Fall wall hanging and fun goodies

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I have lots of new projects to share with you, but I'll keep it to two today and show you some more tomorrow. Today's two are really my favorites, so they go first.

I finished this fall inspired wall hanging over the weekend and I'm thrilled with the way it turned out.

I've been working on it for quite a while and at one point I got completely stuck and had no idea how to go on. It all started with this ginormous tree. I found instructions and pattern in one of my favorite books Material Obsession 2 by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke. I first used yellow and green fabric for the background and I hand appliqued the tree to it. But, I'm not much of a yellow and green background girl. I did not like it one bit. I had to rip the tree off the background (the idea of hand appliqueing again was not a very happy one, though) and I decided to use my trusty white instead. Ahhhh!! The relief!  I liked it much better.

Then came the children. I cut them out of fabric by Aneela Hoey and machine appliqued to the background.

The leaves are falling all around them and they are enjoying few last warm days before winter comes and snow covers the ground.

The birds came last. What would fall be without birdies flying south, right? I've always liked Kajsa Wikman's appliqued birds and I decided to add them to my quilt.

I think they add more cuteness and whimsy. Don't you just want to jump in and join the fun?

I'm going to submit this wall hanging to Celebrate Colors {Home Decor} .

The second thing I wanted to share is not something I made, it was actually made for me by a wonderfully talented Laura  over at Needles, Pins and Baking Tins as part of Goodie Swap 2011. Just look what I got in the mail yesterday!

This gorgeous tea pot mug rug. I love the piecing and quilting, it looks even more pretty up close. I also got a lovely pin cushion and needle book. They are exactly what I was hoping for, bright, happy, modern. Thanks so much, Laura. You definitely made my day.

Svetlana