Crazy Awesome Pumpkin Countdown Advent Calendar

It's a little bit late, but I just came across this amazing tutorial by Needles n' Knowledge.  I am blown away.

The drawers can all open up and store little trinkets and goodies!

You make it using the Silhouette Cameo paper cutting machine.  Maybe I should make this next year!  You should check out the other amazing tutorials on her blog.  They're incredible.

Have a happy week!

Leaf Wall Art Decor Idea

I was experimenting with using leaves to create unique wall decor.

I laid out some of the leaves from my paper leaf tutorial into a heart shape.  You can do this on the wall easily with some double-sided tape, pop dots, adhesive wall putty, wall-safe adhesive, etc.

Here is it with more densely laid leaves.

 Blowing in the wind...

Fluttering off a larger collection of leaves in a leaf layout.

Enjoy!

Poggy's Nest

Now that the weather is colder, Poggy has started to make "nests" out of his blanket.

 He tucks himself between one layer of his folded up liner bed and then snuggles down into the next layer so that a nest forms.

Sometimes, when he thinks I'm not looking, he spies on me.

I know he's spying though.  I can feel his googly little eyes boring holes into the back of my head.  "Why you no feed me?" the eyeballs say.  "I need snacks for my nest!"

And of course I give in.  It's hard to resist the cute little snuffler.

Have a happy week!

The Pumpkin Hunt

It was a beautiful day to go pumpkin hunting today.  The weather was cool, the leaves are starting to change colour, and it was sunny.  My sweetie and I stopped by the local Farmer's Market to look at all the yummy baked goods and fresh produce.  There were some amazing pumpkins available!  The kind that look like something out of a Halloween cartoon - the odd shaped, Tim Burtonesque variety.

Unfortunately, they cost about $10 for a big one, so we had to pass.  Instead, we picked up a fresh bag of kettle corn, still warm and sticking in clumps.  It was so good!

At the grocery store, we found plenty of big pumpkins for a reasonable price.  I spent forever looking for odd shaped ones only to finally settle upon a very nicely shaped regular pumpkin.  I showed it to Poggles, but he seemed a bit bothered by it.  He refused to come to the take-out window to get his food.

Maybe the pumpkin is HAUNTED???

(More likely, it just smells funny...  :P  Have a great day!)

Things That Inspire Me This Week

With the onset of Fall weather, my mind is on crafts and Nature. Here are some things inspiring me this week.

I came across a blog by Pink Penguin and discovered her amazing patchwork pouches. All I can think of about now is how I have tons of pretty scraps of fabric and how I would love to make pouches like these. She even has a tutorial! If I had time, I would make this amazing afghan covered with flowers! It's so beautiful! Can't you imagine it in your living room spread out on top of the couch? Or in a little girl's room? (Heck, forget a little girl's room, I want in in MY room!) It would look so good!

I find Fall leaves to be an easy inspiration for me, especially as the sunlight streams through them. They light up like bright reddish flames and I can't help but stare at them in wonder.

On the lawns, the yellows and reds contrast well with the still-green grass, and each one is unique from the next. I look up and it seems like the leaves go on forever into the sky.

And there's something romantic about the way this picture turned out. I can't quite put my finger on it.

Have a happy weekend!

A Moment In Time

A moment in time, not frozen, but wet
stands a girl in a dark hooded jacket.
Around her the glorious trees are alight with their colours that signify death.
The rain how it pours, the sky's overcast,
but she stands there alone and unmoving.
The rain how it pours, the poor girl's all wet,
her jacket soaked clings to her skin.

Drip, go the leaves and they rustle in the wind.
Torn off, they swirl pirouettes in the sky.
Slowly, so gently, they fall to the ground
And spin in the puddles of water.

Bright leaves on dark puddles
Dark jacket amongst red,
and yellow, and orange, and green

She stands in the forest, asphalt road running past her
She stands, and she doesn't make a sound.
The rain drums fast sound beats, the leaves drip with water
Raindrop beat their fists 'gainst her head.

The girl is the darkness, surrounded by light
for dark is her moment in life.

--Marie Tai

Fall Weather and Seven Fat Babies

It's rainy, gloomy, and chilly - cheers to Autumn weather! I am now eagerly anticipating pumpkins, apple pie, and Halloween. I know, I know, I'm still a bit early, but it's definitely moving in that direction. Who doesn't love apple pie and, oh, pumpkin pie, mmmmm!

Update on the fishies:
So the soap opera that is aquarium life has culminated in SEVEN FAT BABIES (remaining), and a new dark-scaled male antagonist for the mother-turned-killer Molly fish. Neither the lady nor the gentleman like each other and frequently take turns attacking one another. It looks like the beginning of a beautiful relationship to me! Heh... They are currently situated in the (koi?) fish tank with Joo Joo (Piggy), and Joo Joo doesn't seem to either mind or be bothered by the quarrelsome couple.

The babies, which my sister have temporarily named "Friends" collectively ("Hello, Friends!") are very fat little bubbles of joy. They swim very fast and eat even faster. I am quite smitten by them. Tiggy and the red Platy fish are in the same tank, but separated, and they have recovered perfectly after several rounds of antibiotics, anti-parasite meds, a new heater, and superbly clean water. Good job, sibs! It seems that all is well in the wonderful world of the fishies.

Don't forget to add a comment to the Little White Acorn posting if you haven't entered my first BLOG-GIVEAWAY!

Cheers!
Marie

Pumpkin Patch Memories

I just wanted to share this photo taken at a local pumpkin patch last year. I just love this sea of pumpkins. They are so bright coloured and cheerful! I can't wait until pumpkin season arrives again.