Trick or Treat Blog Hop

 It’s Halloween, so once again it’s time for Jo’s blog hop! 

I’ve got a few new finishes this year, including this little freebie design from the Caron Collection that I stitched more than two decades ago (gosh, I'm old) but only finished this year.

This is Miss Witch by Satsuma Street. I can't get enough of her designs, and I have to restrain myself from buying them all.

Persian Pumpkin is from Mill Hill, and will go well with my Crazy Pumpkin wall-hanging, based on Mill Hill's somewhat larger Paisley Pumpkin.

And finally, Downdraft by Turquoise Graphics and Design, from this year's Halloween special issue by Just Cross Stitch.

Now it's time for the letter you are all here for!

 

Head on over to The Alchemyst's Study to get the next letter, and have a happy (and healthy) Halloween!

Squash Squad II

 The next in Sue Spargo’s stitch-along. Blue Hubbard:

Queensland Blue:

Baby Boo:

Four more to go!

Spooky Skulls

 I've been more focused on stitching than beading lately, but I did pick up a couple of kits from Candie Cooper to make some seasonal jewelry.

A pendant:

This was super fun to make. The skull is quite heavy and needed a sizeable tassel, which I made from silk sari strips, copper chain, beads, and various copper charms, using the toggle part of a clasp to suspend it all under the skull. I love the colors in this kit -- fun but not so overtly Halloweenish that I can't wear it at other times.

Skull and key earrings:

These skulls have a more rustic look than my Day of the Dead earrings, which pairs nicely with the vintage-looking keys and bits of sparkle.

(The other pair of earrings were made with leftover beads from the pendant kit.)

Pumpkin Patch

 These were super easy to make; the base is a styrofoam ball, with a bit of the top and bottom cut off and a hole dug into the top. Then place on a fat quarter of fabric (I used recycled sari silk) and fold it up around the ball and shove the edges in the hole. I used small pins to keep the fabric in place for extra security. Glue on a pumpkin stem (painted, perhaps) and you're done! The idea came from one of those holiday decor mags, but I don't remember the name of the person who came up with it (sorry, Ma'am!).

 One I sent to my mom, and the other joined my Pumpkin Row:

 

Have I mentioned I love fall?

Squash Squad

 Sue Spargo has a new stitch-along called Squash Squad, and who am I to say no to yet another project?  It will consist of nine squares, one per week. As usual, I'm working from my stash.

No. 1, Spaghetti Squash (but that's not what spaghetti squash looks like!):

 

 No. 2, Long Island Cheese Pumpkin (I bought a real one today! On Long Island!):

I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up the whole nine weeks (remote learning is AWFUL) (not the teachers and staff, they are amazing and trying so hard), but I'll try. I do a lot of cross stitching this time of year because of all the cute ornaments, and it's nice to have an embroidery project going for variety's sake.