new pattern!

My newest pattern is up for sale! A beautiful pair of lace fingerless gloves - perfect for getting ready for fall!

Apple Butter!

Last weekend on our Asheville trip, we stopped by the local farmer's market and picked up 10 pounds of gorgeous WNC apples. So, today I'm making apple butter! After I'm all done (if it turns out right!!!), I'll post the recipe.

Also, look how fall our dining room table centerpiece is! cute little pumpkins surrounded by the wooden candle holders Jake made me for Christmas last year - i LOVE this time of year so much!!

fall weekend get-away

This past weekend, Jake and I went up to Asheville, NC to spend an evening with my parents.  It's always such a nice place to go - somewhere that helps me feel like I'm at home again.  I miss those mountains so much - especially this time of year.  We decided to take the long way home, and got to spend some time driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The color was amazing, and we got a little something that we weren't expecting -- SNOW! The higher in elevation we climbed on the parkway, the more snow there was on the trees.  It was incredible to see the snow on top of the gorgeous fall leaf colors.  I'll stop rambling on about it now and share some pictures with you.  Enjoy!!

If you ever get the chance to visit Asheville during Autumn - do it! It's lovely all year, but Autumn makes everything just a little more magical!

the heart of autumn

So I definitely feel like all of my posts lately have revolved around fall...but what can I say? It's obviously the most amazing season ever, so it deserves the love.

Brown Roses in Truffle Wristlet by EightSeasons

What are my favorite things about this wonderful season? Goodness...where to start? First off, I guess I would have to say that the colors top my list. Autumn is just filled to the brim with the most amazing colors on the planet. Having grown up in the mountains of North Carolina (Asheville), I was fortunate enough to be totally immersed in leaf season every year. And after I went off to college, I was lucky enough to be in an even more beautiful place for leaves (which I didn't think was possible!) - Boone, NC.  I think growing up and going to college where I did definitely impacted my love for the season.

Veins of Autumn Leaf Photo Necklace by wearableartbyjude

Another thing I love oh-so-much about fall would definitely be sweaters. I know it sounds silly, but I totally look forward to the first night when I have to grab my favorite, most comfortable sweater while sitting out on the porch.

Rococo Shawl by TickledPinkKnits

And even though I won't be in the mountains again this year for fall, I still can't help but adore all things autumn-related. Luckily, the mountains are only a short drive!

Golden Fall Aspen Forest Photograph by SimplyLodge

What are some of your favorite things about fall?

Fiber Love

So recently my good friend Chrissy has picked up needle felting, which looks really fun, and really complicated. Obviously, there are simple(r) things that can be done with needle felting, balls and such, but I can only imagine that Chrissy is jumping in feet first and tackling the hard stuff, as she is the most creative person I know.

Olive Needle Felted Wool Acorns by truLuxe

The wonderful thing about fiber is that it's so versatile. You can spin it, felt it, knit with it, use it for stuffing - you name it! And there are so many different fibers! Wool, alpaca, cashmere - love them all!

Hand Dyed Romney Roving by auntjanet

I enjoy wool because of the many different things you can do with it, but as far as knitting goes, I prefer something softer like cashmere, alpaca or silk - they're a dream to work with!

What is your favorite fiber?

Approaching Season: Autumn

I am shocked at how quickly autumn is coming our way.  It seems like just yesterday I was sweltering in the Georgia heat thinking about how far away it was. Now, I am just sweltering in the Georgia heat thinking about how quickly it came.

But seriously, it is starting to cool down here (by Georgia standards - my mountain bones still think it's hot), and I am starting to get more whiffs of the crisp fall air.

Autumn Red Plaid Pumpkin by SeaPinks

Fall is by far my favorite time of year - I love curling up with a cup of tea in front of a crackling fire with a set of knitting needles and yarn. And I love wearing sweaters, scarves, hats and mittens.

My list of must knits for this fall include:

• lots of mittens - fingerless and otherwise

Druid Mittens, Vogue Knitting, Fall 2008

• cute cardigans

Cropped Cardigan by Stefanie Japel

from Fitted Knits

• And definitely some lace shawls

Ishbel by Ysolda Teague

from Whimsical Little Knits

Got any specific projects planned for this wonderful, gorgeous season?

Temptations

Have you ever come across a pattern that you just can't seem to get out of your mind?? That happens to me all the time, it seems. Recently, this pattern just really wants to be knit by me:

Soft Kid Bubble by Laura Irwin

From Boutique Knits

I keep thinking about how cute it would be over a pair of leggings with some boots in the fall. Unfortunately, fall is rapidly approaching and it doesn't look like I'll be able to knit it in time, but it's definitely on my short list of things to do. It seems that I hardly have time to knit for myself anymore, but this is something I absolutely plan on doing for myself. My birthday is coming up soon (October 30), so maybe as a gift to myself I can cast on and spend the day wrapped up in a blanket knitting away.

What patterns tempt you?