autumn

This Time of Year

grassy lane with a view across the fields. The grass and leaves are golden and brown and the sky is a mixture of greys

It’s October now and it feels like it; the leaves are golden against a sky that alternates between crystal clear blue and stormy greys. When the wind blows, it often has a chill in it, and colourful leaves crunch underfoot as you walk.

golden and green tree branches against a bright blue sky

The season is short, but it’s my favourite time of year!

abandoned shed surrounded with trees and tall grasses

country road lined with golden trees and a cloudy blue sky in the distance

Every corner you turn has another spectacular view. This is a small ravine close to where we live. It’s gorgeous at this time of year.

valley full of golden trees and a blue sky

Even abandoned buildings have a romantic look to them.

empty shed with trees on either side of it

And despite the signs of decay, there is beauty to be seen in the blooms and seedheads.

hydrangea and blanketflower blooms at the end of the season

weed seedheads in the evening light

The trees are dropping their leaves…and their seeds! We will plant some and see if they grow.

basket of acorns and one acorn still on the tree

We’ve been so busy harvesting the garden and have a pantry stuffed full of bounty from our tomatoes, cucumbers, plums, choke-cherries and apples. There are delicious treats ahead this winter!

plums in the tree and colourful leaves

wicker basket full of red plums

mason jars with juice, salsa and tomato sauce in them

In the meantime, it’s still the perfect time to go outside and explore; soon we will be spending most of our time indoors!

barbed wire fence alongside the road with tall grasses and a stormy sky above

A World Where There are Octobers

woman spinning in front of a row of yellow trees

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

The leaves are going quickly. Only days ago this row of trees in our backyard were covered in bright golden colours and by today they are mostly gone. Bare branches are left in stark contrast to the pale azure autumn skies. The bright yellow leaves are slowly deepening in colour, and the days are cool and crisp. I love this time of year and, like Anne, I am glad I live in a place where I get to fully enjoy Octobers.

woman walking in front of a large row of trees

mountain ash tree berries and woman wearing a wrap skirt and navy blue t-shirt

I am also happy that my sister was able to get these photos for me when she did, since I think this is the last time I’ll be pulling out this linen wrap skirt for this year. It’s time to reach for the tights and woollens and scarves!

patchwork quilt purse

This is the patchwork purse I mentioned that I was making. It took quite a while to finish, since I decided to hand stitch it to give more control over some of the very tiny pieces of fabric. I’m not a skilled quilter, and since I didn’t follow any pattern (each piece was fitted in place as I sewed) it ended up quite quirky! I think it gives it a rather authentic 1970’s feel though, don’t you?

After I finished the quilt, I then appliquéd it onto a canvas backing and then lined the entire thing to give it some strength, especially since the last one I made came apart. I was able to use so many unique pieces of fabric that I’ve saved over the years- you can even see in the picture above that I used a piece of the fabric from this skirt! Well, at least I know that this bag will coordinate with almost everything in my wardrobe…

woman spinning in front of autumn leaves

woman standing in front of golden trees looking into the distance

woman twirling in front of autumn trees

detail of a gold heart necklace

Friendship necklaces used to be such a “thing” when I was a kid, but they kind of went out of favour, didn’t they? A few years ago I found this friendship necklace; the heart cut out of the centre of this piece forms the other necklace! I like that it’s so delicate and minimal.

woman wearing a wrap skirt and carrying a patchwork bag

mountain ash berries

patchwork quilted purse

cognac coloured ballet flats

Why is it so hard to find brown shoes? Have you ever noticed that? Since deciding that brown is my “neutral” I have had the hardest time finding nice shoes that aren’t black. I was so glad to be able to find these from Vionic. I think it’s about time to put them away for the season, though. They are perforated, which is lovely for warm days, but a bit chilly for autumn!

I hope you are faring well and enjoying your October, whatever it’s looking like for you!

mountain ash tree

poplar branch in golden sunset light

Social Saturday | October 2

golden fall leaves

Happy October! Even though it’s a short season I love fall. I can’t believe that it’s already the beginning of October and the leaves are starting to fade!

