This Weekends Winner(s) : :

What a special weekend! Kevin and I spent Saturday and Sunday away in beautiful Corning, NY. On Sunday Kevin ran in the Wine Glass Full Marathon. The temperatures were in the 30's, it rained the entire time, and was windy as can be. Regardless of the terrible conditions, he did great -- finishing with a time of 3:16! For someone who only started running just under two years ago, that's pretty amazing. Because of the rain, I didn't get too many photos, but here's what I have to share.

Beer. Yes, he always has 1-3 the day before a big run.



The next morning after he caught the bus to the start line, I found a new, open bakery downtown and had myself a cup of the yummiest dark chocolate mocha with a homemade marshmallow. Which I plan to make lots of this winter. I am so glad I brought my knitting, it really calmed my nerves. But mostly I was in awe of the fact that I was alone, in a bakery (I'm a gluten-free girl), knitting, without children, while my husband was running in 36 degree weather in the pouring rain. I don't think I have ever felt such extreme joy and guilt at the same time!



The race started around 8 am, so I found my spot to wait as all the half and then full marathon runners started coming in. Standing for three hours in these conditions was not fun, to say the least, but at least I wasn't running! About two minutes before Kevin finished I was visited by this hummingbird. Right in front of me, hovering in the flowers that were planted along the street. I've never been so close, it was pretty special.



Just as soon as it flew away, my husband was flying in!



As awful as it was to stand freezing and soaking wet for hours, seeing this smile at the end made it all worth it. He really is amazing!!! And inspiring. And so supportive. And I thank God for him everyday!




And now... we have a giveaway WINNER!

First, I want to say a big THANK YOU to Cotton Blossom Farms Fabric for offering such a sweet giveaway!!! If you've fallen in love with these fabrics, you can find the entire collection of Sarah Jane's Children At Play on their website, right now!

Thank You to all of you who entered, I'm so glad you all liked our Giveaway! I know that not winning is not much fun at all -- my apologies for that! So, good news -- I'll be hosting a new giveaway here again this Friday and as often as I can, hopefully each Friday! Be sure stop back. I think it's such a wonderful way to end each week, I hope you think so too!

So without further ado, from 669 entries  Mr. Random says our lucky winner is comment #14, Bethany!!! I hope you enjoy your winnings, I can't wait to see what you make! Both Cotton Blossom Farm Fabrics and I will be in touch!

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Welcome (and Welcome Back!) October Sponsors!

Cotton Blossom Farm Fabrics

Skye Reve Fabrics

The Little Fabric Shop

Moona Fabrics

Pink Castle Fabric

Poppy Seed Fabrics

The Intrepid Thread

It's such a pleasure to have you!

Please do visit them and check out their info on my Sponsorship Page!
Be sure to look for giveaways from them in the coming Fridays ahead!!!

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Thanks again and Happy Monday!!!

This Weekend : :

I finally photographed my newest finished owl pillow. This ones being entered into the Celebrate Color Home Decor pool and listed in my shop.



This weekend : : I found myself wanting to do some knitting. Although I'm not sure just yet what I'm making?



This weekend : : I worked up a new tutorial to share here tomorrow -- an updated version of my Felt Leaf Garland. And, realized that photographing garland is really, really difficult. For me anyways?



This weekend : : I Found a little inspiration for those of you still hoping to get your hands on some of this gorgeous Loulouthi.

1. dress by rachel s k, 2. "a" by Stitched In Color, 

3. owl by Maureen Cracknell Handmade, 4. purse by Toni Weinstein

Thank you Rachel, Rachel Hauser, and Toni for letting me share your lovely Hugs & Kisses creations! It's obvious Anna's Wine colorway is the favorite of the bunch!

And now... we have a WINNER! 

First, I want to say a big THANK YOU to Moona Fabrics for offering such a sweet giveaway!!! If you've fallen in love with these fabrics, you can find all the colorways of this Hugs & Kisses Loulouthi print and this 1/2 yd bundle at the Moona Fabrics etsy shop and their website, right now! Remember -- Until September 30th all Loulouthi Fabrics are just $7.99/yd at Moona Fabrics.com!!

Thank You to all of you who entered, I'm so glad you all liked our Giveaway! I know that not winning is not much fun at all -- my apologies for that! So, good news -- I'll be hosting a new giveaway here again this Friday and as often as I can, hopefully each Friday! Be sure stop back. I think it's such a wonderful way to end each week, I hope you think so too!

So without further ado, from 791 entries  Mr. Random says our lucky winner is comment #361, Annette!!! I hope you enjoy your winnings, I can't wait to see what you make! Both Moona Fabrics and I will be in touch!

Thanks again and Happy Monday!!!

Let's Celebrate Color! {My Fall Inspiration} : :

 
Have you seen? Rachel of Stitched In Color has organized a fabulous three month long celebration, starting September entitled CELEBRATE COLOR, partnered alongside emma lamb, luvinthemommyhood, and Mollie of wild olive!

Celebrate Color is for fiber artists of all kinds -- embroidery, crochet, knitting, quilting, home decor, clothing and any kind of wearable fiber creations.

Fall sewing has already begun for me, as you may have noticed. The colors I've been pullling are deeper, warmer shades of the brights I usually work with. I find this time of year more inspiring than any other! In additon to all the lovely changes that occur outdoors during this beautiful season, there are many other things that define Fall to me -- sewing with warm colors, casting on with wool, baking, stone fruits and pumpkins, flannel pajama pants, layers of cozy clothing, quilts, and blankets, painted furniture, rustic woods, harvest decor, indoor crafting, and lots of pillows (naturally). Here's a little mosaic of images and inspiration of the plans I have for sewing and knitting this Fall.

