October was a crazy busy month! I've had a little trouble focusing on making the patterns for my projects. I tend to get inspired and I just start stitching. The patterns are in the works, so try to be patient with me.

One of the projects I made is this doll that I'm going to send to my friend Lola to celebrate the opening of her new quilt store, Stitching By The River Studio in Palmdale, CA (http://stitchinbytheriver.blogspot.com/). I tea dyed the fabric for her body and embroidered her eye brows, eyes and mouth. For her hair I used yarn that I untwisted and made into a bun. Her shoes are made from an old leather jacket that I cut up.

I also made this Denyse Schmidt Hope Market Tote. I love the slightly off-kilter letters. It's a free pattern that can be found on her website (http://www.dsquilts.com/fabric_and_patterns.asp?PageID=193). She also has a pattern using these letters in a quilt called "The Proverbial Quilt" (http://www.dsquilts.com/fabric_and_patterns.asp?PageID=185).

I needed some fall colors to add to my wool stash, so I spent a day dying all these yummy wools.

And because I love Autumn, I made three different fall themed projects. I'll try to get the tutorials posted ASAP. Below is a design based on the acorns I collect on my hikes. You can see the back of the pillow behind the doll (see first picture).

I used hand-dyed wool thread from the Merry Hooker Woolens (http://themerryhookerwoolens.com/) to stitch everything but the berry branch on this table mat. This website has a great selection of lovely unique woolens and the customer service is outstanding. Check it out.

After I finished the table runner below I wasn't totally pleased with the turkey. I think the final version of this will have a fatter turkey and it will be a pillow instead of a table runner. It was a great way of utilizing all my scraps, so I'll keep the scrappy border idea for the pillow.

As you see I have not been idle. October was crazy busy!