The Polka Dot Debutante

First of all, here is Halloween Decoration #2. It's a wool table runner that I made about 10 years ago. Can't remember what book it was from.

I also want to say farewell to this lampshade that I made 23 years ago when Devon was just a baby. I put those Boynton figures on it and his room had a matching wallpaper border. It was so cute. Rick very nicely modeled it for me before we tossed it.

Where did Day Three Go? Yeah, I already blew it. I'm just not used to doing an entry every day. So this is really for Day Three and Day Four. The wooden girl I bought in California in the early nineties at a boutique. The three little ceramic pumpkins came from Ceramic Showcase 2007. Can't remember the artist. The little whole cloth quilt that you can partially see behind them was made by Marge Scott from my small quilt group in California.

This quilt is from (I think) American Patchwork and Quilting probably 1997 or 1998. Can't remember, can't find the magazine, and I didn't label the quilt. Bad me. I'm always pestering my students to make sure they label their quilts. I wish I had. My friend Catherine and I each made a quilt from this pattern. It was fun. Does anybody remember the magazine or the name of the quilt?

I got some pumpkins the other day along with some mums and chard to decorate the area around the door. Looks like Fall to me.

I made these two little beauties at least 14 years ago. Their bodies are made from old quilts and their heads are painted, dried pomegranates. They still make me smile.

I bought these plates ten or so years ago when I lived in California. They go up on the wall in the kitchen every year.

This stitchery is from a pattern but I can't remember what it was called. And I can't find the pattern either. I love it. It hangs in our bathroom at Halloween.

This quilt came from a pattern that was in Quilters Newsletter Magazine some years back. It is paper pieced and I hate paper piecing. But I loved the pattern so I made a trade with my friend Vivienne. I did some quilting for her and she paper pieced it for me. It was a great trade.

I got home from teaching today and this adorable candle holder was waiting for me on the counter with a really cute card. I have the greatest husband.

I know this is not a Halloween decoration but it is HORRIBLE. Yes, this is what our basement bedroom and bath looks like at the moment. Rick and I spent this weekend ripping out the floors and the baseboard. We are having the concrete refinished which I am very excited about. It will be stained a rusty, browny color with a glossy sealant on top. It will look fab and will be very low maintenance.
Of course we now have to redo the baseboards and deal with the stairs. We decided against ripping out the vanity and shower in the bathroom. They are both gross but we just couldn't face that whole can of worms. So now you know why I've not been getting any sewing done; it's home improvement time!

This quilt was designed by Dorie Whipple. She used to teach at ThimbleCreek back in the nineties when I worked there. She was a wonderful person and a great quilter who passed away from cancer. I think of her and smile every year when I hang this up.

This little beauty I made myself. I copied it after one I had seen in a gift store. It was way too expensive so I made my own. She is about 18 inches tall with a flannel dress and dowels for legs. The hat is made from some coarse, openy ribbon, her head is wood and her hands are painted muslin. It was a long process but I'm so glad I persevered.

I'll be away from my computer for a few days. I'm heading down to the beach to teach at Ocean Waves Quilt Camp. More pictures when I get back.

My good friend Susan sent me a link to the Pumpkin Simulator, a fun little way to practice your pumpkin carving skills for Friday night. Check it out!

Mr. Debutante here. I do most all of the cooking around Polkadot Central, but I stick to the main courses. Lee (and Liza) do the baking and the generation of sweets. If you like to cook savory or sweet, or even mix a few drinks, check out Epicurious.com's Halloween Tricks and Treats special section. They have recipes, links to cool candies (including organic lollipops!), a special themed mixology guide, and Amy Sedaris's wacky party planner.

There's also a recipe for Spicy Grilled Chicken With Creamy Pumpkin Mole Sauce; the Deb will probably get that when she comes home from Houston.

The little counter on the right tells me that there are only 7 hours, 18 minutes and 27 seconds until Halloween, so here's a little sneak peek for tomorrow's grand finale:

Hope all your ghosts, ghouls, goblins and witches are ready!

Here we go - final post of the month. One of Lee's quilts from quite a while ago, but still one of our faves.

(Click on the picture to see a bigger version of it.)

Happy Halloween everyone, from Lee and the rest of goblins at Polkadot Central!