that color combination on her. The bonnet is probably my favorites ever. Did you use a pattern, or draft it from scratch?
I’ve not heard of cotton candy grapes either and had to look them up. They are apparently sweeter. Our market had champagne grapes once. They are very small and very good.
Hi Laura,
I like things that can be used year after year too! Especially handmade things…
I hope you and our kitty had a good time of cuddling! I’m sure you did!
I used the main 2 parts of the Keepers Dolly Duds bonnet pattern, but then added a long folded over piece of gathered fabric for the extended ruffle. I kept it flat on the sides and only gathered up the back section. It’s one of my favorite ones too. I also love that blue color on Kirsten.
I just finished eating a few more of those Cotton Candy grapes. They are very sweet and you only need a few to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Thanks Laura,
Blessings ,Jeanne
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I have spent my days since returning from vacation trying to catch up on things both housekeeping and bookkeeping-wise so I am existing totally and vicariously on the creativity of others. Hopefully next week I can get back into my sewing room. I love Julia’s pumpkins. They are lovely and so creative. I like the idea of sending home pumpkins with visiting family members. Pumpkins are good for fall and the Halloween and Thanksgiving seasons so there will be a good length of time to enjoy them.
Joy I am so glad your power is back on, especially your heat. I wouldn’t have minded some heat in the house the past two mornings, but wearing my lightweight fleece jackets works fine. Since temps will be climbing next week again, I decided to endure the cold mornings so I can enjoy the cool afternoons inside without A/C because they will soon come to an end. Have no idea when the next front will be through. Usually we get “teaser” fronts at this time of year. They make it past Dallas and then go east before they reach us. Getting a strong front so early is unusual. Will be interesting to see if this is indicative of a colder winter for us this year. I would love to wear some of my pretty sweaters more than once during the season.
Cotton candy grapes… Interesting… Need to see if my grocery store has them.
Hi Barbara
Sometimes coming back from a trip can be overwhelming…I hope you get things taken care of…
We are enjoying some sweater weather here..
My favorite season.
The Cotton Candy grapes are very sweet so you only need a couple…
Thanks Barbara
I hope you make it back to your sewing room soon…
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Barbara!! Hope you can get back into your sewing room sooner rather than later. : ) I’m envious of your cool days! I should be happy as we finally broke 90 degrees today and hopefully for the next week. It will be 87 and 88 still, but it’s a little step toward our Florida Fall!! I hope it lasts a long time once it comes and doesn’t go straight into the winter cold!! : ) I hope yours does, too!! Love and Hugs, Ali
Love your Pumpkins, Julia!! How creative you are! Nothing better than making them yourself with love and care. You can enjoy them all season and your family gets to enjoy them, too!! What could be better!!
Jeanne, your dress for Kirstin is wonderful! Great colors for her and your expertise on these shows in every stitch! Love the bonnet. This might be my favorite of all Kirstin’s outfits you’ve done!! I love it!!
My helper goes to the grocery for me on Saturdays. Yes, she’ll be bringing home some Cotton Candy Grapes for me to taste. Thanks for the mention, Jeanne!! They sound awesome, too!!!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
Love and hugs, Ali
Hi Ali,
Thank you so much for your kind compliments on Kirsten’s dress. I wish everyone could see it in person. The colors are just Spot On if I do say so myself.
I hope your helper found the Cotyon Csnfy grapes. They are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted in a grape.
Thanks Ali
Blessings, Jeanne
I forgot to ask you if you had a chance to check out the Judy Porter dolls. I have been in touch with her a lot asking many, many questions and she is wonderful and very accommodating. Since I just formally adopted Lolla, I’m not in the position at the moment to take advantage of Judy’s offer but I plan on doing it as soon as I can. I love her Wen doll. May have to sneak this one passed hubby. He’s okay with new additions to the family as long as they don’t arrive too close together. I told Judy about your blog. She says she does not sew much but she loves seeing what others do, so I told her she should check out your blog because there’s a lot of creating going on here.
Barbara, I met Judy at a doll show in Wichita 2 weeks ago. Such a sweet, pretty lady! Her dolls are darling. She had a lot of activity at her table.:0)
Hi Barbara
I did look up the dolls made by Judy Porter and they were just as adorable as you mentioned! I think I may have seen her dolls before. But just didnt recognize them as hers. Every single one of them is so set.
If you happen to get one, share some pics with us.
Blessings, Jeanne
Loved the story about the cotton candy grapes. I do have to admit that at first I thought you meant they were little balls of cotton candy the size of grapes…..Duh! Sound good though:)
Attended a UFDC ( United Federation of Doll Clubs) Event today and the theme was American Girl Dolls. You would have had a great time Jeanne. Never have seen so many AG dolls in one place! The club is the River City Doll Club in Lincoln, NE. They had a doll show, luncheon at the Country Club, door prizes, Helpers, Sales Tables, and silent auctions. I took pictures so will send them off to you. A great Doll Day
Hi Kathie,
The cotton candy grapes are so different…I’m glad I bought some…
Oh good…more pictures to share of a doll convention! I can’t wait to see them.
The convention sounds like so much fun!!!
Thanks Kathie
Blessings ,Jeanne
I make my pumpkins by taking a rectangle of fabric and sewing up one side to make a tube. That’s why the sleeves worked so well. They were already in a tube! Then I do a running stitch by hand at one end and pull it tight. This is still inside out. Then I turn it right side out so the gathered end is inside. Next fill with whatever you have. Old pantyhose, fiberfill, plastic bags, etc. I tried crushed newspaper but that was a dud. Do a running stitch on the remaining open end, tuckingthe raw edges inside. That’s when I put my twigs in. I’ve seen people used twisted paper, either painting it or using brown paper. Some even use the actual stems off real pumpkins! Then decorate. Silk fall foliage, or felt leaves, strips of fabric instead of ribbon. I put some tacky glue in around the twigs and ribbon. Check out Pinterest. There are a million tutorials for these pumpkins and not all are made the way I made mine. 🍁🎃🍂
Hi Julia,
Oh good…directions to the pumpkins…I totally get how you did them…and just might have to try a few myself…
Thanks so much for sharing…
Blessings ,Jeanne