A Few of My Favorite Things...

As promised earlier in the month, I wanted to share a few of my favorite things of the Thanksgiving season before it quickly vanishes ....

The little acorn.

Something so tiny and seemingly insignificant, has potential to become something grand and of great worth, providing shade, a thinking spot, and beauty for all to enjoy. All the little acorn needs is a warm spot, attention and care, plenty of time and patience, and someone to help it establish its roots. Aren't our little children, and all of us like that little acorn? Full of so much potential to become greater than we can ever imagine. I love thinking of that as I pass by this acorn pillow in my entry way. (It's free, by the way, for both machine and hand-embroidery--so you can have your own acorn inspiration).

Susan Branch.


She has some of THE cutest artwork on the planet, I think. Her book, Autumn From the Heart of the Home is simply delightful to peruse and dreamily read in hopes of making all the beautiful and delicious items inside. She offers harvest recipes, gift basket ideas, fall decorating ideas, and treat recipes, as well as some insight into her artwork. I love it. Her shelf scarf on the cover was the inspiration for the table scarf I made using this embroidery design. It's one of those books you pore over on a chilly day in front of the fire.



My little scarecrow friend.


This one has a story that goes back 14 years. Back in the day, my husband was a student, we were living in a one bedroom basement apartment, and I was teaching school full-time. My oldest son was just a year old, and my hubby was his primary care-taker during the day. They were difficult days in so many ways, yet in others, full of happy and warm memories.

We realized about August of that particular year that we needed extra money for Christmas, as we were barely able to pay for our monthly needs from my modest income. (Don't we all have stories of struggle in those first years of marriage?)

So, we got creative, and made these scarecrows that year to sell and earn a little extra income. We invested a little money in fabric and supplies, and used old worn jeans from the second hand store for the scarecrow pants. I taught my hubby how to use the sewing machine, and he would sew the straight lines for the shirt and pants while I was at school (he was so good-natured to go along with my crazy ideas!). At night after teaching, I'd paint the faces, and we'd assemble and hot glue the scarecrow parts together as we laughed and enjoyed being together. I remember my little toddler was so pleasant through the whole process, although our apartment was a ruin of scarecrow parts, straw, and fabric that had been carried from one end to the other!

It's one of those memories that will always stand out as one of my favorites, and that I will always cherish. We were poor, yet my hubby and I worked as a team, building scarecrows and another little level of our relationship. We accomplished more than we anticipated in the beginning. We sold every scarecrow we made, but I hung onto one little scarecrow guy, as I wanted to always remember that fun-filled "scarecrow and relationship-building" year.

And lastly, the concept of Abundance.


In those lean years that we experienced, and still now when times are tight and I get feeling gloomy, I have to stop and think of all I've been blessed with. My kids are healthy and happy (well, you know--for the most part, minus the teenage hormonal moments), we have a warm home, food on the table, a job, vehicles, and most importantly, each other. How truly abundant our lives are. May you each experience that same feeling this Thanksgiving Season.

Pink Ribbon Encouragement

Breast cancer affects us all at some level. Everyone seems to have at least one neighbor, co-worker, friend, mother, sister, daughter, or grandmother who has had to battle cancer and its effects. Some have fared well through the chemo and mastectomies, while others have fought valiantly, only to eventually surrender to the disease.

Cancer has reared its ugly head in my own family; my father dying of colon cancer, my mother of breast cancer, and my oldest sister facing a brain tumor twice now. Thankfully, my sister has been blessed both times, and is currently functioning and feeling well (more to come about that later in another post!). Cancer has forced our family to sit up and pay attention.

So, even though Breast Cancer Awareness Month has passed, I wanted to share with you a new design for machine embroidery that was just released yesterday morning, because as we all know, the fight against cancer still lives on. With so many women facing the battle, I wanted to create something of hope and encouragement for those who have had, or are coping with this disease.

My sweet friend, Belinda has done it again. She is amazing. She has taken these embroidery designs and turned them into beautiful pillows. Even the fabric she used coordinates. I absolutely love what she has done! (Isn't that rick-rack the cutest?)

There are two different styles of the pink ribbon machine embroidery files...in one the pink ribbon is "filled", and the other is an "appliqué" to use with the fabric of your choice.


Belinda's green pillow is sewn with wool felt, and the pink ribbon is wool felt as well. Both designs are available at SWAK Embroidery for just $5 each. For those of you who hand-stitch, an e-pattern will be available soon, so stay tuned.

(Remember as well, that for every $20 you spend in my store at SWAK until November 15, you receive three Christmas designs absolutely free!)

So, ladies, back to the subject at hand...be sure to take care of yourselves and get those lovely exams regularly. Then strengthen those who are struggling with this malady. We all need each other!

Welcome November! New Machine Embroidery Files and Promotion...

