Stepping Out Into Autumn

There's no doubt about it.  Fall is here!  Well, actually it's been here in our neck of the woods for a little while now, and we have been relishing the glorious colorful landscape. So far the season has been mild, and the leaves seem to be hanging on longer than usual.  I hope the color will last through Thanksgiving, but it rarely does as the night temperatures are already dropping to near freezing.  

Wait a minute.  Did I just say, Thanksgiving?  Last time I checked in here on the blog--it was spring, the deer were eating my roses, the garden was waking up, and the jam making had begun.  Then summer happened and we traversed through another beautiful season that went by way too fast.  It was quite hot this year, the garden flourished, making it a great year for tomatoes. We just brought in the last of them to ripen on the window sill, then pulled up the roots and put it all to rest for another year. 

We took some side trips, had relatives in and out, picked more berries and made more jam.  And pickles.  All the usual seasonal stuff that keeps life interesting and fun.  I had intended to update the blog long before now.  I really did.  Even had some projects, pictures and news to share.  Only too little time to pull it all together.  It happens.  We do the best we can.  Yes, we do. 

Then about mid-September, I had a freak accident--which has kept me literally home-bound for months.  Who knew an innocent-looking twist-wand on a mini-blind could be so hazardous?  All I did was reach for the cord to pull up the blind, and the end of that plastic rod rammed into the top of my hand.  Apparently, as I have since learned, there's a super sensitive spot on your hand that reacts badly to blunt force trauma.  As soon as it happened, I knew I was in trouble.  I heard a snap, then watched in shock as my hand swelled up before my eyes, then horrible pain.  Over the course of the next few days, my entire hand turned black-and-blue from my first knuckles to my wrist, and remained swollen with a bump the size of a golf ball next to my thumb for eight weeks.  I soon discovered, that when you can't use your right hand--you can do nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  Couldn't dress myself, drive the car or even hold a fork or a pencil.  (I hope that explains the sparse chicken-scratch notes that went out with orders these past months.  I am sure some of you wondered what was up with that.  LOL)

For a long time, all I could do was sit in the sun and tap the screen on my Kindle.  A forced vacation that lasted way too long. I did catch up on some reading though, so all was not lost.  The silver lining to all of this was my family who went above and beyond the call of duty to keep all the balls in the air, meals on the table and kept the household running.  I am so grateful for them.  Healing this hand has been my first priority and it's been a long slow process.  Still can't quite manage a needle and thread yet.  But, I can show you what I was working on before this happened.  In fact, I can't wait to show you!

It seems I've been working on this project forever.  I started thinking about this idea last year, and then finally got around to getting the designs on paper in February, then printed them as transfers, and then started stitching.  The idea was to randomly scatter the embroidered hexies in amongst other fabrics to make a small quilt.  I'm sticking with that plan and will move forward, just as soon as I can hold a pair of scissors and cut them out.   

In the meantime, since I already had all the artwork done, I created a new pattern; I'm calling it Honeycomb Motifs, and it contains 105 two-inch sized hexagon transfers (fifteen to a sheet), which can be stamped as one unit as shown above.  Plus a blank transfer template for creating your own designs, or for adding initials or dates to your hexagon quilts or other projects.  The blank transfer template can also be stamped on fabric prints as a guide for cutting out additional hexagons. 

Here's one of the promo images that will be going up on the website.  Hopefully soon! 

And speaking of websites, the new and improved website is nearly finished.  Big excitement here!  Still working out all the kinks. I've just uploaded over 700 patterns with ease!  Yes, the new PatternBee site works like a charm, for which I can take no credit at all, as it has been entirely handmade from scratch, formatted and fully customized for me, by our own dear Miss Grace.  She's been working on it for about nine months now.  And we are so very anxious for it to be born.  So please, keep your fingers crossed that all goes well and the delivery of the new system is quick and seamless.

This is all I have time for today.  Before I sign off, I'll leave you all with one more picture.  This tree!  A work of art.  It couldn't be more perfect if I had chosen the colors and painted it myself.  It's an October Fire maple, planted a few years ago in our front yard area.  Living up to it's name, I would say.  I wish it would stay this way forever.  But, the forecast says more rain and wind, so we shall see.  Time to batten down the hatches!

Comments

[Cgirl]

Hi Vicki,
Welcome back. I am sorry you had an accident. I wish you a full and speedy recovery.
I am looking forward to the Honeycomb Motifs pattern set. I hope it arrives at Pattern Bee soon.

[Jane]

That's too bad about your hand. I hope you'll be able to use it again soon. We so enjoy viewing your handiwork. Fall was beautiful here, but winter is expected to arrive this Saturday. And that's a pretty season too!

[Vee]

Sorry to read about your hand. It sounds like no fun at all. Nothing like being forced to sit and read. Wonderful that your family kept things going smoothly. It shows how well they have been raised. I'd make sure that they have the wonderful experience of planning and preparing Thanksgiving, too. One really shouldn't deny them. =D Take care of yourself, Vicki, no more tangles with mini-blind handles or any other thing. Your embroidery project is sweet and unique.

[Little Penpen]

I love the hexagon embroideries!! Get well soon!

[Lorrie]

Sorry to hear about your accident. It's crazy how something so insignificant can cause such damage. Your October Fire is a beautiful tree! The hexagon embroideries are a great idea.

[poppy]

horrible accident, do hope it heals completely very soon. Love the hexagon embroidery pattern!

[Carol]

Oh Gosh!! I'm getting arthritis in the thumb of my right hand so I know just a little of how hard it is to do lots of things when you're hand is not 100% or even 50. I like this hex design a super lot.

[Susan]

I'm so glad to see you back. I'm sorry about your accident, but I'm glad you're on the mend. Love your hexie embroidery!!! I'm rather hooked on EPP so I think your new transfers will be a must have. :) I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[Lynn Marie]

I am so glad to see that you are back! The hexagon shapes to cut apart and add to a quilt are genius. This looks like something I would love to do. Happy Holidays through the end of the year!

[Paulina]

I remember checking this blog years ago when I was so much younger, and I was so inspired by your life and family, how you created so many things from scratch and always had such a beautiful outlook on the world. Your garden is beautiful and so is your home, have a very happy Thanksgiving :)

[Nancy]

Oh I'm sooooooo glad you're back! I love love love coming to your site (and store. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! And may your hand be well soon. Like TODAY! :)

[Velma]

I was so afraid something bad had happened causing your absence. I'm so sorry to read about your hand. Life must be very difficult for you. I know how much you love to embroidery and sew. I'm sure you are missing it a great deal. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I pray you have a speedy recovery. Your Friend, Velma

[Samantha Martz]

Have missed you Vicki! and all the seasonal pretties that you make. So sorry to hear of your accident and glad that you are on the mend to enjoy the holidays and everyday activities. Autumn here in Colorado was long and beautiful, we are covered in snow now and staying in as much as possible because it is sooo cold. Happy Thanksgiving and MERRY Christmas!!!