Pumpkins Galore

I've had pumpkins on the brain this weekend (not to be confused with having a pumpkin brain) and wanted to use up some fabric I've had for quite some time. Presenting...more pumpkin softies!  I'd previously made some out of a baby blanket (check it out here), these are made out of pumpkin fabric scraps and an old wool sweater.

For the larger pumpkins, I traced around an embroidery hoop onto the fabric, while the smaller one is the size of a plate.  Cut out the fabric circles, then use wide stitches (about 1/2 inch or so from the edge) around the entire circle.  (The original instructions recommended dental floss since the thread can easily break when you start pulling on it.  I doubled my thread, and it worked fine.)  Gently pull on both ends of the thread, cinching the top of the pumpkin.  I started stuffing my pumpkin before knotting the thread tightly around the stem (for these pumpkins I used polyester fill that I had on hand but you can use newspaper, fabric scraps, etc.)       

Since I couldn't find the right size twigs for the larger pumpkin stems, I wrapped twine around glue sticks.  First, tie a knot at the end, dab some glue on the middle of the glue stick cap and wrap the twine around the top and make your way around the glue stick.  Periodically dab more glue to secure the twine as you wrap it around the glue stick.  I only wrapped about half of the glue stick with the twine since it was going to be hidden inside of the pumpkin. 

A recycled wool sweater is the perfect texture for a fabric pumpkin.  Add a twig from outside, and voila!  A colorful, fuzzy pumpkin!

Presenting, my Pumpkin Princess!

There's nothing that I won't consider putting onto a headband or barrette!  For the headband above, I wrapped a plain headband with the same pumpkin fabric scraps I used above for the pumpkin softies and glued a miniature pumpkin onto the headband.  The one below is a recycled fabric headband with a miniature pumpkin glued onto it.  The perfect seasonal accessory!!!

I'm joining these parties - go check out the other fabulous projects and ideas:

So I Went Red

 The pictures in my last post were just for fun, representing possible changes in my blog...but I really liked the red, though I would never color my hair the same as Ronald McDonald.  At least, I don't think I would.  Too much maintenance.

I mentioned in a previous post about my mom and I sharing a fascination with Sophia Loren.  And my mom spent the early seventies sporting an auburn hue.  It was time for me to join the ranks and let out my own inner red. Though my hair is not as big as theirs.  Too much maintenance.  

 Whaddya think???    

 Take a quick peek from every angle...

 By the way, check out my ski slope nose (below).  I used to put a clothespin on it when I was little (like Amy from Little Women) hoping for a regal American nose.  With nostrils that flared. Er, I digress.  Back to the topic at hand...

I'm liking the red.  It goes along well with my new running persona (snort, giggle, rotfl)...what running persona???  You can read about that here.  Anyhooooo, change is good. Turning 40 in six months is starting to look better too.  What about you?  What new things have you tried recently?  Any challenges you've overcome?  I'd love to hear about it!   

Change is in the Air

This is the status quo.

 A subtle change...

 ...or Dramatic Overhaul

 Some questions for you, dear readers:

What topics interest you most in my blog?

Creative projects?  Make-up tips?  Photography?

I would like to create weekly features, establish a more consistent posting routine

and would greatly appreciate your feedback!

Please add any additional comments, advice, or topics you're interested in.

Thank you!

Pay No Attention to the Woman Behind the Curtain...

Though I haven't posted anything new in the last week (yikes! and apologies), there has been a lot going on "behind the curtain."  

School started last week - I homeschool our children and it takes a few weeks to get into the rhythm  of things.  This year I have a 4th grader, a 2nd grader and a "pay attention to me or I will destroy something" 2 year old.  Our days have gotten very full and busy...but I'd have it no other way.

A few sewing projects have been started that I have been too tired to finish...but I am excited to share them once I do complete them!  Soon.

My design accomplice on the East Coast has let me be a long-distance part of a project she's heading, which has been incredibly soothing to my poor, neglected creative soul.  Boo hoo.  Thank God for friends with artistic flair that keep me inspired and on my toes! 

