Greetings and welcome to my pumpkin patch!  Autumn is my favorite season for so many reasons. Apple picking, the special way the air smells while walking through the woods, Halloween, sweater weather, craft fairs, candy, scary movies, costumes and of course pumpkins!  Whether it's carving a jack-o-lantern, making pie, toasting the seeds or crocheting one of these little beauties pumpkins are fun. I think of them as an ambassador for the holidays.  We see them first as one of the final crops from the summer growing season. We use them for decorations in October and then turn them into pies that grace our tables at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.  By the time the new year comes we've had our fill, but rest assured we'll be excited to see them come autumn next year!

I was looking to make some harvest themed decorations to use at the library as well as at home.  I came across this simple (free) pattern. These little lovelies are a snap to work up and actually are somewhat addicting! I've left mine plain, but Dawn over on her blog Fiddlesticks shows what can be done with a little embroidery thread, a few buttons and some imagination. She has several ideas for terrific ways to bring the harvest home. I know she's inspired me!  To get you motivated here's a look out how easy it is to make your own mini pumpkin.

A Pumpkin Picture Story

I found another free mini pumpkin pattern on Petals to Picots (one of my new Friday link parties).  Kara works her's in the round.  I haven't tried it yet, but it's on my list for the weekend!  What do you think of our kitty?  She has to be part of everything!  And since she was determined to oversee my progress and my photography I had to include her in my story! 

Join the Celebration!

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Have you heard the news?  Today is I Love Yarn Day!  Not that we don't love yarn every day! Here is a chance for us to let everyone know just how important yarn is to us and our crafty lives.

I'm doing my part by posting here today, and by spending as much time as I can crocheting (pumpkins of course!)

On their website and Facebook page you'll find places to share your activities and see what other yarn lovers are up to today.  Here are some other suggestions from their site:

Whether you knit, crochet, craft or just adore fiber, October 12th is the day to affirm your passion for yarn. Show it off, tag with it, carry it, gather with friends. Declare your LOVE! Get involved.
  • Create an I Love Day Yarn badge
  • Teach someone to knit or crochet
  • Do something for charity
  • Wear a knitted or crocheted item
  • Give a gift of yarn
  • Take your yarn to work day
  • Host a yarn-a-bration party
  • Knit, crochet and craft in public
This is the perfect excuse for spending the day with your favorite yarn! Enjoy yourself and create something that makes you happy!


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In addition to my fiber offerings, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done it, why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..


Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Race"

There are so many things that I want to do.  I often feel like there isn't enough time in the day to get it all done.  And so I find myself hurrying through instead of taking my time and enjoying myself.  I have to pull back and remember that life is a journey not a destination (thank you Stephen Tyler and Aerosmith for instilling that bit of wisdom in me so long ago!).  Anyway, I forget that I don't have to get it all done right now.  Especially when it comes to crochet and crafting.  This is my hobby.  It's a passion, but it's a hobby.  And the reason that I do it is to relax and enjoy myself.  Of course for the pleasure of creating and having wonderful handmade gifts to give, but it's about the act of doing - or at least it should be.

So when I start getting anxious and find that I am racing to the end, I step back.  I breath into the moment.  I say the mantra that has been mine for years: Be Here Now.


Five minutes doesn't last for long!  Like last week I was tempted to keep going, but the exercise is five minutes period.  So this week when the timer went off I stopped (after I jumped because it scarred the beep out of me!).

And so this brings us to the end.  I had a lot to share today.  I hope that something here caught your eye!  For more eye catching fun, check out these other blogs.  Each one has something unique to offer and I'm sure you'll find plenty to ooh and aah over! Enjoy your weekend ~ no matter what you're doing!


Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Today's post is part of Blogtoberfest 2012.
Click the graphic for more information and links to other participating bloggers!
 


Comments

10/12/2012 10:26am

"Be here now"- love that!!! And the pumpkins are so cute!

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10/13/2012 5:53am

Thanks for stopping by, and for your kind words!

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10/12/2012 10:31am

Nice post.

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10/12/2012 1:05pm

I love the little crocheted pumpkins :) Especially in your picture story.

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10/13/2012 5:56am

I'm happy with the way the 'story' came out. I wanted to show how easy it was to make, but without all the detail you find in a how to or tutorial post. Sometimes pictures are all you need!

