Monthly Roundup ~ October 2017

Another month has gone by & it’s time for a Monthly Roundup!  Where is the time going??  This month is slim compared to some, but there are still some fun things to see & click on.  Next month is shaping up to be full of great DIY projects, yummy recipes {hello Thanksgiving!}, & more crafty goodness.  Let’s see what I’ve been up to in October 2017…

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Blog News

I’d like to welcome all new subscribers – I’m glad to have you here!  In case you didn’t know, there’s a page with free adult coloring printables available only to subscribers.  You should have received a password with your welcome email for this month.  I send out a new password at the first of every month.  There are 2 new coloring pages available at the moment & a 3rd, possibly 4th, will be added this weekend.  Here’s a sneak peak of the 3rd one…

This is a reminder of my typical blog schedule for new readers.  I try to stick to this as much as possible, but life happens!

Weekly Posts:

• Mondays ~> Sewing, quilting, & crochet posts
• Wednesdays ~> DIY, gardening, & organizing posts
• Fridays ~> recipes, health, & life lived posts

Monthly Posts:

• 2nd Monday ~> QAL, SAL, CAL {Merry Christmas Sew-Along in progress!!  See Crafty News below}
• 3rd Monday ~> Craft Room De-stash Challenge from C’mon Get Crafty
• 3rd Wednesday ~>  Garden update {On pause until Spring!}
• 1st Friday ~> Teadoddles Talks interviews {Check the Crafty People section below – I’m looking for talkers!}
• Last Friday ~> Monthly Roundup

Life Events

Okay, this month has been filled with challenges & I don’t usually write about anything negative.  But… I feel like my crafty mojo is getting tangled up in too much life chaos which is making me feel off balance.

My vehicle has puttered out on me, my husband’s debit card number was stolen, & my dryer sounds like a 2 year old demanding attention.  I’m also still dealing with my son moving out – harder for me than I thought it would be!  There are all sorts of even smaller things going on in between all of that & everything is cluttering my brain – which is fairly full already!

I know these are little things compared to major things going on all around us, but I really need balance to feel at peace.  I need to untangle the mess!

Today I cut the last of the roses from my rose bushes.  Frost will be here soon & I wanted to capture the last of the blooms.

It reminded me that sometimes you have to look for the rose in the thorns or – maybe – be the rose in the thorns.  I’m going to keep this thought in my brain as work through my tangled mess.

That’s my last “deep” thought for today – back to crafty goodness!  ; D

Crafty News

The Merry Christmas Sew-Along is in full swing & I love seeing everyone’s makes in the Facebook group.  There is a giveaway going on this month, in case you missed it, & you have until October 31st to finish your ornaments & share them in the group.

I’ve got to catch up on making Monique’s ornaments!  I do have the patterns printed out at least.  So cute!  : )

Crafty People ~>

I mentioned above that I’m looking for talkers for the Teadoddles Talks interviews.  I’ve filled the slots through the end of the year, so I’m looking to start filling in 2018.

I’m looking for people that have a blog or small business related to the crafting industry.  If you know someone, or are someone, that likes to make stuff & talk about it, I’d like to interview them/you!  Send me an email all about it by clicking on the email button in the side bar, or below this post if you’re on a phone.  Looking forward to talking to you!  : )

Crochet ~>

Crochet projects seem to be high on my list still, since I can work on them while relaxing in the evenings.  Here’s my large crochet bag “yarn barf”!  I wondered why it was so full!

I continue to make progress on the Moorland afghan.  Although I hoped to finish by the end of the month, that just didn’t happen!

I got two more projects done from the Holiday Stashdown CAL.  A little silver stocking, that’s perfect for holding a little gift…

And a hat that was perfect for my husband to use on hunting trips…

There’s already a request for one more.  I tried to get my husband to let me post a picture of him wearing it, but he was being shy!

I started a cardigan using this pattern from Make & Do Crew, but haven’t got very far…

Christmas is right around the corner, so I’ve started some little gifts, like these mug wraps.  Just some simple stitches..

My dad found this awesome organization called The Magic Yarn Project.  They make character wigs for kids with cancer!  You can help out too, just check the link!

QAL’s~>  

Okay, so I still haven’t been able to work on any of my QAL’s, besides some cutting.  Of course that didn’t stop me from finding some more!  : D

• A Little Happy Sew Along – Advent Calendar ~ This looks like a fun little sew along & it’s small too!  My friend Monique found this one.  ; )
• Ramblin Star Block of the month ~ This one is a paid BOM that starts in January, but you can pre-order the pattern now.  I really like the pattern & colors of the quilt!
• Mayan CAL ~ Okay, this is a crochet along, but it looks awesome!
• Scrappy Star Sew Along ~ I think this is complete, but it has all the instructions on one page & it would be a great way to use up scraps!

If you need some more patterns to collect {ha!}, check out my Sewing ~ Quilts & Crafts ~ QAL’s & CAL’s Pinterest boards.

Other Sewing…

This month my friend Monique started a fabric postcard challenge.  We’ve been paired up & I’ve picked out my fabric for the postcard…

I just need to get it sewn up this weekend!

Don’t forget to check out the Great Links section in the sidebar for links to great linky parties, QAL’s, & such!  It’s below the post if you’re reading this on a mobile phone.  Also, check out my Pinterest profile for more crafty inspiration!

Affiliate Sales

The Fat Quarter Shop has some deals ending October 31st you might not want to miss ~>

• Grunge Basics by BasicGrey for Moda Fabrics is their basic of the month, which means it’s 20% off.  This fabric makes me think of chippy, peely paint!  : D
• Autumn Aurifil thread packs are 25% off, which makes them only $14.99!!  I’m liking the Autumn Harvest pack & the Feeling Spooky pack.

Cents of Style has leggings & jeggings $15 off this weekend.  Both pairs of my leggings have ripped, so I really need some new ones.  That’s the best thing to wear while crafting!  ; )

Fashion Friday – 10/27/17 – Leggings & Jeggings for $15 OFF (starting under $12) + FREE SHIPPING w/code FRIDAYFAVES

Check out this super cute quilt kit you can get on Craftsy for just $32.23!  It would be great for couch snuggling.  : )

Coming up in November…..

November means Thanksgiving, then it will be time to decorate for Christmas – my favorite!

• Another tomato cage project, this one will be related to Christmas.  Can you guess what it might be???
• Chocolate layer cake…. that’s all I’m saying for now!
• Empty nest life – the good, the bad, the weirdness!
• DIY remakes of my thrifty finds – just need to decide which one is first!  : )
• There is an Ultimate Bundle coming out at the end of November that I am so excited about!  Let’s just say it’s filled with crafty goodness!!  : D

That’s all for this monthly roundup – hope y’all have a great weekend!

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