Yesterday I snapped these photos of the beautiful golden light shining through the trees…and today is a cold and blustery day which has left almost all of the trees bare. We’ve had a beautiful long fall this year though, with so many sunny warm days. I love seeing the contrast of golden yellow leaves against a crisp blue sky.

fall leaves with golden evening light

Today is a quiet day spent inside with a book and a cup of tea. I got a couple of novels from the library yesterday, and have already finished one of them! (Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce and moving onto Longbourn by Jo Baker next)

patchwork 70's inspired purse

I finished my patchwork sewing project a while ago. I made a new purse to go on these vintage wooden handles from my Mom. The bag that was originally on them was coming apart, so it was time for a refresh. I was able to use up a bunch of beautiful scraps I’ve been saving for years. I’ll have an outfit post with this purse up soon!

floral pillowcases

Another quick and easy project recently, was making some new pillowcases. I sewed them out of a couple of damaged vintage sheets I had and they go perfectly with my pillow shams and quilt. I used to have 50 different patterned throw pillows and white pillowcases, but I was starting to get tired of how busy it was when paired with my quilt. So, instead of changing out the throw pillows for new ones, I decided to update with floral pillowcases and keep my shams and throw pillow all white lace. It was the perfect solution and I love the look!

new greeting card designs

One final item of note for today is that I added a couple of new card designs, as well as phone cases etc. to my Society 6 shop. I added these ages ago, actually, but never posted them!

How is your Fall going? What are your plans for October?

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist

Well, that turned into an unexpectedly long absence. I didn’t intend to take two weeks off, but here I am again! A few things have changed since my last post, two weeks ago. I have moved and am now settled into my new home… I have turned another year older… The leaves are mostly gone now, and it has tried to snow several times… and I’m sure there are other things, but I can’t think of any others. 🙂

Anyways, here I am today with an outfit post- I have been itching to get some Fall outfit photos for the blog, but seriously every time I try, something goes wrong- mainly the weather not cooperating. For someone whose favourite season is Autumn, it has not been a very good one, so far. We’ve only had a few pleasant days, and many bitterly cold ones. Finally my sister and I were able to go out last weekend (on my birthday) for some outfit photos. As the title suggests, it was very windy the day these were taken. And cold. And raining. And trying to snow. But- we persevered and I finally got my Fall photos- although they are nothing like the cheery photos from last year!

This year, my seasonal “uniform” is this coat, I think. You never get to see my autumnal hued outfit underneath, because it is too cold to not wear a coat. At least I do have a vintage styled coat- and scarves always make everything a bit more cozy, right?

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, cashmere scarf

Actually, this outfit is full of my favourite seasonal “must haves”:

1. Trenchcoat– keeps you warm and dry whatever the weather is trying to do.

2. Scarf– preferably a big, soft and cozy one!

3. Tights– got to keep warm!

4. Cognac coloured leather– warm tones are always nice for this season.

5. Brogues/ Oxfords– something about this style of shoe seems especially appropriate to autumn, doesn’t it?

Some of my other falltime favourites would be: my dresses made of rayon and wool fabrics, anything in mustard yellow, boots, cardigans and a beret.

Any combination of these items and you are sure to have a fairly autumnal themed ensemble 🙂

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, clarks oxford shoes

Well, I’ll stop rambling now. I hope your Fall (or Spring!) season has been a lovely one wherever you are, and that it has been infinitely better (weather wise) than mine has.

Do you like dressing for Falltime? What are some of your seasonal staples?

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, autumn outift, hell bunny trenchcoat

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, throwing-leaves

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, blowing-leaves

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, cognac leather crossbody purse

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, brogue shoes-in-leaves

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, mustard yellow scarf and autumn hued outfit

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, country lane

An Outfit For A Rather Windblown Autumn Day, the artyologist, throwing leaves