cran·ber·ry
1. A mat-forming, evergreen shrub (Vaccinium macrocarpum) of eastern North America, having pink flowers and tart, red, edible berries.
2. The berries of this plant, used in sauces, jellies, relishes, and beverages.
cot·tage
1. A small, single-storied house, especially in the country.
2. A small vacation house.
cran·ber·ry cot·tage
1. A tiny house in the woods in the north of Holland.
2. Peace, quiet, paradise.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Witch legs...Halloween decor

Yesterday, I hosted a Halloween high tea party for my quilt group. You can see it here. I wanted to give my house an extra tint by having a few witches visit...well, at least attempt a visit...wink...


To create a witch landing head first in your flower pot is a simple, inexpensive and fun Halloween decoration. You need two wooden dowels (I used a piece of leftover curtain pole), some ribbon and left and right witch's shoes printed twice. I first asked Jos to saw the pole in two pieces which I wrapped the ribbon down it to give a striped effect. Cut out the shoes and glue two right and two left shoes together leaving the ends open to slip over the wooden dowels. Stick them into a flower pot and enjoy the reactions of those who come to your door.


Happy Halloween!
Heidi

Monday, October 22, 2012

A Sunday walk in the woods.....

We like to walk in the woods. Two Sundays in a row we have been out enjoying the colors and scents of autumn. The weather has been great here in Holland this fall so I simply put on a warm knitted cardigan (thanks Mom!), wrap myself in a flower scarf I crocheted and off we go...


The woods right beside Cranberry Cottage are small and yet very beautiful. I wanted to go out to forage for chestnuts and some fallen twigs. The twigs you saw in my last post for my Halloween tree. The chestnuts are in a bowl being roasted regularly to eat with dinner. Yum!


This piece of woods is has a good area of hilliness. It is amazing when you think how flat it is in Holland to suddenly have a steep area in the woods caused by glaciers in the ice age.

The dampness in this dense wood creates perfect conditions for toadstools and I was not disappointed on this walk. There were so many pretty fungi to admire.


"It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life."

- PD James

Heidi

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Counting down to Halloween.....

Halloween is coming near. I went for a Sunday morning walk in the woods which I will show you more of in my next post but I wanted to get some twigs for a Halloween tree...


Each year, when I put out these ornaments (most of which my mother made for me), I think of my sister as this was always her favorite holiday.


Dagi is trying out a funny face for Halloween. What do you think? Boo! *wink*

Heidi

Friday, October 12, 2012

Autumn lights.....

An outdoor lantern filled with gourds...


...simple and festive...


...to celebrate autumn!

"Thy bounty shines in autumn unconfined,
And spreads a common feast for all that live."

- James Thomson

Heidi

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

A decorated shelf...

Jos and I built this shelf unit for our laundry room in our previous home but it now hangs in the entrance as you come into our home.


For autumn, I added a charcoal sketch that I did a long time ago. It complemented my wooden books along with the addition of some mercury glass acorns and faux blackberries.


This is a piece of bobbinlace which I also did some years ago with three toadstools. I simply mounted it on some fabric and framed it.


The small dough bowl has a Halloween pillow with wooden figures (witch's hat, Jack o' lantern and a crow), acorns and pomegranates. I bought these little battery lights last year at Christmas time which I use now year round. I might buy more again this year since it was nice having them on in various areas of the house even after the holidays.


Heidi