1. Thread Heart, 2. Granny cover, 3. star mini quilt, 4. Vintage A-line dress, 5. Fall Colors Quilted Stripes Pillow, 6. tufted, 7. Stacked, 8. new table, 9. sur la table, 10. sweater birdie, 11. Fabric and Felt Fox Pillow WIP, 12. owl pillow, 13. My new Folksy Flannel

I'm linking this up with the start of Celebrate Color...and now it's your turn! Get creative, get crafting, start thinking cozy fall and join in the celebration!

Favorite Things : :

Today, when I can, I am working from the felt scraps basket and am experimenting with new ways to make felt flowers. So fun! Finding ways to use up those scraps happens to be one of my most favorite things!

I am also working on a new tutorial to share here very soon -- my "Favorite Things Bunting." If you love both sewing and knitting, you'll enjoy this one! It combines so much of what we all love.. Fabric, yarn, felt, felt balls or pom poms, and ric rac.

Hoping to work on the tutorial (and better pictures) throughout this week. Stay tuned...

Wool.Easter.Basket : :

Well it certainly had been a while since I made one of these! Afterall, making felted items for children is where it all started for me. This project request came to me from a mother who wanted similar Easter baskets for her two little boys, and I had already made a basket for her first son -- how could I say no? Really, I couldn't. And I am really glad I didn't. I have had the same barely started project on the needles for quite some time now and with Easter around the corner, this really forced me to jump in. It seems as I get more and more into sewing, the knitting and felting that I use to just love, just keeps getting further and further away. This project made me think of {bunnies, fox, owls, trees, bees, butterflies, and Spring -- of course} but also about balance. How could knitting, something I was SO passionate about, be replaced by a new passion? Well, it shouldn't be. I love to knit! I love to sew! There you have it.

So, here is a little wool, nature themed Easter basket that required a lot of knitting, some felting, needle felting, embroidery, hand stitching, and just a little bit of sewing, too.






Here's hoping there is a lot of passion and a bit of balance in your life, too!

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Thinking of Spring : :

"Find the warm places; do not expect them to come to you. When you find them, stay there and be still. Be still and watchful." {From Wild Comfort: The Solace of Nature by Kathleen Dean Moore}

It is a very gray, chilly day. Lots of snow still covers the ground here is Northern Pa. We woke up to a little dusting on the sidewalks and snow flurries blowing through the air. But when we looked a little closer we noticed the crocuses peeking through the ground just below the trees. We saw geese flying across the sky. And sap dripping from the buckets. We don't know if Spring is truly upon us, snow could definitely still come down, but oh -- We're waiting!

As we begin another busy week, I wish us all some warm moments! ~ Maureen

Come On In : :

This little room of mine is finally starting to come together. It is very much a work in progress, but I thought I would share a little peek of my space with you today and as it changes along the way. It's pretty much a blank canvas...









I actually feel a little nervous and a bit shy about sharing it, isn't that silly? I guess because it's nothing fancy, like so many of the studio's that I have seen (here, here and here) and admire, and also because this space means so much to me. To be honest, I've been stalling on photographing it - I'm not a fan of the blue paint or carpet and was going to wait until I had art up on the walls, new curtains, and was hoping to have my new camera first. But... here it is. My little room.

Handmade Holidays ♥ Busy Elving : :

This post, inspired by Soulemama. Christmas Garland, inspired by Dottie Angel...

Now it's your turn - tell me what you're busy Elving....

Handmade Holidays ♥ Winter Garland : :

If you follow me here, then you might know that I have been without a sewing machine for a few weeks now -- and it has been awful, to say the least! Thankfully, Iris is on her way back to me tonight and I can't wait!

So to stay busy, I've been planning my holiday sewing projects and have been busy knitting. Lots. Mostly just items to be felted, which aren't very exciting in their knitted state, as well as a  few different strands of knitted garland...which I am very excited about!

This one I'm calling my Winter Garland, a long knitted I-cord with lots of Eco-friendly handmade ornaments...

Some made of wool and needle felted : :

Some made of wool felt and old buttons : :

Some crocheted and glittered snowflakes : :

Some made of pom poms, wood, and felt balls : :

And, so much other handmade goodness : :

This is my first one finished and will be is available in my etsy soon now!

Are you planning on giving or making handmade holiday gifts this year? I'd love to see --- feel free to share a link or your plans in the comments!

Beauty.In.Knitting : :

If you visit me here often, you know I love to knit! I knit almost everyday and I knit with a passion. There is something about picking up those two sticks and casting on that has comforted me since that very first stitch. That repetitive motion, that soothing click...for me it's both therapeutic and meditative. It clears my head, reminds me to breath, allows me to relax. Yes, I LOVE this knitting and I appreciate how it has changed me and my life. Something powerful happened when I started knitting and it became a bit of a serious thing for me. I've decided, for me, that's all because of the thinking that's involved -- whether I'm knitting a sweater for my child or knitting a toy for another, all the while I am working, with every stitch comes a new thought or vision of complete love of my child wearing it or the child who will be playing with it...JOY. It's been such a wonderful gift in my life and has made me feel such an appreciation and connection to other knitters and others knitted goods.

So, last week when I spotted this lovely, little, sweater dress (made by a fellow local knitter, Peggy) I completely fell in love and had to have it for my beauty -- Haila! And Hooray, last night I was the lucky one to bring it home from the Library Auction...

Miss Haila loves it too!

Wishing you beauty and joy today in that which comforts you!  
~ Maureen