In the meantime, I have been watching a lot of foreign movies.  So much Bollywood... (do you know about Bollywood???  I can't have the word culture in my title without mentioning it.  It's a big part of the film industry of India, and many of the movies incorporate colorful musical numbers and dancing)...that I almost expect a breeze to blow my hair as I walk around in slow motion.  Lol.  Enough British dramas that I think empire waisted dresses are a wardrobe staple (ha!)  And French films.  Paris is calling me...it really is.

On my Ipod, I have been listening to a lot of Disco.  Yup, you read it correctly.  Disco.  I actually like psychedelic polyester bellbottom pants (and own a few pairs).  On my 40th birthday, I want a huge disco party and have been practicing "The Hustle."  Thought you should know this about me.  All this to say, there's a lot going on and the fruits of all of this "cultural inspiration" will be photographed and shared in upcoming posts.    

Winner of the Giveaway!

# 9 (generated by Random.org)...star84vu who blogs at Living and Learning As A Mommy!  Look for my e-mail also.

To everyone who entered - thank you for being a part of my First Giveaway!  I wish I could send each of you a pumpkin too!  Because it's so hard to give only one away, I'll try to have multiples for future giveaways.  Speaking of which, I'm bringing back and am in the process of making gobs and gobs of...Pumpkin Softies!!! 

I made several out of an old baby blanket last year and just adore them!  Here's the link if you're interested in creating some yourself.  Keep an eye out for upcoming giveaways including several of these softies and also an all natural lip product I was just given to try out.  Giveaways are so much fun!!!  

Giveaway Ends Tomorrow!!!

My First Ever Giveaway ends tomorrow!  You still have a chance to enter!  

Bright Eyes for Mature Eyes

There was a great comment on my "Bright Eyes" post about shimmery eyeshadows and whether they work for a more mature lady. I believe that make-up styles do need to be adjusted to make them more age appropriate, but everyone can enjoy the various looks. Why not???

One of my make-up inspirations for 50+ beauties is Helen Mirren:

photo credit: WireImage

Her eye make-up in this photo is bright, slightly shimmery, with dark lashes and eyeliner while her cheeks and lips are rosy. The overall look is similar to what I featured in the "Bright Eyes" post with the exception of the black eyeliner on both the top and bottom of the eyes. She is radiant and beautiful.

Some adjustment ideas for the "Bright Eyes" look for all of my va va va voom elder sisters:

Rather than using a shimmery eyeshadow all over the lid, I would try a light matte color and a gentle dab of shimmer on the middle of the eyelid, blending softly. By shimmery, I don't necessarily mean full-out glitter on the eyes either - there are eyeshadows with a tiny bit of sparkle in light colors like champagne that look amazing. And the amount of shimmer depends also on the occasion: major bling on the eyes for an evening out dancing, a subtle sparkle for an intimate dinner, or a light matte sweep and overall soft look for an afternoon event. 

I like watching the movie "Monster-In-Law" just to see how fabulous Jane Fonda looks in it! Her make-up throughout the movie was impeccable, and she has had some great red carpet moments in recent years.

photo credit: Ben Rose/WireImage

My mom allowed me to do her make-up (finally!) a few years ago, and these are the colors I used on her. My mom always used black liquid eyeliner and bright lipsticks - sometimes her look was quite severe. Peachy orange color on her eyes, cheeks and lips really softened up her face...and they are my "go to" colors for a fresh look. Jane Fonda looks gorgeous in them too!

At any age, I think it's important to vary your make-up according to what you like and feel good wearing, the occasion and season, and with knowledge of how to make it work for you. For example, testing a smoky eye before a big occasion and getting feedback from test photos as well as friends in the know. Or trying out various reds to find the one that looks best on you (I'm going to do a post on finding the right red lipstick in the near future.) I take a lot of test photos to see if new looks work on me - in fact, all of the pictures you see of me were taken by...ME!

Other ladies to consider for make-up inspirations are Diane Keaton (her campaign for L'Oreal is awesome!), Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon, Andie MacDowell, Alfre Woodard, Iman, just to name a few. Please feel free to comment and/or ask questions!