Happy Halloween!

Halloween is here!

I've made some new mug rugs to celebrate.

Both patterns are from The Patchsmith.

The first one is the Primitive Pumpkin Mug Rug.

This pattern is available individually,

or in the Halloween and Thanksgiving Mug Rugs E-book.

I had the most fun creating the pumpkin

from a variety of orange fabrics in my stash.

The Patchsmith method was so innovative and easy...

as are all of her designs!

I couldn't resist making a Jack-O-Lantern mug rug, too!

For this mug rug,

I used the Pumpkin Patch Mug Rug pattern.

Once the basic mug rug was stitched,

I jazzed it up using The Patchsmith's

FREE bonus pattern

for Pumpkin Face Appliques.

I like those missing teeth...

someone's been eating too much candy.

I finished both of these off using my own 

Machine Binding Tutorial.

These mug rugs look almost as nice on the back, 

if I say so myself!

I hope you'll have a chance to make your own mug rugs,

then enjoy a nice cup of hot cider 

and a sweet treat this Halloween!

Don't worry, though, if you're too late for Halloween...

pumpkins are welcome all the way through November!

End of October - Across The Pond Sew Along Rag Wreath

This month's

Across The Pond Sew Along

featured a fun project...

rag wreaths!

My sister Susie  over at Susie's Sunroom

created a sweet wreath from a range of plum fabrics.

She added some button details.

Sigh...adorable!

Amanda The Patchsmith...

our British "sister"...styled her own

autumn wreath with flannel plaid,

accented with golds, oranges and reds.

When I saw those two projects, I made sure

I took the time to make a rag wreath of my own!

I pulled out a stack of homespun wovens

that have been in my stash for...

ahem...a very long time.

I followed the tutorial by Hiphome for my project,

and I cut my strips about 1 1/2" x 5" or so.

I wouldn't have wanted those strips any shorter,

because they would have been difficult to tie.

My mom and I had a wonderful afternoon

of crafting together, and she created her own

wreath to take home.

My finished wreath looks so full and pretty, hung on my front door.

OK...let's be real.

I had to take photos on the front door,

but my wreath will NOT be living there.

The first rainy night or snowy storm

would probably ruin my fluffy wreath.

It's an inside wreath!

I only took the outside photos

so you could see how lovely it is.

It doesn't show up well in my indoor pictures,

but that's where it will really be kept.

{I couldn't get any nice photos of Mom's wreath, but is gorgeous,

hanging in her hallway, against a taupe wall.}

From now through Thanksgiving,

I'll enjoy looking at this lovely textured

autumn palette...I wish you could touch this wreath!

I hope you'll try making one of your own.

If you do, please add it to the 

Flickr page for the Across The Pond Sew Along!

Come back tomorrow for

another October finish...as we finish October!

Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies - A Recipe to Share

If your back-to-school days have been

anything like mine,

there's just not much time for baking.

That's why I love stirring up these

Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies!

Click here for the printable PDF recipe!

Here's how I make them...starting with these ingredients.

Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

                        2 cups sugar                   1/2 cup peanut butter

                        1/2 cup butter                 1 tsp. vanilla

                        2/3 cup evaporated milk   1 1/2 cups salted peanuts

                        3 1/2 cups oatmeal (regular or quick-cooking, uncooked)

Mix sugar, butter, and evaporated milk in a medium saucepan.

Bring mixture to a rolling boil, and boil 5 minutes,

stirring frequently to prevent from burning.

Remove pan from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla.

Now fold in peanuts and oatmeal.

Spoon onto foil-lined cookie sheets, shaping into cookies.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Once you've got the cookie "dough" ready,

you'll want to work quickly to drop them onto the foil.

 The cookies set up in a few minutes, as they cool off completely.

This recipe makes quite a few cookies,

but they're very tasty, so people tend to eat lots of them.

It makes enough to fill two full cookie sheets.

Wouldn't you like to welcome home someone special,

with some sweet treats like this?

Now I just need to come up with a sweet No-Sew project,

for these busy days when I can't get near my sewing machine!

{Hey...that's not a bad idea! I think I'll see what I can come up with.}

Until then, I hope you'll enjoy this recipe!