Welcome, November! Do you just love this month? I've decided that it is one of my favorites, and I believe Thanksgiving is officially my favorite holiday to celebrate. No gifts to think about; no major school parties to plan or costumes to create; no bunny, leprechaun, or elf that is planning to visit and bring stuff to my kids...just a beautiful, simple day to enjoy thinking about all of our blessings, with an opportunity to share a nice meal, play games, and watch football with family (that's a given with the men in my house!). I love it! Don't get me wrong---I love to give and receive gifts, and enjoy the fun all those other holidays have to offer. I'm just pretty keen on the concept of a simple day of giving thanks. It makes me happy. (This photo is courtesy of my niece, Cath's front yard. I think it is stunning!)

And guess what? My friend Dana emailed me Sunday night and told me all of her Halloween decorations were replaced with Thanksgiving decor. (Already!) So, that gave me inspiration to do the same. Why do I need to wait all month again? I don't have that much, but in a matter of 30 minutes, we were also Halloween-less and enjoying the simple amount of Thanksgiving decor we have. Yep, happy again. A few of my favorites to follow in another post! No, really this time.

On to other news: For those of you who machine embroider, I want to show you my latest files available at SWAK Embroidery! My sweet friends, Belinda and Lisa have been busy testing the files, and look at what they've made!

First up is "Miracle" which Belinda embroidered and turned into this darling pillow. This design has a unique story behind it, that I'll be sharing when the design becomes available for hand-embroidery, which is soon. Stay tuned!



And Lisa created this beautiful fall hand bag with the "Harvest Delight" design. I just love it as well! This design will also be available for hand-embroidery soon.

Belinda also created this lovely pillow using the "Harvest Delight" design:

In addition, I have a promotion going on over at SWAK Embroidery that I'd love for you to check out! When you spend $20 in my *store* from now until November 15, you receive the following three files for free---just in time to gear up for the holidays!

"Rejoice"-- available in two sizes:



Along with "Country Christmas" and "Joyeux Noel", both seen at the links. Remember you get all three for FREE with a $20 purchase until November 15!

One last item for you machine embroiderists...I am still looking for a few more testers who would be interested in receiving my free machine embroidery files in exchange for testing the files, providing feedback, and providing a few photos. If any of you are interested, please leave me a comment or email me directly. I'd love to work with you! Thanks so much!

Making a House a Home--Halloween Style; and a Few Yummy Fall Recipes!

Meet Dana. Wherever I have lived there has always been at least one individual in my neighborhood that becomes my lifesaver and sanity. In my current neck of the woods, one of these friends would be Dana. She has brought me dinner when our household has been sick, treats for no reason at all, flowers and a luxury magazine I'd never buy for myself on my birthday, and has shown up on my door step when somehow she intuitively knew I was having an awful day. She is always insightful as we try to solve life's problems and as we commiserate about raising teenagers, and well...we just laugh when we're together, and I love her!


Now, Dana has a darling home. It's one that you walk into and you instantly feel at ease, comfortable, cozy, and at home. I love visiting her house. Another thing I learned quickly when she moved here was that she loves Halloween more than anyone I've ever known! About August she is pining to put up her decor! So with that, I just had to share with you how she makes her house a home, Halloween style. So, while it might be too late for some of us delinquent decorators (I did finally get up my decor two days ago!) to apply these ideas for Halloween, but we can always utilize her cozy ideas for the rest of the year. Enjoy the tour...

Doesn't her front door look inviting in the photo above? I love how she utilizes twinkle lights with her garlands year round--not just at Christmastime.

When you walk into her home, her entryway is bedecked with all things festive. This hanging quote is one of my favorites that describes her to a T...

Simple, yet such festive table decor...

Don't you just want to sit down in that cozy corner and read for a while?
Every nook is so inviting...

Always a candle burning to make her home smell delicious.
Notice the tiny details in the ribbons and tags...
I love the simple basket of apples displayed in the background.

I LOVE these festive wreaths tied to the backs of her chairs!
Um, I want to eat dinner here.

Berries on the chandeliers... Another one of those extra little touches that adds so much.

Dana is also a fabulous cook! I've adopted many of her soup and bread recipes into my repertoire, and my family is never disappointed. I have made her Cream Cheese Potato Soup countless times, and we absolutely love it around here:

Cream Cheese Potato Soup

6 medium potatoes diced (I like to use new or red potatoes and leave the
skins on)
1 large onion finely chopped
1 cup celery finely chopped
1 quart water
4 T. butter
3 T. flour
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp dill
1 package softened cream cheese
1 tsp minced garlic
(can also add crumbled bacon if you desire)

First saute' the onion and celery in a little butter. Then combine
potatoes, onion, celery, water in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil;
reduce heat and simmer until tender (about twenty minutes.

In a skillet melt butter; add flour; cook and stir until mixture bubbles. Remove from heat. Stir in milk. Return to heat; cook and stir until thickened.

Stir mixture slowly into potatoes; cook and stir until thick. Add
seasonings, garlic and cream cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and
blended. (If you are going to add bacon go ahead and add now). Makes 6
cups. (I always double it).


Shelli here again...I'm making this delicious pumpkin recipe again today. I must be a cinnamon junkie, as I took a look at the recipe Dana had given me a few years ago, and I had upped the cinnamon to 4 tsp! (So, decide how strong you like your cinnamon...and you know me, I can't ever resist an opportunity to add few mini chocolate chips as well!)

