Is It Too Early?

Hello friends,

Warning: This post is photo heavy!

I bet you think I'm going to ask how early is too early for Christmas? Well, that's not my question. My question is, how early is too early to start decorating for Autumn? aka Fall if you live in America.

Meteorological Autumn begins in a few days on September 1st, while Astronomical Autumn is recognised as starting on the Autumn Equinox around the 22nd of September, this year on Saturday 23rd September, and ending on Friday, the 22nd of December with the Winter Solstice.

Those of you who know me well know that, although I love and honour all the seasons, Autumn is my favourite. I don't know why I love it so much. Maybe it's because I'm an October baby. Who knows? I love everything about it.  Even the bad weather!  I love the warmer layers of clothing. I love the softer lighting as the sun slips slowly lower in the sky. I love mittens and fingerless gloves, scarves and woollen hats. I love wrapping up warmly. I loved going out for long walks on frosty days. I loved stomping through crisply crunchy fallen leaves. I love closing my curtains on the darker evenings. I love the changing smells that waft from the kitchen. I love bringing out my blankets from storage and draping them on the sofa and chairs ready to use as the nights become more and more chilly. I love candles. I love hot chocolate. I love pumpkins. I love the wind, as it howls in the chimney. As long as everyone stays safe, I even like the sturdy winds that come with the Autumn storms.  I love watching Hallmark Christmas movies on the television.

So that raises the question. how soon is too soon to begin decorating for Autumn? Can I do it now, or should I wait until Astronomical Autumn in a few more weeks? Well, I think I already know the answer to this question. A few bits and pieces might start making their way out slowly; I won't go for the full on Autumn just yet, but it won't be long!

Here are a few photos of some decorating from previous years.

We mustn't forget the pumpkins!

I am rather fond of pumpkins. Of all sorts of pumpkins. You'll notice my handle is Rustic Pumpkin.  I have just put together an assemblance of these photos to have a calendar for next year, every photo will be a pumpkin!

So my friends,

Until next time.

Stay safe. Stay well.

Debbie xx 

The Foibles of Bloggle and What Happens to Your Coffee

Hello Friends!

I hope my new word Bloggle amuses you.  What does it mean I hear you whisper amongst yourselves?  Well, it's a combination of blogger and boggle, because my mind is boggling at what Blogger is doing hence bloggle. 

Google's latest trick sent to frustrate and confound me is to allow me to publish your kind comments and the next thing I'm finding them inexplicably moved into my spam box despite the fact that I have published them!!!

Blogger is also not keeping me informed of new followers, but I note my numbers have gone up, so Welcome, Welcome to my little corner of the world.

As regular readers will recall I recently took part in an online Twinchie art challenge.  It was only twelve days, but I made a lot more than 12 miniature pieces of art. So as always, the question arises of how to store them?   Many of you may remember I enjoy making custom made boxes for things, so that's exactly what I did, and here it is.  I used a Martha Stewart punch for the central motif and glued a piece of old gold card to the underside which also provides stability.

Under construction, with clamps holding wet glue while it all cures.

It's nice to be able to make custom fit boxes for just about anything. 

You may recall one of the small pieces was a 2 inch square with a lighthouse on it. Well, I enjoyed making that one so much that I did a small  A5 piece using the two inch piece as my source of inspiration here. it is now, following the Twinchie version.

Here is the A5, the rays of light need working on.

I have been commissioned to make another one of these lighthouse paintings. How exciting is that?

And now the big question.  What happens to your coffee when you put it alongside your paint water?  Why, this of course!

It can be worse when your paint water looks like pineapple juice.  I will say no more on the subject.

Until next time

Stay safe, stay well

Debbie xx