Harvest Banner

While we were on vacation in September, I started thinking about my front porch. I've never really done anything with it, and yet it has so much potential. I want my house to be welcoming the moment you pull into the driveway.  I didn't have much in my budget for it this year, so I knew I needed to make something and then, thanks to Pinterest I got my idea.

So here is my first attempt at a tutorial, which first involves a trip to JoAnns.

1. Shopping List:

1/3 yard solid cream outdoor canvas 

1/8 yard solid brown outdoor canvas

1/8 yard Pellon Wonder-Under Fusible Web 

Small spool of brown thread

2 yards of binding - you can use a double wide packaged binding. I bought a cream trim. Use whatever catches your eye.

2. On the computer:

Design your letters, and get creative with fonts. I chose High Tower Text since I was going for classic and old fashioned. As far as size of the letters, you want them to be around 4 inches tall. I think for High Tower that was between 300-400. Print (I always click the "Outline" in advanced settings, so as not to waste ink).

3. Make your triangle pattern. 

I cut mine out of a Digiorno box and it's 11 1/2 inches long x 8 1/2 inches wide.

4. Cut out your printed letters.

5. Iron the Wonder-Under onto the back of the brown canvas.

6. Trace letters onto Wonder-Undered canvas

Place letters face down (backwards), and trace.

7. Cut out canvas letters.

8. Cut out flags.

Using your cardboard pattern, cut out 7 flags. 

9. Iron letters onto flags.

Get out your craft ruler and center letters on flags, remembering to account for the 1/2 inch trim that will be sewn at the top.  Iron into place.

10. Sew around flags.

Thread your machine with brown thread. Set your stitch length to 3.0, I think a larger stitch looks more professional for top stitching. Sew quarter inch around sides of flags. At this point you may want to trim sides with pinking shears to add detail.

11. Sew flags together.

Pull out your trim, give yourself a foot or so of excess for hanging. You can pin trim to flags or just take it slow. As far as spacing the flags,  you could put a couple inches between each flag. For the size of my porch I butted them up so they were almost touching.

12. Iron the finished product and hang!

It does not feel like 12 steps, it's really simple and goes pretty quick once you start. And of course you could make one for any season or holiday, changing fabrics, words, lettering...have fun with it!

Sumner

As the holidays approach, I get anxious to visit the Main Street shops in Sumner. One of our traditions we look forward to each year is attending the Autumn Evening Open House. The downtown shops stay open late and serve all kinds of cookies, candies, doughnuts and cider. It's a fun event to attend with your family, girlfriends, or even husbands who love all the treats! We still have yet to make it to The Old Cannery's Bridge Lighting during Thanksgiving weekend, with cider, coffee, roasted nuts and kettle corn ... maybe this will finally be the year!

 My favorite store and interior decorating icon. Check out their blog.

 One of the classiest paper stores around.

 I love their generous and elegant selection.

Autumn Evening is the same night as the 

Scarecrow Celebration Contest who perform every half hour. 

The Old Cannery a few blocks from town is worth a visit, boasting 10 acres of furniture sold at low prices; a Fudge Factory with 24 flavors including sugar-free options; 7 scale miles of overhead G scale trains; and during their Hometown Holidays, free pictures with Santa and Sleigh Rides.

For a listing of Sumner's year round events, click here.

Pumpkin Patches

It's been awhile since I last blogged, I've been busy growing bones, cartilage and other vital organs for baby #2 due spring 2012--Yay! I am loving the cooler weather blowing in, spiced candles and baking anything with cinnamon. We are already planning our October Saturdays...our favorite Saturdays of the year. One of which we plan to visit our local pumpkin patch: Spooner Farms in the small town of Orting, a great place to take a scenic drive or bike the Foothills Trail in the Fall. Each year they boast a creative Corn Maze, Pony Rides, Pumpkin Sling Shots, Face Painting, Farm Animals, the new Rope Maze, over 50 varieties of U-Pick Pumpkins, Squash and Gourds, Concessions and an adorable Gift Shop to browse. We loved going as adults, and enjoy it even more with a little one. Good luck finding a parking spot as this is a very happening place and wear your galoshes!

So many fun things for kids to see.

This was from the corn maze a couple years ago: 

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe".

Western Washington is full of great pumpkin patches. Other farms of note:

Remlinger Farms for North Sounders, and fun for the whole family: Train Rides, Kids Corn Maze, Carnival Rides, Gift Shop, Market and Cafe. One of the most scenic drives in Western WA: HWY 203/202 between Monroe and North Bend, if you have the time, you will not be disappointed!

Maris Farms' claim to fame: the Haunted Woods and Night Corn Maze, more suitable for tweens, teens and adults.

For a regional listing of Washington State Pumpkin Patches click here.