Welcome to the September Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop!  The purpose of this Pinterest Challenge is to motivate all the participants of this hop (and you too) to not just pin, but to make it happen! This month, I chose to make a Healthy Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. My inspiration came from this pin from The Minimalist Baker.



I love fall and pumpkin spice. But when it is still in the upper 90's outside it is really hard to think about drinking a hot coffee! So I thought I would make a pumpkin spice frappuccino instead. **This requires freezing so be sure to prepare ahead of time!

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

Ingredients:

1 cup strong coffee (I used pumpkin spice flavor)
1 cup almond milk
¼ cup pumpkin puree
¼ teaspoon liquid stevia
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

Directions:

Make coffee and put it in the refrigerator to chill.
Mix the almond milk, pumpkin puree, stevia and pumpkin spice in a bowl. Stir until well blended. 
Pour mixture into an ice cube tray and place in freezer until frozen.
Place coffee and 8-10 pumpkin cubes in a blender. Blend until smooth. 
Top with a dash of cinnamon and enjoy!

 

**Note: I used 8 pumpkin spice cubes but I have an old blender and it had a hard time blending. The taste is great but it turned out a little icy. This will work best with a newer model blender.

---

It is time to get decorating for the fall season - the first day of fall was this past Monday! To help you with your decorating I have created these Free Fall Printables featuring both fall and Halloween prints.

Free Fall Printables

The two prints that are wreaths are 8" x 10" in size. The harvest time and ghost pictures are 10" x 10" in size. All prints are high quality pdf files. If you need another format or would like a different size print please feel free to email me.

To get your free printables just click here. All four prints are located in this file so you can download the one you want. Or you can download all four!

I am sharing these prints at the Happy Fall Link Party. Be sure to stop by to find some great fall ideas from other bloggers. Or if you are a blogger yourself you can link up any post related to fall, Halloween or Thanksgiving. It's open from September 28 through October 18.



The images for these fall and Halloween printables come from www.freepik.com. 

If you would like some fall stickers to go along with your printables, check them out here.

Are you craving something pumpkin flavored?  This Chocolate Pumpkin Bread will hit the spot. It is moist and delicious with a hint of pumpkin spice!  And it is not only gluten free but sugar free and dairy free as well.

Gluten Free Chocolate Pumpkin Bread

1 cup almond flour
1 cup gluten free flour blend
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup xylitol
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
15 oz can pumpkin puree
¹⁄3 cup sugar free brown sugar*
2 eggs at room temperature
¹⁄3 cup melted coconut oil
¼ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup sugar free chocolate chips (if you are not worried about dairy)

*To make sugar free brown sugar, mix 1/3 cup of xylitol with 1 teaspoon of molasses

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Then spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl mix dry ingredients from almond flour to pumpkin pie spice so they are well blended. 

In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients from pumpkin puree to vanilla.

Pour wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients and mix until well combined. If using the chocolate chips, stir them in at this point.

Add batter to prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove from pan.

As with most gluten free products, this is best served the first few days. If you will not be eating it right away, cut into slices and freeze. Then you can defrost 1 or 2 pieces at a time to eat.

Looking for other gluten free pumpkin recipes? Check out these pumpkin spice raisin muffins. 



Recipe is a modified version of Pumpkin Bread from What the Fork.

Collaborating this month with a lovely group of Bloggers to bring you some new craft ideas. For the October Craft Destash we are challenged to create a project using only items currently found in our craft stash. We were to make something new with crafty supplies or re-make an item we've been holding on to for a while. For this challenge I decided to make these Fall Market Tote.

 



For this project, I had everything I needed. I was a little short on the interfacing so I had to purchase a package of that for $4. So this project ended up being very inexpensive!

Fall Market Tote

Materials:

1 yard main fabric
1 yard lining fabric
Fall fabric panel 
Medium weight fusible interfacing
Fusible web (make sure it's sewing machine safe)

Directions:

½"seam unless noted otherwise
press seams open after sewing

Cutting:

From the main fabric cut 2 pieces that are 21" x 19" as well as 2 pieces that are 2" x 21". The 19" side is the height and the 21" side is the width.
From the lining fabric you will also cut 2 pieces that are 21" x 19" and 2 pieces that are 2" x 21". In addition you will need to cut 1 piece that is 9½" x 21" (the base fabric). 
With the interfacing you will cut 4 sections that are 21" x 19" and 2 sections that are 2" x 21".

Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of your main fabric and lining fabric. Also iron the interfacing to the 2" x 21" strips which will be the straps.

Sewing:

Main Bag

With the main fabric laying right side up, place the base fabric  (9½ x 21" piece) right side down on top 8½" from the bottom.  Sew across. Repeat with the other piece of main fabric and base. Then fold the base fabric down at the seam and iron it. Stitch a topstitch across the bag about ¼" from where you folded the fabric down.

 

Cut out all the pieces from the fall fabric panel. Iron the steam a seam to the back. Then place them on the bag according to your preference and iron them down. Use a zigzag stitch to go around each applique.

 

Lay the right sides together and sew around the bag, leaving the top open.

If you would like to make an inside pocket, cut a 6½" x 10½" piece of the main fabric. Iron under a ¼" seam all the way around then iron it down another ¼". Sew down the seam on all 4 sides. Then place the pocket on the right side of one of your lining pieces. Sew down the two sides and across the bottom. Then sew a line up the middle so that you have two pockets.

 

Lining

Lay the two lining pieces together with right sides facing. Sew down the two sides and bottom using a 5/8" seam. This makes your lining just a bit smaller than the main bag. Leave this bag inside out.

Creating Bottom

To create a flat bottom on your bag, flatten the bottom seam so that it forms a triangle on both edges. Mark 4" down from point and sew across those lines. Repeat on lining bag. Cut off excess triangle of fabric from all 4 corners.

 

Straps

To sew the straps, place one lining and one main fabric right sides together. Sew up each long side. Repeat with other strap. Then turn those right side out. Pin one strap onto the right side of the lining bag so that the raw edges are lined up with the top edge of the bag. The edges of one strap will be about 5 inches apart. Baste this in place then repeat with the other strap.

Finishing

Place the main bag, right side out, inside the lining bag. You will have the right side of the lining bag facing the right side of the main bag. Pin top edges together making sure side seams are lined up. Sew around the top leaving about 5-6" open. Turn the bag by pulling it through the opening. Then iron the seam down and top stitch about ¼" from the top seam.

 

 

 

 

 

Every month a group of bloggers are challenged to create a new craft or project from their own stash of goodies! You are allowed $10 max for necessities, but must primarily use items you already own. Check out some awesome creations you might be able to make from your own stash! This month I am sharing how to create your own Fall Table Runner!

#CraftRoomDestashChallenge

Fall Table Runner

 I've had this autumn fabric for a couple of years and wanted to make a table runner and matching placemats.

I'm not quite finished with this table runner yet though. I really wanted to learn how to free-motion quilt and thought this would be a great project for that. The only problem is I didn't have a free-motion quilting foot for my sewing machine. I ordered one and thanks to Amazon it came in today! So after I practice a bit and get this quilted I will update the picture. My table runner measures 15 inches wide by 33 inches long. I just measured the center of my kitchen table to find the best size. So, depending on your table size you might have to adjust your fabric measurements.

Materials:

3/4 yard cream or light colored fabric for the front and back

scraps of fall colored fabric for the leaves

1/4 yard fall colored fabric for the border

1/2 yard batting (or scrap measuring at least 15 x 33"

Directions for 15" x 33" Fall Table Runner:

Cutting:

1. Cut a piece of cream fabric 12 ½" x 30 ½". This piece is for the front. Cut another piece 15" x 33" for the backing. 

2. The maple leaves are cut from the scraps of fall fabric. First, iron some Heat N Bond Light to the back of the fabric. Make sure to use the light because the stronger ones will gunk up the needle on your sewing machine. I learned that the hard way! Then trace the pattern on the fabric and cut it out.  I cut 4 but if you are making a different size you can adjust this number.

3. Cut the border from the 1/4 yard of fall fabric - 2 strips will be 2" x 30 ½" and the other 2 strips will be 2" x 15".

Sewing:

4. Lay the leaves, right side up on the 12 ½ x 30 ½ piece of cream fabric. Spread them out to your liking. Iron them on according to the package directions. 

5. Use a sewing machine to applique the leaves onto the fabric. Use the satin stitch on the machine. If you haven't appliqued before you might want to try different stitch widths and lengths to find the one you like. I also have to adjust the presser foot's pressure on the machine I have. Also, if your background fabric has much stretch to it, you might want to iron on some interfacing to the back side before appliqueing. 

