Fall around my house
Fall is just starting to make its presence known around my house. The temperatures in the Bay Area of California are cooling to the 70’s and low 80’s during the day and hovering around 58 degrees C at night. We just pulled the last of our tomato plants, and we’re still waiting for our peppers to finish maturing. The hydrangeas have turned into a beautiful palette of mauve, wine and pale blush.
We have three Monarch chrysalides that will become beautiful butterflies any day now. Mr. Crafty Quilter is still finding Monarch caterpillars in our backyard milkweed plants. We have become their guardians as we check on them daily to watch their progress. Nature isn’t always kind to them, but that’s part of the journey. We help when we can and hope they make it to their final winter destination along the California coast.
I finally brought out the fall decorations on Saturday. I love decorating with all things Autumn! My favorite addition this year is my Moda Stitch Pink quilt that I made in October of 2020. It’s folded and draped along the back of our couch. The free pattern is still available at Moda Fabrics.
I’m starting to crave the flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon. I love a good cinnamon spice tea and some homemade pumpkin bread. I just purchased a vanilla & cinnamon scented candle – so good! And then there’s that gorgeous fabric in the background!
Let’s talk about that fabric, shall we? It came in today’s mail from Lo & Behold Stitchery. Eeek! I splurged and purchased a 30 piece bundle of 1/4 yard cuts. Aren’t they so delicious looking? I’m just going to admire them for now and ponder the possibilities. (I’m thinking a scrappy log cabin).
I found a #Fallquiltparade hashtag on Instagram and loved seeing all of the gorgeous fabric and quilts. I joined in for a few days. One prompt was favorite Fall fabric and I posted a picture of Kismet fabric by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics. I’ve been using this fabric collection to make the Red at Night 2 BOM that I’m co-teaching at The Granary Quilt Shop. It’s going to be beautiful when it’s finished!
That’s how Fall looks in and around my house. It’s really my favorite time of year! I hope you’re enjoying the changing of the season in your neighborhood. Have a wonderful week!
That first quilt on the back of your couch is beautiful. I love it.
I LOVE autumn! Around here (Southeast PA) there are some spectacular trees. Some bright red, soft orange, yellow, and purplish bronze are among the colorful beauties, but don’t ask me which trees are which unless it’s an oak or maple, I’m hopeless at identifying trees. In an area not far from where we live, a small country road goes through a forest where all the trees turn bright yellow. I like to drive through there close to sunset when the sun is behind them and turns them into massive forest of brilliant gold! It’s unbelievably beautiful for about a week; a once a year treat that I love. We go out to nearby Amish and Mennonite farms to buy baskets of apples (homemade apple sauce), pumpkins and mums to decorate the front porch. I look forward to walking my dog in the brisk fresh air around the neighborhood to greeting neighbors; hopefully I’ll catch up with some who’ve been inside way too long due to Covid. Valley Forge Historic Park is only 25 minutes away and we can take our dog up there too, it’s a perfect place to enjoy Autumn. I can open my sewing room windows on quiet, cool and sunny days and enjoy the fresh air while working on some of my projects. And it’s time for me to start making batches of my peach & white raisin bread to share. It’s moist, spicy and yummy. Autumn is so delightful! Looking forward to it helps me get through the hot, humid summers we have here.
Great post Julie. Hope the Monarchs are successful. The chrysalis picture is beautiful.
Fall is also my favorite time – I am not a fan of summer at all, it is way too hot up here. So with the night temps falling I am much happier! Our leaves are just slightly tinged and the dogwood is changing color (that tree is usually our first to change). Love the Kismet fabric. I had it in the shop and it was very popular!
Made ginger/applesauce cake yesterday and it is yummy!! Autumn – just the best!
How I love your wonderful quilt site. You are always showing us wonderful things from nature to quilts..PA monarchs have left town along with our hummingbirds, but wonderful to know they are doing well in CA. thank your your inspiration and all you do for folks in need.
I enjoy your posts very much and look forward to each one. I would love to know what background fabric you used on your Moda quilt on the back of your couch. That color combination is perfect for Fall. Thank you.
Hey Julie! I love seeing autumn at your home and in the class you are teaching too!
I wanted to tell you after 10 years sewing machine binding on by hand I finally tried your method all by machine and it turned out amazing!!! Thanks for your tutorial too!
Kathi
Hi Julie,
I’m currently in England as we prepare my oldest grandson to begin his university studies at Cambridge. It sure feels like autumn here — much cooler temperatures and, of course, lots more rain than we get in the Bay Area.
Autumn is my favorite season — and I love your quilt and the fabrics in your blog. Thanks so much!
Julie, love the quilt, it is beautiful. Am in awe about the caterpillars and monarchs. I have milkweed growing but haven’t seen any eggs or caterpillars. Will keep hoping. Thank you for sharing.
What a lovely quilt.
Where did you get your milkweed plants or seeds? I would like to plant some in my garden.
Did you plan for the new fabrics to coordinate with your Red at Night BOM blocks or was it a happy accident?!
The orange with the blue is simply stunning for autumn!
Hi Julie, I love everything about this post! The nature photos are beautiful, as is your quilt and that new fabric! Sometimes I just love looking at a new bundle before digging in. And Fall is my favorite season of all. There is nothing about it I don’t love! It’s so colorful and cozy. We will be welcoming our first grandson in early November. I can’t wait! 🙂