Weekend Favorites

Another Halloween is here. This is the first year we haven’t had a school parade to go to. I’m ok with that.

Last year I think we had two groups of kids ring the doorbell. That’s it. So I’ve decided not to buy any candy. I’m just going to share stuff we already have: my big ol’ 5lb bag of Yummy Earth lollipops, and maybe some Equal Exchange chocolate miniatures, if I’m feeling particularly generous.

Yes, I will be the house handing out organic lollipops and fair trade chocolate.

Hey, it’s not like we’re going to see more than a dozen kids come by anyway. Every year I cringe at having to buy the artificially-flavored junk I usually avoid, and then I spend the next few weeks being tempted by the copious amounts of leftovers (and being too weak to resist more often than not).

This year I am not buying into that. Lest you think I’m some kind of Halloween Scrooge, these lollipops are actually really, really delicious. I would not have invested in a 5lb bag otherwise! Just writing that makes me want to go dig through the bag and get myself a pomegranate pucker. (Amazon has them, if you’re interested. < –and that’s an affiliate link).

Boo humbug!

On Flickr

The mosaic below represents other people’s pictures that spoke to me this week. Be sure to click on the titles below the mosaic, if you want to know more about the image or the photographer behind it.

(follow me on flickr)

1. Ms Pumpkin likes a healthy diet., 2. ❤, 3. Untitled, 4. I am a one woman sewing factory this week, stitching up lots if new original pieces for #urbancraftuprising on December 6-7th. Will you be there?, 5. Good Morning from the Lake! #fromwhereistand #lakegeorge #themugchronicles #leaflove, 6. Late night random crafting is my version of checking out/playing games on phone etc.- {hoping @maryartspirit will make #rughooking kits, as this pumpkin is my version of her idea. she also sells them finished on her etsy and teaches it live @frenchgeneral, 7. Untitled, 8. DSC04332, 9. Commission pillow #2, goes with one in previous photo. These were made for a 13 y o who’s getting a gorgeous new room. I hope she likes them!, 10. Morning, 11. Teal Squares, 12. A scene from my booth at Quilt Market. With @shenaanagins #stitchindye #showmethemoda #quiltmarket

Around the Web

I spend some time earlier in the week sharing my favorite crafty links through social media. And then I repeat them here on Fridays.

• All About Ease – knitting advice from berroco design studio. Amy asks (and answers) the question: What is ease and how much do you need? A good read for beginner knitters and crocheters before starting that sweater project.
• Lamb Bonnet – an adorable sewing project from The Purl Bee. This is so cute. And she’s totally right about there being a very small window of opportunity where you get to choose your little one’s Halloween costume. Parents of toddlers, take note!
• Nude Food Sandwich Wrappers – from thirtynine, via Sew Mama Sew. I used to be all about the reusable food containers for my kids’ lunch boxes, but now *they* are all about the brown bag. So I have reluctantly transitioned to using the least objectionable disposable wrapping that I can. If I didn’t think it would get them teased, though, I’d make them a set of these sandwich wraps and some coordinating cloth napkins.
• Design Your Own Photo Stickers – a fun idea from Spoonflower Blog. My head is spinning from the possibilities here. I have a few blank walls that would love something like this…
• Giant crochet leaf pattern for autumn bunting – tutorial from Messy La, via Mollie Makes. I love the look of these leaves – they’re different than what you might expect, in that they seem to radiate out from the bottom rather than the center. So pretty!
• Realistic Eyeball Props – a creepy Halloween DIY, via Crafter-holic!. Not a huge Halloween fan over here, but I have to say, these are some really convincing eyeballs. I *almost* want to make a bowl of them for display on the coffee table.

Happy Halloween!