6. Pin the 30 ½" border to each side of the cream fabric with right sides together. Sew in a ¼" seam. Press seam towards the border.

7. Pin the 15" borders to the ends, right sides together. Sew in a ¼" seam. Press seam toward border.

8. Lay the backing on the table. Place the batting on top of the backing then place the table runner (face up) on top of the batting. Pin or baste these layers together. 

9. Quilt the layers together. You can quilt around the leaves and down the border or you can try your hand at free-motion quilting. 

10. Sew ½" double-fold binding around the edges. 

I haven't finished the last 2 steps but will be doing some free motion quilting. Then I have some brown binding that I will use to finish the edges.

And the total cost? $0 - I had all the material I needed!

Happy Fall!

September Planner Stickers 2

Only a few more weeks until it officially fall! And fall is my favorite time of the year. Although it doesn't get really cool here in the Houston area in September, we at least lose the 100 degree temperatures and some of the humidity! How about you, what is your favorite thing about fall? I also love the colors of fall.  Get those colors in these free September Planner Stickers 2 by clicking on the picture below.

You can download a file for the Erin Condren Life Planner or the Happy 365 Planner. Both come in a png for use with your cutting machine or a pdf to cut yourself. And if you need sticker paper, check out this deal from Amazon. The price has gone up a little since I purchased some but it is still a better deal than some others.



 

 

If you would like additional stickers for September, click here to find the ones from last year.

Welcome to the thrift store find makeover challenge for August. For the challenge this month, I decided to make this Buffalo Plaid Happy Fall Pillow. So, technically this isn't from the thrift store. It was in a bag at my house that was destined for the thrift store so I think that counts. Right?

 



It is a shirt that my son wore when he was in high school. He cleaned his room when he got married so I had quite a few bags that had to go to the thrift store. I looked through them to find anything that was still usable and this shirt was definitely craft worthy!

Buffalo Plaid Happy Fall Pillow

Materials:

A shirt in buffalo plaid, this is a small men's
Sweater like fabric for appliques
Heat and Bond
Black glitter Iron-on vinyl
Cricut or other cutting machine and this cutting file
14" pillow form
Also needed: thread, sewing machine and iron

Directions:

To start, cut the sleeves and neck area off of the shirt. Leave the buttons or snaps closed and place it over the pillow form. Adjust button or snap placement and if needed, move the buttons so that the shirt is snug over the pillow. In the picture below I moved the snaps and sewed them back in place. Trim excess fabric from the open ends.

 

Close the buttons/snaps and turn the shirt inside out. Place it back over the pillow form. Pin the open ends together so that the shirt is pulled together right up against the pillow form. I took a little tuck in at the ends so the corners didn't stick out.  Unbutton the shirt and pull out the pillow form. 



Sew the ends where the shirt is pinned. Trim any excess fabric then turn right side out and place back over pillow form. Make any adjustments as needed.  

Cut the words "Happy Fall" from the black glitter iron-on using your cutting machine. Don't forget to mirror your words and to place the shiny side down on the mat!

Then cut the fall shapes from whatever material you choose. Iron on the Heat and Bond to the back of the fabric before you cut.  I had this cream colored knit that I used. I used my Accuquilt and the fall shapes die to cut them out. But you can certainly find images online to use and trace!

Remove the pillow form and lay the cover flat. Iron on the words and the shapes according to the manufacturer's directions. Then just put the cover on the pillow form and you have brand new fall decor!

The end of summer is closing in on us and fall will be here before you know it! September 23 marks the first day of autumn in the northern hemisphere. I don't know about you but I am always ready for some cooler weather when September comes. And the beginning of a new month means free stickers - September Planner Stickers. These fall themed stickers come complete with apples, pumpkins, coffee and cozy slippers!

These free printables are available in both png and pdf formats. If you use a cutting machine you will want to download the png ones. Otherwise the pdf ones will work for you. They are also available in the E.C. Life Planner size which are 1.9" high and the Create 365 Happy Planner size which are 2.25" high. Just click on the link and you can download whichever file you like. 

Looking for some paper to print them on? Here is the sticker paper I use. It's not as thick as the Cricut brand but it works great. And you get 100 sheets which last quite a while. 

Enjoy your new stickers!

September Planner Stickers

 

Looking for other fall stickers? Click here or here too find more!