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Debbie Phillips
10/12/2012 1:57pm

Your comments on race are what I should remember every day. Only I feel I am on a treadmill. I am trying to remember this though and will print and post it where I can be reminded. Or maybe I will just write the word race and remember.

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10/13/2012 6:11am

Back in the 80's I was introduced to a book titled "Be Here Now" by yogi Baba Ram Das. It was written in the 70's when so many people were learning about Buddhism and the different ways of thinking about how we approach life, our past and our future. It really had an impact on me. It taught me that living in the moment and experiencing it fully is important if I want to be at peace and enjoy my life.

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10/12/2012 3:00pm

I came over from the Five-Minute Friday.

I'm excited to know it's "I Love Yarn Day," I had NO idea!!! Two of my very favorite things: yarn, and pumpkins. Oh, make that three... and Fall.

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10/13/2012 6:12am

I know, what could be better? Except of course having friends to share it with! Thanks for stopping by!

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10/12/2012 6:30pm

First of all - Happy "I Love Yarn" Day to you. I love it, too. Just wish I could do something with it! your pumpkins are adorable. Your five minutes was wonderful. "Be here now" is such a good thing to remember! Thanks!

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10/13/2012 6:15am

I think we should celebrate yarn every day! Thanks for coming by!

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10/12/2012 7:03pm

Very cute pumpkins!

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10/13/2012 6:17am

Thanks Marie, I'm having a blast making them!

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10/12/2012 8:36pm

Hooray for I love Yarn Day! It fell in my birthday week it's been part of the celebration. Those pumpkins are adorable. I was actually thinking about knitting one, I'll have to check out that pattern.

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10/13/2012 6:20am

Happy Birthday! This is my birthday week too! (I'm 10/14). Of course I had to treat myself to a present of new yarn! I know that I saw knit pumpkin patterns while I was searching this week. No matter which you do, they're a great way to decorate for the season. Enjoy!

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10/12/2012 9:50pm

I love that I'm reading your fall themed post while making mulled cider! It just happened to work out that way. I'm loving the pumpkins!

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10/13/2012 6:22am

I love mulled cider! The way that it makes the whole house smell fantastic and that spicy, comforting flavor - yummy!

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10/13/2012 2:45am

What a lovely post, I have been googling pumpkin patterns myself this week, it certainly feels like the right time of year to be making them and yours and the ones you have linked to are fab.

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10/13/2012 6:28am

Pumpkins are everywhere! I've seen so many creative ways to make them. From fabric, old sweaters, cut from books, and paper mache! Not to mention all the ways to decorate the real things! Pinterest is an incredible resource for all kinds of holiday ideas. If I'm not careful I can get lost for hours. Have fun making yours!!

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10/13/2012 9:53am

I made these same pumpkins (and a couple other versions) as gifts last year and I loved them! This year I have too many gifty projects to make any, but I love your step-by-step photos.

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10/14/2012 8:14am

I bet your pumpkins were a big hit! It seems nobody can resist them! I'm sure you'll make lots of wonderful gifts this year, and maybe find time for pumpkins next year!

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10/13/2012 11:52am

I bought a pumpkin today!

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10/13/2012 12:37pm

I love the pumpkins! They're so darn cute.

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10/14/2012 8:17am

I just want to keep making them!! But I have to stop myself because I found some other super cute patterns that I can't wait to share with you guys!! Wait until you see!

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10/14/2012 9:37pm

I just discovered your fun blog! Crochet, books, and cats... I feel quite at home! Love the pumpkins! xo

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10/15/2012 7:10am

Greetings Christina and welcome to my corner of the blog-o-sphere. I'm so glad you found me and hope you come back to visit soon!

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10/14/2012 11:02pm

the little pumpkins are so sweet!
Love the idea of the 5 minute Friday - don't know if I'm brave enough to try it yet.
Your is great!

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10/15/2012 7:15am

Thanks Tess! I say go ahead and give five minute Friday a try. It's an interesting exercise. I'm not always thrilled with my results, but I do feel more comfortable with the process. A funny thing is I often get positive feedback on things I didn't think were that good - so it's helping me to push and expand my writing comfort zone. And I've met some awesome folks too!

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11/16/2012 12:56am

I am grateful to you for sharing very nice and informative post here. I really enjoyed your post and crocheted pumpkins are so pretty. I love it. Thanks for your nice efforts.

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