Taste of Texas Fall

Autumn is my favorite season of the year!  The weather is warm, then cool, warm again, then down right cold, warm again and maybe HOT another day!  But, it's just perfect for me.  Nature is at her best during November.

A walk through the woods brings you to many varieties of life.

and death

Boulders against the cool trickling stream

We relish the colors of changing leaves

The backdrop of gray and silver cliffs

clear cool water dotted with falling leaves

Sparse clouds move along at a slow speed while Lost Maples seek the sunlight

And then if you are lucky you will find some natural dye

cochineal feeds on the prickly pear cactus

If only, no one was looking!

one little beetle gives off his color--hints of red

A stop along the path to enjoy some Texas food products as we listen to Texas musicians

The Pumpkin patch is piled high with vast variety--just waiting for the pumpkin chunkin contest!

Dried Berries made for door fashion

"Gobble, Gobble"

The sign of the times

Colors of autumn at the back door and in the garden

Cedar trees waiting for their chance to change to golden red.  Ahh, nothing like Autumn in Texas!

The Star of the Show Is...............................................

 

Recently, we took time to visit Kerrville, Texas Arts & Cultural Center to see the 2014 Texas Furniture Makers Exhibit!  And we can say "what a show!" 

 

 

This show runs through the end of November.  The true star of the show is Mesquite wood! Gorman Ranch Desk is an outstanding piece of work

It is hard to get good photos as the wood bounces the ceiling lights.  This piece is by Wayne Deylea

Fantastic slab of mesquite burl by Jeff Jeter

Six in Ten Chiffonier

James Odom, artist

Joel Hoby fashioned this Heart of Texas table

with a touch of turquoise

The cradle is lovely!  Black walnut

Artist, Freddie Black

Executive Desk fashioned from figured African utile and American Black Walnut

Leo Little, woodworker artist

Mesquite Burl Top Trunk

Randolph Secrest built a lovely cedar lined chest

This table was fascinating!  Jim Wallace created aMAZEing table

a dinner conversation piece for sure!

Jeff Jeter created a fabulous table from Waterlogged Mesquite

Mahogany Walnut Chest by Brian Welch

 

Tasting Table by Mark Waddell

I love the grain in the Mesquite wood!

This was made for the Governor from end grain pecan wood.  Makers are Brandon Berdoll and Kate Acker

Quilted African ulite wood by Leo Little 

Mesquite console Table by Randolph Secrest

As always a show of excellent quality!  And the definite star of the show was Mesquite!

Stiletto This....................................

 

Recently, I saw this tutorial!  And thought--what a great idea!  Easy to make and perfect little gift for all my sewing friends.  Thanks to Mary L Tosch for sharing this information!

 

First off, I looked in every store that I visited for a week--no poultry lacing kits!  and you would think with Thanksgiving just around the corner, there would be plenty of these things around!  Going to the internet was the next thought--you know, you can find anything on the internet!!!

Next to find the jewelry glue that is recommended in the tutorial--I had to settle for this instead.  but, it works!

I think the hardest thing about this whole project is finding beads that will fit onto the shaft

I have a large selection of beads, too!  But, there were only so many that would fit comfortably.  I did break a few when I forced them on--not a good idea!

Now, we have a supply of sewing stilettos to give sewing friends!  Once, I got started, I couldn't stop!

Take a look at Mary's list of what a stiletto will do for you!  My friends said it was the prettiest thing on their pincushion.  

OOOOH, What a Disaster!!

 I can only do this for so long!  My Sewing Room is one big disaster!

 

Yes, I do have some bins for fabric assortment.  My room is only so big for bins and there isn't a place to put anymore!

But, on top of these bins, I placed a piece of plywood and begin to stack my fabrics on top since I couldn't get them into the bins anymore.  It got to the point I couldn't tell what was what or where it was.  There has to be a solution!

 

Stacks and stacks of fabric!  and every time I wanted a different fabric from the stack, I had to take them down, rummage through them to find what I wanted.

 

 

Solution!  Thanks to my Bonnie Hunter Gal friends--I bought some storage containers.  Now, each project in progress is placed in a bin, ready to take out and work with.  Of course, you notice on the floor is a pile of flannel that is to be used for charity baby blankets--on my to do list!

Easy to see through--yes, I know what project that is! 

 

The small amounts of fabric, I folded into neat bundles and placed in one of the plastic storage bins--gee, I can see them clearly!

and then--the magic!!  I grabbed an unused bookcase, turned it sideways, placed it on top of the storage racks and whoa!  I have compartments to place these fabrics.  The BH gals(mainly friend Judy P) told me about the cardboards used for comic books!  I ordered 200 of those things! and

had a field day folding my fabrics onto the boards!  yes, I can see them now!  When I have time, I'm going to color coordinate them. 

Do you think I have them all sorted?  Well, NO!  Just take a long at the whites to the left--need to order more boards.

My granddaughter is a rep for Thirty-one Gifts and I found this wonderful bin in their last catalog.  I have two other larger bins used to store linens, but this one is smaller and perfect for the white fabrics.

Then, to the back of the stack is more yardage fabrics.  Really don't think I can roll them around those boards, so they stay in the 'background'!

so glad to have my sewing room half way looking good!