exit, pursued by bear

bean baby blanket to-be ...

I saw first saw this fabric on Kathleen's lovely blog and I've been on the hunt ever since. 

{Valori Wells Urban Flannels - Animal Friends (in blue)}

This picture really doesn't do it justice - it's truly a lovely design - full of great colors.

I knew I wanted to use it to make a "receiving" blanket and after spending some time online, I found an easy pattern* that I can use to tackle my first baby-related sewing/crafting project. I ordered a yard and a half from etsy seller Lucky Kaeru and it arrived quickly and was packaged nicely. The fabric is lovely and soft and the perfect weight. I was worried that it would be too heavy and stiff.

I think I'm going to back the blanket itself in something soft, like minky - so I need to get by the fabric store and see what I can find. Wish me luck!

* You have to join the site to download the free pattern, but it's a super-easy process.

eerie entry.

Love this look from Good Housekeeping:

{"Three Steps to an Eerie Entryway," Photo credit: Michael Partenio}

I've been wanting a pair of black planters like that for ages now. Think I'm going to have to go on a hunt this weekend!

black and white pumpkins.

Hard to resist artfully decorated white pumpkins - love the faux bois one! Think I'll pass on the cockroach, but the spider + web is fantastic, too!

{"Black & White Pumpkins" from Savannah stylist Liz Demos, photo by Dana Gallagher for Country Living}

More pumpkins here.

Friday awesomeness.

via Jezebel:

as if I needed another reason to learn how to sew ...

Just came across this fabric, cleverly called "Le French Bulldog Fabric"

{fabric from Sew Bettie, via not martha}

At first glance, it actually looks a bit more Boston Terrier-ish, but I think it's the angle of the head and ears that gives that impression (FB's heads have more of a rounded, less angular look than BT's).

Oh, and if the English are more your speed, check out Good Boy Gatsby:

{Bulldog fabric also from Sew Bettie}

Now, what on earth I would use this fabric for is anyone's guess ...

hanging around.

We already have a lovely ornament wreath hanging on our front door, but this looks so fun to make, I just might pick up some extra ornaments and try it out! I mean, who couldn't use another ornament wreath hanging around for the holidays? ;o)

{Ornament Christmas wreath from Eddie Ross}

Eddie's instructions sound so easy -- this just takes a wire hanger, a glue gun and a BUNCH of spare ornaments (he estimates about 80!!). I think it would be fun to alternate sizes (smaller ornaments will help fill in any gaps), colors and textures. Glittery ones would look especially lovely.

I'll let you know if I'm successful in this crafty endeavor.

red, white and cheerful.

Saw this while prowling around on MarthaStewart.com, looking for festive labels. Isn't it just darling?

{via Martha Stewart}

This photo accompanies a "how-to" craft article on "candy holder ornaments." Whatever that might be. This is the description: "Fill paper candy baskets with mints and let them dangle beneath tuxedo ribbon bows for a unique ornament on your Christmas tree."

If that sounds like something right up your alley, directions are here.

Christmas query ...

So I've seen LOTS o' blogs offering up cute, free, downloadable gift tags for their readers ... has anyone come across any cute, free, downloadable address labels? Looking for something to use for our much-delayed Christmas cards.

I did find these, which I think I'll use for our French Bulldog holiday card exchange this year  (don't ask ...) -- aren't they cute??

{"Santa Claus Address Labels" from On a Limb Paper via VintageGlam Blog. Download here.}

But I'd like something different for our regular Christmas cards. Bonus points if you can find return address lables, too -- ooh, matching return address labels, even??

A girl can dream ...

a modern, glamorous Christmas.

I'm sure everyone's living room and holiday decor looks this lovely and serene:

{"Christmas Tree Flocked in Modern Glamour," photography: Monica Buck for Cottage Living}

(All pics are from Cottage Living, another magazine to be sad about, since it too has recently folded).

But on to happier things .. how great is the fancy disco ball tree topper?

Little disco ball ornaments look very pretty when tied up with lovely satin ribbons on shiny packages:

Cannot resist a Christmas scene, decked out in these lovely colors!

perfect pumpkin(s).

Just because it's November, doesn't mean I have to give up my passion for pumpkins ... right? This white-on-white centerpiece might just be my favorite (I LOVE dahlias, too):

{Pumpkin Vase with Flowers from Martha Stewart}

Step-by-step instructions here. And here's another idea for a pumpkin-related, Thanksgiving centerpiece:

{Mini Pumpkin Centerpiece from Martha Stewart}

Instructions from MSL:

Anchor tapers inside mini pumpkins to make centerpieces. Cut a hole inside each pumpkin with a utility knife, and then carve out space for candles with a melon baller. If desired, stack 2 and secure from inside hole with straight pins. With adhesive putty, affix tapers inside gourds and pumpkins to leaves that cover overturned pie plates.

Good thing I bought all those pumpkins ...