My Mom's Delicious Pumpkin Bread
(this bread is so moist and because it has no eggs in it people with egg allergies love it too)

5 cups flour
4 cups sugar
4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1 cup water
1 large can pumpkin (not the pie mix)
1 cup oil

Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl and add water. Add pumpkin and oil.

Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees in greased pans. Make sure to insert toothpick in center before taking out to test them to see if they are done. When done take out and let cool a bit, then turn them out on their sides to cool some more. Mmmm good.

Thanks, Dana, for giving us a tour and sharing these delicious recipes! Enjoy!

The Crazy Halloween Dinner Tradition

As you've probably guessed by now, while I love the Autumn profusely, Halloween, on the other hand is a bit understated in our house (still haven't gotten my decor up yet!). However, one Halloween tradition that was started about 6 years ago is one that my kids look forward to each year (I even really like this one!). It's the Crazy Halloween Dinner.

Here is how it works:

Each person is given a menu with 12 items to order which will be divided into 3 courses. On the menu, you choose which course you'd like each item to be served in. However, the caveat is that you don't know exactly what it is that you're ordering...You see, each menu item is disguised by a crazy Halloween name that vaguely describes what it might be. And the clincher? You not only order your food for each course, but also your drink and silverware.

Every year, someone inevitably orders their spoon, a knife, a side dish, and a roll for one course, and the next they have their dessert, a main dish, a napkin, a drink, with no silverware. Yep, a little crazy, but lots of fun! It's especially entertaining when we have another family over to share the surprises with.

The following is a past year's menu and key for you to use if you'd like to implement this yearly tradition! Just click to enlarge, and print.


This year, my niece and her husband hosted our dinner, so it was entertaining for me, as I didn't have a clue what I was ordering either! They were great hosts and came up with unique new dishes that our family hadn't tried before, which made it extra fun for us all!

The most popular and talked about dish of the night? The "Kitty Litter!" It consisted of vanilla pudding topped with crushed graham crackers and an occasional melted tootsie roll that looked like...well, you know what. Rather disgusting, but delightful for the youngsters at the same time!

Here is Blondie determining which menu items she wanted for each course:



A.W. had to eat his "Ogre Buttocks" (ham) and "Sliced Snail" (pumpkin roll) with a knife:



And by the time Blondie got to this course, she had no silverware!

It was a great night, and filled with great memories!

Dinner was followed with pumpkin carving a la "Tim the Tool-Man Taylor"...

and a "Bertie Botts Every Flavor" Trivia game.


If you answered a question incorrectly, you had to take the jelly bean that the hosts chose for you. The most awful tasting of the night? The pizza, ketchup, gravy, and onion jelly beans.

Here A.W. is not too keen on the cheese flavor he just ate!

The Crazy Halloween Dinner is a great tradition in our home, and if you try it, I hope it's a fabulous time for your family as well!

What Halloween tradition does your family enjoy?

Turn Up the Heat with Some New Hot Pads!

It's been a busy few weeks! One of the things I've been finishing up are some hot pads and instructions for You Can Make This. Now, I don't know about all of you out there, but the hot pads in my kitchen drawer are not pretty! They are worn and well-loved, and not exactly fashionable. And you know, I never think of purchasing new ones for myself, although I love it if anyone ever gives me some!

All you have to do is down load this FREE project here at You Can Make This, and in no time you'll have some trendy new hot pads. The instructions will walk you through everything you need to know.

I've already decided that these are at the top of my list for gift-giving this holiday season. They are perfect for using up scraps of fabric, and of course, it's always fun giving a gift that comes from your heart.



And did you know that when you sign up for the variety of newsletters that You Can Make This offers, you receive a bundle of free ebooks just for joining? You can't beat that! By receiving the newsletters, you are sure to keep up with the latest projects and available patterns as they are released. Click here for the link to sign up today.
Happy Sewing!

How Cute is This Little Scarecrow?

Can you believe that it's Oct. 22, and this is the ONLY bit of Halloween or Autumn decor visible in my house? (Well, other than the tower of pumpkins that my little gal made on our back door!) How sad is that...and I love this time of year! I've been so busy with projects and keeping 3 young kids busy that I have not gotten to that item on my laundry list of tasks (we have year-round school here, and my three youngest are all out for the entire month of October. Yikes!). So, by the weekend, my goal is to have my decor up, even if it's for a few days. I'll be posting a few of my favorite things later!

But I thought this little guy was just too cute. A few weeks ago, one of the Young Women in my church taught a group of us how to make these adorable, friendly little scarecrows at an activity, and it was super easy and fun!

Here's what we used to make him:

*a softball that we painted orange--I tried to criss-cross my paint marks for an added straw-like appearance

*an empty Vienna Sausage can for the stand--cleaned out, of course! We simply hot-glued thick ribbon around it. The softball head just sits on the top. A tuna can also works for this.

*a felt circle rolled into a cone, glued, folded, and smunched a bit for the hat.

*buttons for the eyes

*rafia for the straw hair

*paint for the nose and mouth

*a variety of leaves and berries as embellishments


That's it! A fun, last minute kid-friendly craft for the season! Enjoy!